Winners and Losers of 2004

— -- For some people, 2004 just wasn't a good year. Just ask John Kerry, the New York Yankees or Oliver Stone. For others, though, 2004 provided lots of reasons to smile, as Karl Rove or those Desperate Housewives could tell you. Following is a list of some of the winners and losers of the past year.

And there's nothing worse than starting off the new year with last year's fads. Are you wondering what 2005 will bring more tabloid stories about Britney Spears? Will another famous pair of sisters join Paris and Nicky, Jessica and Ashlee, and Mary-Kate and Ashley in celebrity-land? Here's a list of some of the trends that are "in" as the new year begins -- along with those that are definitely "over" (or so we hope).