Mark Watson the Comedian

Very Late Review special edition: This year's love

December 27, 2010 | 66 comments

I hope you enjoyed Christmas Day and its less glamorous, but sometimes equally satisfying, follow-up Boxing Day. Now we’re into Boxing Boxing Day (the 27th) and there are, including this one, five days left of 2010. If you haven’t already, there is still time to get your census filled out (from the blog a week or so ago) and go into the new year as an official registered and ratified Watsonian. Also, if you are catching up from a Christmas quite rightly spent not hunched over a computer, just a reminder that there is a little poem which plays out over December 25 and 26th’s entries. Thanks to everyone who did find turkey-less time to look at it. Bit of fun, wasn’t it. Less than 365 days now till the new one.

And now for those who breezed through the census and are champing at the bit for more interaction:

At some point early in the new year I’d like to publish a Very Late Review with our collective Best Things of 2010, so if you will, please post your nominations for the following categories. Please note where it’s a song, film, etc, it needn’t be one which actually came out in 2010 (although mine will be); it could be something from years ago which, for whatever reason, beguiled you this year. Here are the areas for you to ponder. In ALL categories you can name a worst, as well as a best, if you feel strongly enough to do that.

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
BEST ALBUM
BEST BOOK
BEST FILM
BEST TV SHOW
BEST PERSON (for whatever reason; either a famous person or someone you know. Give a reason. It can’t be me obviously)
BEST DAY (do you remember the date of your happiest day of 2010? It would be interesting to see if we can find an official top day)
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)

Thank you. Nominations to close on January 1. Get voting. You need not vote in all categories but you are, of course, free to.

66 comments

Posted by elin on January 22, 2011

Extremely late to the party, as I’m hopeless with this sort of thing. But, I’ve spent a fair bit of today listening to one of last years best records, Clinging To A Scheme by Swedish band The Radio Dept. It’s very much on the poppier side of what I generally listen to, but it’s very nice, and for some reason I think it’d suit Marks taste. I have no idea how well they’re doing abroad, don’t really know how they’re doing back in Sweden, but they’ve been around for maybe ten years and done lots of nice stuff. Look them up. They deserve it.
Posted by Weaselspoon on January 5, 2011

Late to the party, but for the record I wanted to add my noms. Also, probably none of these are this year for anyone but me.
BEST SONG I think I might genuinely go for Friends Forever from the Horne Section. It’s cheesy as hell but makes me very very happy.
BEST ALBUM Graham Fitkin Band – Live at King’s Place, The Horne Section, Divine Comedy – Bang Goes the Knighthood.
BEST BOOK The Choreographers Handbook by Jonathan Burrows.
BEST FILM The short film Sign Language.
BEST TV SHOW Psychoville. Scared and amused and impressed in equal measures.
BEST PERSON Ben Moor.
BEST DAY July 17th
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW The Horne Section
BEST LIVE MUSIC GIG Randy Newman at the RFH, Divine Comedy at Somerset House or Prom 60 at the RAH.
BEST PLAY I might have to go with Barnaby Stone’s A Little Bit of a Beautiful Thing in the BAC one-on-one festival, or 1927′s The Animals And Children Took To The Streets.
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT Spotting a painting of mine hanging on the wall of Tim Minchin’s studio in the hideously expensive O2 programme. That’s the thing that made me most proud, I think.
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING Playstation Move
Posted by Ben Draper on January 5, 2011

BEST SONG

Mount Wroclai – Beirut
Empire Ants – Gorillaz (from this year)

BEST ALBUM

Belle & Sebastian Write About Love

BEST BOOK

The Outsider – Albert Camus

BEST FILM

A Prophet

BEST TV SHOW

The Trip – New
Peep Show – Generally

BEST PERSON

Stewart Lee

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING

Louis Spence
Posted by LB on December 31, 2010

Oh… can I also second isabelle on the 3D films as most annoying thing. Pointless. Thanks.
Posted by LB on December 31, 2010

Thought I’d leave this till almost the deadline in homage to how I generally live my life…

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
- “If Loneliness Was Art” – Allo Darlin`
- “Rouse Your Bones” – Broadcast 2000
- “Ready To Start” and\or “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)” – Arcade Fire

BEST ALBUM
- Slow Club – Yeah So

BEST BOOK
- One Day (David Nicholls) I guess, but really still nothing has come close to Atonement and Round Ireland With A Fridge. Still hopefully next year I will have lots of book reading time. I will caveat that I haven’t yet read Eleven!!

BEST FILM
- At the cinema: Inception
- On DVD: Boy A

BEST TV SHOW
- Sherlock (2010) but also The Apprentice for sheer TV Gold

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
- Muse at Seattle Key Arena – deliciously bonkers live
- Closely followed by Arcade Fire at Manchester Central and the encore by INXS at the Vancouver Victory Ceremony.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
- Finally moving back to Sheffield from London and (4 months later) handing in my notice after 10 years to become a freelancer in 2011. Eek.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
- Still the Media and their insistence on building up average, normal people of limited talent and then cutting them down ruthlessly once they’ve convinced everyone to love them. Bah.
Posted by Amy B on December 31, 2010

BEST SONG 1. Ben Folds, The Luckiest. Not from this year, but I discovered it this year and it’s beautiful. The bit about the old couple makes me cry.
2. Ben Folds/Nick Hornby, Picture Window. My favourite from the new album.
3. The Divine Comedy, Tonight We Fly. Also not from this year, but I love it.
BEST ALBUM Ben Folds/Nick Hornby, Lonely avenue; The Divine Comedy, Bang Goes the Knighthood; Gavin Osborn, Meeting Your Heroes (another one not from this year, but I’ve listened to it a lot this year and I had to fit him in somewhere because he’s brilliant)
BEST BOOK Eleven. Not sucking up, I just really loved it.
BEST FILM Toy Story 3. It’s so long since I saw the others that I’d forgotten how great they were, so it took me by surprise how fantastic it was.
BEST TV SHOW Doctor Who. Goes without saying.
BEST PERSON I was struggling, so I had a look at who other people had said, and I’m going to go with Josie Long. Every time I see or hear her work it inspires me to be better. To learn more, to do more and to care more. Being able to do that with comedy is really special. Missing Be Honourable! is probably one of my biggest regrets of the year. I kind of want to be her ( in a totally non-creepy way of course).
BEST DAY 14th of August- my brother’s wedding. Obviously, weddings are excellent, but I also got to spend time with all my siblings (3 brothers & a sister) at the same time for only the second time I can remember, and see my 2 nieces, who I never see because they live in Finland. A hell of a day.
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND Probably Matilda A Musical. I always feel bad mentioning Minchin and fuelling the rivalry, but it really is rather fantastic. I’ve seen it 3 times and every time I notice something new and brilliant. Not just Minchin’s music either- the whole thing is superb.
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT Getting an A* and 4 As in my A levels. At the time it was soured a bit by not getting into my first choice of uni, but it’s still bloody good to be fair.
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING Tramadol Nights. Even the adverts for it make me feel a bit sick.
Posted by Meg on December 31, 2010

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
1. Drowned – Tim Minchin
2. Starlight – The Tweenies (don’t ask – it’s actually very good)
3. This Is Gallifrey – Doctor Who Series 3 Soundtrack
I know, I have a very odd taste in music.

BEST ALBUM
Ready For This? – Tim Minchin

BEST BOOK
1. Eleven
2. All of Sherlock Holmes

BEST FILM
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

BEST TV SHOW
Sherlock but also loved this year’s Doctor Who

BEST PERSON
My Mum and Dad because they do so much for my brother and me and put up with so much and are both basically good at everything and I can tell them everything and can always turn to them for help and hugs.

BEST DAY
The second day of my unexpected trip to Portugal with my cousins. I had recovered from my 2 days of no sleep at all and began my day with breakfast in a posh Portuguese restaurant. It was simply the best breakfast I’ve EVER had! They had absolutely every breakfasty food imaginable in a massive buffet room. Pure bliss. Then we did holiday things that I’ve never been able to do before because my brother hates holidays. Such a fun day. Although I did get attacked by a wave in the sea. But then we watched the final episode of Sherlock in the evening which was amazing so it was definitely my best day of the year.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
1. Your show in Oxford
2. Matilda at the RSC
3. Blood Brothers in London

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Going on holiday (and therefore an aeroplane) on my own for the first time ever. Sounds a bit feeble but bear in mind I’ve only been on a plane about 6 times before, the last time was about 3 years ago and I’ve always been with my parents. Also I had been awake for about 34 hours and hadn’t eaten much so everything was extremely surreal.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
The Coalition Government because they are making stupid, annoying and idiotic decisions and no one can do anything about it.
Posted by Alex on December 31, 2010

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
Cee-lo Green- Fuck/Forget You. I literally love it.

BEST ALBUM
Paolo Nutini- Sunny Side Up (I think this was actually released last year…)
Yes, I do have very mainstream music tastes- AND WHAT OF IT? Ahem. Sorry.

BEST BOOK
The Other Hand by Chris Cleave. I bought this on a whim because of the blurb- “We don’t want to tell you what happens in this book. It is a truly special story and we don’t want to spoil it. Once you have read it, you’ll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don’t tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds”. And it’s kind of true.

