MOVIES 
 Oscar Isaac. For years, this handsome Cuban-Guatemalan actor has been languishing on the sidelines in fizzlers like the Russell Crowe vehicle "Robin Hood" and the little-seen "Agora." It took the Coen brothers to give Isaac a lead role in a major movie, "Inside Llewyn Davis," in which he plays -- fittingly -- an unknown folk singer struggling for recognition. Isaac has been nominated for a Golden Globe. 
 Miles Teller. After playing a party-animal with a nonstop mouth in teen flicks like "Project X" and "21 &amp; Over," the 26-year-old Teller won critical acclaim for a dramatic role: a party animal with a drinking problem in "The Spectacular Now." Teller may yet have a serious career ahead, even if he's returning to type in next year's "That Awkward Moment." He'll play -- guess what? -- a party animal with a secret girlfriend. 
 Adèle Exarchopoulos. The 20-year-old actress with the tricky surname has become a French sensation, winning Cannes' prestigious Palme d'Or -- along with costar Léa Seydoux and director Abdellatif Kechiche -- for her role as a young lesbian in the NC-17-rated "Blue is the Warmest Color." (Only one woman, Jane Campion, had won the award previously.) Her English may be limited, but she clearly has an eye toward working in Hollywood: She recently confessed that the director she'd most like to work with is Judd Apatow. 
 -- RAFER GUZMÁN 
 POP MUSIC 
 Macklemore &amp; Ryan Lewis. The Seattle duo turned mainstream hip-hop upside down this year by challenging the genre's deeply ingrained themes and still keeping things fun. "Thrift Shop" became an anti-bling anthem, while also setting the scene for "Same Love," which eloquently advocated for equal rights for same-sex couples. They were rewarded with No. 1 hits and a boatload of major Grammy nominations. 
 Lorde. The teenage sensation from New Zealand proudly came from nowhere to one of the year's biggest hits, "Royals," by tapping into the disconnect between the lifestyles glamorized in pop culture and teenage reality. Her debut, "Pure Heroine," continued poking holes in the illusion, declaring in her deep, warm voice, "I'm tired of putting my hands up in the air. So there." 
 Pharrell. So what didn't Pharrell do this year? He was involved in the summer's two biggest hits -- Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" and Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" -- as well as producing and performing on albums from Jay Z, 2 Chainz and even The Lonely Island. He also put out his own work, including an impressive 24-hour-long video for "Happy," his theme from "Despicable Me 2." 
 -- GLENN GAMBOA 
 TV 
 Netflix. And what a breakout. Three original productions that launched last year ("Arrested Development," "Hemlock Grove" and "House of Cards") combined for a total of 14 Emmys; neither "HoC" nor "Development" won for best drama or comedy respectively, but got Netflix a ticket to the party. Netflix also established a new viewing phenomenon -- "bingeing," or the glutinous consumption of favorite shows hour after hour (after hour). Some series found new converts (and fanatics) via Netflix, most notably "Breaking Bad." 
 Kerry Washington and "Scandal." Who is this wonderwoman, Olivia Pope, who cries bitter tears in one scene and devises plots with steel-hearted resolve the next? She is hot and cold, fire and ice -- always impeccably dressed. Washington's true breakout year was 2012, with "Django Unchained," and the April premiere of "Scandal," but the "breakout" kept on rolling into this one, with a best actress Emmy nomination, a memorable "Saturday Night Live" host outing, and now, household name status. 
 "Saturday Night Live's" Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong and Vanessa Bayer. "SNL" had a historic cast turnover on the eve of its 39th season, and yet still managed to break out three major cast members -- Sea Cliff native McKinnon, Bayer ("Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy") and new "Weekend Update" co-anchor Strong. These three key female ones are now poised to become major "SNL" stars of the future. 
 -- VERNE GAY 
 THEATER 
 Tom Hanks. He didn't need to risk his halo by making his Broadway debut in "Lucky Guy," a daring New York journalism saga that was unproduced when his friend, playwright Nora Ephron, died. And he was terrific. 
 The Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars. Jazz master Wynton Marsalis put together the ace 16-piece onstage band that makes "After Midnight" so much more than another revue. The all-stars' name may be clunky, but it's no hype. These musicians are intoxicating. 
 Jeanine Tesori. Not only did Tesori write the marvelous music for "Fun Home," the best musical of the year, but she also was the artistic director for the inaugural "Encores! Off-Center," the ridiculously enticing and ambitious three-play series that began this summer with important and wonderful revivals of "The Cradle Will Rock," "I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It On the Road" and, for one day only, Sutton Foster in a look back at Tesori's first musical, "Violet." It was so delicious that Foster will star in a revival of the haunting chamber piece on Broadway this spring. 
 -- LINDA WINER 
 BOOKS 
 David Rakoff. It is sobering when an author's breakout book appears after his or her death; if only Rakoff -- beloved for his essays and voice on NPR's "This American Life" -- could be around to enjoy the reaction to "Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish," a series of vignettes in anapestic tetrameter that take us through more than 100 years of American life with humor, heartbreak and wonderful verbal invention. 
 A.S.A. Harrison. Rakoff's fellow Canadian writer also died before her novel, "The Silent Wife," compared by many to the wildly popular "Gone Girl," hit the streets. A thriller that tells of a marriage gone lethally sour in chapters that alternate between the points-of-view of husband and wife, this was Harrison's first work of fiction and displays a talent we were unlucky to lose. 
 Alice Munro. A third Canadian writer is fortunately very much alive at 82. Once adored mainly by the literati, this year Munro was a Nobel Prize winner and, for the first time, with "Dear Love," a No. 1 bestseller. 
 -- MARION WINIK

