Barbara Walters picks 'Most Fascinating People' -- Who's No. 1?

Barbara Walters is back with "The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008" at 10/9 Thursday, Dec. 4 on ABC. Most of the names on the list make a lot of sense: Sarah Palin, Tina Fey and Michael Phelps are must-haves. The rest of the lineup is Tom Cruise, Rush Limbaugh, Miley Cyrus, Thomas Beatie (the transgendered man who gave birth and is pregnant again) and actor Frank Langella, who plays Richard Nixon in "Frost/Nixon," a likely nominee for the Academy Award's top prize.

So any thoughts on the No. 1 spot? This seems like a major no-brainer. It has to be Barack Obama. Who could possibly top him? Walters interviewed Barack and Michelle Obama for a special that aired Nov. 26, which actually makes it more likely he's in the top spot since she could have just interviewed him then about the fascinating year list. Of course, it is Barbara Walters, so she might rate a follow-up interview. (Turns out it was Barack Obama in the No. 1 spot, which is how it should have been for this year.)

The only two names that seem slightly strange are Tom Cruise (who made the list in 2005) and Will Smith. They're always in the public eye, but why pick them this year? No couch jumping for Cruise and no Oscar nom for Smith as he got for 2006's "The Pursuit of Happyness." This one then might be more about Smith's founding of a school this year, which came under attacks for being suspected for Scientology ties. Smith also co-founded a Christian church, Living Waters. Cruise and Smith are friends, and I have to say, it was fascinating, and hilarious, to see Cruise as the seedy, disgusting movie agent, Les Grossman, in "Tropic Thunder."

Thoughts on the picks or anyone else who would have made a good choice for 2008? And if the No. 1 spot isn't Barack Obama, who could it be?

Here's the list from last year:

David Beckham - Athelete
Victoria Beckham - Singer/Actress
Justin Timberlake - Singer/Actor
Chris DeWolfe - Founder of MySpace
Tom Anderson - Founder of MySpace
Katherine Heigl - Actress
Hugo Chavez - President of Venezula
Jennifer Hudson - Singer/Actress
Don Imus - Former Radio Personality
Bill Clinton - Former President of the United States


Source: blogs.pioneerlocal.com