2007 Best & Worst: TV moments

'Ugly Betty'

ABC

By Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Television started out strong in 2007. Ugly Betty and 30 Rock still felt new. Heroes was kicking butt and showing people what the next level of serialized dramas looked like. American Idol continued its march toward world domination, and we all had those seven final episodes of The Sopranos to look forward to. But then things started to turn. The new fall shows, some of which sounded promising, almost exclusively fell flat. The writers struck just as the presidential campaign was heating up, leaving us sans Letterman, Leno, Conan -- and more importantly, Colbert and Stewart -- just when we need them most. Depending on how long this writers strike lasts, it could be a long, cold, dreary winter of reality shows in the start of 2008. But were getting ahead of ourselves. Heres a look back at some of the best and worst TV moments of 2007.

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'American Idol'

Frank Micelotta / Fox / Getty Images

'American Idol' highlights The highest-rated show of 2007 provided us with many of the years most memorable television moments. Among our favorites: young and awkward Ashley Ferl crying uncontrollably whenever Sanjaya hit the stage; the epic Idol Gives Back episode featuring Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrests trip to Africa; and Sanjayas rendition of No Doubts Bathwater with that weird rubber-band mohawk.

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