I’ll admit it: I’m an addict. It’s a horrible habit that, after so many years, I just can’t kick. It’s available, it’s affordable and, hey, it makes me feel good about myself. And even though it’s probably damaging for me in the long run, I just can’t stop.

Yeah, I’m a consumer of the Kardashian culture. I watch the shows (the originals, the spin-offs and Dancing With The Stars when one is competing), I read the interviews, I follow the obnoxious tweets. And recently, people like Daniel Craig, Jonah Hill and Barbara Walters are calling me out on my fascination with the most overexposed and yet untalented people on television, the Kardashians. I jumped on the family bandwagon relatively late, actually. I initially denied the attraction to what Barbara Walters referred to as “a strange mix of trashy sex, upscale excess, tabloid melodrama and suburban family life” — though the balance of these ingredients varies with each episode, depending on which siblings are in them. But when Lamar Odom proposed, Reggie Bush called it quits, and Mason was born, my interest was officially peaked for some reason. I was suddenly intrigued by these people who are so famous, and for the life of me, I seriously could not remember why.

Is it really because the late Robert Kardashian was OJ Simpson’s lawyer and friend? Because Bruce Jenner is an esteemed Olympian? Because Kim Kardashian was partying with Paris Hilton during her heyday and recording her sex-capades with Ray J — Brandy’s brother? I guess that by putting all of those famous-by-association factors together, and adding Kris Jenner as a manager and Ryan Seacrest as a producer, these people are worth watching. Over and over again. Why?!?

Daniel Craig of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Casino Royale doesn’t understand it either. ”Look at the Kardashians, they’re worth millions. Millions!” he told British GQ in their January 2012 issue. “I don’t think they were that badly off to begin with, but now look at them. You see that and you think, ‘What, you mean all I have to do is behave like a f*cking idiot on television and then you’ll pay me millions?‘”

Jonah Hill — who, in Superbad and Get Him To The Greek, often acts like an idiot (with the exception of Moneyball) — feels the same way, but for different reasons: he actually watches the shows. He openly admitted that he felt duped when Kim Kardashian announced her plans to divorce Kris Humphries because, like so many of us, he bought into that gaudy and god awful wedding display. He ranted to The Huffington Post about the infamous family earlier this week:

“I have friends who work in TV and the Kardashians get higher ratings than their TV shows. Shows that people actually work hard on — writing and creating and trying to tell stories. The fact that the Kardashians could be more popular than a show like ‘Mad Men’ is disgusting. (Laughs) It’s a super disgusting part of our culture, but I still find it funny to make a joke about it. Whenever I say I like reality TV, people write about it like they’re in shock. I can’t even understand it, so I watch it. I think it’s funny and I definitely enjoy it in a making-fun-of-it sort of way, but where does the line sort of end? When do I stop making fun of it and become an actual fan?“

I personally don’t know. I’m confused about it all. And I’ve often wondered if they actually see it all as “working” when they punch mirrors, wax each other’s vaginas, lose $75,000 earrings while swimming in Bora Bora and then conveniently find them again once the cameras are pointing another way. Seriously, such scheming takes skills!

So finally, after ranking the Kardashian family as a whole one of the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2011, Barbara Walters sat down with Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and mother Kris, and asked them flat out: “You don’t really act; you don’t sing; you don’t dance…you don’t have any — forgive me — any talent!”

And then Khloe, the voice of reason within that crazy clan, revealed the truth that no one wanted to actually acknowledge: “We’re still entertaining people…None of us think we have talent. None of us think we can sing or act or dance.”

But they do call themselves businesswomen. They’re spokespeople, fashion buyers, “perfumistas” even…and now they have a store at The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas called Kardashian Khaos that sells anything and everything with their names and faces on them. Shockingly, it’s not full of cricket sounds; paying customers are lining up to actually buy their licensed merchandise. Maybe they’re Midwestern Americans looking for a souvenir of Los Angeles celebrity lifestyle; maybe they’re foreigners stocking up on pieces of American culture. Because no matter how you look at it, or whether you’ve been looking away all this time, this random family is famous for being famous, and they’re now forever part of American pop culture.

