Frolicme240817ashaheartlostintimexxx1 2021 -
Here’s a solid, fact-based guide to the most significant entertainment content and popular media from 2021—a year defined by the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on production schedules, the rise of streaming wars, and several breakout cultural phenomena.
True crime remained king, but celebrity interview podcasts exploded. Armchair Expert (Dax Shepard), SmartLess (Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett), and Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend became essential listening for the Hollywood set, offering a raw, unedited hang that disappeared from traditional TV. frolicme240817ashaheartlostintimexxx1 2021
- TikTok: TikTok continued to grow in popularity, with users creating and sharing short-form videos on the platform.
- Instagram: Instagram introduced new features, such as Reels and Shopping, to enhance the user experience.
- YouTube: YouTube remained a dominant force in the world of online video content, with creators producing a wide range of content, from vlogs to educational videos.
- The "Slacktivism" Trap: In the wake of social justice movements, media companies rushed to produce "diversity content," sometimes exploitative, sometimes genuine. Discourse around The Forever Purge and Candyman revolved around whether genre films had a responsibility to teach politics.
- Ableist and "Trauma Porn": Squid Game faced criticism for "poverty porn," while Maid (Netflix) was praised and criticized for its brutal depiction of domestic violence. Audiences grew tired of "sad, beautiful, grey" prestige dramas.
- Resident Evil Village: The latest installment in the "Resident Evil" series was released, receiving positive reviews from critics and players.
- Halo Infinite: The next installment in the "Halo" series was released, with a focus on open-world gameplay and a renewed storyline.
- Among Us: The popular online multiplayer game "Among Us" continued to grow in popularity, with new content and features added throughout the year.