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The references for this article include: Don't call Susan Boyle 'pitchy'! Voice coaches, critics say 'Talent' contestant really is a talented singer, Dan Richman, MSNBC.com; Susan Boyle - Wikipedia; susan-boyle.com; The phenomenon that is Susan Boyle; Singing Sensation Susan Boyle obliterates online video viewership records, Victor Godinez, The Dallas Morning News, April 20, 2009; How a Villager Became the Queen of All Media, Jose Antonio Vargas, The Washington Post, April 20, 2009; and The 100 Million Views Club: The Most Watched Viral Videos of All-Time?, Matt Cutler, Visible Measures, May 1, 2009.

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This post blogged by Carlie Lawson. She is a hazards consultant, freelance writer, and weather nerd living in Norman, OK, also known as the weather capital of the United States.

Here Mickey accepts Spirit Award for best Male Lead...

In the case of Mickey Rourke, he completely self destructed in his twenties. He had been in Hollywood a relatively short amount of time and had hits under his belt such as Diner, Angel Heart, and 91/2 Weeks. We were entranced by this incredibly sexy, cocky New Yorker. His sex appeal and charisma on screen was becoming legendary. Then everything changed and his life took a dramatic downhill turn.

He was offered multiple career making roles that he repeatedly turned down such as Elliot Ness in the Untouchables, Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop, and many others (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Rourke). He suddenly decided he must leave acting and return to his first love, boxing. He left a promising career and disappeared into the mass of common civilization, not to be heard of again for a very long time. Ten years later if you mentioned his name to anyone under the age of 21, they would say "Mickey who?" He had vanished.

Mickey did come back and accept minor roles in a few films that barely made a blip on the celebrity radar. When we saw him again several years later, most of us did not realize who we were seeing. This was not Mickey Rourke, even upon close scrutiny only the barest resemblance existed. A distant cousin, perhaps? When we were forced to accept that this was indeed him, rumors flew about what had happened. Was this the damage of a second rate boxing career? Or could it be the attempts of an aging actor to hold on to his youth? http://ifitandhealthy.com/mickey-rourke-plastic-surgery/

Whatever the true story may be, Mickey Rourke is not apologizing for it or explaining it. In 2008 he released his latest movie and we waited to see what his attempts at reentering the Hollywood scene would bring us this time. 'The Wrestler' does not posture or beg for acceptance from the glittering throng of beautiful people. Mickey Rourke had obviously given up his attempts to wiggle his way back in and instead took a role that didn't pretend to conform to the commercial desires of the masses. It is a gritty, dirty, heartbreakingly honest portrayal of one of us. A man, not a celebrity or a golden god of Hollywood, just a man trying to do the only thing he knows how to do. It's hard to say where Mickey Rourke's life ends and the story of The Wrestler begins.

He is more honest and exposed in this movie than at any other time in his career and maybe his life. With that, Mickey Rourke has won us over. He didn't lose weight and smile pretty for the camera while he apologized for the decisions he made. We would not have accepted that if he did. Instead, he gave us the truth of his life in the only way he knew how. It is not a pretty picture and neither is he any longer. What he has become transcends the superficial and brings the focus back on what it should be on, his sheer, unquestionable talent.

Mickey Rourke has clawed his way back to the top on guts and talent alone. He deserves every word of our praise, every ounce of our admiration, and every award made for his profession. He is without a doubt the top celebrity comeback of 2008 and of our generation as well.

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This post is guest-blogged by Marsha Sigman...Marsha is a full-time entrepreneur who just loves to write. Read more here!

Seagal burst onto the scene in 1988 with the movie Above the Law which co-starred Henry Silva and a young Sharon Stone. It was helmed by Andrew Davis, director of The Fugitive and Under Siege (Seagal's most famous film). What differentiated him from all the other martial arts stars was that he practiced Aikido, a fighting style that had seldom been seen in films before. Seagal's lightning fast hands made it look like pure magic. His strong on-screen presence felt eerily reminiscent of Eastwood's and Bronson's.

