by Kristin Veitch
(The artist formerly known as Wanda)
"We like them, we really like them!"
That was the consensus from the recipients of last year's Tater Tops Awards, where you honored your favorite TV stars and producers with real "Golden Tater" trophies.
Tom Lenk, of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, accosted me at an event to thank me for his, and he told me he keeps it on his mantel. His costar Emma Caulfield called looking for hers when it was delayed in the mail. And Alias star Jennifer Garner said she was overwhelmed by receiving not one, not two, but four of those suckers. (Now all welded into an elegant coffee-table centerpiece, no doubt.)
The reason these thesps loved their trophies so? (Given the image above, you can see it's not the aesthetics.) The stars loved their Taters because they were awarded by you, the die-hard TV fans, whose opinions matter so much more than the opinions of those out-of-touch Emmy and Golden Globe voters. After all, the fans are the ones who are watching.
So, naturally, we're going to do it all again.
Now that the season has wrapped, it's time to look back on 2003-04 in all its glory--and all its gag-me-with-my-remote badness. On the following pages, you'll find the nominations for Tater Tops 2004.
This year, we've done things a little differently. Instead of yours truly solely deciding who and what is worthy of inclusion (and who should be ashamed), I've cooked up contenders based on the suggestions you've submitted over the last coupla weeks.
Here's how this works: Click below to see the Nominations and vote for the stars and shows you loved--and loathed--this season. Voting will be open for two full weeks, so there's plenty of time to peruse the categories, pick your faves...and then email the link to your friends, family and pet hamster, if you please. The more votes we have, the more meaningful it is for the winners. On July 9, I'll reveal the winners and start sending out trophies.
(You've gotta be an E! Online member to weigh in, so if you haven't yet, join now. I promise you, it is quick, painless and entirely spam-free!)
Meanwhile, we'll be chatting this Monday, June 28, at the usual time, 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. Oooh, and don't forget the deliciousness we have in store: Everyone who enters the chat will be in the running to win a copy of the spanking-new Nip/Tuck DVD box set, which includes the complete first season and more than 80 minutes of exclusive footage. (Don't forget to read the contest rules.)
Now, don't forget to vote--and tell your friends.
Happy tubing!
Best New Show
The Apprentice
Arrested Development
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
The O.C.
One Tree Hill
Tru Calling
Best Fight
Sydney vs. Lauren (Jennifer Garner, Melissa George), Alias
Angel vs. Spike (David Boreanaz, James Marsters), Angel
Omarosa vs. Ereka, The Apprentice
Michael vs. Gob (Jason Bateman, Will Arnett), Arrested Development
Susan vs. Richard, Survivor: All-Stars
Biggest Shocker
Adriana (Drea de Matteo) getting whacked, The Sopranos
Rob proposing to Amber, Survivor: All-Stars
The WB canceling Angel
Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) having twins, Friends
Christian's (Julian McMahon) mixed-race "son," Nip/Tuck
Best Kiss
Fred & Wesley (Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof), Angel
Rachel & Ross (Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer), Friends
Lorelai & Luke (Lauren Graham, Scott Patterson), Gilmore Girls
Carrie & Mr. Big (Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Noth), Sex and the City
Sydney & Vaughn (Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan), Alias
Biggest Disappointment
The Angel finale
The Friends finale
Miss Match's cancellation
Wonderfalls' cancellation
Coupling, in general
Star You'll Miss the Most
Jennifer Aniston (Rachel), Friends
David Boreanaz (Angel), Angel
James Marsters (Spike), Angel
Matthew Perry (Chandler), Friends
David Hyde Pierce (Niles), Frasier
Show You'll Miss the Most
Angel
Ed
Friends
Sex and the City
Wonderfalls
Favorite Drama King
James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano), The Sopranos
James Marsters (Spike), Angel
Donald Trump, in general
Michael Vartan (Vaughn), Alias
Noah Wyle (Carter), ER
Drama You Can't Live Without
24
Alias
Angel
Nip/Tuck
Six Feet Under
The Sopranos