BEST FILM
Toy Story 3

BEST TV SHOW
Ohhhh… Dr Who. Probably.

BEST PERSON (for whatever reason; either a famous person or someone you know. Give a reason. It can’t be me obviously)
My friend Chris. She’s brilliant. I idolise her a little.

BEST DAY (do you remember the date of your happiest day of 2010? It would be interesting to see if we can find an official top day)
Hmmm. Maybe the day that my friend came to stay in Newcastle with me and we went to Whitley Bay. That was lovely. Can’t remember the date though… WAIT! I have a shell. The shell says… Whitley Bay 07.03.10. So there you go.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
Oh bloody hell I don’t know… I’ve actually seen a ridiculous number of live shows this year, most of which have been brilliant. So… Purely for the level of ‘pleasantly suprised’ that I felt I’ll go for the Ukele Project in Edinburgh. I didn’t really want to go, but my sister really did, and they turned out to be really good.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Err, probably getting my first merit for a placement.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
I know they aren’t exactly new, but iPhones. PUT. IT. AWAY. Seriously. (I do sort of want one though.)
Posted by Dan on December 30, 2010

ooh and BEST PERSON – My friend Ollie, who released an app for iphone/ipod/ipad at the age of 18! (Shikarna Music, available at the app store! Plug over)
Posted by Madeleine on December 30, 2010

BEST SONG – Sufjan Stevens – I walked, LCD Soundsystem – I Can Change and Wavves – King Of the Beach
BEST ALBUM – LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening.
BEST BOOK – Benjamin Law – The Family Law.
BEST FILM – Inception
BEST TV SHOW – Dr Who (as always!)
BEST DAY – Actually, Yesturday/today (29th/30th). I haven’t been to bed for 48 hours, was at a folk festival and stayed up all night talking to an excellent boy in a chai tent while eating vegan chocolate cake and a 4 hour drumming circle went on around us (better than it sounds). Slightly delirious now, but the most amazing night ever.
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND. Best live comedy show – Jamie Kilstein.
Best Gig – The Strokes (actually, all of the splendour in the grass festival, but they were the best).
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT – Got an Op 3 in end of year exams. (The way Queensland measures academic results, the best you can get is a 1 and it goes down to 25. Very confusing, but the lower the better.)
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING – tights as pants. Sure, it’s not that new, but it’s hanging around WAY too long.
Posted by david on December 30, 2010

Best Song – Becoming a Jackal by The Villagers
This song led me to discovering a whole world of new music, and is beautiful.

Best Album – Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
Listened to this album twice a day during the fringe to keep me awake/sane.

Best Book – To Kill A Mockingbird
Why hadn’t I read this? Winning a copy of ‘Eleven’ was pretty sweet also, devoured it in one sitting and loved it.

Best Film – The Social Network

Best TV Show – This is England ’86/Any Human Heart
This might just be the golden age of television drama. As much as I drool over American drama like Mad Men and The Wire, it warms my soul to know that we brits can produce stuff just as wonderful. Channel 4 continue to produce brilliance following from the magnificent Red Riding.

Best Person – Liz.
Friend who made me want to be a comedian.

Best Day – March something
Day in Berlin with ex-girlfriend before she was my ex-girlfriend. It’s nice to be able to point to a specific day as evidence we had fun.

Best Show – Colin Hoult’s Enemy of the World
Honourable Mentions: Nick Mohammed, Bo Burnham, Tripod and Bane.

Best Personal Achievement – Not losing money at the fringe

Most Annoying New Thing – Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights
Have nothing against Frankie Boyle personally, but when you see amazing comedy happening live all around you and shit being commissioned it gets you down.
Posted by Kate W on December 30, 2010

I’m sorry this is so long – brevity isn’t my strong suit….
BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
1. Always Someone Cooler Than You and 2. Learn To Live With What You Are by Ben Folds (fantastic, air-drumming pop with amazing lyrics). Definitely not new this year, but I’ve only just discovered them in my shamefully belated appreciation of the wonder that is Ben Folds.
BEST ALBUM
Tim Minchin Live at the O2. Some brilliant, brilliant new songs and older ones sounding the way I now feel they were always supposed to.
BEST BOOK
Anathem by Neal Stevenson, even though I haven’t finished it yet. I’m just awed by this man’s brain; the things he’s read, understood, synthesized and made new connections between to create something completely new, funny and page-turning absolutely knocks me out.
BEST FILM
Up. I was completely sold (and in tears) by the end of that wordless first five minutes – and then the funny kicked in. Then the sad again. Pixar, you magnificent bastards.
BEST TV SHOW
Sherlock Holmes, I think. For being stylish, dramatic and fun, and pulling off something I hadn’t thought could be done with great aplomb.
BEST PERSON
Robin Ince, whose shows have introduced me to so many amazing performers, writers and scientists. As well as being very funny, I find him really inspiring; to me, he seems to know a huge amount already, but he never stops reading, thinking, asking questions and wanting to know more. I really like that he talks about things I don’t understand and does routines he knows won’t always work – I always feel he’s talking up to his audience, instead of down to the lowest common denominator. He’s very modest about his achievements, but incredibly appreciative and supportive of other peoples’ work. I think those are brilliant attitudes to have and I aspire to be more like him.
BEST DAY
I’m going to cheat and say 24 hours over 17th/18th July at Latitude. My first proper festival (Edinburgh doesn’t count) with great weather and a lovely group of people. Over those two days I got to see Laura Marling, Florence & the Machine, Belle & Sebastian, Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra (in a tiny tent and again on a bigger stage in the woods), Robin Ince’s Book Club with the amazingness that was an improvised musical version of Killer Crabs (involved about 27 people on a wide variety of instruments, and interpretative dance), Duke Special (enhanced by watching Phil Jupitus and Billy Bragg in the audience absolutely loving it), Mark Watson reading Eleven, drinking and bantering in the most entertaining author reading I’ve ever seen, and Daniel Kitson and Gavin Osborn telling Stories for the Starlit Sky on a river bank at midnight. Wonderful stuff.
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW (MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND)
Ooh, this is tough. Really tough. All Day Edinburgh, Neil Hannon at Wilton’s Music Hall and The Horne Section were all fantastic, but I’m going to have to say Matilda – A Musical. There was nothing about it that wasn’t great; such a team effort (from cast, crew, designer, director, writers, musicians and everyone involved), with incredible depth and attention to detail. Every moment of the show had really been thought about and it absolutely paid off.
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Understanding enough physics to write a play about Many Worlds/multiverse theory that wasn’t actually wrong and that people seemed to enjoy.
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
Most annoying isn’t a new thing, just an apparently endless one – how rude, mean, petty and inconsiderate people can routinely be to each other. Humans are amazing and can do extraordinary things, but they can also be really fury-inducingly rubbish. Down with that sort of thing.
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on December 29, 2010

(By the way, Helen apologises for her blank comment. Her and her unco-ordinated man-hands hit the Enter key too early. Only rubbish people would do that…)

BEST SONG – Wonderful Life – Hurts
Crossfire – Brandon Flowers
Telephone – Lady Gaga ft Beyonce

BEST ALBUM – The Ministry of Sound Electronic 80s albums are amazing. Can compilations count?

BEST BOOK – I’ve only read two new books this year, which are Eleven and The Terror of Living by Urban Waite, cos the lovely Francesca sent me a proof of via Twitter. Its really good, but not out till 2011 sometime.

BEST FILM – I really liked Easy A, but that might just be me.

BEST TV SHOW – Glee. Its tacky and fabulous and I love it.

BEST PERSON – Sister Helen or Lady Gaga. They’re both excellent. Helen probably just edges it though, despite her inability to write blog comments…

BEST DAY – 15th July was Graduation Day (with less flamethrowers in than the Buffy episode). I got to mess around in a silly outfit and make my parents cry, then went out and got spectacularly drunk with some brilliant friends. BEST DAY.

BEST LIVE THING – Excluding Watson’s gigs, The Horne Section Christmas Bash, Greg Davies’ Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog and Dead Cat Bounce’s Too Fast For Love.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT – I am eternally proud of the iPod Challenge. That Google Map is my baby. On a more personal note, I got me a job.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING – I agree with the excellent Simone. Rubbish new comedy stuff on telly is so frustrating when there could/should be amazing things instead.
Posted by isabelle on December 29, 2010

BEST SONG sprawl II by arcade fire

BEST ALBUM the suburbs by arcade fire

BEST FILM Black Swan

BEST TV SHOW Sherlock

BEST PERSON Stephen Fry (he should probably win this every year)

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND Arcade Fire at osheaga festival (I’m having a very arcade fire year… must vary for 2011)

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT Screening my short film on a massive screen in front of a few hundred people, and a lot people really liking it (unless they were all insincere bastards).

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING 3D films
Posted by ChrisP on December 29, 2010

Oh, and of course this was the year I discovered the band Air, who if anybody hasn’t heard of before, listening Moon Safari (or any other record) is just wonderful. Really.
Posted by Ingrid on December 29, 2010

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
Muse – Feeling good
Billy Joel – She’s always a woman
Blur – There’s No Other Way

BEST ALBUM
The Fratellis – Costello Music

BEST BOOK
Eleven – You!

