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.
7. Megan Draper's quick-learned worthlessness?
Last season's Mad Men finale sucked. Hated it. Hated Don's proposal to Megan, hated his final scene with Betty, and I hated Carla's obviously foreshadowed firing. However, I look forward to cipher Megan's evolution as a late-'60s housewife. Will she thrive? Or will she find herself a voiceless void in the Draper kitchen? I anticipate the former, but I'm a little excited for the latter.
8. Oprah's last show
I've never been a tremendous fan of Oprah's, but I just can't imagine how this will go: Will producers spring "surprises" on Oprah (who hates surprises)? Will Maya Angelou recite a poem about new mornings, spiritual fulfillment, and a $2 billion fortune? Will Oprah announce that she hates reading? There's already too much to love.
9. The vengeful resurgence of American Idol's Didi Benami
My favorite American Idol contestant this year wasn't Lee DeWyze (duh) or even the brilliant Crystal Bowersox -- it was Didi Benami, the tenth-place finisher who bleated stellar renditions of "Rhiannon," "Play With Fire," "Terrified," and "The Way I Am." The confessional quality to her performances reminded me more of Joan Osbourne and Alanis Morissette than Taylor Swift, and thus I fear she might've been too good for music in 2010.
10. An Emmy win for Jane Krakowski
You laugh, but I think we could be in for a surprise this year. Jane Lynch's alpha charms on Glee are peaking early, and it's evident that Krakowski -- who plays the trampy, delusional actress Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock -- plays our generation's version of Phyllis Lindstrom. If Cloris Leachman weren't still on TV, I'd say Krakowski was her undeniable successor.
11. The Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions
It's always the greatest part of the year. No explanation necessary, other than I'm still recovering from Larissa Kelly's eleventh-hour loss to Dan Pawson in the 2009 final. Heart-wrenching stuff. Alex's disapproval is my favorite potent potable!