As the year draws to a close, Movieline has asked an esteemed selection of Hollywood pros -- writers, actors, producers, etc. -- to compile their five favorite pop culture things from 2009, which we'll be running throughout the week. To kick things off, we have the Fave Five of Jesse Tyler Ferguson, hilarious star of ABC's breakout hit Modern Family (which just so happens to be one of our favorite things of 2009). Click on to find out what movies, TV shows and musical performances rocked Jesse's world in the year that was.
The Revival of Our Town Off-Broadway
"This came recommended to me by friends of mine in NYC and, I have to be honest, I was sort of dreading going to see this rusty old chestnut. I was blown away by the production and by one particular moment of simple theatrical magic late in Act 3. Literally the whole audience gasped."
True Blood
"I was late on this train but it has since become the one show I MUST watch right away. It is so over the top and I love every moment of it."
A Single Man
"My favorite movie of the year by far. Colin Firth blew me away but Tom Ford was the real star of the movie in my opinion. True, the movie looked like the moodiest gay fashion ad of all time -- but I couldn't find a way to be upset about that."
Neil Patrick Harris
"I thought he was one of the best SNL hosts in years, he rocked hosting the Tonys and blew me away hosting the Emmys. He is also way too nice to be that talented."
Lady Gaga on American Idol
"I had heard about her and had even heard some of her music but it took me seeing her play a piano full of pink bubbles with a zipper over her eye to fully get what all the fuss was about."