Willow Smith’s ‘Whip My Hair’– I am confused and after a weekend of hardcore amateur hair-whipping, I don’t know if I have the energy for this rant. But people. She’s nine. Nine! That’s not a young adult or adolescent or whatever. I don’t even care about the nepotism. This isn’t a 15 year old Miley flirting with a salacious line in the sand. This isn’t the same as slating a Bieber song even though he’s a decade younger than his peers. This is a child making music for a mainstream, adult audience. My morals are confused. Because it’s pretty awesome. Part of me wants to do the job her parents/label aren’t doing and protect her from the critique we have the right to give when you place yourself as part of adult popular culture and part of me wants her to teach me how to whip my hair. Back and forth.

Taylor Swift– ‘Speak Now’ hits stores 25/10. I was asked to include Her Swiftness’ album release on this list. Which was difficult for me. And though she has a range suggestive of living in a blonde bubble, I was willing to acquiesce. Because she writes her own music. And she is a good role model. And she’s a decade older than Willow. And…nope, I’m out of plausible reasons.

Glee gets spread-eagled– And while we’re on the subject of little-girls-lost, there’s been a major furor over the GQ Glee photos. I personally am really thrilled about the spread-eagled career direction Barbara Streisand junior is taking. However, the View ladies and Katie Couric have their knickers in a twist about it. I think it’s each parents responsibility to filter what their kids see. This is a men’s magazine. But the photos were shock for shock values’ sake. The Glee kids are gold right now and unlike a lot of their pop contemporaries, they are actually talented. Instead of cool, interesting PR, I kinda think they’ve lessened their star-power by titillating. How much more enviable and cool would Lea Michelle be in a gorgeous nude Vogue spread than cotton panties and tube socks. Besides, someone needs to think about Willow! What kind of message are you sending to WILLOW!!??

Friday Night Lights– Time to cut through the tweenness and estrogen of this week’s pop! I don’t know Texas, I don’t know football, but I lurve me some FNL. One of the best shows on television premieres its final season on Wednesday on cable. All the old faves are back and surely Riggins will get out of the pokey in time to make me re-reconsider long hair on men. Mmmm…Riggins. Get on board!

Pop culture Costume Frenzy– Oooh. Halloween is time for pop culture costume bonanza. Check out Becca’s Katy Perry and Gaga guide. Grab some girlfriends and go as the Tiger Woods Slut Parade. Who’s suiting up for the Hunger Games? Woody and Buzz making a comeback? The pop possibilities for this weekend are endless! I’m thinking about adorning a heart to my head and spending the night whipping my hair. WILLOOOOOOOOOW!!!!

By Zoe Shapiro