Things You Forgot Happened In The Year 2007

By Editorial Staff in History On 5th January 2017

2017 is off with a bang already, but what was happening just ten short years ago? Times were just as bad then, and we have proof. It was a rather eventful time to be alive and in the world of pop culture alone, it was never a dull moment. It was not nearly as chaotic as the year we just wiped our hands clean of, 2016, but it was certainly a time that provided us with plenty of eye-raising, jaw-dropping, and head-scratching headlines. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, and it was the weirdest of times. It is important to look back at the successes, failures, and cringey fashion statements from 10 years ago to remind us just how much 2007 helped shape what we have become and what we have to look forward too.

#1 Introduction Of The iPhone

In January of 2007, Steve Jobs introduced the new iPhone, which would go on sale in June. On the date of release, it was evident that everyone and their mother wanted one as lines for the new device stretched out for miles. When first developing the iPhone in 2004, Jobs halted Apple's tablet production to focus on the iPhone. When it was introduced in 2007 it came with mixed reviews. Tech leaders claimed it would not sell and would become simply a niche item appealing only to gadget freaks. Of course, we know now that isn't the case, and the tablet he was working on, the iPad, came out to huge fanfare a few years later. The iPhone's massive success helped Apple become one of the world's biggest companies and helped revolutionize the way we communicate.

#2 Kid Rock And Tommy Lee Duke It Out

At the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, things got a little awkward when Pamela Andersons two exes bumped into one another. Tommy Lee and Kid Rock came to blows off-camera only to be separated by security while Alicia Keys was performing live. Kid Rock claimed that he had endured over five years of nasty comments from Tommy Lee after he divorced Anderson. He said that he waited for the day when the two would see each other face to face, and that was the day, Lee says he was accosted by Rock while just sitting in his seat and did nothing wrong. Kid Rock was charged in the incident.

Follow On

Google News

#3 YouTube In 2007

Only two years old, YouTube began to catch on in 2007, mostly with young adults. People were amazed that some videos were being seen by millions of eyes, and becoming viral sensations. That's why it remains one of the most popular forms of media today. Some of the sites earliest blockbusters included the Obama Girl political satire, Tay Zonday's "Chocolate Rain" music video, and a political outcry from a distressed Britney Spears fan demanding that we all "Leave Britney Alone." All of these videos had over 4 million views, but the Leave Britney Alone clip had 14 million views by the end of the year. These videos popularity helped YouTube branch out into bigger endeavors, which included partnering with CNN to host two Presidential debates.

#4 Britney Spears Meltdown

OK, so why did the video on YouTube go viral when the young man cried saying "leave Britney Alone"? Because she was bombarded with tabloid gossip after she literally went berzerk. Britney Spears had a bittersweet fall from grace in 2007. Her year started off with her aunt dying of cancer in January and the following month, she shaved her head and admitted herself into a rehabilitation facility. She also attacked paparazzi with an umbrella. During all of this, she was going through a nasty divorce from ex-husband, Kevin Federline, which was finalized in July. That same month, she was reported to have stormed out of an OK! Magazine photo shoot after damaging designer clothes provided for her. More infamously, a couple months later in September, Spears appeared inebriated and out of shape as she poorly attempted to lip sync and dance on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards. Then, after being charged with a misdemeanor for a hit and run and driving without a valid license, she was forced to surrender custody of her children to her ex, Federline. Thankfully, within a couple years, she was able to clean up her act and steer towards a new life of sobriety and a hit Vega show.

Follow On

Twitter

#5 The Sopranos Finale

Airing on pay cable, HBO, The Sopranos reigned supreme atop the television mountain, shocking the television networks as they raked in over 11 million viewers every week. It lasted six seasons, and 86 episodes, and won numerous Emmy and People's Choice Awards. It was rated as the greatest show in TVs history by many publications. When the final episode of The Sopranos approached on June 10th, 2007, people were excited at the endless possibilities that the show could provide in its ending. Unfortunately, people were sorely disappointed as the show cut to black in its final minutes. Some thought the cable had gone out, but no, that's the way the finale was written. Leaving fans to ponder the fate of the mob family.

#6 Don Imus Under Fire

Radio talk show host Don Imus, who had worked in the medium for over 50 years, was under fire for his racially charged comments for decades. This all came to a head in a conversation between himself and executive producer, Bernard McGuirk, on the April 4th, 2007 edition of Imus in the Morning. After Imus referred to the Rutgers University NCAA women's basketball team as "rough girls," his producer called them "hardcore hos." Piggybacking off McGuirk's statement, Imus added that the female players were "nappy-headed hos." He said that the game was like watching the "jigaboos versus wannabes". CBS eventually suspended Imus, then fired him completely but competitor ABC hired him soon after to compete against his old show.

#7 Keeping Up With The Kardashians Premieres

So this was the year that ruined television and pop culture, in case you were wondering. In February 2007, Kim Kardashian became an instant superstar when her sex tape with Ray J was leaked by Vivid Entertainment. Noticing the instant popularity the video was getting, the E! Network decided to cash in on Kim's little escapade and went calling on the family to do a reality show that Ryan Seacrest had proposed to the network earlier. Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered on October 14th. During its first month on the air, it became the highest rated Sunday night show for adults 1834, earning 1.3 million total viewers. Of course, the original family was not to be the Kardashian clan, but based on Paris Hilton. No one could have predicted where the Kardashian empire would be 10 years later. Thanks, Seacrest!

