The hallways of EW HQ are abuzz — yes, abuzz! — as we hunker down and enter the serious planning stages of our annual Entertainer of the Year issue. (Last year’s winner, J.K. Rowling has added the title of Tea Party Hostess to her resume since wrapping up the little matter of her Harry Potter franchise.) And naturally, we want to get your input about which singers, actors, writers, directors, circus performers, and other assorted pop-culture standouts rocked your world in 2008.
For me, the first half of the entertainment year was defined by the David Cook-David Archuleta showdown on American Idol. Even thought my heart belonged to Carly Smithson and Jason Castro, it was the two Davids who gave us an epic, fan-mobilizing, household-dividing battle on par with Federer vs. Nadal, Coke vs. Pepsi, even chocolate vs. vanilla. And despite a million and one roadblocks from the show’s producers, the scruffy Midwestern rocker and the puppy-eyed teenage belter managed to make Idol’s seventh season a wildly addictive, and ultimately satisfying, viewing experience.
Surely, though, you guys have other ideas about who belongs on EW’s list of pop-culture MVPs for 2008 in addition to or (gasp) instead of Mr. Cook and Mr. Archuleta. We’re planning to mine the message boards for this PopWatch item to create an Entertainers of the Year gallery and bracket game, the results of which will appear in the pages of EW’s Entertainer of the Year issue in November. So don’t delay: Give us your nomination(s) for Entertainer of the Year below. We’re abuzz — yes, abuzz! — as we await your picks! (And for you New Kids fans who’ve gotten addicted to posting on the message boards for this item, be sure to click here and check out Margeaux Watson’s new Q&A with NKOTB, backstage at Madison Square Garden!)
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I was just saying to a friend the other day that Tina Fey had to be the Entertainer of the Year this year. I thought that before the Emmys and Sarah Palin with 30 Rock and Baby Mama (which led to her being on every magazine and talk show ever) but now there are more Emmys, 30 Rock, Palin, more talk shows, commercials, a book deal, 30 Rock, a fun cameo on Conan with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and yes, 30 Rock!
Wow – I don’t think any one person owned this last year to be the entertainer of the year – either that or my lack of focus is worse than I thought it was
Side note: I read that Michael Johns is performing the National Anthem prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup race in Atlanta this weekend – here’s hoping ABC/ESPN actually shows it to us!
amy Phohler. I know I spelled that wrong but she is funny.
Neil Patrick Harris for both HIMYM (which I still can’t believe he hasn’t won an Emmy for) and Dr. Horrible. He brings awesome to everything he does.
Cook and Archuleta are perfect. This season of American Idol was obsession and conversation-worthy.
I really can’t think of anyone better. But what about Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who rocked in Baby Mama and have reenergized a sliding SNL?
Robert Downey Jr., hands down, if not only for his performance as Kirk Lazarus in Tropic Thunder. And what was that other little movie he did? Oh yeah, Iron Man. Entertainer with a capital E.
Tina Fey should be entertainer of the year followed by the casts of Mad Men and Gossip Girl with honorable mentions to Jenny Lewis and Meryl Streep.
are we even debating this? Heath Ledger, most talked about role in the most talked about pop culture event of this year.
The answer is CLEARLY Tina Fey.
2008’s Entertainer of the Year has got to be Rihanna. Love her or hate her, she consistently entertained in a year where our typical go-to pop divas (Beyonce, Xtina, Britney) were too busy gettin hitched, impregnated, or institutionalized to serve up some sweet singles. Her latest release gave us three bona fide hits (Hate That I Love You, Shut Up and Drive and, oh yeah, UMBRELLA!), and her latest re-release gave her license to chop her hair off even more and pull off a TP tail for the VMAs. On toppa that, her consistently chart-topping collabos with Maroon 5 and T.I. showed off her broad range instead of cloying us with overexposure. Need I give more reasons? I’ve still got approx. 300 characters left. Don’t tempt me.
