By Alexander Stone
The year 2006 was a remarkable one for pop culture, as it witnessed the rise and fall of many celebrities, trends, and phenomena. From music and movies to TV and internet, 2006 had something for everyone to enjoy, discuss, or criticise. Here are some of the highlights of 2006 pop culture that made it a year to remember.
Music: The Soundtrack of 2006
Music was a dominant force in 2006, as it shaped the mood and identity of many people. Some of the most popular genres of the year were pop, rock, hip hop, and R&B, with artists such as Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Nelly Furtado, Shakira, and Gnarls Barkley topping the charts. Some of the most memorable songs of 2006 were:
- SexyBack by Justin Timberlake: The lead single from his second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, was a catchy and provocative dance-pop song that introduced a new sound and style for Timberlake. The song was a huge hit, reaching number one in several countries and winning a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
- Crazy by Gnarls Barkley: The debut single from the duo of producer Danger Mouse and singer CeeLo Green was a soulful and psychedelic song that blended elements of rock, hip hop, and funk. The song was widely acclaimed, earning a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance and being named the best song of the year by Rolling Stone magazine.
- Hips Don’t Lie by Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean: The Colombian singer and the Haitian rapper collaborated on this upbeat and infectious Latin pop song that showcased Shakira’s distinctive vocals and dance moves. The song was a global smash, becoming the best-selling single of 2006 and breaking the record for the most radio plays in a single week in the US.
Movies: The Blockbusters and the Bombs of 2006
Movies were another major source of entertainment and controversy in 2006, as they offered a variety of genres and themes for different audiences. Some of the most successful and acclaimed movies of the year were:
- The Departed by Martin Scorsese: The crime thriller, based on the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, starred Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg as cops and mobsters in Boston. The movie was a critical and commercial success, earning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Scorsese.
- Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan by Sacha Baron Cohen: The mockumentary comedy, featuring the British comedian as a fictional Kazakh journalist who travels across the US, was a cultural phenomenon that sparked laughter and outrage. The movie was a surprise hit, grossing over $260 million worldwide and earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
- The Da Vinci Code by Ron Howard: The mystery thriller, based on the best-selling novel by Dan Brown, starred Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou as a symbologist and a cryptologist who unravel a conspiracy involving the Catholic Church and the Holy Grail. The movie was a box office sensation, grossing over $750 million worldwide, but also a critical flop, receiving harsh reviews and protests from religious groups.
TV: The Shows that Captivated and Divided 2006
TV was another influential medium in 2006, as it provided a range of shows that appealed to different tastes and preferences. Some of the most popular and acclaimed shows of the year were:
- Lost by J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Carlton Cuse: The drama, about a group of plane crash survivors who struggle to survive on a mysterious island, was one of the most watched and discussed shows of the year, as it featured complex characters, intriguing mysteries, and shocking twists. The show won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama.
- The Office by Greg Daniels: The comedy, based on the British series of the same name, starred Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and Rainn Wilson as employees of a dysfunctional paper company. The show was a critical and commercial success, earning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy for Carell.
- American Idol by Simon Fuller: The reality competition, featuring aspiring singers who compete for a recording contract and fame, was the most watched show of the year, as it attracted millions of viewers and voters. The show also launched the careers of several stars, such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson.
Internet: The Trends and the Memes of 2006
The internet was another powerful force in 2006, as it created and spread many trends and memes that influenced and amused many people. Some of the most notable and viral examples of 2006 internet culture were:
- YouTube: The video-sharing platform, founded in 2005, exploded in popularity in 2006, as it allowed anyone to upload, watch, and share videos online. Some of the most viewed and shared videos of the year were Evolution of Dance by Judson Laipply, Charlie Bit My Finger by Harry and Charlie Davies-Carr, and Lazy Sunday by The Lonely Island.
- MySpace: The social networking site, founded in 2003, peaked in popularity in 2006, as it became the most visited website in the US and the world. The site enabled users to create and customize their own profiles, blogs, photos, music, and friends. Some of the most famous and influential MySpace users of the year were Tila Tequila, Soulja Boy, and Colbie Caillat.
- Snakes on a Plane: The action thriller, starring Samuel L. Jackson as an FBI agent who has to deal with a plane full of venomous snakes, became an internet sensation before its release, as it generated a huge amount of hype and fan-made content. The movie’s title and Jackson’s line “I have had it with these motherfing snakes on this motherfing plane!” became iconic and meme-worthy.