Seagal had a streak of hits with Warner Bros. in the nineties. He even got to direct one of his films, On Deadly Ground, which failed both at the box-office and with critics. After Under Siege 2 came a slow decline which led him to star mainly in Direct to Video (DTV) releases beginning with The Patriot in 1998. Seagal went on to make Exit Wounds in 2001 and Half Past Dead in 2002 which saw theatrical releases but failed to be his comeback films. Seagal made more a name for himself this past decade as an eco-warrior and a singer, releasing two albums and doing small tours to promote them.

More than ever, 2009 is the year for Seagal to make a comeback. After a decade of mostly sub par films and DTV releases, the big guy seems to be on the right track. He proved he still had the moves and could be just as fast and lethal as ever in 2007's Urban Justice, a revenge film which Sony's Screen Gems considered releasing in theatres at one point. It was followed by Pistol Whipped, another strong DTV film role for Seagal that appeared to have been tailored for him.

The problem with these DTV movies has always been the studio's overbearing need to control the pictures. These films were mostly released by Sony and featured lots of scenes that were re-dubbed by other actors in post-production. Lawsuits back and forth between Seagal and the producers of some of the films made the headlines on some occasions over the years. Yet the worst part in all this has to be the use of obvious stunt doubles for Seagal's fight sequences. It plagues two thirds of his DTV titles and it's a shame.

With his next film, Ruslan, and onward, he is now free of any contract binding him to a studio. He himself revealed that he will start having a more celebratory attitude towards his films starting with Ruslan, which is due out March 24th on Blu-ray and DVD. Later this year, Seagal will star in The Keeper, a film in the vein of Tony Scott's Man on Fire. In March, shooting will begin for another film set for release before year's end titled Dangerous Man. Both of these films have a chance at getting theatrical releases. And judging by the early "in production" trailer for The Keeper it looks very promising indeed.

For those who are skeptical Seagal could ever make a comeback due to his age (fifty-seven), they need to be reminded that Charles Bronson was well in his sixties when he made the three Death Wish sequels in the eighties. Clint Eastwood was sixty-two when he made Unforgiven. As for Seagal's weight issue, yes, the man has gained some weight, but has shed a few pounds lately and still seems in top form. He looks more seasoned and as dangerous as ever. As for the ultimate question: Does anybody care? The answer is a resounding "yes". Seagal's got a huge following of fans that believe in him and admire him; one just has to browse through the Unofficial Steven Seagal Forums to see that he still has a worldwide fan base cheering him on.

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This post is guest-blogged by Alan Draven.

1. Tax cuts

President Obama made tax relief for ordinary Americans a keystone of his electoral campaign; hoping to boost consumer spending with a one-off tax cut for working families. This in turn will revitalize the retail sector and inject more cash into a dangerously stagnant economy, as well as soothing the Republican side of the House as his legislation makes its way through Congress.

2. Stability in the banking system.

The collapse of Bear Stearns, Washington Mutual and other financial institutions has hit the confidence of the US public hard. Government action is now being taken to prevent further disorder in the banking system. New funds available to Bank of America should ease the pressure caused by its acquisition of Merrill Lynch.

Banks should not however expect a free ride under President Obama. In his inaugural address he made sharp criticism of the "greed and irresponsibility" which has led America to its current economic problems and warned that change must come.

3. Obama on Honeymoon

New presidents enjoy an unprecedented period of goodwill from the public as they place their first stamps of authority on Capitol Hill. In the last days of George W Bush's time in power, his approval ratings reached a record low of 25%, compared to Obama's inaugural approval of 83%. It's plain that the public support Obama's economic policies, making it less likely his bills will be hamstrung in Congress.

