In no particular order, here are the shows, episodes or characters which made my 2007 as an avid fan of the small screen. Please – feel free to leave yours in the comments section!

CHENOWITH & CHI OF THE PIE

These two are my favorite characters on Pushing Daisies; they get most of the best lines and laughs. I’ve always liked Chi McBride and am impressed with his great comic timing. But Tony-award winning pixie Kristin Chenowith steals the show, in my opinion.  She is perfectly cast in this quirky little series, and I look forward to her every week.

QUEEN POTTY MOUTH

 
In season one of Dexter, I was not a fan of Debra Morgan. But actress Jennifer Carpenter completely changed my mind in season two, and I have grown to absolutely love Debra and her penchant for foul language on every occasion. Like Deadwood and the frequent use of the word c*cksucker, it just seems natural coming from that source.

DANSON’S DAMAGES

Ted Danson deserves a Golden Globe, an Emmy and every other type of accolade for his astonishing portrayal of corporate monster Arthur Frobisher on Damages. Talk about a career resurgence.

MAD MEN & WOMEN: THE HAIR/WARDROBE/SET DESIGN

I could have watched the entire first season of Mad Men on mute, because the hair & makeup, wardrobe and set design were presented with stunning detail and accuracy.

30 ROCK GOES GREEN

 

The “Greenzo” episode of 30 Rock was my favorite of any sitcom this year. The only other half hour show that makes me laugh out loud as much on a weekly basis is The Office, but even that series could not live up to 30 Rock this season.

WONDER WOMAN, THE SCIENTIST

 
Watching Emily Deschanel attempt to act like her typically tightly wound self on Bones while donning a Wonder Woman costume was, in a word, awesome. The bonus was her little superhero spin move at the very end of the episode. Apparently she was up for the lead role in Joss Whedon’s big screen adaptation of Wonder Woman at one point, which makes me appreciate her effort just that much more. Of course Whedon left that project due to creative differences, so I’m happy that Deschanel won’t be a part of it after all.

LOCKE BOX

Most people would probably list the season finale flash-forward shocker as their top Lost moment of this year, but the reveal of John Locke’s dad in box on the island and the subsequent revenge that Sawyer finally tastes was my favorite story and resolution of the entire series thus far.

DON’T STOP…

It is an obvious choice, but I still believe that the finale of The Sopranos ranks second only to Six Feet Under‘s as the best ending to a series ever.

ONE OF THE BOYS

Welcome to Seattle Grace, Brooke Smith. You are one of the only reasons that I still watch Grey’s Anatomy, and I hope to find that that your character successfully avoids all of the hospital man candy after the writer’s strike has been resolved.

FUNNY & DRUNK: THE NEW BFF

Jennifer Esposito, who knew you had it in you? Your role as the inebriated sidekick on Samantha Who keeps me tuned in. I hope to see you in more scenes with the fabulous Jean Smart in future episodes.

HOUSE IS THE NEW SAWYER

Dr. House has given Lost‘s Sawyer a run for his money as the King of Nicknames. I was not a huge fan of the intern storyline on House this season, but I have to admit that I loved it when House referred to Dr. Cole as Big Love.

JUST JAN

Oh Melora Hardin, how I love thee. While others focused their energy on Jim and Pam at The Office, I stayed loyal to you this season. Because really, sister, you stole the show every time you appeared, and I admire your ability to keep a straight face opposite Carell.

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Lord have mercy, I am several episodes into a Real Housewives of Orange County marathon on Bravo. I’m not usually home on weekdays, but this is the crap that has lured me in and its clutches are strong. Also, although she is mortified at the very mention, I have a friend who is related to one of the women on the show. Bonus!

I don’t like to admit it, but I am actually from Orange County. It was never called The OC, nor do I ever refer to it as such. I have all but denounced the place. Yes, I had a good (dare I say normal) childhood. But those are just not my people. Never have been, never will be.

And yet, like a moth to a flame or an annoying crawl past a minor car wreck, I can’t help myself and I can’t look away. I have a nice stack of excellent DVDs that I rented in advance, mostly based on recommendations from kind readers of this blog. But my attention span is very small right now, and this seems just the ticket.

The only reality shows I watch anymore, except for The Amazing Race, are on Bravo (Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, Project Runway, Top Chef, Work Out). I could change the channel, but the remote is out of my reach and right now, that requires far too much energy. Sad but true. I even have one of those senior citizen gadgets, which I have christened The Grabber Thingy, because I can’t bend down and I use it when I drop sh*t (a new and frequent hobby side effect). But I usually leave it upstairs when I’m downstairs, and vice versa.

