2006 A YEAR IN REVIEW

Well another year is over, and its time again for me to list my most memorable moments of 2006. Yes, 2006 had its moments of both happiness and sadness.

2006 was the year when us at the Animation Arts Center (AAC) said goodbye to our lightables and cubicles, and enbarked on our journey into the world of computer animation. It was terrifying, I won't lie, but we stuck it through the whole semester without jumping off the fourth floor of tel building. Especially me. I feel as I enter second and FINAL semester, I am a little more confident with myself, even if my animation looks like a monkey just mashed the keyboard.

2006 was the year of celebrity stupidity. Yes, stupidity was the in thing this year. From Mel Gibson's Jew-bashing rants to Michael Richards N-word fiasco, Hollywood really showed its class. How could anyone forget Britney's underwear incident, or non underwear incident. Smooth Brit real smooth. Or when Danny Devito showed up drunk on the view, Actually I have more respect for him for that, bad example. And of course Paris Hilton, I just Fuckin hate Paris Hilton so I dont care what she did she still a moron. All in all this year truly was the year hollywood put its foot in its mouth.

2006 also brought the deaths of some of hollwood's best. Peter Boyle, who was well known for portraying the monster in Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" and of course portraying Frank Barone on CBS's hit "Everybody Loves Raymond": died on Decenber 13, "(my birthday -eeek) Also another true hollywood legend and a pioneer in animation, Joseph Barbera. He was reasponsible for such tv hits as "The Flintstones" and "The Jetsons", and if anyone needed me to tell you that shame on you. On Christmas Day, James Brown, the godfather of soul died, I bet now you finally "feel good". Last night former president Gerald Ford died, now Im not an American but I give respect to a man that ended the Vietnam war. And finally Kevin Federline's debut Cd, poor lil' guy, never had a chance. May they all rest in peace

2006 was also the year of the glut of animation. 15, count em', 15 animated movies hit the silver screen this year, topping last year's record of...3. As an animator in training, and lover of everything animation, I must say only a handful of the animated films in that list were actually watchable. "Cars" and "Monster House" were the best out of the glut. But I must give noteable mentions to films like "Open Season", "Happy Feet" (havent seen it yet but heard its very good) and "Curious George" (for keeping 2d alive) This year proved to the hollywood morons that just because animation is hot now dosent mean you gotta overload the market with rushed crap like "Flushed away", "Doogal". If they keep shoving crap out the public wont respond and animation with fall into another spiraling black hole. But they never listen. Why do I smell another "Black Cauldron "coming?

2006 also was the year of the gameshow. First the money show. "Deal or no Deal", the hit on NBC has become so huge that so many crappy game shows are coming out of the woodwork just to try and be like it. "1 VS 100", "Identity", and that one with William Shatner that was cancelled so fast I cant remember the name. Second, America is back in love with dancing for some reason. "So you think you can Dance?", "America's got Talent" and "Dancing with the Stars" are all big hits and pretty much all about dancing. Oh I feel another "who wants to be a Millionare?" fiasco upon us.

2006 was also the year of band members saying "fuck it" and going solo. Gwen Stafani took a break from "No Doubt" and released two "GREAT" albums. Fergie saw that and said "fuck it" and went solo from "Black Eyed Peas" and released her also "GREAT" solo album. So did the lead singer of "The Pussycat Dolls", I dont know her name, but shes hot, thats all I can tell you. Also Chris Cornell of "Audioslave" went solo for a while and recorded the 'crappy' title track for the new 007 movie. Noel Gallager of 'Oasis' also went on a solo tour this year. Hey, when your bands holding you down, shed that baby and fly solo, hey it worked for Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys.

All in all 2006 wasn't a bad year, it also wasn't the most memorable year. Who knows what 2007 holds for us. Possibilites, just possibilties.

Score: Y2K 0 HUMANS 6