A sampling of what Americans elevated to No. 1 in 2002:

• Movie: “Spider-Man,” tormented comic-book hero scores big.
• Hardcover books: Fiction: “The Summons,” a John Grisham mystery; nonfiction: “Self Matters — Creating Your Life From the Inside Out,” advice from “Oprah” regular Phillip C. McGraw; Christian — “The Remnant: On the Brink of Armageddon,” post-apocalyptic visions by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins.
• TV show: “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” the dead speak.
• Albums: Overall sales: “The Eminem Show,” Eminem, rants and raves; country: “Drive,” Alan Jackson, down-home truths and patriotic musings; hard rock: “Weathered,” Creed, pop metal with a messianic front man; classical: “Sentimento,” Andrea Bocelli, love songs.
• Singles: Overall sales: “Before Your Love,” Kelly Clarkson, pop bonbons; R&B: “Uh Huh,” B2K, seductive harmonies; rap: “Lights Camera Action,” Mr. Cheeks, sexual braggadocio with a beat.
• Video game: “Grand Theft Auto 3″/”Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” — Western civilization’s low end.
• Wheels: Passenger car: Toyota Camry, dependability for the masses; light passenger vehicle: Ford F-Series pickup, a perennial.
• Plays: Broadway: “The Producers,” Mel Brooks redux; regional theaters: “Proof,” David Auburn’s numbers game.
• Art show: “Van Gogh and Gauguin: The Studio of the South,” Art Institute of Chicago.
• Toy: LeapPad Books, interactive electronic library for tots.
• Video: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the boy wizard returns.