Anyway, here is the daily health update, since you asked: better. How is that for vague? I’m still quite sore and stiff, but I can sleep through the night and walk with more ease. Now I’m just dealing with an allergic reaction to the steri-strips covering the sutures on my spine. Having an extremely itchy back is not so fun, but like most of my other current issues, I’m making the best of the situation. I am trying to remain positive as I heal and move forward. Looking back at my last few blogs, my attitude has been primarily negative. Not a surprise. But I need to improve my outlook.

Well, I must retire back to a semi-comfortable seat on the couch and attempt to turn off the housewives. No guarantees. Stay tuned for more sunny notes from the recovery field!

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Or so the song says. But I call bullsh*t right now.

Quick daily health summary: feeling much better, almost human today. Back on the pain meds, able to walk around a bit. Actually went outside to get the mail. Napping far too often. Still a Cranky Pants having a Pity Party. Movies watched while standing up: Reign Over Me and Puccini for Beginners. But I am looking forward to tomorrow, as my first visitors will be coming over and my better half will be baking holiday cookies all day.

And now, a few thoughts about the recently announced 2008 Golden Globe nominations. First up, the nominated films. Let’s just get this out of the way – what the hell is with the separate categories for best picture? They separate them into Drama and Comedy or Musical, and most of the time they f*ck that up. Same with television nods.

Granted, I have not had the time to see as many of these films as I would have liked. But of course I’ve read all about them, watched all trailers and formed my own opinions. Hello, this is my life.

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

• American Gangster (agreed)
  
• Atonement (haven’t seen it, want to, good buzz)
  
• Eastern Promises (not worthy)
  
• The Great Debaters (haven’t seen it, Oprah produced = golden)
  
• Michael Clayton (agreed)
  
• No Country For Old Men (haven’t seen it, want to, great buzz)
  
• There Will Be Blood (haven’t seen it, want to, mixed buzz)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

• Cate Blanchett – Elizabeth: The Golden Age (haven’t seen it, loved the 1st one, love her)
  
• Julie Christie – Away from Her (haven’t seen it, but sentimental favorite)
  
• Jodie Foster – The Brave One (surprising nod, totally deserving)
  
• Angelina Jolie – A Mighty Heart (agreed)
  
• Keira Knightley – Atonement (no surprise)
  

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

• George Clooney – Michael Clayton (agreed)
  
• Daniel Day Lewis – There Will Be Blood (he should have won Oscar for Gangs of New York)
  
• James McAvoy – Atonement (no surprise)
  
• Viggo Mortensen – Eastern Promises (for the bathroom scene alone)
  
• Denzel Washington – American Gangster (badass once again)

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• Across the Universe (haven’t seen it, heard it was odd)
  
• Charlie Wilson’s War (haven’t seen it, want to)
  
• Hairspray (was entertaining but not award worthy)
  
• Juno (can’t wait to see it, heard it deserves all noms)
  
• Sweeney Todd (ditto above)
  

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• Amy Adams – Enchanted (no surprise, she was the movie)
  
• Nikki Blonsky – Hairspray (good but not award winning)
  
• Helena Bonham Carter – Sweeney Todd (always a dark horse)
  
• Marion Cotillard – La Vie en Rose (need to rent this)
  
• Ellen Page – Juno (bingo, we have a winner)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• Johnny Depp – Sweeney Todd (the pirate moves to the barber shop and sings)
  
• Ryan Gosling – Lars and the Real Girl (not sure this is a comedy)
  
• Tom Hanks – Charlie Wilson’s War (welcome back, Mr. Hanks)
  
• Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Savages (again, a comedy? heard he was better in Charlie Wilson’s War)
  
• John C. Reilly – Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (love it, even if he doesn’t have a chance)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

• Bee Movie (was it worth the over-promotion, Jerry?)
  
• Ratatouille (no surprise)
  
• The Simpsons Movie (hysterical)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM (haven’t seen any)

• 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days – Romania
• The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – France and USA
• The Kite Runner – USA
• Lust, Caution – Taiwan
• Persepolis – France

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

• Cate Blanchett – I’m Not There (double nods, totally deserving)
  
• Julia Robers – Charlie Wilson’s War (welcome back, red)
  
• Saoirse Ronan – Atonement (haven’t seen it, heard she was great)
  
• Amy Ryan – Gone Baby Gone (hear this one’s a slam dunk)
  
• Tilda Swinton – Michael Clayton (agreed)
  

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

• Casey Affleck – The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (haven’t seen it, but good for him)
  
• Javier Bardem – No Country for Old Men (if Hannibal Lecter can win an Oscar…)
  
• Philip Seymour Hoffman – Charlie Wilson’s War (wait, a minute ago this film was a comedy…)
  
• John Travolta – Hairspray (Seriously?! Yikes. Horrible.)
  
