James Hibberd

’Tis the season for reporters churning out retrospectives before they leave on vacation. So in this proud tradition of wanton end-of-year recycling, here’s a look back at the first six months of “Rated.”

• Cult TV luminaries: Ron Moore on the battle over “Battlestar Galactica” … A Q&A with Joss Whedon about Fox’s upcoming “Dollhouse” … Carol Barbee on the upcoming second season of CBS’ “Jericho.”
• Why January’s press tour will be sorely missed: The critics grill Fox’s Kevin Reilly … and NBC’s Ben Silverman … and ABC’s Steve McPherson … and “Bionic Woman” producers … the hotel lobby throwdown … and let’s toss in that unconscious “Life Is Wild” lion.
• Writers strike musings: “Heroes” and the strike … WGA vs. AMPTP: giving peace a chance … The blog strikes the strike.
• About town: Dining in Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen” … An awkward lunch: HRTS presents the network chiefs … A report from Fox’s eco party.

Also:

• Most oft-linked post: “Babylon Fields,” CBS’ buried zombie necrophilia pilot unearthed. Few journalists are so fortunate in their careers as to have a valid excuse to write a zombie sex story, let alone to also have video clips.
• Most reader comments: Sally Field speaks out. Emmy Awards + celebrity Iraq War protest + DrudgeReport = a flash mob of opinions.
• Most pestering comments: Any “Kid Nation” post. I’m sincerely sorry, Caylee, Ashley, Hannah, et al., I cannot get you cast on the next season of “Kid Nation.” Please stop asking.
• Most enthusiastic comments: ABC’s New “Lost” Trailer. A dispiriting reminder that TV industry reportage never excites readers as much as the shows themselves.



• Most coincidental ultimatum: HD DVD: Fight or Quit—which urged Toshiba to make a major headline soon or it’s going to lose the high-def DVD war. A few weeks later, Toshiba pulled Paramount into its camp.
• Worst prediction: That lack of positive buzz for ABC’s “Private Practice” would hurt its ratings (salvaged only slightly by correctly suggesting that “Bionic” would premiere to stronger numbers).
• Harshest post: Court TV changes its name to truTV. Was a bit mean (especially to Dean Koontz).
• Most echoed observation: The similarities between The CW’s “Reaper” and NBC’s “Chuck”
• Least echoed observation: In defense of ABC’s ‘Cavemen’