BEST FILM
Toy Story 3

BEST TV SHOW
Sherlock (2010)

BEST PERSON
Its very hard to pick just one person! Ive come up with quite a few, but i think im going to go for Steven Fry because he is just amazing. He is clever, funny, nice and really interesting.

BEST DAY (do you remember the date of your happiest day of 2010? It would be interesting to see if we can find an official top day)
12th February 2010

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
Edinburgh Festival because, although i may have only been there for two hours, i bumped into comedian Gereard christmas and got to see a massive purple cow lying on its back. Definitely going next year!

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Climbed Ben Nevis in (roughly) 6 hours!

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
Frankie Boyles tramadol nights *shudder*
Posted by ChrisP on December 29, 2010

BEST SONG… Phoenix- 1901

BEST ALBUM… Gogol Bordello- Transcontinental Hustle (from the past Pauls Boutique and Abbey Road)

BEST BOOK… Eleven. Even better if it was an audio book so I didn’t have to turn the pages.

BEST FILM… Inception BUT A Town Called Panic and Kick-Ass very close (all this year)

BEST TV SHOW… Mark Watson Kicks Off.. of course!

BEST PERSON (for whatever reason; either a famous person or someone you know. Give a reason. It can’t be me obviously).. In that case it should be me. Or my parents. Yes, in fact I nominate them.

BEST DAY (do you remember the date of your happiest day of 2010? It would be interesting to see if we can find an official top day) That day when I was in Edinburgh and I saw you Key and Horne on the same evening. Winner.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND… Yup see above. Plus Gogol Bordello and Rage Against The Machine in Finsbury Park.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT… Not quite going made over exam period in May, although I sure as hell came close.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)… The use of the word ‘banter’. As in “he said we were being racist but really it was just a bit of banter”. We all know those type of people. let’s put an end to it.
Posted by Katy on December 29, 2010

BEST SONG (you can name up to three):
Get Out – Circa Survive – simply just a very good song that cheers me up
7 Shots – Volbeat – One of the best things they’ve done
Easy Now – Freddie Jackson – not out this year but I discovered it this year so I think it counts. I play it about 5 times a day.

BEST ALBUM – Blue Sky Noise – Circa Survive, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven – Volbeat. Both are fantastic albums. I’ll never hate anything Volbeat bring out though. The Circa Survive album is one of the only albums I can listen to from start to finish without skipping.

BEST BOOK Eleven – Mark Watson & Storage Stories – Jim Bob Both magnificent reading. Both being re-read in the new year.

BEST FILM – Inception. I wanted to watch it again as soon as the titles rolled at the end.

BEST TV SHOW – I cant say I’ve been particularly blown away by anything specific this year.

BEST PERSON – I hate categories like this. I’ll have to say my friend Lee for being utterly awesome at all points ever and also because it was him that got me started on the Watson thing and without him I wouldnt have met so many wonderful Watsonians!

BEST DAY (do you remember the date of your happiest day of 2010? It would be interesting to see if we can find an official top day)
September 17th. One of my very bestest friends wedding, a day which I received advice on from the “Can I help you” blog which was invaluable. It was the most terrific day in general and I was also very proud of myself for going on my own and for starting conversations with strangers. And of course there was the guy that I met, which kinda topped off the best day.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND -
Comedy – Your WIP at Putney, I hadnt laughed so much for ages and I met you and you were lovely Also Xmas Horne Section, I’ve never been so happy to have Brussel Sprouts thrown at me in my life.
Music – Flaming Stars at the 100 club. Utterly amazing, played the best setlist I couldve wished for, and I got to meet Max the singer afterwards.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT – I would say that I’ve been come more comfortable in myself and less scared of the world and how others perceive me. Ive managed to meet up with Watsonsians I’d never met before and not be nervous, which I used to be and also I’ve managed to talk to strangers (at the wedding, in the pub) without breaking into a cold sweat of fear like I used to.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc) – I have no idea. And I normally get quite irate at things quite easily. If I think of anything I’ll come back to it.
Posted by Helen on December 29, 2010

Hello lovelies,

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
BEST ALBUM
BEST BOOK
BEST FILM
BEST TV SHOW
BEST PERSON (for whatever reason; either a famous person or someone you know. Give a reason. It can’t be me obviously)
BEST DAY (do you remember the date of your happiest day of 2010? It would be interesting to see if we can find an official top day)
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
Posted by Tom Beasley on December 29, 2010

BEST SONG: Thinking of Me – Olly Murs, Right Here Waiting For You – John Barrowman (It’s not new, but it captures a lot of my feelings about my long distance relationship at the moment. it has to be the John Barrowman version as well, not the original.)
BEST ALBUM: Olly Murs – Olly Murs
BEST BOOK: My Booky Wook – Russell Brand (The first one. I only read it this year.)
BEST FILM: Kick-Ass. One of my favourite films ever.
BEST TV SHOW: The Inbetweeners. The most perfect sitcom on television by miles.
BEST PERSON: My girlfriend. I finally have a reason to believe I’m worth something to someone instead of just being an overweight, unnatractive nerd.
BEST DAY: 28th June. The day my girlfriend and I got together.
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND: Dara O’Briain Live at the Warwick Arts Centre. It was so awesome.
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Getting 100% in my Critical Thinking exam. It’s something I never thought I could do.
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING: The iPad. It turns everyone who owns one into a cunt. Fact. (Except Stephen Fry. He can get away with it.)
Posted by Aislinn on December 29, 2010

Having read a lot of other comments, I’d like to add to/amend some of my answers.

Best person: Still Simon Pegg first and foremost, but also Katie Campbell, for how unnecessarily angry she gets at everything. Even when she tells me she loves me she has to tell me that she FUCKING LOVES ME. Also Zoe Fell because sometimes I’m quite annoying but she keeps telling me I’m a good friend and this is nice news and she (sort of) picked me when she quite CLEARLY should have just gone for Alex.

Best live show: I SOMEHOW COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THE HORNE SECTION. I feel a bit mean un-choosing Key’s Slutcracker, but technically I did see it first in 2009. So it’s totally fair. I bloody love the Horne Section.

Also, re. Zoe’s fake glasses comment. I can see why they’d be annoying to glasses-wearers, but how comes it’s alright for glasses-wearers to pretend they don’t need any and wear contacts, but it’s not alright for people with perfect vision to pretend they do need glasses? (There’s probably a very logical answer to this.)

Also also, sorry for this inane comment. I am trying to put off tidying-up.
Posted by Beth (Bloomability) on December 29, 2010

BEST SONG:
- ‘Big Machine’ by The Goo Goo Dolls.
-‘Bread’ by Charlie McDonnell/Alex Day & Tom Milsom (cover)
-‘If It’s Love’ by Train.
BEST ALBUM: Imogen Heap’s Ellipse.
BEST BOOK: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green.
BEST FILM: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
BEST TV SHOW: Castle
BEST PERSON: Tom Milsom. He isn’t exactly a celebrity, but this year I learnt just how musically gifted he is ^_^
BEST DAY: 29th of October, when I went to an Imogen Heap gig in Liverpool. It is quite difficult to express the brilliance of Immi textually.
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND:
Bowling For Soup or Wicked. It is very difficult to choose between the two, but I would probably have to say BFS over Wicked just a little bit.
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Being part of the Mission To Mars science competition & being part of the winning team, then speaking in three assemblies. We had to design a Mars Rover & a presentation to go with it. T’was really nerdy & utterly daunting, but I can’t really think of anything else. Hopefully next year I’ll be able to do something/think of something better to do.
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING: Glee. Ugh.
Posted by amycool on December 29, 2010

Disclaimer: my memory only goes back about a month, so it’s highly possible I have forgotten 11 months worth of stuff

BEST SONG – Opposite of Adults by Chiddy Bang. Despite listening to it a million times it still makes me smile.
BEST ALBUM – Lustre by Ed Harcourt. I only got it a few days ago but it’s perfect.
BEST BOOK – It’s nowhere near new but I’m going to say Howard’s End by E M Forster for sheer loveliness.
BEST FILM – Four Lions. The only film I watched at the cinema this year but I thought it was amazing.
BEST TV SHOW – Oooooh, this is tricky. I shall plump for Sherlock.
BEST PERSON – Hmmm, I’m going to go for Stephen Moffatt for writing 2 of my favourite shows this year.
BEST DAY – 8th July for adrenaline-fuelled excitement at Go Ape, 4th July for emotional happiness at the news that my sister was pregnant. That week in July.
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW – Mark Watson (you beat Flight of the Conchords!)
BEST MUSIC GIG – Quasi
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT – Conquering my fear of food.
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING – The Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition
Posted by Adele on December 29, 2010

BEST SONG
Forever Young by Bob Dylan

BEST ALBUM
Mumford & Sons, Sigh no more

BEST BOOK
Eleven by You. I’m not sucking up, I really do think that!

BEST FILM
I’ve watched very few films this year and the only thing that has stuck in my mind is Band of Brothers, which is technically a TV show but more like a film in my eyes.

BEST TV SHOW
See above.

BEST PERSON
My Dad. He inspired me this year by losing a ton of weight and then singlehandedly cycling 110 miles in one day.

