Time Honors Palin, O’Brien, Gaga, Jobs

Always an eclectic mix, Time magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World is written by insiders on each subject and includes leaders, artists, heroes, and thinkers. 2010’s “Leaders” include President Barack Obama, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Fox News hotshot Glenn Beck, Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former Governor Sarah Palin, and Senator Scott Brown. In the artist category, Oscar history maker Kathryn Bigelow joins ex-husband James Cameron, pop queen Lady Gaga, retiring Oprah Winfrey, Glee’s Lea Michele, slighted comedian Conan O’Brien, and a smattering of other personalities from fashion (Marc Jacobs) to street art (Banksy). The vague "Thinkers" category features federal-stimulus supervisor Elizabeth Warren, grand architect Zaha Hadid, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and Apple mastermind Steve Jobs. Last but not least? Among Time’s “Heroes”: President Bill Clinton, Iranian reform candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi, comedian/actor/humanitarian Ben Stiller, Korean figure skater Kim Yu-Na, and tennis star Serena Williams.