• Tom Wilkinson – Michael Clayton (agreed)
  

BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE

• Tim Burton – Sweeney Todd (love most of his work)
  
• Ethan & Joel Coen – No Country for Old Men (ditto)
  
• Julian Schnabel – The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (haven’t seen it)
  
• Ridley Scott – American Gangster (didn’t love direction as much as acting)
  
• Joe Wright – Atonement (loved his work with Pride & Prejudice)

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE

• Diablo Cody – Juno (bingo, another winner)
  
• Ethan & Joel Coen – No Country for Old Men
• Christopher Hampton – Atonement
• Ronald Harwood – The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
• Aaron Sorkin – Charlie Wilson’s War (should give Juno a run for her money)

Moving on to Television, where it seems the nominating committee had their heads shoved further up their collective arses…

BEST TV SERIES – DRAMA

• Big Love (can’t agree)
• Damages (hallelujah!)
• Grey’s Anatomy (oh hell no, not this season)
• House (again, not the best season)
• Mad Men (agreed)
• The Tudors (ugh)

Ok, no Lost? Friday Night Lights? Brothers and Sisters? Dexter? Hurrah for cable and all that, but COME ON.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES – DRAMA

• Patricia Arquette – Medium
• Glenn Close – Damages (should be a slam dunk)
  
• Minnie Driver – The Riches (dark horse newbie, totally deserving)
  
• Edie Falco – The Sopranos (could be a sentimental send off)
  
• Sally Field – Brothers and Sisters
• Holly Hunter – Saving Grace
• Kyra Sedgwick – The Closer

Look, I like Medium. But I think the glaring omissions in the category have to be Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), and Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy).

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TV SERIES – DRAMA

• Michael C. Hall – Dexter (bingo, a clear winner)
  
• Jon Hamm – Mad Men (agreed)
  
• Hugh Laurie – House (agreed)
  
• Jonathan Rhys Meyers – The Tudors (ugh)
  
• Bill Paxton – Big Love (um, no)
  

Yes, this will sound repetitive. But where is the love for Matthew Fox’s amazing season on Lost or Kyle Chandler’s on Friday Night Lights?

BEST TV SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• 30 Rock (agreed; brilliant season)
  
• Californication (not a comedy; The Office should take its place)
• Entourage (great, but not this season; Ugly Betty should take its place)
  
• Extras (love it)
  
• Pushing Daisies (fav new show)
  

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• Christina Applegate – Samantha Who? (um, ok)
  
• America Ferrera – Ugly Betty (agreed)
  
• Tina Fey – 30 Rock (agreed)
  
• Anna Friel – Pushing Daisies (she’s good, but Jenna Fisher deserves the spot)
  
• Mary Louise Parker – Weeds (my choice)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TV SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

• Alec Baldwin – 30 Rock
• Steve Carell – The Office
• David Duchovny – Californication
• Ricky Gervais – Extras
• Lee Pace – Pushing Daisies

I don’t have too many problems with this particular bunch.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TV (a.ka. Best Supporting Actress in a TV role)

• Rose Byrne – Damages (great)
  
• Rachel Griffiths – Brothers and Sisters (my pick)
  
• Katherine Heigl – Grey’s Anatomy (what, for having to suffer through Gizzie?)
  
• Samantha Morton – Longford (didn’t see it)
  
• Anna Paquin – Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (didn’t see it)
  
• Jaime Pressley – My Name is Earl (hysterical, but wrong category)
  

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (yada yada yada, see above)

• Ted Danson – Damages (slam dunk; unbelievably strong)
  
• Kevin Dillon – Entourage (not this year)
  
• Jeremy Piven – Entourage (not this year)
  
• Andy Serkis – Longford (Gollum gets a nod)
  
• William Shatner – Boston Legal (is his name mandatory every year?)
  
• Donald Sutherland – Dirty Sexy Money (um, ok)

Ok, that list was far too long for my fragile state. I need a nap. I’m sure further thoughts will develop as I heal. Please excuse any spelling errors.

What did you think of the nods?

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Finally, some news that is music to my eyes this week. According to one of my favorite TV columnists, Kristin Dos Santos from E! online, ABC will air the first of the 8 completed episodes of Lost beginning on Thursday, January 31 at 9pm.

Yes, this will be a new date and time for our beloved show, and yes, that is a time slot where Lost would have to compete with both Grey’s Anatomy and CSI. But due to the writer’s strike, Lost will be a party of one for a while. I am very happy to be able to watch the show at 9pm rather than 10pm, and considering that it was rumored to be moving to Monday nights, I don’t mind the move at all. And as a special bonus, we will be getting the first episode of Season 4 a week earlier than previously announced.

