I’m loving Flipping Out.  Team Lewis is back and better than ever.  Real Housewives of Atlanta has also been delivering.  I love me some NeNe!  I particularly enjoyed the wig pull heard ’round-the-world.

Summer television has been pretty good but I’m also looking forward to getting back to the regular season.  I miss Lost, Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy, Parks and Recreation and The Office and I’m looking forward to finding some new shows to obsess over since a few of my favorites got canceled last season.  Any suggestions?

Dear PNC Bank ATM,
Suck it!  You slapped with a $3 surcharge to withdraw $5 even after I hit the cancel button!

Dear GoPhone,
It’s sucked been nice but I’m sick of you and your inability to do…well, anything, really.  I’m so ready to get my replacement iPhone tonight.  I’ve felt so deprived and disconnected for the past three days.

Dear Top Chef Masters,
I’m excited for your premiere tonight!  Although I will miss Padma and Gail, you look promising and entertaining.  I miss my Wednesday night food porn!

Dear humidity,
Go away.

Love,
Danny

The Real Housewives of New York reunion shows were even better than I expected.  It was nice to see Ramona and Kelly finally get called out for all of their crap in front of everybody, although I almost felt bad for Kelly when everybody, including Ramona, was ripping her a new one!  As usual, Jill, Bethenny, and the Countess kept it classy.  I love them!  Alex didn’t really do much of anything in either of the episodes…I felt let down!  As for Real Housewives of New Jersey?  Those ladies are gonna be some hot messes!  I already like Teresa and Caroline, but I’m sure my allegiances are going to change as the season progresses.

The Biggest Loser was nothing special.  I was surprised that Tara came in third (thought she was gonna take home the gold!), glad that Mike and Ron did NOT win, and very happy for Helen.  I’ve liked her all along and it was nice to see her be rewarded.  Tara and Helen were both looking HOT at the finale!  And as for Mike…well, I never took a liking to him.

The two-hour Lost finale was something else.  I can honestly say that I am now excited for Lost after watching the finale.  I’ve sort of been getting less interested in the show over the past two season, but I’m completely hooked and invigorated again.  First and foremost, Juliet better live or I’m gonna pop off.  She is/was my favorite character, so therefore she is not allowed to die!  Next season is going to rock.  I have no freaking idea where the show is going next year, but it’s going to be good.

Even though the season finale of Ugly Betty isn’t until next week, this week’s episode was fantastic.  It was nice to see Betty and Matt work their stuff out.  I’m sad to see Ignacio’s baby mama leaving for California, though.  Will we ever get rid of Whilamena?  Probably not.  For some reason, I like her.  I’m not sure what it is, but I feel drawn to her.

And, finally, Grey’s Anatomy.  Wow.  Izzie AND George?  I’m still speechless.  One of the best season finales ever.  Except for the “Post-It Marriage” crap.  I slept through that stuff.  Alex was a douche.  I’m glad Cristina and Owen are together now, and I hope Callie and Arizona stay together next season.  I love all four of them.  Maybe they could all have a plural marriage?

As for the summer season?  I’m looking forward to: Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, Flipping Out, Top Chef Masters, Wipeout, and I’m a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here!. This summer is going to deliver. :)

Oh, and I’m including this picture because it’s full of people that I love.  Rachael Ray, Jill Zarin (RHoNY), Rocoo DiSpirito (Top Chef, sorta), some dude, Tyson Beckford (Make Me A Supermodel – getting more into this show this season and I was pissed when they sent Jordan home this week.  wtf?), and, of course, Kathy Griffin.

Saw the promo today on Bravo for the first time. So excited! A great way to start the summer.

Are you kidding me?  Which amazing show will be cancelled next?  First it was Reba, then Jericho, then Instant Star, then Miss-Guided, then Eli Stone, then Pushing Daisies, and now Ugly Betty?  Granted, the haven’t gone so far as to cancel it, but this seems to be a red flag of sorts.  What shows are left to watch?!  Lost and Grey’s Anatomy.  And honestly, GA has gotten a little mundane for me and VERY predictable.  I have to be honest in saying that I wouldn’t be upset if last week’s episode was the finale.  It was a good episode to close on.  Just give me an Owen & Cristina spinoff (and not Private Practice, that show is horrible) and I’ll be happy.

But, I digress.  This is really getting out of hand.  I went from following six primetime series on ABC/CBS/NBC/Fox to watching two because all of the good shows were cancelled!  I spend more time watching CNN and Bravo than any of the old networks.  I must say that I am happy to see Samantha Who? returning, but not at the expense of Betty.

What I’m surprised at the most is that networks haven’t figured out that people would rather watch these shows than The Bachelor, Survivor 66254, Amazing Race 984625, etc. The only good reality shows these days are coming off of Bravo (Top Chef, Flipping Out, Kathy Griffin, Real Housewives, etc.).

