Yesterday, I posted the worst things about 2008 (and let us never mention them again).
And now for the best of 2008
THE BIG BANG THEORY - The funniest show on TV. (Reviewed here).
CHRIS LILLEY - Who is this guy? Where did he come from? Why is SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH the first time we are hearing of him? I think Chris Lilley is up there with Steve Coogan and Ricky Gervais as foreign comedians who should become megastars in this country, only probably won’t.
THE OLYMPICS - From the opening ceremonies, Michael Phelps and the swimming events, the drama around the gymnastics, even the volleyball, this was some of the best TV of the year. A reason to stay out of the multiplex this summer.
POLITICAL TV - From the primaries (Hillary vs. Barack, the come from behind McCain win), the VP choices (“He picked who???”), the debates, the interviews and SNL’s take on those interviews (“I can see Russia from my house”), even the new talk shows that sprung up from it (Rachel Maddow!!), politics is what this year will really be remembered for.
SPAGHETTI CAT - From his accidental cameo on a talk show, to his being picked up by THE SOUP, this "bleep photo" (a cut to a photo when a guest on the talk show used language that had to be edited) became the funniest photo of the year. I never get tired of it.
TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES - The greatest cable channel there is just keeps getting better. This year, they brought us the premiere of SKIDOO and continue to air films otherwise unavailable. They haven’t resorted to commercials. While I’m worried that they have started to show some original programming (please no more Elvis Mitchell specials), they have kept the focus on the films. That is the important thing.
THE VISITOR - Both the film and Richard Jenkins performances were two of the best things about films this year.
WALL-E - The best film of 2008.
KRISTEN WIIG - As long as she is still on TV, she will continue to make this list. The funniest person in the US. (More on Kristen here.)
And now for the best of 2008
THE BIG BANG THEORY - The funniest show on TV. (Reviewed here).
CHRIS LILLEY - Who is this guy? Where did he come from? Why is SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH the first time we are hearing of him? I think Chris Lilley is up there with Steve Coogan and Ricky Gervais as foreign comedians who should become megastars in this country, only probably won’t.
THE OLYMPICS - From the opening ceremonies, Michael Phelps and the swimming events, the drama around the gymnastics, even the volleyball, this was some of the best TV of the year. A reason to stay out of the multiplex this summer.
POLITICAL TV - From the primaries (Hillary vs. Barack, the come from behind McCain win), the VP choices (“He picked who???”), the debates, the interviews and SNL’s take on those interviews (“I can see Russia from my house”), even the new talk shows that sprung up from it (Rachel Maddow!!), politics is what this year will really be remembered for.
SPAGHETTI CAT - From his accidental cameo on a talk show, to his being picked up by THE SOUP, this "bleep photo" (a cut to a photo when a guest on the talk show used language that had to be edited) became the funniest photo of the year. I never get tired of it.
TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES - The greatest cable channel there is just keeps getting better. This year, they brought us the premiere of SKIDOO and continue to air films otherwise unavailable. They haven’t resorted to commercials. While I’m worried that they have started to show some original programming (please no more Elvis Mitchell specials), they have kept the focus on the films. That is the important thing.
THE VISITOR - Both the film and Richard Jenkins performances were two of the best things about films this year.
WALL-E - The best film of 2008.
KRISTEN WIIG - As long as she is still on TV, she will continue to make this list. The funniest person in the US. (More on Kristen here.)
