Top TV Moments from 2011

Ricky Gervais Hosting the 2011 Golden Globes

Caustic funnyman Ricky Gervais skewered the Hollywood community when he hosted this year's Golden Globes. Interestingly enough, they've invited him back to host in 2012!

The New 'American Idol' Judges

Once Simon Cowell announced he was moving on from "American Idol" to bring his "X Factor" show to the U.S., the "Idol" execs decided to shake things up and brought in two new judges to join surviving judge Randy Jackson -- rocker Steven Tyler and the gorgeous Jennifer Lopez. It paid off, big time.

Walking in on Mom and Dad on 'Modern Family'

When Haley, Alex and Luke try to surprise their parents with breakfast in bed for their anniversary, they get way more than they bargained for as they catch Phil and Claire in the middle of what he describes as "zesty" sex. "What were they doing?" Luke asks. "Whatever it was, it looked like dad was winning."

Kirstie Alley on 'Dancing with the Stars'

The contestants come and go on "Dancing with the Stars," but this year's runner-up Kirstie Alley, along with her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy, really brought a spark to the show.

Michael Scott Leaves "The Office"

When Michael Scott left "The Office," it was one of the more poignant moments. The fact Pam was the last one to say goodbye made it even more special.

Oprah's Final Show

After 25 years, the talk show queen offers thanks to her viewers in the final show.

The 'Game of Thrones' Beheading

It was a shocker when Ned Stark (played beautifully by Sean Bean) was beheaded in "Game of Thrones" (unless you read the books, of course). Right down to the final minutes, it seemed unthinkable they would go ahead and chop off the head of the one noble warrior in this corrupt kingdom. But it happened -- and it was some great TV.

A New 'Voice' is Heard

Look out "American Idol," there are is a new "Voice" in town. In this hit NBC singing competition, mentors Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Ceelo Green and Blake Shelton listen to the voices before they pick their teams -- but the best part is watching the four of them interact!

"Breaking Bad" Season 4 Finale

The explosive finale quite literally blew everyone away, when meth maker Walter White (Bryan Cranston) finally gets the better of his nemesis Gus (Giancarlo Esposito).

'The Walking Dead' Season 2 Opener

When "The Walking Dead" premiered in late 2010 with just six episodes, it left the zombie fans out there clawing for more -- and more is what we got when Season 2 premiered in October as one the most viewed season openers of all time.

Melissa McCarthy Hosting 'SNL'

We all know what a year comic actress Melissa McCarthy is having, but the capper was her hosting turn on "Saturday Night Live." I mean, seriously, watch this skit.

The Surprise Hits

These four freshman shows really stood out in the crowd!"Revenge": Emily VanCamp and Madeline Stowe star in this ABC gem about a girl who comes back to a community, seeking revenge on those who destroyed her family."New Girl": Indie film darling Zooey Deschanel enters the world of TV as a school teacher who moves in with three guys and infuses their lives with her adorkablness."Homeland": The tense Showtime drama follows a CIA operative (Claire Danes) trying to stop a terrorist attack in the U.S., suspecting a returning Iraq prisoner of war vet (Damian Lewis) has been turned."American Horror Story": A horror TV show that actually goes there? Oh yes, this F/X thriller about a seriously demented haunted house most definitely isn't for the faint of heart.

Breakout Stars of 2011

Kat Dennings

The spunky actress is now a household name since her new sitcom, "2 Broke Girls," is a CBS hit.She also had a role this year in the blockbuster "Thor," starring Natalie Portman.

Adele

From her album "19" to her latest release, "21," Adele has been making waves in the music industry with her heartfelt, edgy songs about love and love lost. The UK singer is racking up awards, and is nominated for six 2012 Grammys.

Elle Fanning

Fanning is the younger sister of teen actress Dakota Fanning, and proved with her "Super 8" performance that she is not living in her sibling's shadow. Elle stars in "We Bought a Zoo,"alongside powerhouse actor Matt Damon, opening December 23, 2011.

Octavia Spencer

Spencer starred in the critically acclaimed film adaptation of the novel, "The Help," written by Kathrynn Stockett. Her portrayal of a 1960s maid is getting lots of Oscar buzz.

