Best Kiss – Nick and Jess, New Girl

Of course Nick has thought about kissing Jess. He’s probably spent the last two years on and off thinking about it and cycling through self-loathing and reasons why not to … why it was never the right time, what the right time would be … and so to see him kiss Jess wasn’t just good because it was a great kiss (and it was a great kiss), but because we finally got to see Nick get over himself enough to make that move he’s been waiting to make for a long time. And Nick’s move was perfectly timed and placed; wait longer and it becomes unbelievable that Nick and Jess wouldn’t have hooked up sometime, or that when they did Jess wouldn’t cite their friendship as a reason not to continue. Do it earlier and there isn’t enough of a friendship foundation to make them hooking up high stakes. But have them kiss now, two years in, and the timing is just right.

Also, it was a really great kiss. Have I mentioned that yet?

Best Meta – Raising Hope, “Modern Wedding”
So here’s the thing – I hate Modern Family. I don’t understand the appeal. It’s bland fare that’s been overdone a million times and employs some truly lazy writing. I am so tired of it winning awards that should rightfully go to other, more deserving and innovative shows. And so anything that makes fun of Modern Family is immediately going to be, in my book, superlative. But what was so great about “Modern Wedding” wasn’t just the lampooning of Modern Family, but the fact that it effortlessly displayed what the show is missing: an element of surprise, a sense of tongue-in-cheek self-awareness and heart.

The gauntlet has been thrown, Modern Family. Top that if you dare.

Most in Need of a Steady Job – Wilmer Valderama
Has anyone else noticed he plays basically the same character in both Suburgatory and Raising Hope? Maybe it’s time he got a new gig.

Biggest Tearjerker – 30 Rock, “Hogcock!/Last Lunch”
I can’t discuss this coherently, but let’s just say this finale was everything I hoped for and more. I loved every minute of it, cheered every bit of character resolution, adored Jane Krakowski‘s work more than ever before (where is her Emmy???), sobbed at every goodbye (Hot bowl of bear meat! And did you know Tina Fey hand-wrote Liz’s goodbye to Tracy? Nope, too many emotions. Shutting it down), and adored every last second of it. It was perfect and I will miss this show more than words can express.

Goodbye, 30 Rock, you really went to there.

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Season three was a season of revelations. Maybe they weren’t earth-shattering, but they were memorable to the show’s many loyal viewers. Who could forget Claire hitting the dusty campaign trail in her quest for a stop sign? As a woman who’s used to winning and stopping at nothing to over-achieve, Claire learned that sometimes you just have to accept defeat graciously. Maybe your favorite moment was the “Vote for Claire Mobile” driven around town by Cam and Mitchell, or Claire’s interview with reporters while she was missing a tooth? Or perhaps you found it hilarious when Lily dropped the “f-bomb” during the hideous Lite-Brite wedding?

Who could forget the first appearance of Betty Luke? Besides seeing what his sisters do to him to pass the time, we learned more about what makes the youngest member of the family tick with more insight into Luke’s world this season. He accepted the loss of his elderly neighbor/friend Walt in an unconventional way, he lied to his entire school to make everyone think he was a hero, and we found out he’s a prime candidate for that series about hoarding. Who knew so much was going on behind those mischievous eyes?

Not only did Cam turn the big 4-0 (or 1-0 in Leap Years), but we also glimpsed a colorful part of his past, as we learned about his days in the prominent clown duo known as Fizbo & Lewis. It takes a big man with an even bigger heart to hang up his oversized clown pants, rubber shoes and his moment in the seltzer light to begin a family with the man they love. Maybe your favorite moment was the clown funeral.

Season three also made me ponder just who is the better father figure in this extended family: Phil or Jay? I will always adore Phil Dunphy more than I can say, especially since the episode in which he wrote his daughter’s initials on the diner’s moon, but he really had a tough time being a father this season. It just about broke my heart to watch him realize his eldest daughter is no longer a virgin and will soon be leaving for college.

While I’ve always known how wonderful Phil is, the Disneyland episode taught me that Jay may have a gruff exterior, but he’s really a big teddy bear on the inside, and a wonderful father to boot. Not only was he a self-sacrificing father for Mitchell and Claire all these years, but he’s also shaping up to be a pretty terrific father for Manny. Maybe the family’s memorable trip to Disneyland was your favorite.

But without a doubt, the biggest revelation of all this season was Gloria’s, that she was pregnant in the season finale. I can’t wait to relive all the tender moments and hilarious antics from season three that have helped define the Dunphy-Pritchett clan and have made them a family I’ve quickly developed a soft spot in my heart for over the past three years.

So, if you’re eagerly awaiting the Season Four premiere on September 26 and are looking to relive the best Season Three had to offer, leave a comment and enter our DVD giveaway. We’ll pick two commenters at random who will be alerted after the giveaway ends on Tuesday, September 25th at Midnight ET (make sure your spam filters aren’t blocking mail from @cliqueclack.com!). Only one entry per person will be considered and you must have a valid U.S.-based mailing address. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents of 18 years of age or older only. Not following these guidelines voids your entry. Good luck!

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