Every year Barbara Walters produces her “10 Most Fascinating People of 2009” list.
I checked out the nine list-makers ABC released. While some meet the definition of fascinating (of great interest or attraction; enchanting; charming; captivating: a fascinating story; fascinating jewelry.) others fall short.
The winners (in no order)
Sarah Palin
Despite your politics Palin deserves to be on this list. She is the first female to be on a major party political ticket. She came out of nowhere to the top of the Republican party.
Glenn Beck
If I didn’t put him on my winners list my old friend, Mr. Jim Orr, would be upset. I guess he does have a best-selling book and a top television program. He also isn’t afraid to stir up a little bit of controversy and explain things as he sees them, whether advertisers are on board or not.
Lady Gaga
I love Lady Gaga. She can write, play and sing her own music. She is the Madonna of this generation. While her costumes and performances are a bit out there she keeps everyone guessing. And that makes you fascinating.
Michael Jackson’s children
The late King of Pop’s children burst onto the scene after their father’s passing. They grew up being raised by one of the most influential performers of his generation. But Michael went to great lengths to shield, or may I say mask, his kids from the public eye. If Barbara sits down with the kids and talks to them about life after the media circus they experienced after Michael’s passing, it could make for a fascinating interview.
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is one of those people who can do it all. He can act, write and produce, which he does in nearly all his films and television shows. His movies grossed nearly $400 million. While he is not on top of my winner list I do find him fascinating.
On the fence
Jenny Sanford
I can’t imagine it is easy to be the wife of a politician. I also can’t imagine it would be easy to publicly deal with your husband’s infidelities. Not too many people knew Sanford until S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford admitted to an affair after he was MIA for a few days. He betrayed the woman who was not only his wife, but also managed several of his successful election campaigns. She handled the public situation with grace and has managed to stay out of the limelight the best she could under the circumstances. But I am not sure if that alone makes her fascinating.
The losers
Kate Gosselin
In case you live under a rock with no access to television or the Internet, Kate Gosselin of John and Kate Plus 8 is a divorced mother of 8. She and her ex John had a reality show on TLC that followed their brood around. The series has since ended — something about John not biting the hand that fed him and hanging out with super dad Michael Lohan.
People have become fascinated with the Gosselins every move since their watched their kids grow and marriage implode on television. Why, I don’t know. It does provide some great clips for one of my favorite shows — The Soup.
But that doesn’t make Kate fascinating. She is a single mom that made a boatload of cash parading her children on television. Personally, I am pretty sick of the John and Kate drama.
Adam Lambert
Most people didn’t even know who he was until he kissed another dude on the AMA’s. But the kiss has nothing to do with him making my loser list. He was the first loser on American Idol. He just released his first album, but I cannot pinpoint anything he did to make the world a better or more fascinating place, except cause a little controversy. Coming in second place on a reality show doesn’t cut it for me.
Brett Farve
If you didn’t guess he was on my loser list you must not know me. In my opinion he is just a loser in general. This “I’m retired” “No wait” “Yeah retired” “No I am going to play for the rival of the team that made me a star.” Just stay retired already. I have no respect for you as a quarterback.
I am “fascinated” to see the mystery 10th person. Perhaps a future blog topic.
(I welcome any comments, suggestions and criticism at michelleg@dailyamerican.com)