Armie Hammer

After playing the Winklevoss twins in "The Social Network," the handsome actor landed a starring role in "J.Edgar," with Leonardo DiCaprio. He'll also take on the role of a prince in the film, "Mirror, Mirror."

Elizabeth Olsen

Shortly after graduating from The Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, Olsen snagged a lead role in the indie hit, "Martha Marcy May Marlene." Fun fact: She's the younger sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Nicki Minaj

The "Pink Friday" rapper won two BET Hip Hop Awards, two American Music Awards and Billboard's 2011 Rising Star award this year. She also toured with pop icon Britney Spears, and Madonna recently confirmed to "Extra" that she'll be collaborating with Minaj on her latest album.

Rooney Mara

Also a "The Social Network" alum, this starlet beat out actress Scarlett Johansson for the role of Lisbeth Salander in the film, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Next on Mara's agenda is "Lawless," alongside Ryan Gosling.

Jessica Chastain

Performing with Brad Pitt and Sean Penn in "The Tree of Life" catapulted Chastain into the public eye. She also had a role in "The Help."

Chris Evans

Evans played superhero Captain America in the big-budget flick, "Captain America: The First Avenger," and will reprise his role in 2012's, "The Avengers." He added the rom-com genre to his resume this year as well, starring in, "What's Your Number?"

Felicity Jones

Hailing from England, Jones is starting to make a name for herself in the US since her performance in the indie film, "Like Crazy." She has several projects in the works.

Michael Fassbender

He starred in the huge blockbuster hit, "X-Men: First Class," with James McAvoy and Jennifer Lawrence. The German actor portrayed lead roles in films "A Dangerous Method" and "Shame."

Emily Van Camp

Following a long run on the TV series "Brothers and Sisters," VanCamp is now the lead character in the new hit TV drama, "Revenge."

Thomas Horn

Horn won Teen Jeopardy with earnings of $31,000 this year. Shortly after, he earned a role in the feature film, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," which is set for a January 2012 release. He plays the son of Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock's characters.

Taissa Farmiga

Acting is in the blood for this teen "American Horror Story" actress. She is the youngest sister of actress Vera Farmiga, who cast Taissa in her directorial debut, "Higher Ground."

Sexy Ryan Gosling Facts

He Grew Up Mormon

Ryan Thomas Gosling spent most of his early childhood in the town of Cornwall in Ontario, Canada. His family was raised Mormon. Gosling once told The Guardian, "We were pretty religious, it was a part of everything-what they ate, how they thought." His parents divorced when he was a child and he was raised mostly by his mother.

Child Star

Ryan first broke into show business on "The Mickey Mouse Club," alongside Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. He was once close friends with Timberlake, and even lived with him during their stay in Florida to tape the Disney kids show.

Focused on Acting

When Gosling was asked by Backstreet Boys singer A.J. McLean to audition for the boy band, Ryan turned him down.

No Canadian Accent Here

At a young age, Ryan thought having a Canadian accent didn't sound "tough enough. I thought guys should sound like Marlon Brando. So now I have a phony accent I can't shake, so it's not phony anymore."

The Peacemaker

After working out at a gym in Manhattan, Ryan was walking home and noticed two men fighting on the street. The bold actor got in between the guys and stopped the fight. The entire ordeal was captured on video and put on YouTube. It has been viewed over a million times.

'Quiet Ryan'

Gosling is quickly becoming known as Hollywood's It Guy, with three hit movies released in 2011, including "Drive," "Crazy Stupid Love," and "The Ides of March." As depicted in "Drive," Ryan often chooses masculine, cool-guy roles that is sometimes light on dialogue. He conveys much of his character's emotions through body language, which prompted a humorous montage created by Funny or Die, called "Quiet Ryan." The creators of the amusing video wrote: "Sometimes saying nothing says so much."Quiet Ryan-watch more funny videos

Rapid-Fire Quiz with Ryan

Ryan sat down with "Extra" in September to talk about "Drive," and took "Extra's" Rapid-Fire Quiz! Did you know he loves Kazoozles candy? He also revealed his favorite chick flick... and it's not "The Notebook"!video platform video management video solutions video player

The Rachel Factor

Starring in one of the most romantic movies of the decade, Ryan was cast with the beautiful Rachel McAdams in 2004's "The Notebook." The two had undeniable chemistry on and off the big screen, with Gosling saying, "I mean, God bless 'The Notebook,' it introduced me to one of the great loves of my life. But, people do Rachel and me a disservice by assuming we were anything like the people in that movie. Rachel and my love story is a hell of a lot more romantic than that."

