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Cruise, Obama Top List of 2008 Viral Videos

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 29, 2008 6:50 PM CST

(Newser) – In the vast, fragmented online universe, videos tend to entice some and disgust others. But every year offers a list of viral vids enjoyed by all. The Washington Post runs down 2008's best:

  • Tom Cruise on Scientology: A rambling, fervent Cruise extols his religion, saying he's the "only one who can really help" at the scene of an accident.
  • "Yes We Can": Slick and star-studded, Will.I.Am's pro-Obama video was strong enough to galvanize a movement and garner 15 million views.

  • Divorce via YouTube: While Tricia Walsh Smith's online announcement pushed the entertainment into trashy, trashy territory, people are still watching.
  • Literal Videos: A prime example is the video of A-Ha's "Take on Me" with new lyrics describing the video itself. Hilarious.
  • Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog: A cabin-fever-avoidance tool by a writer during the Hollywood scribe strike, Joss Whedon's Internet musical was surprisingly good.
For more viral vids, click the link below.

A video capture from the popular onliine video, Yes We Can.
A video capture from the popular onliine video, "Yes We Can."   (YouTube)
Tom Cruise.
Tom Cruise.   (AP Photo)
Actor Tom Cruise, right, is interviewd by NBC Today television show co-host Matt Lauer on the set, in New York, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008.
Actor Tom Cruise, right, is interviewd by NBC "Today" television show co-host Matt Lauer on the set, in New York, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Actor Tom Cruise, right, is interviewd by NBC Today television show co-host Matt Lauer on the set, in New York Monday Dec. 15, 2008.
Actor Tom Cruise, right, is interviewd by NBC "Today" television show co-host Matt Lauer on the set, in New York Monday Dec. 15, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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"Yes We Can."   (emmys)
The Tricia Walsh Smith YouTube divorce.   (walshsmith1)

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