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.

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.

 

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.

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.

I’m free to do what I want, any old time.
- Rolling Stones

Well, not exactly. Not right now, anyway.

I just ventured out of the house for the first time since returning home from the hospital. I am not counting yesterday’s emergency trip to the doctor’s office, because it was a necessary evil and therefore doesn’t qualify as an excursion.

I was going to end this entry with another song quote, but George Michael (“Freedom”) and Michael McDonald (“Sweet Freedom”) were the only two that came to mind, and I just couldn’t go there. And in case you’re wondering, the title of this post refers to a Jimmy Buffett tune of the same name. I’m not a Parrot Head (or a Dead Head or Phish Head for that matter), but I love music and can appreciate that kind of dedication to an artist or band.

So I’m allergic to yet another medication. This time it’s the liquid that they apply over sutures to ensure that the steri-strips stay in place. Good times.

Also, I was instructed not to return to work so soon. I intended to go back later this week, but I guess that was wishful thinking, or great denial. So I will certainly have time to watch as many recommended movies as possible. And watch all of Season 3 of Lost on DVD while taking notes to prepare for the next. Hey, even when I’m down, I’m still a giant nerd.

So much for the promise of sun shiny blog entries. Although this wasn’t horrible downtrodden, was it?

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!

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

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?