YouTube's Best Of 2008: Top Ten (VIDEO)

It's been a great year for YouTube. It's officially a vital campaign tool, and there's still no shortage of goofy comedy videos. Below we've compiled the top 10 for 2008, arrived at by combining the number of times viewed, newsworthiness and hilarity to bring you the cream of the crop.

10. Everybody Knows Who Sarah Silverman Is F***ing

The video was forwarded to death and the followup was predictable but damn if they aren't funny.

9. Yes We Can

will.i.am's "Yes We Can" won the election for Obama, if you believe some of the fluffier journalism during the campaign. Tragically, the success of the video led to CNN imprisoning will.i.am in a hologram for the sake of posterity (video below "Yes We Can").

8. You Can Vote However You Like

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Ron Clark Academy's take on T.I.'s "Whatever You Like" was inspired, though not as bi-partisan as it could have been. "McCain's the best candidate/With Palin as his running mate"? That just sounds sarcastic.

7. Tom Cruise On Tom Cruise: Scientologist

Gawker took a risk by posting this video, which is supposed to be for Scientological eyes only, but it eventually made its way on to YouTube. Worth watching for Cruise's declaring, "We are the authorities on the mind."

6. Andy Samberg, King Of YouTube

Was Andy Samberg responsible for YouTube's $1.5 billion sale? Probably not, but he certainly didn't hurt the site's value with "Lazy Sunday" in 2005. Since then, his videos are generally YouTube stars... depending on how long NBC leaves them on the site.

5. Star Wars According To A Three-Year-Old

Good thing she didn't try to explain any of the newer movies. Three-year-olds always miss the nuanced drama of Galactic Senate procedural votes.

4. Corey Won't Take Off His Sunglasses

The Australian teen who threw a huge party at his parents' house while they were away bucked the cliche by being completely unrepentant, profiting from the debacle, and having a pierced nipple. Read here about Corey's frustratingly successful business ventures.

3. Drunk History

Technically posted a week before 2008, Drunk History made its way around the web early in the year and spawned three subsequent volumes. Michael Cera is sometimes criticized for only having one character, but anyone who's ever read Gore Vidal's Burr knows that Alexander Hamilton really was that awkward.

2. Indian Baby Toss Ritual

Name says it all.

1. O'Reilly Does It Live

It's no surprise that Bill O'Reilly has a temper, but this leaked video from his days at Inside Edition really shows America's newsman to be on a hair trigger (and a fairly puffy hair trigger at that). As the video gained popularity, Stephen Colbert filmed his inevitable parody of Papa Bear, which can also be seen below.

Comments

[Marlyn]

Obama, "Yes We Can" was the only good one.

[happylittlevegemite]

That 3-year-old Star Wars explanation is the most adorable thing I've seen. How did I not see this until now?

I don't know how the he.ll that tw.at Corey ended up in the list...As an Australian I am embarrassed by him and his presence here. The only possible upside and the thing that has me torn is that he did manage to make the host of the appalling tabloid current affairs show look even sillier than usual

[ravenshroud]

One of my favorites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqj5TZkEtGo

[jan4insight]

Wow, that little 3-year-old nailed Star Wars!

[Earl]

I wonder how Tom Cruise thinks he is helping people.

[Clare53]

Well, I'm not sure, but I think the reason Scientologists have not brought about world peace, or even really helped anyone at all is because the rest of us SP's are stopping them. I think someone might think to ask Tom your question though. I'd like to hear the answer. Since he is at cause over matter, energy, space and time, you'd think he'd be more effective.

[RockySoldier]

that o'reilly clip cracks me up every time. what a lunatic.

[wilsonf15]

I'll write and we'll do it live!!!! lol that never gets old lmao!!

[Irishfly]

You forgot the eerily good Jerry O'Connell version of the Cruise video.

[Clare53]

Yeah, that was really funny.

[curiousasheck]

The new Boob Tube

[SColbert]

Bill's "Do it live" is my favorite!!

[dben]

Only Tom Cruise's ego could produce a messiah complex. That video is pure calculation, made with his participation and approval. Savior of the Scientonomists? Talk about aiming low.

[AMERIKA]

This is without doubt the very best you tube video ever...IMHO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM

[BoardsOfCanada]

that's absolutely fascinating!

[Palemoon]

Amazing video to be sure, better and more dramatic than most of this top 10.

[Trickywoo]

Amazing! Thanks for posting the link.

[Clare53]

Whoa! Go Buffalo! Thanks Amerika.

[ravenshroud]

Really enjoyed that. Thank you.

[dragon82a]

Here is a great Star Wars Parody!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKrVHpxs1e8

[rbarry647]

What a great election - so much material

Grandpa Abe McCain 2008 - The Onion Belt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW5Eqycf4d4

[wideawake08]

THIS IS A JOKE RIGHT???? I can think of a thousand more mind provoking youtube videos then this CR-P. More mindless nonsense brought to you by corporate media. Thats why CNN FOX MSNBC and the newspapers are going down. I guess Huffington Post will be next. I hope your staff has jobs lined up or they will be in the unemployment line like the rest of us! Keep up the great work see you in the unemployment line!

[Merckx]

Uhh, ok Matt Drudge, whatever you say.

[BannedInBoston]

Drudgery -- definitely.

[Clare53]

Uh yeah, it's a joke.

[wideawake08]

THIS IS A JOKE RIGHT????? I can think of a thousand other thought provoking youtube videos then this Cr-p. This must be more of the same corporate media BS for the mindless stupid people. Thats why CNN FOX MSNBC and the Newspapers are going down! Keep up the great work!