the buzz log
Ricky, Anna, and Jesse: Buzz Week in Review
The private lives of celebrities are responsible for approximately 97.8% of all Web searches. OK, so maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but you get the point. People love this stuff. This past week, there was a lot to love. Several celebs discussed their romantic lives and, not surprisingly, the Web searches were epic. Here's a recap...
Ricky Martin comes out
Ricky Martin hit the big time in 1999, when he released "Livin' La Vida Loca." Since then, the singer and one-time Menudo member has remained in the public eye, though not always for his music. Questions have long lingered over his sexual orientation, and this past week, Mr. Martin finally put them to rest. On his personal website, RickyMartinMusic.com, the singer posted the following message: "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man." Searches on "ricky martin comes out" and "ricky martin gay" immediately soared, as did Web lookups for his website. The New York Times points out that, unlike many other celebrities who have come out, Mr. Martin didn't go through the media, and instead took the news directly to his fans.
Anna Paquin: 'I'm bisexual'
Anna Paquin, the Oscar winner and current star of the hit HBO drama "True Blood," caused her own tidal wave of Web searches when she announced that she is bisexual. Unlike Mr. Martin, Ms. Paquin's announcement surprised even her friends. She broke the news via a service announcement for the True Colors Fund, a gay-rights advocacy group. In the spot, the actor stares into the camera and says, "I'm bisexual." The news sent searches on "anna paquin" soaring 923% over the week and helped to crash WeGiveadamn.org, which hosted the video. Paquin, who won an Academy Award as a child for her role in "The Piano," is currently engaged to her "True Blood" costar Stephen Moyer. Web lookups on Mr. Moyer soared 745%.
Jesse James in rehab
Jesse James, the hard-livin', motorcycle-ridin' bad boy, who allegedly cheated on wife Sandra Bullock with multiple women, checked into rehab this week. It's been reported that the star of the reality series "Monster Garage" is doing everything he can to save his marriage to his Oscar-winning wife. In an ironic twist, the treatment center that James checked himself into was the same place where "28 Days," a drama about addiction starring Ms. Bullock, was filmed. Searches on "jesse james rehab" and "jesse james photos" continued to soar, as did interest in his alleged mistresses.
Also buzzing this week...
• RNC chairman Michael Steele is still in hot water.
• Coach K is a Blue Devil, but is he "the devil"?
• Critics cite "Clash of the Titans" as proof that not all 3D is created equal.