“The Biggest Loser” co-creator/executive producer Mark Koops will answer 20 reader questions here at Season Pass. Get your questions in soon if you want to be included.

Most folks’ New Year’s resolutions will include one or more of the following: Lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier. If you’ve ever watched “Biggest Loser,” you know that adhering to those principles can do wonders for your health and appearance.

We just finished watching the lovely Michelle (right) take the crown last season by losing 110 pounds. The next season, which starts Tuesday, features couples — parents and children, cousins, friends, siblings, marrieds and an engaged couple. It will include the heaviest-ever contestant and the oldest contestant to date.

Your questions for Mark can include anything about past seasons, the upcoming season, casting, challenges, contestants, etc.

Here are the rules:
1) Hit the comment button below and ask your question. We’re aiming to get the questions to Mark by Friday, Jan. 2.
2) You may ask more than one question but we are looking for quality, not quantity. Asking more will not guarantee that you'll get an answer. In the spirit of fairness, we try to give plenty of folks a chance.
3) Read through the other comments to make sure you’re not repeating something that’s already been asked.
4) The person who asks the question Mark likes best will win a prize, to be determined later.

Posted by Kathy Lyford

It's that annual time to reflect on what worked on TV over the past year… and what didn't. Here is my personal list.

BEST

"Mad Men"
This intricately woven tale of 1960s ad men's work and home lives captured the imagination of an obsessively loyal fanbase. It's also one of the few things Emmy got right, awarding the show its outstanding drama trophy. And creator Matthew Weiner has become one of our favorite people this year. See our Q&A here.

DirecTV's deal for "Friday Night Lights"
A shared window plan between the satellite provider and NBC bought the critical darling another season. Those lucky few who subscribe to DirecTV have had the privilege of enjoying a season that approaches the greatness of the show's epic first season.

"Big Bang Theory"
This comedy about socially awkward geniuses has emerged as a surprise hit this fall after garnering fair ratings in the strike shortened 07-08 season. Creatively the show's never been better, with the razor sharp ensemble now firing on all cylinders and auds propelling it to season high numbers week after week. See our Q&A with star Jim Parsons here.

"Desperate Housewives"
Fast forwarding the ladies' lives five years added a much needed jolt to the flagging drama. See our Q&A with creator Marc Cherry here.

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin
Priceless

"Privileged"
A sweet dramedy that's too smart for the CW's core audience. More people ought to be watching.

"Worst Week"
Consistently laugh-out-loud funny.

"Dexter"
Jimmy Smits proved a suitable friend, then foil, to our favorite sociopathic hero. See our Q&A with exec producer Clyde Phillips here.

“The Office”
Anyone who works in an office has got to appreciate this painfully accurate laffer.

“The Biggest Loser”
As reluctant as I am to include a reality show in any best of list, I have to admit, this one hits on every emotion.

"The Capture of The Green River Killer"
This Lifetime mini was an engrossing and emotional account of the 20+ years search for a serial killer with stellar performances from Tom Cavanaugh and Amy Davidson. It's too bad the broadcast nets have given up on movies and minis.

WORST

The Emmy Awards
An embarrassment to the television community. Everyone involved should be ashamed. If you've blocked out how truly awful it was, read my review from that night here.

"Do Not Disturb"
Auds mercifully checked out early from this dreadful Fox comedy.

"Grey's Anatomy"
This show has lost whatever charm it once had and now just feels desperate.

"Knight Rider"
A bad idea, executed horribly.

"Crusoe"
Unwatchable.

"ER's" final season
I've been a fan for most of this hospital drama's 15 seasons but this last gasp has been a slow painful death.

"Boston Legal"
Someone needs to explain to me how this ever attracted an audience. I've never been so happy to see a show end its run.

Those are mine. What are yours?

For more best of lists, visit TVGuide.com's list of best shows and best TV moments. TV.com weighs in here. Our pal Mo Ryan of the Chicago Tribune has her say here.

Did you see other lists that resonated with you?

