Finding 2011

Image via WikipediaAs we look back on the past year, we found that . . .

• getting fired from a top-rated sitcom because of your wild and crazy antics involving drugs and women isn't exactly "winning!".  His replacement is finding that out, too.
• winning a few football games at the last minute doesn't mean you're the Second Coming of anything.
• covering up for someone who's been accused of child molestation can be hazardous to your career.  Even if you're an "untouchable" legendary football coach.
• with all the singing talent shows on TV, there's "American Idol", and then there's everybody else.
• daytime TV is adjusting to life without Regis Philbin, Oprah Winfrey and "All My Children".
• superstar-laden basketball teams do not win NBA titles.
• Joe Mauer is not who we thought he was.
• the Twins and Vikings could fall so far, so fast.
• the Timberwolves are already there.
• the Wild briefly righted the ship before going on a long losing streak.
• the Vikings are closer to a new stadium than ever before, and yet are so far.
• we don't hear so much from Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco any more.
• major college conferences keep adding and subtracting while chasing those TV dollars.
• the Kardashian family's view of reality is a bit skewed.
• getting knocked senseless during a game is no longer a minor issue.
• the novelty has worn off at TCF Bank Stadium and at Target Field.
• when you name a TV channel after Oprah Winfrey, viewers expect to see more Oprah.  Not some lame reality show, or an old movie.
• Amy Winehouse moved into the ultimate rehab facility.
• war is not a video game.
• Tiger Woods no longer plays golf like he used to.
• the NBA and NFL nearly locked themselves out of business.
• Adele is this year's Queen of Pop, rolling in her misery for our entertainment.
• Who is Whitney Cummings, and why does she have two network sitcoms?
• "Beavis & Butt-head" is back on TV, and they haven't changed a bit.  OK, maybe the music videos have been replaced by "Jersey Shore" clips.  But still . . .
• Hope Solo and Abby Wambach become household names to folks other than soccer nerds.
• Lance Armstrong's feats may be made of clay.

Now let's go find 2012.