So that was the year that was. Obviously the main thing that 2008 will be remembered for is the historic election of Barack Obama as the first black president of The United States of America. The late night repeats of the first season of Tina Fey's brilliant 30 Rock that have been on during the Christmas period provided a telling moment of just how big an achievement this was. When Fey's character Liz Lemon tells her airhead friend Jenna that a black man is running for president the response is quick.
"A black man running for president?" She replies disbelievingly before rolling her eyes and saying words to the effect of "he doesn't stand a chance in hell." Of course, Fey's almost spooky impersonations of Sarah Palin, probably the comedic event of the year, certainly helped Obama on his merry way. She can see Russia from her house. Sarah Palin's new grandson Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnson was born Sunday morning in Alaska to Palin's daughter Bristol and her redneck boyfriend Levi Johnston. A child born out of wedlock? Isn't Palin meant to be the world's most devout Christian? Whatever the case there, John McCain must curse the day he decided to make her his running mate. Unlike her, he won't be able to even consider a bid for 2012 or 2016.
The collapse of previously rock solid businesses from Lehmann Brothers to Zavvi was the biggest shock of the year. Only Vince Cable let on that anything was wrong. And let's face it, he doesn't have anything to lose. In an ideal world he would be Prime Minister but the Lib Dems were too scared to take a chance on him, perhaps understandably, after Menzies Campbell resigned in late 2007.
If only he'd had someone like Carla Bruni on his arm. She became the glamourous face of politics in 08. Boris Johnson became Mayor of London. Let's hope this isn't an early omen for The Conservatives should a General Election be called next year (and it probably will.) Anyone who was on the tube on that crazy Saturday night when the drinking ban came into effect will not forget it in a hurry. Nuff offkey behaviour.
Something will have to give in Zimbabwe during 2009. That country can't really go through another year of things getting progressively worse.
On a happier note, big up Estelle who finally achieved the success we all knew she was capable of since her days at DJ Pogo's Lyrical Lounge. Kardinal Offishal, Killer Mike and The Cool Kids also released big albums. Wiley released an album on a major label. Funky became the new sound in clubland. Rock'n'roll pioneer Bo Diddley passed away. So did Harold Pinter and Eartha Kitt.
The situation in the Gaza Strip has made the year end on a particularly depressing note, and it's difficult to see any solutions. Especially when public opinion In Israel seems to be firmly behind the actions. Whatever you may think about the world's biggest political conundrum, its hard to see how more bombings can ever be the answer. Unfortunately for the poor people of Gaza, any ceasefire will have to wait until next year.