The Associated Press voted Michael Jackson's death as the number one entertainment story of the year, with Susan Boyle finishing second over the Kanye West and Taylor Swift fiasco and the Jon and Kate Gosselin split.
Jackson's shocking death on June 25, 2009 at the age of 50 was one of the most notable deaths in pop culture history. Jackson's doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, is still under investigation for manslaughter. The documentary, This is It, chronicling Jackson's preparations for his comeback concert tour was released to critical acclaim this fall.
Boyle became an Internet sensation after a YouTube video of her audition for Britan's Got Talent was viewed by millions in April. Boyle stunned the music world after her debut album, I Dreamed a Dream, broke global sales records when it was released in November and became the fastest-selling debut by a female artist in U.S. history.
Other entertainment highlights of the year include West's infamous interruption of Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Video Awards has been much-talked about and ridiculed. The rapper received negative attention and is reportedly laying low for the time being.
The David Letterman affair and scandal rocked the late-night world in October. Letterman announced on his show that he had been the victim of an extortion scandal and had carried on affairs with women on his staff.
Jon and Kate Gosselin announced their separation earlier this year and became an instant tabloid sensation. Paparazzi stalked the Gosselins' every move. The year saw the end of the hugely successful reality show, Jon & Kate Plus 8, which followed the couple's life raising t wins and sextuplets. The Gosselin's divorce was final in December and Kate is filming a new show for TLC, which will debut next year.
The complete list of the AP's Top Entertainment Stories of 2009 is as follows:
1. Michael Jackson dies
2. Susan Boyle becomes overnight sensation
3. Late-Night Swap between Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien
4. Walter Cronkite dies
5. David Letterman affair
6. Chris Brown assaults Rihanna
7. Kanye West robs Taylor Swift
8. Live video explodes on the web, particularly President Obama's inauguration and Michael Jackson's funeral
9. Kate and Jon Gosselin broadcast split
10. Heath Ledger wins posthumous Oscar
The stories were voted on by U.S. newspaper and broadcast editors.
Comments
"The Associated Press voted..". Not really. Actually, it's "voted by U.S. newspaper and broadcast editors surveyed by The Associated Press."(1st link on your article). Other than that, no contest really for the two top spots, the following entries are debatable though.
i miss michael jackson so much! And i think this was the most shocking news of the year
we miss you michael
We will all miss you my wonderful michael you will live forever through your spirit, music, and love.
May you rest in peace, Michael Jackson. Have a Merry Christmas in heaven.
2001 will be remembered for the 9/11 terror attacks. 2009 will be remembered as the year that the King of Pop, Michael Jackson died. Two events along with Kennedy's assassination that everyone knows where they were when they heard the shocking news. MJ's music defined my youth and the eighties. He was my generation's Elvis. We will never forget you Michael, many of us still mourn your death 6 months later. We knew that our youth was over when you left this world. R.I.P.
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