2007 Awards

Due to the frustrating writer’s strike, Michael Scott was unable to pass out and Dundie Awards this year. In that spirit, here are my picks for the best of 2007:


Best TV Show: Tough competition here, and after much soul searching I have had to split it into two categories: drama and comedy. The drama title goes to The Wire, which edges Lost by a few points. Lost had a little bit of an up and down year but “toootally redeemed itself” with the mind blowing season finale. As for The Wire, for four years it has consistently produced some of the most thought provoking, controversial, and downright entertaining content that the world has ever seen. Battlestar Galactica slipped a little in season three, and a downright flop from the usually strong 24 left The Wire and Lost as the top contenders. I am counting down the days to the season premiers of both of these shows, although the fact that Lost will only be eight episodes is enough to make me want to cry. Speaking of crying, the lack of the annual Office Christmas episode sent me on one of the tougher benders of my life. But The Office gets the nod in the comedy division of the award. Season three was hilarious, there’s nothing more to say. It is the funniest show (with the possible exception of the cruelly cancelled Arrested Development) I have ever seen. Hands down. Notable entries included the hilarious newcomer Californication, Flight of the Conchords, and the consistent Family Guy, but it really wasn’t close.


Movie: Similar to how I split up television, Superbad wins for comedy while Bourne Ultimatum wins for action/drama. Knocked Up and American Gangster were the two runner ups in each category. You can’t go wrong with Denzel and Crowe in a move, but Matt Damon was great in the third installment of the Bourne series. Nothing to really be said about the comedies, if you like that type of stuff you’ve probably already seen them.


Sports Story of the Year: Wow, an unbelievably tough category. The Mitchell Report blew the cover of the “greatest pitcher of his time” by exposing Roger Clemens’ history with PEDs. The Spurs continued their dynasty, with Tim Duncan continuing to be the most underrated player in the game today while at the same time an NBA referee was in bed with the mob and potentially influencing games. After waiting 86 years to win a World Series, the Red Sox once again stormed back in an ALCS and captured their second title in 4 years. Michael Vick experienced one of the worst falls from grace anyone can remember. But the New England Patriots get my vote. Armed with a ridiculous roster and fueled by the public condemnation they (unfairly) took in the wake of Spygate, they have the potential to pull off what could be the greatest season by any team in the history of team sports. Tom Brady is playing the quarterback position as well as anyone in history, continuing down the path of becoming the greatest QB the game has ever known. The offense and defense are both great and Bill Belichick is at the top of his game. Of course, the Patriots have not won anything yet. But let’s say they go undefeated in the regular season and then proceed to lose in the playoffs, or even worse the Super Bowl? Imagine after all this hype and talk they walk away with nothing at all? How could that not be the sports story of the year as well?


Best Rap Album: Jay-Z’s American Gangster gets the nod over Kanye West here. While Kanye has certainly made one of the most enjoyable albums of the year, the return of rap’s greatest MC to the top of his game cannot be overcome. Jay is at his peak, delivering riveting rhymes over perfect beats. I always have trouble choosing my favorite Jay-Z album, usually soul-searching and flip-flopping between Reasonable Doubt, Blueprint, and The Black Album, but American Gangster is undoubtedly right up there with Jay’s best work.


Best Non-rap album: Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black edges out a tough field. Belying her truly troubled state of mind that we would find out more about later, this was the most honest and interesting album. However, it does not even contain my personal favorite Winehouse song, which is “Fuck Me Pumps” off her album Franky. Anyone that enjoys her should definitely check that out.


Best New Artist: AMOS LEE. I cannot say enough about this guy. After seeing his stirring live performance opening for Bob Dylan, I immediately went out and bought his two albums. Both albums coming in at under 40 minutes, his Self-Titled and Supply and Demand LP’s are full of soothing and introspective songs that can be listened to no matter your mood or activity. Each album can be listened to from start to finish, but if I had to choose some favorite songs I would go with “Southern Girl”, “Night Train”, “Freedom”, “Shout Out Loud”, “Keep It Loose, Keep it Tight”, I could go on and on. Check out Amos Lee.


Best comeback: The Eagles Long Road Out of Eden. Releasing their first album in many years, the Eagles deliver a double disc set that feels as though they never left. Numerous highlights include “Long Road out of Eden” and “Last Good Time in Town.”


Best Tour: The Dave Matthews Band. I do not see this changing in the next ten years. An unbelievable live act, Dave concerts have become an annual summer event. Me and my friends look forward to his shows all year.


Video Game of the Year: Halo 3. The countdown to the release of this game was unlike anything I had ever seen, and it did not disappoint its legions of fans that lined up the night before to obtain a copy.


Book of the Year: John Grisham’s The Innocent Man. A bit of a departure of the previous Grisham books I’ve read, this shocking true story tells of the miscarriage of justice that befell Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz, both of whom ended up on death row. Inspires questions about the ethical validity of the death penalty and will have you thinking long after the last page.