My top 10 favorite pop culture moments of the year
As told by tweets in no particular order, except for #1.
This year was an ever-flowing content waterfall. There were more reality shows than months of the year, more Taylor Swift-related headlines than minutes in The Eras Tour Movie, and more Bravo scandals than political scandals (debatable).
Without further ado, someone who dedicates her life to what’s going on, not only in the world around her but on her phone as well, here are my top ten favorite pop culture moments of the year.
Angie K from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
I’ve previously discussed the trouble I think The Real Houswives franchises are facing. The RHONY Reboot kind of flopped towards the end, I’m sick and tired of Kyle Richards, and if Melissa and Teresa are on the same season this year of RHONJ, I may have to not watch at all. Then, our ladies of Salt Lake City returned, and our prayers were answered by the Greek Don—Angie K. From her pink poodle to insanely large sunglasses, Angie K came into the franchise and made a real change, charged by delusion and new money.
The Queer Ultimatum
I’ve spoken at length also about how awesome Netfix reality shows are, particularly the ones about dating. The Queer Ultimatum is one of my favorite shows ever watched with my roommates and I. It had love triangles. It had narcissism. It had twists and turns, and it did not have Vanessa or Nick Lachey. What more could we have asked for?
The Eras Tour
This would not have made the list if I had not been able to attend. But selfishly, because I flew thousands of miles for it, I have to mention The Eras Tour. I stayed up at night, watching shaky TikTok lives, hoping and praying that “Right Where You Left Me” or “Your On Your Own Kid” wouldn’t be played as surprise songs (they both were the week before I went), refreshing my Twitter feed to see which celebrities were attending, and counting down the days to August 3rd to when it would be my time. I will tell my children about it, and then their children, and then their children, all about the time their great grandmother saw “Our Song” live. Also, the movie was filmed at my show, so I can relive it forever.
The Beckham Renaissance
Not to sound like a total pick-me, but I do love a sports documentary. And, when that sports documentary is partially about an international pop sensation-turned fashion designer, alongside some unbeatable lewks, I’m hooked. I was really happy to see that David Beckham is such a genuinely nice person, and his banter with Posh (aka Victoria), alongside their love story was the perfect storm. We needed them.
Scandoval
Although this topic goes beyond just beating a dead horse, when it originally happened, I will always remember where I was and how I felt. The absolute shock of Tom being even capable of doing something like this, mixed with the years and seasons of Vanderpump Rules packed with events that only fueled such vitriol, it truly brought all Bravo fans together for months on end. I cared about this season finale more than most things in my personal life occurring concurrently.
The Barbie Movie
I genuinely believe the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon sparked an interest and drive to the movie theatre that was lost on most people. Nothing makes me happier than settling into a lysol-wiped recliner somewhere in lower or upper Manhattan, ready to watch literally anything because I love the movie theatre so much, but I know a lot of people who did not go as often as they do now before that July release date. Besides amazing content, a thrilling press tour, and memes that will live on forever, Greta Gerwig made us all feel giddy again to get back into the theaters, and we have no choice but to salute her.
Trisha Paytas’ Ninth Life
As a lover of the internet for my entire life, Trisha Paytas has been a part of almost all of that. It all began as blndsundoll4mj on YouTube, crying on her kitchen floor, binge eating every fast food chain on the Hollywood Strip, getting in a toxic relationship with Jason Nash and internet battle with Jeffree Star and Shane Dawson. After her final battle on the podcast Frenemies, I never thought I would see Trish experience a win. After defying the odds, seeing Trisha be the mother that she is to Malibu Barbie, making silly TikToks pretending to be a Starbucks Barista, it brings genuine joy to me as someone who’s seen it all.
The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski Trial
What can I say, I love a celebrity trial. And when it involves one of my favorite celebrities of all time, I’m guaranteed to be tuned in. I still find myself ironically saying “I wish you well”.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
For her second appearance in this roundup, Time’s Person of the Year and her new boyfriend have brought me unmatched joy in the second half of this year. As Swifties, we’ve been around for a lot of BS when it comes to our girl’s dating life. This year alone, we had to suffer through Matty Healy. I’ve previously discussed this on here, but Travis Kelce is the saving grace we all needed. They are America. They are of the times. And I don’t care what any Brads, Chads, and Dads have to say!
Succession’s Final Season
It crossed my mind how much I missed Succession upon reflection of the top pop culture moments of the year. It’s hard for me to pinpoint my favorite show of all time, but every time I try, this definitely is hard to top. Logging onto my Max account every Sunday at 9 pm, waiting with bated breath to see what was going to go down on a show that, soup to nuts, is really just a bunch of corporate jargon and ultra-rich brats trying to prove themselves in a world they had no idea about, is joy I fear I will never experience again. Following along the final season on Twitter each night—we were truly a part of something special. I give a nod to every ludicrously captious bag I pass.
Cheers to a year full of nonstop pop-cultural moments for me to write about. I’m truly scared to see what 2024 has in store!