Top pop culture moments of 2013

Miley Cyrus transformed from Hannah Montana into a
tongue-wagging Twerk Monster this year. Credit: Getty Images

Pop culture gets a bad rap, according to Metro’s gossip editor, Dorothy Robinson. Sure, it’s lowbrow (especially when Miley Cyrus decides to take her clothes off with no deference to taste or talent) and it births fame-hungry monsters (Kimye, you are a creation even Walter Winchell couldn’t dream up). Yet, the hijinks and disasters of people who fly so very high take us away from the humdrum of everyday life. Keeping up with Miley is a nice distraction from the fact that the cable bill is due. Watching Beyonce at the Super Bowl is a reminder of what is humanly possible if you have drive, talent and a whole lot of luck. And witnessing the untimely deaths of two stars reminds us that even our little lives are ones worth living. In fact, maybe we’re the lucky ones, blessed to be outside looking in — instead of the other way around.

“I didn’t put the Royal Baby on my list because I thought that fell under news. Come on: Kate Middleton should NEVER be on the same list as Miley or Kim Kardashian, even if she is engaged to Kanye West. And although Avril Lavigne marrying Chad Kroeger wasn’t earth-shaking, it was so delightfully weird that I thought it deserved a mention.” Dorothy Robinson

“People only put Paul Walker because it just, just happened, right? Did anyone actually care about Paul Walker?” Rachel Vigoda

“Not for his body of work so much as I think the world lost a really pretty face. REALLY pretty.” Tina Chadha

“I, for one, definitely had Beyonce winning the Super Bowl on my list. Nothing can stop her, not even a blackout. I don’t even remember who actually played. All I remember is the Destiny’s Child reunion and Beyonce’s black lace body suit. She wins.” Emily Laurence

“You do all know that royal gossip is a conspiracy, right? It’s something that after America won the Revolutionary War, we had to sign a concession that our major media outlets would always pretend to care about what the British royals were doing. WE MUST BREAK THE CHAIN, PEOPLE! USA! USA! USA!” Pat Healy

“I was a little worried that people would forget about Cory Monteith for a second, since we’ve all been Walkerverse for the past month. But then again, how could anyone forget that sweet voice? Those piercing eyes? That body that Lea Michele bearded for so well?” Meredith Engel

“I don’t think anything about the Kimye relationship is real. It’s part of a long-con, right? Kanye, years from now, will be like, ‘I was totally joking about that marriage and child.’” PH

“I can’t find any evidence supporting the theory that Kanye has a sense of humor; I fear he is gravely serious. We mere mortals just do not understand him.” T. Michelle Murphy

“I guess unlike other calculated ‘Look at me! I’m no longer a Disney pop princess! I’m now a woman!’ coming-out moments (see: Britney in the red pleather body suit; Christina’s suggestive ‘Genie in a Bottle’), Miley’s coming out seems raw and unpolished. She’s going more for shock value than sex appeal. Which, honestly, is slightly refreshing. Just put the tongue away, girlfriend.” DR