The year in pop culture: What’s old was new

Was 2012 an annus horribilis or mirabilis for pop culture?

Not to be a Dickens about it, but it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. And it was definitely stuck in another time.

You’re forgiven for feeling like you fell into a time machine in 2012. Batman, Spider-Man and Captain America reigned at the box office; MC Hammer performed at the American Music Awards; Sherlock Holmes and Dallas came back to TV; a silent movie was the big winner on Oscar night; Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and the guy from Pink Floyd had the top three concert tours; and kids were talking about 21 Jump Street.

Heck, there was even a hit song about a guy at a payphone. Like, OMG, what’s a payphone?

Check out our take on the year’s movies, music, television and miscellany by clicking on the related links.