the buzz log

...March's mass shootings didn't let up in April. The Binghamton spree, a Pittsburgh police ambush, and domestic killings in Washington seemed to be violent eruptions of these hard times.
...The last thing America expected was piracy, but Navy SEALs ended a hostage stand-off with three bullets to the heads of the Somali pirates holding an American captain.
...Between recovery acts and trillion-dollar budgets, most Americans paid their dues to Uncle Sam, but some took April 15 off to protest taxes in tea party-style protests.
...'70s icon Farrah Fawcett and late-night host Jay Leno's hospital stays were short, but theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and former defensive lineman William "Refrigerator" Perry are still recovering from their illnesses.
...His TV character's death meant a White House opportunity for Kal Penn, but mourners saluted the true passing of trailblazer Beatrice Arthur.
..."Waterboarding" remained the most searched interrogation technique listed in the newly released CIA memos. The memos' uproar ceases for the moment with the swine flu mystery. 
...President Obama didn't quite want to come to the party, but the media corps threw one anyway for his 100 and he came out in full address mode. His gifts (no not Bo...the dog was for the kids and the nation): budget approval and Arlen Specter popping out of a donkey-shaped cake. (See what the Web thought of Obama since the inauguration, and here for more April politics.).
...A Cinderella story rises up from a British reality show, and one 47-year-old Susan Boyle mesmerizes the Web...watch again.

 

April 2009 Fastest Movers in Search
Search Terms on Yahoo! with the Biggest Percentage Changes

1. Swine Flu (off the charts)
2. Susan Boyle (off the charts)
3. Victoria Osteen (+102,070%)
4. Julie Chen (+80,819%)
5. Somali Pirates (+52,250%)
6. Kyle Maynard (+37,394%)
7. Beatrice Arthur (+34,481%)
8. Amanda Holden (+33,446%)
9. Kal Penn (+29,6354%)
10. Anal Cancer (+27,615%)

Now, for what lies ahead... May Buzz Forecast, guaranteed to stir some searches ...

A mutant kicks off the blockbuster season (May 1-28)... Ah, the smell of horse flesh mixed with mint julep in Kentucky (2)... Flu masks on Cinco De Mayo don't quite lend the festive spirit (5) ... Mother's Day brunch, anyone? (10)... Cannes do spirit (13-24) ... A new "Idol" chosen (19-20) ... Forget the bad traffic and honor the dead on Memorial Day (25)... Farewell, Jay, and here comes Conan (29).