Ear Porn - One Direction Is Better With One Less Member

Welcome folks to another rousing edition of Ear Porn!  This is the blog where I dig through Spotify and then I deliver you the gems that make my ear buds smile.  This week I bring you six songs from global superstars to relatively unknown artists.  Also, if you click the names of the songs, it will link you to the songs on Spotify, so you can hear them yourself!  Ain't I nice?  Here we go!

Drag Me Down - One Direction

So maybe having four members is what this band needed?  This song has actually made it so I have One Direction on my work out mix.

Lemon Eyes - Meg Myers

The Fix - Nelly feat. Jeremiah

Fly - 5 Seconds of Summer

There new singles are bringing a fresh facelift to mainstream pop punk!  Love it!

Girl Crush - New Politics

Bitter Pill - Gavin James 

Move over Sam Smith and make way for Gavin James!

Who's Gonna Win Tough Enough?

Tough Enough is always an interested prospect when it comes around, sometimes it produces future WWE Champions like The Miz and sometimes the winners go on to do nothing, but the loser remains on the roster. (Yes, that was a Cameron reference.)

This season has been an interesting format for me in the fact that I personally haven't actually watched any full episodes, other than the casting special on WWE Network.  My entire Tough Enough experience has come from the Youtube extras that WWE puts out after each show.

But with the competition now narrowed down to the Final 5, speculations are swirling around who is going to be the male and female winner of this season.  But let's be honest, we're all winners cause we get to see Lita on our screens every week again.

(See look at that face.  She agrees.)

But who is going to be the next Superstar and Diva?  Let's get to analyzing!

Amanda is hot.  She's a model and if you Google her, you're gonna get your fair share of eye candy.  She fits the mold that WWE wanted for a Diva 6 years ago, but with the current crop of NXT girls, that landscape is changing.  She looks like she wants it and with only two girls left, it's really a matter of if the WWE fanboys want the hot blonde or the cute girl next door.

Josh is huge.  He calls himself The Yeti, even though it makes no sense at all.  He looks more like white Roman Reigns.  The guy is huge and brings some charisma to back it up.  He and Tanner are really the toss ups to be the guy going home next in my opinion.  Josh has the body of a WWE Superstar, but the problem for me is there are too many guys who look like him already, notably Reigns who is already a headliner, so where would Josh's place be.

Sara Lee is the girl next door.  She's cute, she's a tom-boy, she's got that nose ring that is pretty much perfect.  Sara Lee is the next best thing to AJ Lee.  She's not the best in the ring, but the WWE Universe has really taken to her, probably because she's the most real person in the competition aside from ZZ.  Like I said before it's a toss up female wise, but with the voting percentage Sara Lee gets when's she's in the bottom 3, you can tell she has the fan's support.

Tanner is athletic.  The problem is that he's also boring.  I really want to support Tanner cause he's a college alumni, we both went to Limestone College in Gaffney, SC.  So while I really want to cheer him on, he just doesn't give me much to cheer on.  He's really brash and incredibly arrogant, the problem is, he's got the personality of a dead cat.  Athletically, he's top notch, he's like a living representation of Crossfit, but you gotta show the world something dude.  

ZZ is The Waterboy.  I can't really describe why I like ZZ so much, but I do.  It might be that he talks like Dusty Rhodes and it might be that I just have this urge to root for the underdog, but the WWE Universe seems to like him just as much as I do.  This alligator wrestler from the bayou has really earned a spot in the fan's hearts, as well as one on the trainer's hate lists.  While he might not be the most athletic, ZZ has that natural charisma that you just can't teach.

Question is though:  Who are my picks to win?

I'm gonna place my bet on ZZ and Sara Lee.  If it ends up truly being the WWE Universe's decision, then I see these two earning what I presume is a NXT contract.  But we'll all know for sure in 5 weeks!

6 Stars I'd Love To See As The Riddler

The world tends to overlook The Riddler as a great and iconic Batman villain.  With the newer movies taking a darker turn, The Riddler has drifted to the wayside in the film world along with other iconic villains like The Penguin and Mr. Freeze.  

But I think The Riddler is a bad guy that could really bring something interesting to the silver screen.  So if DC Films are thinking about bringing this character into all our Blu-Ray collections, here are 5 actors that I think could grab that iconic cane and run with it!

Neil Patrick Harris

Already a famous super villain from the cult classic: Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog, Neil Patrick Harris has shown via film and stage that he can pull off eccentric roles quite easily.  Harris would pull off a different kind of Riddler, something dark yet comical in my opinion.  I also entertain the idea of a psychotic musical number.  His portrayal would be Legen...wait for it...dary.  (Sorry, had to do it.)

