The 10 most anticipated pop culture moments of 2014
theGRIO REPORT - Checkout the top 10 most anticipated moment in pop culture to look forward to in 2014..
Without question, 2013 was a whirlwind of a year in pop culture.
Beyoncé lip-synched the National Anthem at President Obama’s inauguration; weeks later performed a dynamic Super Bowl half-time show, and rounded off the year by dropping a surprise album. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian gave birth to a child they actually named North West. Oprah Winfrey returned to the big screen for the first time in 15 years in Lee Daniels’ The Butler. Miley Cyrus brought twerking to the masses, and Chris Brown…. well let’s just say he didn’t go away.
And 2014 looks just as exciting. Here at the top 10 pop culture moments to look forward to this year.
1. Oprah turns 60-years-old
January 29, the queen of all media turns 60-years-old, and reportedly planning a birthday bash that will go down in the history books. The celebration is said to include performances by Beyoncé and Tina Turner. The Obamas, Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Julia Roberts, and Oprah’s best fraid Gail King are all rumored to be on the invite list.
Winfrey discussed the prospect of turning 60 on a CBS This Morning segment in the summer, saying she’s always wanted to “own it. … Because you think of what you thought 60 was and what you imagine 60 to be. But this is how I live my life: I think about all the people that didn’t make it. … I think to be able to claim that number, to own it. Bring it on!” she said.
Her birthday wish? To have the “biggest blowout party I can dream of.”
2. Bruno Mars performs at the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show
Super Bowl XLVIII (48) will be broadcast live from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. February 2. “Locked Out Of Heaven” singer Bruno Mars will headline as the halftime show performer.
Madonna’s 2012 performance currently ranks as the most watched event in U.S. television history, with over 114 million viewers tuning in. Beyonce’s 2013 performance attracted 110.5 million.
Needless to say Bruno Mars has his work cut out for him.
3. Golden Globes and Academy Awards
The 71st Golden Globe Awards will be hosted by Amy Poehler and Tina Fey and broadcasted live Jan 12, 2014 on NBC.
2013 was a banner year for black film, and Hollywood critics are taking notice. This year a historic number of eight black stars have received nominations in major categories for the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Award nominations and ceremony is just around the corner.
4. Jimmy Fallon and The Roots take over The Tonight Show
Jimmy Fallon will take the reins of the Tonight Show from Jay Leno on Feb. 17. His departure from Late Night has Seth Meyers leaving the SNL’s Weekend Update Desk to take over for Fallon on Feb. 24.
Questlove and The Roots, along with the rest of the Fallon crew are gearing up for the move to The Tonight Show.
5. Kerry Washington becomes a mother/Scandal season 3 finale
Last year’s season finale of ABC’s Scandal was the most-watched telecast ever, and this year we can probably expect the same for the season 3 finale.
Weeks ago ABC announced that the ever-twisting third season of Scandal was being shortened from 22 episodes to 18, leaving die-hard fans of the series outraged.
Many assume that ABC cut the season short due to Kerry Washington’s real-life pregnancy. The Golden Globe nominated actress has a reported spring due date.
6. Saturday Night Live to add an African-American woman to the show’s cast
According to The Hollywood Reporter NBC’s Saturday Night Live will add a black female member to their cast this month. SNL has faced mounting pressure from critics about the lack of a black female cast member, a topic that the show addressed on a recent episode hosted by Kerry Washington.
With cast member Seth Meyers exiting in 2014 to host Late Night, there’s an opening for a new player.
7. The return of Orange Is the New Black
Season 1 of the dark comedy-drama Orange Is the New Black was first released on Netflix July 11, 2013. Since then, the series has taken on a life of its own, sparking discussions around prison culture, diversity, and how LGBTQ characters are depicted on TV and in film.
A new season of the critically acclaimed series will be released on Netflix later this year.
8. A Raisin in the Sun returns to Broadway
Lorraine Hansberry’s Tony winning play, A Raisin In The Sun, is being revived once again on Broadway. This time the show features an all-star cast including Oscar winner Denzel Washington, Diahann Carroll (who’s making her first Broadway appearance in 30 years), Sophie Okonedo, and Tony-winner Anika Noni Rose.
A Rasin in the Sun will be the hottest ticket in town this Spring. Previews for the show begin March 18.
9. Think Like a Man Too comes to theaters
In 2012 the romantic comedy Think Like a Man created a roar in Hollywood, bringing $95 million dollars at the box office, meanwhile costing only $12.5 million to make. The film arguably helped to usher in the new wave of black ensemble romantic comedies like Baggage Claim and The Best Man Holiday which had considerable success last year.
Think Like a Man Too hits theaters June 20.
10. Kim and Kanye’s wedding
Kanye has already said that he and Kim would get married sometime in the summer and he’s made no secret that it will be a huge deal. Reports have been widely circulated that the couple have set their sights at having their wedding at France’s famed Palace of Versailles.
One thing is certain, Kim and Kanye won’t be planning their wedding on a budget, so expect an opulent affair.
Follow Chris Witherspoon on Twitter for more entertainment news at @WitherspoonC
