• Episodic Television-Drama: AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” Showtime’s “Dexter,” ABC’s “Lost,” AMC’s “Mad Men” and HBO’s “True Blood.”
• Episodic  Television-Comedy: NBC’s “30 Rock,” Showtime’s “Californication,” HBO’s Entourage,” NBC’s “The Office” and Showtime’s “Weeds.”
• Non-Fiction Television: CBS’ “60 Minutes,” Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch,” A&E TV’s “Intervention,” Bravo TV’s “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List” and Showtime’s “This American Life.”
• Live Entertainment and Competition Television: CBS’ “The Amazing Race,” Fox’s “American Idol,” Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” Lifetime’s “Project Runway” and Bravo TV’s “Top Chef.”
• The nominees for theatrical motion picture and long-form television categories will be announced Jan. 5. The honors will be presented at the PGA Awards ceremony on Jan. 24 at the Hollywood Palladium.

The Amazing Race, 8 p.m. (CBS)
The Simpsons, 8 p.m. (Fox)
The Cleveland Show, 8:30 p.m. (Fox)
Family Guy, 9 p.m. (Fox)
Desperate Housewives, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Dexter, 9 p.m. (Showtime)
American Dad, 9:30 p.m. (Fox)
Brothers & Sisters, 10 p.m. (ABC)
Californication, 10 p.m. (Showtime)
Cold Case, 10 p.m. (CBS)

Confused? Check out The Great Fall Preview: Television

This months Awesome List is full of only the highest quality entertainment. We use the term “highest” pretty loosely though.

Jimmy Smits in Dexter

TELEVISION
Showtime

We’ve forgotten all about Caine.

Lady Gaga: The Fame

MUSIC
Interscope Records

New dancing queen has cool look, captivating sound.

Pixar Short: Burn-E

Disney
DVD

The rambunctious little robot gets his well deserved 15 minutes in the new short attatched to the DVD release of Wall-E.

The Sarah Silverman Program: Season 2

DVD
Comedy Central

Not all ladies are this equally outspoken about politics and fart jokes but that’s probably for the best.

Brocabulary: The New Man-i-festo of Dude Talk

BOOK
Collins Living
In shops now
www.brocab.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1EmAXr9DLs

With phrases like “pankled” and “whorensic evidence,” the list may be over-the-top, but you can’t say it’s not inventive.  Daniel Maurer can be found editing the pages of the blog, Grub Street, and he has brought his nightlife cred to the masses on actual paper this time around.  This is the type of volume that is key to certain guybrary’s in the world…

French Milk

BOOK
Touchstone Books
In shops now

Here’s a real charmer for you… Author/artist, Lucy Knisley and her mom took a six-week jaunt to Paris to celebrate their birthdays.  The result is Knisley’s adorable collection of drawings, photographs and musings that comprises “French Milk.” A cool little story and a wonderful gander at their holiday in the 5th.

Tristan Prettyman: Hello…x

MUSIC
Virgin Records
In shops now

Perhaps it is the video for “Madly” that became part of a playlist on a recent Virgin America’s music video selections, but her music totally gets stuck in your head (in a good way).

Obama on 60 Minutes

Watch CBS Videos Online
TV

A president that can make me watch 60 minutes must be doing something right.

“Dexter” has gone from cult show to mainstream success in two seasons. Showtime’s dark drama about a Miami serial killer who works for the police, was rewarded with 2008 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Actor (the brilliant Michael C. Hall). CBS, which owns Showtime, repeated Season 1 for a network audience. Season 2, now out on DVD, is a riveting follow-up to the sensational debut season. Dexter’s stash of dead bodies turns up, and the FBI, led by special agent Frank Lundy (Keith Carradine) and assisted by dirty-talking but adorable sister Deb (Jennifer Carpenter), is on the case. Suspicious Sgt. Dokes (Erik King) is also on Dexter’s trail. Lila, a sexy and dangerous British babe (neatly played by Jaime Murray), drives Dexter to the breaking point. All in all, great writing, solid acting, bright South Florida colors, another killer season. You will race through the 12 episodes. But don’t look for any cool DVD extras; there aren’t any, just episodes of other Showtime series. Season 3 begins Sept. 28. Jimmy Smits joins the cast as an assistant district attorney. A trailer is up on the website.