In: Quirky Dramas
Out: Reality Shows
As reality shows get more scripted (you don’t really think those storylines just happen, do you?), they also become more predictable and, to many viewers, tiresome. While a few shows, notably “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race” and “The Real World,” are still reliable ratings generators, the tide has turned to real acting and edgy writing. “Desperate Housewives,” “Prison Break,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Commander In Chief” are a few notables. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have stunners like Patrick Dempsey, Terry Hatcher, Wentworth Miller and Ellen Pompeo delivering the lines.
In: Reggaeton
Out: Pop
If you haven’t seen the Shakira’s “La Tortura” video, you probably haven’t flipped by VH1 lately. The Spanish song, like Shakira’s chest, is in constant rotation. And soon Shakira may be joined by a host of newcomers shaking their own Latin hips to popular beats. Daddy Yankee, Don Omar and Tego Calder & #243;n are the some of the genre’s most recognized stars. Originating in Latin America, reggaeton is dance music that combines Spanish rapping with Jamaican-influenced rhythms. And it’s ascending just as pop’s blonde stars Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera are waning. With a divorce, a baby and a new marriage, respectively, those pop princesses have to settle domestic issues before taking over the charts once again.
In: Energy Drinks
Out: Coke
Forget the fizz noncarbonated drinks have become all the rage. Red Bull ushered in the trend years ago by hawking its caffeine- and sucrose-loaded elixirs to sleep-deprived students and Vodka drinkers. More than a thousand other companies have followed suit with their own versions of eye-opening drinks, including Monster Energy, Crunk!!!, Go Fast!, Pimp Juice, Rockstar and Battery. The Coca-Cola Co. has been slammed for failing to add energy drinks to its portfolio, but Big Soda finally appears to be waking up with its recently launched Full Throttle.
In: Eyelashes
Out: Eyebrows
Long or short? Eyelash extensions are the next ocular must-have. They range in length from a discreet eight millimeters (for those merely wanting a flirtatious lift) to a positively ghoulish 14 millimeters. Keep in mind these are not those over-the-counter, press-on fake lashes of yesteryear: Eyelash additions can cost hundreds of dollars and are painstakingly glued onto eyelids. But like any fashion, they are temporary. Extensions last 60 days before they must be reapplied.
In: Arnold, the Democrat
Out: Arnold, the Republican
California’s peripatetic governor is looking more blue than red these days. After supporting Republican-backed initiatives in his “Year of Reform” for 2005, his popularity plunged and voters soundly defeated the initiatives in a special election no one but him seemed to really want. Schwarzenegger then made a sharp turn to the left, backing Democratic-sounding proposals for major infrastructure spending and expanding health-care coverage for the poor. He also appointed Democrat Susan Kennedy, a former cabinet secretary to Gray Davis, as his new chief of staff. The Kennedy appointment sparked a rebellion in the GOP ranks, with conservative Republicans threatening to look for a new candidate (Mel Gibson’s name was floated for five minutes). Schwarzenegger appears certain to be the GOP nominee, but the ’06 election could provide plenty of surprises.
In: Elton Brand
Out: Kobe Bryant
They’re both certifiable MVP candidates, but Brand has something that Bryant doesn’t: a decent team. Helped by the addition of guard Sam Cassell, Brand has led the Clippers to the top of the NBA’s Pacific Division. The Lakers, meanwhile, have been hanging around .500. Also in Brand’s favor: he’s known to be a nice guy who remembers the names of reporters and sets aside time for fans. Since Shaq’s exit, the Staples Center could use that friendly feeling.
In: Historical Movies
Out: Apocalyptic Movies
Those monster mechanical aliens from “War of the Worlds” are a tough act to follow, so filmmakers are looking to the past for inspiration. A string of historical features are due out, including “Munich,” “The New World” and “Marie-Antoinette.” Period pieces are tricky for Hollywood because they have to attract audiences more accustomed to car crashes and bathroom humor. Stray too far from reality, however, and you get history profs up in arms. Well, on second thought, it’s not much of a choice.
In: Yoga Pants
Out: Premium Denim
The real estate bubble competed for attention this year with the premium denim bubble. High-priced jeans have had their run as have local manufacturers such as True Religion Apparel Inc. but the big buzz centers on the question of what will replace denim. Yoga pants could be a contender. They are becoming women’s everyday wear and have infiltrated the Gap and other major retailers. Manufacturers from Adidas to Juicy Couture are getting in to the act.
In: iPods
Out: iPod Imitators
It’s not quite a revolution, but iPods have changed the way people listen to music and with its video version selling out this holiday season, it might change people’s TV watching habits. Apple’s rivals have barely made a dent. D & M; Holdings, parent of Rio, decided to exit the MP3 player business, while players made by Samsung, Sony and Dell have carved out marginal market shares.
In: Eastside
Out: Westside
Sure, the view is nice in Santa Monica, but is it really worth shelling out $2,000 a month for a studio? The beach scene is increasingly losing out to other parts of L.A. among them downtown, Hollywood and Koreatown. Home prices are still ridiculous but at least they’re not downright insane: the median price of a West Adams home is around $535,000. The rail line now under construction through East Los Angeles could help by making tucked-away neighborhoods more accessible. Ready to show your Eastside pride?
In: Satellite Radio
Out: Bundled Cable
If the FCC is throwing a party, it might be because Howard Stern is ending his reign on traditional radio and moving to Sirius, where dropping F-bombs isn’t a finable offense. Sirius is placing a $500 million bet that listeners will follow him and both Sirius and XM have been making the jump to their service easier by selling portable receivers. Meanwhile, Comcast and Time Warner are signaling that they will let customers pay for only the channels they want. So, if “Ultimate Fighter” and “Trucks!” aren’t your cup of tea, you can nix Spike TV.
In: Cocktails
Out: Wine
Let’s stop rattling on about the subtleties of Pinot Noir and start practicing your best 007 rendition of “shaken, not stirred.” Food & Wine magazine heralds the “Year of the Cocktail,” teasing readers with bartenders’ tasty concoctions that range from the classic olive-topped martini to the minty Mojito.
In: Silicone
Out: Saline
Just when you thought it wasn’t possible, L.A. breasts could get even more plastic. Silicone implants are set for a huge comeback in 2006, with federal regulators expected to greenlight their widespread use for cosmetic breast augmentation early in the year. Fans say that the denser silicone provides a more realistic look and feel than the watery saline implants that most women have settled for since silicone implant use was restricted in 1993 over safety concerns. In countries where redesigned silicone implants already have been reintroduced,they rapidly took over 80 percent of the market. Here, the market is even bigger a lot bigger.
*Staff Reporters Howard Fine and Deborah Crowe contributed to this report.
