Fat bastard Wine's Second Annual Poll: Top Ten Most Pretentious Public Figures

Described as “Wine for the anti-snob,” by Time magazine, Fat bastard is unlike a lot of high-quality wines that put themselves up on a platform of pompousness. Its fun and irreverent name, laid back attitude and exceptional quality allow the wines’ fruit-forward, great taste to speak for itself.

In fact, the Fat bastard company so dislikes the snooty shenanigans of self-importance in the wine world – or anywhere else for that matter – they feel the need, purely as a public service, to identify the most offensively officious folks of the year. In order to do this, the company has conducted its second annual Most Pretentious Poll, asking 100 Lifestyle editors from newspapers coast to coast to name the most obnoxious poseurs.

Here’s what the editors said:

#1. Donald Trump – After the war of the Rosie, the Donald’s new claim to fame is his elevation to first place in Fat bastard’s most pretentious poll. In fact, his pretensions seem to never end: he puts his name on everything from buildings and business suits to vodka and cologne. Everything he touches takes on a golden glow from the “most luxurious” hotels to the “top-rated” TV show – no matter the ratings. Even his signature “do” defies gravity. He’ll be the first to affirm that no one could possibly top Mr. Trump.

#2. Paris Hilton: Can this woman get no respect? Falling from first on our poll, she can’t seem to convince our respondents that she’s now taken the high road in life. Perhaps in 2008, we’ll see her spurn the spotlight in favor of some serious do-gooding. For now, Paris seems to be leading a life that’s far from some simple – and the paparazzi will no doubt continue to provide the proof.

#3. Bill O’Reilly: Another man who’s moving up in the world of pretension is America’s “most influential conservative,” who last year sat in spot number four. Just ask him – he’ll be happy to tell you all of his opinions, at the top of his voice. As the Fox News Channel’s resident bully, O’Reilly is known for his feisty attitude, extraordinarily slanted views, and especially, for his ill-tempered tantrums whenever a liberal notion creeps into the conversation.

#4. Rosie O’Donnell: Virtually tied for third with Mr. Reilly, Rosie makes her debut on the most pretentious list this year. For many the burning question may be: “What took her so long?” Equally vociferous about her liberal leanings, Rosie is another media miracle who never shrinks from expressing her opinions. Nor does she have the least little problem letting everyone know how right she is to be a lefty.

#5. Tom Cruise: About to become the subject of a tell-all book, the inimitable Mr. Cruise is another personality who’s incredibly high – on himself. He’ll always be remembered for his couch-leaping craze, the value of his advice to new mothers and his ongoing crusade for Scientology. As Cruise continued to place layer upon layer atop his crazy-cake, his worst move may have been making his sister his public relations rep. Now that she’s moved on to better things, perhaps his public behavior will become a bit more circumspect. After all, he has already dropped down on the pretension poll from two to five.

#6. Hillary Clinton: When it comes to pretension, few women can top Hillary, who is still convinced that people “in her position” should never be questioned on pesky problems like the Whitewater scandal. How surprised the other Democratic presidential contenders must have been to discover they weren’t allowed to discuss her stance on any of those annoying “issues” without becoming the targets of an aggressive Bill attack. After all, what truly matters is how much she wants the job.

#7. Victoria Beckham: Her Spice Girls nickname wasn’t “Posh” for nothing, though her musical contributions seem to have made a bigger impression on Victoria han they ever did on the music industry. “Coronated” when she wed – at least in her own mind – she and her soccer sweetie sat on golden thrones as they surveyed the subjects at their nuptials. Now conquering new galaxies in Los Angeles, the once bubbly pop star never smiles for the paparazzi. Perhaps she believes they’ll mistake her for a serious songstress.

#8. Tyra Banks: If considering yourself to be extraordinarily talented is a sure sign of being pretentious, claiming you are the next Oprah may reach a new high. Though she’s no journalist, the former Victoria Secret’s supermodel thinks she has all the answers. When starting her new talk show, Tyra told us: “I am prepared to share my life with people.” She even decided to get a sonogram to prove her breasts were real! Thanks, Tyra, for clearing that up. We can now sleep at night.

#9. Kanye West – Kanye’s sense of his own importance is most obvious during music award season. In fact, he’s sure he deserves them all. If he’s passed over, watch out, as this rapper will surely launch into a rant. He may be best known for leaping on stage during the real winners’ acceptance speeches to let us know how wrongly he has been treated. Perhaps Kanye deserves to be recognized for at least this one talent: the MTV Award for Most Egregious Public Acts of Petulance?

#10. Britney Spears – Last place on the poll is reserved for a true loser in 2007: she shed her husband, lost her kids and if her performance at the MTV VMA’s is any indication, she may be in danger of losing her career, as well. Perhaps it’s her hubris in thinking she can continue on the course of her seemingly irresponsible life and still claim she’s a good mom that earned her a place on the Fat bastard Most Pretentious Poll.

The lifestyle editors have weighed in, and given us their picks for pretension as the year comes to an end. Agree or disagree, consumers can make their opinions about the most annoyingly ostentatious folks known at www.fatbastard.com.

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Available nationwide in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, Fat bastard is the third-bestselling French wine brand in the United States.