2007 Year

Sometimes it seemed as if three out of four art-world conversations in 2007 were about the booming market. How high will it go, is it a bubble, will it burst, is money debasing art? The subject is like real estate chatter for the pretentious -- which is not to say insignificant, only that it's almost never interesting or insightful.

It's impossible to deem the passing of any influential arts, entertainment or pop culture figure more "important" than that of another. It is possible, however, to observe that two performers who died in 2007 managed to transcend the traditional boundaries between art and entertainment like no others: opera's beloved Italian tenor and American soprano, Luciano Pavarotti and Beverly Sills.

What is a "Hasselhoff" in doctor-speak? Does eating turkey really make you unusually sleepy? Why is it better to celebrate a big victory with champagne rather than beer? Those are some of the questions addressed in the British Medical Journal's Christmas issue, which collects some of the more arcane reports the journal received during the year.

CRITICS' reviews, box-office performance, industry screenings and early awards have helped whittle the list of Oscar best picture contenders. Though that means the top race is clearer, unpredictable turns are still ahead.

Was this an extraordinarily bad year for women in sports, or what? Television has its Emmys. Music has its Grammys. We have our Dummies. In a tradition begun all the way back in 2006, The Times again bestows dishonor upon the worst of the worst in sports for the year.

In 2007, American ballet treaded water (as usual), but a few once-scruffy modern dance ensembles made it into some of our most prestigious venues with major success.