“I think it’s more of a challenge for you to go on a reality show, and get people to fall in love with you for being you,” Kim said to Barbara Walters. But Kris Humphries filed for an annulment on account of fraud, and he’s got some pretty good grounds…who says you’re even really being “you” at all??!?

After hearing criticisms from Daniel Craig, Jonah Hill and Barbara Walters, I’m kicking my addiction; but I’m only continuing to watch to find out if they’re all for real. From watching the preview, I think that the next episode will be pretty revealing of their true character, right? Plus, it looks kinda funny.

Do you Keep Up With The Kardashians? Okay, seriously…WHY?!?

Ashley is a UC San Diego grad who is holding on way too tightly to a potential career in magazines and goes to Vegas all too often. She’s fascinated with celebrities and strawberry beer and doubles as a pathological texter/emailer/blogger. Feed the addiction with tweets @cashleelee. Thanks in advance.

So I’m kinda obessessed with my ex

Turn heads with these heels

How to study sex without being a sucker

Um this is hard. Which Justin Timberlake is hotter?

How is this humanely possible?

Ryan Seacrest and J.Lo trying to out diva each other

Facebook photos about to get fancy

Judah Friedlander teaches karate to strippers. sure.

What a cheese d*ck.

I’m all for recycling.  Plastic bottles, magazines, boyfriends, reality TV stars.  And on my favorite show, The Bachelor, there’s no exception.  Each season I grow attached to the contestants.  I’ve got my favorites, as I’m sure you do if you keep up with the show.  It was amazing to see so many friendly (and hot) faces return on the Bachelor Pad and I had my fingers and toes crossed that January’s return of The Bachelor would bring another welcome surprise.

Looks like all that wishing and hoping was for nothing.

It’s being widely reported that Brad Womack, the dude who didn’t pick anyone on his season, who sent Deanna packing along with that other chick, is being asked back for a second shot at love.  OK, ABC…what are you smoking?  You’ve got a plethora of gorgeous, funny guys at your disposal.  What’s wrong with one of them!?  Brad’s ugly!  And dumb!  And has a history of ignoring the rules while being a general douche bag!

Should someone realize the error of their ways at the last minute, here’s a list of guys who are more deserving and less atrocious than dear Brad:

A Dream Team season of Jesse Kovacs and Dave Good

Do you seriously think Brad wants to get on the show for any other reason than to just bang random new chicks?  At least Kovacs and Dave would own up to their true intentions.  And they’d be a hell of a lot hotter to watch. [Mmmmm abs mmmmm.]  ABC wouldn’t even need a mansion to film out of.  Just leave these two shirtless next to a pool and ratings would never be higher!

Cape Cod Chris (aka Chris L. from Ali’s season)

Awww!  Easily one of the most precious contestants in a long time, Chris was shot down in favor of some baseball stud from Charleston (what was his name again? Manuelo? Ricardo?).  Ali’s loss could have been our gain, but Chris Harrison dropped the ball.  Rumor is Chris L. wasn’t that into the sudden-celebrity thing. I just don’t think Mr. Harrison tried hard enough.

Seann William Scott

Well, we know he needs a career boost.  And he’s totally single.  If the Bachelor turned into some sick American Pie hybrid it would be like that car wreck you can’t look away from.  Bonus points because you know one of the girls, when asked to leave, would be all like, “Dude, where’s my rose?

Reid Rosenthal from Jillian’s season

Seriously, who didn’t love Reid?  He was the cute realtor from Philadelphia who, after being denied a rose, went back to Jillian and proposed anyway.  That’s not stalkerish, that’s going after what you want!

Ryan Seacrest

For two reasons.  First, he would give Chris Harrison a run for his money and the show just might turn into a battle of the super hosts.  (“And my final rose goes to….. we’ll find out after the break.”) Second, because when the girls went home to meet Ryan’s mother she’d have to reveal more of his shameful childhood pictures.  Chubby Ryan Seacrest always wins.

