Barbara Walters' '10 Most Fascinating People' Topped by Another Obama

The 10 most fascinating people for Barbara Walters in 2009 were no surprises, as always. Of course, Barbara Walters' 10 most fascinating people list was largely leaked before last night's special, except for the Number One person. Last year, everyone knew that Walters' winner would be Barack Obama, but the choice was a little more wide open this year. However, the result was technically the same, as Barbara Walters led her 10 most fascinating people list with someone named Obama.

Michelle Obama was given the honor this time around, keeping the Obama winning streak alive. Although President Obama has had a rougher time in 2009, Michelle's standing has risen since becoming First Lady.

Unlike last year, Walters got to take to an Obama at the end of her special. Of course, there were questions about Michelle's now famous arms, how her kids and their dog are doing, and her first Christmas at the White House. The rest of the 10 most fascinating people in Walters' world were the usual suspects.

Though the right wing may not be pleased with Michelle winning, there were more Republicans than Democrats on the list. Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin made the cut, with Palin getting on for the second year in a row - though Walters actually got to talk to her this time. Mark Sanford's wife Jenny also got on, along with fellow jilted wife Kate Gosselin.

The Jackson kids and Brett Favre were named, even though Walters didn't speak to them. Tyler Perry, Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert rounded out the group, as ABC had no choice but to let Lambert on their network again. However, they still caught some flack for not replaying Lambert's same-sex kiss at the AMAs.

Barbara Walters' 10 most fascinating people special is now mocked by many, like Entertaiment Weekly's Ken Tucker, who was bored by the whole thing. Walters no longer has a stranglehold on 'Best of' specials - in fact, having 10 fascinating people for 2009 is pretty quaint this year. With the decade over, there's more interest in ranking the best people and stories of the '00's, not just 2009.

But in the end, 2009 became a rerun of 2008 in Walters' world, only with a different Obama on top. She also had a rare list in which Susan Boyle and Taylor Swift weren't named as fascinating people in 2009. However, unless Sasha and Malia have something special planned for 2010, the Obama winning streak on this special will likely end at two.

Sources

Entertainment Weekly- "Barbara Walters and her '10 Most Fascinating People' bored the pants off us"

Queerty- "(NOT)SHOCKED: Barbara Walters Still Scared to Show Adam Lambert's Gay Kiss"

Zap2it- "Michelle Obama: Most fascinating person of the year? One word. Duh."