Timberlake Makes It Look Easy In New York

Time flies when you're having fun. That certainly explains Justin Timberlake's professed surprise at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night, when the singer suddenly realized he hadn't played the venue since 2000. That's a whole 'nother time and place when it comes to pop music, especially when you consider Timberlake's last stand at MSG was when 'N Sync was still near the peak of its powers, albeit primed for a fall.But Timberlake's come a long way since then, so long that he's got nothing left to prove. If "Justified" establish him as a solo juggernaut, "FutureSex/LoveSounds" solidified his mega status. At this point in his career -- with millions of records sold, a string of gorgeous girlfriends, even the modest ability to poke fun at himself -- Timberlake doesn't need to do a damn thing to please anyone beside himself. He's in the increasingly rare position of having both the people and the critics on his side, and the enviable freedom to do whatever he wants.