Cory Monteith

I’m sure the guy could use a break from Glee.  And he’s just so yummy looking. And Canadian. The Bachelor: The Musical would definitely break ratings records and I just might sign up myself for a chance at a song-a-gram inspired proposal.  Don’t stop believin’, ladies.

Jesse Csincsak from Deanna’s season

He won, they got engaged…and then they had a very public breakup where Jesse bitched Deanna out on YouTube.  Okay, well at least we know he’s comfortable “being himself” in front of a camera!

Uh, or they could just find someone new…
It might actually be a good thing to get a little fresh blood on this show.  Then again, anything would be a good thing when compared to watching twenty hours of Brad Womack seduce trashy women.

Ahh, finally some buzz from the Hollywood hills! The past few weeks have been a bit dull, but now we’re back in action. Elin and Tiger are officially dunzo, Lindsay Lohan is a free woman, and Heidi Montag has sex tapes! So much drama to indulge in. I just hope it doesn’t make me fat.

So here’s the scoop.

Ice Cream Sundae

1. Our favorite felon, Lindsay Lohan, is out of rehab after only 22 days! I don’t know how she managed to skip out on her full three-month sentences in jail and rehab, but girlfriend did it. She’s already raking in some major cashflow post-lockup with companies sending her clothes and offering her deals, like a radio hosting gig in New York with Mama Lohan. Although Lindsay is out of trouble for now, she still has a court date set for her hijacking adventure on January 31, so don’t get too used to that freedom yet, girl!

2. Elin Nordegren is officially rid of Tiger Woods, as a husband that is. They finalized the divorce this week and Elin walked away with a big chunk of cash. Elin made her first and last interview with People Magazine and opened up about the scandal she’s been living through. Tiger released a statement after her interview ran and spoke about how sad the situation is. We agree, it’s sad. For Elin and the kids! Best of luck and props for being so strong!

3. Heidi Montag has a sex tape, and Spencer Pratt is trying to sell it! While everyone’s still debating if their divorce is real, the sex tape certainly is. It’s of Heidi and Hef’s former girlfriend, Karissa Shannon (yeah one of the twins). Karissa is a good friend of Heidi’s and claims Spencer stole her camera, and she says there are other things on there she doesn’t want getting out! Yikes. Also, Heidi is getting her implants removed and she’s terrified that her nose is going to fall off! So sad. I think? Heidi, are you frowning or smiling?

4. Paris Hilton almost got robbed while she was in bed! The man, Nathan Lee Parada, broke in to Paris’ house and had two knives in his hands. Scary! He’s being held on charges of felony burglary and has a $50,000 bail. Sources say that Paris’ boyfriend, Cy Waits, pulled a gun on Nathan and held him until the police arrived.

5. Ryan Seacrest is trying to line up a radio show for Larry King. Larry’s show on CNN will be turned over to Piers Morgan. Ryan knows how much money he could make off of a Larry King show doesn’t want Larry out of the game just yet, so he’s using his resources to get Larry a new gig. Long live the King!

Freezer Burned Neopolitan

1. Our favorite pussy Nicole Scherzinger will be appearing on How I Met Your Mother as Jessica Glitter, the rival of former pop star Robin Sparkles. If you don’t watch the show, you’re dumb missing out.

2. Betty White won an Emmy for her hosting gig on SNL and her new show Hot In Cleveland is the number one sitcom this year! Congrats!

3. Lady Gaga is getting a wax figure at Madame Tussauds! Hopefully it will look just as fab as Lady Gaga herself.

4. The Kardashian-Jenner clan are receiving the Key to Beverly Hills at the Taste of Beverly Hills food and wine Festival on September 2nd! Turns out, it’s not so hard to nab that thing after all.

5. Enjoy hottie Joseph Gordon-Levitt on a bike for a scene in his new movie, Premium Rush. Yummy!

Where does he find the time to woo a lady?!

