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Considering what's going on in the world - financial collapses, mine disasters, North Korean missile announcements - celebrity-related matters may be of less importance than ever.  But they're certainly holding people's interest - perhaps we can all use the distraction - and Hitwise and YouTube recently acknowledged the issue.

Hitwise's Heather Dougherty put together a list of the most searched-for personalities for the week ending February 14th.  Unsurprisingly, Chris Brown got the top spot, and Rihanna's name showed up in second place.  Jeremy Lusk, a motocross rider who died following a crash, was third.

Next came Nadya Suleman, the woman who seems determined to repopulate the world before disaster strikes.  Joaquin Phoenix, the actor prone to awkward silences, nabbed fifth place.  And Robert Pattinson, Charles Darwin, Abraham Lincoln, Eliza Dushku, and Rush Limbaugh then wrapped up the top ten.

As for YouTube's contribution to our little celebrity roundup, all manner of awards show clips were put on display.  A post on the YouTube Blog explains, "[W]e're spotlighting Oscar-inspired parodies and humorous videos from YouTube users Jimmy Kimmel, Chad Vader (aka blamesocietyfilms), DC Lugi, and the Fine Brothers, who manage to give spoilers for all 80 Best Picture winners in less than five minutes."

Conan O'Brien deserves special recognition, too, since Friday was the talk show host's last night in the 12:35 AM timeslot.  Here's a clip of Conan picking apples with Mr. T.