My Favorite Things of 2014 – Youtube

With Youtube becoming so popular in today’s media and being a Youtuber myself, I had to have a list showcasing the best of Youtube for 2014. From huge productions companies to a person sitting in front a computer weekly, it’s hard to narrow down a list of my favorite Youtube channels with so many out there. Every channel is so vastly different, it’s impossible to rate one higher than the other. I made my decision on the entertainment value of their videos, which channels I frequently visited throughout the year, and the dedication of the personality to make their channel go above and beyond the standards on Youtube. These solo, duo/collaboration, and vlogging channels not only produce creative content, but stand out as innovators to go where no other channel has gone before.

Best Solo Channel

1. Lilly Singh (Superwoman)
2. Mamrie Hart (YDAD & Mametown)
3. Hannah Hart (Harto & My Drunk Kitchen)
4. Grace Helbig (it’s Grace)
5. Jenna Mourey (Jenna Marbles)
6. Chris Thompson (SupDaily06)
7. Tre Melvin (ThisIsACommentary)
8. Courtney Act (Courtney Act Chronicles)
9. Todrick Hall
10. Cameron Elder (TheCamCamera)
11. Joe Sugg (ThatcherJoe)
12. Tyler Oakley

Best Duo/Collab Channel

1. Prank vs Prank
2. O2L
3. Lucas & Jenny
4. Shep689
5. Smosh Games
6. Buzzfeed Video
7. Wow Presents
8. Fine Bros.
9. Superfruit
10. LushLaws

Best Vlogging Channel

1. Grace Helbig
2. Louis Cole (Fun For Louis)
3. Pointless Blog
4. JoshuaDTV
5. Rachel Ballinger
6. Neil McNeil
7. Shep689
8. BF vs GF
9. Lushlaws
10. Courtney Act

Best Series 

1. Auguest – Tyler Oakley
2. #HeyUSA – Astronuats Wanted, Grace Helbig, Mamrie Hart
3. Not Too Deep w/ Grace Helbig – Grace Helbig
4. You Deserve a Drink – Mamrie Hart
5. My Drunk Kitchen – Hannah Hart
6. Pop Star High – Todrick Hall
7. The Try Guys – Buzzfeed Video
8. Creepy Guy – Buzzfeed Video
9. Courtney Chronicles – Courtney Act
10. Bad Gays Club – Shep689, TheNotAdam, RyannMinajj, Kingsley, MilesJaiProductions, GayGod, Nickalaws, wickydkewl

With the millions of videos on Youtube every year, even daily, it was hard to narrow down my list. I’m sure there are many great videos this year that I have missed. I tried to collect a playlist of videos that reflected the best of my favorite Youtube personalities from the past year in solo videos, collaborations, and music videos. I looked for videos that were unique, creative, and either entertained or told a story with a strong message. These videos set out to change the minds and views of the public or to make you laugh and smile. This year, Youtubers tackled issues including sexual harassment, rape, gay marriage, LGBT issues, race, and gender issues. They also collaborated to create incredible music videos and hilarious skits that rivaled the entertainment shown on other media. These are, in my opinion, my favorite videos of 2014.

Best Solo Video

1. Is being GAY a CHOICE? – SupDaily06
2. No more silence…- SupDaily06
3. Dear Youtube Creators – SupDaily06
4. Coming Out – Connor Franta
5. Life Doesn’t Wait – Connor Franta
6. My 200^th Video- Jenna Marbles
7. Surprising a Gay Texas Mormon! – wickydkewl
8. Kermit Goes to Therapy – This Is a Commentary 
9. How to Cope With A Broken Heart – This Is a Commentary 
10. The Family Reunion – This Is a Commentary 
11. The Job Interview – This Is a Commentary 
12. Christmas Dinner at Grandma Brown’s – This Is a Commentary 
13. #BlackLivesMatter – This Is a Commentary 
14. Ultimate Roommate Revenge Pranks – ThatcherJoe
15. The New Me – Marcus Butler
16. FAN FICTION – Superfruit
17. If Straight People had to Come Out – Buzzfeed Video
18. If Men Were Women On Halloween – Buzzfeed Video
19. The Try Guys Try Drag For the First Time – Buzzfeed Video