Who else did Jesse James have his eye on?

8 ways to impress a new man.

What is Carmen Electra up to these days? Uh….

What do you think of Miley’s new ‘do?

And here’s how guys get over breakups.

Remember that time you fell in love with that baby-faced Canadian kid who got his start on Youtube, that shy vampire actor with the British accent, or that awkward-yet-charming guy from Arrested Development and then everyone else fell in love with them and talked about them every day and they were everywhere you looked and you secretly started praying for their demise?

The celebrity rise from a nobody to an overrated celeb happens so quickly these days that it’s hard to keep track of who you love and who you hate. Thankfully for you, we’ve created (with a little inspiration from Guyism’s 66 Most Overrated Women of 2010) the ultimate list of the 30 most overrated guys in Hollywood right now. In no specific order…

[Click on the pic to get even more of their overrated-ness.]

1. Ed Westwick

In short, this guy has worn one too many fedoras and ascots for me to take him seriously as sexy or even remotely heterosexual. And that weird “I’m trying not to fart” look he always seems to have on his face certainly doesn’t help matters.

2. Orlando Bloom

I never really understood this craze. All I see is a guy with a goatee and long black curls who happened to play the supporting roles of a pirate and an elf in some hit movies. I just don’t get it.

3. Ryan Reynolds

Don’t get me wrong, he’s definitely hot but definitely not hot enough to be married to Scarlett Johansson. And, really, eventually this piece of white bread is gonna rom-com out and then he’ll just be the guy who was in The Proposal with Sandra Bullock.

4. A-Rod

Someone remind me why two of Hollywood’s most gorgeous stars (Cameron Diaz + Kate Hudson) are fighting over this guy? I mean I know he’s a Yankee but other than that, from the sheer looks of him… there must be something I’m missing here. Plus, HE’S RECENTLY BEEN INSIDE OF A WOMAN WHO’S THE SAME AGE AS MY MOTHER. Somehow, that’s just hard for me to overlook.

5. Ken Jeong

Where did this guy come from (besides out of the back of a classic Mercedes, naked)? Sure, he’s funny when other people are writing his lines in The Hangover and on Community, but does he really deserve to share a stage with Ed Helms? Short answer: hell f**king no.

6. Matthew McConaughey

There’s a reason why Chelsea Handler calls this guy “Matthew McCona-gay.” The guy peaked in The Wedding Planner, a movie co-starring J-Lo, and it’s been all downhill from there. We’re all sick of him. He should just do us all a favor: put on a shirt, take a shower and get over himself already.

7. Adrian Grenier

Is it just me or is it hard to take this guy’s supposed sex appeal in Entourage seriously when you know he once starred beside Melissa Joan Hart in that teen film Drive me Crazy?

8. Mario Lopez

Alright, alright I’ll admit it. He has an absolutely insane body but behind those washboard abs and boyish dimples all I see is Slater from Saved By the Bell sitting backwards in a chair in an obscenely psychedelic collared shirt and curly mullet. You can’t fool me, Lopez.

9. Josh Hartnett

I still remember when that whole Hartnett phase was running rampant during his Black Hawk Down days. However, I think pictures like this – along with my dreaded fear that his eyebrows would someday fully connect -stood in the way of me ever fully being on board with the Hartnett love-fest.

10. Ryan Seacrest

Although not altogether bad looking facially, something about a guy needing to wear high heels in order to look even moderately average in height next to me just doesn’t seem to cut it in my book. Definitely not worth his $45 million deal with American Idol.

11. Conan O’Brien

Did you watch Conan on The Tonight Show before NBC canned him? Probably not, hence the reason he got the boot. His ratings were crap and for good reason: his show just wasn’t that good. The guy is funny, yes, but he’d never be getting the international love or giant TBS paycheck if he weren’t involved in the late night scandal of the century.

12. Colin Farrell

From bad boy to boring in record time.  All those illegitimate children and baby mamas killed whatever mojo he had working. Though I’m still trying to figure out what that mojo was.

