Jesse Mccartney

Jesse McCartney is doing his part to provide an irresistible soundtrack for the summer. He co-wrote Leona Lewis' ballad "Bleeding Love," and his own album "Departure" and the single "Leavin' " are already radio staples. Now 21, he has a new house in the Hollywood Hills and is "single and ready to mingle." The world is his oyster. And, speaking of food . . . SMASHING On a Friday night, I'll go out to Great Greek in Sherman Oaks. The food is excellent, and they even have live traditional music.

Media theorist Marshall McLuhan once stated that anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either. If only he were alive and on hand at the Orpheum Theatre on Thursday, where creme de la creme teen-pop performers Jordin Sparks and Jesse McCartney beautifully illustrated his point. First lesson: Things on TV are not always as they appear; occasionally, they are better.