This feature is written by a pair of witty, snarky and VERY opinionated girls (KellyRoseMcAleer and Beth Rowe). We’ll let you know what’s hot or not in pop culture, current events and in real life, and why it’s hot or not. This list will be updated regularly, and if you want us to comment on something particular, e-mail us at [email protected]. Note: The Hot or Not list may be labeled under “hot.” Not to brag, or anything.


March 1, 2010
Beth and KR disagree over something! For the first time ever, we have a Hot or Not face-off! What controversial topic could we be arguing over? Justin Bieber, of course.
Justin Bieber – Now, I’m not the kind of girl who jams to Miley Cyrus or swoons over the JoBros. I like mature, hardxcore music. But when my little sister is playing Justin Bieber, I’m cool with it. My favorite is his song “Love Me,” which borrows the chorus from the original song by The Cardigans (enjoy the cover by the Hush Sound here). His version (a cover with his with lyrics) puts a fresh new twist on the song. Fact is, he’s 15 years old. Maybe he doesn’t know love. But we’ve all read Romeo and Juliet – the debate of teenage love is an old one. In his defense I’ll say that my family friends have been together since they were 14, and have been married for over 20 years (3 kids, totally happy and keeping the love alive). -KRM
Note from Beth: What is KR’s issue with R + J (for more hatred, see her V-Day column)? One of my favorite books of all time.
Justin Bieber — Oh, Biebs. Why are you culturally significant? Better question–how do you sell CDs? Because last time I checked, you look like you’re eight and sing like a prepubescent girl. I listened to “Baby” for the first time the other day, and it was mesmerizing in a horrible, terrifying sort of way. Although I wanted to turn it off, I just couldn’t. It was as if I was waiting for someone to come on the radio and say, “Just kidding! This isn’t what popular music has come to!” I cannot wait to buy my “Justin Weiner” T-shirt. And yes, that is legit, you can buy them online. There is, however, one thing I’ll say for the little guy. His ironic overuse of “shawty” in the song “One Time” is much appreciated, considering the “shawty” in question in the music video is his height if not taller. So, what are you sayin’, Biebmeister? Can I call you “shawty” as well? Well, I probably wouldn’t be able to understand whether you said yes or no, considering your speaking voice sounds like a gangster infant. I would like to conclude by quoting a very popular Facebook group: “Justin Bieber, you don’t love that girl. You’re 12.”  -BR
HiddenPassageWay.com — Wow. This is everything I’ve been wishing for but was too afraid to hope for. At last, I have come to the realization that when I grow up I can actually get that hidden bookcase passageway that I’ve been dreaming of since I was a wee lass. I can get stairs that flip up to reveal a hidden basement, or a safe behind a painting, or secret wall-doors that lead into other rooms…! Secret rooms, panic rooms, tunnels — I want to pee my pants. This company does all of this and more! First I’ll just have to write a best-selling novel that will get me loads of money…  -KRM
Katherine Heigl — I’m just tired of her. She can be funny, but I’ve seen enough of her playing neurotic woman in romantic comedies. “The Ugly Truth,” “27 Dresses” and the upcoming flick “Killers” with Ashton Kutcher (action-comedy — nothing deep) … blegh. I want to see her as a strong woman. I want to see her in something dramatic where she really showcases her skills. Grey’s Anatomy showed us that she can do dramatic; she has now proven herself able to do comedy … I want to see juicy films. Sandra Bullock did “The Blind Side” and now we all know what we suspected before — the woman is diverse in her talent! Heigl, please take a risk. Go brunette or something.  -KRM
Running — I have been a running-phobe since birth. It wore me out and made me sweat, GROSS! I joined track in seventh grade because my friends did, and insisted I was put in the 100m dash because the alternative was the 800m, which was too long. But weirdly, I’m enjoying running this year. The other day in gym Ashton and I ran 18 laps, telling stories about the stomach-flu the whole time. We weren’t even out of breath at the end; it was weird. And magic. Sophomore year I interviewed then-choir teacher Mr. Ken Whitney, who said running was therapeutic for him. Two years later, I finally get it.  -KRM
