The 2006 Hot List

It's BAA-AAAACK. A second-annual listing of 14 Athletes, Actors and Bands who'll be making serious noise in the new year.

ACTORS

WENTWORTH MILLER

THE FUNNY THING ABOUT WENTWORTH MILLER is that for television’s most-famous new face – known best for co-starring as the guy who makes jail denim look great in Prison Break – all reports have him planning zilch for 2006. That can’t stay true for long. His high cheekbones and suspicious eye line has made him dramatically prominent, whether in small, pertinent parts in big Hollywood fare (Underworld), art house cinema (The Human Stain with Anthony Hopkins) and smaller-screen dreams, like the underrated ABC’s mini-series Dinotopia, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Joan of Arcadia.

Did You Know?: Miller was featured in two recent Mariah Carey videos: “It’s Like That” and “We Belong Together.”

JOY BRYANT

JOY BRYANT IS MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE. She also laid down the law (and a few elegant body parts) to 50 Cent in his recent rap autobiography Get Rich or Die Tryin’. The 29-year-old Bronx-born beauty has taken hold in more than her fair share of films, from the swell, colorful MTV-lensed musical Carmen: A Hip Hopera, to sizeable bitty parts in Baadasssss!, Antwone Fisher and Showtime, alongside names like Denzel and DeNiro. But 2006, along with a starring role beside Diddy and Usher in The Ballad of Walter Holmes, gives Bryant a few close calls with stardom – both in anticipated ensemble films. Though she’ll have to compete with a supposedly naked Jessica Biel in the druggy, clubby London, she’ll have no competition at the beauty bar. Acting, maybe. In an upcoming film about the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, Bryant is pitted against Demi Moore, Elijah Wood, Nick Cannon, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy and Meryl Streep for face time. Yeah – but what a face!

Did You Know?: Before being discovered as an actress, Bryant was featured in Tommy Hilfiger ads as a model.

BRANDON ROUTH

FIRST, LET US JUST SAY WE’RE GLAD THE NEXT SUPERMAN CHANGED HIS STAGE NAME FROM “B.J.” TO GOOD OLD BRANDON. Because in a few short months, you’ll hear more blather about Brandon than you can reasonably stand. Much of Routh’s hype will revolve around the little old movie he’s starring in: Superman Returns. Much of that will focus on how the 12-year process of remaking the Superman legend (not counting TV fare like Lois & Clark and Smallville) ensnared the likes of Nicolas Cage, Brendan Fraser and Ashton Kutcher as the Man of Steel. Like the recently dark-but-natural Batman Begins, Routh – square-jawed but not obnoxiously so – has a better chance of fitting into the blue tights than most because of his seeming calm collectiveness, as found on MTV’s Undressed series, as well as bit parts in Gilmore Girls and Will & Grace. He better stay calm: Routh’s first big flick also stars some old Marlon Brando footage cleaned up from the old days.

Did You Know?: Possible casting for Superman Returns also included Jack Nicholson and Johnny Depp as Lex Luthor, and Mischa Barton and Keri Russell as Lois Lane.

DANIEL CRAIG

WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT 37-YEAR-OLD DANIEL CRAIG would be shoe-horned into James Bond’s narrow, swank shoes for its next saucy slick spy flick, Casino Royale, an uproar occurred. Hollywood erupted: Why not the other choices there – the Jude Laws or Collin Farrells? No one had considered that, among all the former Bonds, this one may actually be able to act beyond the bow-tie daddy the suave character calls for. If he couldn’t act, Craig couldn’t have snuck into Sam Mendes’ Road to Perdition, or wound up starring in three of this winter’s most prominent features – as one of In Cold Blood’s killers (Perry Smith); in Infamous, the other Truman Capote movie co-starring Sandra Bullock; or as Nicole Kidman’s co-star in the science-thriller The Visiting.

Did You Know?: If you still need proof of Craig’s diversity, check out Layer Cake, a British crime-caper flick in which he handles his weaponry like he does his ladies: nice and rough.

