The year 2024 presented a peculiar sense of familiarity, echoing past trends and events. The political landscape saw a familiar figure rise to power, established music acts graced festival stages, and a nostalgic yearning for outdated aesthetics resurfaced in social media circles. However, interspersed within this recurrence were unexpected stories of second chances, individuals and trends experiencing a resurgence after perceived setbacks or obscurity. Whether viewed as a comeback, a redemption arc, or simply a case of "deja vu all over again," 2024 proved to be a year marked by significant returns to the forefront of public consciousness.
The Menendez Brothers
Long before the O.J. Simpson trial dominated headlines, the Menendez brothers were the focus of national scrutiny. Accused of murdering their wealthy parents, their case was heavily sensationalized and led to their imprisonment in the mid-1990s. However, recent interest in justice reform, particularly among younger generations, has led to a re-examination of their case through various mediums such as Netflix docuseries and a fictionalized Ryan Murphy television series. This renewed interest has allowed for a nuanced perspective that emphasizes the complexities of their situation, resulting in a strong advocacy base. As a result of this reevaluation, a Los Angeles county superior judge is considering to free the brothers, an ending that was once seen as improbable when they were initially tried.
Sex and the City
The popular series, Sex and the City, debuted on Netflix in the spring of 2024. Many questioned whether the show’s content, which was originally created nearly 25 – years-ago, would resonate with Gen Z audiences. Contrary to expectations, the show was widely embraced, with many younger female viewers expressing that the show resonated more deeply than they had anticipated. The show’s depiction of the complexities of female friendships, despite being 25 years old, appeared to provide a sense of comfort during a time when many are experiencing a societal loneliness epidemic. The show’s depiction of a tight-knit group of female friends provides an aspirational narrative for many young women, offering an alternative to the ubiquitous social media-fueled loneliness epidemic.
Cryptocurrency
Despite enduring volatility and generating polarizing opinions, cryptocurrency has maintained its presence in the cultural landscape. The fluctuating values of Bitcoin, Ethereum, other currencies and NFTs have made it an unreliable form of investment. Yet, the topic refuses to disappear from discussions, achieving increasing visibility as influential figures, such as the U.S. president-elect, who wants to make America a "bitcoin superpower", and Elon Musk, founder of the fictional "Department of Government Efficiency (Doge)," advocate for its broader adoption. As instances such as the emergence of "fartcoin", a memecoin that reached a market capitalization of $1 billion, are being reported across mainstream media outlets, it confirms that the concept of cryptocurrencies seem here to stay.
Millennials
Millennials have often faced criticism from both older and younger generations. Their experiences reaching early adulthood during the recession, with many moving back in with their parents, and being mocked for perceived "uncoolness" such as side parts and "TikTok pauses", have led to negative representations. In 2024, it appeared that the pendulum finally swung in their favor. The resurgence of side-parts acceptance , improved financial opportunities, and a shift away from the constant blame they have been receiving led to a more positive outlook on this generational cohort. This was especially apparent in the election results where the spotlight was removed from millennials that did not appear to be taking the brunt of the blame for its outcome, unlike previous years.
Katt Williams
After a period of relative absence from the spotlight, Katt Williams experienced a significant resurgence in 2024. A three-hour long interview generated widespread online attention, where Williams candidly addressed professional grievances and offered insights on the entertainment industry. The interview served as a catalyst for his return, resulting in a Netflix comedy special and a role in a movie slated for a January theater release. The impact this interview had on the public conversation, especially surrounding conversations about P Diddy and his "empire collapse", solidified Katt Wiliams return as a cultural force.
Cat Ladies
What was intended as a derogatory term, describing supporters of Kamala Harris as "childless cat ladies," was quickly embraced and reclaimed as a message of empowerment. This sentiment was popularized, and the phrase was recontextualized as a sign of pride. The term went mainstream in the wake of the new political context, which resulted in the wide spread sales of related merchandise and other online support. This shift transformed a previously negative stereotype into a symbol of identity and self-acceptance. Cat owners had their moment in the sun.
Roasts
The concept of celebrity roasts, previously considered an outmoded form of comedy, experienced a unexpected comeback. This revival was propelled by numerous events in the past year, including the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, political rallies, and most notably, Tom Brady’s Netflix roast, which garnered higher viewership than stand-up specials by leading comedians. This phenomenon suggests that the roast, albeit a classic art form, has maintained its relevance through the modern times. The year’s entertainment circuit was finally rounded with a roast of 2024, hosted by the legendary Jeff Ross, highlighting the format’s success.
