Pop Shots – Time Off

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Lizzo’s “gap year,” to Coldplay avoiding the Sphere, to Queens of the Stone Age canceling tour dates, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Lizzo announced she’s taking a “gap year,” which I guess means she’s going to backpack through Europe on her parents’ dime, while trying to decide on which liberal arts field of study to choose as a major.

* Halsey revealed some info on her upcoming album, The Great Impersonator, which she says will be an introspective album that will see her hopping through the decades, while asking big life questions. Personally, I hope she addresses f*cking magnets. How do they work?

* Chris Martin says Coldplay will not be playing the Las Vegas Sphere anytime soon. In a recent interview he explained that when he saw U2 perform there he felt they were so good, “I don’t want to compete with that.” Coldplay fans in Las Vegas will still be able to hear the band’s music in elevators throughout the city.

* Carrie Underwood said in an interview that when it comes to her upcoming stint on American Idol she hopes to be “honest, and constructive, but still kind.” OK, but Lord help any contestant who thinks about cheating.

* Troy Ave was released Rikers Island, and posted a photograph on Instagram of himself outside of the prison standing next to a red Lamborghini while holding a bag of cash. I don’t know, but that seems pretty cliche. Why not rent some totally out there movie props instead, and have a photo getting picked up from prison holding an eight-foot marlin, while hopping into a WWII era tank?

* The 2024 MTV VMAs will be simulcast on Univision on Wednesday, September 11th. I’m sorry, but this is Univision we’re talking about, so forget a simulcast, give us a broadcast with the old crew from Sabado Gigante!

* A woman was found dead during the opening weekend of Burning Man. Personally, being dead is the only way I’d attend Burning Man.

* Oasis announced they’ll be embarking on a reunion tour … you know, until one of them does something to upset the other, they fight, and each of them storm off … which will probably happen before you finish reading this column.

* Finally, speaking of tours, Queens of the Stone Age canceled all of their remaining 2024 tour dates so frontman Josh Homme can focus on his health. When the dates will be rescheduled … no one knows.

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.