Entertainment
Google's Top Searches of 2013 & 10 Surprising Facts from This Zeitgeist Report
Drumroll please, the 13th annual Google Zeitgeist Report is out! What’s that you say? GOOGLE IT. I jest, I jest. Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like, a list of the most-used search terms and queries over the past year. It’s quite the barometer for what was the buzziest buzz in the pop culture stratosphere. Paul Walker, Nelson Mandela, Cory Monteith, the Royal Baby, iPhone 5s, Boston Marathon, and North Korea were amongst the top-searched items on Google. However, Miley Cyrus was the most-searched person of 2013, and before I dive into a rant about what that says about the world in which we live, let’s continue with some more of the most-Googled celebs, movies, TV shows and events.
More of the biggets “hits” (Internet pun!): Iron Man 3, Man of Steel, Despicable Me 2, Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black, Game of Thrones, Jobs, Downton Abbey, and The Great Gatsby and more. Shockingly, Beyonce’s new album didn’t even crack the top 10’s...but there are still two weeks left of the year. Get on that, Beyhive.
And after going through the Zeitgeist Report, I decided to do some Googling of my own on these pop cultural phenomenons of 2013. Needless to say, I fell down the Internet rabbit-hole and came through with some pretty interesting factoids. Take a look.
Miley Cyrus
The Twerkgeist of 2013 shares the same birthday as Snooki. Let’s hope that collaboration never happens.
The Royal Baby
The Royal Baby didn’t even need a legal last name because he’s so royal. Since ‘lil George comes with the title HRH Prince, his parents didn’t have to choose a last name. The choices: Mountbatten-Windsor, Wales or Cambridge. His full name: His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge. You sir, are a mouthful.
Harlem Shake
It’s not just a YouTube phenomenon, it’s also the name of a New York City burger joint with an afroed woman winking at you on their homepage. Their marketing works: I am seriously jonesing for a burger and shake right now.
'Man of Steel'
Superman’s costume is an undergarment! Man, those Mormon onsesies have NOTHING on this.
What is Twerking?
I went to England’s most trusted (lies!) news source METRO: “It’s this thing where you squat and then thrust your hips around so that your bottom goes wobbly.” And in terms of who can twerk: “Miley Cyrus, mainly… plenty of young women, mostly from urban areas. Babies, sometimes… Dogs and cats do twerk.” Oh, you English and your humour.
'The Great Gatsby'
There’s a New York City based theatre company Elevator Repair Service who performs an 8-hour long verbatim performance of the whole novel. It’s called Gatz and you should totally go see that. Much less “artistic license” than the film.
(Also, DID LEO JUST ACCIDENTALLY PHOTOBOMB?)
'Breaking Bad'
Bryan Cranston went to college to study police science. Who knew the future Walter White was actually more of a Hank?
'Suits'
A TV show on USA starring Patrick J. Adams and Gabriel Macht… but ALSO a term for the full the set of sails for a ship. Fashion, ho!
'New Girl'
Ever wondered what the gang drinks when they play True American? None other than Heisler beer — a fake label used in dozens of series and films including Happy Endings (RIP). Turns out Coach isn’t the only thing the shows have in common.
'Orange Is the New Black'
The series creator Jenji Kohan is the daughter of Buz Kohan you know, just your average everyday parent who was a writer and producer for shows like the Carol Burnett Show and the Academy Awards. Her brother David Kohan is the creator and Executive Producer of Will & Grace. Oh and her mom Rhea played a character named Rhea in an episode of Weeds. So the Kohans are the Coppolas of comedy… AMIRIGHT?
