Sharing the Love

He's given you so, so much -- a friend, a role model, a reason for being, a really funny song about putting one's manhood in a box -- and now he's giving you even more.

Justin Timberlake is no stranger to good deeds -- or really hot model-type chicks or "Saturday Night Live" skits involving his junk.

He's donated tons of cash to charities in his native Tennessee, and this weekend, he's bringing some of that good will to Vegas.

On Saturday, he's hosting the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals Charity Open golf outing.

The night before, he's throwing a star-studded benefit concert featuring such big names as 50 Cent, Rihanna, Leona Lewis, the Jonas Brothers, will.i.am and others.

But Timberlake's humanitarian efforts don't end there. In honor of his stop in town this week, let's look at some other ways he's benefited mankind:

He Pretty Much Ended 'N Sync

Let's face it, most solo outings from former boy band stars are about as compelling as watching a couple of sock puppets get it on. The only folks who really get excited when one of them releases an album are all the landfill owners who are about to reap a new bounty.

Here's how it works: Someone -- like, say, New Kids on the Block singer Joey McIntyre -- drops a solo disc, crickets chirp and twiddle their little cricket thumbs, some pony-tailed record exec who green lighted the project gets fired and a few years later, the group eventually gets back together to make some scratch and keep the electricity on.

But having sold more than 16 million records on his own, Timberlake's success has ensured that he doesn't need to return to his former group to pay the bills.

No 'N Sync reunion?

That's the best news since the advent of the open bar.

He Brought Sexy Back

Where did sexy go?

Well, the growing popularity of the visible thong, the baggy jeans worn around the knees and the "ironic" concert shirt -- Look at me! I'm wearing a puke-stained Night Ranger tee from '83 and I have no idea why! I'm 'hip'! If the word was slang for gullible! -- all caused sexy to go out back, remove its eyes with a grapefruit spoon and then burn them.

But leave it to good ol' JT to bring some style and sophistication to the overwrought pop ranks.

He dresses well, he has that aw-shucks Southern gent thing workin' and he's gotten up close and personal with more Hollywood starlets than your average casting couch.

Our only gripe: In bringing sexy back, did Timberlake really have to bring Timbaland along with it?

He Reaffirmed That White Guys Can In Fact Dance. Sort of. Sometimes.

Normally, watching us get down is a bad idea, like, "Norbit: The Musical"-bad.

There are some things you just don't want to see -- the death of a loved one, a big platter o' baby seal fajitas, Ned Beatty posing nude on a bearskin rug -- and witnessing us get our "Night at The Roxbury" on is pretty high on the list.

But Timberlake's got moves to spare -- dude practically wriggles and writhes out of his own flesh.

He's like Michael Jackson with less legal fees, Usher with less ego, us with less awkward stares and stern looks of disapproval.

He Totally Cheesed Off the Prudes

In terms of scandal, the whole "boobiegate" furor that erupted in the wake of the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show ranks right up there with passing gas in an elevator -- a little unexpected, to be sure, but nobody got hurt or anything.

Those with Victorian sensibilities and way too much time on their hands were shocked that you could kind-of-sort-of-not-really see a brief glimpse of Janet Jackson's breast after Timberlake removed a swatch of fabric from her top during their performance.

There were quick and serious ramifications: passions inflamed, teens suddenly began having sex with one another, cats and dogs started living together and the masterminds at the Federal Communications Commission climbed into their ivory tower, donned their superhero capes and set out to rescue America from something that packed all the libidinal fireworks of walking in on your parents midact.

Man, talk about much ado about nothing.

Earlier this year, a federal appeals court ruled that the FCC acted "arbitrarily and capriciously" in fining Jackson some $550,000 and overturned the verdict.

Guess the real boobs got exposed after all.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.