The 11 Most Anticipated Cultural Events of 2011 -- Louis's Picks

As the year closes and I recover from yet another staggeringly bad movie we love, I'm happy to share my dreams for a brighter tomorrow. 2010 was tolerable, but 2011 is poised to give us a Neve Campbell revival, more Logo Network supremacy, and the Oprahcalypse. I'm game.

1. RuPaul's Drag Race season three

The list of reasons to love RuPaul's drag competition is longer than a plus-size caftan. Season three doesn't promise much in the way of awesome drag names (besides Mimi Imfurst), but starting January 24, we'll get more of the show's indispensable perks: Merle Ginsberg, Santino Rice, a cavalcade of bewildered guest judges, and enough shade to supply a Mediterranean resort.

2. Scream 4

Because what the hell is going on with this movie? The reported hirings, firings, Neve Campbell frostiness, Lauren Graham awesomeness, and Wes Craven delirium intrigue and disturb me. Sidney Prescott is an immortal heroine for the ages, though, and I can't wait to watch her flee up the stairs. If this turns out to be a high-concept revival of The Jamie Kennedy Experiment, Kevin Williamson is getting hit.

3. August: Osage County

Technically this is still in development, but the Weinsteinian genius in me says it'll be out by Christmas next year. Tracy Letts' Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play is getting VIP treatment from mythological fire empress Meryl Streep and mystic pizzerina Julia Roberts. I expect a 17th Oscar nomination for Meryl, a bouquet of skepticism for Julia (in the role of the ferocious Barbara), and the most rollicking family drama since Ordinary People -- but without the snarly sexuality of Judd Hirsch.

4. Justin Timberlake's Oscar snub

I was sick of JT's Oscar buzz the minute it started -- and not just because I once thought the lyrics to "Rock Your Body" went "I'm going to dip your naked body into this sauce" instead of "I'm going to get you naked by the end of this song." Whatever, I'm fine now. Anyway, Timberlake handled his role as Sean Parker in The Social Network with elan, but Andrew Garfield and Armie Hammer deserve the nods before he does. If JT goes to the Oscars, it better be to perform "Music of My Heart" over the In Memoriam reel.

5. United States of Tara, season three

It's strange that a show about a woman with (wildly garrulous) multiple personalities can be subtle, even unassuming -- but USoT is sharp character drama that captures a weary family's dysfunction and the fight in most people to make their inner identities cohere. Toni Collette may be the Emmy-winner, but I'm rooting for Brie Larson, who plays Tara's sardonic daughter Kate, to garner committee recognition.

6. The A-List: Dallas (or Los Angeles)

The A-List: New York was a Vaseline-slicked mess, and I can only imagine its brand of delusion will billow when chapters in Los Angeles or Dallas open. (Both cities have been named as potential A-List destinations). I'm so torqued for rodeo homos and Golden Coast queens to ruin their lives on camera.

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