/ Source: TODAY
While "Seinfeld" and "Sex and the City" reruns continue to resonate today, other pop-culture trends from 1998 didn't quite stand the test of time. (We're looking at you, frosted tips.)
In honor of Natalie Imbruglia's Throwback Thursday performance on TODAY, we're looking back at the major pop-culture trends of 1998, as her version of the song "Torn" was released in America on Feb. 3 of that year.
Television:
- "Seinfeld" winds down its ninth and final season, leading to a series finale that cast members (jokingly) will continue to defend in 2015.
- About two weeks before "Torn's" American release, the series premiere of "Dawson's Creek" connects with young female viewers, many of whom also would gravitate toward the debuts of "Felicity" and "Sex and the City" later that year.
Movies:
- "Shakespeare in Love" makes theatrical audiences swoon, and shocks many the following January, when it wins Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
- "Saving Private Ryan," which some considered to be the best-picture favorite at the 1999 ceremony, settles for being 1998's top-grossing film domestically, collecting almost $217 million.
- Summer blockbusters include "Armageddon," "There's Something About Mary" and "Dr. Dolittle."
Music:
- At the 40th annual Grammy Awards ceremony, Shawn Colvin's "Sunny Came Home" wins the Grammy for the year's top record and song.
- Also at the Grammys, Paula Cole wins Best New Artist. In addition to the adult-contemporary airplay of "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?", perhaps she's buoyed by the success of "I Don't Want to Wait," the theme song to the aforementioned "Dawson's Creek."
- The swing revival is in full, er, swing — thanks in part to a popular Gap ad featuring khaki-wearing dancers twirling around to Louis Prima's "Jump, Jive an' Wail." Lasting about a year, the trend is a boon for horn-heavy bands, including Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Brian Setzer Orchestra, and Cherry Poppin' Daddies.
- "Total Request Live," featuring some chap named Carson Daly, premieres on MTV in September, and becomes a major platform for pop, rock and hip-hop artists and their music videos.
Fashion:
- The must-have casual look: baby tees paired with low-rise and boot-cut jeans.
- The most regrettable hairstyle: frosted tips, fashioned by Justin Timberlake and other superstars. (Don't feel too bad for J.T., though: He and his hair fare far better in the years that follow.)
Follow TODAY.com writer Chris Serico on Twitter.