The latest meme to sweep our computer screens is the ice bucket ALS challenge, where participants dump ice water on themselves, in order to bring awareness to ALS charities.
If one fails to take the challenge, they have to donate $100 to charity. The viral phenomenon has had its detrators, noting that raising awareness is a vague call to arms, when donations are a better option and that the online movement has no directed source of information or designated charity. Essentially, ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is the slow death of the spinal cord and brain, leading to muscle twitching, thickness of speech, loss of cognition and motor skills. The symptoms of ALS are akin to the aftermath of the ice bucket challenge, albeit to a lesser degree.
Celebrities and talking heads throughout pop culture have taken and spread the ALS challenge, below are our top 10 celebrity ice bucket challenge videos.
1) Oprah Winfrey
There is so much going on in Oprah’s ALS challenge, securing the top spot. From celebrity name dropping, to her screams, and the cameo by Gayle, Oprah takes a fun internet movement and brings A-level recognition to an awareness movement.
2) Bill Gates
With multiple camera angles, high def filming, and a Rube Goldberg-like mechanism to drop the ice water on him, Gates shows that even a billionaire philanthropist can enjoy a cold shower to raise awareness and funds for a cause beyond his passion projects.
3) Jesse Taylor Ferguson
Jesse Taylor Ferguson (Modern Family) wins a high spot for the suspense building, the humor, and concrete action towards addressing ALS. Instead of grabbing the ice bucket, Ferguson grabs his check book to write a donation to an ALS organization.
4) Ansel Elgort
Everyone’s dreamboat, Ansel Elgort (The Fault in Our Stars), reaffirms his dreaminess with a shirtless ice bucket challenge. Clad in red and yellow trunks, Elgort pours two bags of ice in a bucket, which he pours over himself. His reaction is real and adorable, as he hops to his phone to stop recording. John Green, the fandom awaits your video.
5) Martha Stewart
An abbreviated video (via the Today Show Instagram) shows domestic diva and convicted felon Martha Stewart dousing herself in ice water. With wet, stringy hair and her maid next to her, Stewart takes it all in stride and takes a few minutes from her day to film.
6) Andy Cohen
Known for his bubbly personality, Andy Cohen, host of Watch What Happens Live, is not deflated by the ice tumbling down from Housewife Kim Z (Real Housewives of Atlanta). Nominated by NBC’s Willie Geist, Cohen seems a little shaken after the challenge, yet still donates to an ALS Charity.
7) Chris Christie
Chris Christie, New Jersey governor, dresses down for the challenge. Potential presidential candidate Christie role models service — by going through with the ALS challenge, as well as letting his two children dump the ice on him.
8) Kerry Washington
The fixer handles the ice challenge. Olivia Pope, nominated by Disney CEO Bob Iger and played by Washington, takes the challenge with charming giggles. Washington says she represents the entire Scandal cast, but cannot disclose who is on set. Pretty sneaky, Kerry.
9) Elizabeth Banks
Dressed down from her Pitch Perfect garb, Banks dumps the ice water on herself in her shower. She’s playing it a little safe, but it is a good effort. Effie Trinket would be appalled at the thought of a wet coif… even for a good cause.
10) Mark Zuckerberg
Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg’s filming is a genuine process. He is seemingly in his backyard, dumps the ice bucket himself, and has a sincere reaction towards the end. Zuckerberg loses points for his somewhat robotic delivery.
If you have been challenged to the ice bucket challenge, read up — or donate — at the ALS Association’s website.
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