BEST DAY
August 1st. The day I got engaged.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
Edinburgh military tattoo.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Becoming more confident and growing a backbone.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
Not necessarily new, but I hate it when people say “xx sleeps until xx”. Annoying.
Posted by AlNapp on December 29, 2010

BEST BOOK Stewart Lee – How I escaped my certain fate
BEST FILM Scott Pilgrim vs the world
BEST TV SHOW Doctor WHo
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, Richard Hering/CatieWillkins\David Trent\Dan Mckeee @ norwich maddermarket standup night
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING the lovely-granny-fication of Anne Widdecme
Posted by Heather Jones on December 29, 2010

BEST SONG (My first choice is a new 2010 one, the second two aren’t 2010 releases, but 1st discovered by me this year) 1. The Fence (Tim Minchin & his Orchestra) 2. Our Love goes Deeper than This (Duke Special), 3. Burn the Black Suit (Juliet Turner)

BEST ALBUM (discovered by me this year rather than released this year) 1. Songs from the Deep Forest (Duke Special) 2. Burn the Black Suit – Juliet Turner 3. Sit (Timmy the Dog = Tim Minchin)

BEST BOOK 1. Eleven (MW), 2.Shades of Grey (Jasper Fforde), 3. Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks (Christopher Brookmyre). Best non-fiction: 59 Seconds by Richard Wiseman

BEST FILM 1. Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, 2. Inception 3. Moon

BEST TV SHOW –1. Sherlock. 2. Also really liked the most recent series of Doctor Who, plus the Xmas Special, 3. the latest series of The Office (American version)

BEST PERSON My husband – he’s not perfect but he’s pretty wonderful – and he puts up with a lot!

BEST DAY My happiest day of 2010 = Christmas Day 2010. It was absolutely wonderful this year!

BEST LIVE SHOW (etc) – 1. Tim Minchin & His Orchestra @ the O2 (plus the same show @ Nottingham) 2. Jesus Hopped the ‘A’Train (the play by Stephen Adly Guirgis)- 2010 production at Trafalgar Studios in April. 3. Mathilda (Musical staged by RSC – lyrics & music by Tim Minchin)

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT This year has involved a difficult struggle with my personal beliefs re theism/agnosticism/atheism: an ongoing process (I’m still sitting on the fence – hence the favourite song!)

MOST ANNOYING (NEW) THING 1.The use of ‘of’ instead of ‘have’ in phrases such as ‘I could of done it’ 2. The mis-spelling of ‘lose’ (opposite of win) as ‘loose’.
Posted by Juliet on December 29, 2010

BEST SONG
On love, in sadness – Jason Mraz (2002, but I discovered it this year)
Out of goodbyes – Maroon 5 (2010)
Hum Hallelujah – Fall Out Boy (one of my all-time favorites)

BEST ALBUM
Either Maroon 5′s new cd or James Blunt’s. My taste in music is quite questionable.

BEST BOOK
My favorite thing I read this year were some short stories by Julio Cortázar (amazing Argentinean writer, please read something by him if you get the chance).

BEST FILM
Inception, no doubt about that, loved that movie.

BEST TV SHOW
Of course, Never mind the Buzzcocks.

BEST PERSON
I agree with most of the Watsonians I’d choose you! You’ve substantially changed things for me in a strange way haha. But I guess the best person I met this year was my friend Lucas. I’ve known him for a few years but we got closer this year.

BEST DAY
November 15th (it was my birthday AND my prom)

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
The musical “Spring Awakening” brought me to tears, amazing.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Finished high school with amazing marks.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
Jedward?
Posted by Corey on December 29, 2010

Best Song: Suburban War by Arcade Fire

Best Album: The Suburbs by Arcade Fire

Best Book: I’m not just saying this…….. but….yes it’s Eleven. Really loved it!

Best Film: 4 Lions

TV Show: The Simpsons…….always the Simpsons

Best Person: My sisters friend Rowena for what she’s had to put up with this year

Best Day: 18th September. Having the honour of being a Best Man at a very good friends wedding

Live Comedy: The Slutcracker-Tim Key in February

Annoying New Thing- This years offering from X Factor
Posted by Helen on December 29, 2010

BEST ALBUM
1. Mumford and Sons – Sigh No More
2. Eminem – Recovery

BEST BOOK
It is hard to say Eleven without it sounding like I’m just saying it because this is your blog. But I solemnly swear, with absolute sincerity, Eleven.

BEST TV SHOW
This is England ’86

BEST PERSON (for whatever reason; either a famous person or someone you know. Give a reason. It can’t be me obviously)
My mum because she has helped me through some rubbish times and is generally wonderful.

BEST DAY (do you remember the date of your happiest day of 2010? It would be interesting to see if we can find an official top day)
Sunday 12th December

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
1.The Big Libel Gig
2.Mark Watson (sswas -solemnly swear with absolute sincerity)
3.Teenage Cancer Trust Gig at Royal Albert Hall

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
The Morgana Show.
Posted by h2osarah on December 28, 2010

BEST SONG – Winter Winds – Mumford and Sons (beautiful)
Fuck You – Cee lo Green (so catchy)
BEST BOOK – Trick or Treatment – Simon Singh & Edzard Ernst
BEST FILM – Alice in Wonderland, the new one, with Johnny Depp.
BEST TV SHOW – I think I discovered ‘The Big Bang Theory’ in 2010, I could be wrong, but it’s still great.
BEST PERSON – Misha, now those who saw that she nominated me may think this is some kind of unfair payback, but here’s my reason: she gave me the best present I’ve ever gotten. Ever. In the form of ‘The Lovely Plan’ to which you (Mark) and many of you (Watsonians) contributed to. She also set up our delightful forum, met me at stupid o’clock in the morning on my first day in Edinburgh, let me sleep in her bed, and is generally too nice to me for her own good. One day we will live a bit closer and see each other more often. Then we will rule the world!
BEST DAY – Just one? July 8-9 and 12-15 were amazing along with August 8-23rd. My comedy festival times. I may need a top 3.
1) August 8, 2010. I arrive in Edinburgh, see Misha again after long last, Meet Michael, Nicola, the Gentleman’s Review. See Mark again, get special treatment at the show, don’t check into my room until 2am. Pretty amazing.
2) July 13, 2010. In Montreal. I see Andrew Maxwell, Des Bishop, PJ Gallagher, Justin Schlegel and Harland Williams live. I meet Harland, Justin and Tom Green. I get invited to the comic’s bar with 2 girls I met at the gig. I hang out with Des Bishop, Andrew Maxwell and Minchin. Get introduced to Tim Key and scare him a bit.Generally get over excited and make a fool of myself.
I’m leaving it at 2. Because there are at least 3 days vying for 3# and then the list will basically become a top 10.
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW – Tim Key’s Slutcracker. Maybe the Canadian audience was confused, but I loved it. Twice. I’m not even putting Edinburgh shows up for consideration because I can’t filter through them in my brainspace.
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT – This is a toughie. I have consulted the all-knowing twitterverse (read: Misha). I am currently in my second ever sexual relationship that has lasted longer than a week. The first one was 5 years ago. This despite having an all-time low self confidence/body image/fitness level. I believe that counts as a result.
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING – The all-time low self confidence/body image/fitness level. Anyone else feel a new year’s resolution coming on?
Posted by Emily on December 28, 2010

I’ve finally got round to doing this, and seem to have forgotten the whole of 2010. So this is mainly things I can see, or are managing to filter through my Chemistry revision induced stupor.

BEST SONG: London – the Rumble Strips
Thistle and Weeds – Mumford and Sons
Hello, My Name’s Charlie – Gavin Osborn

BEST ALBUM: Mumford and Sons is the only one I can think of from 2010.

BEST BOOK: Random Acts of Kindness by Danny Wallace. Sort of. (Its literally next to me. I’m resisting voting for Eleven, it was genuinely very good though)

BEST FILM: Embarrassingly few visits to the cinema this year. So. Elf, its on TV approximately once every six seconds at this time of year.

BEST TV SHOW: I like Russell Howard’s Good News, he’s lovely and I like the guest stand-ups on Extra.

BEST PERSON: Difficult. Ok, my friend Sam, he’s always nice to everyone and will always go out of his way to help. Cheesy but true.

BEST DAY: Can I pick the whole of Edinburgh? It was about the 16th, maybe 15th, when not many shows were on, when the bar at the Pleasance seemed to flood with comedians. I somehow ended up stuck in the middle of a circle with people off TV and one of my favourites (DO’D). Very strange.

BEST LIVE SHOW: Daniel Kitson in Edinburgh. Felt like a superhero being up at 9.30, totally worth it. Or Clever Peter, excellent sketch troupe. Adam Hills too. (This is again turning into “all of Edinburgh”) And, predictably, your Nottingham show was brilliant.

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Passed my driving test less than 2 weeks ago. Its terrifying, I lean into the middle of the car when a lorry goes past.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING: Everything about Facebook. All new slang, people at my college have just started using “dbi”. Which apparently means “don’t beg it”. They say this CONSTANTLY. Very irritating.
Posted by DeborahF on December 28, 2010

BEST SONG
Factory by Band of Horses.

BEST ALBUM
Infinite Arms, Band of Horses.

 BEST BOOK
Thanks, Johnners: An Affectionate Tribute to a Broadcasting Legend by Jonathan Agnew.
Eleven by some bloke called Mark Watson.

 BEST FILM
A Single Man – technically released in 2009 but I didn’t see it until 2010 – maybe not the best plot but definitely the most beautiful film I saw all year. Plus it had Colin Firth in it, which improves any film.