Dead Man's Bones

Of course Ryan Gosling fans know he can sing, from his days on "The All New Mickey Mouse Club," but the hottie also has his own band, Dead Man's Bones. In addition to his snazzy voice, Gosling also plays the piano and the jazz guitar. Dead Man's Bones released their first music video in Dec. 2008 for their song, "In the Room Where You Sleep." Watch!Dead Man's Bones-In The Room Where You Sleep (live video)Dead Man's Bones | Myspace Music Videos

Hey Girl...

Perhaps the funniest tribute to the actor is from a website called, F&%k Yeah! Ryan Gosling, which has photos of Ryan with silly captions that always begin with "Hey Girl." Gosling appeared on MTV promoting "Blue Valentine," and was said he had heard of F&%k Yeah! Ryan Gosling. The reporter handed him a few printouts from the site and asked him to read some of his favorite... see which ones crack him up!Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

The Best 'Harry Potter' Quotes

'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'

Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane): "You're a wizard, Harry." Harry (Daniel Radcliffe): "I'm a what?"

'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'

"It does not do to dwell on dreams, Harry, and forget to live." -- Prof. Dumbledore (Richard Harris)

'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'

Ron (Rupert Grint): [mimicking Hermione] "'It's Levi-OOOOH-sa not LevioSAR.' She's a nightmare, honestly. It's no wonder she hasn't got any friends!" [Hermione comes up from behind them and rushes past, in tears] Harry: "I think she heard you."

'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'

Sorting Hat: "Hmm, difficult. VERY difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes. And a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?" Harry: "Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin." Sorting Hat: "Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, there's no doubt about that. No?" Harry: "Please, please. Anything but Slytherin, anything but Slytherin." Sorting Hat: "Well if you're sure, better be... GRYFFINDOR!"

'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'

Lord Voldemort: "Harry Potter. We meet again." Harry: "Voldemort?" Lord Voldemort: "Yes. You see what I've become? See what I must do to survive? Live off another, a mere parasite! Unicorn blood can sustain me, but it cannot give me a body of my own. But there is something that can; something that, conveniently enough, lies in your pocket!"

'Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets'

Ron: "Why spiders? Why couldn't it be 'follow the butterflies'?"

'Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets'

Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh): "Ah... yes, well, that can sometimes happen. Um, but, uh, the point is, uh, you can no longer feel any pain. And, very clearly, the bones are not broken." Hagrid: "Broken? There's no bones left!" Gilderoy Lockhart: "Much more flexible, though."

'Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets'

Harry: "Not to be rude or anything, but this isn't a great time for me to have a house elf in my bedroom."

'Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets'

Hermione (Emma Watson): "He called me a mudblood." Hagrid: "He did not!" Harry: "What's a mudblood?" Hermione: "It means dirty blood. Mudblood's a really foul name for someone who's Muggle born. Someone with non-magic parents. Someone like me. It's not a term one usually hears in civilized conversation." Hagrid: "See the thing is, Harry, there's some wizards, like the Malfoy family, who think they're better than everyone else because they're what people call 'pure blood.'" Harry: "That's horrible!" Ron: [burps up another slug] "It's disgusting." Hagrid: "And it's codswallop to boot. 'Dirty blood.' Why, there isn't a wizard alive today that's not half-blood or less. More to the point, they've yet to think of a spell that our Hermione can't do. Come 'ere. Don't you think on it, Hermione. Don't you think on it for one minute."

'Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets'

Tom Marvolo Riddle (Christian Coulson): "How is it that a baby with no extraordinary magical talent was able to defeat the greatest wizard of all time? How did you escape with nothing but a scar, while Lord Voldemort's powers were destroyed?" Harry: "Why do you care how I escaped? Voldemort was after your time!" Tom Marvolo Riddle: "Voldemort is my past, present, and future."

'Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban"

Shrunken Head: [while the Knight Bus is compressing itself to squeeze between two buses] "Why the long faces?"

'Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban"

Harry: "Professor, why do the Dementors affect me so? More than anyone else, I mean?" Professor Lupin (David Thewlis): "Listen, Dementors are among the foulest creatures to walk this earth. They feed on every good feeling, every happy memory until a person is left with nothing but his worst experiences. The Dementors affect you more than others because there are true horrors in your past, horrors your classmates can scarcely imagine. You are not weak, Harry. You have nothing to be ashamed of." Harry: "I'm scared, Professor." Professor Lupin: "Well, I'd consider you a fool if you weren't."

'Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban"

Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton): "Ah, come to see the show?" Hermione: "You! You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!" [Hermione raises her wand at Malfoy. He backs against the wall, whimpering] Ron: "Hermione, no! He's not worth it." [Hermione lowers her wand and turns away. Malfoy starts laughing, she spins around and socks him in the nose] Malfoy: [running away] "Quick! Not a word to anyone! Understood?" Hermione: "That felt good." Ron: "Not good, brilliant!"

'Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban"

Harry: "'Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are proud to present the Marauder's Map.'" George Weasley (Oliver Phelps): "We owe them so much. Harry: Hang on. This is Hogwarts. And that... No. Is that really...? Fred Weasley (James Phelps): "Dumbledore." George Weasley: "In his study." Fred Weasley: "Pacing." George Weasley: "Does that a lot." Harry: "So you mean this map shows...?" Fred Weasley: "Everyone." Harry: "Everyone?" George Weasley: "Everyone." Fred Weasley: "Where they are." George Weasley: "What they're doing." Fred Weasley: "Every minute." George Weasley: "Of every day." Harry: "Brilliant! Where'd you get it?" Fred Weasley: "Nicked it from Filch's office, of course, first year." George Weasley: "Now, listen. There are seven secret passageways out of the castle. We'd recommend..." George Weasley, Fred Weasley: "This one." Fred Weasley: "The One-Eyed Witch passageway." George Weasley: "It'll lead you straight to Honeyduke's cellar." Fred Weasley: "We best hurry. Filch is heading this way." George Weasley: "Oh, and Harry, don't forget. When you're done, just give it a tap and say..." George Weasley, Fred Weasley: "'Mischief Managed." Otherwise anyone can read it.'"

'Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban"

Harry: "Professor Trelawney?" Professor Trelawney (Emma Thompson): [in a deep, raspy voice] He will return tonight! He who betrayed his friends-whose heart rots with murder! Innocent blood shall be shed and servant and master shall be reunited once moooooooore! [coughs] Professor Trelawney: "Oh, I'm sorry, dear. Did you say something?"

'Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban"

Sirius Black (Gary Oldman): "I expect you're tired of hearing this, but you look so like your father. Except your eyes. You have..." Harry: "My mother's eyes." Sirius Black: "It's cruel that I got to spend so much time with James and Lily, and you so little. But know this; the ones that love us never really leave us. And you can always find them in here." [puts his hand to Harry's heart]

'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'

Ron: [discussing inviting dates to the Yule Ball] "This is mad! At this rate, we'll be the only ones in our year without dates! Well, us and Neville." Harry: "Yeah, but then again he could take himself." Hermione: "It might interest you to know that Neville's already got someone." Ron: "What? Now I'm really depressed. Oi, Hermione... you're a girl." Hermione: "Very well spotted." Ron: "Come with one of us! It's one thing for a bloke to show up alone, but for a girl it's just sad." Hermione: [angrily] "I won't be going alone, because believe it or not, someone's asked me! And I said yes!" [She stomps off] Ron: "Bloody hell. She's lying, right?" Harry: "If you say so."

'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'

Prof. Dumbledore (Michael Gambon): "The Goblet of Fire! Anyone wishing to submit themselves to the tournament need only write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly! If chosen, there's no turning back. As from this moment, the Triwizard Tournament has begun!"

