Last night about a bajillion Seattlites went over the same mental checklist...

Uncomfortably gorgeous shoes?
Way-too-short new dress?
Eyeliner for days?
4-5 cocktails?
=
A Perfect night out with the girls!.... At the movies!

Not just any move, THE movie; Sex and the City THE MOVIE! (sigh!, finally)

The midnight showing at Meridian 16 felt like a couture sardine can as throngs of well-heeled rushed in shoulder to shoulder to catch their first glimpse of Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda in years. The question on everyone's mind; were our favorite manhattanites fated to singledome or would they get their happy endings after all?

I personally took a page from Carrie's book and showed up fashionably late after taking a few arguably unnecessary detours in Eastlake with a bottle of wine, and then wandering around a deserted and closed Pacific Place. The moment of realization that I was at the wrong theatre came at about 11:59... "wait.... the movie is not showing here....." (insert girl in heels sprinting up 6th here)

Almost 3 hours, a few tears, and endless laughter later we all emerged with grins! The story was finally over, we got our ending. But just how happy was it????

I recommend you grab your girls, buy a new dress, skip the detour and pre-order your SATC tickets for this weekend now.

P.S. 4-5 cocktails required.

WOW. Best finale ever.

The dual is over and oh what a match it was! Archuleta seemed poised to take home the belt until Cook's fans made a late surge and served little Archie a knockdown blow. It was so intense both grown men cried! (a little awkward, a little bit)

Cook really proved he has what it takes to make it in America as the last man standing on the Idol stage. Remember in the semi's when he rocked the light brown comb-over and about 15 more pounds… and by "rocked" I obviously mean sucked??? He was creepy, admit it. The word nerd has come a long way since then. Unlike Daughtry he showed incredible originality and never looked like he wanted to throw the competition. You could FEEL how much he wanted it; in his demeanor, his eyes and his words (which had a lot more depth than the other David's 'Wow. Oh gosh. Thank you so much…. Oh gosh')

Some of Wednesday's highlights:

-Paula speaking coherently and eloquently for the 3rd week in a row. I'm thinking she should write a book of poetry.

-Ryan dancing with the "So You Think You Can Dance" kids during the Donna Summer medley. Perfection.

-David Cook's "Risky Business" Guitar Hero commercial. Whatch it, that's the best advice you'll get all day, believe me.

-Carrie Underwood. Duh.

-David Cook's classy acceptance speech. Hearwarming. Adorable how he kept giving Archuleta hugs. I'm still smiling.

I feel good about the season, great even. I feel less good about the 6+ months we'll have wait for their albums to drop. Fingers crossed for a "Switchfoot a la U2" album from Cook, and the surefire classic "Chris Brown colliding into Michael Bolton," album from Archuleta. Bam! That'd be great music.

So now we wait till January to get our Idol fix once again.... or if you're an idoladdict like me you watch Seacrest on E!, stalk Blake Lewis, and sing Idol Karaoke.

Season 8 here we come!

I know I know. A small tidbit on 90210 in March and I disappear from cyberspace forever....

As much as I LOVED going out with such a bang, I've finally found my way back to the PI with a firm commitment to post twice and possibly thrice a week on what's what in pop culture.

Let's do this.

First Duran Duran went back to the studio with Timbaland, then NKOTB reunion rumors hit the news, and now a 90210 spinoff has received the studio greenlight....

Did I miss something? Are we re-living 1992????

It seems to be so. Rob Thomas of "Veronica Mars" fame is in talks with the CW to put 90210 back on the schedule for fall, with a whole new cast, and perhaps a few fan favorites.

Hey, I'm pretty sure Donna's available!

It's March of 2008 and there's another Clinton fighting for office, Paula Abdul has a hit single, and even Whitney Houston is back in the studio.

It's inevitable, grab your flannel, grow out your hair and party like it's 1992!

Remember when Fantasia Barrino took a sultry swing at "Summertime" in season 3 and your jaw hit the floor? How about when Carrie Underwood, rockin that classic 80's do, hit the high note on "Alone," and wrapped up her title in Season 4?

