10 FAVORITES (49): Highly Anticipated in 2012

It is now 2012 and with all the things from 2011 behind us, I thought we should go over some of the things that audiences are looking forward to this year in TV and Film.  So this week's 10 FAVORITES covers 10 things (4 from TV and 6 from Film) that our culture has deemed "highly anticipated."

THE 10 

MOST ANTICIPATED PROJECTS 

OF 2012

Oprah's Next Chapter
Premiered: January 1, 2012
This first one already premiered on New Year's Day and the reaction, so far, has been somewhat mixed.  It seems audiences are thrilled to have their favorite TV personality back in interview mode, but the format (for many) seems all too similar to her in-studio format (just without the studio!).  But only the first episode has aired, so we shall see where Ms. Winfrey's "Next Chapter" takes her this year.

Alcatraz
Premieres: January 16, 2012
J.J. Abrams' new prison-themed mystery series certainly has the LOST factor going into it (it even features LOST co-star Jorge Garcia!).  Both critics and audiences are looking forward to what could very well be the next LOST.

Luck
Premieres: January 29, 2012
When it comes to edgy and acclaimed dramas, HBO seems to have the monopoly on them (see Boardwalk Empire, Game of Thrones, etc.).  This new series has the added pedigree of an Oscar-winning legend in the lead role: Dustin Hoffman.

Smash
Premieres: February 5, 2012
Everyone wants to have the kind of success Glee enjoyed (at least in its first season!).  While NBC's new musical-drama is more based in the creation of a musical (rather than a high school setting!), the comparisons to FOX's musical-dramedy are inevitable.

The Hunger Games
Premieres: March 23, 2012
Suzanne Collins' successful novel series is making its way to the big screen.  After several casting sessions and meetings of studio bigwigs, Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone, X-Men: First Class) garnered the lead role of Katniss in this highly anticipated apocalyptic fantasy.

The Avengers
Premieres: May 4, 2012
Marvel Comics has set the stage with their successful film adaptations of Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America.  Now, the stars of those films have come together (except with Mark Ruffalo replacing Edward Norton as The Hulk) in the Marvel film comic book nerds have been drooling for since the first Iron Man film was released.

The Amazing Spider-Man

Premieres: July 3, 2012

Speaking of Marvel Comics, reboots are very much in style now (Thank you, Christopher Nolan! But more on that in a bit!).  Marvel's most popular superhero and his story have been re-imagined once again this time with The Social Network's Andrew Garfield donning the Spidey suit and The Help's Emma Stone as his main squeeze Gwen Stacy (no, not Mary Jane!).

The Dark Knight Rises
Premieres: July 20, 2012
And since I mentioned Christopher Nolan, I thought it only fair we talk about his offering this Summer 2012.  Nolan brings back his darker and more cerebral vision of Batman (as played by newly minted Oscar-winner Christian Bale!) in the third (and presumably final) installment of his Dark Knight Trilogy.  While Michael Caine (Alfred), Gary Oldman (Commissioner Gordon) and Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox) return, Bale's Batman faces Tom Hardy as the very primal Bane and Hollywood darling Anne Hathaway as the sexy and sultry Catwoman.  Also Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard (who, along with Hardy, worked with Nolan in the 2010 hit Inception) join in on the action as characters whose motives are not entirely clear, but it will be fun finding out come July 2012!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Premieres: December 14, 2012
After months and even years of creative squabbles and changing directors, Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Lord of the Rings prequel story The Hobbit is coming to theaters.  Jackson, in his creative fervor, has chosen to split the book up into two movies (probably heavily inspired by what Harry Potter and Twilight have done recently!) with the first one approaching this December.  For all of us LOTR fans, this has been years in the making ever since Return of the King back in 2003!

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part II
Premieres: November 16, 2012
And last (and, in my opinion, least!), Part II of the final story in Stefenie Meyer's widely popular vampire romance shall be released around Thanksgiving this year.  I can't really say a lot about this "saga" as I have spent my pop culture days avoiding this...I'll be nice: little story.

There you have it!  Some of the most highly anticipated TV and Film projects of the coming year.  Please, feel free to comment and talk about anything you think I might have missed.  Let's see if there's more to look forward to in this great year.  Go 2012!!!

