Nothing about 2008 was predictable, but there were some definite themes in the way Americans used the Internet search engine Google during the last 12 months.
Not surprisingly, “obama” (for none other than the president-elect himself), was the number one, fastest-rising search term last year, according to Google. His Republican counterpart, McCain, didn’t make the top 10, but the champion of Joe Six Pack, Sarah Palin, did. She nabbed the number 7 spot.
Google compiles its annual “zeitgeist” lists by culliing data from the millions of search terms people plug into its search bar throughout the year. For its fastest rising lists, Google compares search activity from one year to the year prior to see what’s gaining favor with Internet users.
The remainder of the top 10 in 2008 was decidedly apolitical with a digital bent. The social networking site Facebook secured the second spot on the fastest rising list, followed by “att”, “iphone”, and “youtube”. Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News came in sixth, while the Beijing Olympics came in eigth. The top 10 was rounded out by American Idol winner David Cook and Surf the Channel, a newer web site that catalogues online videos, including TV programs.
Google.com Fastest Rising Search Terms of 2008

1. obama
2. facebook
3. att
4. iphone
5. youtube
6. fox news
7. palin
8. beijing 2008
9. david cook
10. surf the channel

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2. David Cook

It’s been quite a year for David Cook. This reality show alum went from ‘American Idol’ to record-breaking rock star almost over night. After winning the seventh season of the show, Cook debuted eleven songs on the Billboard Top 100 in one week, shattering the previous record set by Miley Cyrus in 2006.

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When we were brainstorming to find a great rocker voice to make the list, the only name that immediately came to mind was David Cook. The American Idol season 7 winner doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his amazing range. Remember when he ripped the Andrew Lloyd Webber week on Idol? You ‘member, ‘member? He took what should have been the most difficult (and possibly boring) week and made it look like a cake walk, delivering a tear-inducing high note at the end of “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera. Even if he wasn’t an overall brilliant singer, that note alone would have put him on the list.
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Best Surprise: Tulsa’s favorite adopted son, David Cook, enjoyed a landslide victory on American Idol. Yes he can. Yes he did. In next week’s issue, look for a review of Cook’s new album.
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Today’s Top Searches (Dec 28)

1. Salma Hayek
2. Marisa Tomei
3. Cheerleading Stunts
4. Nintendo DS Games
5. Insomnia
6. Acai Berry Diet
7. Wii Games
8. David Cook
9. Blu-ray Movies
10. Ski Gloves

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Worst of 2008

1. “American Idol” — “AI” kicked off the year with a bland season of talentless wannabes. America voted for David Cook — and where is he now? Probably singing at a Holiday Inn.

That’s why “AI” is re-vamping the show for 2009.

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For me, David Cook winning American Idol almost made up for Chris Daughtry’s early departure in his season. The David vs. David battle that closed out the season made this year’s Idol stand out among some of the other seasons. And for the first time since the series’ debut, the rocker actually made it to the end and thanks to Cook’s amazing vocals, not to mention good looks and great presence on camera, America came through and voted him the winner.
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A writer from Pennsylvania writes about the David Cook performance of John Lennon’s “Merry Xmas (War is Over)” on NBC’s “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special earlier this month, in which the chorus (”War is over if you want it”) was excised.
I don’t know if you’re aware of it, but a bunch of celebrities auctioned off autographed Xmas ornaments to raise money for the homeless, and David Cook’s ended up having a hidden message on the back of his.
It said: “John Lennon said it best…HAPPY X-MAS (War is Over?)”
Says the writer:
Mr. Cook walks a very fine, difficult, line as America’s “Idol,” but you can’t keep a good man down.
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Undoubtedly the most familiar figure this time of year is Santa Claus. You know the jolly old guy in a red suite that doles out gifts to good girls and boys? Well, the Kansas City Chiefs have their own version of this popular holiday legend. He too has an indulgence for sporting the color red, especially on Sundays. And while he’s far from “old,” his dozen seasons of service to the organization stands unmatched by anyone on the current roster. This month especially, TE Tony Gonzalez, a.k.a. Tony “Claus” around these parts, has made the rounds in the metro. In fact, earlier this week he enlisted the help of a special local “idol” to cap off a busy campaign uplifting others.

Flanked by reining American Idol Champion David Cook, Gonzalez sported his trademark smile at Children’s Mercy Hospital. As the partition opened revealing these two Kansas City icons, dozens of children immediately light up. This was one of the patient’s big surprises for the week. They only knew that they were going to be able to meet some “special” guests. Spending the holiday calling exam rooms and infirmary beds home is far from an ideal situation and that’s why this visit was so important to Gonzalez.

“This is amazing,” the Torrance, California native humbly reveled after he had greeted all the children. “To be able to come down here and visit with the kids, it tugs at your heart. I’m so excited that David’s here too. For the both of us, it was important to do everything we could to brighten the day for the kids. We had so many parents thanking us for taking the time to be here because it meant so much to their children. That just warms the heart.”

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Mike Myers, Ashanti, Eric Benet, Jamie Foxx, David Cook and Kristin Chenoweth have revealed what they want Santa to bring them this Christmas.
Funnyman Mike has a tall order on his wishlist. “I always wanted my own private army - so that I can have my own private cafeteria, of course!” he said.
For American Idol David, he just wants some time off to relax.
“I’d like a holiday,” he admitted.
Ashanti and the Pushing Daisies star just want to be with their loved ones.
“Family and friends and fun and health are on my wishlist,” said Ashanti. “I love being able to be with the family, hanging out. Everyone’s spirits are good, there’s positive energy, we get to take a break for a little while, and just enjoy it all.”
Kristin added: “All I want is to be with my family and the people that I love, be with my niece and nephew. I don’t really want any gifts, I just want to be together.”
Jamie would like to see the US troops in the Middle East back on home soil for the holiday season.
“Let’s bring the troops back, man. That’s all we want for the holiday,” he said.
As for singer Eric, he is content with what he already has. “I got everything I need,” he said.
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