Best Collaboration

1. If My Brain Were a Person – Superwoman feat. Connor Franta
2. The Girl Code – Superwoman feat. Grace Helbig, Harto, Jenna Marbles, Mamrie Hart, and Miranda Sings
3. Youtube vs Vine – Superwoman feat. King Bach, DeStorm, Logan Paul, Timothy DeLaGhetto, and D-Trix
4. 7 Second Challenge with Marcus Butler – Troye Sivan feat. Marcus Butler
5. Tyler Oakley Interviews Michelle Obama – Tyler Oakley
6. Getting Intimate with Darren Criss – Tyler Oakley
7. Muscle Milk Challenge – Mamrie Hart feat. Miranda Sings and Flula
8. Best Fwen Day – Mamrie Hart feat. Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart
9. My Drunk Pumpkin 2014 – Hannah Hart feat. Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart
10. My Drunk Kitchen Sea Bass – Hannah Hart 
11. #Tunesday – Hannah Hart feat. Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart
12. Youtube Whispers 3 – ThatcherJoe feat. Tyler Oakley, Troye Sivan, Connor Franta, and SprinkleofGlitter
13. Stories of Consent – Dealing with Sexual Abuse – Neil McNeil feat. ArielleIsHamming, SupDaily06, and PatDoesIt
14. Seven Second Challenge- Rachel Ballinger feat. PyschoSoprano and  JoshuaDTV
15. Gay Couples React to Anti-Gay Marriage Ads – Michael Rizzi feat. Shep689, TheNotAdam, VaillancourtSquared, and SoundlyAwake
16. LGBT Youtubers React “How not to react when your child tells you he’s gay video” TrentAndLuke feat. TheDiaryofJake, Ashley Mardell, ArielleIsHamming, Jelly and Day, and Jakes Sake
17. Youtubers React to Youtube Comments System– Fine Bros.
18. Youtubers React to Babymetal – Fine Bros.
19. Dating a Vlogger?! (Last Moments of Relationships #13) – Fine Bros. feat. Grace Helbig and Shane Dawson 
20. Jinkx, Alaska, and Jackie Beat – Courtney Talks – Courtney Act

Best Music Videos 

1. aca-DISNEY – Voice Play and Disney on Broadway
2. #LEH – Superwoman and Humble the Poet
3. If Youtube Were Bollywood – Superwoman feat. Various Youtubers
4. Happy Little Pill – Troye Sivan
5. Runnin – JoshuaDTV and Gabrielle Taryn
6. American Apparel Ad Girls – Alaska 5000, Courtney Act, Willam
7. Dear Santa, Bring Me a Man – Alaska 5000, Courtney Act, Willam
8. To Russia With Love – Courtney Act
9. If Things Were Opposite – theDOMINICshow
10. Quest Crew Presents The Hospital – theDOMINICshow
11. Bitch Perfect –Todrick Hall
12. Freak Like Me – Todrick Hall
13. 7/11 – Superfruit
14. Evolution of Miley Cyrus – Superfruit
15. BEYONCE – Superfruit
16. After Ever After – Paint
17. Boy Band Parody – Peter Hollens feat. Paint
18. Wicked Medley – Peter Hollens feat. Nick Pitera
19. Whistle While I Work It – Chester See feat. Toby Turner and Wayne Brady
20. Frozen A Musical feat. Disney Princesses – AVbyte
21. One Republic – Counting Stars feat. Disney Villains – Oh My Disney
22. Winter Wonderland/Don’t Worry Be Happy – Pentatonix feat. Tori Kelly
23. Papaoutai – Pentatonix ft. Lindsey Stirling
24. Love Again – Pentatonix

My Favorite Things of 2014 – Theatre

Broadway brought a superstar season , filled with amazing shows and great performances. Musicals brought the best of Hollywood to the stage, from mobsters to boxers. From revivals to new works, these shows broke boundaries of the typical musical. Hedwig was brought to Broadway for the first time. Tupac brought hip hop, an unlikely genre, to Broadway. We also watched the music of the 1920’s jazz scene and Carole King brought to life. Here are my favorite musicals of 2014.

