Lauren Incognito

Fans are conflicted to see smokin Alexandra Hedison return to the L Word, but Rachel Shelly kept her cool. Holland Taylor will reprise her role as Helena's Mum. The Real Housewives of Orange County take time off from boozing and shopping to utter a slur. Plus, Katelynn of The Real World: Brooklyn finds some tolerance at the bar. 

American Idol's back and Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi are at turns playing fauxmosexuals. Jorja Fox returns to CSI, Jessica Capshaw gives Grey's Anatomy a much-needed personality injection, Patricia Arquette's back in Medium. Plus, the L Word teases with Lucy Lawless but spares us Kate Moennig's Shane's premiere episode sexcapades.

'To everything turn, turn..." This is the season for endings and beginnings including the final seasons of Lesbo faves The L Word and Battlestar Gallactica. So say goodbye to Katee Sackhoff, Jennifer Beals, Mia Kirshner and the L Word gang. But not to Leisha Hailey, who's Alice lands in the slammer in a spin-off.

It's the new year, so get ready for Eliza Dushku as a real doll in Dollhouse and Toni Collette on U.S. of Tara. Holiday re-run season is a good time to discover a few shows in their last gasps inlcuding Brooke Shields in Lipstick Jungle and Natasha Henstridge on Eli Stone. Plus, kudos to Kaley Cuoco big brain on Big Bang Theory.

From Jennifer Beal's  Bette and Laurel Holloman's Tina's hot make out session at She Bar to Barbara Walter's interview with Thomas Beatie, Wanda Sykes, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, television has its share of defining moments.

From Barack Obama's historic election to his pick of Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation, from the housing crisis to Prop. 8. From Britney Spears' comeback to Tina Fey's Palin and Grey's Anatomy's axed lesbian storyline to Brangelina's continuous philanthropy, 2008 was a year for plenty of ups and downs...Here's a look...