The Ministry presents: Underappreciated articles of 2009

It's hard to tell which stories will catch the public's eye -- or its heart, or mind, or burning-with-rage-and-ready-to-spew-venom gut -- and in the course of doing business, a few of our favorite posts seem to have gotten lost along the way.

These have earned a soft spot with us for many reasons: We had them exclusively, they were funny, there was an interesting story behind them, or they were simply articles we thought you, dear readers, would appreciate.

Alas, as if they were tiny baby kittens trapped in a storm drain, mewling too quietly to be heard, the Web world passed them by.

So here, in no particular order, are 10 posts (OK, technically, 11) that we at the Ministry consider some rather underappreciated items from 2009: 

Secret to Bradley Cooper's 'Hangover' success? That hair: With "The Hangover," Bradley Cooper cut his leading man teeth. He'll be chomping through 2010 with his buzzed-about update to "The A-Team." "Hangover" director Todd Phillips told us he was the one who thrust Cooper into top billing with one simple command: Grow out that hair. Take note, because I suspect those long locks will be waving atop the A-list in the coming months. -- Matt Donnelly

Chelsea Handler, Jay Leno and Playboy, a magazine with naked people in it: This post is silly. The concept of the post is silly. I felt silly writing it. If you don't get it, you don't get where I'm coming from. Face it, this ain't rocket science. -- Christie D'Zurilla

'Hangover' Heather Graham: I want to be a pregnant stripper! Another tidbit from "The Hangover" ...

FIRST LOOK: Your national hangover day PSA from Todd Phillips

Always a day of electrolytes, leftover roast beast and many aspirin, the filmmakers behind 2009's comedy hit "The Hangover" want you to know — they're here for you and your murderous day after New Year's Eve.

The flick has just launched a mini-site to mark Jan. 1 — what they're dubbing National Hangover Day, when users the world over can submit cries of dehydration, lost cellphones, black eyes and 3 a.m. fast-food runs via Twitter. 

Director Todd Phillips, who is prepping the sequel to the laugher starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha and Zach Galifianakis, even makes a public service announcement marking the day, which the Ministry is glad to bring you exclusively. 

Check out the site, and to participate in National Hangover Day, include "#hangoverday" in your tweets!

— Matt Donnelly

Video Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment

Related The Hangover Posts from The Ministry of Gossip

Secret to Bradley Cooper's 'Hangover' success? That hair

'Hangover' Heather Graham: I want to be a pregnant stripper!

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'Hangover' Heather Graham: I want to be a pregnant stripper!

Take note, filmmakers for "The Hangover 2" -- Heather Graham's got some ideas, mainly involving pole work with a baby bump.

I chatted with Graham as she prepped for Thursday's big Las Vegas bash celebrating the Dec. 15 DVD release of "The Hangover," which she stars in with Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis.

In the blockbuster comedy, Graham plays Jade, a stripper and mom to a newborn who hooks up with the reserved Stu, played by Ed Helms. 

For the sequel, she thinks Jade should should conceive another little one with her new love -- but maintain her exciting profession.

"I'd like to see her stay a stripper. I think she should get pregnant with Stu's baby and do a pregnant striptease!" Graham said. "Just something totally wrong."

That's pretty up there in the "wrong" department.

The sequel to director Todd Phillips' hit has yet to be written, but in the meantime, Graham got to de-glam for the upcoming flick "Father of Invention."

The actress plays "an angry butch lesbian," she said, alongside Kevin Spacey. Her costume required nothing near the push-up bras and layered gloss of "The Hangover."

"I had no makeup, they didn't do anything to my hair, I wore a baggy white T-shirt, no high heels. I was like, 'This is great.' Everyone else was in makeup for hours."

-- Matt Donnelly

Photo: Heather Graham hits the Cirque du Soleil opening night gala in L.A. in October. Credit: Kristian Dowling / Getty Images

Want the headlines? Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Facebook and Twitter (we're @LATcelebs on Twitter).

Plus we just got a brand new address on Facebook -- you can find us easily at facebook.com/ministryofgossip.