Best Musical     

1. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
2. Hedwig and the Angry Inch
3. After Midnight
4. Holler If Ya Hear Me
5. Bullets Over Broadway
6. Les Miserables
7. Rocky the Musical
8. The Bridges of Madison County
9. If/Then
10. On the Town

2014 also brought amazing plays to Broadway. Curious Incident uses fantastic special effects to tell us the story of a 15-year-old boy with Asperger syndrome. Revivals of famous shows like Of Mice & Men, A Raisin in the Sun, and The Elephant Man were given new life with Hollywood talent and brand new productions. These plays told the stories of drag performers, a modern gay couple,  and young adults living in the city. These are the best plays of 2014.

Best Play                                             

1. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
2. Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill
3. Casa Valentina
4. Of Mice & Men
5. Mothers & Sons
6. This Is Our Youth
7. A Raisin in the Sun
8. The Elephant Man
9. It’s Only a Play
10. You Can’t Take it With You

These actors and actresses are a mix of Hollywood greats and Broadway favorites that gave phenomenal performances in last years plays and musicals. President Lyndon B. Johnson, musicians Billie Holiday and Carole King, famous film icon Rocky Balboa were portrayed to perfection. We saw a transgender rocker, a kind-hearted hired hand, a disfigured man, a reformed prisoner, and a comedic genie. Women brought strong characters and performances that dominated the stage and the Tony Awards. From veterans Kelli O’Hara and Idina Menzel, to newcomers Lena Hall and Margo Seibert. These are the 20 best actors and actresses on Broadway in 2014

Best Actor

1. Jarrod Spector (Beautiful)
2. Neil Patrick Harris (Hedwig)
3. Ramin Karimloo (Les Miserables)
4. Nick Cordero (Bullets)
5. Andy Karl (Rocky)
6. Steven Pasquale (Bridges)
7. Bryan Cranston (All The Way)
8. Chris O’Dowd (Mice & Men)
9. Bradley Cooper (Elephant Man)
10. James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin)

Best Actress

1. Audra McDonald (Lady Day)
2. Jessie Mueller (Beautiful)
3. Lena Hall (Hedwig)
4. Helen Yorke (Bullets)
5. Keala Settle (Les Miserables)
6. Margo Seibert (Rocky)
7. Kelli O’Hara (Bridges)
8. Idina Menzel (If/Then)
9. Tyne Daly (Mothers & Sons)
10. Sophie Okonedo (Raisin)

               

My Favorite Things of 2014 – Music

2014 was a great year in music. This was the first time in 15 years that women dominated the top 5 songs on the Billboard charts. We saw new artists like Iggy Azalea, Sam Smith, and Meghan Trainor dominate the charts. Artists like Beyonce and Nicki Minaj completely reinvented themselves, releasing the best albums in their careers. It was a year where music and videos spoke about feminism, gender identities, and butts.  Below I list my picks for the best artists, new artists, songs, music videos, and albums of 2014.

Best Artist

1. Beyonce
2. Nicki Minaj
3. Meghan Trainor
4. 5 Seconds of Summer
5. Sam Smith
6. Iggy Azalea
7. Charli XCX
8. Ariana Grande
9. Sia
10. Jason Derulo

Best New Artists

1. Sam Smith
2. Iggy Azalea
3. Meghan Trainor
4. Pentatonix
5. Charli XCX
6. Kiesza
7. Bastille
8. 5 Seconds of Summer
9. Haim
10. Fifth Harmony

Best Song

1. Bang Bang – Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj
2. Take Me to Church – Hozier
3. Stay With Me – Sam Smith
4. Fancy – Iggy Azalea
5. Problem – Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea
6. Talk Dirty – Jason Derulo feat. 2 Chainz
7. Bed of Lies – Nicki Minaj feat. Skylar Grey
8. Chandelier – Sia
9. Burnin’ Up – Jessie J feat. 2 Chainz
10. Ghost – Ella Henderson
11. All About that Bass – Meghan Trainor
12. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars

Best Music Video

1. All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor
2. Sleeping with a Friend – Neon Trees
3. Chandelier – Sia
4. Fancy – Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
5. Take Me to Church – Hozier
6. Pills N Potions – Nicki Minaj
7. 7/11 – Beyonce
8. If I Could Change Your Mind – HAIM
9. Just One of the Guys – Jenny Lewis
10. Queen – Perfume Genius
11. We Exist – Arcade Fire
12. You and I – John Legend

