There are myriad year-end lists published every December; here is my (J)opinion about the Best of 2008.

STELLAR PERFORMANCES

Glenn Close, Damages

Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man & Tropic Thunder

Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Mary Louise Parker, Weeds

Sean Penn, Milk

Jimmy Smits, Dexter

Rutina Wesley, True Blood

The women of Mad Men

FAVORITE FILMS

The Dark Knight

Iron Man

Milk

Slumdog Millionaire

Wall E

TOP TELEVISION

30 Rock

Dexter

Mad Men

Lost
 
NEW SHOWS

Fringe

The Middleman

True Blood

POLITICS & POP CULTURE

Even better than the real thing: Tina Fey as Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live.

Hallelujah. Change has never looked better.

With the passage of Proposition 8 in California, the wedded bliss that Ellen & Portia and 18,000 other happy couples share may be revoked.  Our plans to get married are now on hold as well. Disappointment doesn’t begin to cover how I feel.
 
MUSIC: ALBUMS

Coldplay: Viva La Vida

Death Cab for Cutie: Narrow Stairs

Killers: Day and Age

Pink: Funhouse

Kanye West: 808s & Heartbreak

MUSIC: SINGLES

Ben Folds w/Regina Spector: “You Don’t Know Me”

The Bravery: “Believe” & “Time Won’t Let Me Go” (tie)

Kaiser Chiefs: “Never Miss a Beat”

Kings of Leon: “Sex on Fire”

I’m sure that there are shows, films and songs I’m forgetting, so let’s blame the holiday food coma.

I hope that you enjoyed a fabulous holiday, and Happy New Year to all!

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For the fifth installment in the DVD series The Write Environment, I was fascinated and riveted by Jeffrey Berman’s interview with the very talented and accomplished comedy writer Sam Simon.

Before I discuss his interview, I wanted to offer a chronological look at Simon’s impressive contributions to the world of the television sitcom (animated and human):

1981-82: Taxi (writer/producer)
1982-85: Cheers (writer/producer)
1987: The Tracey Ullman Show (writer/producer)
1987-88: It’s Gary Shandling’s Show (writer)
1989-present: The Simpsons (writer/producer/character designer)
1994-95: The George Carlin Show (writer/producer/director)
1995: The Drew Carey Show (writer/producer/director)

In addition, Simon also directed one episode of Friends and several of The Norm Show with Norm MacDonald (whom Simon believes to be one of the funniest people he’s ever met). In addition to 20 amazing years of The Simpsons, the man has worked with and written for some of the most incredible casts and entertaining personalities in television history, from Andy Kaufman and George Carlin to Drew Carey and Tracey Ullman.

Simon has been nominated for 13 Emmy Awards, and golden evidence of his 9 wins now line the shelf behind his desk. Unlike the other writers in The Write Environment series, however, Simon’s home office does not appear to be decorated with memorabilia from any of his shows. Given that he prefers the collaborative nature of the writers room at The Simpsons to writing alone, it does not seem like he spends a great deal of time at home in that space.

Prior to this interview, I was unaware that Simon had ties to the Bay Area. He went to Stanford (where he was a cartoonist for the student paper), and created cartoons for the San Francisco Chronicle and Examiner before leaving to design characters as a storyboard artist.

That Sam Simon is a man of very high intellect is quite obvious, but not in an obnoxious manner. In fact, he is quite humble and is quick to give credit to all of the writers on his shows rather than take any of his own.  Simon was actually a child prodigy, and he became one of the youngest TV showrunners ever at 23 (Taxi).

One of the many highlights from his interview include the moment when Simon addresses how he feels about Family Guy. Very interesting…

On top of Simon’s extensive career, he has an incredibly charitable spirit. He created The Sam Simon Foundation, which rescues dogs from shelters and trains them to become hearing dogs for the deaf or hard of hearing.