— Kathy Lyford

Posted by Kathy Lyford

Here are the answers to your questions for “House” co-showrunner Katie Jacobs. She was pretty selective with the queries and answered the five that inspired her the most.

The show, about cranky diagnostician Dr. Gregory House and his co-workers and patients, has continued to rack up awards, most recently garnering is two Golden Globe nominations last week, for best drama series and lead actor Hugh Laurie, and two SAG nominations — for Laurie and the ensemble — just this morning.

Jacobs shares showrunner duties with David Shore — he runs the writers' room and she oversees the non-writing aspects of the show. She has also directed several episodes including “Half-Wit” with guest star Dave Matthews as well as the finale of both seasons three and four and this season's ninth episode — "Last Resort" — guest-starring Zeljko Ivanek, which aired Nov. 25.

Previously, Jacobs served as co-showrunner on ABC’s “Gideon’s Crossing,” starring the incomparable Andre Braugher, as well as CBS legal drama “Century City.” Before turning her focus to television, Jacobs produced several films, including Alan J. Pakula’s thriller “Consenting Adults” and the Carl Reiner comedy “Fatal Instinct.”

We'll start with the winning question. Diane will receive a DVD set of season four.

Q. How common is it for a non-writing producer to be a co-showrunner? It seems to make sense, since showrunning sounds like a huge job involving a lot of non-writing producing duties, but it doesn’t seem that common. Are you an anomaly? How do you split the duties with David Shore? — Diane
A. I feel like the show is best served by allowing David Shore and his writing staff as much writing time as possible. It is the voice of the show that makes it unique, the script and the words are king. Having said that, there are many other factors that contribute in making the show what it is. I spend most of my time casting, in post-production editing, selecting music, meeting with directors, writers, the network and actors… it’s a lot. But it’s an honor to run a show alongside David Shore.

“Mad Men” has definitely had an impact on my wardrobe. I've purchased several vintage dresses in the last couple of years and, more than ever, I lean toward 1960s-inspired new pieces as well.

But the show also makes me wistful for the furniture and tchotchkes from that era. Watching, or re-watching, an episode, often makes me yearn for a weekend trip to the flea market or prompts me to visit Ebay and do a search for “mid-century” items. In fact, I found a magnificent Danish Modern teak credenza on Ebay that now serves as my living room's entertainment center.

If you have ever felt that same twinge of nostalgia, you’ll enjoy this interview with “Mad Men’s” set decorator Amy Wells conducted by the publication Interior Design (owned by the same parent company that owns Variety).

Asked why viewers don’t see a lot of big-ticket mid-century pieces, Wells had this to say:

"I want to make 'Mad Men' look real, as if the people really have those pieces. It's important that they be imperfect, not iconic. A lot of people had Danish modern at the time because it was reasonably priced, and much of it still exists because it was so well made."

Check out the interview here and the accompanying slide show here.

Posted by Kathy Lyford

Photo: The Draper's bedroom

The Wall Street Journal has an entertaining feature today on one of Season Pass' favorite shows: CBS' "The Big Bang Theory."  If you missed my video Q&A with Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon, check it out here.

I'm really looking forward to Monday's episode (the last orignal one of the calendar year) after reading this description in the WSJ piece:

"In 'The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis,' the episode taped the week of Thanksgiving, the duo's neighbor Penny (Kaley Cuoco) proposes an exchange of Christmas gifts. Sheldon debunks the holiday he describes as 'the ancient pagan festival of Saturnalia,' and tries to shun her present, which will require from him 'a gift of commensurate value and representing the same perceived level of friendship,' he says. 'It's no wonder suicide rates skyrocket this time of year.' Sheldon is then forced into alien territory -- a bath and body store -- to shop for gift baskets with Spock-like logic."

Posted by Kathy Lyford

Posted by Kathy Lyford

Showtime's "Dexter" winds up its third season on Sunday.

Dexter's taken care of his little problem with his first real friend, Miguel Prado, who betrayed him. But he's left himself in a bit of jeopardy with Miguel's brother. How will he extricate himself from that? And will he go through with his pending nuptials with Rita, the mother of his unborn child? Meanwhile, will Dex and his colleagues at the Miami PD finally catch The Skinner? Tune in Sunday to Showtime and learn the answers to all these questions.

