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Add the andPOP Facebook Application(andPOP) - Stephen Colbert has been crowned Associated Press's celebrity of the year.
Newspaper editors and broadcast producers chose the satirist and star of the "The Colbert Report" as the person who has had the greatest impact on pop culture.
The U.S. wire service said Colbert has "exceeded the influence of most real pundits … [as] his satire spread into all corners of media and society."
Colbert had a big 2007, one that saw him face off against right-wing pundit Bill O'Reilly – the inspiration for his late-night persona – launch a Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavour and get his bid to run for president squashed by South Carolina Democrats.
He even drew Canada into the mix via a good-natured hockey rivalry with Oshawa.
"Colbert is more than an entertainer, he's a force of nature," said Julio Diaz, entertainment editor for the Pensacola News Journal, in explaining his vote.
"He's influenced the way we look at the news and even the way we speak. Whenever a major news story breaks, one of my first thoughts is what Colbert's spin on the story will be."
Author J.K. Rowling was right behind Colbert in AP's ranking, and Al Gore came in third.
Other celebrities in the running included Kanye West, Judd Apatow, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and Kenny Chesney.
Colbert was cheeky in commenting on his new title: "In receiving this award, I am pleased that I was chosen over two great spinners of fantasy – J.K. Rowling and Al Gore," he wrote in an e-mail to AP.
"It is truly an honour to be named the Associated Press' Celebrity of the Year. Best of all, this makes me the official front-runner for next year's Drug-Fueled Downward Spiral of the year. P.S. Look for my baby bump this spring!"