The holidays are fast approaching, but it’s not too late to order Sam Simon’s interview or the entire DVD series of The Write Environment for the aspiring writers and television fans in your life! Click here to order through the official store.

I would like to thank The Write Environment’s creator/host Jeffery Berman and producer/editor Amy Gollnick for the opportunity to review this series. It has been a real pleasure to learn more about the lives and processes of such well-respected television scribes.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for my last sneak peek – an interview with Doug Ellin, who created and writes Entourage!

Happy holidays and safe travels to all you, and thank you very much for taking the time to read and visit this site.

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Some of these were summer and/or cable series which will not return until later next year, and other shows are only mid-season at this point, but here is how I would rate each of them right now:

• 30 Rock: B+

• The Amazing Race: B
  

• Bones: B
  

• Brothers & Sisters: B
  

• Dexter: A-
  

• Dirty Sexy Money: B-

• Eli Stone: B
  

• Entourage: C

• Fringe: A 
  

• Grey’s Anatomy: C
  

• Heroes: C+

• House: B

• It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: B+
  

• Life: B+
  

• Life on Mars: B
  

• Lipstick Jungle: B
  

• The Office: B-
  

• Private Practice: B
  

• Pushing Daisies: B
  

• Samantha Who: B+
  

• Saturday Night Live: C

• Survivor: B

• Top Chef: B
  

• True Blood: B
  

• Ugly Betty: B-
  

I don’t have DirecTV so I haven’t been able to watch Friday Night Lights yet this season, but I certainly look forward to doing so when it airs on NBC beginning in January!

Other returning favorites which I am quite excited about include Damages, Flight of the Conchords, Lost and Medium. I will continue to enjoy the remaining episodes and then mourn the loss of Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Lipstick Jungle and Pushing Daisies.

As a huge fan of the small screen, it is very disheartening to see that kind of programming disappear, and alarming to note the number of ill-advised reality shows filling up the airwaves instead. Note to studio execs: there is a reason that The Amazing Race, American Idol and Survivor remain popular year after year- they feature actual competition, emotion and talent. Enough with the dating garbage (I’m talking to you, NBC, MTV & VH1). I realize that it is far less expensive to create and produce an allegedly unscripted reality series these days, but it is a shame that the television landscape (and audience) loses quality and creativity as a result.

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I would like to start by stating that at least in my eyes, the Golden Globes are not as significant as the Emmys are for television and Oscars are for film. It is worth noting that the foreign press are the voting committee for the Globes, whereas those who create the films are the ones who determine the Academy Award nominations.

Every year around this time I tend to bemoan many of the major award nominations, and the 2008 Golden Globe nods are no exception. I find the separation of the film and acting categories (drama and comedy or musical) to be odd and unnecessary.

I have not had the opportunity to see many of the films yet, as most have only debuted in limited release. Those with an asterisk denote my personal choice in each category; who I want to win vs. who I think will win.

FILM

BEST PICTURE: DRAMA

• 
  The Curious Case of Benjamin Button *
  
• 
  Frost/Nixon
• 
  The Reader
• 
  Revolutionary Road
• 
  Slumdog Millionaire

I have not seen any of these yet and find it infuriating that Milk is not included.

BEST DIRECTOR

• 
  Danny Boyle: Slumdog Millionaire
• 
  Stephen Daldry: The Reader
• 
  David Fincher Button: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button *
  
• 
  Ron Howard: Frost/Nixon
• 
  Sam Mendes: Revolutionary Road

My top choice is Gus Van Sant (for Milk), and he was not nominated. I simply do not understand this omission either.

ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE: DRAMA

• 
  Anne Hathaway: Rachel Getting Married
• 
  Angelina Jolie: Changeling
• 
  Meryl Streep: Doubt
• 
  Kristin Scott Thomas: I’ve Loved You So Long
• 
  Kate Winslet: Revolutionary Road *

This is her year. That Winslet is nominated in both acting categories for two films gives me great hope that the same may hold true for the Oscars, and she might finally make it to the podium this time.

