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PETA's perplexing pin-up

Jun 27, 2007, 06:13 PM | by Simon Vozick-Levinson

Categories: 'American Idol', Food and Drink, Music, Strange Bedfellows, Television

Kevincarrie_l The media-savvy meat-shunners at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals revealed the winners of their annual "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" contest this week, and, well, let's just say something tastes a little off this year. The world's most appetizing female vegetarian is evidently multiplatinum Idol alum Carrie Underwood, which seems fair enough. And Carrie's male counterpart is... drumroll please... Kevin Eubanks from The Tonight Show?!

Look, don't get me wrong. Eubanks seems like a perfectly nice guy, and he's served Leno well over the years. (Though, as genial-but-slightly-sarcastic sidekicks go, he's but a pale shadow of Paul Shaffer.) But sexy? This bald, average-looking 49-year-old dude in a turtleneck? Come on, PETA. Past recipients of Eubanks' title have included Prince, André 3000, Chris Martin, and Josh Hartnett — you know, legitimate (or at least quasi-legitimate) sex symbols. Sure, I can see how I might want to restructure my diet if it meant that I'd have a shot at being a little more like Prince. Eubanks' selection, on the other hand, just makes me worry that eating too much broccoli might lead to a lifetime spent sitting on a stool, laughing at completely unfunny jokes like a trained seal.

But it gets worse! PETA's own press release acknowledges that Eubanks' victory was the result of rank voter manipulation: "[Leno] mentioned the contest several times during the past week and said that he went to PETA's Web site to vote for Eubanks.... Tonight Show viewers logged on in large numbers, pushing Eubanks ahead of his competitors." Sounds like ballot-stuffing to me. Isn't this covered somewhere in those campaign-finance regulations? I say it's time for a recount.

What about you, PopWatchers? Are you cool with Eubanks' new title? Or who do you think would have been a better choice—and don't say "anyone."

rczpyumik egyh Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 11:02 AM EST

ncswlzvef jkeuwbm envotw xpmn kmfbwn kcendvpby txrjcnov

Trudy Fri, Jun 29, 2007 at 10:13 PM EST

This is just silly. sometimes hot is not the so-called norm. He looks quite cute to me with a nice smile and a worthy cause, that makes him look good.

FilmFan Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 10:38 PM EST

WOW!!!!

This article is just another testament to how brained washed Americans are when it comes to pop culture. Who says that you have to look a certain way to be considered "hot". Why can't you be against the norm(think outside the EW box) and find other things that can make someone sexy!What is wrong with Eubanks. He has a great physique, a great smile and a great personality. Can't that be enough. Other bald men have been considered sexy Simon(Sean Connery, Patrick Stewart) so why point that out about Eubanks. But I guess the very notion of "hot" is itself shallow so I guess why should I expect different from the those who actually apply the term to people

Fatima Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 03:25 PM EST

I don't see a problem here. It's not like they voted on Steven Seagal or anything.

Anyways, PETA annoys me. Somehow they have managed to take an issue I inherantly agree with them on only to be so abrasive and loony that I find myself looking for leather goods.

wagonmaker Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 03:03 PM EST

Hey David, apologize! He said he thought Prince and Andre3000 were more appropriate - they're not white - and who said anything about wealth or popularity? Give it up, dude.

Amy Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 01:37 PM EST

Does it really matter? Let's not lose sight of what's important - the humane treatment of animals. I hope Eubanks uses his Sexiest Vegetarian title to do some good for our furry friends!

FLGrl Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 01:24 PM EST

Kevin Eubanks is awesome!!! Great choice.

Carrie, eh.

GeeMoney Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 11:44 AM EST

I don't really care. I hope Joaquin Phoenix wins next year... he's sooooooo hot!

http://amwt.blogspot.com

Adam Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 10:54 AM EST

I think he is attractive, but there are far hotter vegetarians out there. I am sad Pamela Anderson did not win! That's who I voted for

Jimmy Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 10:45 AM EST

Definitely Ausiello

Miloalltheway Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 10:28 AM EST

I think Milo Ventimiglia should have won... Peter Petrelli from Heroes. Then Ausiello should have taken second! I don't have a problem with Kevin Eubanks, he's hot, he's just not an IT guy. (Neither is Ausiello, but we love him).

rob Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 10:22 AM EST

horrible choice. and David, you are pulling out the race card?! gimme a f**king break! has nothing to do with it. he is average looking. period

BHM1304 Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 10:15 AM EST

This is an easy one. The winner should have been one of your competitors and the unsurpassed master of spoilage - Michael Aussiello.

mark in nyc Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 10:07 AM EST

who knew Leno watchers had computers much less were smart enought to actually use them?

