As semi tradition dictates, I must present a counter list to Barbara Walters’ fascinating people list. Usually Walters’ list is collection of people who haven’t contributed  anything truly profound or significant to the year. For example, what was so interesting about Donald Trump this year? He threaten to run for president and more or less forced President Obama to show his birth certificate. Trump said what he said because “The Celebrity Apprentice” was on and he needed to stay in the media spotlight. We should all prepare ourselves for Donald Trump to spout off more wacky bullshit around March. Walters’ lists seem more focus on rewarding the people that haven’t really done anything in the year other than remaining in the headlines for some apparent reason. 

To quote Artie Lange, “Look, I’m dude. I don’t know what the means,” and still don’t understand the fascination/obsession with Pipa Middleton. She’s the sister of the lady who married to Prince William, right? Where’s the fire? Is she really great at Twitter? Great podcast? Does she post cool remixes on Soundcloud? I don’t get it. The same goes for Katy Perry, who seems like she would’ve been a better choice for 2010 than this year. Remember how great “Teenaged Dream” was? Wasn’t it the summer song of 2010? 

Now, onto my list of the actually interesting/fascinating people of 2011: 

• Carrie Brownstein, co creator/co writer/co star of IFC’s “Portlandia” and lead guitarist/singer for Wild Flag.

• “Game of Thrones” TV show creators/writers David Benioff & D.B. Weiss 

• Jessica Chastain, star of Tree Of Life, The Help, and, Take Shelter 

• The NBA’s Nouvelle Vague (Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, and Derrick Rose) 

• Tom Scharpling & Marc Maron, host of “The Best Show on WFMU” and “WTF with Marc Maron” (respectively) 

• Jennifer & Jessica Clavin aka Bleached

• Twitter personality, Dadboner 

• Cool Dogs 

• Amy Poehler, star of “Parks & Recreation”  

• Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona 

• Steve McQueen, director of Shame and Nicolas Winding Refn, director of Drive 

• Barry Weiss, star of “Storage Wars”