Whether it's politicians, leaders from the world of business and finance, or tabloid celebrities - the faces keep coming around.
But every so often a new star makes it into the headlines and a relative unknown is propelled into the spotlight before quietly fading away again.
Let's celebrate the stand-out newcomers of 2014, the characters who made the day just that little bit different.
One minute you're on TV, talking about all the amazing science you've done to land a spacecraft on a comet, the next you're being given a telling-off for your shirt.
Matt Taylor later broke down during a press conference and apologised for his "big mistake".
Austrian drag act Conchita Wurst took first place at the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest.
Collecting her trophy on stage the singer said: "This night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom."
England's head physio Gary Lewin suffered a dislocated ankle during the celebrations for Daniel Sturridge's goal against Italy during the World Cup.
Roy Hodgson described the incident, which resulted in Lewin being stretchered off the pitch, as a "sad moment".
Former baseball player Pete Frates inspired thousands of people around the world to film themselves tipping cold water over themselves.
An ALS sufferer himself, his ice bucket challenge helped to raise millions of dollars for charities which tackle the disease.
ALS is known as motor neurone disease in the UK.
Dean Farley caused a security alert when he bumped into the prime minister in Leeds.
He claimed he didn't recognise the PM.
A later investigation confirmed he had been jogging on his way to the gym.
Despite the fact that Amal Alamuddin did not feature regularly on chat shows and gossip websites before meeting and marrying "Hollywood's most eligible bachelor" (aka George Clooney), she did manage a few other accomplishments.
As many pointed out, these minor achievements included being a successful human rights lawyer, publishing books and working with the United Nations.
Jessie Helt, a homeless man from the US, was invited up on stage by Miley Cyrus when she won at the MTV VMAs.
He was later jailed for six months after violating his probation.
He handed himself into police having been spotted on national television with Miley.
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West Somerset Council agreed to merge with neighbouring Taunton Deane Borough Council in September to save money.
However, a group of 15 Taunton Deane councillors opposed the merger and launched a legal challenge against the move.
But a High Court judge has ruled the challenge as "premature and academic".
In his ruling Mr Justice Lewis said the Secretary of State "wishes consultation" to take place before he makes the final decision on the new council proposal under legislation.
Taunton Deane Borough Council leader John Williams said: "This judgement is a vindication our approach so far.
"It's also a testament to all the hard work and commitment of our officer team who have ensured we have acted properly and correctly at all times."

The Dow Jones closed at 18,116.04, down 105 points, or 0.6%, while the broader S&P 500 dropped 13 points, or 0.6%, to 2091.5.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 16 points, or 0.3%, to 4,994.73.
The dollar rose against the euro by 0.2% to â‚¬0.9154.
The dollar's rise can hurt large US companies' profits, as they get less from their overseas earnings after currency conversions.
Additionally, the dollar's strength makes it harder for companies to compete with foreign rivals, which may be able to offer similar products more cheaply.
There was some welcome economic data on Tuesday, which showed US consumer prices had rebounded in February, but this failed to lift Wall Street.
The Consumer Price Index rose by 0.2% last month, after fuel prices increased for the first time since June.
The monthly rise follows three consecutive months of declines, including a 0.7% drop in January. On an annual basis, prices in February were unchanged from a year earlier.
Analysts said investors were wary of shares because of the possible impact of the stronger dollar on companies' profits.
"Right now, we are a bit of in a waiting pattern and the big news is going to be when these earnings reports start to hit in April," Peter Jankovskis, co-chief investment officer at OakBrook Investments, told Reuters.
Often the news features the same old cast of characters.
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A judicial review of the decision to merge two Conservative-run local authorities in Somerset has been rejected in full.
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(Close): The main US share indexes all fell on Tuesday as investors continued to fret about the effect of the strong dollar on corporate results.