Jonah Peretti

Jonah Peretti

Posted: December 31, 2008 12:38 PM

The 12 Most Viral Web Stories of 2008

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When I am not working on HuffPost, I run a site called BuzzFeed that tracks the web's obsessions in real time. Here is our 2008 report on the most viral, buzzy web stories of the year. Enjoy!

1. Obama Shirtless

Obviously Obama's victory was an inspirational moment in American history. But history can't compete with the web frenzy that ensued each time Obama was photographed shirtless!

2. Miley Cyrus Half Naked

Obama was not the only one taking off his top in 2008. This was the year that Miley Cyrus replaced Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Britney Spears at the web’s favorite underaged, half-naked celebrity pop star.

3. The Sarah Palin Phenomenon

HuffPost readers will not be surprised that Sarah Palin was a total and complete web sensation in 2008. Web surfers wanted to know all about her legs, her family, her SAT scores, her SNL impersonator, her porn star impersonator, and her beauty queen past.

4. Zombie McCain

Senator McCain was also big in 2008 (although not nearly as big as his running mate or opponent). McCain’s his big online moment came when he transforming himself into a brain eating Zombie.

5. Disaster Girl

Most of the catastrophes in 2008 (and throughout history) were caused by one evil little girl.

6. The Montauk Monster

Still an unsolved mystery - and isn’t it better that way?

7. Throwing Shoes At Bush

The web changed forever the moment that Iraqi journalist threw his shoes at President Bush. Or at least it changed for two or three days as the animated gifs and games flooded the Internet.

8. Lois Feldman

The web LOVES Lois Feldman. Why? Because she had sex in a stadium bathroom during a football game with someone who wasn't her husband while a crowd gathered and cheered. Oops.

9. The Consequences of Gay Marriage Chart

Finally the Internet got a simple chart that clearly explained the consequences of Gay Marriage.

10. The Authentic Women’s Penis Size Preference Chart

Women think this chart is really funny but men don’t seem to like it.

11. Chuck E. Cheese Bands Wants Love In The Club

Usher’s music performed by the Chuck E. Cheese band.

12. Russian Cheerleaders

If the cold war was settled by a cheerleading battle instead of the arms race, apparently the Russians would have won.

And for what is going viral right now check out BuzzFeed.com or the widget on the front of Huffington Post.

When I am not working on HuffPost, I run a site called BuzzFeed that tracks the web's obsessions in real time. Here is our 2008 report on the most viral, buzzy web stories of the year. Enjoy! ...
When I am not working on HuffPost, I run a site called BuzzFeed that tracks the web's obsessions in real time. Here is our 2008 report on the most viral, buzzy web stories of the year. Enjoy! ...
 
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- Takae I'm a Fan of Takae 10 fans permalink

I remember reading about Lois Feldman. I felt sorry mostly for her.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:31 PM on 01/03/2009
- jdmba I'm a Fan of jdmba 20 fans permalink

The size chart is funny, but shouldn't the "Circumference" axis read "centimeters" or "millileters" rather than inches?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:16 PM on 01/02/2009
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This is still our favorite YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo5cCmbnWTc

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:11 PM on 01/03/2009

Buzzfeed is a fantastic site, you guys do great work, keep it up.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:54 PM on 01/02/2009

Jonah, I feel cheated! I combined two of your viral hits together in one pick and you didn't include it in your roundup! I want my just desserts!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/crabbygolightly?p=3&z=14rjmf

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:53 AM on 01/01/2009
- lisakaz2 I'm a Fan of lisakaz2 119 fans permalink
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I can't say I've seen all of these things but I did want to say that it wouldn't surprise me if SP's SAT scores weren't much better than these if these aren't real. Her transfers between several kinda non-descript colleges suggests as much.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:03 AM on 01/01/2009
- weatherwaxx I'm a Fan of weatherwaxx 258 fans permalink

If you want to know why women get a chuckle out of the size chart, take a look at the back of a package of pantyhose.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:01 PM on 12/31/2008
- Bitsko I'm a Fan of Bitsko 611 fans permalink
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Thanks for the laughs, Jonah!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:54 PM on 12/31/2008
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