Rats
Following a statement from a New York City sanitation commissioner, claiming that city rats did not control the city, these pests enjoyed an unexpected resurgence in popularity. The "hot rodent boyfriend" meme, utilized to describe men reminiscent of Stuart Little, created an unexpected popular cultural narrative and a different perspective to the pest-like creatures. At the same time, New York held its first National Urban Rat Summit, acknowledging the city’s ongoing struggle with its large rodent population. The duality of this rodent narrative proved the pests to be both reviled and celebrated in 2024.
Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series
After multiple consecutive years in the playoffs, the Los Angeles Dodgers finally achieved a definitive victory in the World Series. The team had reached the World Series twice in 2017 and 2018 only to lose both. Although they did win in 2020 during a much shorter, Covid-altered season, the victory celebration was limited to virtual fan cutouts. This year, they achieved victory by defeating the New York Yankees head-to-head. This victory was followed by a large city parade, allowing the community to finally celebrate and fully commemorate the win. An estimated 200,000 people attended, affirming it was an historical moment in time.
Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson, previously in his post-fight career and in the fields of podcasting and tech, returned to the spotlight after being challenged by Jake Paul, a YouTuber turned boxer. This match gained a significant amount of attention with 120 million viewers logging in on Netflix. While the actual fight did not result in the expected intensity, with Paul showing restraint, Tyson still earned an estimated $20 million for the event. His return highlights a cultural phenomenon that sees former sports giants reemerge as cultural entities years after their original fame.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Following her release from prison at the end of 2023, Gypsy Rose Blanchard became a point of cultural fascination in 2024. Her activities, including gaining millions of followers on Instagram, trips to Paris Fashion Week, starring in a docuseries, and making public comments about her marriage created much interest. She then decided to withdraw from the public eye, deleting her social media as she went through a divorce. She quickly returned to social media, documenting a rekindled relationship with an old prison pen pal and publishing a memoir, continuing her reign as a cultural force in the year.
Conclusion
2024 emerged as a year of notable comebacks and second chances, with individuals and trends re-emerging into public awareness. This pattern, observed across different sectors, suggests a human tendency to revisit and re-evaluate existing narratives and cultural phenomena; whether it be in the form of historical events, fashion trends, or a cultural reassessment on societal norms. It points to an ongoing dialogue between past and present, underscoring cultural cycles of re-evaluation. This year’s recurring theme of "deja vu," combined with surprising resurgences, serves as a reminder of the fluidity of cultural landscapes and the ever-evolving narratives that capture public imagination.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What made the Menendez brothers’ case resurface in 2024?
A: It was largely due to popular interest in true crime documentaries, that brought up conversations on justice reform and the nuances of their case, that were not taken into consideration in their original trial.
Q: Why was Sex and the City successful with Gen Z viewers?
A: The show’s portrayal of enduring female friendships and the relatable aspect of the characters’ lives resonated during a time of heightened discussions of loneliness among younger demographics.
Q: How did cryptocurrency maintain relevance amidst its volatility?
A: The continued support and promotion of cryptocurrency by influential figures is the main reason for its longevity in the cultural and political sphere despite economic instability.
Q: What drove the shift in perception of millennials?
A: Millennials saw some long-awaited positive change in the cultural sphere, especially surrounding politics and shifting fashion opinions and new understanding of their complicated economic situations.
Q: Why did Katt Williams experience a resurgence in popularity?
A: A candid interview gave Katt Williams the perfect stage to speak his truth, that was quickly shared across social media, bringing him back to prominence.
Q: How did "cat ladies" become a symbol of pride?
A: The term, initially intended as an insult, was embraced and reclaimed as a symbol of female empowerment and independence, driven largely by sociopolitical events.
Q: Why did roasts become popular again?
A: The events highlighted in the text brought the roast back to a popular and visible platform, proving the format was still as popular as it ever was.
Q: What contributed to the renewed interest in rats?
A: The "hot rat," and the rat character’s dual existence as an object of revulsion and a meme drove the conversations about this rodent, combined with a focus on the city’s major infestation issue.
Q: What led to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series victory celebrations?
A: An official head-to-head win over a rival team, as opposed to their partial Covid victory, allowed the team and its fans to finally experience a traditional parade and celebration after many years of hard work.
Q: What sparked Mike Tyson’s return to boxing?
A: The professional engagement by Jake Paul created the public arena for Tyson’s comeback and allowed him to achieve another level of public fandom.
Q: Why did Gypsy Rose Blanchard become a point of interest after prison release?
A: Her unique situation and unexpected rise to social media stardom created much media attention and subsequent public interest.
References
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Fortune Magazine
CBS News
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