 BEST TV SHOW
Lost Land of the Tiger or maybe Sherlock.

 BEST PERSON
My friend Bruce who helped me get a new job when I really needed it.

 BEST DAY
Mmm I’ve had lots of good days but the best would be the day you dedicated a blog to cheering me up.

 BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
Didn’t see anything that topped your show in the round in Derby

 BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Staying positive despite a great deal of negative stuff being thrown in my direction this year.

 MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
3D films and now TVs – it’s just a gimmick and should disappear quietly before 2011 starts.
Posted by Megan on December 28, 2010

BEST SONG
Big Wave – Jenny and Johnny
You Must Be Out of Your Mind – The Magnetic Fields
Rolling in the Deep – Adele (I am slightly ashamed, but I just love this song)

BEST ALBUM
Les Chemins de verre – Karkwa

BEST BOOK
If I’m not mistaken, the only book first published this year that I read is Mark’s. So it wins by default. (I did enjoy it very, very much, though.)

BEST FILM
Considering where I work, I saw appalling few new films this year and enjoyed very few of them. Commercial answer: Inception, Weirdo answer: Police, Adjective (which came out at the end of 2009, so is a cheat). Honorable mentions for stuff I haven’t seen in entirety, but were excellent from what I saw: Carlos, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, and Kings of Pastry

BEST TV SHOW
I’m not sure it’s ‘best’, but I am very, very tickled by How I Met Your Mother these days. I only really got into it recently, since it hit syndication.

BEST PERSON
Maude Barlow, who campaigns for responsible water management and against the commodification of what should be a basic human right.

BEST DAY
Not kissing ass here, but July 17, when I got to see Mr Watson in Newbury but ALSO spent the day in a pub in Bayswater with dear old friends, many of whom I’ve known online for many, many years, but hadn’t met in person until then. Marvellous.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
I can’t choose between Mr Watson, Billy Connolly (in Ottawa last month), and seeing Andrew Bird and the B-52s ON THE SAME NIGHT at Bluesfest in July.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Again, a toss-up. This time between finishing a half-marathon and visiting a country solo where I didn’t speak the language.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
Bieber. Maybe he was around last year, but he wasn’t on my radar.
Posted by Kay on December 28, 2010

Best Song: Airplanes B.O.B, Take That – The flood,
Best Album: The script – Science & Faith
Best Book: The Twilight Saga
Best Film: Twilight Eclipse
Best TV Show: CSI Miama
Best Person: nobody stands out for me this year
Best Day: January 21st!
Comedy Show: only went to one this year – twice so has to be Mark Watsons!
Music Gig: not been to any this year.
Best Personal Achievement: bringiny my boy into the world healthy and happy!
Most Annoying new thing: our new car – that broke down twice, once with me at the top of a shopping mall car park ramp and having to get a push up into a bay! Embarrising!
Posted by Martin on December 28, 2010

BEST SONGS

1. Band of Horses – On My Way Back Home
2. Brandon Flowers – Crossfire
3. Taio Cruz – Dynamite

BEST ALBUM

Band of Horses – Infinite Arms

BEST BOOK

Mark Watson – Eleven
Dara O Briain – Tickling the English

BEST FILM

The Hurt Locker
How To Train Your Dragon
Kick-Ass

BEST TV SHOW

Would I Lie To You?
Lost
NCIS
The Rob Brydon Show

BEST PERSON

My cousin Sarah. Because she is always there and is more like a big sister than a cousin. Her son Will is also incredible.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW

Dara O Briain in the Swansea Grand Theatre
Craig Ferguson in Atlanta, GA in March. This was amazing, He is a Scottish comedian who has made it big in the US. Has his own talk show and tours occasionally. Also starred in How To Train Your Dragon
Lee Mack in St Davids Hall Cardiff

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT

Moving to America for five months. Was a great experience, and even though it didn’t work out it was by far the best thing I have ever done. I love the Southern States of the US and I want to travel more of the US to experience the other States.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING

The ‘coalition’ government. How can a party who lost seats end up in any form of power?
Posted by Simone on December 28, 2010

BEST SONG.
Mumford and Sons – White Blank Page.
Laura Marling – Hope In The Air.
Bo Burnham – Rant.

BEST ALBUM
Tim Minchin – Live at the O2.

BEST BOOK
Eleven.

BEST FILM
Paper Heart.

BEST TV SHOW.
I really, really enjoyed The Great Outdoors (pilot).

BEST PERSON.
My friend Karena has done so much for me since I met her in 2007. Last year her visa expired and she had to go home. A few months ago she surprised me after work – she’d come over for 3 weeks. She’s the only person I feel totally comfortable in the company of.

BEST DAY.
The evening I went to see Minchin at the O2 was rather ace (14th of December). Had dinner with @annawaits beforehand and then got to watch the show with @allenrachel whom I don’t get to spend much time with. Chatted with a few Australian fans in the intermission (I vaguely knew them for Twitter/angry-feet.com). Tim and the Heritage Orchestra blew me away with their awesomeness.

BEST LIVE COMEDY.
The Horne Section. In particular the show at The Invisible Dot with Joe Wilkinson and “The Mysterious Fletch”.

BEST MUSIC GIG.
Laura Marling at Conway Hall.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT.
I accepted myself a lot more this year.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING.
The number of new comedy shows being shown on TV. A high percentage aren’t very good.
Posted by Emily on December 28, 2010

A lot of these “bests” are more, “well I can’t think of anything else so I suppose that was quite good…” My distinct lack of being able to remember most of the year doesn’t help.

BEST SONG
Welcome Home – Coheed and Cambria
Uprising – Muse
Nightmare – Avenged Sevenfold

BEST ALBUM
Year of the Black Rainbow – Coheed and Cambria

BEST BOOK
Eleven

BEST FILM
Toy Story 3

BEST TV SHOW
Sherlock

BEST PERSON
All the Watsonians I’ve spoken to on Twitter/the forum. I can’t choose just one. They are all lovely, kind, generally wonderful people. The common factor of course is you, but we can’t choose you.

BEST DAY
8/7 – the day I met Watsonian amycool and first went to Go Ape! and had a really great time.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
Your Dundee show. Or Spamalot in Manchester. I really can’t choose between the two.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Passing exams/getting into honours year. I haven’t achieved much else.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
The snow. OK, so snow isn’t a new concept, and we had it last Christmas too, but it’s been a damn nuisance.
Posted by Beth on December 28, 2010

BEST SONG:
1. ONE by Yeasayer
2. Oh Bo – Bo Burnham
3. We Used to Wait – Arcade Fire

BEST ALBUM
The Suburbs – Arcade Fire

BEST BOOK
Awkward Situations for Men – Danny Wallace
Eleven
The Stranger – Albert Camus (I’ve only just read it this year)

BEST FILM
Inception

BEST TV SHOW
My favourite telly show is, and always will be, LOST.

BEST PERSON Adam Hills, for being amazing at Edinburgh, and generally one of the happiest people I’ve met.

BEST DAY Seeing Frank Turner for my 18th birthday in London. 24th March.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND Seeing Arcade Fire play Leeds Festival/Leeds in general or Edinburgh.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT Passing my A levels, I guess.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING Tramadol Nights/ipads.
Posted by Rachael on December 28, 2010

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
I will second Lauren’s nomination for Angus and Julia Stone – And the boys
Villagers- ship of promises
Basement Birds- not the one
BEST ALBUM
Basement Birds
BEST BOOK
Gringo Nightmare- Eric Volz
BEST FILM
Inception
BEST TV SHOW
Miranda or Grandma’s House
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
We Are Scientists – American Barbarians tour
Posted by Hannah on December 28, 2010

BEST SONG
Washington – Sunday Best
Ben Fold & Nick Hornby – Saskia Hamilton
Two Door Cinema Club – Undercover Martyn

BEST ALBUM
Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History

BEST BOOK
Mark Watson – Eleven (really was the best of all that I read)

BEST FILM
Toy Story 3

BEST TV SHOW
Community

BEST PERSON
Charlie McDonnell

BEST DAY
21st May 2010 – Friends, shots and music – One of the most fun nights of the year and the happiest I can recall being.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW
Sammy J & Randy in Ricketts Lane

BEST MUSIC GIG
Philadelphia Grand Jury

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Sneaking into the Sydney Opera House two nights in a row to see a previously mentioned comedy show.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
People saying ‘like’ every second word and me realising how much I hate it.
Posted by Tracey on December 28, 2010

BEST SONGThis is difficult, but I’d have to go for Bad Romance by Lady Gaga.
BEST ALBUM Lungs by Florence and the Machine
BEST BOOK Can I go for a couple here? They’d have to be Tuesday’s Child, The Life and Death of Imogen Hassall by Dan Leissner and My Shit Life So Far by Frankie Boyle. Also, any poetry by Sylvia Plath.
BEST FILM Again, I’d like to cheat a bit. Anything starring Kristin Scott Thomas, especially Gosford Park and Lindsay Anderson’s If….
BEST TV SHOW Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights,Sherlock,The Apprentice
BEST PERSON Frankie Boyle – for saying what he wants to say
BEST DAY Noember 27th – Frankie’s gig at the SECC (haven’t managed to see you as yet!)
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW Have to be Frankie’s gig again as it’s the only one I’ve seen this year!
BEST MUSIC GIG I’ve not been to any since the eighties but I’d have to say Siouxsie and The Banshees, John Cooper Clarke and The Damned.
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT Has to be improving my cookery skills
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING Not sure how new this is, but it has to be people not talking properly. For example saying “Laters” when saying goodbye also people who infiltrate text speak into their vocabulary. x
Posted by Lauren on December 28, 2010

BEST SONG
Ben Folds ~ From Above
Angus & Julia Stone ~ And the boys

BEST ALBUM
Laura Marling ~ I speak because I can

BEST BOOK
I think it came out a few years ago, but I got around to reading ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak. Sad, but great. Also really loved Stephen Fry’s latest autobiography.

