Lil Wayne — “Tha Carter III”

At a time when CDs are quickly going the way of the dodo, Lil Wayne found a way to move more than one million units in the first week of his landmark release. From “Lollipop” to “Dr. Carter” to “Let the Beat Build,” Tha Carter III never faltered, providing us the soundtrack for the summer with personal lyrics over music that sounded like it was produced on Mars. Come to think of it, that may be where “Phone Home” came from.  — Tim Rath

Metallica — “Death Magnetic”

Five years since the release of “St. Anger,” old-school Metallica fans could rejoice with the new CD “Death Magnetic.” The album marked the band’s first release with Warner Bros., and was two years in the making. The whole album was made available for download for the video game “Guitar Hero: World Tour.”— Amanda Meade

Coldplay — “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends”

With the release of Coldplay’s latest smash-hit album in June, “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends” proves that lead singer Chris Martin is way better at making music than thinking of children names. Maybe living his entire life with such a plain name inspired names like Apple Blythe Alison for his daughter and Moses Bruce Anthony for his son.

The album reached double-platinum status in the U.S. and it looks like Christopher Anthony John Martin and Co. will continue to enjoy the sweet life as the album continues to rake in the money.  — Jared Purcell

“Mad Men”

From the constant cigarette smoking to the vintage suits, “Mad Men” showcases a different world like Dwayne Wayne. Set at a Madison Avenue advertising agency in the 1960s, the show centers on Don Draper (Jon Hamm) as he drinks scotch, makes derogatory comments about minorities and ogles his secretary (Christina Hendricks). “Mad Men” won Emmys in 2008 for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series.  — Tim Rath

“The Office”

After 2007’s writer’s strike, “The Office” returned this year from a four-month hiatus. The show’s producer had to stop filming completely when star Steve Carrell refused to cross the picket lines. The show came back with six episodes, and the season was kicked off with the cast participating in a dinner party. “The Office” is better than getting the gas at the dentist. — Tom Murphy

“30 Rock”

“30 Rock” received a record 17 Emmy nominations this year. The comedy, told through the voice of Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, also features Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, a top network executive and Tracy Morgan as Tracy Jordan, a the star of Lemon’s hit variety show, “TGS with Tracy Jordan.”

Throughout the show, Lemon balances corporate interference from Donaghy and antics from Jordan, while attempting to salvage her own personal life.

The title of the show is derived from 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the New York City street address of NBC Universal. — Kathleen Quandt

“The Dark Knight”

The summer blockbuster “The Dark Knight” turned out to be the second highest grossing film in U.S. history ($530.3 million, imdb.com).

Although there was a downgrade in eye candy — Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Katie Holmes — at least Gyllenhaal stepped up the acting skill. Will anyone be able to take on the role of the Joker with the same intensity as Heath Ledger? Even more disconcerting, how many years will we have to deal with half of the masses dressing up as the Joker for Halloween, sporting events, family reunions, baby showers, business meetings, etc…? It gets old fast.  — Jared Purcell

“Sex and the City: The Movie”

Four years after Carrie Bradshaw closeted her Monolo Blahnik’s on the HBO series, the fabulous and not-so-single ladies of “Sex and the City” graced the silver screen. The television show’s transition to the big screen proved to be successful as the film grossed over $152 million in the United States and over $408 million worldwide according to boxofficemojo.com. Some fans dressed to the nines for a girls night out and the film did not disappoint. An eyeful of designer labels, love and lust proved to be the perfect combination for success. Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte are not done running the streets of Manhattan yet, Sarah Jessica Parker recently confirmed a sequel is in the works.  — Lindsey Wojcik