The early 2000s were truly probably the most iconic and wild ages in popular culture history. After all, the early 2000s gave rise to the dawn of reality TV. It was then once we first began Keeping Up With The Kardashians, voting for our faves on American Idol, and watching Survivor. The iPod and eventually the iPhone hit stores. The original DM slide was asking for an AIM screen name. (The early 2000s also were all about low-rise jeans but we will just forget those. They can just stay within the early 2000s where they belong. Please. Not all of us are Zendaya.)
1. Literally Everything King Kurtis Said On Wife Swap
In case you forgot (I didn’t), there was a show called Wife Swap through the early 2000s that’s exactly what it seems like: wives from different families would switch lives with each other.
There is one episode specifically that has among the most iconic quotes of all time, and that’s the episode with the one and only King Kurtis. See for yourself:
2. William Hung’s Audition On American Idol
I would like nothing but good things for William Hung. I hope he’s well.
3. Britney Spears Carrying That Big-Ass Snake Performing “I’m A Slave 4 U”
Iconic.
4. The Time Ashlee Simpson Got Caught Lip-Syncing On Saturday Night Live
Ashlee Simpson was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live to advertise her impeccable, masterpiece of an album Autobiography when she was caught lip-syncing. Ashlee then did what looked like an Irish jig off the stage in embarrassment. Honestly? I’d have done the identical. No notes.
5. Those Fun iPod Commercials With The Dancing Silhouettes
6. Jennifer Lopez’s Green Dress At The 2000 Grammys
After Jennifer Lopez donned that truly iconic, green and blue palm leaf Versace dress with the dangerously low neckline to the 2000 Grammys, it became the most searched query on Google at the moment. However, Google in 2000 was a really different search engine, only providing text and links. But due to the user demand to see Lopez in that gown, Google took note and created Google Image Search in consequence. Thanks, J. Lo!
7. “Brangelina”
While filming Mr. And Mrs. Smith, the movie’s lead actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (each married to other people on the time), had probably the most shocking affairs that the tabloids could not get enough. Their infidelity led to their respective divorces, Pitt from Jennifer Aniston and Jolie from Billy Bob Thornton.
8. The Dawn Of Vampire Mania
The 2000s were the the dawn (get it) of a slew of vampire shows, books, and other types of media, due to the hit YA series Twilight written by writer Stephanie Meyers. Soon, latest shows akin to True Blood and The Vampire Diaires became fan faves. Oh, and Fifty Shades Of Gray was fan fiction inspired by Twilight so…I assume there’s that.
9. Jessica Simpson Getting Tuna And Chicken Confused
Easy mistake to make!
10. Kanye West Interrupting Taylor Swift At The MTV Video Music Awards
The yr is 2009. The day? September thirteenth. The fateful moment in query? The starting of Taylor Swift and Kanye West’s over a decade-long feud.
Basically, Taylor Swift won the Video Music Award (VMA) for Beset Female Video for her hit single “You Belong With Me.” While accepting the moon man, Kanye West interrupted her speech saying, “Yo, Taylor, I’m really joyful for you, I’ma allow you to finish, but Beyoncé had one of one of the best videos of all time!” (This was the yr Beyoncé’s incredible “Single Ladies” music video got here out.) Anyway, the remainder is, as they are saying, history:
11. Halle Berry’s History-Making Oscar Win For Best Actress
In 2002, Halle Berry won one of the best actress Oscar for her performance within the film Monster’s Ball, making history as the primary African American to win in that category. Her response and acceptance speech was incredibly touching. I still remember almost crying watching it as slightly kid.
12. The “Lady Marmalade” music video
Need I say more?
13. Tom Cruise Jumping On A Couch
Yeah. Idk. Still v weird. Must be the Scientology:
14. John Ritter Passing Away While Starring In The Hit Sitcom 8 Simple Rules
In 2002, the breakout sitcom 8 Simple Rules starring John Ritter, Kaley Cuoco, and Katy Segal experienced an enormous loss when Ritter passed away suddenly through the show’s filming. After a temporary hiatus, 8 Simple Rules returned for a second season and decided to have John’s character Paul pass away within the show. The remainder of the series detailed each of Paul’s children and his wife’s journey through grief and coming together as a family within the wake of private tragedy.
15. Beyoncé Going Solo
After the large success of her R&B trio Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé parted ways from the group in 2005 to pursue her solo profession, starting together with her smash hit “Crazy In Love” together with her Jay-Z, whom she would later marry.
16. Jersey Shore
In 2009, the world was introduced to the life-style of GTL (Gym, Tan, Laundry), as made famous by the insane solid of Jersey Shore. A reality show that takes place in, you guessed it, New Jersey, the shenanigans were infinite. The hangovers were guaranteed. And arrests were imminent. Premiering on Thursday nights on MTV, the show quickly became successful, with many individuals hosting viewing parties for every week’s premiere.
17. The Premiere Of Keeping Up With The Kardashians
Keeping Up With The Kardashians premiered in October of 2007 on E! and the world as we understand it hasn’t been the identical since. The show truly gave rise to America’s obsession with reality TV, running for 20 seasons, finally ending in March 2021. The show gave us infinite drama and iconic lines like, “Don’t be fucking rude!”
Whether you’re keen on them, hate them, or are utterly indifferent, The Kardashians are truly a cultural phenomenon and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. As the saying goes, “The Devil works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder.”
