Best TV of ‘09

I am a TV-phile.  And I feel that this year, especially has been a groundbreaking year for TV.  I’m convinced that the storylines and character development of shows today easily rival movies of this year.

So with that said, here are my top 10 shows of 2009:

10: “Eastbound & Down”

I will watch ANYTHING that Danny McBride and Jody Hill do.  I’ve been a fan of theirs since FOOT FIST WAY.  The show is obviously driven by the outrageous one-liners and actions of “Kenny Powers” but the supporting cast is equally as hilarious.

Why watch?  Andrew Daly is hilarious as the naive boyfriend of Kenny’s ex gf, and Steve Little STEALS THE SHOW as Kenny’s potentially “slow” best friend/assistant.

9: “Parks & Recreation”

This show has had a definite resurgence, and there was no hesitation when NBC exec’s renewed it for a third season.  People may compare this show to “The Office,” but the main difference between the shows is P&R lacks subtlety and embraces its quirks.  Just check out why GQ named it their sitcom of the year.

Why watch?  Bacon.

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angieg415’s End of Year Questionnaire!

1) What was your favorite movie of ‘09… that you want everyone in the world to know you loved??
Inglorious Basterds. Who knew a film about scalping Nazis would become my ultimate feel-good movie of 2009? Oddly cathartic and just absolutely incredible filmmaking.

2) What was your favorite movie of ‘09… that you’re kinda embarrassed to admit you loved?
The Hangover. What is wrong with me that this humor appeals to me so much? I actually downloaded the song Ed Helms sings on the piano. “Stu’s Song” is in my iTunes. At least it’s not my answer to #4.

3) What ‘09 TV show could you not live without?
Mad Men. “Genius” would be the only appropriate way to describe the season finale. At one point during the episode, I’m pretty sure I was literally on my knees, shaking my clenched fists at the screen, screaming, “YOU DISGUST ME, BETTY DRAPER! I F*CKING HATE YOUUUUUUU!” Also, I admittedly love the show for its blog. That shit is more prolific than the New York Times.

4) What was your most played jam on iTunes in ‘09?
“Sleepyhead” by Passion Pit and all the subsequent remixes.

5) What was your single-most fave pop cultural moment of the year?
Watching this and then having Jersey Shore happen.

6) What pop culture trend/phenomenon for ‘09 are you hoping stays in ‘09?

7) F*ck, Kill, Marry: Rachel Berry, Snooki, Lady Gaga?
F*ck: Rachel Berry. I think she’s gorg, plus you know she’s an undercover freak… we all saw that sexual prowess on the picnic blanket

Kill: Lady Gaga. Sam once wrote me and Josh a totally serious email expressing how nervous he is that Gaga “will kill herself as performance art to show the perils of fame.” The email was so out of control that I’d have to kill her as his punishment for writing that shit.

Marry: Snooki. Listen, don’t hate on this answer. I actually think she would be like the best friend ever and definitely would be the most loyal out of the three. Plus, she’s already admitted to being ready to settle down with “a nice juicehead guido.” WIN-NER.

sam-d’s End of Year Questionnaire!

1) What was your favorite movie of ‘09… that you want everyone in the world to know you loved?

An Education. Carey Mulligan for Best Actress, peeps!

2) What was your favorite movie of ‘09… that you’re kinda embarrassed to admit you loved?

Bride Wars. The ending really left it open for a “Baby Wars” sequel… Just saying.

3) What ‘09 TV show could you not live without?

Glee—not sure how to make it to April without my fix of Sue quips, Quinn snarks, Rachel solos, Finn pouts, and Santana sexts.

4) What was your most played jam on iTunes in ‘09?

It’s a tie!—“Battlefield” and “TiK ToK.” 133 plays each. Real classy.

5) What was your single-most fave pop cultural moment of the year?

The lawnmower accident halfway through this season of “Mad Men.” Meticulously set up for weeks, I felt my world come together with a delicious gasp. As Joan so famously said—“That’s life for you. One minute you’re on top of the world, the next minute some secretary’s running you over with a lawnmower.” True words.

Honorable mentions: the first time I saw “David After Dentist,” Adam Lambert’s “Mad World”performance on “American Idol,” witnessing Gaga’s VMA Performance moments after the “True Blood” season finale, seeing “Next to Normal” on Broadway, seeing Mika in concert, the season finale of “Lost,” the road trip to New York episode of “Big Love,” those precious months when Swift and Lautner were dating.

6) What pop culture trend/phenomenon for ‘09 are you hoping stays in ‘09?

Susan Boyle. Hating on Kristen Stewart. Caring about the Jonas Brothers.

7) F*ck, Kill, Marry: Rachel Berry, Snooki, Lady Gaga?

F Gaga (clearly), M Snooki, K Berry.

Jeni Sue’s End o’ Year Questionaire!

1) What was your favorite movie of ‘09… that you want everyone in the world to know you loved?

WHAT WASN’T?  I’m probably going to have to go with INGLORIOUS BASTERDS.  The first scene defines amazing film making.  (Runners up: IN THE LOOP, ADVENTURELAND, UP IN THE AIR, FANTASTIC MR. FOX, AVATAR, WHIP IT, ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL, STAR TREK)

2) What was your favorite movie of ‘09… that you’re kinda embarrassed to admit you loved?

THE GOODS: LIVE HARD, SELL HARD.  The thing I can appreciate about this movie is how self-referential and self-effacing it is when it comes to its quality.  It’s like everyone in the movie is in on the joke.  Craig Robinson as the DJ is reason enough to on-demand it.

3) What ‘09 TV show could you not live without?

“Mad Men” — I’m a die hard comedy fan and will choose that over drama any day, but Matthew Weiner has made me a convert.  That season finale was one of the best episodes of TV I’ve ever seen.  And I’m currently typing this with 3 cigarettes in my mouth as I drink out of a martini shaker.  Yes, the shaker.

4) What was your most played jam on iTunes in ‘09?

“Don’t Stop Believing” as sung by the cast of “Glee.”  BECAUSE I’M CLICHE.

5) What was your single-most fave pop cultural moment of the year?

Kanye interrupting Taylor, because it produced this: http://kanyegate.tumblr.com/

(Runners-up: DC becoming cool again with Obama & “Real World,” Phelps hitting the bong - because I’ve always said pot is the gateway drug to success, real life pirates in Somalia, Adam Lambert - just Adam Lambert, “You Lie!”, and David after Dentist)

6) What pop culture trend/phenomenon for ‘09 are you hoping stays in ‘09?

Vampires (it won’t).  I mean, I love “True Blood” but the show’s not just coasting on the fact that everyone’s obsessed with vampires.  If anything — it helped the trend.  (Runner-up: people getting their news from the “Trending Topic” on Twitter — this includes me.  Resolution time!)

7) F*ck, Kill, Marry: Rachel Berry, Snooki, Lady Gaga?

F Snooki, M RB (she’s gonna be famous - get that money, honey), K Gaga (I’m sorry, she really scares me.)