Spring Break
The Daily OrangeTop Viral Videos of 2008
By Kelly Outram and Caitlin Dewey
Posted: 1/13/09, 1:28 AM EST Section: Best of 2008
1. Tina Fey as Sarah Palin SNL Skit
Congratulations to Tina Fey for simultaneously making the iconic viral video of 2008 and saving Saturday Night Live from the throes of mediocrity. Fey's hilarious portrayal of Sarah Palin shaped many Americans' views on the Republican vice presidential candidate, and the line "I can see Russia from my house!" will doubtlessly live in infamy. It's no surprise that clips from the skit got over 10 million hits on YouTube.
2. Iraqi Shoe Thrower
Internet superstardom was probably not Muntader al-Zaidi's goal when he took aim at President Bush last December, but that's definitely what he got. Millions watched the minute-long clip that shows al-Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist, throwing his shoes at Bush's head and shouting insults in Arabic. Al-Zaidi ended up in jail, but major props to him for choosing such a gutsy and hilarious form of protest.
3. Yes We Can (will.i.am)
A flood of political videos were released last year, but will.i.am's heart-wrenching "Yes We Can" succeeded in differentiating itself from the 3 trillion mindless memes and cheap satires floating around the Internet. The video put Obama's iconic "Yes We Can" speech to music and featured more guest appearances than a hip-hop album. The result was a viral video with meaning -- almost an oxymoron in the YouTube world.
4. Paris Hilton's Campaign Video
This wasn't Paris Hilton's first viral video -- God knows her sex tapes have been making the rounds for years -- but it was certainly her first funny, clever and (dare I say it?) intelligent one. Hilton's response to John McCain's controversial "celebrity" ads undoubtedly got a few campaign ad designers fired, and her announcement of her own "candidacy" was nothing short of satirical genius.
5. Hamster on a Piano (Eating Popcorn)
Who knew watching a fluffy white hamster eat popcorn on a piano was so entertaining? The high-pitched and encouraging song about the hamster that should never give up touched the hearts of many. That part where he flails and falls off the piano but gets back on is just the encouraging stuff that should be in movies.
Congratulations to Tina Fey for simultaneously making the iconic viral video of 2008 and saving Saturday Night Live from the throes of mediocrity. Fey's hilarious portrayal of Sarah Palin shaped many Americans' views on the Republican vice presidential candidate, and the line "I can see Russia from my house!" will doubtlessly live in infamy. It's no surprise that clips from the skit got over 10 million hits on YouTube.
2. Iraqi Shoe Thrower
Internet superstardom was probably not Muntader al-Zaidi's goal when he took aim at President Bush last December, but that's definitely what he got. Millions watched the minute-long clip that shows al-Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist, throwing his shoes at Bush's head and shouting insults in Arabic. Al-Zaidi ended up in jail, but major props to him for choosing such a gutsy and hilarious form of protest.
3. Yes We Can (will.i.am)
A flood of political videos were released last year, but will.i.am's heart-wrenching "Yes We Can" succeeded in differentiating itself from the 3 trillion mindless memes and cheap satires floating around the Internet. The video put Obama's iconic "Yes We Can" speech to music and featured more guest appearances than a hip-hop album. The result was a viral video with meaning -- almost an oxymoron in the YouTube world.
4. Paris Hilton's Campaign Video
This wasn't Paris Hilton's first viral video -- God knows her sex tapes have been making the rounds for years -- but it was certainly her first funny, clever and (dare I say it?) intelligent one. Hilton's response to John McCain's controversial "celebrity" ads undoubtedly got a few campaign ad designers fired, and her announcement of her own "candidacy" was nothing short of satirical genius.
5. Hamster on a Piano (Eating Popcorn)
Who knew watching a fluffy white hamster eat popcorn on a piano was so entertaining? The high-pitched and encouraging song about the hamster that should never give up touched the hearts of many. That part where he flails and falls off the piano but gets back on is just the encouraging stuff that should be in movies.
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