Intermingling pop culture and politics
Our politics is often reflected in our popular culture, and vice versa — especially in an election year. That relationship seemed closer than ever in 2016, when a TV personality was elected president, reality shows and beauty contests were referenced in presidential debates, and even a Broadway show ignited partisan sparring.
At times, it seemed like the election overshadowed everything, but of course there was more. The diversity issue again roiled Hollywood. The old-style musical made a glamorous comeback. One of Hollywood’s most scrutinized couples called it quits. And we said a series of painful goodbyes: to legendary rock stars, cinema and TV greats, and The Greatest himself. Our annual, highly selective journey down pop culture memory lane:
JANUARY
Ground Control to Major Tom: We shall miss you. The death of David Bowie cast a pall over the pop culture scene as the year began. The elegant rock star succumbed to cancer — an illness he fought in secret — just a few days after his 69th birthday and the release of his final music video, “Lazarus,” which begins with the line: “Look up here, I’m in heaven.”
FEBRUARY
A year after #OscarsSoWhite in 2015, the Oscars were . . . #SoWhiteAgain! For the second year, all 20 nominated actors were white. Meanwhile, the Super Bowl halftime show was allegedly headlined by Coldplay. But it was Beyoncé who ruled with a commanding performance of her new song, “Formation,” proving that Queen Bey is still very much among our royalty.
MARCH
The Rolling Stones performed in Cuba, a once-unthinkable event that happened a week after President Barack Obama visited the island nation. Speaking of Obama, he hosted a White House concert performance of “Hamilton,” part of a remarkable 2016 for Lin-Manuel Miranda and his rap-infused Broadway musical about founding father Alexander Hamilton. We said goodbye to Garry Shandling.
APRIL
“Hamilton” won the Pulitzer for drama (to add to a Grammy and, soon, 11 Tonys). Rock legend Prince died a shocking death at 57 of an opioid overdose, launching countless poignant tributes.
MAY
“It’s not over ’til I say it’s over,” said Bernie Sanders to Hillary Clinton, of the fight for the Democratic nomination. Actually, that’s Larry David talking to Kate McKinnon on “Saturday Night Live.” As McKinnon honed her acclaimed, manically ambitious portrayal of Clinton, Donald Trump (in real life) clinched the Republican nomination.
JUNE
The greatest is gone: Muhammad Ali died at 74 after a three-decade battle with Parkinson’s disease. It was Clinton’s turn to clinch her party’s nomination, becoming the first woman in U.S. history to lead a major party ticket. At the Tony awards, host James Corden opened with a tribute to the Orlando nightclub shooting victims, and Miranda did the same with a tearful sonnet, declaring that “love is love is love is love.”
JULY
Hollywood always turns out for Democrats, and the Democratic National Convention was no exception. Performers included Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Carole King, Demi Lovato, Boyz II Men and Paul Simon. And the retired Jon Stewart — missed by many fans in an election year — returned to late night, bearded and in a bathrobe, for an appearance with Stephen Colbert.
AUGUST
Scott Baio was the biggest celebrity at the Republican National Convention. Goodbye, Willy Wonka and Leo Bloom: Actor Gene Wilder — whose name could easily describe his famous eyes and untamed hair — died at 83 of complications of Alzheimer’s.
SEPTEMBER
The first Clinton-Trump debate drew 84 million viewers, the most ever for a U.S. presidential matchup, and yielded at least one catchy meme: The “Hillary Shimmy.” Clinton tried her hand at comedy with Zach Galifianakis on “Between Two Ferns.” Jimmy Fallon famously mussed Trumps’s hair, and was criticized for the friendly encounter. Bye Bye, Brangelina: One of the most highprofile couplings in Hollywood is over.
OCTOBER
Hello, Nasty Woman: Trump’s frustrated comment about Clinton in their third, extremely contentious debate became one of the more famous exchanges of the season, launching “nasty woman” merchandise like the “Madam President If You’re Nasty” T-shirt. We met Alec Baldwin’s Trump on “SNL.” And the candidate’s “grab ’em” comments on “Access Hollywood” emerged, sending his campaign into damage control.
NOVEMBER
Something happened in early November . . . what was it again? Meantime, let’s remember singer Leonard Cohen, dead at 82. Many found themselves singing “Hallelujah,” his much-covered ballad — including a somber McKinnon on “SNL,” a few days after the election. Baldwin reprised Trump, the real Trump settled into meetings at Trump Tower, and his vice president-elect, Mike Pence, went to “Hamilton,” where the production appealed to him directly from the stage to work on behalf of all Americans.
DECEMBER
It’s been quite a year for the musical, and not just on Broadway. “Hairspray Live!” continued the live TV musical fad. And movie audiences were enchanted by a candy-colored, old-fashioned musical ode to Tinseltown itself, “La La Land,” by young director Damien Chazelle. Finally, for those craving a little consistency in this turbulent year, it’s perhaps nice to know that December arrived bearing the same Christmas gift as it did last year: a new “Star Wars” movie.