Myspace tries for more face time

Can Justin Timberlake play a role in "bringing sexy back" to Myspace?

At least the pop star must hope his efforts to reclaim the withered social network site won’t invoke images of another hit single: "Cry Me a River."

Timberlake’s new role and office at Myspace’s California HQ was part of the PR last week from Specific Media, which paid News Corp. $35 million for the site. After cratering in value (Rupert Murdoch had paid a reported $580 million six years ago), Myspace needs a little stardust to make a comeback.

The goal is to make it a cool meeting place for entertainers and their fans. But co-founder Tom Anderson still insisting on being everyone’s Myspace friend? Not so cool.

Fire up that grill but not fireworks

Here’s a bit of irony: One of the elements in the protest that led to the ban of consumer fireworks was the fact that they compound the risk of fires.

Today is the first Fourth of July since the ban and those private displays won’t be around to pose that particular danger, at a moment when Mother Nature saw to it that rainfall gave Oahu an unusual June soaking.

Perhaps the Honolulu Fire Department can kick back and enjoy the holiday, for once. With luck, the hottest blaze ought to be the one in the hibachi.