4. Long term plans on energy.

Obama plans to make the vast majority of federal buildings more energy efficient, cutting fuel bills and saving public money. He will extend this modernization to two million American homes, helping the public save money on heating and light. He will double the production of energy from alternative and renewable sources; lessening the American dependency on oil from volatile areas of the world and creating jobs in research and development.

5. Rescue of the automotive sector

In December, the Government injected loans of $17.4 billion to the automotive sector, saving Chrysler and General Motors from possible collapse and avoiding thousands or even millions of potential job losses. With the car manufacturing sector of vital importance to many blue-collar areas, keeping public confidence in the sector is critical.

6. We, the People

In contrast to his predecessor, Barack Obama made his name working for the ordinary people of Chicago. He understands the needs and concerns of Middle America and has promised to concentrate on improving the lot of the public rather than allow business to dictate policy.

7. More regulation for the banks

It's plain to most commentators that the sub-prime housing market should never have been allowed to grow to such a bloated state. Obama has announced greater regulation and oversight for the financial sector, which should prevent a repeat of the sub-prime bubble.

8. Fast action

Obama has been quick to act on implementing his proposed reforms. Of the $825 billion he hopes to earmark for economic recovery, 80% is planned for release in the first 18 months of his presidency.

Aiming to have his package for economic recovery pass Congress by mid-February, he has made a quick start on tackling the problems of the economy.

9. Job creation

Taking a leaf out of Franklin Roosevelt's book, Obama plans to safeguard existing jobs and create new ones through new long-term infrastructure projects. FDR's "alphabet soup" agencies and public works projects in the Depression showed that public works agencies can not only kick-start the earning power of millions of families; they improve life in the post-recession world.

10. Caution on the deficit

Obama is well aware that a high budget deficit is unsustainable. The independent Congressional Budget Office estimates the Obama's recovery plans will cost $1.2 billion in the first year, but others argue that the full cost could be closer to $2 trillion. The new government is however keen to keep costs under control. Health Secretary Tom Daschle has stated the healthcare reforms Obama plans to implement will be subject to tight cost controls, and Obama himself has voiced concern over the long term future of the country's deficit.

Barack Obama's recovery plan for the US economy provides for $550 billion of additional federal expenditure and $275 billion in tax cuts; $185 billion of it going to individuals.

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This post is guest-blogged by Lydia Malings.

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My husband and I are considered middle class or at least we were until the current financial crisis edged it's greedy paws into the middle of our bank account. In the past few months we have been knocked down a notch and can no longer enjoy "the sunny side of life". A time designated as the golden years quickly became a survival test and as in the past only the fittest survive.

Our humble beginnings came from middle class hard working parents who taught us morals and good work ethics. Much like the rest of our generation we yearned for more than our parents had. A goal that was not only attainable, but one in which we tag-teamed to reach before retirement. Years of working day and night finally afforded me the opportunity to retire at the age of fifty-eight. My husband who is a few years younger is still part of the working class. In this bleak economy that in itself is more than a blessing it is a means of survival. It provides us with much needed health insurance, a luxury that we could not afford if he became unemployed.

The cost for Insurance has now become an evil enemy to our finances. We are lucky to have it, yet the co-pays and what is not covered takes yet another chuck of change out of our monthly income. Knowing full well we had to tighten our purse strings in no way prepared us for eventually living pay check to pay check. Purchasing power for items deemed necessary to survive needed to be revised and reduced. With pen in hand and motivation I did not welcome I began to try and save not only money but our own preservation.

Grocery shopping was at the top of my list for re-evaluation. In brighter times I shopped and purchased with out much thought to the cost. After all we had the money and we most definitely liked to eat and enjoy the amenities needed for personal hygiene. Now all items edible and non-edible have been scrutinized. I no longer buy name brands and eliminated the "one stop shopping" I had lovingly honed through the years. My apologies to my once favorite grocer, you now are one of many. There are five steps I put in motion to help see us through our own personal financial dilemma.

