the buzz log

Public humiliation. It's no fun. But hey, some would say: You put yourself out there, expect what's coming. This week: A major talk-show host gets taken down on his own turf. A swimmer gets his golden mojo back after getting his come-uppance. And Kelly Clarkson is OK just the way she is...isn't she? These stories and more in the Buzz Week in Review.

Lou Dobbs: Just Stop Talking
Long after major media organizations had reviewed and dismissed the "birther" movement's accusations that President Obama is not a natural-born citizen, CNN talk-show host Lou Dobbs was still talking a stale story. Even right-winger Bill O'Reilly called Dobbs to task for the nutty focus, although defended his right to speak his mind. But now Dobbs has met his match, in an ad campaign from liberal media watchdogs "Media Matters." The organization has bought ad time on CNN, telling the news host to stuff a sock in it already. Searches surged this week on "lou dobbs controversy," "lou dobbs controversy birth certificate," and "lou dobbs controversy bill o'reilly."

Michael Phelps: Not All Washed Up
We know, we have high expectations of half-man, half-fish Michael Phelps. But after the Beijing Olympics, isn't it hard not to? The U.S. swimmer came home with eight gold medals. Then he took six months off, and when he got back in the game, he was promptly hung out to dry by German freestyler Paul Biederman. Then Phelps came back. He won the 100-meter butterfly in record time. He also won the 200-meter butterfly and three relay golds, for good measure. Searches on the swimmer surged over 400% as the golden boy got his groove back.

Kelly Clarkson: Self-Acceptance
If anyone embodies the ideal of being comfortable in her skin, it would be Kelly Clarkson. The singing sensation oozes confidence from every pore, even if it's not coming from a super-skinny bod. Her fans love it, but Self magazine? Not so much. Or so it seemed, when the September issue appeared with a cover featuring what bloggers griped looked to be an overly Photoshopped, slimmed-down version of the singer. Searches on the songtress soared over 100%, with the fans clearly on Clarkson's side, whatever size that may be.

Also buzzing this week...
•Bill Clinton works his magic in North Korea.
•Twitter's takedown is apparently politically motivated.
•Everyone hunkers down for swine flu.