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

• 
  Amy Adams: Doubt
• 
  Penelope Cruz: Vicky Cristina Barcelona
• 
  Viola Davis: Doubt
• 
  Marisa Tomei: The Wrestler
• 
  Kate Winslet: The Reader *

I have heard the buzz around Tomei’s and Davis’ performances, so I wouldn’t be surprised if either won.

ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE: DRAMA

• 
  Leonardo Dicaprio: Revolutionary Road
• 
  Franky Langella: Frost/Nixon
• 
  Sean Penn: Milk *
• 
  Brad Pitt: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• 
  Mickey Rourke: The Wrestler

Slam dunk.

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

• 
  Tom Cruise: Tropic Thunder
• 
  Robert Downey Jr.: Tropic Thunder
• 
  Ralph Fiennes: The Duchess
• 
  Philip Seymour Hoffman: Doubt
• 
  Heath Ledger: The Dark Knight *

An obvious and deserving choice. I was slightly amused by Cruise’s performance, but by no means does he belong among this company and in category.

BEST PICTURE: COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• 
  Burn After Reading
• 
  Happy-Go-Lucky
• 
  In Bruges
• 
  Mamma Mia! *
• 
  Vicky Cristina Barcelona

I was not very impressed with Burn After Reading and could not get through In Bruges. None of these will make the cut with regard to the Oscars and Best Picture.

ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE: COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• 
  Rebecca Hall: Vicky Cristina Barcelona
• 
  Sally Hawkins: Happy-Go-Lucky
• 
  Frances McDormand: Burn After Reading
• 
  Meryl Streep: Mamma Mia!
• 
  Emma Thompson: Last Chance Harvey *

Although I think Streep deserves it for taking a rare career risk and doing so with such joy and success, I am leaning toward a sentimental win for both Thompson and Hoffman (see below).

ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE: COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• 
  Javier Bardem: Vicky Cristina Barcelona
• 
  Colin Farrell: In Bruges
• 
  James Franco: Pineapple Express
• 
  Brendan Gleeson: In Bruges
• 
  Dustin Hoffman: Last Chance Harvey *

BEST ANIMATED FILM

• 
  Bolt
• 
  Kung Fu Panda
• 
  Wall-E *

My second favorite Pixar film of all time, behind Monsters Inc.

TELEVISION

Best Drama

• Dexter
• House
• In Treatment
• Mad Men *
• True Blood

I believe Dexter is the better show overall, but Mad Men’s second season was nothing short of spectacular. That being said, I am outraged that In Treatment and True Blood are nominated and Lost is not. I really enjoy True Blood but it stumbled out of the gate and certainly did not have a flawless first season. I am not a fan of In Treatment and remain baffled by its many nods this year.  Lost, on the other hand, emerged from the writers strike as one of the most consistent, well produced and written series on television (network or cable).

Best Actor: Drama

• Gabriel Byrne: In Treatment
• Michael C. Hall: Dexter *
• Jon Hamm: Mad Men
• Hugh Laurie: House
• Jonathan Rhys Meyers: The Tudors

Hall’s Dexter is one of the most eerily calm and charming serial killers in the history of television. Hamm is great, but his silent, subtle style does not compare.

Best Actress: Drama

• Sally Field: Brothers & Sisters
• Mariska Hargitay: Law and Order: SVU
• January Jones: Mad Men *
• Anna Paquin: True Blood
• Kyra Sedgwick: The Closer

This was Betty Draper’s season and Jones’ year for sure.

Best Musical/Comedy

• 30 Rock *
• Californication
• Entourage
• The Office
• Weeds

I truly don’t think there is a more entertaining half hour on TV. Weeds is my runner up, but this season was not as sublime.  The Office has lost a little steam, and blew it by letting Amy Ryan go.