Jim Carrey

Call me a sucker for the classics, but he did a great version of The Riddler before, I think seeing him play a darker version of the same character would be interesting to say the least.  While Carrey is known as Hollywood's all time great funny men, he's also proven he can do crazy pretty good as well.  Carrey is also a bit older now and it would be cool to see a new take on an old gem.  I also really wanna go watch some 90s Batman movies now!

Benedict Cumberbatch

I slow speaking, more menacing Riddler?  I see that being just what Mr. Holmes himself would offer us if we saw Cumberbatch take the role.  Cumberbatch is somewhat of a darkhorse in my mind because he would offer up a completely new take on The Riddler than what tradition sees him as.  Alas, it may not happen, Benedict has already announced he'll be portraying Dr. Strange and usually in show business, it seems you only get one superhero.

Max Riemelt

A star from Netflix's new series Sense8 has been taking the internet by storm, mostly because in the series you get to know him...really well.  Riemelt has shown from that show alone that he can play the unstable role well.  I picture his version of The Riddler as more of a street made villain like he's made out to be.  Now I'm looking at comparisons between The Riddler and Aladdin...weird.

Zachary Quinto

Already a villain (a pretty dang evil one too) from NBC's Heroes, Quinto has the makings to become The Riddler and really make this character marketable.  His portrayal of Spock in the new Star Trek films really showed me how amazing this guy is, because honestly I didn't know it was him till the credits of the first film and I was a huge Heroes fan!  If Quinto was The Riddler, get me some popcorn, it's gonna be a good night!

David Tennant

While I respect all my other choices as Riddler, I true to my heart believet that The Doctor himself would be the perfect casting for the role.  After seeing Tennant portray my favorite version of The Doctor on Dr. Who, I quickly made comparisons between him and The Riddler.  One reason and one reason alone: delivery.  Tennant delivers lines and quips in the exact way that the iconic Batman villain should.  I see him producing lines that would become instantly iconic, such as Ledger's, "Why so serious?"  If anyone deserves this role, I again say that this man is tailor made!

Layla Retires From WWE

Sad to say, but the WWE is no longer "Flawless".  WWE announced today in an exclusive interview that long-time Diva Layla is retiring from the ring.

The British-Bombshell originally came into WWE as the winner of the 2006 WWE Diva Search.  She then went on to the ECW brand to dance alongside Brooke and Kelly Kelly as part of Extreme Expose.  Layla became lost in translation for a while until partnered with Michelle McCool, where they then became of the two most despised Divas in WWE history as LayCool.

LayCool ran the Divas division as the resident mean girls until McCool lost to Layla in a Loser Leaves WWE Match in 2011.  Since then Layla became Divas Champion and then kind of faded to the background for the remainder of her career.

Layla is definitely a Diva that won't soon be forgotten.  As the final WWE Women's Champion of all time and a former Divas Champion, she definitely made her mark on the wrestling world!

I'm wish the best to Layla and hopefully we'll get to see her make a few more appearances down the road!  Good-bye Layla, stay Flawless!

Top 8: Who Should Come Back To Face Charlotte

Without a doubt, Charlotte is a new contender to be the face of the Divas division in WWE.  With the unrivaled athleticism and the natural charisma of her father, Charlotte shut critics up on NXT and has begun to take the main roster by storm since arriving on the scene with fellow NXT Horsewomen Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch.  

And if you don't think Charlotte is all that great then:

But seeing as she is the future, I wanted to take a look into the past and bring you the Top 8 Divas that I would love to see return and give Charlotte a run for her money!

8. Melina

More than just the Diva with one of (if not the most) memorable ring entrances of all time, Melina was a force to be reckoned with in the ring as well.  Capturing both the Women's and Divas' Championships, Melina was constantly adding to her arsenal in the squared circle.  (You know that cool knee to the gut thing in the corner that Sasha does?  Guess who did it first?)  Bring this paparazzi loving Diva back in the mix with Charlotte and you're sure to make headlines.

7. Gail Kim

She may have been back in WWE for only a hot minute, but it sure would be great to see one more minute in the ring with Charlotte.  Gail made an impact when she first came to WWE, winning the Women's Championship in her first match, then mixing it up with Golden-Era Divas like Trish, Molly, Victoria, and Lita.  Gail was released and then earned her name in TNA.  When returning to WWE Gail found herself in the slump of the Divas division, maybe returning now and getting in the squared circle with Charlotte is just what she needs to get a back on top!

