Prepared with commentary by Stormy clouds
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This week is dominated by the engagement of Meghan Markle (#1) and Prince Harry (#3), news which propelled several other members of the royal family into the Top 25. Congratulations to the soon-to-be weds, though I lack the enthusiasm for what is ostensibly a figurehead and tourist attraction, especially given the minute likelihood of Harry ever governing ahead of his brother (#17). Allow the people their escapism into the realm of ballrooms and gowns, I suppose, even though it may be hokum in my eyes.
Other recurrent motifs in the list include, as ever, superheroes, with the new trailer for Avengers: Infinity War driving excitement for many MCU properties. The slow revelation that every man in media is a predator sees Matt Lauer land high on the list (#2). US politics also makes a predictable appearance through Mr. Drumpf, as do a number of deaths, some more dramatic than others (#8). All in all, a rather exciting list, especially given the dominance in page views of the Suits star above all competitors, with over four times as many views as number two. Not too shabby.
For the week of November 26 to December 2, the 25 most popular articles on Wikipedia, as determined from the WP:5000 report were:
| Rank | Article | Class | Views | Image | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meghan Markle | 
|
8,747,196 |  |
This week's list begins with Meghan Markle, who announced her engagement to Prince Harry, and subsequently whipped the world's media, and Wikipedia, evidently, into a phenomenal frenzy to find knowledge about the second most famous actress turned princess. |
| 2 | Matt Lauer | 
|
2,014,217 |  |
Another week, another monster. The long-serving host of The Today Show joins the depressingly endless list of sexual predators, prompting NBC to fire him. For further information, consult the Twitter page of another NBC sex criminal. |
| 3 | Prince Harry |
|
1,900,012 |  |
The young prince has grown and matured so much, finally putting a ring on it and rendering Ms. Markle (#1) his fiancée. Many relished in the joyous love story, while many online commentators (and SNL) congratulated Harry on batting out of his league. Well done, voiceless Ed Sheeran. |
| 4 | Bitcoin |
|
1,084,519 |  |
In financial news, the e-currency had an unprecedented spike in value during the week, reaching $11,740, prompting The Big Bang Theory to make an episode on the topic. If history teaches us anything, this bubble will never burst. |
| 5 | Justice League |
|
955,873 |  |
The movie is not, in my view, too unobjectionable, and is thoroughly watchable, but that has not stopped the media attention around it, which sees it remain in the top 5. However, this is the internet, and there is no middle-ground. Therefore, it is an unmitigated disaster and an abhorrent crime against humanity. |
| 6 | Jim Nabors |
|
767,143 |  |
Wikipedia's patrons reacted to the death of the actor in droves, mourning the loss of Gomer Pyle and an institutional component of the Indy 500. |
| 7 | 2018 FIFA World Cup |
|
753,052 | 
|
As an Irishman, a certain Christian Eriksen had already left me dejected in the soccer front. Seeing the neighbours get a handy draw exacerbated this. At least I will get to see them lose on penalties this way. sobs |
| 8 | Slobodan Praljak |
|
749,384 |  |
Another death, albeit a far less sympathy-inducing one than #6. The convicted war criminal demonstrated a flair for the dramatic as he took his own life in The Hague. "O true apothecary, thy drugs are quick" indeed. |
| 9 | Deaths in 2017 | 
|
749,088 |  |
Given the presence of multiple deceased people in the top 10, one cannot be surprised that the list makes its way onto the report again. |
| 10 | Avengers: Infinity War |
|
727,183 | The first trailer for the upcoming superhero extravaganza dropped to much hooplah. Everyone knows that you must stay until the credits are over in all MCU films, which will be hard given that all of Hollywood seems to be starring in this one. | |
| 11 | Miss Universe 2017 | 
|
655,344 |  |