'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'

Professor Moody (Brendan Gleeson): "Alastor Moody. Ex-Auror, Ministry malcontent, and your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I am here because Dumbledore asked me. End of story, goodbye, the end! Any questions? When it comes to the Dark Arts I believe in a practical approach. But first, which of you can tell me how many Unforgivable Curses there are?" Hermione: "Three, sir." Professor Moody: "And they are so named?" Hermione: "Because they are unforgivable. The use of any one of them will..." Professor Moody: "Earn you a one-way ticket to Azkaban. Correct. The Ministry says you are too young to see what these curses do. I say different! You need to know what you're up against. You need to be prepared..."

'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'

Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson): "I realize I never really thanked you properly for tipping me off about those dragons." Harry: "Forget about it. I'm sure you would've done the same for me." Cedric Diggory: "Exactly. You know the Prefects' bathroom on the fifth floor? It's not a bad place for a bath. Just take your egg and... mull things over in the hot water."

'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'

Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes): "Harry! I'd almost forgotten you were here, standing on the bones of my father. I'd introduce you, but rumor has it you're almost as famous as me these days... Astounding what a few drops of your blood will do, eh, Harry?"

'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'

Prof. Dumbledore: "No spell can reawaken the dead, Harry. I trust you know that. Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy."

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'

Hermione: "He really is out there, isn't he? We've got to be able to defend ourselves. And if Umbridge refuses to teach us how, we need someone who will."

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'

Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton): "As I told you, Mr. Potter, naughty children deserve to be punished."

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'

Harry Potter: [sees that Luna is barefoot] "Aren't your feet cold?" Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch): "A bit. But all my shoes have mysteriously disappeared. I suspect the Nargles are behind it."

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'

Harry: "This connection between me and Voldemort... what if the reason for it is that I am becoming more like him? I just feel so angry, all the time. What if after everything that I've been through, something's gone wrong inside me? What if I'm becoming bad?" Sirius Black: "I want you to listen to me very carefully, Harry. You're not a bad person. You're a very good person, who bad things have happened to. Besides, the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters. We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are."

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'

Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs): "Haven't you always wondered what was the reason for the connection between you and the Dark Lord. Why he was unable to kill you when you were just an infant. Don't you want to know the secret, of your scar. All of the answers are there, Potter, in your hand. All you have to do is give it to me, I can show you everything." [The Death Eaters close in] Harry: "I've waited fourteen years..." Lucius Malfoy: "I know." Harry Potter: "Think I can wait a little longer. NOW!" Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) and Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis): "STUPEFY!"

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'

Lord Voldemort: [possessing Harry and speaking to Dumblebore] "You've lost, old man."Harry: [breaking through] "You're the weak one. And you'll never know love, or friendship. And I feel sorry for you."

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Hermione: "Hey! She's only interested in you because she thinks you're the Chosen One."Harry: "But I am the Chosen One."[Hermione smacks him on the head with the newspaper]Harry: "Sorry... kidding!"

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Young Tom Riddle (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin): "I can make things move without touching them. I can make animals do what I want without training them. I can make bad things happen to people who are mean to me. I can make them hurt, if I want... Who are you?" Prof. Dumbledore: "Well, I'm like you, Tom. I'm different."Tom: "Prove it." [Dumbledore turns and looks at the wardrobe, which bursts into flames. Something rattles on the inside.]

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Harry: "Did you know, sir? Then?" Prof. Dumbledore: "Did I know that I just met the most dangerous dark wizard of all time? No."

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Prof. McGonagall (Maggie Smith): "Why is it, that whenever anything happens, it's always you three?"Ron: "Believe me, Professor. I've been asking myself that same question for the past six years."

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Prof. Dumbledore: [after Harry confusedly finishes viewing a memory from Dumbledore's pensieve] "Confused? I'd be surprised if you weren't." Harry: "Well, I don't understand. What happened?" Prof. Dumbledore: "This is perhaps the most important memory I've collected. It is also a lie. This memory has been tampered with by the same person whose memory it is, our old friend, Professor Slughorn." Harry: "But why would he tamper with his own memory?" Prof. Dumbledore: "I suspect he's ashamed of it." Harry: "Why?" Prof. Dumbledore: "Why, indeed? I asked you to get to know Professor Slughorn, and you have done so. Now I want you to persuade him to divulge his true memory any way you can." Harry: "I don't know him that well, sir." Prof. Dumbledore: "This memory is everything. Without it, we are blind. Without it, we leave the fate of our world to chance. You have no choice. You must not fail."