10 FAVORITES (48) - 2011: A Year In Review

Well everyone, Christmastime is upon us and we are almost at the end of 2011.  But what were the most important events that occurred in our culture over the last year?  This week's 10 FAVORITES is a special 2011 review, picking the 10 moments that shaped the entertainment and pop culture world over the last 364 days (give or take a few!).

2011: A YEAR IN REVIEW

EASTERN CHANGES

The Deaths of Bin-Laden, Gaddafi, Kim Jong-Il and the Resignation of Mubarak

The Middle Eastern region was given quite an uproar over the last year.  First, Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak resigned in disgrace after over two weeks of riots and demonstrations against his questionable leadership.  Then, after years of hunting him down, President Barack Obama announced at the end of May that justice has been served as a US Seal team had found and assassinated Al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama Bin-Laden.  After a long summer, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was killed by rebels after NATO took down his forces.  And if all that wasn't enough, recently from the Far East, North Korea revealed that their "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-Il had passed away (from unknown causes!).  Could it be that these once troubled nations will live in peace with the rest of the world?  Or are they in a deeper abyss of despair than they once were?  Only time shall tell.

WINNING!

Charlie Sheen's Meltdown

Talk about a method to leave a hit network show!  Former Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen seemed to be on a downward spiral since his very public arrest last year at Christmastime.  But halfway through his firing from the CBS ratings bonanza, he informed us all that he is not like us.  No, he has "tiger-blood" and "adonis DNA," so you cannot apply the same rules to him as you do us mere mortals.  By all accounts (according to Sheeen!), he is clearly "Winning!"  And with those statements, the Charlie Sheen meltdown was off and running.  He, of course, tried to use it to his advantage by launching a critically panned lecture tour and signing on for a new "sitcom" with a cable network (where apparently he doesn't have the "creative" restraints that a broadcast network has!).  If this is "Winning!" Mr. Sheen, then, by all means, have at it.

A ROYAL WEDDING

William and Kate Make It Official

30 years after his parents had their lavish and hard-to-compete-with Royal wedding, Prince William married his longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton.  With this marriage, they are now officially referred to as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  The wedding was watched in almost every country by millions upon millions, and in this 24/7 Internet age the wedding was watched over and over again.  Now, almost 8 months after the wedding, the rumors are flying (marriage in trouble, Kate's baby bump, etc.).  But despite all this, the couple seem happy in their new life together.  Let us hope they can weather the storm that is the media hype and the "Royal fishbowl" together in health and happiness.

GOODBYE AND A-HA!

Oprah's Farewell

After 25 years of laughs, tears, screams, celebrities, favorite things and A-ha moments, talk show queen Oprah Winfrey aired the final episode of her show at the end of May.  There was a lot of build up to that final hour.  The two days before were devoted to a "Surprise Spectacular" that was held for Ms. Winfrey at Chicago's United Center where every celebrity from Tom Hanks to Will Smith to Madonna to Beyonce to Aretha Franklin paid homage to the woman that has shaped our culture for the last quarter of a century.  On the final day, there was just a chair and Ms. Winfrey speaking to her audience (both in studio and not) about what this journey has meant to her.  She did not say "Goodbye," but she did say "Until we meet again."  And, of course, with her new network OWN, we shall be seeing her again.  But thanks to her daily talk show, our culture was never the same.

THE MAGIC ENDS

Harry Potter Casts His Final Spell

7 books plus 8 movies equals a pop culture phenomenon.  J. K. Rowling's sprawling fantasy series about the boy wizard with a lightning scar has been read by billions.  Her last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was wisely turned into two movies by Warner Brothers (the company that had been producing the other 6 films!).  Part I premiered in November of last year and Part II became one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the last decade.  On July 15, the world watched as the cast (which has been mostly the same since the first film!) played their parts for the eighth and final time.  The movie was a box office smash making almost $400 million in the U.S. and triple that worldwide (cementing the Harry Potter film series as the highest grossing film franchise of all-time!).  The reviews for the film were among the best any of the others within the series.  And thanks to DVD (and countless TV airings), the series shall live on forever.

A FAIRY TALE WEDDING (AND ITS UNHAPPY ENDING!)

Kim Kardashian Weds (and Divorces!)

