Many of you may look back on the year and remember the politics, war and most recently, the weather.

However on the other side of these issues, was an unfailing distraction, the entertainment business.

The best of television, music and movies kept us coming back for more in 2005.

TV:  Television was a force to be reckoned with in 2005, launching a variety of shows to satisfy even the pickiest of viewer’s tastes.

For drama there was the ever present “24” which followed Special Agent Jack Bauer through another day of nail-biting suspense and near-death experiences. The show never disappoints, only audiences might wonder what happened to those 24 hours of their own lives.

For comedy, the cast of “Desperate Housewives” has swept Americans off of their feet. The show surged with scandal, sex and sabotage, leaving audiences wanting a change of address to Wisteria Lane.

For the reality-show junkies MTV returned with another season of “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County” which captivated viewers, whether you admit to watching it or not. The teens encountered the same problems you did in high school: prom dates, gossip and relationships that expire after graduation.

Music: Although sales were down for music in 2005, it does not mean choices were not out there.

One of the year’s biggest artists was Kanye West, who luckily never finished the college career that has inspired two number one records, his most recent being “Late Registration.”

American Idol’s darling, Kelly Clarkson, was another power player in 2005 with the hits of “Breakaway” climbing the charts. Her major hit “Since U Been Gone” highlights a punk side of Clarkson with strong guitars and vibrant vocals.

Country-Rock singer, Ryan Adams found time to release three albums this year. “Cold Roses,” “Jacksonville City Nights” and “29” were timely albums released so close together even fans had a hard time keeping up.

Movies and Gossip: As big as the movies were in 2005, what was going on off screen proved to be equally important to those who ransack local magazine racks.

More noted than the charming plot of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” in which a suburban couple realizes their next target as hired killers is each other, was the chemistry between leads Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt on and off screen. Later they became a victim of joined names and are now referred to as Brangelina.

“Batman Begins” a film in which audiences learn the past of their hero Bruce Wayne played by Christian Bale and co-starring Katie Holmes. Yet again, the better part of this movie was the off-screen romance between Holmes and fiancé Tom Cruise, later to be named Tomcat. 

 

 

Carson Huffstutter is a senior journalism major from Monroe and serves as a news editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to ceh017@latech.edu