The first month of 2014 has been a pop culture explosion, with award shows, a few new movies, and some instantly memorable TV moments. People like Jared Leto [1] and Matthew McConaughey [2] had us talking, American Horror Story [3] and Flowers in the Attic made our jaws drop, and we still can't get over how good Zac Efron [4] and Beyoncé look. See what made our best and worst of January entertainment!
Best Crush Comeback: Jared Leto
Jared Leto [5] may have been MIA [6] for a while, but he is back in a big way this award season, sweeping award shows for his role in Dallas Buyers Club and generally being the dreamiest contender around. Now, our Leto crushes aren't just all about nostalgia — though we do wonder what Jordan Catalano would think [7] about all this.
Most Awkward Music Video: Marnie on Girls
Who knew Marnie could make us cringe more than her season one rendition of Kanye West [8]'s "Stronger"? Well, she does it again in the new season of Girls, when her self-made video for "What I Am" [9] gets unleashed on the Internet. Sure, she's mortified, but she can't be more embarrassed than we are for her.
Best Performance by a Set of Abs: Zac Efron in That Awkward Moment
Zac Efron [10] is cute and charming in That Awkward Moment, but let's be honest with ourselves: you're seeing this movie for that chest right there. It's on display a lot in That Awkward Moment, which is . . . sorry, we got distracted looking at him again.
Sexiest Duet: Beyoncé and Jay Z
Beyoncé and Jay Z have given us memorable performances together before, but we don't think we've seen one as sexy as their duet to "Drunk in Love" at the Grammys [12]. To be fair, most of the sexy credit goes to Queen Bey, who we're still in awe over.
Most Disturbing TV Phenomenon: Flowers in the Attic
Lifetime is known for making some controversial movies, and the adaptation of V.C. Andrews's Flowers in the Attic was no exception. Featuring incest and loads of physical and emotional abuse, the most eye-opening thing about the TV movie may have been how popular it was with the ratings. And to think, the next one is going to be even crazier [13].
Best Hookup: Tie!
This was a tough one, because there are two really great makeouts this month, both of which we'd been waiting to see for a long time. Caroline and Klaus thrilled us with their frenzied vampire hookup on The Vampire Diaries, but another couple also made our hearts flutter.
That would be Mindy and Danny on The Mindy Project. These two finally kiss [15] in the Winter finale, and though we're not sure we're ready to see these two officially date, man, was this kiss good.
Most Out-of-This-World Speech: Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey [16] is on a winning streak this award season, and he's been giving some incredible speeches [17], but his acceptance speech at the SAG awards went off the rails a little bit. He lost us at Neptune, but we're still loving his award-season presence.
Most Blood Spilled: American Horror Story
This month, in American Horror Story [18]: Coven news: axe murders, eye gouges, drownings, and multiple stabbings! For a bloody show, these final episodes have felt like the bloodiest, and we're not even quite sure who's still alive.