Sweet 16 of Love(Spring 2007)....Champion Crowned....Miss Salma Hayek.

Well, we started with 16 beautiful and talented ladies....slowly working our way to crown a champion. The votes have been cast, counted, and recorded...and your Spring 2007 Sweet 16 of Love champion is the buxom beauty from below in Mexico...Salma Hayek. Thoughts/Recollections:

1. There was some serious static from some regarding a couple of the initial entries. Again, it needs to be reiterated that attention to generation gaps, differences in aesthetics, and overall ability was the only given. Yes...there were a number of ladies that should have/could have/would have been on any list like this one...but one can't have an all-star tourney....as the inaugural event. It leaves no where to go.

2. The most surprising aspect was that a number a ladies participated. Though, we are pleased to have the fairer gender as readers....I wasn't expecting them to be as involved with this particular exercise. It proved to be the difference in many cases. Also, the voting public was almost equally split with regards to Miss Johansson....with people really liking her...and those who really don't like her. Who knew?

3. I voted in all matches...with most of my votes tending to lean with the majority. In the final match, however, I voted for Mrs. Loren.

4. As for our champion...Miss Hayek is one of my personal favorites...and has been for a while. She exudes a sense of purpose with an innate physical beauty that is rarely matched. She's accomplished in her chosen field...i.e. acting/producing/directing...and resists the whole Julia Roberts/Cameron Diaz/Jennifer Lopez 'look at me' crowd. In short, she is magnificently beautiful, abundantly talented, and wonderfully appropriated....and she is our champion.

5. The following are three video clips...one from a Letterman interview...and two from movies that I dig(I wanted to use a clip from Fools Rush In, as it is my favorite Salma Hayek movie, but alas, it could not be found). For those who are faint of heart...or have congestive heart problems...proceed with caution(also, there is bit of rough language at the end of the second clip...apologies all around.). Ladies and gentlemen...Miss Salma Hayek.

Sweet 16 of Love....Championship Round.

The votes have been cast, counted, and recorded. Here is the inaugural Championship match-up in the 2007 Sweet 16 of Love....and a brief explanation of the voting trends:

1. Sophia Loren v. Salma Hayek.

I. Loren won by a landslide....think Reagan in 1984...and there was never any doubt. It isn't easy to see Audrey Hepburn get drubbed...yet, I find solace in that she will be back as a definite contender in future tourneys.

II. Wow. I never imagined that Johansson would cause such fissures in the voting public...but, did she ever. Invariably, in posted comments and others, Johansson was the subject most discussed. Hayek...won by one vote....one vote...and, no kidding....it was the last vote cast. There is no doubt that Johansson has established herself as a future contender for the crown.

III. Loren V. Hayek. This is it. These buxom beauties are exotic, dynamic, and sultry. Each have established careers... and have broken hearts across the globe. Either would be good conversation....or perfect when conversation isn't necessary. Voting begins now, and will end on Tuesday...with the announcement shortly after. Ladies and gentlemen...your 2007 Sweet 16 of Love Champion is....

Sweet 16 of Love....down to 4.

Again, the votes have been cast, counted, and recorded. As the competition gets stiffer, the margins of victory get closer. Here are the Final Four match-ups...along with a brief explanation:


1. Sophia Loren v. Audrey Hepburn. Both won easily, but Loren definitely won with a bigger lead. Still, both have their followers and should be represented well.

2. Salma Hayek v. Scarlett Johansson. Hayek barely won out over an underestimated...my opinion...Raquel Welch. Johansson destroyed Carrera and should now be considered a front runner for the entire thing. The most surprising element from this last round of voting is found here...with a good majority of females voting for Johansson.

Votes should be in by Thursday...to decide the championship match.

Sweet 16 of Love....down to 8.

The votes have been cast, counted, and recorded. There were a few surprises, but that is to be expected. Here are the results...a brief explanation...and the next match-ups:

1. Sophia Loren v. Halle Berry. Loren was an almost universal choice, while Berry won by a wide margin, as well. I figured Ryan would get more support.

2. Grace Kelly v. Audrey Hepburn. Both almost universal picks. Though, Jolie did have a couple of votes. Pfeiffer, I assume, was a victim of a tough draw.

3. Raquel Welch v. Salma Hayek. Welch and Hayek barely won. Responses seem to suggest that Hayek has the advantage here because of a general lack of knowledge/appreciation for the past.

4. Scarlett Johansson v. Tia Carrera. Biggest surprise, for me, of all. I figured BB would poll better, as she is widely regarded as being nearly perfect physically, but there are many Johansson fans...amongst this group anyway. Carrera also surprised....in barely winning. Tyra was very close.

There you have it. Elite 8 votes should be in by Thursday.


* remember...not all votes will necessarily be recorded here.

My own 'Sweet 16'

With 'March Madness' around the corner, I decided to have my own Tourney of 16 competitors....of beauty. That's right, folks....a tournament of beauty. Here are the rules:
1. I invite the initial entrees.
2. Everyone gets a vote for each match-up. The three scoring categories are as follows:
A. Innate Beauty.
B. Classy/Trashy. Classy is preferable, but if she is good at being trashy, consideration will be given, but an explanation will be needed.
C. "Other talents".
3. We crown the 2007 Sweet Sixteen of Love Champion. Here are the match-ups(in no order) :

1. Sophia Loren v. Jessica Alba
2. Halle Berry v. Meg Ryan
3. Grace Kelly v. Anjelina Jolie
4. Michelle Pfeiffer v. Audrey Hepburn
5. Raquel Welch v. Beyonce Knowles
6. Ingrid Bergman v. Salma Hayek
7. Brooke Burke v. Scarlett Johansson
8. Tia Carrera v. Tyra Banks

Round 2.

1. winners of 1/2
2. winners of 3/4
3. winners of 5/6
4. winners of 7/8

* results from the first round of action will be released on monday