MELISSA GEORGE

BECAUSE YOU REALLY NEED TO SEE MORE SEXY AUSSIE WOMEN BEFORE YOU DIE, here’s the goddess-y Melissa George. You know the petite blonde from cool, continuing bit parts in Charmed and Friends. You may even have spotted her alongside big friend Jennifer Anniston in November’s thriller Derailed, another 2005 scary movie – The Amityville Horror – or taking part in Alias next to Jennifer Garner. But fans of cool import series know George from her hit, slick, teen soap opera-ish Home and Away. Who would want to be away from her? No one in Turistas, that’s for certain. That’s the first of her 2006 movie fare – one that co-stars Josh Duhamel. and a lot of the Brazilian outback – in a tale of intrigue, mayhem and missing people. As long as George doesn’t wind up lost, we’re in.

Did You Know?: Melissa George may be a big-time actress now, but she also is on record as an Australian rollerskating champion.

ATHLETES

HURLER FOR THE NEW YORK YANKEES: Aaron Small

FINISHING 10-0 MADE SMALL ONLY THE FOURTH PITCHER in major league history to end the season with more than 10 wins and no losses. Get this: When the Bronx Bombers nabbed him from the minors, he had a measly 1-4 record. Let us also mention he was an ancient 33-year-old who had only one marginally good year in the Majors: Oakland in ’97, when he went 9-5.

On the largest stage in baseball, Small stepped up big. He was one of the reasons the Yanks, with a shaky staff all year, were able to hold it together long enough to make the playoffs. Which is where the boy from Oxnard, Calif. suffered his first loss. It happened when he spelled the Big Unit in the fourth inning of Game 3 of the divisional playoffs against the Angels. The Yanks went on to tank in five, becoming the biggest $200 million bust of all time. And that’s not hot?

What To Watch For : Was Small’s performance right out of a oncein-a-lifetime Disney movie? Or does he have a sequel or two left up his sleeve?

TAILBACK FOR USC: LenDale White

JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, WHITE’S NOT THE PRETTY BOY who can throw it a mile and gets all the pub (that’d be QB Matt Leinart). Nor is he the one who’s gonna juke, jive and blow right past his defender before getting seconds on that pub (RB Reggie Bush). No, LenDale White is the gladiator that will crush you. Turn you into roadkill. You won’t be around by the time he reaches the end zone and the Trojan band blows that obnoxious victory song for the one-billionth time of the century.

At press time, White had 913 yards, 14 touchdowns (Bush has 11) and – with an average of 6.5 yards a carry – he’s on pace for a 1,200-yard rushing season. His highlights include: 197 yards rushing against Arizona St., 179 ran-up on Arizona and 155 doled out to Washington State. Not bad for the third musketeer.

What To Watch For : It’s White’s power, at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, that could easily make him the strongest pick of the Three Musketeers on the next level. He’s the one Trojan that’s guaranteed not to break.

BACKUP POINT GUARD, PHOENIX SUNS: Leandro Barbosa

IF STEVE NASH IS THE FATHER OF THE SUNS, backup guard Leandro Barbosa is the son closing fast – and we mean fast. The third-year Brazilian is easily one of the quickest in the game and, by far, the best backup point guard. He’s also got serious, deceptive moves and can pull up and hit the 3. And with a wingspan of a 6-foot-10 forward – in a 6-foot-3 guard’s body – he can slide all the way down and D up the small-forward position. After Phoenix’s first week of action, Barbosa averaged 14.6 points a game, shooting at a 53 percent clip. And that’s playing only 21 minutes an outing.

What To Watch For : How long it takes for the son to shine over the father. Yeah, the reigning MVP still has the mojo, but his body can’t keep it up for much longer. Expect the 23-year-old Barbosa to be the future Viagra of the franchise.

Kelly Slater, PROFESSIONAL SURFER

TAKE THAT, YOU BIMBO, ANDY IRONS! The dude who schooled you and captured the 2005 ASP World Championship just became like, totally, the greatest professional surfer of all time. Slater hadn’t won a title in seven years. And, as lucky numbers go, winning this time around gave him a total of seven titles, unsurpassed in the world of surfing. He also became the oldest (33) and youngest (20) to ever win titles. During that span, he was the recipient of some sloppy CPR from a former Baywatch babe. So, like, wow, what a totally cool life.

