A Lost Opportunity

Forbes published a list of the ten best-paid women in entertainment in 2010. Heading the list is, of course, Oprah at a cool $315 million and that is before the launch of the Oprah Network. After all, $315 million isn't worth what it used to be. Gas prices are rising. Oprah must continue to strive to become "her very best self." I see her hauling in at least $500 million in 2011.

Beyonce is No. 2 on the list at $87 million which is no surprise. No. 3 is a shocker though. Britney Spears earned $64 million with "the fifth highest-grossing tour in the world and endorsement deals." Britney did everything she possibly could to scuttle her career and scare away sponsors a couple of years ago. Shaving her head, rehab, a 72 hour marriage, followed by a somewhat longer one to Kevin Federline that resulted in two kids in rapid succession would put Mother Teresa on a Celebrity Blacklist. Yet, the Britster overcame all that. Lindsay Lohan, there is hope! Butt of late night monologues one year, hauling in $64 million the next, it can happen.

The list continues with Lady Gaga, Madonna, and the usual suspects until we reach No. 9. At the $45 million mark, we have Taylor Swift tied with, of all people, Judge Judy. Now, Taylor Swift's popularity and earnings are understandable. Country music fans love her. Teen age girls whose hearts have been broken by the best-looking Jonas Brother identify with her. Those of us whose bodies weigh more than our hair envy her.

Despite all that, Judge Judy made as much as Taylor Swift last year. $45 million will buy a ton of lace collars for those robes. I'm not sure what a Supreme Court Justice makes in salary, but it is far short of $45 million. Plus, that whole Senate nomination approval thing is demeaning. One photo of you playing softball and you are labeled a lesbian.

As much as Lindsay Lohan takes hope from reading this list, Sonia Sotomayor looks at it as a lost opportunity. Sonia, you could be on syndicated TV every weekday making acerbic comments in a spunky New York accent and hauling in the big bucks.