There are just no words people!  This is our culture these days!  And I blame all of you.  Just so you know.

FALL TV 2011

All the Single Ladies!

The ladies certainly made good this Fall TV season.  Several of the new shows centered around women (mostly single!) and each of them had varying degrees of success (and others just flopped!).  FOX sitcom New Girl starring the charming Zooey Deschanel became the surefire hit of the new season garnering praise for its star and its style.  The show received top nominations at the Golden Globes (for Best Comedy Series and Best Actress for Ms. Deschanel).  Other female-centric sitcoms that hit it big were NBC's Up All Night (starring Christina Applegate and SNL alum Maya Rudolph), ABC's Suburgatory, and CBS' 2 Broke Girls (co-created by comedienne Whitney Cummings, whose other sitcom NBC's Whitney received renewal!).  Then there are the female-lead dramas.  The biggest ratings hits were CBS' Unforgettable (starring Without a Trace's Poppy Montgomery) and ABC's Revenge (featuring a deliciously wicked Madeleine Stowe), the latter garnered a Golden Globe nod for Lead Actress (Ms. Stowe).  Other dramas included ABC's Sunday package (alongside their outgoing hit Desperate Housewives!): the fantasy-themed Once Upon a Time and the 60's era stewardess tale Pan Am.  And the CW had a string of female-lead dramas (The Ringer, Hart of Dixie and The Secret Circle), all of which received renewal from the 5th place network.  As for ABC's reboot of Charlie's Angels and NBC's 60's era The Playboy Club (each female-lead!), the axe fell pretty quickly when the ratings were not high.  And unfortunately, NBC also cancelled the high quality American reboot of Prime Suspect, which featured a powerful and nuanced performance from star Maria Bello.  This Fall certainly was all about the Ladies!

THE RAINBOW RETURNS

The Muppets Make a Comeback

I have said so much about my love for The Muppets.  And this Thanksgiving, I got the wish I had been wishing for for over a decade.  A brand new theatrically-released Muppet movie (simply titled: The Muppets).  The movie was such a nostalgic throwback for me, yet still had enough modern sensibility that it could thrill children today.  All of my favorites were there: from Kermit the Frog to Miss Piggy to Fozzie Bear to The Great Gonzo to The Electric Mayhem!  And each character had their moment to shine.  There were certainly moments when my eyes welled with tears (remembering the happiness with which these colorful characters filled my childhood).  And there, of course, were moments where I laughed so hard that I could cry.  The Muppets are back and I hope it won't be too long before I see them again!

THE G.O.P. DEBATES

Political Pundits Remain Flummoxed

After a few months of debates between the high-profile Republican party Presidential candidates for next year's election, there still is no clear front-runner as far as the major media outlets are concerned.  Some say that former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich leads in the polls.  A lot of the Republican experts still favor former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.  And many of the Republicans I know personally have claimed they will vote for Ron Paul.  And with the dropping out of Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and the scandal that forced Herman Cain to suspend his seemingly successful campaign, many Conservatives are concerned they will not find someone who can take on President Obama in the 2012 General Election.  In the next coming months, as we have more debates and several states begin their important primaries, we shall see which one of these people shall emerge as the GOP's candidate for President.

IN MEMORIAM 2011

Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Falk, Amy Winehouse, Andy Rooney & Steve Jobs

We lost a lot of great people in 2011.  Among the most notable included 60 Minutes icon Andy Rooney, troubled pop singer Amy Winehouse, TV's Columbo Peter Falk, Apple founding "genius" Steve Jobs and Hollywood's ever-glamorous leading lady Elizabeth Taylor.  They live on for us through their contributions and their impact on the culture.

Emmys and Comedy: Who will get nominated?

With the end of the 2010-2011 TV season over last week, the speculation has begun as to what shows will get nominated for the TV industry's top honors: The Emmy Awards.  If you go to sites like TVLine.com, Deadline.com, Television Without Pity or Entertainment Weekly, you will find many articles about who the front-runners are in the respective categories.  So this week, on my blog I will discuss and breakdown the various Comedy categories and their potential nominees.  The reason I am only discussing the Comedy categories is because the only Dramas that I have been watching are the "procedurals" (like NCIS and Criminal Minds), which are loved by many but rarely on the Emmy Radar.  The only Emmy-worthy drama I watch is The Good Wife, and that is poised to be the only network drama nominated amongst a range of cable hits (re: Mad Men and Dexter).  Therefore, I don't feel qualified to give my opinion on the Drama categories just yet (we'll wait until the nominations come out and I have had a chance to catch up on the Emmy-worthy dramas). With that said, let's dive right in!  I have broken each of the five major Comedy categories down into four "Distinctions" (or Sections), the definitions for which can be seen below.  