#8 Mad Men Premieres

The Sopranos said goodbye and we got hit with The Kardashians, but one saving grace for television was another cable show, Mad Men, which began in July and lasted until 2015. For some reason, after a long day at work, we found some appeal in a show that depicted a long day at the office for a group of hard drinking, chain smoking individuals. Mad Men was more than just a peek at an advertising agency. It is about a cast of complex, fascinating (albeit infuriating) individuals trying to grab the unattainable American dream. The show won numerous Emmys for its cast and series and was highly acclaimed by critics and advertisers.

#9 Television Writers Strike

Today we can view various shows and videos just about anywhere, and most are better than any seen on network TV, but back in 2007, television was still the only pace to get quality shows. TV writers saw a void in their pay when DVD sales of old series and video downloads began making fortunes for the studios and networks, and they wanted some of that action. After uncertainty and failed negotiations surrounded whether or not the Writers Guild of America would get properly compensated for a tv show episode's online downloads and DVD sales, the writer's labor union started their strike on November 5th. Production had to be halted on just about every scripted series or film, and the year looked pretty lame, with lots of game shows, reality TV, and reruns. The strike was ended in early 2008 and filming of new shows began, but it left behind things like Keeping Up With The Kardashians!

#10 Colbert’s Presidential Bid

We think we have a bad candidate for President now with Donald Trump, but way back in 2007 we thought the same thing of George W. Bush. So many people wanted a change that a multitude of potential candidates used 2007 to put their bid into the Presidential race for 2008, including talk show host and comedian Stephen Colbert. He officially announced his candidacy in October but only ran in his home state of South Carolina. The following month, Colbert's Presidential ambitions were shattered when the South Carolina Democratic Party executive council voted 133 to refuse Colbert's application onto the ballot. He could not afford the $35,000 application fee that the Republicans were asking, so he dropped out and formed a Super Pack instead.

#11 Richard Gere India Controversy

Legendary actor Richard Gere has kept his name out of controversial headlines for most of his career except for one time early on when he was rumored to have a gerbil stuck in his rectum. His squeaky clean image was almost destroyed in an instant in 2007. At least in the eyes of Indian officials who tried to have Gere arrested after an April 15th altercation with Bollywood star Shippa Shetty. While hosting an AIDS awareness event in India he got excited, reached out, and put a lip lock on Shetty. The harmless gesture landed Gere in hot water with the press and Indian law enforcement. Public displays of affection are considered obscene in the land of India, and Gere was issued an arrest warrant for his crime. However, he fled the country before being captured and jailed.

#12 Lindsay Lohan Career Pitfalls

There was a time when Lindsay Lohan was being primed to become one of Hollywood's most popular and world-renowned actresses if she wasn't already by 2007. Which made it all the more bittersweet to see the former child star's career stall because of legal troubles and drug abuse that year. In January, she entered a rehab center for 30 days while simultaneously filming her future flop, I Know Who Killed Me. Fast forward to May when Lohan is charged with misdemeanor for drunk driving, which puts her in rehab for a 2nd time, this time for 45 days. In July, just two weeks after checking out of rehab, Lohan was arrested again. This time for drunk driving, cocaine possession, and driving with a suspended license. In August, she began serving her third rehab stint. That same month, she is found guilty of her charges and is given 1 day in jail, 10 days of community service, 3 years probation, a fine to pay, and an alcohol education program to enter. In November, she is sent to the LA County Jail to serve her 24-hour sentence but is released after 84 minutes due to overcrowding. It's been up and down ever since, and she now lives in the UK and stays out of the limelight except for rare occasions, but has said she is running for US President in 2020.

#13 Rihanna’s Big Break

Superstardom came out of nowhere in 2007for Rihanna, who was just releasing her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad. Her career was a total bust until that point, with her label ready to dump her after a few modest single releases and a career that wasn't catching on with fans. Then, suddenly "Umbrella" was released. The hit single featuring a rap feature from Jay-Z and a catchy tune, "Umbrella" helped make Rihanna an instant superstar. Praise, accolades, and awards began rolling in when the single became the hit of the year. "Umbrella" earned Rihanna her first Grammy win and she hasn't slowed down since.

#14 The Final Harry Potter Book Released

Though J.K. Rowling did end up writing another book, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, recently, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was promoted as the final entry in the series at the time of its original release. On January 11th, Rowling finished writing the book in her Balmoral Hotel room in Edinburgh. After months of revisions and promotions, the book finally hit the shelves on July 21st to massive fanfare. Fans could hardly wait, as long lines at bookstores made the final book a wide success. Fans were satisfied with the way Rowling ended the chapter of Harry Potter and within 24 hours, 11 million copies were sold worldwide.

#15 Emma Watson Almost Quit Harry Potter

The Harry Potter movie franchise managed to make huge stars out of its trio of young leads. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson all have the Harry Potter films to thank for their major Hollywood success. However, there was a point in 2007 where it looked like they were all going to turn their backs on the franchise that made them famous. When it came time to sign the new contracts, the young stars were worn out. Playing the same characters while trying to become believable adult stars made things difficult, and Emma Watson was not ready to keep her character alive for another episode. The other two resigned in January of 2007 to continue onward, but understanding the commitment asked for her to dedicate another 4 years to filming, Watson had doubts that she had another run like that in her. Eventually, upon realizing she could never let Hermione go, she signed her contract on March 23rd, just weeks before filming was to begin.