What To Watch For : Slater has his eye on the last record standing that he hasn’t shredded: 33 individual contest victories, set by Tommy Curren. You can bet, with 31 already under his board shorts (we’re not talking size here), it won’t be too many more waves before Slater slashes that, too.

QUEENS OF THE AVP: Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh

THESE TWO SIRENS OF THE SAND, AND REIGNING OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALISTS, spent 2005 burying their opponents to the dig of 69-3. They outscored other teams by more than six points a game, and 29 times during the season won games by double-digits. Oh, and they also had a teensy-weensy streak of 50 matches straight, before falling to the only other remotely competitive team of Elaine Youngs and Rachel Wacholder. Walsh likes to call her and May’s style “nasty, with a smile.” And don’t forget the nice tan lines.

What To Watch For : As 2006 begins, so does begin the qualifying period for the Olympics. Supposedly, May-Treanor and Walsh might have a challenge when the Jenny Johnson-Jordan and Annette Davis team returns to action. Our advice to Jordan and Davis: bring shovels.

MUSIC

HOT COLLAGISTS: Hot Chip

LONDON BEDROOM CUT N’ PASTE ALCHEMISTS HOT CHIP GO RUMMAGING through sonic junkyards, dollar bins and thrift shops to come up with a sound that’s equal parts sexy, surreal and plain silly. On debut disc Coming On Strong (out now), they throw shout-outs to Ween, Yo La Tengo and Prince, and compare themselves to Stevie Wonder before noting one important difference: They can see. The barely straight-faced synth pop of “The Beach Party” can’t hide the band’s Naked Eyes and Pet Shop Boys aspirations. And if that’s not kookily arcane enough for you, try the sopping wet synth-funk of “Down With Prince,” which sounds like something from the Beverly Hills Cop II soundtrack.

HOT SINGLE : “You Ride, We Ride, in My Ride”

HOT U.K. ACT: The Magic Numbers

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE THE PRAISE THE U.K. MUSIC RAGS DOLE OUT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT … and a couple of pints of Newcastle. But Gore Blimey! We’re positively chuffed by the sunny strains of retro pop that the hirsute and hefty members of the Magic Numbers churn out on their self-titled debut (out now). While their mamas-and-papas-like composition (the quartet is comprised of two brother-sister pairs) has made them tabloid fodder, it’s grabby little pop numbers like “Forever Lost” that have them destined for U.S. success.

HOT SINGLE : “Long Legs”

HOT HIP-HOP DUO: Danger Doom

LATE NIGHT USED TO BE THE DOMAIN OF FUNNY WHITE GUYS talking to (mostly) white guys and girls with something to promote. Now, edgy fare like that featured on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim makes the likes of Jay and Dave seem very much like your grandfather’s choice of late-night viewing. It’s also inspiring genius works of hip-hop, like Danger Doom, the union between cutman/producer Danger Mouse – noted for his Beatles/Jay-Z mash-up The Grey Album and his work with the Gorillaz – and former KMD member MF Doom. The duo’s album, The Mouse and the Mask (out now) is a funny, fierce and focused collection of buzzing sound samples, hilarious voiceover hooks (courtesy of Adult Swim characters like Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law) and thick grooves. Just don’t overlook the human guest stars, like Talib Kweli on the spastic “Old School.”

HOT SINGLE : “Benzie Box” featuring Cee-Lo

HOT BAND WITH A FUNNY NAME: Morningwood

IT TAKES A LITTLE TIME TO SHAKE THE INEVITABLE A.M. ERECTION COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS MORNING WOOD. And it’ll be a little while before the raging guitar pop hooks NYC’s Morningwood deliver on their self-titled debut (out Jan. 10) leave your sugarrotted brain. Trust us on both counts. This female-fronted-sorta supergroup (the males played in Spacehog, the Wallflowers and Cibo Matto) meets somewhere at the blighted intersection of the Pixies and Hole. Chantel Claret has the pipes to go decibel to decibel with the heavy guitars. More importantly, she’s got a beguilingly frank way about her, which renders the should-be-massive “Take Off Your Clothes” totally, um, morning wood-worthy. Who are we kidding? Her invitations to “get a little more acquainted” will give you an ample supply of wood morning, noon or night.