THIS SUCKS!!!

(Oh and PS – if anybody else is getting fed up, maybe you should shift your entertainment sources from television and movies to live theater, eh?  Help me pay my bills? Haha…)

The winner(s) from each category are boldfaced.

See the winners after the break.

Blogs of 2008

Description: Blogs/personal websites that I enjoyed reading this year. Qualifications include excellent writing, attractive design, and semi-consistent updates.

Eligibility requirements: Websites in this category must have at least twelve archived entries from 2008.

• Dooce
• TUAW
• These Little Moments
• FAIL Blog
• Stuff White People Like
• 1000 Awesome Things
• The Confluence / PUMA PAC
• The Leaky Brain
• Cake Wrecks

Websites of 2008

Description: Websites (not blogs) that I visited extensively during 2008.

Eligibility requirements: Websites in this category must have been updated periodically throughout 2008.

• Facebook
• Google Reader
• Flickr
• Twitter
• allrecipes.com

Movies of 2008

Description: Feature films that epitomized cinematic excellence.

Eligibility requirements: Films in this category must have been released on or after December 30, 2007 (when last year’s nominees were announced).

• Doubt
• Wall-E
• Rent: Closing Night
• Baby Mama
• (Yeah, I obviously didn’t see many movies this year.)

TV Shows of 2008

Description: Television series/specials that epitomized excellence.

Eligibility requirements: Original air dates of the nominated seasons/specials must have been on or after December 30, 2007.

• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (Season 4)
• Flipping Out (Season 2)
• Instant Star (Season 4)
• Ugly Betty (Season 3)
• Jericho (Season 2)
• The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Season 1)
• Top Chef (Season 4)
• Samantha Who? (Season 2)

Theater Productions of 2008

Description: Theater productions that I have participated in.

Eligibility requirements: Productions in this category must have had a run that began on or after December 30, 2007.

• Oz (MVMS)
• Cinderella’s Glass Slipper (SCP)
• The Rented Christmas (SCP)

Music of 2008

Description: Artists that epitomized musical excellence.

Eligibility requirements: Unlike last year, it is not necessary to have released an album in the past year; I only have to have had listened to these artists extensively throughout the year.

• Alexz Johnson
• Regina Spektor
• Annie Lennox

Electronics of 2008

Description: Electronics that I used extensively throughout 2008.

Eligibility requirements: Has to be electronic, I guess. And I have to own this product or have used it extensively elsewhere.

• iPhone 3G
• Nintendo Wii
• Smartboard
• Shure PG Wireless Systems

iPhone Apps of 2008

Description: iPhone applications that I found to be particularly useful/fun throughout the year.

Eligibility requirements: I have to have been using this application for at least a week (since December 23, 2008).

• Twitteriffic
• Shazam
• Koi Pond
• Remote
• WeatherBug
• Sleeps2Xmas
• JellyCar

Clothing Stores of 2008

Description: Any store from which I frequently purchased clothing throughout 2008.

Eligibility requirements: Must be a store.

• Old Navy
• H&M
• The Gap
• Aeropostalé
• Express

Favorite Class of 2008

Description: Classes that I enjoyed throughout 2008.

Eligibility requirements: Classes must have been taken throughout my sophomore and junior years.

• Spanish III/IV
• Independent Research I/II
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Government & Politics AP

So, there you have it! The 2008 nominees! If I seem to have forgetting anything, leave it in the comments and I’ll add it. I’ll post the results on New Years Eve.

See the nominees after the break.

Blogs of 2008

Description: Blogs/personal websites that I enjoyed reading this year. Qualifications include excellent writing, attractive design, and semi-consistent updates.

Eligibility requirements: Websites in this category must have at least twelve archived entries from 2008.

• Dooce #
• TUAW
• These Little Moments
• FAIL Blog
• Stuff White People Like
• 1000 Awesome Things
• The Confluence / PUMA PAC
• The Leaky Brain
• Cake Wrecks

Websites of 2008

Description: Websites (not blogs) that I visited extensively during 2008.

Eligibility requirements: Websites in this category must have been updated periodically throughout 2008.

• Facebook
• Google Reader
• Flickr
• Twitter
• allrecipes.com

Movies of 2008

Description: Feature films that epitomized cinematic excellence.

Eligibility requirements: Films in this category must have been released on or after December 30, 2007 (when last year’s nominees were announced).

• Doubt
• Wall-E
• Rent: Closing Night
• Baby Mama
• (Yeah, I obviously didn’t see many movies this year.)

TV Shows of 2008

Description: Television series/specials that epitomized excellence.

Eligibility requirements: Original air dates of the nominated seasons/specials must have been on or after December 30, 2007.

• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (Season 4)
• Flipping Out (Season 2)
• Instant Star (Season 4)
• Ugly Betty (Season 3)
• Jericho (Season 2)
• The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Season 1)
• Top Chef (Season 4)
• Samantha Who? (Season 2)

Theater Productions of 2008

Description: Theater productions that I have participated in.