MOVIES Oscar Isaac. For years, this handsome Cuban-Guatemalan actor has been languishing on the sidelines in fizzlers like the Russell Crowe vehicle "Robin Hood" and the little-seen "Agora." It took the Coen brothers to give Isaac a lead role in a major movie, "Inside Llewyn Davis," in which he plays -- fittingly -- an unknown folk singer struggling for recognition. Isaac has been nominated for a Golden Globe. Miles Teller. After playing a party-animal with a nonstop mouth in teen flicks like "Project X" and "21 & Over," the 26-year-old Teller won critical acclaim for a dramatic role: a party animal with a drinking problem in "The Spectacular Now." Teller may yet have a serious career ahead, even if he's returning to type in next year's "That Awkward Moment." He'll play -- guess what? -- a party animal with a secret girlfriend. Adèle Exarchopoulos. The 20-year-old actress with the tricky surname has become a French sensation, winning Cannes' prestigious Palme d'Or -- along with costar Léa Seydoux and director Abdellatif Kechiche -- for her role as a young lesbian in the NC-17-rated "Blue is the Warmest Color." (Only one woman, Jane Campion, had won the award previously.) Her English may be limited, but she clearly has an eye toward working in Hollywood: She recently confessed that the director she'd most like to work with is Judd Apatow. -- RAFER GUZMÁN POP MUSIC Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. The Seattle duo turned mainstream hip-hop upside down this year by challenging the genre's deeply ingrained themes and still keeping things fun. "Thrift Shop" became an anti-bling anthem, while also setting the scene for "Same Love," which eloquently advocated for equal rights for same-sex couples. They were rewarded with No. 1 hits and a boatload of major Grammy nominations. Lorde. The teenage sensation from New Zealand proudly came from nowhere to one of the year's biggest hits, "Royals," by tapping into the disconnect between the lifestyles glamorized in pop culture and teenage reality. Her debut, "Pure Heroine," continued poking holes in the illusion, declaring in her deep, warm voice, "I'm tired of putting my hands up in the air. So there." Pharrell. So what didn't Pharrell do this year? He was involved in the summer's two biggest hits -- Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" and Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" -- as well as producing and performing on albums from Jay Z, 2 Chainz and even The Lonely Island. He also put out his own work, including an impressive 24-hour-long video for "Happy," his theme from "Despicable Me 2." -- GLENN GAMBOA TV Netflix. And what a breakout. Three original productions that launched last year ("Arrested Development," "Hemlock Grove" and "House of Cards") combined for a total of 14 Emmys; neither "HoC" nor "Development" won for best drama or comedy respectively, but got Netflix a ticket to the party. Netflix also established a new viewing phenomenon -- "bingeing," or the glutinous consumption of favorite shows hour after hour (after hour). Some series found new converts (and fanatics) via Netflix, most notably "Breaking Bad." Kerry Washington and "Scandal." Who is this wonderwoman, Olivia Pope, who cries bitter tears in one scene and devises plots with steel-hearted resolve the next? She is hot and cold, fire and ice -- always impeccably dressed. Washington's true breakout year was 2012, with "Django Unchained," and the April premiere of "Scandal," but the "breakout" kept on rolling into this one, with a best actress Emmy nomination, a memorable "Saturday Night Live" host outing, and now, household name status. "Saturday Night Live's" Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong and Vanessa Bayer. "SNL" had a historic cast turnover on the eve of its 39th season, and yet still managed to break out three major cast members -- Sea Cliff native McKinnon, Bayer ("Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy") and new "Weekend Update" co-anchor Strong. These three key female ones are now poised to become major "SNL" stars of the future. -- VERNE GAY THEATER Tom Hanks. He didn't need to risk his halo by making his Broadway debut in "Lucky Guy," a daring New York journalism saga that was unproduced when his friend, playwright Nora Ephron, died. And he was terrific. The Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars. Jazz master Wynton Marsalis put together the ace 16-piece onstage band that makes "After Midnight" so much more than another revue. The all-stars' name may be clunky, but it's no hype. These musicians are intoxicating. Jeanine Tesori. Not only did Tesori write the marvelous music for "Fun Home," the best musical of the year, but she also was the artistic director for the inaugural "Encores! Off-Center," the ridiculously enticing and ambitious three-play series that began this summer with important and wonderful revivals of "The Cradle Will Rock," "I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It On the Road" and, for one day only, Sutton Foster in a look back at Tesori's first musical, "Violet." It was so delicious that Foster will star in a revival of the haunting chamber piece on Broadway this spring. -- LINDA WINER BOOKS David Rakoff. It is sobering when an author's breakout book appears after his or her death; if only Rakoff -- beloved for his essays and voice on NPR's "This American Life" -- could be around to enjoy the reaction to "Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish," a series of vignettes in anapestic tetrameter that take us through more than 100 years of American life with humor, heartbreak and wonderful verbal invention. A.S.A. Harrison. Rakoff's fellow Canadian writer also died before her novel, "The Silent Wife," compared by many to the wildly popular "Gone Girl," hit the streets. A thriller that tells of a marriage gone lethally sour in chapters that alternate between the points-of-view of husband and wife, this was Harrison's first work of fiction and displays a talent we were unlucky to lose. Alice Munro. A third Canadian writer is fortunately very much alive at 82. Once adored mainly by the literati, this year Munro was a Nobel Prize winner and, for the first time, with "Dear Love," a No. 1 bestseller. -- MARION WINIK