Ashton Kutcher — Technically he is attractive, but every time I see his face I automatically think “married to a way older woman who scares me. And whose ex-husband scares me. And whose oldest daughter scares me.” They all just have such sharp-eagle-predator-like features; it’s as if they’re “Specials” from the mind of Scott Westerfield. Now I associate Demi Moore, Bruce Willis and Rumer Willis’ faces with Ashton Kutcher, thus HE scares me. Jeez.  -KRM
Creative Writing — also therapeutic, and it’s a class! That’s right over-achievers, I believe you get English credits for this one! I like to carry my CW binder around with me all day, just in case inspiration hits. You can make up stories, or write real ones that you can pretend are fiction! Mwahaha! Plus, Mrs. Buczinsky totally teaches you how to write (“show, not tell” makes all the difference, peeps). Every month we have coffee house where you can read your work, have coffee and snack on munchies in the Community room. It’s all artsy and beatnik…at least as close as you can get while in school.  -KRM
“Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum — This song is everything I hate about country music. If you haven’t heard it, don’t worry: you’ve probably heard at least one country music song in your lifetime, which means you already have an idea of what it sounds like. If not, I’ll give a short summary: a cheesy, twangy ditty that romanticizes drunk dialing. Lovely.  -BR
Honesty — ya gotta love it. I now am unafraid to be upfront about the fact that I hope my future in writing will get me some big bucks, and have no shame! Because Jim Halpert opened it up for me. “You know, some people say they’re not in it for the money — well, with all due respect to this job, I think I’m definitely in it for the money. And quite possibly the women.” ~Jim, The Office.  -KRM
ModCloth.com has the style of clothing that I wish I was swanky enough to wear. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely some comfy casual pieces, but everything just looks so sophisticated (but in a fun, quirky sort of way). One major problem: cost. I have yet to buy anything from here, seeing as I am trying to afford having a social life. But I can look, right? Other interesting features include a “Be the Buyer” section where you can vote on whether they should order pieces to be made available on their site. And this site isn’t just for dresses — tights lovers (ahem, KRose) especially will not be disappointed.  -BR
Note from KR: I have 25 dresses on my ModCloth wishlist. If only they were cheaper! THIS is why I need to be rich when I grow up!
New MIX Artists — This title may be a bit confusing. I don’t hate the artists that 101.9 WTMX incessantly plays, but rather The MIX’s annoying habit of taking artists that I love and exploiting their music as something that they themselves “discovered.” The Spill Canvas’s first album came out in 2005; just because you have been ignoring them for five years doesn’t mean that they are suddenly new! And don’t even get me started on their single-handed destruction of Muse’s “Uprising.”  -BR
Random sing-a-longs occur more than you would think. Whether they occur when I am giving certain transportationally-challenged sophomores a ride home from musical practice, or just whenever the mood strikes, they brighten up my day! And I’m not the only one–all of my coworkers at the restaurant where I work love to drive our bosses crazy by singing when the place is empty! Not to mention the girl I saw covering her ears and loudly shouting the lyrics to “Penny Lane” in what looked to me to be a coping mechanism for the stresses of her daily life. Well, I suppose The Beatles can fix anything.  -BR
Obnoxious Olympic athletes — Yeah, I get it. You just won a gold medal. However, in case you hadn’t noticed, that means you just bumped your American teammate down a spot (or, in the extreme case of Shaun White, you just watched your teammate’s gold medal dreams flicker before his eyes as he cascaded down the length of the halfpipe). So, instead of screaming and clapping like a lunatic, try some sensitivity. Perhaps a polite wave and a winning smile would suffice, as opposed to taking up two minutes of airtime with your hysterical yelling, giggling, and sobbing (ahem Lindsey Vonn). You’re happy. Great. Stop rubbing it in.  -BR
Suspenders — After spending a day looking snazzy in a borrowed pair of my friend’s suspenders, I now feel confident enough to pull off a classy pair. Now, a word to the wise: suspenders should not be overused. Suspenders are a limited time engagement, a special occasion accessory. But if you feel like channeling your inner dweeb, suspenders are a snappy choice.  -BR
Junior Nick Haddad, because he gave up ‘Hot or Not’ for Lent. How dare you?!