BEST FILM
Toy Story 3!

BEST TV SHOW
If you take the songs out of Glee, it’s brilliant.

BEST PERSON
This one’s too hard… anyone who did something nice for someone else without expecting anything in return.

BEST DAY
June 25 because it’s my birthday and I like it when people give me cake and presents.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
The Pajama Men at the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Went back to uni and didn’t drop out (I’ve done this twice in the past).

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
The term ‘FML’ for two reasons. Firstly it’s really negative, and second, I had to ask someone what it meant and that made me feel old.
Posted by Hannah Mae on December 28, 2010

THIS IS SO HARD. Prepare yourselves for shocking indecision.

BEST SONG
We Used To Wait – Arcade Fire
Time Of My Life – Patrick Wolf
…everything on the Pitchfork Best of 2010 list, because yes, I am that much of an awful hipster.

BEST ALBUM
The Suburbs – Arcade Fire
Write About Love – Belle & Sebastian
Romance Is Boring – Los Campesinos!
Sex, Dreams & Denim Jeans – Uffie
Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
Sparklehorse & Danger Mouse – Dark Night Of The Soul (Mark – if you haven’t heard this, I think you’d like it. Gruff Rhys appears on one track, Wayne Coyne on another…so good.)

BEST BOOK
Pretty sure the only books I read published this year were Eleven & Stephen Fry’s latest biog. Very impressed with Eleven. Other than those, this year’s important literary discoveries have been Thomas Pynchon, David Foster Wallace, Raymond Carver, Robert Lowell and Elizabeth Bishop. All at least 20 years late, but I’m glad they’re now in my life.

BEST FILM
Four Lions was my favourite 2010 release, I think. Also saw Fight Club – it’s now my favourite of all time.

BEST TV SHOW
I thought the most recent series of That Mitchell & Webb look was really quite genius. Also got properly into The Thick Of It. Mad Men. And Sherlock deserves a mention.

BEST PERSON
I’m pretty big on Chris Addison at the moment, having seen him live a couple of months ago and been really enjoying The Thick Of It/his amusing tweets. Think Josie Long is really awesome and inspiring. I’ve become weirdly obsessed with Simon Munnery after watching every episode of ‘Attention Scum!’ in a night. And I have a crush on Elizabeth Bishop after just having read her collected letters, but she is rather dead. I’ve turned this category into ‘famous people I don’t know but idolize’.

BEST DAY
Lots of hot days in June when I was still in Bristol but exams had finished – I just got drunk and went to barbecues all the time. 13th September, when I met Stephen Fry. 14th October, when I met you – for about ten seconds in which I managed no words except my own name, but it still meant a lot.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
You in October, obv. Also Josie Long, Chris Addison, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue on tour and a Stephen Fry book launch thing. All were quite brilliant.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Quite proud of getting a first in one of my degree units last year & 2.1s in the rest, some of which I lost much sleep over at the time. I went to my first ever audition and tried improv (fuck me, that was scary – newfound respect for stand-ups). I pitched a student radio show & am now a few months into hosting it with a friend. And meeting Stephen Fry shouldn’t really be considered a personal achievement, should it? But I’d waited for that moment for about ten years, so it is.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
The new government. That and Glee.
Posted by heatherooo on December 28, 2010

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
Admiral Fallow – Four Bulbs
Spoon – Anything You Want
Super Adventure Club – Hip Hop Hot Pot Pot Noodle

BEST ALBUM – Slow Club – Yeah So.

BEST BOOK – Shamefully, I have not read Eleven and will not cheat and nominate it as the best without giving it the time and attention it no doubt deserves. So, instead, I will nominate Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski which I reread and adored all over again this year.

BEST FILM – Toy Story 3 was tremendous.

BEST TV SHOW – I did love Sherlock.

BEST PERSON (for whatever reason; either a famous person or someone you know. Give a reason. It can’t be me obviously)
My boyfriend has made this year significantly less shitty than it was before I met him. We only met a few months ago, and it’s hard (especially for a cynic such as myself) that one person can have such an impact on your overall happiness, in such a short space of time, as he has done, but he really has. Makes you feel sick, right? Makes me feel sick, anyway. Haha.

BEST DAY (do you remember the date of your happiest day of 2010? It would be interesting to see if we can find an official top day)
September 10th. Basically because it was the day that I met the person mentioned above.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND – I very much enjoyed the very fantastic live show that I saw of yours, at the Edinburgh Festival. But, I have to admit that Arcade Fire at the SECC with my sisters a couple of weeks ago was basically the gig of the year. I think it is the combination of seeing one of my favourite ever bands with two of my favourite ever people, which makes it the winner.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT – Um, I guess realising that I’m finally definitely headed in the right direction with my life, after a couple of years of false starts.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc) – Definitely the iPad. Total nonsense.
Posted by Rachel on December 28, 2010

Argh! Just realised I have actually seen one new film this year: Machuca. All in Spanish but has subtitles, set in Chile, surprised me with how good it was.
Posted by Rachel on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
Drowned – Tim Minchin; Você Existe Em Mim – Josh Groban; Better Together – Jack Johnson

BEST ALBUM
The only full album I’ve paid much attention to this year is Maroon 5′s new one…so it’ll have to be that (Hands All Over). Or possibly Dejarte De Amar by Camila.

BEST BOOK
Three Weeks With My Brother – Nicholas Sparks. Haven’t had chance to read Eleven yet

BEST FILM
Can genuinely say that I haven’t seen any new films this year. Aim for next year is to see LOTS.

BEST TV SHOW
Miranda, currently loving Never Mind the Buzzcocks too.

BEST PERSON (for whatever reason; either a famous person or someone you know. Give a reason. It can’t be me obviously)
Hmm. I have a few, but I’ll give you the best person I met this year (except you): my comedy twin Poppy. She’s lovely and the happiest person I know; we like all the same comedians; she’s doing a World Challenge (I did one in July) so I finally have someone to enthuse about them with; she’s the only person I speak to in choir and, most importantly, she drew a picture of Tim Minchin in the Christmas card she gave to me

BEST DAY (do you remember the date of your happiest day of 2010? It would be interesting to see if we can find an official top day)
I had 2… June 30th (Prom) and July 15th (Second wild campsite in Croatia while on World Challenge…we toasted marshmallows and our Croatian tour guide played his guitar. Probably my best day ever overall, even though I fell out of a kayak twice…)

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
Yours! Also saw Alun Cochrane and thoroughly loved it

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
My 8A*s and 5As in my GCSEs…and also the award I won at the GCSE Awards Evening (Outstanding Contribution to the Life of the School)

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
People saying ”commit” (i.e. ”I’m so bored I could commit”). I just find it incredibly disrespectful. Also hate those new ”welly-style” ankle boots because, well, just because.
Posted by Katie on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG:
Kid Canaveral – Smash Hits
The Unwinding Hours – Tightrope
The Polyphonic Spree – Section 12 (Hold Me Now)

BEST ALBUM:
Paul Smith – Margins

BEST BOOK
Eleven by your fine self. Or The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry.

BEST FILM
Inception

BEST TV SHOW
Sherlock

BEST PERSON
Well, now Zoe’s said me, I’m obliged to say her (I was going to say her anyway, so it’s alright). Or Charlie Brooker.

BEST DAY
September 8th.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
It’s a toss-up between Idlewild at the ABC, The Unwinding Hours and The Twilight Sad at Òran Mór, and you in Dundee. I bloody loved that gig.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
I passed my driving test without killing anyone or having to sell my soul, which I consider a mammoth achievement.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
Jedward, and their apparent hatred of the full stop.
Posted by fiona on December 27, 2010

BEST BOOK – Millennium trilogy – I hadn’t expected to like the first, but couldn’t put it down; then had to drive 15 miles to buy the next 2 – brilliantly written BEST FILM – Toy Story 3 – no contest BEST TV SHOW – Two Pints of Lager…….. even though I have to sit up till midnight to see it WORST TV SHOW – Jerry Springer BEST PERSON – Anne Widdecombe, for proving that nobody is too old to have fun – and for reminding us`all that dancing is great WORST COMEDY SHOW – Lockipedia BEST SPORTS EVENT – mamouth Wimbledon men’s match, stretching over 3 days – can’t even remember who was in it; but gripping to watch BEST DAY – sometime in the middle of August at the Croissant Neuf Summer Party, beautiful weather, beautiful people…. and also, Christmas Day, because I love giving presents, and having all my children home BEST SHOW – I have to name 3 (but I haven’t any music nominations) 1 War Horse – stunning puppetry, evocative story, and all based on reality 2 Scrooge – took my 5 year old son, and twenty 9/10 year olds to see this, and Tommy Steele (aged 75) was just phenomenal 3 Derren Browne – 53 of us went, and 8 ended up on stage; he’s very clever BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT – learning how to, in order, receive e-mails/send e-mails/create documents/print things/change fonts/order online – and now, submit comments in response to a blog! MOST ANNOYING NEW THING – Ipads – not necessary at all.
Posted by Miz on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG The Indelicates – New Art For The People, Amanda Palmer – Astronaut: A Short History Of Nearly Nothing,
BEST ALBUM The Indelicates – Songs For Swinging Lovers
BEST BOOK I don’t think I read any ‘new’ books, but my favourite oldie was 1984
BEST FILM Four Lions
BEST TV SHOW Doctor Who
BEST PERSON Josie Long
BEST DAY 29th July
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT I’m now on my way to getting myself sorted out.
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING I love new stuff! Except maybe the Morgana Show.
Posted by Lisa D on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG
Fuck you – Cee lo Green

BEST ALBUM
I Learned the Hard Way – Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

It’s been a good year for R&B, best year since about 1979 frankly.