1. Shop the "Dollar Stores" for toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, tooth paste, deodorant, dish detergent, laundry detergent. You will be amazed at the items this type of store carries. Your clothes will not protest the change in detergent and you will save money. This store also carried many food items which are much cheaper than your favorite grocery store.

2. Filling up your gas tank means looking for the best price in the immediate area. You can go on-line and type in your zip code and check the prices of gasoline at different locations. Changing your route to work to buy gas for less only works if you are not driving ten extra miles to save a few dollars.

3. Turn off the lights and turn down the thermostat. Growing up in an old house with a less then efficient furnace taught me to wear warmer clothes in the winter. The concept is the same today, turn down the heat and put on a pair of sweats. Every time you go into a room you do not have to turn on the lights. We keep a night light on in the bathroom and the kitchen to avoid flipping the switch when we enter the room. We have lived in this house for twenty some years therefore we should be able to walk around with our eyes closed and still find our way.

4. Date Night, a night my husband and I invented many years ago when our children were growing up. A night set aside to go out and enjoy a meal and conversation without children. A time to regroup and reconnect when life became so hectic. We still have our "Date Night" but the need to dine out every week is no longer necessary when there are just the two of us in this old house. When we do go out we find a place that offers dinner specials and have found the food is actually good if not better than the days of "fine dining".

5. Learn to do without, just because you want it rarely means you truly need it. Become frugal when shopping for yourself and for others. Purchase birthday presents right after Christmas when the bargains are best. Watch for sales on clothes and shoes to replenish your closet. Become a dress for success guru with out going broke.

Trying to save money in today's world is a daunting task and sometimes impossible. We are doing the best we can with the money we have. Not yet re-seated to our comfort level of a year or so ago we are able to pay our bills and keep a roof over our heads. Are we adding to our retirement fund? No, not yet but we aren't borrowing from it in our fight for survival.

As you may or may not know, loveable country singer Wynona Judd recently released her latest album Sing: Chapter 1 on February 3rd. Because of this, she guest starred on NBC's Kath and Kim. She was also featured on Rachel Ray's daytime talk show when the TV chef hosted a mass wedding for couples whose churches and other places of matrimony were destroyed in Hurricane Ike. In addition to comedian Geoffrey Ross reciting a poem he wrote for the occasion which rhymed tykes with Ike (as in the hurricane), Wynona provided the entertainment, gently dusting a sea of newlyweds with her magical Wynona-ness. Those couples are 100% Wynona guaranteed to stay together.

However, it's not her recent television appearances that are going to re-launch Wynona into the star stratosphere. It's her spokesmanship of Alli, the diet pill. If you haven't yet seen Wynona flapping her cute little chubby gums about this diet pill, you will soon, because with Wynona on their side, Alli's business will boom. And with that will come more commercials, all featuring Ms. Judd of course. To stay ahead of the game, I suggest buying Sing: Chapter 1, throwing back some Alli diet pills and hosting an all night dance-a-thon in your living room.

Next comeback-er on the list is TV salesman Billy Mays. You may remember him as the man who awakened the world with his earnest, if not half-crazed shouts praising the wonders of Oxiclean. If somehow you don't remember, it's probably because you're suffering from shock and have repressed the memory. Those of us who are familiar with Billy Mays know the man could sell a Hummer H1 to Al Gore. With a gleam in his eye and a voice like Velcro, the undeniable charm of Billy Mays is sure to permeate the collective unconscious and leave an indelible mark in the American zeitgeist.

In addition to Oxiclean, Mr. Mays has amazed us with the magical properties of products like Orange-Glo, Kaboom, Hercules Hook and many, many more. What wonder will he awe us with next? Something we couldn't imagine living without, no doubt. I predict Billy will reappear again in the middle of April. Just as spring sets the world a fire with new life, so will Billy, with a new amazing product.

