Ten best reviews for 2008

1 Britney Spears
The singer's steep trajectory to redemption restored her to the top of searches. Her year began with a police visit, hospital stay, and psych evaluation. She returned under her father's shelter and, by summer, settled custody with her ex. Professionally, she guested on a sitcom, won thrice at the MTV Video Music Awards, broke records with "Womanizer," relaunched her site, and released a documentary detailing her fall and comeback...by age 27.

2 WWE
A June explosion destroyed a World Wrestling Entertainment stage and "injured" chairman Vince McMahon, unleashing a sweaty soap opera of chaos that included his kids appealing for cooperation in difficult times. The stunt could've symbolized the sporting empire's battles against the economy's fall and mixed martial arts' rise. WWE produced more events, video games, and movies to make up for fewer paying fans, and faithfuls kept track online to maintain its Top 2 status.

3 Barack Obama
The Illinois junior senator faced two hard-fought contests and nearly won a third—although toppling Britney Spears wasn't on his list. He entered 2008 as a relative newcomer on the national scene and ended the year as president-elect. His campaign defied political wisdom and made history at every turn. His Web strategy set the groundwork to make him the first wired president and, in an unprecedented Search surge, landed him at No. 3.

4 Miley Cyrus
Before 2008, the singer/actress had been better known—and searched—by her Disney persona, Hannah Montana. She appeared on shows like "Idol Gives Back" as Cyrus, but true name recognition came with scandal: a Vanity Fair spread featuring the 15-year-old seemingly wrapped only in a bedsheet. Savvy Cyrus apologized, survived, and closed down Disneyland for a 16th birthday charity bash, and ended up at No. 4.

5 RuneScape
The multi-player role-playing game's international popularity rests on its cheap access, ability to run on older computers, and compelling play. Its underground success has even led to a real black market, trading actual cash for RuneScape gold—and controversial restrictions to stop it. A new boss, graphics, and touted player-versus-player combat release signal the company's power play to step up in the RPG battle...and take hold at No. 5.

6 Jessica Alba
Her movies fared none too well, following 2007 missteps that got her three Razzie Worst Actress nominations. Still, she earned Best Movie Actress at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and No. 6 in searches, buoyed by her wedding and baby Honor Marie (who earned a reported $1.5 million in her OK! mag debut). The pregnant pause may have given her impetus to switch to more serious roles—something to watch for in 2009.

7 Naruto
The manga. The game. The anime. Whatever form Naruto Uzumaki takes, the awkward but accomplished young graduate of the Ninja Academy remains the Web's most popular fictional character in seventh place. His peers and enemies also command their own followings, but the complex tale of Naruto (whose name translates to "maelstrom"), the orphaned misfit who craves recognition, resonates with its generation of fans.

8 Lindsay Lohan
At No. 8, the actress made stumbling progress back from rehab, revolving-door relationships, and rejected roles. On the upside, she settled down (with a monogamous twist), blogged about politics, and recreated Marilyn Monroe's photo shoot. On the downside, she got booted from "Ugly Betty" and as World Music Awards host. Lohan has had celebs testifying to her talent, but a true comeback may have to wait for 2009.

9 Angelina Jolie
Leading power lists in Forbes and even Guinness World Records, the actress took her place among Hollywood's elite. "Delicate" condition aside, she underscored her image as a tough-dame throwback with a 21st-century vibe. She earned box-office bucks as an assassin and cartoon tigress, Oscar cred in "Changeling," and karma by donating her and Brad Pitt's twins' $14 mil pictorial payout to charity—moves that muscled her in at No. 9.

10 American Idol
Judges kept declaring its 2008 singers their best ever, but while the Fox reality show ruled ratings, an audience decline since 2007 sent producers into a fit of self-examination. In a season beset with complaints, "Idol" had the last laugh with a smashing finale and iTunes recordbreaker. The show also got "cougar" into household vernacular, unlikely credit for exposing youth to the democratic process, and a top Search 10 nod once again.

Britney Spears may be pregnant again

For weeks, Hollywood has been abuzz with rumours that Britney Spears may be pregnant again.

And the speculation reached a peak of intensity yesterday when she unveiled a conspicuous bump.

The troubled singer, 26, was seen in Hollywood with a burgeoning belly on full display.
It followed news that she was seen at a medical centre in LA earlier in the week for an undisclosed visit.

A friend told Mail Online: "Everyone's buzzing about a possible pregnancy. Britney's denying she's expecting but with her, anything's possible."

Last month, numerous U.S. magazines speculated that Britney was expecting a baby with on-off British lover Adnan Ghalib.

However some cynics are dismissing the buzz as tabloid gossip, claiming she is bloated due to a junk food diet and side effects from prescribed medication.

Meanwhile in the never ending roller coaster of Britney's life, Birmingham-raised Ghalib was seen at Spears' property yesterday, sparking speculation that the couple are back together.

It followed a court ruling earlier on Wednesday that Britney's father will remain in charge of the singer's financial and personal affairs for the next four months.

Jamie Spears will continue to have legal control of the singer's estimated $100 million fortune, as well as oversee the singer's well-being, until the end of July.

"I can confirm that the order was issued", said LA Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini.

LA Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz yesterday named Britney's father and Andrew Wallet temporary co-conservators, giving them the right to employ bodyguards, restrict Britney's visitors and approve her contracts.

The temporary conservatorship order - a order established by the court that property or a person be subject to the legal control of another person - had been scheduled to expire on March 10, but a surprise hearing was called to extend it before that date.

Meanwhile Britney was seen out shopping with a new bodyguard, and as usual, was followed by a pack of paparazzi as she went about her daily trawl around the shops.

Earlier this week the singer continued her rehabilitation at the Millennium Dance Studios in Hollywood where she has also been teaching children's dance classes, as well as practicing her own routines.

On February 23, she was allowed to spend time with her sons Preston, 2, and Jayden, 17 months, for the first time since her January standoff with the police, and she has had regular visits since

And since Britney's father took over her affairs, the troubled pop princess has been keeping a slightly lower profile and toning down her nights out.

Jamie Spears has been looking after his daughter's assets since February 4 this year, when she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for the second time.

Britney was discharged herself from the UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles on February 6.

The decision by doctors to let Britney leave the mental health facility infuriated the star's parents.

At the time they said: "As parents of an adult child in the throws of a mental health crisis, we were extremely disappointed this morning to learn that over the recommendation of her treating psychiatrist, our daughter Britney was released from the hospital that could best care for her and keep her safe.

"We are deeply concerned about our daughter's safety and vulnerability and we believe her life is presently at risk."