2012's best pop culture moments

Suddenly in December, the term hyperemesis gravidarum was on the tip of everyone's tongue, thanks to a yet-to-be-born British heir. The rare ailment is an acute form of morning sickness and made headlines when Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, was admitted to a London hospital for treatment of it.

Joy over the impending arrival of a royal baby was marred by a radio hoax in which two Australian DJs, posing as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, made a phone call to the hospital to get information about the duchess' condition. One of the nurses who handled the call later took her own life.

Credit: AP Photo