2009's Most Fascinating People

Barbara Walters unveiled her "10 Most Fascinating People of 2009" List last week. Here's why I think her list is crap. First, the woman is 80. (Side note: She looks damn good for an octogenarian.) Now, I'm not saying she has to go home and knit sweaters for her cats just because she's 80, but come on. We're supposed to value her opinion of the year's most interesting people? Right...because when I think of someone who has really got their finger on the pulse of pop culture in this country, I think Barbara Walters.

Even assuming she delegates the list making responsibilities to someone without an AARP card, could it be more awkward trying to watch her relate to most of these people? I'll bet you dollars to donuts that Babs hadn't even heard of Lady Gaga before someone told her she'd be interviewing her. And at least half the list is chosen based on who's willing to show up for the interview. The people have to be interesting enough to make the cut, yet not so big-time that they won't turn down the chance to waste an hour answering Barbara's inane questions. (Kate Gosselin - I'm talking to you).

Adam Lambert? Really? I guess eyeliner and a guy-on-guy kiss qualifies you for "fascinating" these days. And what's so intriguing about Brett Farve this year that wasn't last year? Will he play, won't he play, he plays, he plays well. Not exactly riveting stuff. Kate Gosselin, Lady Gaga and Glenn Beck - aren't their 15 minutes of fame up yet? And can't we just leave Michael Jackson's children alone already? I won't even start on Sarah Palin...

Just in case Barbara's looking to pass the torch, I thought I'd put together a list of my own. But I'm choosing the 9 Most Fascinating People of 2009. I like to be different. (And I may have gotten stuck and couldn't come up with a 10th.) I present to you my list of the 9 Most Fascinating People of 2009:

9. Suri Cruise. Could this child be any more fabulous? The killer wardrobe, the adorable hair cut - who knew it was possible to be jealous of a three year old?

8. Michelle Duggar - She's a mom to 19 kids and a grandmother! I could fill a book with the questions I'd love to ask this woman. Starting with "WHY?" How does she do it? Does she sleep? Does she ever wear pants?

7. Tom Colicchio - He cooks, he's bald and he stumps for Diet Coke. I'm fascinated. And in love.

6. The Housewives of Bravo - Hear me out on this one. Who are these women and why do they agree to make fools of themselves on television season after season? Don't they know they look like total asshats? If someone sat those broads down and asked them that, I'd watch.

[not pictured. I 've seen enough]

5. Rihanna - Her music career is hot. She's a style chameleon. And then there was that Chris Brown "incident". Who doesn't have questions about that?

4. Tim Tebow. He looks like this:


Enough said.

3. Meryl Streep. Aside from being one of the greatest actresses of all time, the woman is on fire. Last year, she was a hit in Mamma Mia. Her performance as Julia Child in Julie & Julia earned her rave reviews (and a Golden Globe nomination) and her new movie, It's Complicated, doesn't hit theaters until next week, but has already earned her a Golden Globe nom. Ms. Streep is proof you can age gracefully and remain relevant in Hollywood after 60.

2. The Inventor of the Snuggie. Who's behind the most ridiculous invention of the year? And just how did this person know that in one of the worst economic depressions in recent history hard-working Americans would flip for this crap and shell out their hard earned cash for the most redundant retail item ever? Cold? How about a blanket? Arms still cold? For the love of all that is good and holy, put on a sweater! Snuggie insanity is at an all time high. People sport their slankets to bars on Snuggie Pub Crawls. They buy Snuggies for their pets. It's like a bad SNL sketch. I MUST meet the person who foresaw the success of this product and had the cajones to pitch it to investors. Snuggies. Who knew?

and....


My #1 Most Fascinating Person of 2009 is....

First Lady Michelle Obama. Okay, maybe Babs still has "it" after all. I couldn't agree more with her choice for the Most Fascinating Person of 2009. While we see Mrs. O frequently (and how does she always manage to look so darn flawless?!?!) we don't often hear from her. So, so many things I could ask her. And they probably wouldn't all be about her wardrobe... :)