Investigative Report: Top Ten Lists

By Shelley Smarz, TG Co-op Student

David Letterman

From The Late Show with David Letterman:

Top Ten Canadian Complaints About U.S. TV Shows

10. Whenever they show Niagara Falls, always "happens" to be on U.S. side
9. Not enough exciting canoe chases
8. No Monday night curling
7. Just when we get hooked on "Dweebs" -- poof! It's gone
6. One too many award shows hosted by David Letterman
5. It's really hard to play along with "Jeopardy" after you've drunk a couple dozen Molsons
4. Not a single Canadian featured in O.J. trial
3. "E.R." never about frostbite
2. During "Cheers" reruns, real beer should pour out of the TV
1. Too much Dave, not enough Paul


Anyone who has ever seen The Late Show is familiar with David Letterman's use of top ten lists. There are other uses for these besides Letterman. A top ten list is a clear, concise and organized way to present data. It's no wonder that they are used everyday to compare stocks, political party popularity and hockey standings.

All of this information (in one form or another) and too much more can be found in Russell Ash's book, The Top 10 of Everything 1996. It contains everything from the top ten largest polished gem diamonds, to the top ten dog names in the United Kingdom.

Full of interesting and informative facts on some of the strangest subjects imaginable, this book is ideal for trivia buffs and future Jeopardy champions. The reason it is so exceptional is the vast amount of raw data contained in the lists, making detailed information accessible and tedious research articles easier to write.

The Top Ten Strangest Lists contained in The Top 10 of Everything 1996:

Complied by Shelley Smarz

10. Largest banks in the world
9. Most common murder weapons/methods in the U.S.
8. Most expensive teddy bears sold at auction in the U.K.
7. Countries that have the largest duck population
6. Worst gun massacres (in the world)
5. Top consumers of Kellogg's Corn Flakes (in the world)
4. Polonius' precepts for Laertes (from Shakespeare's Hamlet)
3. The worst records of all time
2. Largest bells in the Western world
1. Longest words in the English language


For more information:

Top Ten List Archives


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