DISTINCTIONS

For Sures: These are the ones that are definite locks to get nominated (for whatever reason!).

Favorites: Their nomination is not as guaranteed, but have extremely strong chances.

Possibles: This is the "Wild Card" section, where any one of these can pull off a surprise and get nominated.

Long Shots: These are the ones that get mentioned in "Dream Ballots," but their chances are less likely.

Now, on with my speculations:

BEST COMEDY SERIES

FOR SURES

Glee - There have been many hit shows over the years that have been plagued with what is referred to as a "sophomore slump," meaning that their second season is not as good as their first.  An argument can certainly be made that the FOX musical mega-hit has suffered from that ailment, but the network is throwing so much weight behind the series that the show will inevitably garner a second Emmy nod for Best Comedy (despite its more dramatic overtones).

Modern Family - Like Glee, last year's Emmy champ has also suffered from "sophomoritis."  Despite that, the show has become the anchor of ABC's Wednesday nights and its entire cast has been hailed over and over again (winning this year's SAG Award for Best Ensemble over Glee).  It will be assured of a nomination come July.

30 Rock - NBC's awards darling won this award 3 years in a row and garnered a nod last year (for a generally considered also-ran fourth season).  Despite losing to Modern Family, the show stepped up its game for its fifth season and is still considered by many critics to be one of the smartest sitcoms on Television.  It has become a staple of the category.

FAVORITES

The Big Bang Theory - The CBS hit made a bold move to Thursdays and won the ratings battle (Thanks in large part to last year's Emmy win for star Jim Parsons!).  The show could find itself getting its first nomination in the top category for a much-lauded fourth season.

Hot In Cleveland - TV Land's first original scripted series is a throwback to the nostalgic multi-camera, live-audience sitcom.  It is bolstered by a industry-beloved cast (including the phenomenal Betty White!) and a massive awards campaign behind it from the cable network.

The Office - With the departure of star Steve Carell, the NBC hit had a creative resurgence this year that many critics felt was long overdue.  The show could be honored with a nod (and a potential win!) just for Carell's last episode alone.

POSSIBLES

The Big C - The new Showtime "dramedy" surprised many by garnering a Golden Globe nomination for Best Comedy Series earlier this year.  The strength of star Laura Linney's performance could garner the show a nomination in the top category (much like Nurse Jackie got last year!).

Community - The NBC show's exclusion from the category last year riled a few pundits and they opined that the series' second season is quite Emmy-worthy (despite its quirky/subversive style).  But with 30 Rock and The Office getting more campaign support from the network (not all, just more), it is unlikely NBC can pull off a hat-trick and dominate the category (like they once did in the 1980s and early '90s).

Nurse Jackie - Showtime's dark and serio-comic series received a Best Comedy Series nod last year mainly because of the strength of star Edie Falco (who won the Best Actress award).  The show could repeat but it faces tough competition from its own network (see The Big C).

Parks and Recreation - NBC's plucky mockumentary-style series has become a critical favorite and had a creative resurgence with the addition of Rob Lowe to the cast.  While many critics would love to see this series make it all the way to the Winner's Circle on Emmy night, the network is throwing more support behind more perennial favorites (like 30 Rock and The Office).

LONG SHOTS

Chuck, NBC; Cougar Town, ABC; Eastbound & Down, HBO; Entourage, HBO; Episodes, Showtime; How I Met Your Mother, CBS; It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, F/X; The Middle, ABC; Raising Hope, FOX; Weeds, Showtime

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

CATEGORY BREAKDOWN - Previous winners Jim Parsons and Alec Baldwin are shoo-ins to get nominated and Steve Carell's swan song season is guaranteed to garner him a nod.  Cable stars Thomas Jane and Matt LeBlanc are favorites with the critics and with Tony Shalhoub and Larry David out of the race this year, spots have opened up.  Matthew Morrison could ride the success of his show to a second nod, but he (and Jane and LeBlanc) face tough competition from newcomers Lucas Neff and Rob Lowe (who is submitting himself as a lead!) and previous non-nominees David Duchovny and Joel McHale.  And Charlie Sheen missed the deadline to submit (but he could get "written-in" if the voters are so inclined!).