Best Album

1. The New Classic – Iggy Azalea
2. In the Lonely Hour – Sam Smith
3. Title – Meghan Trainor
4. Vincent – St. Vincent
5. Sucker – Charli XCX
6. Pop Psychology – Neon Trees
7. Beyonce – Beyonce
8. The Pink Print – Nicki Minaj
9. 1000 Forms of Fear – Sia
10. My Everything – Ariana Grande

My Favorite Things of 2014 – Television

I don’t watch a lot of TV during the year, but when I do find a show I like I’m fully invested in it. The year 2014 brought a year of new television that broke boundaries and broke mediums. We are now seeing programming on the internet through Netflix and Amazon Prime, bringing stories that you wouldn’t normally find on network television. Cable networks like HBO and FX continue to bring edgy content that’s unapologetic. Here are the ten shows I think brought great storytelling, brought something new, or were just purely entertaining in 2014.

Best Shows

1. Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
2. American Horror Story: Freak Show (FX)
3. Transparent (Amazon Prime)
4. Looking (HBO)
5. Girls (HBO)
6. The Blacklist (NBC)
7. The Flash (The CW)
8. How to Get Away With Murder (ABC)
9. The Normal Heart (HBO)
10. Rupaul’s Drag Race (LogoTV)

This year actors and actresses gave us new and exciting characters on TV. We saw actors bring new life into recurring shows like American Horror Story: Freak Show and Orange is the New Black. The Normal Heart gave us an all-star cast of Hollywood actors to tell a very important story of the AIDS crisis. From drama to comedy, superheroes to lawyers, even a transgender man, television in 2014 didn’t hold back in it’s spectrum of entertainment. So here are my twenty best actors and actresses on TV this year.

Best Actors

1. Mark Ruffalo (The Normal Heart)
2. Matt Bomer (The Normal Heart)
3. Denis O’Hare (American Horror Story: Freak Show)
4. James Spader (The Blacklist)
5. Jefferey Tambor (Transparent)
6. Jack Falahee (How to Get Away With Murder)
7. Grant Gustin (The Flash)
8. Jonathon Groff (Looking)
9. Alan Cumming (The Good Wife)
10. Jim Parsons (The Normal Heart)

Best Actresses

1. Viola Davis (How to Get Away With Murder)
2. Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black)
3. Taylor Schilling (Orange is the New Black)
4. Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Freak Show)
5. Kathy Bates (American Horror Story: Freak Show)
6. Julia Roberts (The Normal Heart)
7. Allison Janney (Moms)
8. Lena Dunham (Girls)
9. Christine Baranski (The Good Wife)
10. Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)

My Favorite Things of 2014 – Movies

This year has definitely been a great year for movies. From blockbuster hits to Oscar nominees, I had a hard time picking my favorite movies of the year. I have chosen my favorites from Marvel superheroes, prize fighters, great thinkers, and a musical trip in the woods. Here are my twelve best movies of the year.

Best Movies

1. The Theory of Everything
2. Guardians of the Galaxy
3. Birdman
4. Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
5. The Fault in Our Stars
6. Gone Girl
7. Nightcrawler
8. Into the Woods
9. Foxcatcher
10. Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me  

With amazing movies there are amazing actors and actresses. This year was a big year of transformations, not only physical, but also emotional transformations. We have seen these amazing men and women disappear into their roles. There were wicked witches, great leaders, and mysterious spouses. Here are the twenty actors and actresses who brought spectacular characters to the big screen.

Best Actors

1. Steve Carell (Foxcatcher)
2. Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler)
3. Michael Keaton (Birdman)
4. Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1)
5. Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)
6. Christoph Waltz (Big Eyes)
7. Ben Affleck (Gone Girl)
8. Robert Downey Jr. (The Judge)
9. Robert Duvall (The Judge)
10. Neil Patrick Harris (Gone Girl)

Best Actresses

1. Angelina Jolie (Maleficent)
2. Jennifer Lawrence (Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1)
3. Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)
4. Meryl Streep (Into the Woods)
5. Amy Adams (Big Eyes)
6. Shailene Woodley (The Fault in Our Stars)
7. Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything)
8. Emma Stone (Birdman)
9. Elizabeth Banks (Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1)
10. Julianne Moore (Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1)