Ludacris - Number One Spot/The Potion

**1/2 (out of four)

If Gwen Stefani can get away with sampling from a four-hour Orthodox-Jew musical from fifty years ago, why can't Ludacris lift the opening theme from the Austin Powers movies? There are geekier choices, most notably the dramatic "I'm Awfully Glad It's Raining (Because Now No One Can See The Tears In My Eyes)" Jim Varney number at the lowest point in Ernest Goes to Camp.

Besides, the Austin Powers theme was composed and conducted by legendary R+B producer Quincy Jones. Who I'm sure is ecstatic to appear in the video for a rap track that reduces his work to a five-note burst of horns and someone endlessly pushing the whistle-flute button on the keyboard.

Also endorsing the video - Verne "Mini-Me" Troyer, who cavorts around the video's bright-colored sets in matching Luda Afro wig while he's not strapped to the rapper's chest in a baby carrier. Other images - giant disco ball, giant plate of pancakes, giant golden replacement Afro wig, giant-breasted Beyonce stand-in, giant glass of rum on the rocks, giant blue-screen behind Luda's Cadillac.

And don't forget the giant fat suit Ludacris wears in bed with a hot mama and a bucket of chicken in his own twisted homage to Fat Bastard. (Yes, the soundbite "Get in mah belly!" gets trotted out.) What Mike Myers must think about all this no one can say, but rest assured Ludacris looks no more ludicrous in this video than Myers did in The Cat in the Hat.

NOTE: This review written March 8, 2005.