5 – ‘My Humps’ by the Black Eyed Peas – The pop-rap group wins the Kelis “Milkshake” award for this annoyingly catchy dance track. I only wish I could get the Donna Karen line out of my head.
- Angela Cesere
- Courtesy of Epic
4 – The Cast of ‘Happy Endings’ – This comedy, now on DVD, boasts one of the best ensemble casts of the year. Lisa Kudrow delivers the most un-Pheobe-like performance of her post-“Friends” career, playing a mother blackmailed for abandoning her son. Tom Arnold gives an unexpectedly touching turn as a lonely widower. Maggie Gyllenhaal also showcases some pretty good pipes as a seductive lounge singer in this underrated Dan Roos (“The Opposite of Sex”) film.
3 – ‘Lost’ – While ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” struggles with an “Ally McBeal”-esque sophomore jinx, the network’s J.J. Abrams-produced hit remains consistently riveting. Name another show that could kill the same annoying character twice and still have you craving for answers?
2 – Fiona Apple’s Extraordinary Machine – Paul Thomas Anderson’s ex unleashes an arsenal of gloomy (“Oh Sailor”) and Bjork-lite (“Window”) tunes on her deliciously precocious third LP. The long-delayed album was definitely worth the wait. But is it wrong that I hope for another MTV – awards show meltdown?
1 – ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ – Who knew Chris Rock could produce a show based on his life that could be both nostalgic and funny? Who’s surprised that the UPN show has managed to beat “Joey” in the ratings? I’m not.