So Forbes is out with their annual "Celebrity 100," the moderately accurate, purportedly scientific but still somewhat arbitrary list of the world's "most powerful—and best paid" celebrities. At the top of the heap are the usual suspects—Oprah, Tiger Woods, Angelina Jolie, Beyonce Knowles, and David Beckham round out the top five—but there are a number of curious selections. David Letterman is really the 15th most powerful celebrity? Roger Federer is number 23? (We'd argue that Maria Sharapova, down at 61, is far more powerful, as well as infinitely more recognizable.) How is 50 Cent above Kanye West? Celine Dion(28) is ranked above Tom Cruise (31) and Leonardo DiCaprio (44)? And what the hell is Howie Mandel doing on there? (More galling is that fact that he evidently made $14 million last year.)
Perhaps the most depressing inclusion, however, is Hills gal Lauren Conrad, who squeaks in at no. 97. (We told you so!) Sadly, she actually places ahead of poor Tina Fey, ranked 99th.) Forbes guestimates her income at $1.5 million; yesterday, Extra worked though the valuation: $25,000 an episode, $50,000 for other appearances, as well as endorsement deals with Avon and Linea Pelle and whatever revenue she reaps from her clothing line and handbag collection.
We've said it before, but it bears repeating: maybe these people aren't as dumb as they look. Except Audrina.