Duos that spin our heads

Even today, PL loves "Sesame Street," and we remember "One of These Things Is Not Like the Others" and because of the whole odd couples thing we've got going on this issue, that song keeps running through our heads. But since we associate that tune with Cookie Monster, well, that's not such a bad thing.

Anyway, here are some pop culture alliances we wouldn't have imagined. There are more on pages 14-15.

Neil Young and Rick James (1965): Early on, folk-rocker Young and funk bassist James played together in a Canadian band called Mynah Birds. Young has since made unlikely combinations a habit, playing with bands including Booker T. & the MG's.

Elvis Presley and Richard Nixon (1970): Presley turning the classic song "O Sole Mio" into a pop hit with "It's Now or Never" was weird enough. But meeting with President Nixon to ask for an undercover badge? Stratospheric. Still the most-requested photo from the National Archives.

David Bowie and Bing Crosby (1977): One of the all-time weirdest pairings. They recorded a duet medley of "Peace on Earth"/"Little Drummer Boy" for "Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas" television special, which aired after Crosby's death.

KLF and Tammy Wynette (1992): The first lady of country music's best-ever showing on the pop charts came with "Justified and Ancient," a quite-strange collaboration with British electro-pop duo KLF.

Lyle Lovett and Julia Roberts (1993-95): During their marriage, the bizarrely coiffed country singer and glamorous movie star made up one of the oddest couples in show business.

Public Enemy and Herb Alpert (1994): Evolution Control Committee created one of the very first mash-ups by laying Chuck D and Flavor Flav's raps from Public Enemy's "Rebel Without a Pause" over Alpert's breezy instrumental "Bittersweet Samba." It's still scarily brilliant.

Bono and Jesse Helms (2000-02): Late in the North Carolina senator's career, Helms and U2 frontman Bono made an unlikely alliance to battle AIDS in Africa. On U2's last area performance in 2005, Helms traveled to Charlotte to have dinner backstage with Bono.

Elton John and Eminem (2001): Seeking to deflect accusations of homophobia, the rapper teamed up with the piano man (well-known for championing many gay causes) to perform Eminem's stalker anthem "Stan" at the Grammy Awards.

Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis (2008): Nelson deserves a category all his own, having collaborated with everybody from Placido Domingo to Kid Rock in the past. But his new album with jazzman Marsalis, "Two Men With the Blues," (Blue Note Records) is a stretch even for him.

A Barbie like no other

What is it about Barbie that still leaves folks panting? Kimora Lee Simmons spent hours of her reality show time, ensuring that her Barbie likeness had the right amount of "fabulosity." And now, the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha are crowing because Mattel has created a limited edition AKA Centennial Barbie -- the sorority turned 100 this year -- something it's never done for any other sorority. She'll sell for $50.

Well, she is pretty glam in her signature pink and green.