13. Russell Brand

Bringing us back to a time when teased hair, heavy eyeliner, and open shirts were the height of sophistication, why do we love this guy so much? He should be doing photos for rehab pamphlets, not Katy Perry.  Thumbs down for this quirky Brit.

14. Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Yes, all the nekkid time he gets on The Tudors is more than a little enjoyable, but his performance in Match Point was way too convincing for me.  Why would you be attracted to someone with those crazy eyes?  WHY?

15. Chace Crawford

Aw, isn’t she precious?  If you like your men coiffed, tweezed, rouged, and lip glossed, Chace is your [wo]man. Come on, he should be starring in an episode of Toddlers & Tiaras, not as the Upper East Side’s premier hottie in Gossip Girl.

16. Justin Bieber

I’ve found the cure for Bieber Fever.  It’s called puberty.  Time we all move on to someone old enough to vote.

17. Patrick Dempsey

Ladies, admit it to yourselves: McDreamy is getting McOld (and not in a George Clooney way).  Sure, he was hot in the first season of Grey’s Anatomy.  We were amazed at how he transformed from his awkward ’80s movie phase, how he got his hair under control and put on a little (just a little) muscle.  Now, in 2010, I feel like we’ve seen all the tricks up this doctor’s sleeves.

18. Johnny Depp

How this guy keeps winning People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” I’ll never know. He wears more flannel than I did in 1994 and it seems like it’s been that long since he last stepped foot in a shower.

19. Robert Pattinson

Because a rat’s nest on your head and rumors of body odor are totally sexy.  Not.  I really don’t understand the worldwide fascination with this dude.  What do you see here that’s so appealing?  His face isn’t even symmetrical!

20. Taylor Lautner

Another gorgeous bod, but have you ever heard this guy open his mouth? No? That’s a good thing. There’s just not much goin’ on in there.  He just kind of smiles and stands there while his muscles bulge out of his shirt. Yawn.

21. The Situation

Seriously?  He doesn’t even have a real name. The Situation.  He sounds like Bono or Prince…except totally talentless and worse for the future of our planet than an epic BP oil leak.

22. Michael Cera

He was great in Juno.  And Juno 2.  And Juno 3.  Oh wait, those were different movies?  I want to see this kid doing SWAT team psycho-thrillers or the A-Team 2, then maybe I’ll pay attention again.

23. Zac Efron

He has a knack for dribbling to the beat of a show tune, but Zac’s High School Musical Days are over. And let’s be honest: the only good thing going for him was his pretty blonde hair. Too bad J. Bieber’s got the same do. Ciao, Efron.

24. The Jonas Brothers

Why were they famous in the first place? Just ’cause young Nick Jonas could sing and the other two decided to tag along in tight pants and skinny ties? Much like gyrating 10-year-olds and the phenomenon that is grown men “moving their hips like this,” I blame Miley for this one.

25. Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt used to be a sexy piece of man meat before he cheated on the sweet Jennifer Aniston with homewrecker, Angelina Jolie. Now he just looks like that smelly guy you avoid at Bonaroo.

26. Kellan Lutz

Hot body: check. Uh…erm….what else does this guy have to offer?

27. Ashton Kutcher

So he married a (hot) old lady. Snore. I miss the days when he was making Justin Timberlake cry.

28. Justin Timberlake

He’s the most successful former member of N’SYNC and does the funniest SNL appearances. Which is like saying Lauren Conrad is the smartest girl on The Hills and Kelly Bensimon is the craziest member of The Real Housewives – really, not saying much.

29. Adam Lambert

A weird hybrid of Elton John and Pete Wentz, I just can’t get behind a guy who uses more nail polish, eyeliner and hair product than me. No matter how big his tongue is.

30. Jay-Z

The guy talks. About how rich he is. With music playing in the background. Is that what makes a legendary rap star these days?