FOR SURES

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock; Steve Carell, The Office; Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

FAVORITES

Thomas Jane, Hung; Joel McHale, Community; Matthew Morrison, Glee

POSSIBLES

Louis C. K., Louie; David Duchovny, Californication; Matt LeBlanc, Episodes; Rob Lowe, Parks and Recreation

LONG SHOTS

Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory; Zachary Levi, Chuck; Danny McBride, Eastbound & Down; Lucas Neff, Raising Hope; Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

CATEGORY BREAKDOWN - Showtime stars have seemed to dominate this category recently and it is unlikely that will end anytime soon.  Laura Linney is riding high from a Golden Globe win and last year's Emmy champ Edie Falco is likely to join her on the list of nominees.  Tina Fey is one of the most respected comedic actresses around and is assured a fifth nod (she won back in 2008!).  Toni Collette (another Showtime star and 2009's winner) could muster a nomination even though her show was recently axed by the cable network.  Last year's newcomer-nominees Lea Michele and Amy Poehler remain in position to repeat with respective nominations, that is unless Courtney Cox or Mary-Louise Parker can get similar (and even more) support from their respective networks.  And let's not forget the highly respected and much-lauded newcomers Melissa McCarthy and Martha Plimpton.

FOR SURES

Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie; Tina Fey, 30 Rock; Laura Linney, The Big C

FAVORITES

Toni Collette, United States of Tara; Lea Michele, Glee; Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

POSSIBLES

Courtney Cox, Cougar Town; Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly; Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds; Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope

LONG SHOTS

Marcia Cross, Desperate Housewives; Kaley Cuoco, The Big Bang Theory; Teri Hatcher, Desperate Housewives; Patricia Heaton, The Middle; Felicity Huffman, Desperate Housewives

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

CATEGORY BREAKDOWN - Chris Colfer has had one of the best years on his show and the most character growth (he was rewarded with a Golden Globe for his effort).  Ty Burrell and Eric Stonestreet (last year's winner) are assured nominations as they usually stand out in their show's impressive cast.  Their co-stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Ed O'Neill, while not as over-the-top memorable, certainly could earn nods for their work.  Then there is Neil Patrick Harris, who is the category's favorite perennial nominee.  While this would polish off the category's six spots, there is competition in the form of Jon Cryer, Nick Offerman and Rainn Wilson.  And don't count out past winner Jeremy Piven!

FOR SURES

Ty Burrell, Modern Family; Chris Colfer, Glee; Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

FAVORITES

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family; Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother; Ed O'Neill, Modern Family

POSSIBLES

Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men; Nick Offerman, Parks and Recreation; Jeremy Piven, Entourage; Rainn Wilson, The Office

LONG SHOTS

Garrett Dillahunt, Raising Hope; Ed Helms, The Office; Tracy Morgan, 30 Rock; Mike O'Malley, Glee; Danny Pudi, Community

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

CATEGORY BREAKDOWN - Last year's champ Jane Lynch is most assured to get a nomination (thanks to her Golden Globe win earlier this year!).  Betty White's career resurgence has made her a favorite with many industry voters (as her SAG win proved).  Sofia Vergara has received praise (even from her own co-stars!) and her colleague Julie Bowen also has a strong chance of making her way onto the nominations' list.  Perennial favorite Jane Krakowski is always welcome at any awards show and Kristen Wiig is the most beloved cast member of the long-running variety series (having been nominated twice before).  Betty White's co-stars made a bold move and decided to submit themselves in the Supporting category (as opposed to the Lead), so Wendie Malick or Jane Leeves could find they have nominations.  Then there are previous nominees Jenna Fischer and Holland Taylor who may get their respective chances.  Quite frankly, with Lynch, White and Vergara (and possibly Bowen) as locks, the rest of the category is up in the air!

