Two dozen picks for '24
The year is about to become 2024. So, the time is right to make some picks as to what will happen in the upcoming 366 days. Yes, folks, it is a leap year.
To the crystal ball …
24. Presidential election
It seems like the 2020 presidential election was just yesterday. That could be because it is still discussed and, in some corners, contested. So, what’s the next one going to entail? Simple: Tumult, turmoil, chaos, and controversy.
23. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
The charming couple will go through ups and downs, mainly because people love to blame the pop singer for the Chiefs’ struggles. Through it all, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will stick together. Marriage? Feels a bit soon.
22. The Dodgers will not win the World Series
The Dodgers will rule the NL West but won’t bring the World Series trophy home to Chavez Ravine. They already have the built-in excuse that Shohei Ohtani could only DH and are awaiting 2025 when they hope he will pitch again.
21. Neither the Browns nor Lions will play in the Super Bowl
It would be the game of games if the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions met in the Super Bowl. Feels like the teams have made monster progress but there is a learning curve and neither has enough postseason chops to make it to Las Vegas in February. Sorry.
20. The 2024 Summer Olympics ... will go mainly unnoticed
By the time everyone gets to Paris, the country will be so sick of NBC’s self-promotion of the Olympic Games it will lead to tepid ratings.
19. Tom Brady will call FOX NFL games
Tom Brady will step into the broadcast booth with FOX Sports and will immediately go under scrutiny like no other sixth-round pick. His weekly work will prevent the network from doing its spinoff of the ManningCast on Sundays. You know, The Brady Brunch, would never play because there are too many NFL games.
18. The Denver Nuggets will repeat
The talented Denver Nuggets will make their way through the regular season, winning enough games to secure one of the top Western Conference playoff spots. There are no solutions — yet — for stopping Nikola Jokic and that will prove enough of a problem for the rest of the NBA to see the Nuggets repeat.
17. The Pistons will reach double-digit wins
For those who hold the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers near and dear, hoping the Detroit Pistons find a way to get it together and somehow win 8 more games. The Sixers team finished 9-73 and is regarded as the worst of all time.
16. The Pistons or Spurs will win on Jan. 10
Well, someone has to win when the worst teams in the NBA meet in Detroit. Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs pay a visit to the Pistons.
15. 'Succession' get its the call
And the Emmy for best drama goes to “Succession” on its way out of the original programming schedule.
14. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
There will be an incessant stream of stories that Prince Harry misses being a royal and Meghan Markle wants to return to acting. They will stay together through all the blather and bluster.
13. 'Bob Marley: One Love' creates a 2024 trend
The movie “Bob Marley: One Love” will become a huge hit and spark an incredible renaissance/revival in the Jamaican legend’s music.
12. The pizza order of 2024
Hot Honey Chicken & Pepperoni will become a fad in the next year. People love the hot chicken and mixing in pepperoni will turn into a natural combination.
11. The most popular dog breed
The French Bulldog has become the go-to dog for the canine set. It won’t change in 2024, although the German Shepherd and Golden Retrievers won’t be far behind.
10. 'Curb Your Enthusiam' sets the audience up — again
Yes, Larry David has told everyone that the 2024 season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” will be the final one. But what is to prevent there from being a cliffhanger ending, leaving fans aghast that absolutely nothing has been settled, keeping hopes open for another season or some kind of special?
9. Benson and Stabler
Everyone’s favorite “Law & Order” duo will continue flirting and come close to a relationship, but in the end, there is something about nothing that adds spice to the series.
8. Novak Djokovic
The great Serbian player will win another Australian Open. His dream of a Grand Slam will end early, though, as he will be thwarted in the French Open. Not sure who, but someone will stop Djokovic.
7. Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark won’t win the NCAA basketball championship with Iowa but she will be the National Player of the Year and the first pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.
6. The Kardashians
The power family will continue to get media attention for stories that are either borderline fabrication or meaningless drivel. You know, sort of like putting them on this list for no reason.
5. A band to keep an eye on
They already have a growing following but look for the English band “Lovejoy” to grow in venue size throughout the year. They aren’t ready for stadiums but certainly will be a presence on the music scene.
4. Toyota Prius
The car model of the year will be the ever-present Toyota Prius. Hard to believe how this grew in many ways out of the great Larry David driving one early in ‘Curb.”
3. Aaron Rodgers returns
Aaron Rodgers will play for the New York Jets in 2024. And to the surprise of absolutely no one, they will finish third again in the AFC East.
2. NFL draft first pick
The Bears will trade the first pick in the NFL draft for the second straight season. Why? They will decide Marvin Harrison Jr. and Justin Fields team make for a better decision than Caleb Williams.
1. Roman Reigns will be dethroned
He’s been WWE Universal champion seemingly forever, so there has to be an end to Roman Reigns’ run.
