The Rundown: Fallen Off the Face of the Earth

I'm not the only one who has fallen off the face of the Earth and at least I have a good excuse.

While I've been off hammering away on the MMA side of my career aspirations, these five females in today's Rundown were all on the cusp of greatness or plastered everywhere at one point not that long ago and then... POOF!

And don't worry - the male equivalent of this list will appear next week. I'm not just looking for an excuse to put a pretty face on the front of my blog.

Top Five Female Disappearing Acts

5. Rachel Leigh Cook
Our cover girl was everywhere at one point in the late 90's to early 2000's, starring in like 497 movies and making appearances on Dawson's Creek. Now, most of those movies were complete crap and mindless sludge that continues to be shown in heavy rotation on the channel formerly known as TBS, but the real-life version of RLC is nowhere to be found.

4. Vanessa Carlton
Her melodic brand of piano pop hit the airwaves like a refreshing freight train back around the same time as Michelle Branch. I remember because I thought they were the same person at one point. But while Branch has gone on to success with The Wreckers (check'em out, they're solid), Carlton hooked up with that guy from Third Eye Blind and vanished, kind of like Third Eye Blind. Coincidence?

3. Helen Hunt
She had a string of successes, including an Oscar nod for As Good As It Gets and I would have bet money on her continuing in that pattern without missing a beat. Instead, she hasn't done much of anything and I miss her.

2. Lauryn Hill
Remember The Fugees? It was Wyclef, that guy you can't remember (Pras) and L-Boogie. She dropped The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and it was one of the best albums ever made. Then... gone. She resurfaced amid crazy rumors and a brief appearance with The Fugees at Dave Chappelle's Block Party, but other than that, nada. I miss you Ms. Lauryn... please come back and don't be crazy no more.

1. Jennifer Lopez
Remember when J-Lo was everywhere? Like, literally everywhere. Magazine covers, top of the charts, box office successes. Before the world got hooked on The Goslin's and Brangelina, everyone wanted Bennifer. Now, she's married to Rat Boy Marc Anthony, had some kids and somewhat vanished and I think the world is a better place for it.

Who should make the men's list? Let me know in the comments section.

Sorry I had abandoned you...