Now those are what I call classic Idol moments, and I'm proud to share that the highlight reel got another entry tonight. America and I witnessed 17 year old David Archuleta soar through John Lennon's "Imagine" in what promises to be one of the best of season 7.

Watch the full video of him singing for the season 1 idols previewed tonight, below.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy his touching take on "Imagine."

Chills. Chills. Chills.

What does it mean to be "pop culture savvy?"

Is it knowing that Kate Hudson will likely soon announce her second pregnancy? Maybe it's understanding why the writer's strike was finally negotiated? Perhaps it's keeping tabs on Britney's current weave and sidekick? Or simply scouring IMDB for the summer blockbuster to-be?

Well it could be all of those things, but I can't think of anything 'Better Than Rehab' than a good old-fashioned Idol addiction. "American Idol" IS pop culture. It crosses over television to music, from plays to movies, and has spawned over 130 Billboard #1 hits and spurred multiple Grammy winning artists' careers.

This week the semi-finals are upon us which means two things: 1. A five hour television commitment, and 2. Five hours of the best show on TV in only one week!

Tonight the top 12 boys took to the stage and proved their 60's chops, however many lost all sense of current relevance. Immediate front runners include David Archuleta, a 17 year old former Star Search winner who shined in Hollywood and brought the crowd to its feet with The Miracle's hit "Shop Around".

Also popular was 29 year old Australian native Michael Johns, who first wooed us with "Bohemian Rhapsody," on the last day of Hollywood, and came through again with "Light My Fire" tonight.

My third favorite came from nowhere. Having received little to no TV coverage in the earlier rounds, Jason Castro, 20, surpassed expectations tonight with his effortless smile and contemporary spin on "Daydream."

Though there was some definite fire, the girls seem poised to outshine the boys this year. Besides those three, the only other boys with a shot at all are Danny Noriega (a polarizing but talented youth), Colton Berry (who sparkles with enthusiasm but could get lost in the pool), David Hernandez (whose vocals are some of the best but lacks that X-factor), and rockers Robbie Carrico and David Cook (who fall second and third to Michael Johns).

On their way out the door are Jason Yeager, Chikezie, Garrett Haley and Luke Menard. What did they sing? Who knows.. who cares!?!?

Tune into to see the girls tomorrow at 8pm and the first four cuts on Thursday!

*Sigh*

It's finally Idol Season... and I'm officially addicted!

Who do you love/hate????

****** Update*********

The girls were hotttt. In fact I think 8 of 12 are potential contenders!

A surprise favorite was 16 year old Alaina Whitaker who was spot on with her vocals.

Asia'h Epperson, 19, also brought down the house!

I'm also watching Ramiele (20), Brooke (24), Carly (24), Kady (19), Syesha (21), and Amanda (23) closely for a front-runner to emerge.

The contestants are young and the energy is high this season on Idol. Who will go home first? Who will last till the end? If I had my way it'd be David A, Ramiele, and Alaina W in the final three, all of whom are 20 years old or younger, all of whom grew up watching the first season of idol as pre-teens, and all of whom have the talent to be relevant in today's music industry.

In the wake of Obama's Washington victory and the narrowing gap between the Democratic candidate's delegate count, I admit it; I'm psyched on politics.

The race is staged to be more exciting than the Giants beating the Patriots and passionate than this Tuesday's "Biggest Loser." Both camps have emerged with arms swinging and huge star power to back up their punch.

Team Obama: Oprah, Toni Morrison, Caroline Kennedy, Scarlett Johanson, John Legend, Kate Walsh, Wyclef Jean, Will.i.am

Team Hillary: Maya Angelou, Madeline Albright, Bill Clinton, America Ferrera, Whoopi Goldberg, Amber Tamblyn, Cher, Perez Hilton

Oprah has traveled with Mr. Obama, singing his praises as only she can. Caroline compares him to her famous father in the op-ed piece, "A President Like My Father". Dr. Maya Angelou expresses pride in Clinton's candidacy, and America gets excited enough to make up the Hillary dance.

Check out her interview with Hillary effectively targeting the youth vote.

