Andy Vandal of THE RIPTIDES contributes his favorites of the year:
Ricky Gervais hosting the Golden Globes He was so controversial in the 2011 ceremony with his skewering of Hollywood egos, they asked for him to come back and host in 2012. Genius.
“Game of Thrones” (TV / Books) Admittedly, I was late to the table in discovering George R. R. Martin’s brilliant series “A Song of Fire and Ice.” But after watching the exceptional HBO series, I dove into the novels and I am now consumed by them like wildfire on the Blackwater Rush. Winter is Coming.
Seal Team Six’s Dog The Team that silenced Osama had help from a four legged friend that served to detect explosives, protect the soldiers and locate Bin Laden himself. That’s just awesome. The President thought so and insisted on thanking the dog personally.
“Ron Swanson” (Nick Offerman) from NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” One of the funniest characters on TV.
Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins) It’s hard to remember an NHL goalie who has dominated a season as Thomas did in his 2010/11 campaign. Vezina Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy (ie: league MVP), Stanley Cup winner, NHL 1st-line All-Star. 2011 was HIS year. And he did it all with a smile on his face.
“Breaking Bad”, “Walking Dead”, “Boardwalk Empire”, “Game of Thrones”, “Sons of Anarchy” Best dramas on TV.
“Modern Family”, “Happy Endings”, “Louie”, “Community” Best comedies on TV.
Dan Aykroyd’s “Crystal Head” vodka No, this has nothing to do with the disastrous “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” - this is simply a vodka that Mr. Ghostbuster has packaged into an insanely awesome crystal skull. Made in Newfoundland too, eh!
