Barbara Walters' annual list of the "most fascinating (?) people"
Barbara Walters -- just fresh off her trouncing of foe Rosie O'Donnell in last Wednesday's TV ratings -- gets the spotlight again this Thursday with her annual list of the folks who she thinks have intrigued us the most.
We already know six of the names: Miley Cyrus, Tom Cruise, Tina Fey, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Phelps and Will Smith.
Hmm. I hope the other four, which includes the No. 1 most fascinating person, amps up the list's wattage. OK, I can see picking Fey, Phelps and Cyrus. But Tom Cruise? Except for his cameo role in "Tropic Thunder," what has he done in 2008? I'm not sure about Smith, either. Did I miss something outstanding there?
I have to believe that Barack Obama is on Walters' list. Maybe the unknowns are real dazzlers.
I do know who I would put on my list ... Who would be on your's?
Here's my list, in no particular order:
1. Barack Obama -- We all watched powerful history in the making.
2. Robert Downey Jr. -- Two big roles this year showed his versatility and acting prowess ... and yet we hold our collective breath and hope his drug habit never recurs.
3. Michael Phelps -- The Olympic swimmer delivered the biggest sports story of the year.
4. Tiny Fey -- The brains behind "30 Rock" embodied Sarah Palin to hilarious heights.
5.T. Boone Pickens -- A billioinaire who's now working to help to save the environment through alternative energy sources.
6. Heath Ledger -- Before he died, the gifted actor delivered a brazen, psychotic portayal of The Joker in "The Dark Knight," the biggest movie since "Titanic." Look for a posthumous Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Academy Awards.
7. Hillary Clinton -- Say what you will about her, but she's endlessly fascinating.
8 and 9. Brangelina -- The Brad Pitt/ Angelina Jolie household continues to draw our attention: Two more kids and possible Academy Award nominations for both mom ('Changeling") and dad ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button").
10. Britney Spears -- Let's face it. A lot of us take note of whatever she does. It's like watching the Daytona 500: The race speeds along and then there's an accident. Someone has to clean up the mess, and then the race resumes.
Comments:
Good call Felicia. I like this idea. So much I'm gonna steal it. Don't worry, I'll shout you out.
Posted by: Famous at December 1, 2008 2:42 PM
Barack Obama: 52 percent thinks he's the second coming of christ; 48 percent thinks he's the antichrist. Yep, that makes him pretty interesting.
President Bush: As the year goes on, memories of failed policies fade, one starts to feel sorry for him, then watches "W." and starts to like the guy.
Joe Maddon: First-time baseball manager takes decade-long losing team to the World Series; almost becomes first unanimous MLB manager of the year.
Brett Favre: Holds three NFL teams hostage for months -- then backs it up by improving the worst of them to a winning record, and on pace for a playoff berth.
Katy Perry: Becomes famous for singing about kissing a girl who she never actually kissed, and for looking like actress Zooey Deschanel. Has surpassed said actress in popularity. Crazy like Britney and Amy, but not obvious she's on drugs.
Tina Fey: Finally started watching "30 Rock" -- it's awesome. She was hilarious and showed acting depth playing Sarah Palin.
Sarah Palin: Only on the campaign trail for two months, and in that time, we learn way too much about the woman.
Lindsay Lohan: In and out of rehab, only to surface buck naked in The New Yorker (of all places) -- thus creating the greatest day in the history of the Internet -- then goes back into rehab and turns lesbian. Maybe.
Shia Lebouf: Appears in "Indiana Jones" film, thus completing multiyear scheme by Steven Spielberg to make him a star despite lacking acting talent and on-screen chemistry with anyone. Hosted SNL multiple times and starred in yet another movie. Star. Another movie. Interesting.
Neil Patrick Harris: Continues to delight on "How I Met Your Mother" and shows new talent with online sensation "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog." Has enough talent to spark my DVR interest in his hosting of a international magic awards show; show sucks very much, yet I lose no respect for the man.
Posted by: will at December 1, 2008 3:43 PM
And why is Tom Cruise on the list? Even Suri is more fascinating.
Posted by: tracy at December 1, 2008 4:04 PM
I think Michael Phelps deserves to be named the most fascinating person because of his record breaking wins.
Posted by: Martin Martinez at December 1, 2008 7:36 PM
On Barbara's inclusion of Tom Cruise, wasn't it earlier this year that his scientology indoctrination video/rant surfaced? Infinitely disturbing, but also a little fascinating.
Posted by: Lisa Maria Boyles at December 2, 2008 9:23 AM
you know who else is fascinating?
felicia.
who knew that chick was a nascar fan?
Posted by: will at December 2, 2008 11:03 AM
Will, just because I used a NASCAR reference doesn't mean I'm a fan ... which, I guess, means I'm no longer fascinating.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at December 2, 2008 11:39 AM
Post a comment
(read the comment policy before posting)