The Entertaining Year that was

Another channel-surfing year has closed, but before we rush into the new movie and television hits that will momentarily sweep us away from our dreary or turbulent lives, let's have one last glance at some of the top buzz-makers of 2006.

Reality TV

Pinoy Big Brother-The first and teen seasons of PBB may have produced a handful of stars-in-the making like Sam Milby, Uma Khouny, and Kim Chiu, but it was only during the Celebrity Edition that things started to get really interesting, with Rustom Padilla's dramatic confession and Keanna Reeves' comic (and bladder) relief.

Philippine Idol-Talent trumps looks with Mau Marcelo's triumph as the first Philippine Idol.

Pinoy Dream Academy-PDA showed that a hit show can also be "educational." But what I really loved about this show is that it brought Jim Paredes back from Down Under, albeit temporarily.

The Amazing Race Asia-Our two teams were the first to be eliminated, but it was still great to see both teams displaying the Philippine flag. Maybe next season? Just no more camera-conscious twits, please.

The Ultimate Fighter-This show upped the testosterone level of the previous year's The Contender, and gives a real prize to boot: a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Talk Shows

The Oprah Winfrey Show-This year, Oprah turned 20.

The Tyra Banks Shows-Tyra Banks is said to be positioning herself to be the next Oprah. Her show actually premiered in the U.S. in 2005, but only gained a following here this year, thanks to ETC.

Rachael Ray-Another one of Oprah's discoveries, Rachael Ray of 30-Minute Meals fame now has her own lifestyle show.

Films

The Devil Wears Prada-Meryl Streep at her finest; Anne Hathaway in her element.

The Da Vinci Code-The movie turned out to be the best killer of it own controversy.

Casino Royale-Daniel Craig (and his darker, broodier James Bond) turned out to be the best thing to have ever happened to the franchise recently.

Borat-Love it or hate it, Borat is still in the news, as it slugs it out with the American courts.

Superman Returns-Finally, the franchise is revived. Brandon Routh as Clark Kent/Superman was enough to make up for Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane.

Television Series

Prison Break-Another series worth obsessing over, with some of the best characters I've seen in a long while.

House, M.D.-Speaking of best characters, Gregory House has got to be the craziest doctor on the tube today.

Grey's Anatomy-Speaking of crazy doctors...oh, and Patrick Dempsey stages a comeback!

Celebrities

TomKat and their Tomkitten-Whirlwind romance, beautiful baby, wedding in an Italian castle. Plus a new best friend for the new Mrs. Cruise: Mrs. Beckham.

Brangelina and the Jolie-Pitts-They say their bound by their commitment to their baby Jolie-Pitts: the adopted children Maddox and Zahara, and their biological child Shiloh.

Mel Gibson-It's commendable how he's trying to pick himself up after his infamous fall from grace (from creating the international hit The Passion of the Christ and practically earning a halo for it, to his anti-Semitic, drunken rant), but his fall won't be easy to forget.

Kris Aquino-New love, secret marriage, pregnancy. But she sure does look at peace. It's been a slow year for her, controversy-wise, but the shows and endorsements keep coming.

Britney Spears-Recently voted the most controversial celebrity by CNN, Britney was photographed driving her SUV with infant son Sean Preston in her lap instead of a car seat; was investigated by social services for a report that Sean Preston was injured after falling from his high chair; was in the cover of Harper's Bazaar, nude and pregnant-again; gave birth to her second child with former dance and aspiring rapper Kevin Federline in September; was rumored to have dumped her husband via text message, after having already announced she was divorcing him. As if that wasn't enough, she has recently been partying with Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, and was photographed on many occasions sans panties.

Okay, moving on. Happy New Year everyone!

Email your comments to [email protected]. You may also post them at http://channelsurfing-freeman.blogspot.com.