The Five Most Memorable People of 2008
By: J. Ryan Roberts
Issue date: 12/12/08 Section: News
It's difficult to put in to words all that happened this year. This year, like every year before, had its ups, downs, trials, tribulations, victories and defeats; however, unlike any year before an African American man was named President-elect. Barack Obama won't officially be named president until January 2009 and this is an article about 2008, but don't worry he will be mentioned. Every year, around this time, I enjoy the Best of… articles. It's interesting to see an entire year squashed down and filtered out from someone else's perspective. Of course there's always cross-over, things that were so phenomenally huge that they appear on everyone's list, but you can tell a lot about a person by looking through their eyes so… without further ado, here is my list, in no particular order, of the people that made up the year… the good and the bad. However, it was a big year so if I miss someone remember 'tis the season of giving… and forgiving.
*Heath Ledger, January 22, age 28
Heath Ledger's sudden accidental death shocked the world. Ledger's life, and brilliant career, was cut short by a lethal combination of prescription painkillers, sleeping pills, as well as other medications. What made this tragedy most shocking is that on the surface everything seemed to be fine. It wasn't until after his death that news of his depression flooded into the mainstream. Thankfully Ledger was able to finish one last performance… and what a performance it was. Ledger's final role was that of the Joker in the summer blockbuster The Dark Knight, released in theaters nearly 7 months after Ledger's death. The Dark Knight, which was just released on DVD Tuesday, is worth picking up this holiday season to commemorate the tremendous talent that was Heath Ledger… my generation's James Dean.
*Britney Spears, "Do you wanna piece of me?"
It's no secret that Britney has some issues. From custody battles, to psychiatric evaluation, to going commando… it's safe to say we've seen it all. Then there was that horrific "comeback" performance at the 2007 MTV VMAs. Then, towards the end of the summer, the winds started to turn. She started getting regular visitation of her two sons; Preston, age 3, and Jayden, age 2. There was talk of a new record and she looked healthier than ever. It finally seemed like Britney was getting the help she needed. Then it was announced that Britney would be opening the 2008 VMAs. Thankfully, there was no performance, but by the end of the night there was no denying that Britney was back. Britney took home Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video of the Year for her single Piece of Me. Later her single from her latest album Circus, Womanizer quickly rose to the top of the charts, actually breaking a Billboard Hot 100 record for quickest climb. Circus was released last week and currently sits at #2 on iTunes top albums list, with the single Circus sitting at #1 on top songs. Britney has finally reclaimed her throne… and whether you like it or not, you know it's where she belongs.
*Heath Ledger, January 22, age 28
Heath Ledger's sudden accidental death shocked the world. Ledger's life, and brilliant career, was cut short by a lethal combination of prescription painkillers, sleeping pills, as well as other medications. What made this tragedy most shocking is that on the surface everything seemed to be fine. It wasn't until after his death that news of his depression flooded into the mainstream. Thankfully Ledger was able to finish one last performance… and what a performance it was. Ledger's final role was that of the Joker in the summer blockbuster The Dark Knight, released in theaters nearly 7 months after Ledger's death. The Dark Knight, which was just released on DVD Tuesday, is worth picking up this holiday season to commemorate the tremendous talent that was Heath Ledger… my generation's James Dean.
*Britney Spears, "Do you wanna piece of me?"
It's no secret that Britney has some issues. From custody battles, to psychiatric evaluation, to going commando… it's safe to say we've seen it all. Then there was that horrific "comeback" performance at the 2007 MTV VMAs. Then, towards the end of the summer, the winds started to turn. She started getting regular visitation of her two sons; Preston, age 3, and Jayden, age 2. There was talk of a new record and she looked healthier than ever. It finally seemed like Britney was getting the help she needed. Then it was announced that Britney would be opening the 2008 VMAs. Thankfully, there was no performance, but by the end of the night there was no denying that Britney was back. Britney took home Best Female Video, Best Pop Video and Video of the Year for her single Piece of Me. Later her single from her latest album Circus, Womanizer quickly rose to the top of the charts, actually breaking a Billboard Hot 100 record for quickest climb. Circus was released last week and currently sits at #2 on iTunes top albums list, with the single Circus sitting at #1 on top songs. Britney has finally reclaimed her throne… and whether you like it or not, you know it's where she belongs.
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