Starcasm’s top five posts of 2013

As the year draws to a close, we thought it would be fun to look back on our biggest posts of 2013 based on the total number of hits — and what a range there is! We also provide insight on what gave the posts leverage in terms of search engine optimization.

#5: Meet Catfish star Max Joseph’s wife, Priscila Joseph

This July post — which also addresses whether Max Joseph is gay — got steady views whenever an episode of Catfish came on the air. It helped that we were the first site to reveal Max is married: “For someone who makes a career of exposing personal truths, Max remains surprisingly discreet when it comes to his own relationship… Unfortunately for all those fan girls and guys (and anyone aspiring to try to catfish him), Max is officially off the market: He is married to an adorable Brazilian fashion blogger, Priscila Joseph.”

#4: Update on Slade Smiley’s son Grayson’s brain tumor prognosis

Although Grayson wasn’t often featured on Real Housewives of Orange County, fans were still interested in learning how he was doing in his battle against Diffuse Fibrillary Astrocytoma. In this April post, we explained Grayson was recovering from major surgery in Fall 2012. At the time, mom Michelle Arroyo said: “I am in perpetual motion tending to his care, getting all of his rehabilitation therapies, supplies and keeping all of his medical needs moving forward. But the best part of everything is that Gray, for the first time in years, does not have pain in his head.”

Since then, Grayson’s continued treatment for his cancer. He still has a tracheostomy and is wheelchair-bound, but is in great spirits.

“We are home from the hospital and hopefully will not have to go back until next year,” Michelle said last week.

#3: Mindy McCready’s boyfriend (and father to her son) David Wilson found dead

This January post included background on Mindy and David’s relationship. We also relayed his official cause of death, a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Tragically, this post got a boost one month later when Mindy committed suicide.

#2: Farrah Abraham sex tape video leaks

Not only was Farrah Abraham Google’s most-searched reality star of 2013, but this May post was on the very front range of her peak Google search week. We later updated it was a transcript from Farrah’s full video with James Deen.

#1: Duck Dynasty’s Si Robertson’s wife Christine Robertson

In terms of overall dominance, the Robertson family from Duck Dynasty ruled the year from beginning to end. (“Duck Dynasty Family Album: Willie and Korie Robertson’s five kids” was our actual top post, but was disqualified from this list because it was published on Dec. 28, 2012.)

This January post revealed rarely seen photos of Silas Robertson’s wife, Christine Robertson.

“Although you wouldn’t know it from watching the show, Si has at least one more very important role: husband. That’s right, Si’s married to Christine Robertson, and has been for many years.”

What are your favorite posts from the past year?