"there is a lot of st" vs "there are a lot of st"

[Poldik]

Hello,
I'm quite puzzled about which version from the title is correct.
I've tried to search Google, both ones seem to be valid.
Thanx for help
Poldik

[MrPedantic]

Hello Poldik, welcome to UE!

Both versions may be correct. Much depends on the noun that follows "lot of", e.g.

1. There are a lot of strange people out there.

— people is plural, thus "are".

2. There is a lot of idle chitchat on the internet.

— idle chitchat is non-countable; thus "is".

MrP