Fascinating, really??

Adam Lambert and Kate Gosselin are part of Barbara Walters' list of 2009 Most Fascinating People.

Tonight Barbara Walters unveils her annual list of the 10 Most Fascinating People during an ABC special. In Webster's Dictionary fascinating" is defined as "of great interest or attraction." Walters' definition is somewhat different.

Walters' 2009 list includes mother of eight Kate Gosselin, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Jenny Sanford, the wife of philandering South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, and Michael Jackson's children. Controversial American Idol alum Adam Lambert, singer/rumored hermaphrodite Lady Gaga, NFL star Brett Favre, Tyler Perry, and Fox News personality Glenn Beck also made the top 10.

I can understand why Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert are on the list. Lady Gaga has been making headlines for months now with her music and her insane fashion sense. Adam Lambert, who was runner-up on American Idol, makes the list because of his raunchy performance at the AMAs. I also sort of get Tyler Perry, because of his recent bout of movie success, including the critically acclaimed Precious.

The inclusion of Favre, Beck and the Jackson kids each appeal to a certain demographic which I am sure ABC knows can lead to increased ratings.

But I don't get Sarah Palin. Palin resigned as Alaska's governor in July after only serving two years in office. She currently holds no political office and doesn't even have an actual job. So what's the attraction? Are people fascinated by the fact that this woman has managed to become such a major figure in the US?

In the same way that I don't understand Sarah Palin, I also don't understand Kate Gosselin. Kate has 8 kids. She was on a television show. Her husband was a jerk. But why is she "fascinating"? When did the word "fascinating" come to be associated with merely being a celebrity for no particular reason? Is she fascinating because she has endured a humiliating divorce in the public spotlight?

If I had a say in creating 2009's list of fascinating folks, I would include Bernie Madoff, Yankee's third base man Alex Rodriguez, Current TV reporters Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were jailed in North Korea, and a late entry - golfer Tiger Woods.

Who fascinated you in 2009? Comment below...

posted by The Mindless Man