FOR SURES

Jane Lynch, Glee; Sofia Vergara, Modern Family; Betty White, Hot In Cleveland

FAVORITES

Julie Bowen, Modern Family; Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock; Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live

POSSIBLES

Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory; Wendie Malick, Hot In Cleveland; Jane Leeves, Hot In Cleveland; Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men

LONG SHOTS

Valerie Bertinelli, Hot In Cleveland; Jenna Fischer, The Office; Tamsin Greig, Episodes; Swoosie Kurtz, Mike & Molly; Merrit Weaver, Nurse Jackie

We will know the answer to the "Who will be Nominated?" question come July 14 when the Emmy nominations are revealed.  Soon after that, I will have my predictions as to who will win!  Next Week, 10 FAVORITES returns and goes (back) to Broadway!

10 FAVORITES (18) - 2010: A Year In Review

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy 2011 everyone! The end of the year and the beginning of the new year is always an exciting time for us media critics because we get to look at the year that was. 2010 was a very interesting year in the world of Entertainment and Pop Culture. We saw an independent film triumph over a box office juggernaut at the Academy Awards, Critically acclaimed TV shows came to the forefront for audiences on both the awards front and in the ratings numbers, and even Broadway was emboldened by the star power of the likes of Oscar winners Catherine Zeta-Jones and Denzel Washington. That's not to mention the shifts that were going on around the country politically speaking. But what were the most memorable moments of the past year. In honor of this first full week of the new year, I want to take us all back through last year just for a little bit (which, I know was something many journalists covered last week, but I prefer to wait until the previous year has come to a complete close!). This week's 10 FAVORITES (in semi-chronological order) is:

10 POP CULTURE MOMENTS FROM 2010

THE BATTLE FOR THE TONIGHT SHOW

Though this moment really started in 2009, with NBC's frustration over low ratings for their beloved late night staple (which was caused by many factors, least of all the new host) the network maneuvered (sloppily) for Jay Leno to return and bought out (at a hefty sum) the rest of Conan O'Brien's contract. While the battle lines were drawn at the end of 2009, the spoils and scars were clearly visible in January 2010. As "Coco" licked his wounds, Leno returned and NBC's late night ratings picked up to what they once were. But don't feel too bad for O'Brien, as his new TBS late night show is wowing his fans and the critics.

THE HOPE FOR HAITI TELETHON

The most devastating moment happened at the beginning of the year as the Caribbean nation of Haiti was struck by a massive earthquake that destroyed most of the country and caused thousands of casualties and deaths. As the world was reeling, the Hollywood community (led by A-lister George Clooney and Haitian native musician Wyclef Jean) came together to ask the public to step up and give assistance. The Celebrity-filled Telethon (like the 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina predecessors) was broadcast on almost all the networks in Primetime (and in EVERY Time Zone). It showed the world that the Entertainment community can really be who we want them to be when it really matters.

THE SANDRA BULLOCK SAGA

The actress had a great 2009 with two box-office hits (The Proposal and The Blind Side) and went into 2010 with awards buzz for the latter. As she gracefully accepted every award handed to her, from the Golden Globe to the SAG Award to even the Oscar (yes people, Sandra Bullock IS an Oscar winner!), she tearfully thanked her husband, reality star Jesse James, for all his love and support. Little did we know what those tears were really about as reports surfaced (from multiple women) that James had been unfaithful to his A-list wife (It was Tiger Woods all over again!). But Bullock braved the storm with great poise, divorced James and adopted her son, showing us that she is a true class act!

LADY GAGA - THE LITTLE FAME MONSTER

Though Lady Gaga is really a person (I think!) and not so much a moment, her presence on this list is really because of all her little moments over the course of 2010. There was her AMA and Grammy performances (which of course shocked anyone who did not know who or what she was), her notorious behavior at a Yankees game, the tribute given to her by the beloved show Glee and who could forget the Meat dress! Throughout all this, she had a sincere dedication to her craft (whatever she douses it in!) and to her fans (the Little Monsters), who helped make her the most followed celebrity on Twitter.