If you feared that women were progressing too far in society, calm yourself. The pageant, propagated to stardom by the President (#24), comes along to remind us that they are truly mere objects to be viewed from a critical lens. As Steve Harvey was hosting, we are still not entirely sure who won, but it was probably Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters. |
| 12 | Elizabeth II | 
|
545,464 |  |
The Queen likely rose to this lofty position off the Wikipedia tsunami that was Meghan Markle (#1), but the mightiest of monarchs will also appear once again on Netflix as The Crown returns next week. |
| 13 | Stranger Things |
|
598,197 |  |
Speaking of Netflix, the purveyors of eighties-fuelled nostalgia are still visiting the encyclopedia in their droves. They are eagerly anticipating season 3, which will likely just be a straight Stephen King adaptation in order to cut out the middle men and buy more Eggos. |
| 14 | Ann Curry |
|
476,691 |  |
The former The Today Show host drew attention in the wake of her former colleague, Matt Lauer (#2), losing his job. The journalist was diplomatic on the matter in her press interactions, but the buzz sent Wikipedia views spiralling upwards. |
| 15 | The Punisher (TV series) |
|
468,355 |  |
More Netflix now, as people seem to be enjoying the extreme exploits of Frank Castle, portrayed by Jon Bernthal (pictured). |
| 16 | Coco (2017 film) |
|
457,570 |  |
The new Pixar movie, influenced by Día de Muertos, is supposedly delightful. I will not be able to find out until it releases next January. There's something to be thankful for, America. |
| 17 | Prince William, Duke of Cambridge |
|
447,195 |  |
Brother to Prince Harry (#3) and secondary heir to the British throne, William of Windsor was propelled upwards by the swell of interest in the royal family. |
| 18 | Starbucks |
|
446,269 |  |
Reddit uncovered that the dominant coffee chain, in order to stifle and starve competitors, will sometimes operate at a loss. Though it is possible that the latté was for Lewis. |
| 19 | Charles, Prince of Wales |
|
430,895 |  |
Wikipedia obviously spent time researching everyone who will be attending the upcoming nuptials of #1 and #3. The effect of love must be very strong if it can place heir apparent, and Britain's least popular person, into the top 20. |
| 20 | List of Marvel Cinematic Universe films |
|
424,519 |  |
A new Avengers movie (#10) was attracting attention due to its trailer, driving many movie fans to seek a recap. As a comic geek, I don't need the list, and have the superiority complex to tell you that only Iron Man, Doctor Strange, the second Captain America movie and both Guardians of the Galaxy films are truly worthy of a re-watch. Oh, and maybe #21 as well. |
| 21 | Thor: Ragnarok |
|
419,758 |  |
The devastation of Asgard is still captivating to Wikipedians around the world, and the movie depicting it is drawing attention as a result. The line "Out, vile jelly, where is thy lustre now?" has never seemed more pertinent. |
| 22 | Net neutrality |
|
411,351 |  |
Despite John Oliver's magnificent take-down, Ajit Pai (pictured) is pressing on with plans to eliminate net neutrality and allow ISP's to discriminate broadband speeds based on content. I hope that he is ready for almighty war, because last time they tried this even the encyclopedia took up arms. |
| 23 | Ivanka Trump |
|
410,889 |  |
The first daughter of the United States hit the headlines as she journeyed to India in elaborate Oriental gowns to represent her country. Initially thought to be a bastion of liberal hope in the White House, it is now apparent that Daddy's Girl is woefully complicit. |
| 24 | Donald Trump |
|
410,592 |  |
The most powerful baby in the world lands on the list, a mere handful of views behind his daughter (#23). Given his past comments, are we sure that we want him to be so closely behind her? |
| 25 | Sean Taylor |
|
405,722 |  |
The 27th of November marked the tenth anniversary of the death of this Washington Redskins player, causing an outpouring of sympathy and actions to mark his tragic passing. One cannot help but wonder at this juncture how far he would have risen in the league if not for the heinous murder which struck him down. Ergo, we conclude the report on a sombre note. |
