TOP 3 TV SHOWS OF THE YEAR
Battlestar Galactica
For being the only series on TV I can recommend to friends who don’t watch SF with the words, “If you don’t watch it, you’re missing out on one of the best television shows ever made.” And because I’ve seen it take over the brains of so many of my once-rational, non-SF-loving friends as a result.
Supernatural
Because it’s worked so hard and it’s finally getting the ratings and recognition it deserves - as I write this, it’s TV Guide’s fourth most popular show! And it either makes me go, “Ewww!” or howl with laughter or simply breaks my heart every single week.
Medium
I was going to go with Doctor Who but hey, Medium needs the love. The most under-appreciated show on TV right now, but such a joy from start to finish. Anjelica Huston’s run on the series this year was wonderful.
TOP 3 EPISODES OF THE YEAR
Supernatural - “Lazurus Rising”: Because I had absolutely no freakin’ CLUE what was going on until the final scene and it’s rare that you don’t guess, even a little, when you watch an episode of anything these days. Plus? Castiel really knows how to make an entrance...
Doctor Who - “Journey’s End”: If you can judge good television by the amount of girly tears that are shed at the sad bits, this one’s a winner. And seeing the TARDIS being flown properly with all those companions around the console was a joy.
Battlestar Galactica – “Revelations”: All the way through this episode there was the sense that something huge was about to happen... and then it did. Scorched Earth FTW!
TOP 3 FILMS OF THE YEAR
The Dark Knight – I’m so original. But come on, did you SEE that bit with the pencil?
WALL E – The biggest cockle-warmer in the world. And so beautiful!
Iron Man – The big battle at the end was a bit of a misfire but otherwise this film had balls of steel. Or, uh, iron. (Also, please bear in mind that I’m watching Hellboy 2 on Christmas Day, so Iron Man could be usurped...)
TOP 3 BOOKS OF THE YEAR
The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman) – A story so good I want to have kids just so that I can read it to them after I’ve tucked them in for the night. Until then I’ll just have to keep reading it myself.
(For the record, just about every other decent book I’ve read this year wasn’t published in 2008, so I guess I can’t add them to my top three. Otherwise Perdido Street Station would be number one!)
PERSON OF THE YEAR
Stan Lee, because he should be Person of the Year every year.
REVELATION OF THE YEAR
Rose got to keep her very own Doctor? Lucky wench.
DUD OF THE YEAR
Twilight - the movie AND the new book. I have nothing against Stephenie Meyer but I just can’t understand why her work is so successful when there are books out there that are so much better. Come on, teens! Read some Darren Shan instead!
Go to Nick Setchfield’s Pick of 2008
