This week, we kick off a weekly series in which eBay Pop Culture expert Karen Bard weighs in on the biggest headlines in pop culture and how they're tracking on eBay.

Google co-Founder Larry Page and Tiger Woods (photos from PR Photos)

Jersey Shore

This is “The Situation”—"Jersey Shore" is a bada-bing, bonafide hit. The MTV television program—controversial for its references to Italian Americans as "guidos" and "guidettes" as well as a bar punching scene that was edited out of the aired version— has struck a chord with the reality TV-obsessed crowd. The genesis was an MTV “True Life” episode that featured fist-pumping summertime highs and lows on the Jersey Shore. The frequently re-run program was so popular that the network decided to turn it into a full "realirty" series. The appeal? The unabashed audacity of it all (complete with at-home tanning beds, suitcases full of hair gel and macho male lip gloss application) as well as the characters' willingness to bare it all (and more) in front of the camera. On a personal level,  Despite my MTV-loving ways (it is admittedly the first channel I turn to) I cannot get into this melee. However, I did feel for Snooki when she got walloped; the pouf did not deserve such treatment. 

The eBay Stats: 81 related listings for "MTV Jersey Shore" (vs. 64 for "Real Housewives," another popular reality show); close to $650 in Jersey Shore-related sales in the last 30 days;

On Our Shopping List: "I love the Situation" t-shirt (buy it now price, $15.99)

 Google Nexus Phone

The next wave of smartphones is here—the Google Nexus One is hot off the factory floor, and we’re already seeing related listings on eBay. The device is shaped somewhere in between an iPhone and the Palm Pre and also features a both a touch screen and a trackball for all of the BlackBerry. (iPhone and Blackberry addicts can each take their pick.) 3.70 inch display features brilliant colors and a very fast fast 1Ghz processor that can run several apps and not slow down. It's about as thick as a pencil, weighs as much as a small pen knife, and comes with a camera and flash. Nexus One is currently available from the Google web store in the US without service for $529 or starting at $179 (shipping only to the U.S. and three other markets, including the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong) with a two-year contract from T-Mobile USA. In the near future, Verizon Wireless in the US and Vodafone in Europe plan to offer services to customers in their respective geographies. Not surprisingly, you can already find sellers offering it and related items on eBay.

The eBay Stats: 875 related listings, including phones, charger cables, case coves and more

On Our Shopping List: a phone, of course, especially for folks out of the current markets or who want an unlocked version (buy it now price, $688.88) and a protective rubber case (buy it now price, $9.99)

Tiger Woods Vanity Fair Cover

From tabloids to the slick glossies, Tiger is covering them all. The latest issue of Vanity Fair featuring TW with a bare chest is bound to become a collector’s item. The issue just dropped and people are already listing their copies on eBay. Apparently the photo portfolio is a departure from Wood’s scrubbed image of days passed. Was this shoot (shot prior to the scandal) a harbinger of what was to come? Curious indeed.

The eBay Stats: $920,498 in total sales over the last 60 days; 6,600 total listings; $46.95 average selling price

On Our Shopping List: Tiger Woods Vanity Fair (buy it now price, $11.99) and this unforgettable figurine (buy it now price, $14.99)