It’s that time of year again when EW’s editorial staffbrainstorms, debates, and agonizes over who’ll make the cut for our year-end"Entertainers of the Year" issue. I’m predicting a death feud betweenAnnie Barrett and me regarding the relative merits of Ireland’s Róisín Murphyversus the u-to the-biq-to the-u-i-t-o-u-s Fergie, resulting in a final verdictfrom our editors declaring "none of the above!"
For my money, I’d (predictably) add Ugly Betty’s VanessaL. Williams to the list — if only for her delivery of my new favoritecatchphrase, "follow the breadcrumbs, Gretel!" on last night’sepisode. But because we care, and also because we like you todo our work for us you guys are some of the most informed,opinionated cats ever to populate a pop-culture message board, we’d like you tojoin in the deliberations. We’ll be selecting the best of your nominations foran online game — and possible inclusion in a future issue of the magazine. Soriddle me this: Which three people (or bands, or TV/film ensemble casts) would youput at the top of your list of "Entertainers of the Year" for 2007?And just as important, tell us why.
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Entertainers of the year for me were Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton for their realistic portrayal of an adult relationship. Most excellent.
Well since you asked: Arcade Fire has to be on the short-list for best band of the year. This year has seen the arrival of their second album, which was at least as impressive as their first. And as for entertainment value, their live show was the closest thing I’ve come to a religious experience in my life.
The Entire Cast of the Sopranos– The best show to ever be aired on television, and even in their final season, the show managed to be as entertaining as it ever has been.
As far as entertainer, I’m tempted to say Judd Apatow. I know two films are not enough to qualify entertainer of the year, but he and his squad of hilarious misfits, have all but redefined the comedy genre.
So there’s my list, since you asked for it.
Peace;love/
Britney Spears. Come on, how can you not mention her? She’s provided us the most entertainment of anyone this year, even if it was in unconventional ways.
Music: Timbaland has just been EVERYWHERE this year (I think he served me my bourbon chicken at the mall today).
Movies: Seth Rogen has made me laugh too hard this year.
TV: Though ABC has a great line-up, especially with the addition of “Samantha Who?” and “Pushing Daisies,” I’m gonna have to give it up for the cast of “Ugly Betty” because even if I don’t remember the episode, I remember laughing
CASEY AFFLECK!
Seth Rogen for Knocked Up and Superbad…and to make my grade 12 self feel better about Freaks and Geeks being cancelled. (But not Katherine Heigl please, she’s overrated).
Also, I think that you have to give country music a little more love this year. Huge album sales for many acts and great concerts. I’d suggest Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney or Miranda Lambert.
Well, I think we should add Rihanna to the list, since she definitely had the biggest single of the year. I don’t know if I’d put her ar number one, but she should definitely be up there.
…right, so Casey Affleck because he’s probably played two of the richest roles of the fall. He’s been overlooked for too long in films like Gerry, Ocean’s 11-12-13 and Good Will Hunting. And this year he’s had a chance to remind us how hilarious he still is (Ocean’s Thirteen) and that he has range in that he can be a leading man (Gone Baby Gone) and can pull off a juicy part in a near 3-hour Western (The Assassination of Jesse James). In fact, the Afflecks would be a good choice as well.
Here are some off the top of my head:
Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, Superbad)
Sanjaya Malakar (he was undeniably big this year)
Patti Lupone (made a splash with Gypsy – entertainers aren’t just from film and tv, you know)
Justin Timberlake (he was everywhere this year. even won an Emmy)
Rihanna (biggest single of the year)
The cast of The Sopranos (most talked about show- and series ending)
JK Rowling should be the Entertainer of the Year, maybe combined with the cast of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
also, for your Memorable Performances part: Kelly Clarkson singing Patty Griffin’s “Up to the Mountain” on Idol Gives Back.
oh yeah, and definitley Seth Rogen.
#1 JK ROWLING/HARRY POTTER – no words necessary
#2 STEPHEN SONDHEIM (between the Sweeney Todd movie, Company and Gypsy on Broadway, the Sweeney Todd Revival last year… he deserves it)
#3 JUDD APATOW – This is his year
#4 ABC – Between Grey’s, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, and Dancing with the Stars they have the best lineup of any network
#5 Movie stars on TV (Holly, Glenn, etc.)
#6 LOST – the season finale. ’nuff said.
Seth Rogan – two 100M movies this summer.
Shia LeBeouf – Disturbia was a surprise hit, Transformers and a plum role in the next Indiana Jones film.
I am tempted to say Rihanna, but I think Fergie’s success with her solo CD makes more sense.
JK Rowling has to be the Entertainer of the Year. Who else has contributed more to popular culture than she has. In any other year the team of Apatow/Rolgen would have it hands down. In the realm of music I would give it to Radiohead for putting out another stellar album and the way that they put it out.
