Entertainment Weekly Declares the "New Classics"

What do Die Hard, Beverly Hills 90210 and Kanye West's "The College Dropout" have in common? Each has been named a "New Classic" in this week's Entetainment Weekly list-bonanza double-issue. The magazine rated 1,000 best movies, TV shows, albums, books and other things pop culture from the last 25 years. What does the EW editorial staff have to say about their choices? Their explanation includes, "There is a method to our madness. For one thing, we include memorable works that have endured in the public consciousness despite shrugs from academics--and the Academy."
In addition to the mammoth genre lists, EW peppered the issue with clever takes on Top 10 lists from Jodie Foster, Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Gilbert and Viggo Mortensen. Still there are laugh-out-loud lists like "Artists Shorter Than Prince" and Beck's "Top 10 Reasons Why He Couldn't Come Up with a Top 10 List." Sandwiched in between all these lists are two photo essays from Danny Clinch and Brigitte Lacombe; the photogs showcase some quirky behind-the-scenes moments back stage and behind the camera respectively. But the real gem of the issue is "The Office's" Rainn Wilson paying homage in costume to "new classic" TV heroine Xena Warrior Princess.