Entertainment

Celebrities

ETBREAK22.WEB

Lorde, Kerry Washington and more breakout artists of 2013

Newsday

lorde cropped

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

50 best LI movies

AI's effect on entertainment

Jones Beach summer 2026 concerts

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

HBO's much-awaited-for DC adaptation isn't sure what it wants to be.

'Lanterns': Sometimes not so easy being green

One LI college's gym was a hotbed for some of the rock's biggest names.

By the time they got to Woodstock, these legendary rock acts had already played LI gigs

"1971: Billy Joel's Lost Interview" will be screened a the LI Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame

AI-generated Billy Joel from 1971 to be featured in new documentary to screen on LI

Two months after his bombshell announcement, the longtime newscaster tells us why he stepped down and what the future holds.

After Alzheimer's diagnosis, former Ch. 7 anchor Bill Ritter talks about his life now

The show isn't coming here, so you'll need to be in "A Stamford State of Mind" instead.

Billy Joel tribute sets 37-date tour, with no stops planned for LI or NYC

Joe Vanella, a Wantagh funeral director, will try to outwit the contestants on 'The Traitors: New Blood"

LI man to compete on new 'Traitors' spinoff

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

The rapper took part in a new venture from a culture-oriented hospitality group.

Here's what happened when Wyclef Jean 'took over' Gurney's in Montauk

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

The nostalgic eatery, with iconic orange roofs and 28 flavors of ice cream, opened on Long Island in 1938.

