We may barely be more than four months into 2013, but it’s already been an eventful year for pop culture. Here’s a recap from some of the year’s biggest hits and misses so far.
THE BEST
Justin Timberlake’s comeback:
No more baggy jeans or white boy fros. Justin Timberlake has grown up, and he’s back at the top of his musical game. With an image overhaul and a throwback motif, Timberlake dropped “The 20/20 Experience” and reminded us all what we’ve been missing for the last six years.
Comebacks in general:
The comebacks didn’t stop with Justin Timberlake. “Arrested Development,” “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” Daft Punk, Fall Out Boy, “Jurassic Park,” Paramore, The Postal Service… the list goes on. It’s safe to say that comebacks are having the best year ever.
Beyoncé’s halftime show:
Bow down, indeed. With a little help from her Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé, put on the most spectacular Super Bowl halftime show in years in the Superdome this February. Unflattering photos or not, Beyoncé still reigns as queen of everything.
The Kimye baby:
Most people aren’t happy about whatever is gestating in Kim Kardashian’s uterus, but just take a moment to imagine the sheer amount of ego coalescing in that fetus. This kid is going to hit the pop culture scene like a nuclear warhead. Here’s to hoping he or she is betrothed to Will and Kate’s royal fetus already.
THE WORST
Coverage of the Boston bombing suspects:
Setting aside CNN and other news sources’ clumsy handling of the Boston bombing, for some reason entertainment outlets like “Entertainment Tonight” have decided to give the Tsarnaev brothers the celebrity treatment. They’re terrorists, not Oscar nominees. Hyping “exclusives” about them to boost ratings is disrespectful and nauseating.
“Accidental Racist” by Brad Paisley and LL Cool J:
Seriously, how did a single person along the line of this song’s production not realize that this was a horrible idea? “Accidental Racist” doesn’t seem to understand anything about racism at all. No matter what race you are, this song should offend you.
Seth MacFarlane hosting the Oscars:
No. Just, no.
“22” by Taylor Swift:
Taylor Swift wins the prize for writing the most condescending song about being in your early 20s. This multi-millionaire pop star has no idea what it’s actually like to be “feeling 22.” In case you wondered, Taylor, it’s a lot less “magical” and a lot more about staying up until 6 a.m. to finish term papers, Febreezing your clothes before you wear them, feeling awkward all the time and crying on the phone to your mom because you don’t know what to put on your résumé.
Kaci Yoder is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Baton Rouge.