BEST FILM
I finally saw Scott Pilgrim vs The World and nothing else could touch it.

BEST TV SHOW
Seems traitorous to say something other than Doctor Who, but I have to put a vote in for Sherlock, just for defying everything I’ve ever thought about updates being crap.

BEST DAY
February 27th: it was opening day of the Boston Roller Derby season, both my teams won and I was hooked completely back into a sport I hadn’t seen played since around 1983.

BEST LIVE GIG
When Conan O’Brien lost his Tonight Show gig, he took a show on the road and not only was the tour an amazing collection of talent, but Boston is his hometown so the show was an absolute blow out.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
I didn’t think I had one, but looking back I realized this year I wrote my favorite line in a play.

MOST ANNOYING THING
Widespread delusion (in the US at least) : The Tea Party putting forward actual candidates for election. Not only is it depressing to see “common sense” triumphing over actual common sense, but being from Boston it drives me nutty seeing an important part of our history (no offense intended to out former Imperial UK overlords ) co-opted by the likes of Sarah Palin.
Posted by Nat on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG
Heart on my sleeve — Alex Day
Drumming song — Florence and the machine
We both go down together — the Decemberists

BEST ALBUM
Lungs — Florence and the machine

BEST TV SHOW
Sherlock

BEST PERSON
Derren Brown, because he’s such an amazing performer

BEST DAY
November 2:nd, because I went to the UK and got to visite my family

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
Chris Addisons live show
Posted by Tibbs on December 27, 2010

Oh goodness, I’d completely forgotten about the census! I’ve been meaning to wait until I get my own laptop back before tackling the backlog of blog entries that I missed over the last two weeks, but I shall try to find that one at least while I still have my brother’s laptop to use!

And I am so very bad at choosing bests of things; I will have to ponder all of these and come back to it.
Posted by Zoe Fell on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
Amanda Palmer – Ampersand
Ellie Goulding – The Writer
The Popsocks – I Can’t Wait To See You

BEST ALBUM
Villagers – Becoming A Jackal

BEST BOOK
Easy peasy. That would be Eleven, by a guy called Mark Watson – not sure you lot have heard of him?

BEST FILM
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows (Part 1)

BEST TV SHOW
Sherlock

BEST PERSON (for whatever reason; either a famous person or someone you know. Give a reason. It can’t be me obviously)
Argh. Alex Horne. Aislinn Prior. Katie Campbell. ORDER THEM AS YOU WISH (because I can’t).

BEST DAY (do you remember the date of your happiest day of 2010? It would be interesting to see if we can find an official top day)
For identical reasons to Aislinn, I would say the 21st of August BUT I am going to instead nominate the 23rd of October. It was the first time I’d seen Aislinn since August and was lovely. (It was also an opportunity for me to see the Penny Dreadfuls again as part of The Insti2ute and spend some quality time with another person that I’m extremely fond of.) The evening was lots of fun, as were the three days that followed.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
Alex Horne’s ‘The Horne Section’. I ended up going to 3 of them in Edinburgh. Totally beyond amazing and brilliant.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Sending a very important email. (It took about 2 hours and a lot of coaxing and poking and prodding to actually do, but that’s not the point. I still sent it.)

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
Fashion glasses. (I’m not sure if they’re particularly 2010 related.) They bug the HECK out of me.
Posted by Daniel on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG: I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free by Nina Simone, The Mourners Of St Paul’s – Liam Frost and the Slowdown Band, The Fence by Tim Minchin
BEST ALBUM: Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful? Paloma Faith
BEST BOOK: When The Wind Blows by Raymond Briggs. Very old, but my favourite book ever and a classic I got to revisit with my class this year.
BEST FILM: I got Inception for Christmas and it’s just overtaken Toy Story 3 as my favourite film of the year.
BEST TV SHOW: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
BEST PERSON: Stephen Fry – loved his memoirs, QI was great as ever, he donated fab prizes to a charity auction I ran and meeting him in October was everything I hoped it would be – so rare that someone fulfils all the expectations you have of them.
BEST DAY: Tuesday 9th March but I can’t say why!
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND: Tim Minchin vs His Orchestra at the O2 on 14th December
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Not going entirely bald…yet
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING: the 3D films at the cinema – I know it’s not brand-spanking-2010 new but I finally saw my first 3D film this year and thought it was entirely unnecessary and overrated.
Posted by Lora on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
1. Slackerpop – The Xcerts
2. We’re All Gonna Burn For This – ISpyStrangers
3. Winter and The Storyteller – Tiger Please

BEST ALBUM
Persistence In This Game – Straight Lines

BEST BOOK
I’m going to have to go with Eleven here too, but apart from that I’d go for America Unchained by Dave Gorman although that didn’t actually come out this year.

BEST FILM
Again not from this year but I finally got around to seeing In The Loop which was probably my favourite, although Buried was pretty good.

BEST TV SHOW
Miranda

BEST PERSON (for whatever reason; either a famous person or someone you know. Give a reason. It can’t be me obviously)
I’m struggling on this one… I may come back to it

BEST DAY (do you remember the date of your happiest day of 2010? It would be interesting to see if we can find an official top day)
I’d go for 13th June as I got to see two of my favourite bands of the past year play their first major festival (Download) and come over all proud and such like. Also by being there I was completing one of my TYSICs.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
I’m going to go for Attack! Attack! and Straight Lines in October, the 21st I believe.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
I’d say having my own flat and being all responsible (sort of).

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
I’m going to plum for the iPad, I still fail to see the point, especially given the expense.

I knew there was something I needed to do: the census! Off to that blog now, I’m going have no opinions and/or facts left in me soon.
Posted by Kathryn on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG:
Little Lion Man-Mumford and Sons, Skinny Love-Bon Iver, Something Good Can Work- Two Door Cinema Club

BEST ALBUM:
Bang Goes the Knighthood- the Divine Comedy

BEST BOOK:
I think Eleven’s the only book I’ve read this year that was published this year. Everything else was for school/university. Also, it was the best book I’ve read all year. Paradise Lost was good as well though, if a little out of date for this review.

BEST FILM:
Scott Pilgrim vs The World, without a doubt

BEST TV SHOW:
Doctor Who. Or Sherlock. I can’t decide at all.

BEST PERSON:
My best friend Debbie, for good times and bad times. And perhaps my (now ex) boyfriend, as someone I met in 2010 who had a huge impact on my life.

BEST DAY:
26th/27th October. My first kiss.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND:
Tim Minchin’s work in progress show, Cambridge, 23rd November.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT:
Getting into university, and managing to fit in there; the work we did in Kosovo.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc):
I can’t think of anything, but I shall agree with Josie and say the iPad. I cannot see the point.
Posted by Someone on December 27, 2010

I’m really rubbish at making decisions but I’ll give it a go as I’m bored, but my answers are not my definitive opinion*. *disclaimer
BEST SONG (trying to pick recentish songs to narrow it down so I’m not here all day): Jason Mraz – I’m Yours (before it was all overplayed), Delphic – Doubt (bloody catchy), Linkin Park – Catalyst (it may not be cool, but it were good fun, and you’ve got to love them. No, you do. Shush.)
BEST ALBUM: Was a tough one ‘coz I’m not very good with new music, but then I remembered I listened to Stornoway – Beachcomber’s Windowsill A LOT this year, so I choose that.
BEST BOOK – Eleven by Mark Watson, no less :]
BEST FILM – Saw Trainspotting for the first time this year. Loved it.
BEST TV SHOW – I agree with Anna: Ashes to Ashes.
BEST PERSON – I would actually choose you for this, in a non-sucky up way! if that’d even be possible, BUT since I can’t, then… my mum. Ha. ‘Coz she’s awesome, of course.
BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND: Joseph K – With Tom Basden & Tim Key. Plain awesome.
BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Got a job – of sorts. Finished at xmas.
MOST ANNOYING NEW THING: Well I don’t know, really, but I’ll vote for the word ‘ridonkulous’. A family member used it quite regularly when that Shrek came out. They don’t anymore. I put a stop to that.
Posted by A lot of Rachels on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG
I’ll go with what’s top of my itunes play count which is Real Girl by Wheatus, it’s had 40 more plays than 2nd place so it’s pretty awesome.

