Next week I am to flying down to L.A. for less than 24 hours, to attend a one-night-only pop culture experience. The casts of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice are putting on a musical comedy show to benefit the television crews who lost work during the Writers Strike.

Not only will almost all of the cast members from both shows be performing in some capacity, we will be treated to music by Loretta Devine (the Chief’s wife on Grey’s; she was in Dreamgirls on Broadway for years), Audra McDonald (Naomi on Private Practice; 4 Best Actress Tony Awards), and Sara Ramirez (Callie on Grey’s; Best Actress Tony for Spamalot). Click here to hear a snippet of Sara’s amazing voice (she appears at about the 1:10 mark), and here to watch Audra at last year’s Tonys.

Kid + candy store = me.

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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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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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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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Do you ever make a statement that you can’t believe is coming out of your mouth? I am about to repeat something that I said after seeing Hairspray earlier this year…

James Marsden is the best part of a film. Again. And that’s kind of sad.

Enchanted is cute. I knew that going in. We took 1 niece and 4 nephews to see it yesterday.  The matinee was sold out, filled to the rim with hyper kids and semi-patient parents.

The movie is also quite cheesy, but that was not entirely unexpected. Disney makes fun of every fairytale they’ve ever manufactured, which the adults acknowledged with laughter (but went over the head of most kids; my eleven year old niece whispered “I don’t get it” at least 3 times during the film).

I will say that Amy Adams was the perfect choice to play the princess, both in animated and live form. I have been a fan since she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Junebug two years ago, and I look forward to her role in the upcoming Charlie Wilson’s War with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. Some may also recognize her as Jim’s girlfriend during the first season of The Office.

As for Loverboy McDreamy…eh. Patrick Dempsey is pretty. That’s all. Poor guy. I wonder when he’ll break out of the romantic leading man and Grey’s Anatomy mold. His next film endeavor is not indicative of such change; in next year’s Made of Honor, he will be playing a guy who is in love with an engaged woman. Sigh.

The saving grace of Enchanted really is Marsden. I have been pleasantly surprised by both of his campy performances this year. His stint as the emotionless Cyclops in the X-Men trilogy certainly never tipped me to he fact that he was capable of song, dance and comic relief.

Of course Enchanted will be the number one movie this weekend. And of course your children will love it. It just wasn’t my cup of tea. I am more of a Pixar girl myself, when it comes to choosing a film with youthful spirit and suspension of disbelief.

Did any of you see it?

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Recognize the
names below? You should. They are just a few of the more popular and successful writers/creators/show-runners among the 12,000 members of the
Writers Guild of America who are currently picketing in Los Angeles and New York due to unfair compensation (little to no residuals for their work on DVD and when watched or downloaded online).

This should give
you an idea about the scope of this strike and the status of your
favorite shows.

• Greg Berlanti (Brothers and Sisters, Dirty Sexy Money)
  
• Jenny Bicks (Men in Trees)
• Daniel Cerone (Dexter)
• Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives)
  
• Carlton Cuse & Damon Lindelof (Lost)
• Greg Daniels (The Office)
• Tina Fey (30 Rock)
• Greg Garcia (My Name is Earl)
• Matt Groening (The Simpsons)
  
• Hart Hanson (Bones)
• Silvio Horta & Marco Pennette (Ugly Betty)
  
• Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights)
• David E. Kelley (Boston Legal)
• Tim Kring (Heroes)
  
• Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men)
• Seth McFarlane (Family Guy)
  
• Carol Mendelsohn (CSI)
  
• Marti Noxon (Private Practice)
• Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice)
• Shawn Ryan (The Shield, The Unit)
• Josh Schwartz (Chuck, Gossip Girl)
  
• David Shore (House)
• David Simon (The Wire)
• Matt Weiner (Mad Men)
  
• John Wells (ER)
  
• Craig Wright (Dirty Sexy Money)

For a more comprehensive look, here is the ad that the WGA placed in Variety.

Complicating matters more is the fact that many actors are also active members of the WGA. While they are contractually obligated to show up for work by the network and their contracts, they may also be obligated to adhere to WGA strike guidelines and picket the very shows they star in. The obvious case in point would be The Office; cast members Steve Carrell (Michael Scott), Mindy Kaling (Kelly), Paul Lieberstein (Toby) and BJ Novak (Ryan) have all written episodes of the show. It will be very interesting to see how that plays out.

Most of the major talk shows have already halted production, as they require daily scripts. Apparently, Ellen DeGeneres did not show up to film her show today, in a show of solidarity for her writing staff. Conan, Kimmel and Leno will air repeats beginning this evening (which, on a personal note, is very disappointing and bad timing; my friend Matt was slated to perform on Kimmel tonight). I believe that The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report are also a no-go.

Several WGA members have created a great blog called United Hollywood. If you really want to follow the strike from the inside, that is your best bet.

In addition to industry sites with updates, there are plenty of blogs from show writers and producers who might offer their perspective throughout the strike. Or not. As far as I know, the strike rules do not prevent them from blogging on their own.

Here are a few I recommend:

The Artful Writer (screenwriter Craig Mazin; Scary Movie 3, 4, 5)
BKV.tv (comic book/Lost writer Brian K. Vaughan)
Bloggers and Sisters (behind the scenes of Brothers and Sisters)
Grey Matter (Grey’s Anatomy writers blog)
James Gunn (screenwriter; Dawn of the Dead, Slither)
Jane Espenson (writer & co-exec producer, Battlestar Galactica)
John August (screenwriter; Go, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
Ken Levine (sitcom writer; Cheers, Frasier, The Simpsons, etc.)

There are plenty that I have not listed but please feel free to recommend some in the comments section. This is exhausting just to follow from the outskirts.

By the way, I found it fascinating that 90% of the people I talked to today at work and beyond had no idea that there was a writers strike going on. Granted, none of us are in the industry or located near the picket lines. But something tells me that the eyes and ears of the nation will perk up once their beloved shows begin to run out of fresh episodes and they face the deluge of repeats…

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