The Best Viral Videos of 2008 Dec 31, 20081:53 PST

by Peter Adams

2008 was a year where more people than ever before discovered the breadth of video entertainment that the internet has to offer. This list pays homage to the 10 greatest videos of them all, starting with Bill O’Reilly’s now infamous temper tantrum.

10. Bill O’Reilly Flips Out
This year we learned that Bill O’Reilly wasn’t always a big star, but he was a bit of a diva. Once upon a time when he worked for Inside Edition, O’Reilly found the end of his patience. And once upon a time earlier this year, some back-office intern found this moment and shared it with us. See his flawless transition from irate blowhard to cheerful anchorman and see how he earns his $10M a year from Fox:

(NSFW Language)

Australia’s most arrogant partyboy, after the break:

9. Ninja cat
Cats took over the internet in 2008. Ninjas have been an internet staple for years. So it only follows that a stealth ninja cat would be one of the most popular viral videos this year. Here is your daily dose of cuteness:

8. I’m Fucking Ben Affleck
Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel’s very public relationship becomes even more so when Sarah makes a video claiming she’s cheating with Matt Damon. Kimmel responds with the news that he is in fact having an even more surprising affair.

(NSFW Language)

7. Obama and McCain Get Served
In the heat of the debates the two camps decided to get together to settle it on the dance floor, Cali style. Despite McCain’s inability to lift his arms, he makes a pretty good showing here. I bet you never knew they had moves like these:

6. She Has a Boyfriend
Every guy hates when they are having a conversation with a girl and she feels the need to work in the fact that she has a boyfriend. A brilliant English sketch comedy show set out to exact revenge in the least sociopathic way possible:

(NSFW Language)

5. Jizz in My Pants
Just a year or two ago people were whispering how Saturday Night Live was lame once again. Then for each of the past two holiday season we were treated to Lazy Sunday and Dick in a Box. This year’s video lived up to its predecessors, and was the cherry on top from a season of Sarah Palin:

(slightly NSFW Language)

4. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
We’ve talked before about how you can never get Rick Rolled again with VideoSurf. Well, it turns out that’s only partially true–you can still get Rick Rolled in person. Parade organizers got revelers good this Thanksgiving. Astley’s post-parade interview was also a hit.

3. Tina Fey Does Sarah Palin
For SNL writers, Sarah Palin was manna from heaven. Politicians are easy to make fun of, but often do they write your material for you? Fey and Amy Poehler recreate Palin’s famous interview with Katie Couric. With Tina Fey’s answers copying Palin verbatim:

2. Party Boy Corey Worthington and his Famous Sunglasses
An Australian teenager hosts a huge party while his parents are away on vacation. The party had over 500 attendees which resulted in a clash with over thirty cops, a police helicopter, and a canine unit. Subsequently, Corey was interviewed by several news sources where he was hilariously defiant and unapologetic about the situation:

1. Myspace Girl
We now understand why God made bratty little brothers: to add levity to the most serious situations. This girl is clearly “not like young and like stupid” (her words). Her mother–a hottie in her own right–struggles with her poker face as she disciplines her daughter, no thanks to little bro. Hilarity ensues for the rest of us:

(really sophomoric language!)