Back in the day, if you wanted to look like LL Cool J, all you needed was a Kangol, gold chain, track suit, and sneer. But in the age of market-friendly MCs, the recipe for achieving Cool James-ness has become much more involved. Now you’ve gotta invest in a new wardrobe, buy a book, apply some chapstick (well, that deal’s still in the works), and, quite possibly, snag not only a line of vitamin supplements but some cologne as well.

It’s a tall order. But we’ve got tunes to blast while making like the master. A few weeks ago I interviewed LL about the songs he works out to. And while they’re mostly meant for the gym, I’m guessing that he’d be cool with you listening to them while downing a protein shake, primping at the mirror, or driving to the mall in search of LL-approved products. After all, he’d probably appreciate a mix that’s as diverse as his portfolio.

LL Cool J’s Workout Mix: 

Diddy and Christina Aguilera, "Tell Me"
"This is a great record to work out to because of the beat and the overall vibe of the song. It’s very energetic, no question."

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- Men’s underwear fascinates Jake Gyllenhaal in Midtown Manhattan. Should he ever need a model, all he needs to do is swing by Chelsea. [MollyGood]

- How would you like your Jared Leto: with or without lard? [Just Jared]

- Elizabeth Hurley is soooooo freakin’ Hindu. [I'm Not Obsessed]

- Are Kelis and Nas doing a reality show, or what? And if so, can Kelis please give the beatdown to a new sex worker every week, as sort of a running gag? [CONCRETELOOP]

- Among Carmen Electra’s fitness regimen: sex. It’s not just for career-advancement anymore! [Hollywood Rag]

Bobby Brown was bounced from a three-day jail stint last week for not paying child support by a Washington D.C. radio station that picked up his $19,000+ tab. In exchange, Bobby was to grant the station an interview, but when it came time to talk on Friday, Bobby backed out, claiming on air, "That wasn’t our deal," before hanging up. Bobby has since agreed to give the station back its money. Note to Bobby: if you were just thrown in jail for being a deadbeat, it’s probably not good for your image to spend your first days of freedom being a deadbeat.

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Tags: Bobby Brown•Whitney Houston

Avril Lavigne may spit at paparazzi and act snarky all day, but she’s not always a wise-ass. After working on the video for “Girlfriend” and trying to bust choreography moves while chirping in tune, she’s discovered how exacting the process is, and has given a shout-out to Britney Spears, who once did that kind of thing all the time. Well there was a bit of snark in Lady Lavigne’s statement, actually.

"The whole thing where you sing and dance is so hard, so that’s probably why she [Britney] doesn’t sing, right, ha ha!"

"Girlfriend," which is slated to be part of AV’s forthcoming The Best Damn Thing, features that Ramones meet Kelly Clarkson vibe the Sk8ter Grrl has mastered over the years. She’s told reporters that she wrote it while she was drunk. Maybe that’s something Brit should try – she could use a catchy tune right about now.

Kanye West doesn’t eat cheap. The flamboyant rapper and producer reportedly spent around $4,000 flying food from Wales to Manhattan for a meeting tomorrow with some music execs. Lavish? Sure. Environmentally friendly? Not a chance. West is one of the artists to perform at Al Gore’s Live Earth festival on July 7th, a series of concerts worldwide to promote awareness of global warming. Burning jet fuel won’t help the environment. Looks like he’s another one of those celebs who claim they’re green but guzzle gas.

Frenchie Davis was booted from the second season of American Idol when news broke of her past topless modeling. Now that it’s widely known Antonella Barba’s tatas (and more?) are but a click away, Frenchie feels like she’s been shafted. She told the New York Post:

"I couldn’t help but notice the difference between the manner in which she was dealt with and how I was dealt with. I think it’s fantastic if Idol has evolved and I think it’s fantastic she won’t have to go through what I went through four years ago. But if the rules have changed, I believe there should be something to make up for the fact that I was humiliated needlessly."

What that something is, Frenchie won’t say ("It’s open for discussion," she offers). Hmmmm. Could it be that she wants…attention?!? The thing is, there’s a difference between posing for and accepting money from a nudie site (as Frenchie did) and having your not-for-profit, girl-gone-wild past exposed (as has been done to Antonella Barba).

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Tags: Antonella Barba•American Idol•Frenchie Davis

Who’s Cameron Kissing?
Diaz has been spotted locking lips with model-actor Tyrese Gibson. [MSN]

Wild Girls Rule: Paris & Pals
Paris, Brit and Lindsay are overshadowing the era of high-achieving female trailblazers. [CNN]

Jay-Z Sells Rocawear for $204M
The mogul is selling his clothing company to the Iconix Brand Group. [All Hip Hop]

Ex-Laguna Beach Star Arrested
Jason Wahler, 20, was charged with underage drinking and resisting a public officer. [Yahoo!]

Rachael Ray Bitten By Dog
TV host was attacked by a dog in Union Square Park while defending her pit bull mix, Isaboo. [New York Post]

If you’d like to make a call, please hang up and deposit 15 minutes…

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Tags: Television•The Surreal Life Fame Games•Celebreality

[Wait for It is our regular roundup of things to look forward to in pop culture. Just making it to Friday isn't enough.]

Music

Psychedelic Brits the Klaxons will release their eminently danceable debut, Myths of the Near Future, at the end of the month. The slavering press the record’s received so far has concentrated on the band’s nu-rave leanings, an acknowledgment, perhaps, of their rather colorful, fashion-forward attire, but songs like "Gravity’s Rainbow" (named after a Thomas Pynchon novel!) and "Atlantis to Interzone" are less about hippie-dippy glow-sticks and more about keeping things dirty on a filthy dance floor. Move your bodies, people. [The Klaxons' MySpace]

TV

Shaquille O’Neal is set to make the jump to reality TV this summer via an as-yet-untitled six-episode series for ABC, in which the baller will mentor grade-school kids that are trying to lose weight. And while the premise may sound like nothing more than The Biggest Little Loser, it’s Shaq’s conviction that could make this thing golden. "Shaq is upset about this issue and he’s going to do whatever it takes to set this cause right," says executive producer Chris Coelen. "Whatever it takes?" We haven’t seen initiative like that from Shaq since Kazaam. This time, though, he’s the one who’s going to be grabbing bellies and making wishes. [Variety.com]

Tags: Shaquille O'Neal•The Klaxons