The 5 Defining TV Personalities of the Decade
2. Jon Stewart
He took over Craig Kilborn's semi-successful The Daily Show in 1999 and introduced a version of news commentary and trenchant discourse that has come to gift-wrap all the biggest political stories of the decade. As a ten-time Emmy winner, he shows no signs of slowing either in hilarity or in oddly dependable, reassuring reportage. If you took Stewart out of this decade, you'd have a much quieter (and less informed) TV-viewing public.
1. Simon Cowell
In case you didn't hear, reality TV ruled the 2000s and ultimately gave us more phenomenons than scripted programming managed to. Simon Cowell's ruthless reign over Fox, the viewing public, and pitchy amateurs cemented him as a TV totem of the '00s, and just like your communications professor begrudgingly admitted, Cowell is the defining media figure of the new millennium.
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I was going to write something scathing about your list but actually can't find anything wrong with it. All have staying power, all have changed the face of TV (for better or for worse).
As far as honorable mentions go I think we need to bring up Seth MacFarlane.
Ditto what Paula says.
Great list, great publication, and a happy new year!
Interesting. I've watched all of their shows once. I then concluded that their shows were not worth my time and did not waste any more of it watching them again. I believe that my decisions were correct.
Can we please distinguish between reality shows and competition shows? With a few exceptions, American Idol is not about drama as much as it is about talent, and it's produced legitimate singers. As cheesy as it is, it's unfair to lump it and shows like Top Chef in with tripe like Jersey Shore and Real World.
Good list. For your consideration: David Letterman, whose post-9/11 return to the air showed the nation how to laugh again.
Tim Russert, who grew Meet the Press into THE way in which politicians face the country.
JJ Abrahms, the creator of Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.
Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (paving way for a slew of heroine-based shows), Angel, Firefly and Dollhouse.
Aaron Sorkin, creator of Sports Night, The West Wing and Studio 60.
Bill O'Reilly, who routinely defined the conservative agenda, from The War on Christmas to his railings against NBC.
Jay Leno, who ruled late night until his recent 10 pm fiasco.