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October 19, 2005
The Chronic Curmudgeon Pop Culture Top 50: #19-#16
What does it take to get into the top 20 of the Chronic Curmudgeon list of Top Pop Culture Touchstones? Sometimes, it takes an incredible individual moment. Other times, it takes a body of work that has had lasting impact on what came after it, and has weaved its way like a meme into public consciousness. Either way, pop culture is defined by the inclusion of these top 20.
19. The Oprah Winfrey Show premieres - 1986 Other than maybe Cult Boy doing his couch jumping act, I'd be hard pressed to identify a specific moment from the Oprah Winfrey Show. But can you doubt her influence? The most prominent and powerful black person in the entertainment industry? Oscar nominated? 39 Emmys, including 9 for Outstanding Talk Show and seven for Outstanding Host? Producer behind Harpo films? Pioneer of daytime television who changed the face and direction of the genre? Founder of a book club that was largely credited with reviving a slumping publishing industry? The first -- and so far only -- billionaire black woman ever? Known by a single name the world over? Yeah, she gets on any list of pop culture touchstones.
18. The Andrew Lloyd Webber/Cameron Mackintosh musicals - 1980s - present Sure, only New York gets to see musicals on Broadway ... but traveling productions have played around the country, have shown on PBS, have been made into movies. It's hard to believe now, but the musical was virtually written off 25 years ago. But then a series of blockbuster musicals began roaring out of London and taking their place among the greatest Broadway shows ever: Cats. Evita. Les Miserables. Phantom of the Opera. Miss Saigon. Five of the biggest theater shows ever -- and all had Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cameron Mackintosh, or both as their creative forces. The music ranks among the greatest showtunes ever; their original cast recordings have sold more than 20 million copies. Not bad for a genre that was supposed to be borderline extinct. Broadway theater might not be a national cultural touchstone, but the British extravaganza musicals dominated Broadway like nothing TV, music or movies saw. They belong.
17. John Lennon shot - December 8, 1980 Easily the saddest pop culture moment of the last 25 years. (I don't count September 11 as a pop culture moment, that's history.) Not only was Lennon one of the most influential musicians in history, he also became an icon of peace and love for not only the generation that knew him first hand... but even the generations that came of age after his death. The night of December 8, 1980, the New England Patriots were playing the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.... there was no Nightline yet, nor were there 24 hour cable news networks. So it fell to Howard Cosell to break the sad news to America and to the world, in the middle of a football game. And nothing was ever the same. Thinking of that moment, it's impossible to think of the songs never written, the gentle guidance never offered, the graceful aging that never happened. It's impossible not to wonder what Lennon would have said about the excesses of the 1980s... or about the deliberate campaign of lies that led to the Iraq invasion. Lennon wasn't just a celebrity who had a cause; he lived his principles, and stands as a role model to this day. The night of his death goes on this list not just because of its crushing impact when it happened, but as a symbol of what we lost.
16. The Bronco chase - 1994 The whole OJ trial -- both then and now -- revealed deeper racial divisions than most in America wanted to admit to. The trial represents a lot more in American culture than just a trivial pop culture moment. But the event that gave the first indication of the circus it would become... now that's a pure pop culture nugget. In L.A. a car chase on TV is commonplace; but the networks carried this one nationwide. They stopped a game in the NBA finals to watch the chase. The three hour odyssey that Al Cowlings, OJ and his passport went on in the white Bronco on June 17, 1994 quickly became part of the pop culture legend. It was lampooned on late night talk shows and prime time sitcoms. And whether you thought OJ was not guilty or guilty, you have to acknowledge the Bronco chase as one of the most bizarre, and memorable, pop culture touchstones of the last 25 years.
Coming up... #15 - #12.
Comments
Lennon at #17.....makes sense. IMHO, Marley's death should be higher on your list anyway. Has the underdeveloped/developing world ever replaced his voice, passion and ability to rally the masses? Sadly not.
don't disappoint, Mudge
Posted by: Marquette Hoops at October 20, 2005 11:02 AM
I think I already know numbers 1 and 2.
You should go ahead with the greatest home runs of all time list, that will be a really fun one.
Posted by: Cuzin Jose at October 20, 2005 03:37 PM
