Madge, Newt and Moana are amongst our best - and worst - personal highlights of the year.
BEST: Ab Fab, darling
For me, 2016 will be remembered as the year my childhood dreams came true.
Admittedly, it wasn't a career highlight - I rambled, shook and made little sense. But sitting down with Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley really was everything I'd ever hoped it would be.
They were gracious, engaging and deliciously droll. Sure, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie didn't bring the LOLs quite like it could have. But any excuse to revisit these ladies and their fabulous legacy (which you can binge, in full, on Netflix) is fine by me.
WORST: Madge expressed herself too much...
By contrast, Madonna managed to erase any fond memories I once had of her following her bizarre, rambling performance at Vector Arena in March - her first-ever appearance in NZ.
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Arriving in Auckland in the midst of a bitter custody battle over her son Rocco, Madonna broke down in tears, before performing a sex act on a banana, pashing a fan and falling over.
It was... perplexing.
BEST: Moana inspires
It came late in the game but Moana is by far my highlight of this year.
Growing up, our Polynesian representation in pop culture didn't extend too far beyond Once Were Warriors.
Now there's a strong, independent, witty, beautiful Disney princess showcasing the cultures of the Pacific and showing Maori and Pacific youth that not only is it okay to dream, but it's possible to achieve. Even when the odds seem stacked against you.
And besides all that, it's a beautifully animated film with a killer soundtrack and tonnes of Kiwi talent to its name.
What's not to love?
WORST: Real Housewives real controversies
Don't get me wrong, Real Housewives was well made and I did enjoy it (despite myself).
But two moments in the show were huge low-lights: Julia calling Michelle the n-word and the ridiculous blowout over Angela being called "plus-size".
Both incidents revealed a slew of Kiwi fans who didn't seem to have a problem with using racist slurs or body-shaming and even worse, the Housewives seemed more than willing to put up with it all for a bit of exposure and fame - and New Zealand gave it to them.
Now we just have to wait and see if we'll get a second season of madness in return.
BEST: Big Baby D.R.A.M got me $miling
No matter how depressing 2016 got, and at points it got super dark, there was one man with one song, and one gigantic smile who was there to pick you up.
Thank you, Big Baby D.R.A.M., for crafting Cash Machine, the most infectious slice of celebratory pop-rap since DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's breezy 1991 classic Summertime.
(Warning: contains explicit language that may offend)
Forget hook of the summer. "I ain't talking to you broke b***** / I got money now!" is the biggest hook we'll hear this decade.
Scream it, as loud as possible, every single time.
WORST: Father turns to the dark side
I hyped it up for weeks. We'd worked out what snacks we were getting. He'd told all his friends at school.
Then I read the reviews. "Darker than Empire Strikes Back," said one. "Band of Brothers set in a Star Wars universe," said another. The Darth Vader massacre scene was the kicker. He couldn't go.
Telling my 6-year-old son he couldn't see Rogue One was heartbreaking for both of us.
I don't blame him for his hour-long tantrum. I wanted to chuck my toys too.
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BEST: All Things Netflix
With so many movies and shows disappointing in 2016, Netflix and my 200-strong watch list was an endless comfort this year.
All those people who complain we don't have enough content haven't experienced the endless joy of Bojack Horseman, Peep Show, Lady Dynamite and the dozens of comedies that would've got anyone through this hellish, depressing year.
WORST: Harry Potter and the Decline of the Franchise
I love Harry Potter. I will never stop loving the books. And it is because of that love that I hated everything the franchise did this year.
Fantastic Beasts was extremely flawed, but it was a work of art after the atrocious and pointless play Cursed Child.
I've been told that it looks amazing on stage, but you can polish a turd as much as you want, it's still a turd - even if it is a magical one.
BEST: The Cure were just like heaven
Seeing the Cure live is like being sent on a spidery-haired acid trip. You experience the full range of emotions, from bleak existential despair, to joyous frivolity, to burn-the-world anger, to playful glee all within the space of a few songs.
And, because they tour so irregularly you often can't believe your eyes that yes, that's really them, playing right there in front of you.
The set list for their recent three hour Auckland show - which was not nearly long enough by the way - was inspired, with a celebratory vibe.
Not only the best gig of the year, but damn near the best gig I've ever been to.
WORST: Don't RSVP to the Sausage Party
I can see how the famous stoner Seth Rogen and his famous stoner pals thought a film about the secret life of food was a hilarious idea.
But the outdated gags and lame bro-humour of Sausage Party, an R-rated animated comedy, just completely failed to sizzle.
Worst. Party. Ever.
OPINION: The syllabus covers everything from marketing choices to the singer's fandom.