What season are we on anyway? 10? 11? (Editor’s Note: We’re on 9). Seriously? We’ve spent the past eleven nine years watching Simon Cowell give brutally mean comments, Paula’s very much missed outlandish (and drugged out) antics and a lot of Randy’s “Yo Dawg, I liked it, you got soul.” That’s a long, long time. We’ve also had two season with fame-whoring Kara and her bikini pics and, of course, Ellen’s musical “knowledge” once Paula was pushed out.

Anyway, here’s the lowdown on last night’s ep (which I gathered in 4 minutes on the Interwebs this morning): Lee Dwyze (the guy) won. The show invited singing “greats” such as Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson and Rihanna to perform. There was a lot of singing, performing…and blah. The only good thing about last night’s finale was the return of Paulaaaaaaa. Yes. She was still her drugged out self but still; who doesn’t love pill-popping Paula?

Now, don’t get me wrong; I’m not some never-watched-an-episode-and-just-wanna-spew-hate person. I used to be a fervent watcher of American Idol during the initial seasons of Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia and Carrie. It was simply a good reality show that proved that the power of a good voice could actually make an ordinary, just-like-us person, famous. And what’s more, it felt as if I was actually contributing to each winner’s rags-to-riches story! I religiously dialed the numbers every week, hoping and praying that my favorites were never in the bottom two.

But after eleven nine seasons, I truly think American Idol has run its course. While it was initially refreshing to watch a show that debuted a range of very talented (and very, very bad) singers, American Idol is now just another one of those reality shows banking on ratings, sponsors and viewership. And it’s a total snooze-fest. Ever since they brought on Kara as a judge, the show basically went down the pooper. She gives no helpful advice and has somehow tricked the producers into believing that she’s a good songwriter. Last season, when she stole the spotlight from “Bikini Girl” by coming on stage and shedding into her little bikini, I knew the show somehow lost its spark.

Plus, what takes those Idol peeps 3 hours to air each week could easily be shown in 90 minutes, tops. Sure, it was a sound investment of my time when the show was, I don’t know, GOOD, but now? Now it’s like a dreaded 5-credit class with that awful professor who can’t seem to work the projector. Do we really need so many close-up shots of Ryan speaking? And Miley acting as a “mentor” to the singers? Or all those flashbacks/home movies? NO. No, no, no.

With Simon leaving (who, by the way, is irreplaceable), the show is losing the only thing worth watching for. Between his tight tees, his snarky comments and that adorable bromantic relationship between him and Ryan, he made the show and everyone knows it. I know the people at Fox don’t want to admit it (and don’t want to lose their biggest money-maker), but no matter who they get to take his seat (Madonna??) American Idol without Simon is like The Hills without LC. It just won’t work.

American Idol had a good run, but it’s over. Let’s hug it out, say our goodbyes and move on…. to Simon’s new show.

Although ‘American Idol’ contestant Crystal Bowersox admits she briefly considered quitting the show, she never thought host Ryan Seacrest would go public about her “moment of weakness,” the NY Post reports. Last week, TMZ reported that Bowersox contemplated leaving ‘Idol,’ but that Seacrest swooped in and saved the day. But after news broke, Bowersox sent a text message to Katelyn Epperly, a friend from the ‘Idol’ Top 24 tryouts, admitting she’d been “betrayed by Seacrest” and had never been seriously ready to quit. “She had a moment backstage and they made it into something it wasn’t … She’s still in the game,” Epperly said.

Read what else Bowersox had to say on PopEater!

How he prevent one idol contestant from quitting.

Your feel good cheat sheet.

Please don’t tell me Taylor Lautner is gay.

Watch your backs (and your undie drawers), MSU girls!

Spencer Pratt is making more enemies. If that was possible.

6 things you should never buy online.

Montag listed nose, cheekbone and chin jobs, eyebrow lift, breast enlargement, fat injections — and told Seacrest, “I had my back scooped.” When the host asked for clarification, Montag admitted, “I actually didn’t know. I might be the first one to try it. It carves out your back a little bit.”

And, uh, she’s got the entire thing on film. Read the rest of Heidi’s interview right here.