Eligibility requirements: Productions in this category must have had a run that began on or after December 30, 2007.

• Oz (MVMS)
• Cinderella’s Glass Slipper (SCP)
• The Rented Christmas (SCP)

Music of 2008

Description: Artists that epitomized musical excellence.

Eligibility requirements: Unlike last year, it is not necessary to have released an album in the past year; I only have to have had listened to these artists extensively throughout the year.

• Alexz Johnson
• Regina Spektor
• Annie Lennox

Electronics of 2008

Description: Electronics that I used extensively throughout 2008.

Eligibility requirements: Has to be electronic, I guess.  And I have to own this product or have used it extensively elsewhere.

• iPhone 3G
• Nintendo Wii
• Smartboard
• Shure PG Wireless Systems

iPhone Apps of 2008

Description: iPhone applications that I found to be particularly useful/fun throughout the year.

Eligibility requirements: I have to have been using this application for at least a week (since December 23, 2008).

• Twitteriffic
• Shazam
• Koi Pond
• Remote
• WeatherBug
• Sleeps2Xmas
• JellyCar

Clothing Stores of 2008

Description: Any store from which I frequently purchased clothing throughout 2008.

Eligibility requirements: Must be a store.

• Old Navy
• H&M
• The Gap
• Aeropostalé
• Express

Favorite Class of 2008

Description: Classes that I enjoyed throughout 2008.

Eligibility requirements: Classes must have been taken throughout my sophomore and junior years.

• Spanish III/IV
• Independent Research I/II
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Government & Politics AP

So, there you have it! The 2008 nominees! If I seem to have forgetting anything, leave it in the comments and I’ll add it. I’ll post the results on New Years Eve.

For breakfast this morning, I made Elia’s Organic Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Waffle from Season 2.  It was rather amazing.  As Andrew would say, “It gave me a culinary boner!”

Grandmother – Lorraine Hansberry

Not only is she an amazing author, but everything that she says is super-deep. If I had her to give me advice, I could solve world hunger. Seriously.

Grandfather – Bill Clinton

Words cannot describe good ol’ Billy. And besides, if he’s my gradaddy, then that means that Hillary is my grandmother on the other side. HECK YES!

Father – Geoffrey the Giraffe

I met him this year at Homecoming at Toys-R-Us, and it was like being touched by an angel. My life will never be the same again.

Mother – Gail Simmons

I always knew that my girlfriend from Top Chef was secretly related to me. How else would we both be so incredibly amazing?

Adopted Sister/Secret Lover – Kathy Griffin

Mmmmm….delicious. Need I say more? (Please note: ADOPTED sister. This is not West Virginia!)

Celebrity Neighbor – Oprah Winfrey

If she randomly gives away cars on her show, I can only guess what she’ll bring to a block party.

In my next post about my celebrity family, I’ll describe our recent family vacation to Intercourse, Alabama and Virgin, Utah.

I’ll admit that Casey did kind of….stumble (okay, it was more like a nose-breaking fall on the face) in the last challenge, but I still think that she should have won. She’s consistently come out on top throughout the competition, and I thought that she displays excellent aptitude of the culinary arts, but apparently that wasn’t enough.

Really, I would have been fine with Dale winning. I really liked him, and he seemed like a decent chef, but Hung? Are you kidding me? He’s such a jerk, and most of his food looks really nasty! And the fact that he was endorsed by Marcel sets of bells and whistles in my head and signals an immediate dislike by myself.

The fact that he was “classically trained” shouldn’t be a huge factor in deciding the winner, in my opinion. I’m still hoping that the past few days have been a dream, and that in a few minutes I’m going to wake up and it’s going to be time for the real finale (oh, and can we talk about Padma’s 80′s prom dress? wtf?).

LONG LIVE CASEY!

• Sunday

  • The Apprentice - Returns ?

• Tuesday

  • The Real Housewives of Orange County – Returns ? (Bravo is currently casting new families? What?)

• Wednesday

  • Lost – Returns in February 2008
  • ANTM (guitly pleasure) – Returns September 19
  • Jericho – Returns ? (“Mid-season replacement”)

• Thursday

  • Grey’s Anatomy – Returns September 27
  • Ugly Betty – Returns September 27

• Friday

  • Instant Star – Returns in February 2008

---

• New shows that I’m excited for

  • Private Practice – ABC spinoff of Grey’s. Wednesday nights on ABC at 9 (I think) starting 9/27

• Summer Shows That Will End Soon/Have Ended

  • Top Chef – Ends next month (I think). Go Casey!
  • Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List – Ended last month. Please get renewed!
  • Flipping Out – Finale tonight! I really liked this show….let’s hope it gets renewed!

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Music: Samantha Murphy – I Wanna Go Home