(Newser)
–
The Bush years have been their own little era, sparking artistic dissent and encouraging elaborations on new national themes. Newsweek had its top critics pick the piece from their field that seems most indicative of this decade:
- American Idol: "Like Dubya, the show makes a virtue of its unflagging consistency. Simon Cowell is always the evil one. Paula Abdul is always the cheerleader, always endorsing the delusion that everything is just great."
- Black Hawk Down: Premiering in December 2001, Ridley Scott's movie "seemed to enhance the desire of Americans for a thumping war to avenge 9/11."
- Battlestar Galactica: While taking on enemies who disappear in our midst, the show "doesn't flinch from one question that 24 wouldn't dare raise: Is our way of life even worth saving?"
- Greenday's American Idiot: Released two months ahead of Bush's re-election, "No one expected these guys to nail the fear, frustration and apathy of a war-torn nation on the brink."
For the rest of the best cultural hits of the Bush years, click the link below.
