Best & Worst 2008: Reasons to fear 2009

‘American Idol’ changes

OK, we admit it; we fear change. And nowhere in 2009 will change be so pronounced as on the “American Idol” judging panel. Who is this new Kara DioGuardi and what business does she have sitting among those legends of “Idol” lore -- Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul? What if she upsets that delicate balance of bickering and compromise? What if she takes up time that could have gone to crazy-Paula moments? Or Simon versus Ryan Seacrest jabs? I mean, we only have four hours of “Idol” a week! Can we really afford to spend valuable minutes on an untested panelist? Scary, scary stuff.  (Jason DeCrow / Associated Press)

SAG strike

The possibility of an upcoming Screen Actors Guild strike is problematic for a number of reasons. One, people will be out of work during a very difficult economic time. Two, we don’t like re-runs. Three, it gets really tiresome reporting on strikes. So, for the good of the makeup artists and set decorators, (not to mention the viewers and the reporters), here’s to hoping SAG and the major studios can reach an agreement soon and to bypassing the strike altogether.  (Hector Mata / Associated Press)

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt‘s growing brood

With six babies running around their mansion, one would think Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie would consider taking a breather from baby-making. But according to Jolie, the couple has no intentions on halting production on their growing brood. “Oh, no,” Jolie told the New York Times in October. “I mean, I know we seem crazy, just bringing them in one after the other, but we do plan. We make sure one is absorbed completely into the family before we add another.” OK, but just remember how stressed out Tom Baker was in “Cheaper by the Dozen.”  (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

U2

And so it’s begun. U2’S next album, “No Line on the Horizon,” is still months away, but news updates on it are coming almost daily. Expect the hype to only ramp-up as the March 3 release date approaches. But it’s not the constant updates of Bono’s thoughts on such-and-such issue that have us worried, it’s early reports that the band collaborated with the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am. We’re already feeling nostalgic for the giant lemon.  (Peter Morrison / Associated Press)

Kanye West & puppets?

Admittedly, we don’t know how to feel about the news that superstar Kanye West is developing a puppet pilot for Comedy Central. We love puppets, and we like Kanye, more often than not, at least. But after the artist experimented with his recently-released “808s and Heartbreak,” we’re more interested in seeing and hearing what Kanye can develop musically, and less inclined to see him try to conquer all of mass media.   (Mark Davis / Associated Press)