I highly recommend revisiting season 3 of Lost on DVD, which features stellar performances from Elizabeth Mitchell and Matthew Fox, among others (no pun intended). I am hoping to post a lengthy blog with lingering questions from Season 3 as we enter Season 4, but it seems like a daunting and lofty goal at this moment in time. I will play it one day at a time, but have no plans to abandon my Lost obsession, nor will I ever grow tired of sharing theories about each episode.

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I will be the first to admit that I did not see very many quality films this year, and because of my back, I will not be able to actually go out to the movies again until early 2008. However, I watched more than my share of television, so here are my selections for the best and worst of the big and small screen in ’07.

MOVIES

BEST FILMS/PERFORMANCES
American Gangster
Into the Wild
Knocked Up
Michael Clayton
A Mighty Heart
Once
The Simpsons Movie
Waitress

MUST-SEE A.S.A.P.
Atonement
Charlie Wilson’s War
Juno
No Country For Old Men
Sweeney Todd

OVERHYPED and/or DISAPPOINTING
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
Eastern Promises
Superbad
Transformers
Year of the Dog

TV

BEST NEW SHOWS
Damages (FX)
Flight of the Conchords (HBO)
Life (NBC)
Mad Men (AMC)
Private Practice (ABC)
Pushing Daisies (ABC)
The Riches (FX)

BEST RETURNING SHOWS
30 Rock (NBC)
Bones (FOX)
Brothers and Sisters (ABC)
Dexter (Showtime)
Entourage (HBO)
Friday Night Lights (NBC)
Lost (ABC)
The Office (NBC)
Top Chef (Bravo)
Ugly Betty (ABC)
Weeds (Showtime)

GUILTY PLEASURES BUT NO SEASON PASS
Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Dirt (FX)
Men in Trees (ABC)
My Name is Earl (NBC)

ON THE FENCE
Chuck (NBC)
Samantha Who (ABC)

MOST DISAPPOINTING NEW SERIES
Back to You (FOX)
Big Shots (ABC)
Cane (CBS)
Bionic Woman (NBC)
John From Cincinnati (HBO)
Tell Me You Love Me (HBO)

MOST DISAPPOINTING RETURNING SERIES
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
Heroes (NBC)
The L Word (Showtime)
Rescue Me (FX)

R.I.P.
Six Degrees (ABC)
The Sopranos (HBO)
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC)

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2008

Films (all of which make me seem like SUCH a guy and giant nerd)
Cloverfield
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
Speed Racer
Star Trek
The X-Files 2

Television
Cashmere Mafia (ABC)
Eli Stone (ABC)
Lost, Season 4 (ABC)
The Sarah Connor Chronicles (FOX)
Swingtown (CBS)

So, fellow couch critics, let me know what you loved in 2007 and look forward to next year…

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I should be at the movies right now, watching a preview of the one film I have been looking forward to all year (Juno). But it’s pouring rain outside. And I am not allowed to get sick before minor surgery next week. So I sit am sitting here instead, dry and pouting.

In other more relevant and exciting news, the cast is coming together for the new X-Files movie, which is scheduled for release in July of 2008. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson will be joined by Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly and rapper/Pimp My Ride host Xzibit. Seriously. Ok, I’ll give him more credit. He was in Derailed, 8 Mile and Gridiron Gang, among others, so this won’t be his first big screen gig.

There is also a rumor that former Deadwood sheriff Timothy Olyphant has a role in the film, and judging from his recent appearances in Hitman and Live Free or Die Hard, I’d venture to guess that he won’t be playing good cop for the FBI.

Although the new X-Files movie was scheduled to begin filming next week, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that the start date has been postponed due to the Writer’s Strike. The X-Files is in my Top 4 Favorite Television Shows of All Time (along with Six Feet Under, Lost and Deadwood), and I will be there on opening day for this next installment, just as I was when the first film came out in 1998. In the meantime, the unbelievably loaded 61-disc DVD box set of the entire series tops my wish list this Christmas. That was not a typo; there are 61 DVDs of episodes and extras from all 9 seasons, all for less than $250 on Amazon! However…

Dear Santa,

I am conflicted. As much as I would love to find this lovely box of sci-fi under my tree in a few weeks, the 45 brilliant men and women who wrote all 202 episodes of The X-Files will only receive a combined $8.08 in residuals per box set sold. As you know, right now those very people are on strike to receive an additional $.04 per DVD sold. And I support them every step of the way. So as much as I really, really, really want to add this phenomenal set to my collection, I will wait until the strike terms have been resolved and the scribes receive their just due. I guess you can put it on the shelf for me until next year. Thanks, daddy xmas.

Your patient friend,

- Jo

p.s. I’m actually Jewish, but I celebrate your holiday and love bacon. So there’s that.

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