BEIJING, Dec. 25 -- Heath Ledger's death was voted 2008's top entertainment story by U.S. newspaper and broadcast editors surveyed by The Associated Press. The top 10:

1. HEATH LEDGER DIES: When the Australian actor was found dead Jan. 22 at 28, shock and confusion over the circumstances of his death followed. The autopsy concluded Ledger's death was accidental, the result of a toxic combination of prescription drugs. His legacy continued, though, in a roundly acclaimed performance as the Joker in the year's biggest box office hit "The Dark Knight."

Actor Heath Ledger is pictured in a scene from "Broke back Mountain" in this undated publicity photograph.

2. WRITERS STRIKE ENDS: The Writers Guild of America took to the picket lines Nov. 5 of last year. The strike played havoc on the industry, from award shows to network TV schedules, and didn't conclude until Feb. 12. When an agreement was finally reached, the Academy Awards were saved and scripted television slowly returned to the airwaves.

3. BOFFO BOX OFFICE FOR "DARK KNIGHT": As the release of Christopher Nolan's second Batman installment "The Dark Knight" neared, anticipation over Ledger's performance mounted. The film went on to gross $528 million domestically, second all-time only to "Titanic." Unlike most blockbusters, it also appeared on many critics' top 10 lists.

4. POLITICAL COMEDY SHINES: The long campaign was highlighted by late-night hosts (David Letterman chastising John McCain for missing his scheduled guest appearance), satire veterans (Tina Fey's Sarah Palin impression on "Saturday Night Live") and new media sensations ("Obama Girl"). "SNL," "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" all charted their best ratings.

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