LOST SAYS GOODBYE (AS DO OTHERS)

The final season of J. J. Abrams' enigmatic hit drama LOST was one of the most anticipated seasons of a television series in recent years. The finale, which aired in May, answered questions (and created many more!) and felt like a fitting end to a series that had earned its place in TV history. As LOST said goodbye, so did several other shows (that were once hits) in the Spring of 2010, some which had a proper farewell (24 and Ugly Betty) and some which didn't (Law & Order and Heroes). In the fall season, newer shows took their places in the schedule but, alas, a lot of them did not catch on with audiences. And it didn't matter whether they were critically acclaimed (Lone Star and The Whole Truth) or critically savaged (Undercovers and My Generation).

LEBRON JAMES' TALE OF TWO CITIES (AND THREE...AND FOUR...AND FIVE!)

The NBA off-season (summertime) was almost completely devoted to answering one question: Would Lebron stay or would he go? Lebron James, the superstar player of the Cleveland Cavaliers, became a free agent as his contract with Cleveland came to a close in June and several teams wanted (and pleaded for) him! The Akron native dragged out his decision until the eleventh hour and announced (in a grand "hoop"-la) that he would indeed leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat (and a perceived better chance to win championships). His actions drew a line in the sand (certainly for Cleveland) and changed the way we look at free agents in the sports world.

THE GLEE KIDS GET NAUGHTY

It is one of the most popular shows on television and fans of it cannot get enough. So, of course, the popular men's magazine GQ wanted to get an interview with some of Glee's dynamic cast members. GQ (being GQ) had its subjects in a photo shoot that was a little bit more adult than the parents of many a Glee fan would have wanted. As the firestorm lit up talk TV and the blogosphere, stars Lea Michele, Dianna Agron and Cory Monteith were taken aback by the controversy and each issued separate "Mea Culpas," hoping not to have offended anyone within the Gleek kingdom.

THE RALLY TO RESTORE SANITY (OR TO KEEP FEAR ALIVE)

The political rhetoric of 2010 seemed to be sliding to the vicious side (for whatever reason!) and Jon Stewart, the dynamic and hilarious host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, had had enough. He decided that with his star power (and finances), that he could organize a massive Washington, D.C. rally to help tone down the venomous rhetoric in the air. His rally was mostly in jest but partly serious (especially when Oprah got involved!). His Comedy Central cohort, Stephen Colbert, decided to join in, but not to "Restore Sanity." His insistence was to "Keep Fear Alive" (also pretty much, in jest). Both rallies joined together on October 30 and were extremely successful, at least in the media's eyes, but we shall see if Stewart's message really hit home.

BRISTOL PALIN ON DANCING WITH THE STARS

ABC's juggernaut reality series was stepping up its game in the Fall of 2010 as far as "star power." Not only did they retain Carol Brady, Dirty Dancing's Baby and the "Hoff" himself, but they got Bristol Palin, 2008 Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin's infamous daughter. Bristol, who is no stranger to controversy (see Levi Johnson), started a whole new controversy by her season on the dance competition show. While she was not the worst celebrity ever to dance on the program (see Kate Gosselin), she certainly was not the best, despite improving from week to week. The thing that polarized a lot of DWTS' fans was that she was allowed to improve from week to week, whereas other (not as notable) celebrities would have been eliminated sooner. It was discovered that a strong (possibly conservative) base of fans were constantly voting to keep Bristol in, succeeding all the way to the finale (where she lost the Mirrorball trophy to Jennifer Grey). But though she lost, her presence on the show became something to talk about.

PRINCE WILLIAM SETS THE DATE

He is the Man who will be King and she is his longtime girlfriend. Their love story does feel a little like déjà vu as Prince William (eldest son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana) finally popped the question to Kate Middleton. Their engagement was immediately the subject of scrutinizing Internet searches and their images were immediately branded upon wedding memorabilia as the two set the date (April 2011). Going into 2011, this happy news will become one of the most watched weddings in history rivaling another famous Royal Wedding. Seriously, has anyone heard of déjà vu?!?!

So, there you have it: THE 10 POP CULTURE MOMENTS FROM 2010. We shall see if 2011 makes a splash in the way 2010 did. We know there is a Royal Wedding coming. Oprah Winfrey will he ending her seminal talk show (she's already unveiled her new cable network!). And the Harry Potter franchise will come to a close as the eighth and final film is released this summer. That's what we know about! Who knows what the new year will bring?