Oh crap. I forgot about Tina Fey. Glad I don’t have to make this decision!
TV – Amy Poehler
Music – Cook v. Archuleta
Movies – Robert Downey, Jr.
Books – Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)
Stage – Million Dollar Quartet
Internet – Dr. Horrible
I fully support the choice of Tina Fey. Between 30 Rock, Baby Mama, and her Palin performances on SNL, she is the entertainer of the year in my book.
TINA FEY TINA FEY TINA FEY!!!!!!!
She was the poster woman for the WGA strike, 30 Rock had one of the best seasons of television in recent memory, Baby Mama was #1 at the box office, she won 3 Emmys and stole the show doing so, and brought SNL back from the dead. And the third season of 30 Rock starts next week, so her year is nowhere near finished. TINA FEY ALL THE WAY.
Tina Fey is definitely the Entertainer of the Year thanks to the success of 30 Rock and her priceless imitation of Sarah Palin.
I agree with many of the names listed above (Tina Fey, Heath Ledger, Robert Downey Jr.), but would consider adding contenders Michael Phelps (after all, the controversial Beijing Olympics ended up a ratings topper), Michael Cera (for the tail end of the Juno craze and the critically lauded Nick and Norah) and Shia Labeouf (as Spielberg’s darling with Indy and Eagle Eye, despite his – ahem – extracurricular escapades…which nonetheless kept us entertained).
Obviously, it’s Tina Fey. With 30 Rock being super awesome. Baby Mama being a blast. And, now Sarah Palin reviving SNL (kind of), I must tip my hat and nominate Tina as Entertainer of the Year. And each one of her Emmy acceptance speeches were smart and funny.
TINA FEY
Since she’s obviously not a politician I’m nominating Sarah Palin, now that’s an act!
Tina Fey! 30 Rock, Baby Mama, Sarah Palin.
Oh my, so many great names have been put up! I definitely agree that it could be Tina Fey, Heath Ledger/The Dark Knight Crew, or Robert Downey Jr. (though I’m personally leaning towards Tina or Robert).
For the llove of God, please let it be TINA FEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah I have to agree with everyone and say Tina Fey. I don’t think these is anyone close to what she has brought this year.
With “Baby Mama,” her Emmy-winning series “30 Rock,” her fantastic American Express commercials opposite Martin Scorsese and her hilarious, spot-on Sarah Palin send-up on “SNL,” Tina Fey is clearly the entertainer of the year. She deserves her second EW cover to commemorate her amazing success!
Nolan – Bale – Ledger
Best Superhero movie ever, one of the bests movies ever, #2 all time box office.
The Dark Knight rules and it wouldn’t have without each of these men’s talent.
Tina Fey
Add my vote to the Tina Fey column. 30 Rock won a zillion Emmy’s, and Fey’s Palin impression is one of the seminal entertainment and political moments of the year.
I’ve got to agree–Tina Fey! She is consistently brilliant.
The Cast of Gossip Girl – these kids are everywhere. The “it” boys and girls of right now!
Tina Fey – She won Emmys, SAGs galore. 30 Rock is the funniest sitcom on TV and has almost singlehandedly (w/ Amy Poeler’s help) kept SNL watchable.
Stephenie Meyer – This summer was all about the release of Breaking Dawn. This fall the movie will put the Twilight series at the forefront again and its cast will be everywhere.
Robert Downey Jr – Iron Man and Tropic Thunder. Helluva comeback!
Heath Ledger – His portrayal of the Joker will be legendary. A boy wonder whose life was cut short.
Madonna – The new album and tour prove there is nothing washed-up or passe about this diva. Now her divorce will the story to sell millions of gossip mags.
Rihanna – She was everywhere it seemed this year and turning up on tracks by Maroon 5 and T.I among others.
I would vote for David Cook for Entertainer of the Yea (or the two Davids from the American Idol final, if we can’t have just Cookie). He’s talented enough to make non-American Idol watchers enjoy the show and concert tour, and that’s saying a lot.