Karoline Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 09:40 AM EST

I just saw that Joaquin Phoenix was a runner-up - I would have a hard time choosing between him and Kevin Eubanks. Congrats, Kevin!

Me Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 08:16 AM EST

Kevin? Let me check... exuberant smile, lovely cueball, nice skin tone. Yeah, he'll do fine.

David Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 02:48 AM EST

Simon Vozick-Levinson = Racist!
Sexiness does not equate with wealth or popularity! Get that?!

ceej Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 12:25 AM EST

He's not bald because he's going bald.

He's bald because he shaves it bald.


There is a difference... at least for a brotha there is...

Kudos to you Kevin!

Michelle Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 11:33 PM EST

I second Fidler...Ausiello!!!!

n Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 11:22 PM EST

I think he's pretty damn handsome.

evie Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 09:46 PM EST

The argument of whether or not he's sexy aside, who are these people who hear Jay Leno say he voted, and then rush to their computers to the peta website to vote themselves? (I challenge one of you to come forward!)
I guess Kevin should win, for getting most people to come to peta's site. And isn't it really about who is going to get peta the most attention anyway?

Ceballos Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 09:40 PM EST

Even though I think the guy's a complete tool (honestly, NOTHING Jay Leno says is as funny as Eubanks' overlaughing would lead you to believe...not even close), I actually kinda like this choice.


I mean, there's like a shortlist of celebrities people think of when you're talking about "Sexiest Man" (Clooney, Pitt, Depp, or some other flavor of the week). I actually like that PETA kinda stepped outside the box for their choice.


To be honest, I hope I look that good when I'm 49.

Ali Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 09:23 PM EST

Kevin Eubanks is in great shape, so what's the problem?

Team Me Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 09:13 PM EST

Isn't Kevin Like Ridiculously ripped.
I mean they did show him shirtless on the Leno show and he was pretty shredded.

HN Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 08:45 PM EST

Eubanks kicks Paul Shaffer's butt. When he speaks, he actually adds something, and he's not so annoying. I'll defer to people who prefer Letterman to Leno, but there's no way that Shaffer beats Eubanks. Go Kevin!

Debra L. Blosnich Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 08:39 PM EST

I think Kevin Eubanks is adorable! He is comfortable with himself and I admire his wit and sense of humor. Paul Shaffer may be a talented musician but he's just to much of a yes man for me. My vote would have been for Kevin had I known about the "contest" so that makes one of the so called fixed votes legit! Way to go Kevin!

Dana Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 07:57 PM EST

I'm absolutely fine with his new title. He's awesome and deserves more respect.

http://news.myspace.com/entertainment/popculture

Silly Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 07:28 PM EST

PETA. What's that? People Eating The Animals? Sounds like a plan. Wendy's anyone?

sam Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 07:19 PM EST

I think that Kevin is sexier than all of the guys that you named.

MsDaisy Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 07:12 PM EST

Carrie Underwood is a perfect choice. As a performer, she's about as exciting as a boiled turnip.

Nix Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 07:08 PM EST

Anything to piss off PETA.

lw Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 06:46 PM EST

chris martin and josh unibrow hartnett are not sexy.

S Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 06:35 PM EST

snore

Simon Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 06:11 PM EST

He's a good looking man. Maybe not a hunk but I applaud the choice.

Leslie Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 06:02 PM EST

Kevin Eubanks? he reminds me of my dad. (in a good way, but still...)

v Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 06:02 PM EST

isn't he a body builder?

i'm just sayin'

Daniel Fidler Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 05:57 PM EST

Ausiello!

Stephen Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 05:33 PM EST

ARE YOU KIDDING? YES IT'S BALLOT-STUFFING, BUT WHO CARES??? IT'S NOT THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE. TAKE A LOOK AT THE CONTEST AGAIN.

gia Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 05:23 PM EST

kristen bell and chris martin for me.

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