the buzz log

Really, now that 2008 is over, it's kind of hard to see it go. Yes, the economy tanked, gas prices soared (suspiciously, considering their historic lows now), and conflicts dragged on and restarted—but the year also brought people the Olympics, an enthralling American political year, and, well, fill in your own.

So, while the world is well into the second day on the Gregorian 2009 calendar, it is only a Friday in some parts of the world, so the year hasn't really begun yet. (That'll be Monday, the first work day for many of us.) In that vein, let's give 2008 one last hurrah with a Buzz roundup on personalities who helped to define 2008, with article links to why they deserved their titles:

• Time's Person of the Year: Barack Obama. The most anticlimactic choice only because of its inevitability.
• New York Daily News' New Yorker of the Year: Hillary Clinton. She may not have won the nation, but if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.
• AP's Entertainer of the Year. Tina Fey. The former SNL head writer took a passing resemblance to a historical figure and ran with it.
• Los Angeles Daily News' Sportsperson of the Year: Manny Ramirez. The thud of jaws dropping echoed across the sporting world.
• Staff Care's Country Doctor of the Year: Doc Watson. A little-known award given by what's kind of a temp agency for doctors, the national organization gives a nod to the dying tradition of the house call.

And some more personalities of 2008:

• MTV's Man of the Year: Lil Wayne, aka Weezy, aka Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. MTV's Woman of the Year: Those "Twilight" fans.
• Billboard's Artist of the Year: Chris Brown.
• Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year: Michael Phelps.
• International Sports Press Association' Athlete of the Year: Usain Bolt.
• PETA's Person of the Year: Oprah Winfrey.