Red cups, endless TV, and fart-filled airplanes. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.
“Binge-Watch” Becomes Word of the Year
Collins Dictionary officially crowned “binge-watch” their Word of the Year, validating everything we did that weekend we “accidentally” watched all 10 episodes of “Making a Murderer.” It was the year TV stopped being a weekly ritual and became a competitive sport, sleep and social life be damned.
Starbucks’ Holiday Cups Spark Outrage
Ah yes, the great Starbucks cup scandal of 2015. That was the year some folks got very upset that the holiday cups weren’t Christmassy enough. Just plain red! No snowflakes! No joy! Outrage brewed faster than a Venti Pike, though most just wanted to sip their Peppermint Mochas in peace.
Raking Leaves? Actually Bad Now
In 2015, environmentalists gave lazy husbands and teenagers their out: raking leaves is bad for nature. Turns out, leaf piles are free mulch and bug condos. So if you skipped yard work that year, you weren’t lazy – you were an eco-warrior. Tell your HOA to take it up with science.
Britney Spears Explains “Hit Me Baby”
In 2015, a book called “The Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory” explained that “Hit me baby one more time” was never about getting smacked – it meant “call me.” The Swedish songwriter thought “hit me” was American teen slang for “call me,” likely thinking of the term “hit me up.”
Terminal “Star Wars” Fan Sees Movie Early
The Force was strong with Daniel Fleetwood, a terminally ill superfan who got to see “The Force Awakens” early thanks to a global campaign and support from the “Star Wars” cast. He passed away shortly after, but not before making the Kessel Run straight to our hearts. He was the first person outside of the production team to see the film.
Science Reveals the Best Grilled Cheese Cheeses
Scientists got serious in 2015 and figured out the perfect cheeses for a grilled cheese sandwich. Top picks: gouda, Gruyère, and manchego. Basically, the gooier, the better. Sorry, cheddar – you’ll always be melty in our hearts.
Plane Diverted Due to Flatulence
An incident report went viral after a flight from Australia to Malaysia had to make an emergency landing because it was filled with too many farts. It was a cargo plane with 2,186 sheep, and their gas set off the smoke alarm.
Chris Stapleton Scored His First #1 Album
Chris Stapleton went from “Who’s that bearded guy?” to “King of Country” after his album “Traveller” shot to #1. Suddenly your aunt, your barber, and your Spotify Discover playlist were all obsessed. 10 years later, Billboard.com would name it the top country album of the 21st century.
Katy Perry Tops Highest-Paid Women in Music
Katy Perry made $135 million in 2015 and topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid female musicians. Between the Prismatic World Tour, Super Bowl halftime show, and brand deals, she was on fire. Left Shark may have fumbled the choreo, but Katy’s bank account never missed a beat. Taylor Swift was a distant second at $80 million.
Trevor Noah Misses “The Daily Show” for Surgery
Just weeks into his new gig, Trevor Noah had to miss “The Daily Show” for an emergency appendectomy. Fans freaked. Producers scrambled. His appendix? Evicted. It was the first unexpected hiatus of his hosting era.