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The Dumbest Ways People Got Famous

From Balloon Boy to bad American Idol singers, here’s a hilarious rundown of the dumbest reasons people got famous in the U.S.!

Every era finds a stupid new way for people to become famous.

In the 1970s, it was being a groupie . . . in the ’80s, being a druggie . . . in the ’90s, being on cable . . . in the 2000s, being on reality TV . . . in the 2010s, being on social media . . . and in the 2020s, being an “influencer.”

There’s a new list of “dumbest reasons someone became famous in the U.S.”  And here are some notable examples from it:

1.  “Balloon Boy.”  In 2009, the “Balloon Boy” hoax went viral when a couple claimed their six-year-old son Falcon was trapped in a homemade balloon 7,000 feet up in the air.  There was a balloon, but the boy was at home in the attic.

2.  Hawk Tuah.  Someone said, “She is really the textbook example of this.”

3.  The “Island Boys” who went viral on TikTok, and got desperate for fame.

4.  Honey Boo Boo.

5.  “Just about every ‘reality TV star.'”

6.  Bhad Bhabie . . . the “Cash Me Outside” girl from “Dr. Phil”.

7.  Kim Kardashian, who was famous for:  A.)  Her father being one of O.J. Simpson’s lawyers.  And B.)  A “leaked” naughty video with Ray J.

8.  The rest of the Kardashians, who are famous for:  Association with Kim.

9.  The Jenners, who are famous for:  Association with the Kardashians.

10.  “Alex from Target

11.  Being a Teen Mom.

12.  Having eight kids, or in the case of the “OctoMom“, 14.

13.  Singing badly on “American Idol”.  Thankfully, this has become less of a sensation than it once was.

14.  Jake Paul for “boxing,” and whatever else.

15.  Eating a bunch of hotdogs.

16.  Smashing a kneecap before an ice skating competition.

17.  Scalding their crotch with McDonald’s coffee.  This person didn’t become as personally “famous” as they might have in today’s world . . . but the lawsuit did become legendary.

(Ask Reddit)  What would YOU add to this list?

Scott and Sadie

Meet Scott and Sadie: the anti-heroes of morning radio turned podcast renegades. Scott’s 40 years in broadcasting have left him fluent in snark, while Sadie’s nepotistic origins (thanks, Mom!) brought the unfiltered charm that made them a Northern Colorado favorite. After corporate radio ghosted them harder than a bad Tinder date, the duo ditched FCC babysitters and went full rogue. Now, they’re back with a podcast that’s equal parts wit, sarcasm, and a big middle finger to mediocrity. Loyal fans, curious newcomers, or algorithm strays—welcome to the chaos.

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