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Hermione: [after she sees Ron accepting an embarrassing necklace from Lavender] "Excuse me, I have to go vomit."

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Prof. Dumbledore: "Draco, please let me help you!" Draco: "[crying] I don't need your help! I have to do this! I have to kill you... or he's gonna kill me!"

The Top 5 Women of Comedy 2011

Melissa McCarthy

Entertainment Weekly dubbed this funny lady the Queen of Comedy - and it pretty much fits the bill! McCarthy made a huge splash this year in the film "Bridesmaids," starring as a lusty bridesmaid, and hosting one of the most watched "Saturday Night Live" shows of the season. Then, as icing on the cake, she won the Lead Actress in a Comedy Emmy for her nuanced turn on the sitcom "Mike & Molly." Best Quote: "I fell off a cruise ship. Yeah, oh, shit. Took a hard hard violent fall, kinda pin-balled down hit a lot of railings, broke a lot of shit. I'm not gonna say i survived I'm gonna say I thrived. I met a dolphin down there and I swear to God that dolphin, looked not at me, but into my soul, looked into my G**damn soul." - Megan in "Bridesmaids."

Zooey Deschanel

Mostly known as an indie film darling, starring in gems such as "500 Days of Summer," Zooey decided to branch out this year into television - and to smashing success. As FOX's "New Girl," Deschanel continues to delight as Jess, living with three guys and infusing her adorkableness into the proceedings. Best Quote: Schmidt (Max Greenfield): "I'll be, like, your guide." Jessica Day: "Like Gandolf... through Middle Earth?" Schmidt: "Probably not like... okay... first off let's take the 'Lord of the Rings' references and put them in a deep, dark cave where no one's going to find them." Jessica Day: "Except Smeagol... [whispers] He lives in a cave."

Kristen Wiig

We already know how excruciatingly funny Wiig can be on "Saturday Night Live" and in films like "Knocked Up" and "MacGruber," but in 2011 Kristen really showed her comic mettle - and how well she could carry a film — as the beleaguered maid of honor in "Bridesmaids," which she also co-wrote. Best Quote: Annie: "What kind of a name is 'Stove' anyway? What, are you like a kitchen appliance or something?" Flight Attendant: "No. My name is Steve and I'm a man." Annie: "You are a flight attendant."

Tina Fey

Although she's has taken a break this fall with "30 Rock," after having her second child, Fey still managed to make us laugh with her bestselling autobiographical book "Bossypants." Oh, and she still kills it when she impersonates Sarah Palin. Liz Lemon and "30 Rock" returns early 2012 - and we can't wait. Best Quote: Liz Lemon: "Look, Jack, I don't have a lot of personal life experience, but if I have learned anything from my Sims family... when a child doesn't see his father enough, he starts to jump up and down, and then his mood level will drop until he pees himself." Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin): "Why don't I have any other friends?"

Amy Poehler

As another "SNL" alum, Poehler really found her comic niche this year as Pawnee, Indiana's biggest champion, Leslie Knope, in the hit NBC show "Parks and Recreation." She also pretty much stole the 2011 Primetime Emmys show when she orchestrated all of the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series nominees to come up on stage, ala a beauty pageant, before the winner was announced. Hysterical. Best Quote: "Every great work of art contains a message, and the message of this painting is, "Get out of my way unless you want an arrow in your ass." - Leslie Knope in "Parks and Recreation" Honorable Mentions: Emma Stone — "Crazy, Stupid Love" and "The Help" Whitney Cumming — NBC's "Whitney" Martha Plimpton — FOX's "Raising Hope" Laura Linney — Showtime's "The Big C" Kat Dennings — CBS' "2 Broke Girls"

The Best of 'Modern Family'

Gloria (Sofia Vergara)

"I thought one of the advantages of marrying an older guy would be that I would get to relax. But with the swimming and running and rowing... it's how some of my relatives came to this country."