Stars have taken to the mics in "Yes We Can," produced by Wyclef Jean in support of Obama's campaign.

Who will decide in the end? Pop culture? The press? The people? Those wild card super delegates? California and New York went to Hillary, but Barack is cleaning up in the middle states. Barack attracts youth, but Hillary takes the party Dems. Is there a front runner?

It's not clear if Hollywood endorsements really make a difference, but with millions of Youtube views and Perez Hilton hits, it is quite obvious that their voice in grassroots media has made it cool to care about politics in '08.

When it came to my own decision I dug deep down and asked myself, "Who sounds more trustworthy when it comes to politics? America or Oprah?" The later may be a modern day icon, but I'll follow my country's namesake any day, thank you.

If anybody needs me, I'll be the girl doing the Hillary dance all the way 'till convention.

Think Angelina's hot? Think again.

The real money maker in Hollywood is none other than the trashtastic Ms. Britney Spears, whose pics garner 2-3 times more than the lovely Jolie in the celebrity circuit. A photo of the pop star starts at a cool 10k.

Writer Jeremy Herron explores the industry that IS Britney Spears in today's, "An economy grows around Britney Spears."

The piece is definitely worth a read. In fact I totally understand why she hangs out with the paps now; who wouldn't want a piece of that price tag? Word is her anticts have almost single-handedly brought about the successful introduction of an entire magazine. Remember that breakdown at the OK! shoot in July????

.....Spears has been "amazing" for OK!'s business. Publisher Tom Morrisy said Spears drives newsstand sales and helped the magazine's ad revenue more than double to $51 million in 2007. OK! expects to turn a profit in 2008, three years after breaking into the market.

Even her music has taken a backseat to the hysteria. Little known fact: October's release, "Blackout," is her best album yet! It's addictive, and fun.... but her real life is that and more. It's her personal daily soap opera.

As we wade through new psychiatric breakdowns turned midnight donut runs and approach the 1 year anniversary of her famous hair shaving incident I have two questions on my mind:

1. When will the hysteria end?
2. Why is she STILL wearing hideous weaves after a full year?

My unqualified and unwanted advice to the struggling star: stage a few photo ops and get a hair cut....

Angie's pics may not be worth as much, but they're a whole lot easier on the eyes.

The Year was 1990, the scene: pure madness. It was before Backstreet, pre-Posh, and ahead of Dirty Pop. A time when five boys from Boston had all "The Right Stuff," and weren't afraid to show it….

NKOTB, oh how I miss thee!

Word on the block is my kindergarten lunchbox may re-enter fashion in '08. Yup, they've been on hiatus forever, but just like leggings, Joey, Jonathan, Jordan, Donnie, and Danny are halfway to a comeback!

People Magazine reports that an official announcement on a New Kids On The Block reunion tour will be made in February on www.NKOTB.com.

It may be a little premature, in fact Donnie refutes the rumors on his blog, but here's hoping this formerly obsessed fan (I was a Joey girl) will get to welcome the fab five back into the neighborhood before Christmas.

Heath Ledger, the 28 year old actor famous for a groundbreaking role in "Brokeback Mountatin," numerous teen films, and a tumultuous relationship with ex, Michelle Williams, was found dead this afternoon in NYC.

TMZ clears up the Olsen Twin's involvement rumors below:

Here's the way it went down. A cleaning lady for Heath arrived at the apartment first, followed soon thereafter by a masseuse. They both entered the room at around the same time and discovered Heath's lifeless body.

The cleaning lady called police. The masseuse, we're told, called the bodyguard for the Olsens. She called him because they're friends and he's an EMT. The bodyguard was around the block at Ashley's and he immediately went over. By the time he arrived, the cops were already there.

We're also told it appeared Heath "had been dead for a while" and there were no visible signs of trauma. There was a pill bottle on the nightstand.

This tragic death follows another former teen star's last week. Brad Renfro died on January 15th .

Sad sad times in Hollywood.

Check out this interview with Heath only two months ago. Perez Hilton describes his appearance as, "clearly under the influence of drugs."

Thoughts?