Green poop, Princess Leia’s bikini, and Justin Bieber’s ‘baby’ maker. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.
Burger King’s Halloween Whopper was turning people’s poop green
Spookiest fast food item ever? Health experts told people not to worry. Food coloring in the Whopper’s black bun was the likely culprit. The festive fecal fiasco even inspired its own couple’s costume that year.
Justin Bieber stepped out onto a balcony fully naked
He was vacationing in Bora Bora with British model Jayde Pierce when the paparazzi caught him stepping out in his birthday suit. Fans were impressed with what he was packing. Justin’s dad even decided to (oddly) weigh in, tweeting, “What do you feed that thing. #proud daddy.” 👀
The weirdest stuff people ever got trick-or-treating
A BuzzFeed list went viral after readers were asked to name the weirdest thing they (or their kid) ever got while trick-or-treating. Answers included “potato salad in a plastic bag,” “condoms,” and “a pack of cigarettes.” Good job, America.
Princess Leia’s slave bikini sold for $96,000
The skimpy, metallic wardrobe item from “Return of the Jedi” fetched $96k at an auction of Hollywood memorabilia. It turned out to be a pretty solid investment, selling again in 2024 for $175,000.
Bindi Irwin danced for her dad on “DWTS”
Steve Irwin’s daughter – just 17 at the time – broke down in tears at the end of her contemporary dance routine with partner Derek Hough. Her little brother Robert Irwin was in the audience. A decade later, he’d appear on the show as well. His shirtless routine prompted Chippendales to offer him a contract.
A study found these states are the most “normal”
“Business Insider“ used 40 different metrics to rank all 50 states according to how “normal” they are. Most Normal: Indiana, Missouri, Oregon, North Carolina, and Michigan. Weirdest: Hawaii, Alaska, California, New York, and Utah.
First woman to announce MLB postseason game
ESPN analyst Jessica Mendoza (sitting alongside John Kruk and Dan Shulman) became the first woman to ever call a nationally televised postseason game. The Astros beat the Yankees 3-0 in that one, but the Kansas City Royals would go on to become World Series champs a few weeks later, beating the New York Mets in five games.
An NBA player drove 95 miles to fight an NBA coach
Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes reportedly found out Knicks coach (and former Lakers teammate) Derek Fisher was shtupping his wife. Media outlets reported that Barnes drove 95 miles from Santa Barbara to kick Fisher out of his home. Cops were called, but Fisher was gone by the time they got there and no one pressed charges.
4 in 5 people said they’d rather work in solitude
80% of people polled said they preferred working alone because they felt their office work environment was “hostile” or “unhelpful.” COVID would eventually hold their feet to the fire on that one five years later.
“Boob Spelled Backwards Is Boob”
It was like “We Are the World” for boobies! A ton of big stars pitched in on a charity single called “Boob Spelled Backwards Is Boob“ for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. San Francisco DJ Mike Nelson was behind the project – his wife Christi was battling breast cancer, and their eight-year-old son wrote the lyrics.
Featured artists included Florence Welch, Noel Gallagher, Hozier, Michael Franti, Graham Nash, The Grateful Dead, and more. Christi kept fans updated and inspired during her decade-long cancer battle. (Her family got another 10 amazing years with her! Sadly, she passed away in Sept 2025.)