Jay (Ed O'Neill)

"Back in '68, when I was sweeping up hair in that barbershop, I had this mental picture of the family that, if I was lucky enough, I would end up with. Perfect wife, perfect kids... Well guess what? I didn't get any of that. I wound up with this sorry bunch. And I'm thankful for that every day. Well, most days."

Claire (Julie Bowen)

"You know how growing up we all had that voice inside our head that tells us we're not good enough? Well, mine was outside my head driving me to school."

Phil (Ty Burrell)

"I am brave. Roller coasters? Love 'em. Scary movies? I've seen Ghostbusters like 7 times. I regularly drive through neighborhoods that have only recently been gentrified. So yeah I am pretty much not afraid of anything. Except clowns. Never shared that with the 'fam, so shhh! I do have an image to maintain. I am not really sure where the fear comes from, my mother says it's cause when I was a kid I found a dead clown in the woods. But who knows?"

Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson)

"When I was twelve my father walked in on me doing the most embarrassing thing a boy can do: dancing to Madonna's 'Lucky Star.'"

Cameron (Eric Stonestreet)

"I've got a daughter who bites and a partner who stings."

Manny (Rico Rodriguez)

Manny Delgado: "Alex, do you realize that in two years we'll be graduating?" Luke Dunphy: "Quiet, Manny. I think I'm moving the ball with my mind." Manny Delgado: "Well, I'll be graduating."

Luke (Nolan Gould)

Luke Dunphy: "Did you know that more people die hiking than in the entire Civil War?"Alex Dunphy: "What book did you read that from again?" Luke Dunphy: "Book? It's called the Internet, grandma."

Haley (Sarah Hyland)

"You know what? Give your stupid little speech. Be an outcast. But you're only doing it to yourself. Because you're smart, pretty, and sorta funny in a way that I don't really get but other people seem to enjoy. You can either start fresh next year, or be the freak that flipped off her class."

Alex (Ariel Winter)

[on her sister having a better than expected SAT score but declaring she didn't want to college anyway] "We took the scenic route, but we still ended up the same place."

Jay

"Manny thinks his dad is like Superman. The truth, he's a total flake. In fact, the only way he's like Superman is that they both landed in this country illegally."

Gloria

Gloria Delgado-Pritchett: "I didn't come here to steal your thunder. Your thunder is your thunder and my thunder is my thunder." Claire Dunphy: "I know, it's just that God gave you so much thunder."

Claire

"I don't want you to judge me, but I have to say something. Sometimes, I wanna punch my kids. The last time they were horrible the way they were today, they happened to be all lined up... and I couldn't help but think if I hit just one of 'em... the rest would go down like dominoes."

Phil

"In nature, fathers are known to eat their young. Is it because they're delicious? No. It's because they want to give their female... bear, giraffe, what have you... the honeymoon they never had. Just to be clear: I don't condone eating your kids, although I sure as heck know why giraffes do it."

Mitchell

"I don't care what they say, kale is a good garnish, I don't think it's ready to anchor a meal."

Cameron

"I like meeting new people. We still keep in touch with some of the people we've met. Like Elunga, this man we met while in safari in Tanzania. We send him some of our old T-shirts. He was a nice man when we met him, but from his latest pictures we suspect he's become a warlord."

Manny

Manny Delgado: "I'm kind of wrestling with this whole older man/younger woman thing. It's like Chloe and I grew up in different worlds. Today, I made a joke about the Wiggles. It went right over her head." Jay Pritchett: "I don't know what that is." Manny Delgado: "It's an expression. It means she didn't get it."

Luke

"Leave it to me. I'll just do some creative editing. Just give me two hours, then another hour. Someone get me a chocolate milk, with extra salt."

Haley

Haley Dunphy: "I'm so bored, I'd rather be reading." Alex Dunphy: "I'm so bored, I chewed the last bug that flew into my mouth just to feel something." Haley Dunphy: "I'm so bored, I'm talking to you."

Alex

Alex Dunphy: "Why am I in a cage?" Claire Dunphy: "Because you're in a house of horrors. You are being held against your will." Alex Dunphy: "I know, so why am I in a cage?"