By not even broaching the Sarah Palin subject, Oprah won't subject herself to the aftermath of criticism — since by refusing to book the Republican VP, the talk show queen won't put herself in the awkward situation of celebrating the first woman on a Republican ticket while also pointing out she's a lunatic. But Us Weekly did not take that route.

Like Oprah, Us is usually fine sticking with celebrities and staying out of politics. But like Oprah, Us couldn't resist. Oprah backed Obama, and watched her ratings and popularity rating slide. Us did the same, but took the extra step of bashing Palin … and now some readers are furious.

Backlash? Commencing.

CONTINUED »

Former Us Weekly editor Bonnie Fuller accuses vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin of exploiting her 17-year old daughter, who is five-months pregnant.

Despite her supposed "Family Values" credentials, she and her husband Todd are being just as exploitative of her teenage daughter, Bristol, as any of these celebrity parents have been. Actually, even more so.
…
Not so in the case of the Palins. They took center stage with the full knowledge that their 17-year-old's five-months-along pregnancy was about to become front page news around the world. Bristol Palin hasn't been the star of a major kids TV show like Jamie Lynn or Miley Cyrus. She has not chosen a life of celebrity. But now, thanks to her mother's decision to accept the Republican Vice Presidential candidacy, her private life — her sex life — is as exposed as if she had long been a cover regular on Star or US Weekly.

She has unwittingly and literally become the poster child for her mother's anti-choice and abstinence-only education policies.

Meanwhile, check out the cover of this week's Us Weekly…

Wow! Congratulations to Barack and Michelle Obama!

The Democratic power couple have finally made it now that tab-rag Us Weekly gave them their coveted cover, right next to Angelina's pregnant sex stories and an extensive report on Mrs. Hulk Hogan romance with a man half her age. 'Tis a proud moment in American politics - and a sure fire way to grab some new lady voters!

Now, who wants to place bets on when a black couple - or black person! - next grace the weekly's cover?

Janice Min's got her mind on your fingers - as in she wants them crossed.

The Us Weekly EIC can barely contain her excitement that her magazine has been nominated that GLAAD nominated her tab-rag for their gay-friendly coverage. She's so thrilled, in fact, that she squeals all about it in this week's editor's letter.

Min has some stiff competition in Entertainment Weekly, CosmoGirl!, Newsweek and The Advocate, which - no offense - shouldn't really get an award for being gay friendly. Just saying…

On a related note, we bet Star's EIC Candace Trunzo regrets that whole "not normal" gay kiss thing, huh?

Us Weekly recently sent news editor Lara Cohen out on the campaign trail with Barack Obama. While some journalists would ask about Obama's health care plans or the pride of being a black man with real White House potential, young Cohen wanted to get a little deeper, like Obama's bum:

LC: So, boxers or briefs?

BO: I don't answer those humiliating questions. But whichever one it is, I look good in 'em!

The interview will now be referred to as Obama's "diva moment".

Tom Cruise and his mindless missus, Katie Holmes got down and real funky at Sunday's Beckham bash.

From Us Weekly:

…The real showstopper came when the DJ played “Old Time Rock & Roll,” prompting Cruise to re-enact his famous scene from Risky Business. At one point, he got on his back and kicked his legs in the air, just like in the movie!

In real life, however, the star kept his pants on.

Thank L. Ron!