6. AJ Lee

The one that basically originated and instigated the #GiveDivasAChance movement decided to opt out of the business right before WWE actually did.  (Maybe there's something to that...)  AJ Lee brought some much needed focus to the Divas Division before she parted ways with the company last year.  She had some great matches with Paige, but really lacked competition during her time at the top.  (I actually really would have like to see her face off against Eve Torres)  If AJ made her return now, I think her facing Charlotte has real potential to possibly main event RAW even!  It would definitely have eyes tuning in that Monday!

5. Mickie James

Jumpin Mickie James!  Mickie has been missed in the ring since she left the company a few years ago.  Sure, you could have caught her on TNA, but that's not what we're focusing on here.  Mickie, while crazy at times, was always entertaining in the ring and was basically an in-ring general.  A character that we really got to see evolve, it was very interesting to watch Mickie transition from the Trish-Lita Era into the Butterfly Belt Era.  With Charlotte stepping in with the Divas, a match between these two would certainly be worth checking out!

4. Lita

High-Flying, Risk-Tasking, and Breath-Taking are all descriptions that Lita earned during her time with WWE.  While she's still currently on TV each week, helping coach the hopefuls on the latest season of WWE's Tough Enough, fans are basically begging her to take one step back in the ring.  With Lita's legacy, mixed with Charlotte's current popularity, we're looking a match that is destined to be an instant classic!  A Moonsault countered into a Figure-8...I don't know how they'd do it, but I'd love to see it happen!

3. Beth Phoenix

When you think of a powerhouse Diva, the first one that comes to mind is The Glamazon.  Beth Phoenix came in and basically over-powered every Diva that crossed her path.  I can't really think of a match where Beth lost and the announcers didn't play it off as anything other than a fluke...but against the likes of Charlotte (who's equally a powerhouse herself) she might just have her hands full.  These two would definitely offer a match for the history books and we'll actually see who is genetically superior.

2. Trish Stratus

She's basically the pinnacle of Women's professional wrestling, the one, the only: Trish Stratus.  Trish is basically everything WWE has ever wanted in a Diva, she's a supermodel that could kick ass in the ring.  Trish and Lita's storied rivalry is basically what any wrestling fan compares Women's wrestling to.  Basically: this woman is the measuring stick.  The Genetically Superior daughter of Ric Flair Vs The Icon...that's some Wrestlemania quality match material right there!

1. Victoria

Whether you call her Victoria, or Tara, she's one of the most gifted women to ever step into the Squared Circle.  (If you know her restaurant's name, you'll see what I did there.)  Victoria was one of the baddest chicks to ever set foot in the WWE.  Victoria put on quality matches no matter who the opponent.  Her street fight with Trish and her cage match with Lita are two of the most iconic women's matches of all time.  If Victoria returned to the ring to do battle with Charlotte, the match is destined for greatness.  These two ladies would give nothing back and that is why Victoria is my number 1 pick to face of against The Nature Girl.  

So what do you think of the list?  Agree?  Disagree?  Did someone not make the cut?  Sound off in the comments and be sure to share!

Descendants Looking To Lower The Bar

Disney is busting out a new Disney Channel Original movie in a few days: Disney Descendants.  In this movie, we get a look into the now where the kids of Maleficent, Cruella DeVil, Jafar and The Evil Queen get a chance to join the kingdom again with all the Disney heroes, i.e. Belle, Beast.  (You know, those cats.)

Like most Disney Channel Original movies, this one seems to look to capture the spark and fame that Disney Channel hasn't seen since High School Musical.  In attempts to capture this, Disney as brought in musical numbers, random choreography, and of course, High School Musical director, Kenny Ortega.  (I'm pretty sure if it wasn't for Disney Channel, Kenny Ortega would be homeless.)

But just so you can get a little taste of this...gem...sure, let's sort of go with that...Disney released the first six minutes of the movie on Youtube!  So let's take a gander!

That song was well...rotten to the core.  This movie looks to be just as bad as anyone could predict.  It's basically High School Musical meets Once Upon A Time.  (Shout out to the actress who plays Blue Fairy on OUAT being Belle in this movie.  I did get a pop out of that.)  

I'll try to watch this movie, because I do like the new alternative spin on classic tales that Disney has been churning out lately, but this looks to be the worst of the worst.  At the end of the day, this looks like it might have Disney fans asking to eat a poisoned apple.  

First Look At The New Muppet Show

Unless you've been under a rock, then you should know that ABC is going to feature a new Muppet Show.  Now there's been some criticism on whether or not the show is going to be a success.  But ABC released the 10 minute pilot that earned The Muppets an upcoming primetime slot.  Which I will show you now:

That was fantastic wasn't it?  It's styled like The Office and had me cracking up the entire time!  This show is proving that The Muppets are here to stay!  Also, the Swedish Chef is the greatest character ever!  Just sayin.