The entertainment world certainly gave the rest of the world plenty to talk about in 2003.
Reality television seemed stronger than ever. The film industry gave us the conclusion of two of the most highly regarded trilogies since "The Godfather." And, of course, celebrity antics kept us all on the edge of our seats and our mouths agape as we stood in the checkout line at the grocery store.
2004 definitely has its work cut out for it to top the events of 2003. Here's how that just might happen.
2003: Ashton Kutcher grows in popularity seemingly by the moment. He becomes a fixture of teen magazines and award ceremony red carpets everywhere. Kutcher starts dating Demi Moore and concludes the MTV series "Punk'd" after two successful seasons. The sky seems to be the limit for this Iowa native.
2004: The sky comes crashing down on Kutcher when Hollywood reveals to him that his entire career has been one very intricate practical joke. He is fired from the cast of "That '70s Show." Moore dumps him. Kutcher flees back to Iowa, constantly repeating the phrase: "I'm Ashton Kutcher. I'm awesome."
2003: While their music careers don't exactly take off during the year, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey find fame with their MTV reality series "Newlyweds." Simpson reaffirms the theory that it is OK to be a ditz as long as you look good in a bikini by pondering such things as whether Chicken of the Sea tuna is actually chicken or fish.
2004: Simpson and Lachey announce that they will soon be parents. Simpson says she is excited that she will be getting a visit from the stork. Lachey explains to her how babies are really made, and Simpson cries for hours.
2003: Snoop Dogg's unique brand of "izzle" speech is on the lips of almost everyone. If this keeps up, the word "shizzle" will soon makes its way into Webster's Dictionary.
2004: When asked if he expects to be re-elected, President George W. Bush replies, "Fa shizzle dizzle." The trend is officially declared dead.
2003: Britney Spears and Madonna shock the world with an open-mouth, girl-on-girl kiss at the MTV Video Music Awards. Male jaws everywhere drop, and the event becomes possibly the most replayed moment of the year.
2004: Not to be outdone by his ex-girlfriend, Justin Timberlake shares a kiss with Michael Jackson at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards. Jaws everywhere drop, and then toilets everywhere are filled with vomit.
2003: Thanks to the charisma of its stars, the Fab Five, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" becomes a runaway hit. The term metrosexual enters into the American lexicon as straight men become more comfortable with manicures, exfoliation and interior design. Everyone wants to look fabulous.
2004: America decides it has had enough of the Fab Five and a movement forms to counter all of its teachings. Men and women alike begin to embrace sweat pants, stubble and garage sale furniture. No one looks fabulous, but everyone seems to be extremely comfortable.
2003: Two of Hollywood's most popular and profitable franchises of recent memory, "The Matrix" and "The Lord of the Rings," both conclude their trilogies. "The Matrix" sequels are viewed by fans as fairly disappointing, while most followers of "The Lord of the Rings" saga are enthused by Frodo's final chapter. No matter what the reaction, the films make good where it counts: at the box office.
2004: Seeing the following that these films created in the modern marketplace, studios begin searching for the next story they can turn into a trilogy. A studio decides to try its hand at turning summer 2003 hit "Seabiscuit" into a trilogy. The second film follows the fantastic horse's career as a stud, while the final film explains what happens to Seabiscuit after his death. Glue and dog food sales both take a hit.
2003: The whirlwind romance of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez is the talk of Tinsel Town. Things start to unravel when the duo's film "Gigli" completely bombs. After that, a suspected marriage is apparently canceled. The two stop being Hollywood's "it" couple, and it appears that true love has once again eluded Lopez.
2004: Affleck's career continues to spiral out of control, and he loses all his pull as a leading man. He stars in a sitcom about an average-looking guy from Boston who somehow fools everyone into thinking he's a good actor. It is replaced at mid-season. As for Lopez, she marries a music label CEO, then a professional athlete, and then a male model. None of the marriages lasts more than two months.
2003: Although fewer than 20 years in the past, the 1980s enjoy a resurgence in popularity. Fluorescent-colored clothing and bangle bracelets are everywhere. Care Bears and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles make comebacks. A whole new group of listeners discover Billy Idol and Boy George.
2004: The 1990s, although fewer than five years in the past, make a noticeable return to pop culture. Flannel shirts and Doc Martens are everywhere. Beanie Babies and original PlayStation make comebacks. A whole new group of listeners discover Kurt Cobain and Ace of Base.
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