Best Actor: Musical/Comedy

• Alec Baldwin: 30 Rock *
• Steve Carell: The Office
• Kevin Connolly: Entourage
• David Duchovny: Californication
• Tony Shalhoub: Monk

Scratching head at all but Baldwin and Carell.

Best Actress: Musical/Comedy

• Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
• America Ferrera: Ugly Betty
• Tina Fey: 30 Rock *
• Debra Messing: The Starter Wife
• Mary-Louise Parker: Weeds

This is the strongest category, in my opinion. And frankly, it’s refreshing not to see any Housewives. Fey is fantastic, but so are Parker and Applegate. I wish that they’d move Weeds into the Drama category, however.

Best Mini-Series 

• A Raisin in the Sun
• Bernard and Doris
• Cranford
• John Adams *
• Recount

Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture

• Ralph Fiennes: Bernard and Doris
• Paul Giamatti: John Adams
• Kevin Spacey: Recount *
• Kiefer Sutherland: 24: Redemption
• Tom Wilkinson: Recount

We need Spacey back on the big screen…in better films. I loved John Adams but never quite agreed with the casting of Giamatti.

Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture

• Judi Dench: Cranford
• Catherine Keener: An American Crime
• Laura Linney: John Adams *
• Shirley MacLaine: Coco Chanel
• Susan Sarandon: Bernard and Doris

Linney’s performance was borderline perfection. However, Keener is phenomenal in An American Crime…a very disturbing film that I was able to see at Sundance in 2007.

Best Supporting Actor

• Neil Patrick Harris: How I Met Your Mother
• Denis Leary: Recount
• Jeremy Piven: Entourage *
• Blair Underwood: In Treatment
• Tom Wilkinson: John Adams

I wish I watched HIMYM. Piven is the only reason I still tune in to Entourage.

Best Supporting Actress

• Eileen Atkins: Cranford
• Laura Dern: Recount
• Melissa George: In Treatment
• Rachel Griffiths: Brothers and Sisters *
• Dianne Wiest: In Treatment

I have been a fan of Griffiths since Muriel’s Wedding and Six Feet Under. She really shines on B&S. Laura Dern’s turn as Katherine Harris in Recount is a very close second.

—
So…any thoughts of your own about the nominations that you’d care to share? I’m sure that I’ll attempt to live-blog the Golden Globes when they air on January 11, so stay tuned!

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Not only is the hysterical HBO series Flight of the Conchords returning for a second season on January 18, now is your chance to enter their Lip Dub Fantasterpiece contest.  Create an original video of yourself lip syncing to the Conchords’ song ‘Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros,’ and upload it on that site; the winning video will air on HBO.

If you haven’t tuned in to this very funny show, you’re in for quite an experience. The series follows the social exploits and failures of New Zealand friends Bret and Jermaine as they break into clever little tunes about their experiences living and performing in NYC. It is certainly one of the more unique shows on the air these days, a refreshing change of pace from standard sitcoms and network fare.
 

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For ten years I watched and loved Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano. And I am thrilled that she is returning to cable television with her own show.  Although Showtime has not announced when the new series Nurse Jackie premieres, apparently it is slated to debut in early 2009.

Click here for a behind-the-scenes look at Nurse Jackie, narrated by and featuring Falco.

Edie Falco first caught my eye when she was a corrections officer on HBO’s Oz during the late 1990′s; it was obvious prior to her many intense confrontations with Tony Soprano that she could more than hold her own among and against the tough guys.

Falco deserves every accolade and award earned as Carmela Soprano (3 Emmys, 2 Golden Globes, 3 SAG Awards), and was the first actress to receive all three of those major television awards for Best Actress in a Drama Series back in 2000.

In addition to being one of television’s top talents, Falco battled and recovered from breast cancer four years ago. Her courage and strength on screen and off is inspiring. I will always tune in to whatever project she’s attached to, and look forward to seeing her again every week.

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