Remembering Howard Johnson's, the beloved restaurant chain

Beer and Herbert shared their engagement news with fans, marking a new chapter in their love story after a year of dating.

Jericho's Madison Beer engaged to LA Chargers QB Justin Herbert

The stars of "Totally '90s House" will seek to modernize a home that seems stuck in that decade.

LI's Melissa Joan Hart, other '90s TV stars, will compete in new HGTV show

The Grammy winner shares stories about her show at Sag Harbor, Clive Davis and more.

Melissa Manchester talks about 'Cagney,' Clive Davis, performing on LI, more

Mayor Mamdani said she paid the city for "the event and the response to the event."

Taylor Swift paid $160G in city permit bill for wedding

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

The NYPD released footage of a man being airlifted from Cedar Creek Park in Seaford in Aug. 7.

NYPD video shows man being airlifted from Long Island park

Dan Guida of Rocky Point volunteers at the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook helping veterans with physical therapy.

Volunteers of Long Island: 'Lt. Dan' giving back to his brother veterans

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa finds the perfect fit at Rico's Clothing in Center Moriches.

LI Works: Ken finds the man who makes the clothes that make the man

Long Island's Head Start programs are facing financial headwinds. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

LI's Head Start programs face issues with funding, infrastructure 

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed has a first look at something new to enjoy, an evergreen maze at Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm.

Out East: Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm's new evergreen maze

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman bikes Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway, stopping along the way at seasonal hot spots.

Beach hop with savory stops along LI's coastal bike path

The nonprofit Whip Pediatric Cancer provides unicorn-themed dresses to kids receiving chemo treatment. The dresses have a zipper running down the chest allowing for access to a chemotherapy port.

Unicorn-themed dresses help girls who are undergoing chemo feel 'like a princess'

NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie spoke with the Suffolk Sheriff's Marine Bureau about tips boaters should follow to be prepared when heading out onto the water.

In wake of deadly New York Harbor accident, LI official provides boating safety tips

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland and Doug Geed take a look back at the case against Richard Angelo, who injected several patients with a paralyzing drug.

Picture This: When a nurse's deadly secret was revealed 

Sunday's competition, the 12th annual held at Peter's Clam Bar, raised money to benefit the Lindsey Rose Parke Foundation.

Island Park restaurant holds annual clam-eating contest

Sitewide Video Playlist

Watch video of the rescue

Former Valley Stream North High School counselor Samia Tariq-Farooq has filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was retaliated against for pushing back on the directive. Newsday Education reporter Lorena Mongelli has more.

Ex-LI High School counselor files federal lawsuit

Nassau Republicans awarded over $1 million in taxpayer-funded legal contracts to the one-man law firm of Sheharyar Ali, a longtime GOP ally. Ali's father is an adviser to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa and Newsday Nassau County politics reporter Bahar Ostadan have the story.

'Democrats say this is a misuse of taxpayer funds'

'Not knowing how important this program is'

"You've displayed nothing short of a complete and utter disregard for human life," the judge told Steven Schwally during sentencing. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'I am not a monster'

The alleged drunken driver who crashed into a Deer Park nail salon, killing three employees and a customer, bought liquor and drove around the area for about five hours before the crash.

Timeline of events in fatal Long Island nail salon crash

Here's how these Long Island content creators use TikTok to build their careers.

Meet the Long Islanders making it big on TikTok

"They're not allowing that time and access for folks to really present their case," said one advocate, describing "mega master" immigration hearings. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'Serious fundamental due process concerns'

'Life jackets are the most important piece of safety equipment'

The town's housing authority used an unlawful system to curate its waitlist for apartments, according to federal officials. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'I have never seen anything this egregious'

The boat's driver, Manuel Hernandez, 46, has been charged with misconduct and neglect. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Boat operator charged in fatal capsizing

Thomas Lobianco, 26, of Ronkonkoma, has been charged with driving while impaired by drugs in the deadly Nesconset crash that also left two other road workers injured. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'The car came out of nowhere'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

Celebrities - megaslot

From Billy Joel and Debbie Gibson to Mariah Carey and Kevin James, the latest Long Island celebrity news.

Lorde, Kerry Washington and more breakout artists of 2013

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.