In the meantime, enjoy this chat with "Dexter" showrunner Clyde Phillips (left), who answers questions submitted by Season Pass readers. Clyde also created the '90s era comedies "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" and "Suddenly Susan" and worked as a writer and producer on one of the truly underappreciated series of recent years, "Boomtown."

I caught up with him via email while he was in Connecticut on hiatus from "Dexter," which recently earned a pickup for seasons 4 and 5. Also, this week, "Dexer"  garnered nominations from both the Writers Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America for best drama series to go along with the Golden Globe noms it received Thursday for best drama series and for star Michael C. Hall. We'd like to congratulate Clyde and the entire cast and crew on that well deserved recognition.

Enjoy the Q&A. We start with the question Clyde and I liked the best, asked by Matthew. He will receive a DVD set of season 2. (I'll contact you via email, Matthew.)

Q. One of the most unique characteristics of “Dexter” is that it contains a delicate mixture of dramatic tension and wonderfully dark comedic timing, two successful components due mostly in part to the inclusion of Dexter’s internal dialogue. As a fellow writer myself, I find the art of internal monologue and voiceover to be incredibly difficult, especially in a “show it, don’t  tell it” medium. What I would like to know is, do you find it  difficult to develop Dexter’s character through the use of internal dialogue, seeing as how it is commonly regarded as a storytelling crutch? — Matthew
A. The whole issue of doing a “voiceover” show is interesting. Personally, I’ve done quite a few, but nothing like “Dexter.” Here’s the thing: Dexter, because of who he is, has no one to talk to, no one to share his truths… except you, the audience. We feel that one of the reasons the show connects with the viewers to the extent it does is because the audience has become his collective confidante. There’s a reaching across invisible lines, a peek into Dexter’s innermost process that only the audience is privy to. In other shows voiceover can certainly be a storytelling crutch. But we believe, when used judiciously, it can enhance a relationship between the audience and the character that otherwise would not be possible.

Season Pass' next Q&A is with "Dexter" showrunner Clyde Phillips. We are accepting questions now.

I discovered "Dexter" during the interminable WGA strike, when CBS aired less-graphic versions of sister net Showtime's serial killer drama. I was immediately drawn in to the tale of Dexter Morgan, a  Miami PD blood spatter pattern analyst, who moonlights as a serial killer. Phillips exec produces the show, based on Jeff Lindsay's novel "Darkly Dreaming Dexter."

Dexter, who struggles with social interactions that others find routine, lives by a strict "code" — he only murders those whom he believes have escaped justice. Michael C. Hall's deft performance as the lead, inspires an unexpected sympathy for the character. Auds are let into the anti-hero's inner thoughts through use of voiceover.

In this, the third season, Dexter has let D.A. Miguel Prado, played by Jimmy Smits, into his life and in on his secret and has even taught him some of his "skills."The third season wraps up Dec. 14 and auds are still waiting to see how Dexter resolves his problems with Miguel. (Hall and Smits are pictured at right.)

We'll time the posting of the answers for the Monday following the finale. Ask anything you'd like about the inner workings of the show, the characters, things we've already seen this season, Clyde's background, the writing process, plot points from previous seasons, etc.

Here are the rules for the Q&A:

1) Hit the comment button below and ask your question. You have until Tuesday, Dec. 9 at midnight.
2) You may ask more than one question but we are looking for quality, not quantity. Asking more will not guarantee that you'll get an answer. In the spirit of fairness, we try to give plenty of folks a chance.
3) Read through the other comments to make sure you're not repeating something that's already been asked.
4) Questions about next season's plot are not allowed. And keep in mind that by the time you read the answers that this season's finale will have already aired. So please don't ask specific questions about the last two episodes.
5) I'll email the very best questions to Phillips (pictured left) and he'll answer the 10 he likes best.
6) The person who asks the question Clyde likes best will win a DVD set of Season 2.

Have fun and be clever!

Posted by Kathy Lyford