BEST ALBUM
I think I’ve only listened to one album which was actually released in 2010 and I’m only just listening to that so will go for an EP released in 2009 called The Dreaming by the wonderful Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.

BEST BOOK
I really loved Eleven and shamefully the only other book I have read this year was The tent, The bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy.

BEST FILM
Toss up between Toy Story 3 and Four Lions, I think Toy Story 3 just gets top.

BEST TV SHOW
The Walking Dead.

BEST PERSON
hmm tough question, the best person I have met this year is my boyfriend.

BEST DAY
Also a bit hard to choose, there’s been a few good days, I think I’ll go for 11th June-12th June as I got to work a crazy 24 hours non-stop shift doing tech things for our summer ball (but being a girl mainly food and drapes), where I got to see some interesting acts and then at the end met my now boyfriend before he left the show.

BEST LIVE THING
Getting to go to a few of the Flight of the Conchords gigs, as I got to meet lots of nice people and it was just really fun times.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
I suppose passing uni exams should be an achievement, but I’m still not liking uni.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
There’s been quite a few annoying new “comedy” shows.
Posted by Misha on December 27, 2010

I’m crap at picking bests. Please read these with a Hmmm, difficult, well I suppose it’d have to be: before all of them. Saves on space.

BEST SONG
Dudley & His Magic Pants – Martin White (and The Mystery Fax Machine Orchestra)
Silver Jenny Dollar – New Pornographers
Spirit Ditch – RM Hubert & The Unwinding Hours

BEST ALBUM
Bang Goes the Knighthood – The Divine Comedy

BEST BOOK
It’s a toss up between Bad Book Club (Ince) and Eleven.

BEST FILM
Special. Because I don’t want to say Inception, and this one made me & my friend Sam cry.

BEST TV SHOW
Got to be Dr Who.

BEST PERSON
What do you mean obviously? You’ve significantly improved /my/ year.
This is a difficult one, because a large number of people have been incredibly good to me this year. I’m going to go for Sarah K, who makes me happy even if she is on another continent for most of the year.

BEST DAY
Another tricky one. I’m going to go for the 8th of August, my second day in edinburgh (in spite of sickness) because I spent it in the pub with some of my favourite people in the world, and then at shows with more of my favourite people.

BEST LIVE
I had a long think, and if we’re excluding you, then it would have to be The Penny Dreadfuls show this year I think. It was rather good.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Getting into University (closely followed by passing my driving test)

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
I could cheerfully punch Jack Whitehall in the face. Is he new enough?
Posted by Aislinn on December 27, 2010

I’m not very good at music, so none of it’s 2010 stuff. sorry.

BEST SONG (you can name up to three)
Violent Femmes – Please Don’t Go
The Specials – Rat Race
Delta Spirit – Trashcan

BEST ALBUM
The Specials – The Best of the Specials.

BEST BOOK
Fiction: A Light-Hearted Look At Murder.
Non-fiction: Ska’d For Life – Horance Panter.

BEST FILM
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.

BEST TV SHOW
The Trip

BEST PERSON
Simon Pegg.

BEST DAY
August 21st. It was the day I went back up to Edinburgh after my first visit earlier that month, and the first time I met Zoe. I don’t often do sentimental stuff but that day held quite a lot of emotions.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
Tim Key’s Slutcracker

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Simon Pegg telling me I was a very talented artist. Something which I shall treasure approximately for ever and ever and ever.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
Nick Clegg.
Posted by lisan66 on December 27, 2010

BEST BOOK: Eat, Pray, Love was AMAZING. As was The Help, The Risk of Darkness and I read Eleven a few hours ago. That was good!!

BEST TV SHOW: Glee…I know that plenty of people will disagree with me, but it’s great.

BEST PERSON: My freind Sarah, because she got me The Fox and The Hound for Christmas, without me ever telling her that it’s my favourite Disney movie ever.

BEST DAY: I have a best weekend…does that count? 24th-26th of July.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: I made 100 muffins for my sisters 21st. It took four and a half hours, without stopping. And then I had to decorate them all the next day. I made so many that I coudln’t actually eat one, but everyone said that they were amazing, and they were all eaten.
Posted by MusicalLottie on December 27, 2010

Ooh, this should be interesting!

BEST SONG
Er …
Good Vibrations, covered by Voces8
Abendlied by Rheinberger, sung by Voces8 (can you see where this is going?!)
As Vesta Was by Thomas Weelkes, sung by Voces8
- all 2010

BEST ALBUM
Aces High by Voces8 (2010)

BEST BOOK
I’m going to go all cliché and say The Complete Sherlock Holmes – mainly because I haven’t actually read any other book this year that I can remember *is all embarrassed*

BEST FILM
Hawking (BBC, 2004) – I finally found it again this year after having searched for years!

BEST TV SHOW
Sherlock (2010)

BEST PERSON
My new friend, Emagan Blythe, for far too many reasons to list
Best famous person would have to be Benedict Cumberbatch, because I’ve fallen in love with his acting all over again.

BEST DAY
Sunday 7th November; in short, I had an amazing morning with a fairly old friend with whom I hadn’t spent a great deal of time in many months.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
Aces High launch concert, Voces8, 15th January. (It was a close call between that and your gig in Hammersmith)

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Either:
Leading a caving session all by myself
or:
Teaching a song to a group of people

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING
Tinie Tempah *grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr* I don’t know if he’s a 2010 phenomenon but my sister is obsessed with his music and drives us all insane.
Posted by Anna Lowman on December 27, 2010

It would be terribly shameless to plug my ‘review of the year’ blog post here wouldn’t it? Ahem. http://annawaits.blogspot.com/2010/12/annas-tweet-friendly-review-of-year.html.

Anyway. I like that this is different, and doesn’t have to be stuff actually from this year. Here goes.

BEST SONG
Tough one. I’d imagine that the songs I’ve listened to most this year are Squeeze’s Up The Junction (unimprovable) and The Divine Comedy’s I Like (joy personified. Except not personified because it’s a song. Songified.)

BEST ALBUM
Minchin’s Live at the O2 is an absolute stunner. His best songs, with an orchestra.

BEST BOOK
Eleven is certainly my favourite book that came out this year, but I must also spare a word for The Ascent of Rum Doodle, a very funny spoof about the world’s most inept mountaineers.

BEST FILM
Toy Story 3 is superb.

BEST TV SHOW
Ashes to Ashes deserves a whole load of credit for nailing its colours to the mast and giving us a proper ending. Very funny, very dramatic.

BEST PERSON
Jon Stewart. He called the Pres dude, he led a rally for sanity.

BEST DAY
Can I stretch the 24hours over two days? Aug 14th and 15th were wonderful – my first ever football match one day; relaxing in the blazing Ediburgh sun watching the likes of O’Doherty and Craine playing rather better football the next.

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
The Divine Comedy at Somerset House was pretty perfect.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Didn’t happen this year, but I learnt about it this year – apparently I got 99% in my media law exam. Won £250 for it.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
I’m quite tolerant of new stuff. Excited by it even. It’s more old stuff that should shuffle on that gets me – there’s no space in Primula in 2011.
Posted by Phill on December 27, 2010

Best song: we used to wait by the Arcade Fire. Love it. Um, trying to think of others which came out this year and failing: I have a lot of favourites but most of them are oldish!

Best album: the Suburbs by the Arcade Fire again.

Best film: Scott Pilgrim vs the World.

Am writing this on a mobile phone so will have a think and maybe come back when I’m on a computer…
Posted by Dan on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG Rock Dust Light Star – Jamiroquai, Mindless – The Skints, Surface to Air – Incubus. BEST ALBUM Live. Breathe. Build. Believe. – The Skints. BEST BOOK How Not To Grow Up – Richard Herring. (I haven’t got round to reading Eleven yet) BEST FILM Four Lions. BEST TV SHOW 30 Rock. BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW Littlest Things – Tiernan Douieb MUSIC GIG Streetlight Manifesto at the O2 Academy BEST PLAY Party BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT Getting into Uni MOST ANNOYING NEW THING The Morgana Show
Posted by Josie on December 27, 2010

BEST SONG
Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf. Don’t ask.

BEST ALBUM
The only album I bought was Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Does that count?

BEST BOOK
I liked Eleven. A lot. Boom!

BEST FILM
I’d go for Inception but the non-ending irritated me so I’m gonna say Kick-Ass. Definitely. Or Scott Pilgrim! Oh no! I’ll stick with Kick-Ass.

BEST TV SHOW
Misfits. Very funny indeed. But Dr Who was good too. Ahhh.

BEST PERSON
Matt Smith just for being the Doctor.

BEST DAY
February 15th, ’cause it’s my birthday!

BEST LIVE COMEDY SHOW, MUSIC GIG, PLAY, RAVE, OR OTHER GOING-ON OF ANY KIND
I went to go see Gaslight Anthem and they were amazing, but it would have to be you live in November – brilliant.

BEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Taught myself piano to a grade 3 standard. Oh yeahh.

MOST ANNOYING NEW THING (could be a popular word or phrase, television show, trend, widespread delusion, etc)
iPads. Everyone has one, except me. Ugh.

Very Late Review special edition: This year's love

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