Holiday recovery and New Year resolutions are the usual January traditions, but the start of 2008 gave the Buzz no respite. Economic worries, political primaries, and a mystery monster plunged everyone into a frenzied climate... and not a Hollywood writer to put things in perspective.

Premature passings also roiled searchers. The sad end of Brad Renfro led the biggest spike in January searches, as the actor reminded fans of his unfulfilled potential. However, Australian actor Heath Ledger's death brought more people online to investigate the circumstances of his death and look forward to his last roles. Below are some of the personalities, creatures, and inevitable certainties of life that brought in both big search numbers and registered significant spikes.