Robert Knepper and William Fichtner – Prison Break.
Autobots & Deceptacons
In a summer popcorn film full of cornpone dialogue, endless chase sequences and Shia LaBeouf (I love Shia!), the visual effects wizards at ILM created the most engaging characters out of thin air and imagination.
I turned into a 12-year old boy every damn time one of the cars did its little ching-ching-ching thing and turned to a robot, or vice-versa. The movie as a whole was only so-so, but those Transformers were just badass.
J.K. Rowling
After 10+ years of engaging the world in the unlikely tale of a boy wizard and his battle with well, everything, Rowling delivered the final volume of this 7-book world of enchantment.
As I stood in line at midnight I was sad for all the generations to come that would read and love the books, but wouldn’t have that “opening night” excitement of cracking it open with no idea what would happen.
Amazing that in this modern age Rowling was able to unite the masses into a frenzy over of all things, a book. Maybe there’s hope for us Muggles after all.
Cast of Friday Night Lights
Turning a great book into good movie into a television series is a risky proposition at best. Shooting on location and looking all the better for it, the cast and crew of FNL turned in one near-perfect episode after another.
The outstanding actors of this ensemble did an amazing thing week after week – they made us forget they were acting and that Dillon, Texas isn’t anywhere on a map.
The cast of Battlestar Galatica. Between the last season and the upcoming “Razor” they set the bar for entertainment and quality.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
KYLE CHANDLER
CONNIE BRITTON
Michael, yee of perfect timing! My friend Jonathan, who shares my love of music, not just for the masses but of all things Euro-Pop after our years working together at Tower Records (R.I.P.) was playing me the AMAZING disc from Roisin Murphy (vocalist of the group Moloko) off his Ipod last night on our way to the premiere of 30 Days Of Night! I had to admit, every song sounded better than the last & “OVERPOWERED” was a true joy! I dunno if the disc will ever see a release on this side of the pond, but I truly hope she’ll wind up on some year end Best-Of lists! BRILLIANT!
As far as serious consideration goes, 3 to consider: (1)AMY WINEHOUSE since a year ago, no one here in the states had a clue who she was unless they picked up Ghostface’s cd “More Fish” last Dec.(2)TIMBALAND. Yes, Timbo created hip-hop hits for “white” artists Nelly F & Justin in 2006, but in 2007 his own singles “Give It To Me”, & “The Way I Are” could do no wrong.(3)The CAST OF HEROES (ALL 119 of em!)
And eventhough I already just gave my 3, I agree FERGIE & RIHANNA both belong in contention for Entertainers of the Year as well! Both had fantastic years, here’s hoping the next 2 & a half months end well for banner years for both!
Jenna Fischer
JK Rowling
Judd Apatow
A Good year for people named with a “J”.
The cast of Friday Night Lights — best ensemble on TV, vet actors finally making good, makes me cry every week.
Tina Fey — for finding her feet, making a so-so show great and taking it all the way to the Emmys. And creating new catchphrases for America. No one’s done that in forever.
Glen Hansard — Once is the best movie of the year, and it wouldn’t be without his songs and his awesome performance.
Please nothing in that issue about Grey’s Anatomy. Just…stop it.
Shia LaBeouf – He
had “Transformers,” “Surf’s Up” and “Disturbia” all in one year. Awesome.
Judd Apatow – “Knocked Up” is my favorite movie of this year so far. And “Superbad” was hilarious.
The entire cast of Ugly Betty is amazing. I love that show so much.
1. Ryan Gosling
2. Stephen Colbert
3. Amy Winehouse
1. Jeff Dunham, the ventriloquist
2. Kiefer Sutherland
3. the cast of the movie “Once:
Stephen Colbert, for being a beacon of truth in this sea of lies. And for manning the frontlines in the the war against bears.
Judd Apatow! He wrote and directed Knocked Up and produced Superbad, both of which got great reviews and exceeded $100 million at the box office. Plus, he has Walk Hard in December.
If not, I suppose J.K Rowling would work fine. Please don’t choose a TV show cast.
1. I don’t read Harry Potter, but if J.K Rowling doesn’t win the title, then EW doesn’t know what they’re doing.
2. David Chase as runner-up. He made one episode one of the most talked about television moments in years.
3. Amy Winehouse. One of the best albums of the year and managed to move many copies.
First off, props for the Roisin mention – and with any luck, she will be next years Amy Winehouse, in terms of US breakthroughs – the album is ace, and even her b-sides are stellar.
But as for omnipresent, ANS and BS-F seemed to be the great white women of the USA this year. And yeah, that’s sad.