Four Unlikely YouTube Videos That Rocked the World

In a world with hundreds (if not thousands) of TV networks, it's almost hard to believe that YouTube GOOG made it this far. But the video site has not merely survived – it has thrived in a world that has become increasingly obsessed with brief bursts of entertainment.

But while it's no surprise that an artist like Cee Lo could draw massive attention (music is huge on YouTube), there are many YouTube videos that were not predestined for greatness – but they achieved it anyway. Let's take a look at four of the best.

4. “Weird Al” Yankovic's “Perform This Way” (Lady Gaga Parody) – 2.5 Million Views

This isn't even a video! But as the first Weird Al parody in years, “Perform This Way” didn't have to fight for listeners. Its success was helped along by a brief controversy involving Lady Gaga (she initially turned down the parody; after changing her mind, she blamed the whole thing on her manager).

Expect the full video for “Perform This Way” to be even bigger.

3. Pokémon in Real Life – 8.3 Million Views

This sounds like a ridiculous concept. But if you've played Pokémon for more than a minute, you will not be able to watch this video without laughing hysterically.

2. Mortal Kombat: Legacy Episode 1 – 9.9 Million Views

How is it that a Mortal Kombat mini-series can garner more hits than the average primetime television show? The world may never know. But you have to admit – while the acting is flawed and the story is cheesy, Mortal Kombat: Legacy still beats reality TV.

1. “Friday” by Rebecca Black – 141 Million Views

Whether you like or loathe this pop ditty, there's no escaping the success of “Friday.” The song is so infectious that Benzinga's own Brian Danowski blasts it from the Mac room every Friday afternoon. Is he doing it to annoy us? To enthrall us? Or to make us simply ask, “Hey Brian, why are you still playing that!?”

At press time, Mr. Danowski had not returned a request for comment.