Some of the Best and Worst of 2003 - Confessions of a Couch Potato

by Leslie Grutza-O'Leary

Best television show of 2003 - The O.C.

Started off as a guilty pleasure, ended up being smart, funny writing and (for the most part) good acting in a show that is the perfect combination of touching and humorous. Notably, Adam Brody knocks my socks off weekly as the smart-ass teenage son, Seth Cohen, turned adopted brother of the brooding Ryan Atwood, played by Ben McKenzie. And, praise Josh Schwartz, the adult story lines don't suck.

Worst television of 2003 - Just about any reality show

Shameless materialism and fake romance...watching these shows reminds me what I hate about people.

Most surprisingly palatable program of 2003 - Rich Girls

Yes I know I just said reality shows suck, but I've never been one for consistency. Too lazy to change the channel one day, I ended up watching several episodes of this MTV offering and was hooked. Ally Hilfiger is endearing and Jamie Gleicher is kind of a pain in the ass, but at least they seem like real people with feelings, some genuine problems, and at least a hint of intelligence.

Best TV channel 2003 - The N

Noggin's teen evening lineup includes Degrassi: The Next Generation, Radio Free Roscoe, A Walk In Your Shoes (Walk), Out There, and reruns of the excellent animated series Daria, originally MTV's. These shows are smart, timely, and often risky in their treatment of controversial subject matter. Recent episodes of Degrassi had one main character coming to terms with being gay, while another dealt with a girl's cutting to deal with stress.

Most over-rated TV controversy - That Brittany/Madonna kiss

Come on. There wasn't even any tongue.

Best movie of 2003 - Angels in America

Okay, I didn't see a whole lot of movies in the theater, so there may have been something better than Mike Nichols' screen version of Tony Kushner's play that stunned so many on and off Broadway. Hard to imagine, really, though. This movie is so breathtaking and rich that, after half a dozen viewings, I still find something new each time. Justin Kirk is a master of comic timing...I wonder if his talent in this area will be recognized and rewarded with some fitting roles. And Al Pacino and Meryl Streep? I can't think of words. Oh, and Emma Thompson. Come on, if you haven't seen this yet, what are you waiting for?

Best CD of 2003 - O, Damien Rice

Irish folksinger Damien Rice released one of the most beautiful CDs not only of 2003, but of, oh, EVER, with O. It consistently sits at the top of my 'most played' list in iTunes, beating out the almost as much played Bastard Life Or Clarity by Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts. Sounding like a gritty Don McLean (but don't let that stop you from buying it!), Rice's poetry will have you in tears. If it doesn't, ach, you have no feelings or human experience.

Most omnipresent non-talent - Patricia Heaton

I don't know why this woman irritates me as much as she does, but everywhere I look...there she is. And I don't even WATCH 'Everybody Loves Raymond.' She's hawking Pantene, Sunbelt Granola bars, singing the praises of Jewel Osco, and staring off in two directions in the Hootie & the Blowfish video from a remake (why?) of The Goodbye Girl that will be showing on TNT in a couple weeks. Snore.

Most wonderful thing since sliced bread 2003 - the iTunes Music Store

What could be better than sitting around in your jammies at 3 in the morning, realizing you NEED a copy of an album you bought back in the 70s and haven't heard since you disconnected your turntable two apartments ago? And then, being able to log onto the iTunes Music Store and buying it within minutes? Nothing could be better...that's what. When I realized I NEEDED Jorma Kaukonen's Quah one late September evening, there it was waiting for me. Remembering how much I had loved Neil Young's On the Beach in high school, a mere click on the "Buy Now" button brought it all back to me. Now that I think of it, the ease with which I can compulsively relive my days of youth may not be such a good thing after all...Still, how wonderful that, on a dark cold night when I really needed to hear "Sweet Lady Genevieve" by the Kinks, there it was. Thank you, Apple.

Tapestry's Editor In Chief, is a financial planner who has been writing since those beautiful days she spent in her room while everyone else was playing outside. She writes short stories and poetry, and is currently working on her first novel. She is the proud mom of ten-year old Drew, who is rapidly becoming one of her best editors.