We admit it: we're stumped. We have no idea why both Hitler and the Holocaust jumped into the Lycos 50 this week. They're at #44 and #46, respectively. Why is everyone searching for these topics?
This is the first appearance for both on our list. Is the pope's trip to the Holy Land increasing interest in the Holocaust? Could this be World War II history month in American schools? We'd like to say we get it, but we don't. If you have an explanation, please drop a line to our boards message board.
Other key points from this week's Lycos 50:
SAY WHAT? Rap Lyrics (#47) is a fascinating newbie on the Lycos 50. Music lyrics of all sorts are popular online, but rap lyrics are easily the most requested. Is it because the words are naughty, or because people can't understand them in the first place? You make the call. Also popular are hip-hop lyrics and R&B lyrics.
Also on the rap scene, hottie Sisqo continues to move up -- he's now at #26. His current single, "The Thong Song," was about 20 places short of making the Lycos 50 on its own.
RECORD-BREAKING RECORD: Top boy band 'N Sync moves up to #4 with the record-breaking release of their new album, "No Strings Attached." The boys nearly overtook Britney Spears, who suddenly looks vulnerable. A lock at #2 for months, she's been dumped by Dragonball and may be sliding farther south soon.
'TIS THE SEASON: The Oscars finally made the scene, debuting at #15. We expect them to be strong next week, too, as people continue to check for results and follow-up stories. (This week's tally ended at midnight Saturday, the night before the actual ceremonies.)
Other hot seasonal topics: March Madness (slipping 12 spots from last week), Easter (debuting at #19), spring break (warming up to #11), and, of course, taxes (#13) are on everyone's mind.
SHORT SUBJECTS: Despite heavy news coverage of that Holy Land trip, Pope John Paul II barely registered on our traffic logs; people just aren't searching for him... new gadget 'Wrapster,' a knockoff of music gadget Napster (#27), is rising fast... ditto for new Playstation game 'Syphon Filter II'... searches for prom dresses are reaching fever pitch. Other prom hotties: prom hairstyles, prom shoes, and alcohol prom (?)... most-searched movie of the week: not Erin Brockovich but Romeo Must Die and its martial arts star, Jet Li.
NEW THIS WEEK: The Oscars, Easter, golf, Adolf Hitler, the Holocaust, rap lyrics, and endlessly popular game show Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.
DROPOUTS: NASA, Jenny McCarthy, Shania Twain, The Sims, Ireland, St. Patrick's Day, Stephen King.
BIGGEST RISE: Rapper DMX, up 13 spots to #23.
BIGGEST DROP: Mardi Gras, down 22 spots.
AND FINALLY: Goodbye to two "charter members" of the Lycos 50. NASA has been on our list every week since our beginning last August -- 31 weeks in all. There seems to be no particular reason for its drop; just a slow week in space. Shania Twain joined up our second week and lasted 30 straight weeks herself.
That leaves 11 topics which have been on our list for all 32 weeks. And this week nine of them are in the top 10 -- a highly unusual cluster.
