The Ephemeric

Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme. It's The Debbie Awards, special end of decade super deluxe edition. Let's go.

As another year goes by it is worth taking a moment to consider the state of things. Despite the prevailing theory that we are going through an era of decline, darkness and regression, the facts make it pretty clear that there has never been a better time to be alive. We're living longer and healthier lives, poverty and hunger is on the decline globally, and for all the absurdity and chaos of the moment there is still ample reason for optimism.

As always, The Debbies serve as a record of all that is good and noteworthy. Artistic endeavours, technological accomplishment, the pulse of business and politics. This event is about celebrating the best that human creativity and ingenuity has had to offer.

So without further ado, let the curtain fall upon 2019 as we begin our definitive review of the past 12 months, and the decade as a whole:



2019 Debbie Awards

Cinema & TV

1. The Debbie for TV Show of the Year 
Winner: Fleabag (BBC)
Runner Up: The Crown (Netflix)










In all my years of putting together the Debbie Awards, I don't think I've ever had a harder time picking a winner than for the two TV awards this year. 2020 has provided an absurd abundance of high quality TV shows, and before I announce the winners I want to give a quick shout out to the litany of fantastic shows, many of them brand new, which could easily have won these awards in another year. Shows like: The Politician, His Dark Materials, Sex Education, the Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, Stranger Things, The Expanse, For All Mankind, and The Morning Show.

Now, I can't believe it either, a year with a new season of Stranger Things and it doesn't win the Debbie for best TV series. That is not to say that Stranger Things 3 was not excellent, just that in this year of brilliant TV there were other series that were even better. In this most competitive of years, that coveted top spot ultimately goes to the second season of Fleabag, a series which has rightly earned near unanimous plaudits and awards. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is proving to be one of the more gifted young screenwriters around, and the work she has done for the BBC series is of the absolute highest level, surpassing even her work with Killing Eve. But while she may claim the headlines, a great credit needs to go to the supporting cast who really make this show what it is, in particular the spectacularly talented Andrew Scott.

In a hard fought second place is The Crown. There were a great many question marks going into this new season of arguably Netflix's greatest drama series. After all, this third season has seen the beloved and award winning cast of the first two seasons almost completely replaced - a bold move for a TV series, if nothing else. Fortunately, for any doubt that may have existed, The Crown's new season shows no drop in quality, and may even be the best season yet. The new cast does an impressive job in claiming the characters so ably played by their predecessors, while Peter Morgan's scripts are as pitch perfect as ever. The third season can also boast what may well be the single best episode of the entire series.


2. The Debbie for New TV Show of the Year 
Winner: Russian Doll (Netflix)
Runners Up: Years and Years (BBC), Watchmen (HBO)










The same caveat as above: this was an astonishing year for TV and while I can only highlight a small number of series, I feel obligated to insert a mass plaudit to all the other very deserving shows that did not quite make the cut, but nevertheless deserve no small amount of praise.

But of course, there can be only one winner, and this year it is Netflix's excellent Russian Doll. To take a concept that sounds like a forgotten episode of the Outer Limits and turn it into an entire series that is not only coherent but wildly engaging is no small feat of writing, but really it is the tour de force lead performance of Natasha Lyonne that makes Russian Doll so watchable.

For runner up, I could not select just one. This year the honour will be shared. First up is BBC's memorable Years and Years, a modern commentary that is in equal parts terrifying and exhilarating in a way that TV rarely manages to be. A slightly atonal ending does not spoil what is otherwise essential viewing.

Finally we have HBO's adaptation of Watchmen, arguably the hottest show on TV right now. The celebrated graphic novel has always proven notoriously tricky to work with, and even Zack Snyder's ambitious cinematic attempt at adapting the original novel met with a somewhat mixed reaction. HBO's decision to instead craft a sequel, one that could largely be enjoyed even by those unfamiliar with the original as an independent work, has proven to be a shrewd move. The distance from its source material has allowed this series to craft its own identity, one that is no less complex or layered.


