Monday, December 31, 2018

The 25 People That Most Impacted the Year of 2018

For a short period of time in the late 90s to about 2003, I would read People Magazine's 25 people that defined our year list. Today I am going to play Fantasy People Magazine editor (which probably I'm the only person in the world to play because I'm weird into lists like that). Feel free to add, subtract, or debate with this in any way you see fit. I'm going to go with the Harry Potter route and leave the person who has the most impact on our lives and is using it to do evil (the president) the "he who shall not be named" treatment. Also Robert Mueller strikes me as a 2019 person so he's off too:

1. Jeff Flake-Senator-I personally like the guy, but I am trying to make this a subjective list of who's had impact and he has been a humongous swing vote and to some degree a true voice of independence
2. Beto O'Rourke-Congressman-Currently has the most thunder on the democratic side
3. Kendrick LaMarr-rapper-The People's list included a musician or two and this guy is the first rapper to win a Pullitzer Prize. He's also, I believe the first musician outside of jazz to win a Pullitzer
4. Stan Lee-comic book artist-Almost our entire movie calendar and I suspect the next generation's literary hallmarks based around this guy.
5. Christine Blasey Ford/Brett Kavanaugh-Stanford Professor/Supreme Court Judge-Depending on who you believe, I guess you can take your pick. The country couldn't agree on which one was the significant personhere
6. The Parkland Survivors-Activists-No one has been more history-changing or kicked more ass then these people. I would have made them Time's Person of the Year but Times is always a whimp about that
7. Nancy Pelosi-Congressman-She's probably also Ms. 2019 but she's held steady in what must be the most difficult job in Washington
8. Michael Cohen-Former fixer-No one has pierced Trump's armor more than this guy. He taped everything, he has Giuliani and Trump on tape saying great things about him, he turned on a dime.
9. Sarah Huckabee Saunders-WH Press Seceretary-The face of the Trump administration, the origin of much of our spin, and the heart of much debate about civility
10. Jon Krasinski-Director/Actor-Breakthrough actor with Jack Ryan and breakthrough director with Quiet Place
11. Ryan Coogler-Director-Black Panther. He's #6 on Time's Man of the Year list.
12. Nick Foles-Athlete-Broke the Patriots stronghold
13. Bradley Cooper-Director/Actor-Like Krasinski and Coogler, big big breakout with Star is Born
14. Ronan Farrow-Journalist-Big pioneer in the metoo movement and continues that quest with integrity (vetting false accusations in his reporting) also wrote another book about Seceretaries of State in which he got inside access to Rex Tillerson saying some dirty stuff about Trump, it's mad juicy
15. French Soccer Team-Because someone's gotta win the WC and they were all very multi-cultural and wonderful
16. Emmanuel Macron-French President-The president we wish we had
17. Cardi B-Rapper or musician or something. Love her re-invented words
18. Pete Davidson-Comedian/SNL Cast Member-Has made more headlines than anyone else which has been odd for a 3rd year SNL cast member and has made me really want to watch the show to see how he'll comment on his own life.
19. John Mulaney-Comedian-I've been thinking a lot about comedic voice of the year and I think John Oliver has a place here too but Mulaney has been able to create a really strong brand for himself this year without a talk show or anything, and that his escapism is a hit says a lot. I heard about his comedy special (also his show about puberty) A LOT this year.
20. Tiffany Haddish-Actress/Comedian-Officially the next big thing
21. Chloe Kim-Snowboarder-Why not include someone from the 2018 Olympics. Korean-American was a hero to both sides and a millenial icon
22. Theresa May-British prime minister-Really significant things are happening in England. We should be paying attention, guys!
23. Jose Andreas-CelebrityChef-Been a major voice in activism and charitable efforts
24. Rachel Brosnahan-Actress-I think it's fair to say that no one has ever gone from such an unknown to Emmy winner (although possibly America Ferrara of Ugly Betty) in the span of one year
25. Megan Markle-Princess of whatever-Throwing a bone to the kind of celebrities People Magazine likes to cover
A few others I was considering: Sandrah Oh, Claire Foy, Alyssa Milano, Lindsey Graham, Scott Pruitt, Kamala Harris, LeBron James, Rihanna, Angela Merkel

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