2010, much like its older siblings 2009, 2008, 2007, and uh…every fucking year before that, was kind of a bitch. The economy still behaved like your alcoholic brother-in-law who is, “Like, totally getting my act together. I just need to sleep on the couch for a few more weeks. By the way, can you make me a tax-cut sandwich?” World leaders continued to smoke whatever drugs they’re on. Earthquakes, war, etc, etc, etc. Sometimes all you can do is find a reason to smile. These were some of the things that made me less homicidal in 2010.
1) Boardwalk Empire
HBO has had some duds in the area that used to be its stud: the hour-long drama. Big Love has just become absurd, as did True Blood to a great degree (though it was about vampires in the first place so we can let it slide). Of course, nothing will ever come close to The Wire, but Boardwalk Empire has wonderful writing, production, and acting and is just really intriguing to watch. I’ve loved delving into that world and recapping it every week this year.
2) The Don Draper “What?” Supercut
I love this video for two main reasons: the fact that it appeared literally days after the husband and I had wished aloud for it and the fact that it’s so hilarious. It’s now something of a reflex in our house when someone says, “What?” in earnest, to respond with a Draper “What?” of any of the varieties presented here, which then leads to this ridiculous call-and-response exercise. And we wonder why we never get anything done.
3) The Infomercial MamaPop Video Roundtable
Of course, all of the MamaPop Video Roundtables are amazing and hilarious, especially since we have the super talented Palinode on video editing detail. But this infomercial edition from a few months ago has remained my favorite. I love Jodifur’s “diamonds of natural origin” thing and Snarky Amber’s, “He would probably sell the fuck out of it.”
4) Angry Birds
I had seen some tweets about something called Angry Birds a few months ago. Despite several warnings not to download it because of its addictive and infuriating nature, my curiosity got the best of me. After a few days of seeing me furiously swiping at my phone while it made weird squawking and grunting noises, my husband asked me what I was playing. Thus, two addicts were born. The other night, we laid beside in each other in bed…and swore at our phones until we both beat that day’s release of the Christmas edition of Angry Birds.
5) Ghost Adventures
Granted, Ghost Adventures premiered a few years ago, so I’m a little late to the party. But I feel like the show has exploded into a whole new audience this year and I like to think that I’m at least kind of responsible for that. It’s just so silly that it makes me happy. I really can’t tell if the intensity displayed by Zak, Aaron, and Nick is at all genuine, but I thank them for it every time I hear a “Bro.”
About Kelly Delaney
