From Jennifer Lopez joining ‘American Idol’ to Charlie Sheen’s meltdown, some of the year’s biggest news stories seem like distant memories. By John Mitchell Rebecca Black in her “Friday” video Photo: Ark Music Factory Every major entertainment news story has a life cycle. First it breaks and is inescapable as every detail of the event takes on an aura of significance (think the carat count on Britney Spears’ engagement ring ). With interest still high but new information scarce, the analysis begins. We reporters look to experts to see what it all means and to fans to find out what they think and how they feel about what’s gone down. There are follow-ups and roundups as bright and shiny fresh news bits come together with what we already know to tell the whole story. Then the whole thing kind of dies as interest wanes and everybody moves on to the next big thing. Most major stories end up feeling like little time capsules and we never forget when they happened. Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” is as tied to 2011 as Beyonc