Throughout the changing of the seasons, one man will keep going, not stopping until his horse's hoof has crunched the autumn leaves. Well, he might make a few stops. The man has to check his blood sugar. Wilford Brimley may not get his comeback until the end of the year, but he will get it; he's not opposed to stabbing someone with a dirty lancet if he has to. Wilford Brimley is a stuntman, an actor, but most notably, a spokesman, first of Quaker Oats, and more recently of Liberty Medical. The Liberty Medical commercials in particular have introduced Wilford Brimley to a new generation of Americans who would have never known him or the proper way to pronounce diabetes.

In addition to melting our hearts with his gruff-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside character, Mr. Brimley has been known to melt butter on a variety of foods including baked potatoes, lobster tails, and ice cream. Our national grandpa, old Wilford will be stopping in for a visit late this year. If we're lucky, Wilford will team up with Billy in a super-commercial advertising Liberty Medical. Matched with the snappy pace of Billy Mays, Wilford will shine as a beacon of sturdy reassurance that diabeetus doesn't have to control our lives. Wynona might make a quick appearance, asking viewers WWWJD? (What Would Wynona Judd Do) The answer is call Liberty Medical, and maybe pop a few Alli diet pills.

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This post guest-blogged by Cait Bourgeois.

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Fallen celebrities are like forgotten leftovers; until you find them hiding behind the cheese, you can't remember what they were.

There is a string of comebacks that are the talk of the entertainment industry: John Travolta, Mickey Rourke, Brittany Spears, Robert Downey Jr., and the list goes on. These are big name celebs that made some decent coin and for whatever reason slipped a little in their profession, and their re-emergence is laudable. But I see others on the rise as well:

Like Abe Vigoda. I predict a major comeback with an epic saga called "Tessio: The Secret Years", where the soldiers of the Corleone family didn't have the heart to whack him in "Godfather I"; instead they banished him to Padre Island where he invented the boogie board after watching Luca Brazzi's body wash ashore back in New York and becomes a major earner for the family.

I see Mel Gibson reuniting with Jim Caviezel in the sequel to "The Passion" called "The Passion II: I'm Back" and blowing the pages out of the New Testament.

Emilio Estevez is ready with a harrowing role as Jason Bourne's little brother Jimmy in "The Bourne Sibling Rivalry". I hear, however, that it's in rewrites.

Mackenzie Phillips is slated to portray a woman who is accused of tainting her sailor-boyfriend's strictly vegetarian diet with marijuana in the highly touted "The Trial of Olive Oyl".

Michael Jackson is long overdue and is interested in the sequel to the sequel to the sequel: "Nightmare on Elm Street XXXVI". Sources say he is interested in resurrecting the part of Jason...again. I get chills just thinking about it.

George W. Bush, remember him? Word is out that he has accepted the role of Alfred E. Newman in the new Mad Magazine's Broadway production of "What? Me Worry?". Talk is out that he was born for this role. His father, the other George, and Dick Cheney have also agreed to bit parts as opposing agents in the "Spy versus Spy" segments of the play. Not too much of a stretch there, either.

A double whammy is in production where we have Tom Cruise and Michael Richards teaming up in "Rain Man: The Other Brother" where Charlie Babbit's Lamborghini breaks down in Bohuonk, Arkansas and discovers his long lost step-brother, also named Ray, mystifying the locals by memorizing every part on a 1985 Yugo whereas Charlie, once again, kidnaps his brother and takes him on a heartwarming journey of discovery back to California towing the Lamborghini behind a 1985 Yugo.

The remaining member of Milli Vanilli will enter into a partnership with Vanilla Ice and rename themselves Vanilla Vanilli, so says their spokesperson, since they can't speak for themselves.

Bill Cosby will sign on with Spike Lee this fall in Spikes anti-establishment sentimental dramatic historical comedy, "Mo' Fo'".

Rosie O'Donnell and Roseanne Barr will pair up in the buddy movie extravaganza that noone wants to see, write or make.

A-Rod and Michael Phelps will duo-up on an album titled after a line from "The Godfather", "Leave the Syringe, Take the Canoli's".

Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse will hold a benefit concert, slated for this summer, when they come to. It will be held in Central Park and called, "Gimme Some". A-Rod and Michael Phelps will co-host.

And finally, I believe the comeback of the year for 2009, will go to Lassie. Rumor has it that the new mini-series "Lassie Galactica" will take over where "Star Trek" left off. Steven Hawking has agreed to play the part of a disabled physicist who sends his dog through a wormhole he creates using a microwave oven and an electro-magnet she helps him steal from the local scrap yard. The chase scenes are said to be "really something".

So, there you have it, my celebrity predictions for 2009.

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Virtually every artist who fades from public spotlight, especially at the height of their careers, has at some point considered a comeback. But attempting a comeback can be tricky. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they don't. Several factors are involved in whether a comeback can be successful, but the most important one is whether the public wants them back, or not.

Some artists are better off remaining "whatever happened to" footnotes. They usually attempt comebacks because their well has run dry and they just need the money. Then there are the truly talented, whose careers may have been interrupted by life altering circumstances, or they simply couldn't handle the pressures of stardom. For them, a comeback may be more of personal statement, and the public may not have wanted them to fade in the first place.

2008 Comebacks

There were a number of significant comebacks in 2008. Madonna (who never really seems to leave), enjoyed a tremendously successful year. Her combination of record sales and touring revenue topped Billboard's list of Music Money Makers with $242,176,466. Not bad, after spending the past three years playing wifey and mom.

But the year's biggest comeback was that of Britney Spears. After spending nearly two years in a drug induced haze, Brit cleaned up her life and got her act back together. She made a triumphant return on the same stage where she completely melted down just one year before. She also recorded a new album, and has a major tour planned for 2009.

2009 Hopefuls

There a number of celebs who have comebacks planned for '09, but not all of them will be openly received. The Jackson 5 are reportedly reuniting, but who cares? The Grateful Dead will also be touring, and these guys are nearing their 70's. Their fans should have jobs by now, and with times as tight as they are, who can afford to travel around the country as a "Dead Head"?

There are some legitimate comebacks in the works. Gwen Stefani began recording with No Doubt during her 2008 pregnancy, and already has some tour dates scheduled. Jennifer Hudson rebounded beautifully after the tragic loss of her family. Her singing of the National Anthem before Super Bowl XLIII still has people talking. She has since made appearances at the Grammy Awards and the NAACP Image Awards, taking home hardware from each event.

Slim Shady, a.k.a. Eminem, has been leaking tracks online for the past year, and released his autobiography in October. But the biggest indication that he may have huge year is his recent collaboration with both his mentor, Dr. Dre, and his protege', 50 Cent. Each has albums sceduled in 2009, and have also contributed to each others projects. Eminem's new album, "Relapse" is due in the spring.

But, my pick for the BIGGEST comeback in 2009 is...

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston first reached national prominence in 1985, and quickly evolved into one of the most celebrated female artists of all time. Her self-titled debut album has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, and featured the hits, "You Give me Good Love", Saving All My Love For You", "How Will I Know", and "Greatest Love of All".

Between 1985 and 1990, Houston was one of the most in-demand touring artists in the World. Her sell-out concert numbers were matched only by Michael Jackson during that time period.

In 1991, at the height of her celebrity, she starred in the hit movie "The Bodyguard" , with Kevin Costner. Not only did she achieve box office success, but also had the #1 album with the the sound track from the movie.

Then, in 1992, she married Bobby Brown and her career went down the drain.

Now, with Brown finally out of her life, Whitney is looking better than ever. Her appearance at Clive Davis' Grammy Awards party showed that few can match her vocally. She has been working in the studio with some of the hottest producers , and Davis has announced an album by late in the year.

Houston has been making numerous public appearances of late, and you can bet that her album will be released with a lot of fanfare and marketing hype. This will be Whitney's year.