Enjoy the year of Taylor Swift while it lasts. Media headlines are about to get dark

A lot has gone on in media this year, which typically would mean a year-in-media wrap-up chock full of juicy takes on who covered what and how. ―

Not this year.

No matter how you feel about her artistry, no matter how you feel about her romantic life, no matter how you feel about her complete domination of popular culture, in 2023 the year in media is really the year of Taylor Swift.

And we ought to be happy about it.

I say this as someone who doesn’t care much about her music one way or the other, doesn’t really care who she dates (though it’s hard to imagine a better choice for mutual crossover audiences than Travis Kelce) and realizes that yes, there are more important things than what secret songs Swift plays at every show.

But I mean, come on. She is the story of the year.

Looking back: How Taylor Swift's kickoff concert stunned Arizona

Who deserves Time's Person of the Year more than Taylor Swift?

Don’t take it from me. On Wednesday, Time magazine named Swift its Person of the Year. (Among the runners-up this year: Barbie.) The selection was met with equal parts celebration and outrage on social media (add it to the list), along with the annual argument over who should qualify for the honor, with the obligatory reminders that it isn’t the best person but the one with the most influence; the choice of Adolph Hitler in 1938 is usually the example given of this.

And even if you don’t like Swift, hey, given recent history, it could have been worse. In 2021 Elon Musk was chosen. In 2016, it was Donald Trump.

And to think the Year of Taylor Swift started here in Arizona, where she opened her gargantuan Eras Tour in March. Glendale, where two concerts took place, temporarily renamed itself “Swift City.” Other cities would also pull the stunt. There’s something to be said for not overdoing it; this isn’t it.

Swift’s tour was massive, The Event in whatever town she visited. Couldn’t make it to a show (or afford the equivalent of a mortgage payment for a ticket)? Not to worry. In October she released “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” a movie that was basically an expertly produced video of the concert. It quickly became the highest-grossing concert film of all time. Because of course it did.

Swift cheering on Travis Kelce actually raises NFL ratings

For those who bemoan Swift taking over the world, or at least the part of it Instagram and TikTok rule, lighten up. If you think it’s weird people care so much about her, it is. It’s also harmless fun, a collective at a time when so much is divided. Division exists here, too, of course, but it’s less dangerous and a lot more fun than arguing over whether democracy is worth saving. Although imagine how unhappy you must be if you’re actually angry that networks broadcasting Kansas City Chiefs games show Swift cheering on Kelce. (The Wall Street Journal, no less, reports that she boosts ratings of the already dominant NFL.)

Strong motivation: How Travis Kelce performs with, without Taylor Swift in attendance

Enjoy the year of Taylor Swift while it lasts

The cult of Swift is a fascinating media phenomenon. Next year is a presidential election year. By all indications it will be brutal, perhaps a full-frontal assault on the media, democracy and the future of the country. The year in media in 2024 doubtless is going to look a lot different.

So let’s enjoy the Year of Taylor while we can.

Other major media stories in 2023: So long, Tucker Carlson

Fox News got rid of Tucker Carlson, the most-popular personality on cable TV. (No accounting for taste.) The network had a chance to replace him with someone a little more reputable, a little less conspiracy oriented. And then it went with Jesse Watters. They know their audience.

Speaking of, Fox News also settled a $787.5 million defamation suit with Dominion Voting Systems. That’s interesting, of course, and it’s good to see some accountability for the network’s personalities repeatedly giving credence to unfounded claims of election rigging and whatnot. It was more interesting to learn from texts and emails that much of the time the personalities didn’t believe what they were saying. They were just trying to toss red meat to the Donald Trump base. How’d that work out for them?

The year kicked off with soon-to-be-former Rep. Kevin McCarthy all but turning cartwheels to become Speaker of the House after 15 ballots, a marathon dutifully shown on cable news while anchors flipped through their thesauruses to find new words for “humiliating.” You typically have to travel to a preschool playground to see this kind of behavior, but it turned out to be just a taste of the immaturity and humiliation to come.

If you’re going to read one story this year — you should read more than that, but you get the idea — make it Sally Jenkins’ beautiful portrait of former rivals Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Masterful.

The Phoenix Suns getting bounced from the playoffs was disappointing for Valley fans, of course. But the loss was compounded by Al McCoy, the Suns’ legendary Hall of Fame play-by-play announcer, finally retiring after 51 years. He deserves the rest, but it just isn’t the same without him.

Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. X, formerly known as Twitter: @goodyk.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Love or hate her, Taylor Swift isn't just Time's Person of the Year