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RSSIt was the worst of times . . . my least favorite TV moments of 2008
We've spent a lot of time this month celebrating our favorite TV things of 2008. But I thought we would take a break from all the happy, happy, joy, joy and talk about some of the things we didn't like this year. Don't worry we'll be back to all the good times next week.
Here are some of my least favorite things that happened on TV over the last year:
Dr. Hahn disappears in the parking lot in the "Rise Up" episode of Grey's Anatomy (November 6, 2008): This series made many questionable choices in 2008 but the careless disregard they showed to a character in the opening credits was definitely a low point.
Jim dies in "Imaginary Friends and Enemies" episode of Ghost Whisperer (November 7, 2008): It's right up there with Zack working with a serial killer on Bones and Rebecca not being a Walker on Brothers & Sisters. Jim coming back from the dead in another man's body and with amnesia to boot was a level of suspension of disbelief the series probably didn't need.
The series premiere of The Return of Jezebel James (March 7, 2008): Having this pretty awful comedy come from the woman behind the Gilmore Girls was so disappointing. I want to forget all about it but for some reason I can't. The reality runner-up was Oprah's Big Give which I found exploitive no matter how much good the contestants told us they were doing.
Katherine's secret is revealed on "The Gun Song" episode of Desperate Housewives (May 18, 2008): After a season long build up, the pay off just wasn't enough for me. I have similar concerns about the current Dave story line. If it turns out that Mike killed Dave's wife and son in a car accident won't that will be what we thought was the case all along? I'm holding out hope for a much bigger surprise.
Jan and Michael's dinner party on "The Dinner Party" episode of The Office (April 10, 2008): As I said on Monday, it was way too awkward for my taste. It also was the final straw of turning Jan from a great character to a really pathetic one.
Those were some of my least favorite TV moments of 2008, what were some of yours? Talk about it below.
January Is Almost Here!
When I was doing my year end lists, I had to keep reminding myself that Damages last aired in October 2007. There series loomed so large in my mind that I can't believe it's been nearly 15 months since Ellen uttered "Because I know Patty." This week I got the chance to watch the first two episodes of the second season Damages and I'm so excited to tell you that they are simply fantastic and play with time in the same compelling and clever way the first season did. I'll have a full review when the show premieres on January 7.
But then I started thinking what show am I looking forward to the most this January -- Lost, 24, Friday Night Lights (which we will all finally be able to watch on NBC) or Damages? And it that Scrubs is also back in January and we are talking about a little piece of TV heaven.
What show's return are you most looking forward to next year? Talk about it below.
Quotes of the Week
"All I need is a healthy ovum and I can grow my own Leonard Nimoy." Sheldon to Penny after she give him her Christmas gift of Leonard Nimoy's used napkin on The Big Bang Theory. Thanks to Phil and Pam who were the first to submit this week's most popular quote.
"Oh hell no." The narrator on Pushing Daisies. Thanks to Caroline for the quote.
"Plus in Canada you can go to an all nude strip club and order alcohol. That's right. From Moose Jaw to the Bay of Fundy you can suck down a 20-ounce pilsner and watch some coal miner's daughter strip down to her pelt. Jealous?!?" Robin (Cobie Smulders) on How I Met Your Mother. Thanks to Brian for the quote.
"How can I get my old job back?" Jerry to Dr. Morris on ER.
Some fun links
You can check out clips of new episodes of 90210 (beginning January 6) by clicking here and here
And here's a new promo for Smallville.
You can design your own The Office t-shirt over at nbc.com. The winner will have their T-shirt sold at the NBCStore.com. Check it out the details by clicking here.
That's all for today. I'm back next week with our favorite quotes from 2008 (don't forget to email me your nominations) and my picks for the best of everything television. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com.
Amy Amatangelo, TV Gal ®
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
The show I'm most looking forward to returning is Friday Night Lights. I've cheated and watched the new episodes online (I don't have DirecTV), but can't wait to really watch them on tv. I hope the ratings do well so it will get picked up for another season - or at least well enough for them to air all of the episodes.
In terms of least favorite tv moments, I don't want to pinpoint a least favorite moment. Instead, I'd like to protest the cancellation of Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money.
Amy Amy Amy
Great Column again!! I think that one of my least favorite things this year was "Secret Millionaire", the show seemed too easy, too rehearsed, too scripted -- It's great that people were able to get some help but it was handled as a typical FOX show!!
Pietro
WE HAVE TO GO BACK!!
anybody else puuuummmped for the new season
Not so much a moment, I guess, as a plotline, but...
Maya's whole "relationship" with Mohinder on Heroes was doomed and ill-advised from the get-go. For that matter, so was the storyline about him becoming a monster.
I agree about Jim dying on Ghost Whisperer and then taking over another's body. Even if the actor playing Jim stays, they still have to show the other guy's face and body.
They'll have to go a long way to satisfy me on the solution.
That line in Pushing Daisies had me hysterical for several minutes. Along with:
"Oh, look! A dumb idea just found a friend!"
Good grief, I'm going to miss that show.
I'm not really excited about a returning show, but I am very excited about the series premiere of Dollhouse! Having a Joss Whedon show on my roster feels good. Can't wait!
As far as worst moments, I don't really have any. Of course, I stopped watching several shows this year that I thought were becoming a waste of my time, so maybe that's why.
My least favorite moment was when Amber died on House, MD. I really loved her character, and her relationship with Wilson was one of my favorites on TV.
LOST
Definately disappointed in the Reese and her boss storyline on Life. That show was pitch perfect in every aspect before this uncomfortable and plainly unbelieveable storyline entered the picture.