3. The Debbie for Film of the Year 
Winner: The Irishman
Runners Up: Joker










The signature of a Martin Scorsese film, to me, has always been the extent to which this seasoned veteran of the cinema still makes films as a hungry and ambitious twenty-something would do. Even at 77 years of age, Scorsese eschews tradition in favour of the stylish and bold. The result is a film that feels every bit as fresh and alive as anything coming from the new generation. The Irishman might just be the most "Scorsese" film ever made; an epic gangster film of the sort that simply does not get made anymore, complete with a large ensemble cast featuring frequent Scorsese collaborators and, most notably, three of the all-time great actors in Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and particularly Joe Pesci. But while The Irishman revisits many themes of Scorsese films past, it also goes places that few of the genre ever have, the autumn years of a gangster, and a more introspective reflection on a lifetime gone by. A film truly deserving of praise it receives.

And for runner up we have Todd Phillips' Joker. Phillips is, in the nicest way possible, a filmmaker of limited pedigree, best known for raucous male-fantasy comedies such as The Hangover and Road Trip. The character of the Joker is, of course, a Batman villain. Yet the combination of the two has produced something quite remarkable. The source material may be DC comics, but the result could almost be mistaken for a lost Scorsese film. Joker is a raw, often terrifying, and surprisingly complex character study. It is a study not just of a comicbook character, but of a society as a whole. Joker brilliantly twists the Joker character into a reflection of the modern world, the anger and disillusionment borne of societal injustice and wealth inequality that has given us mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and xenophobia. In London recently a teenager was charged with throwing a small child off a building, his motive? "I wanted to be on TV". That's what this film is about, the warped and horrific extremes to which a person can be driven by desperation on the margins of society. It may not make for easy watching, but it is something that everyone should see.


4. The Debbie for Variety Show Host of the Year 
Winner: Stephen Colbert, The Late Show










If anyone has benefitted from the rise of Donald Trump, it has surely been Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show. Colbert's brand of political satire honed on Comedy Central had an initially rough time translating to the baseball and apple pie role of major network talk show host. The increasingly political tenor of a post-Trump America has permitted Colbert to draw on his strengths, and establish himself as one of the most important voices on American TV.

Indeed, as Colbert grows into his new position, even his non-political work has become stronger - his recent travel series in New Zealand has been a particular highlight of this year's show, both informative and hugely entertaining. Incredibly, this is Colbert's first Debbie Award win, and it is deserved. Increasingly the face of American late night TV.


5. The Debbie for Hollywood Rising Star of the Year 
Winner: Awkwafina










One name you are sure to be hearing more of in the coming years is Awkwafina, stage name of American actress and rapper Nora Lum. 2019 has been transformative for Lum, rebranding herself from fairly forgettable rapper to an acclaimed and bankable movie star.

The past year has seen Awkwafina star in major commercial hits from Ocean's 8 to Crazy Rich Asians and the new Jumanji. But it is her star turn in the critically acclaimed The Farewell, which has earned Awkwafina a Golden Globe nomination (and has her tipped for a potential Oscar nod), that is set to send her into the upper echelons of stardom.

2020 will see her co-star alongside Oscar winner Meryl Streep in the new comedy from Ryan Murphy, and Oscar winner Allison Janney in the new film from The Help director Tate Taylor, and one gets the impression that might only be the start.


6. The Debbie for YouTube Channel of the Year 
Winner: Yahtzee's Dev Diaries










Yahtzee Croshaw has become something of an internet institution for his Zero Punctuation series of videogame reviews. Lightning quick, cynical, and usually hilarious, the series deservedly has a significant following. 2019 has seen Yahtzee take on something a little bit more intriguing with Yahtzee's Dev Diaries.

This series sees Yahtzee, a somewhat minor indie game developer before he was a world famous game critic, take on a challenge to design an indie game every month for a year. Even for those who are not coders or so technically inclined themselves, there is something fascinating about watching the creative process play out, and the thought that goes into all the myriad aspects of design that a game requires. Not to mention a thrill in seeing whether Yahtzee can manage to keep up with the challenge. Great watching.

Music, Art & Theatre

7. The Debbie for Theatrical Production of the Year 
Winner: Sweat (Donmar)
Runner up: Rutherford and Son (National Theatre)










2019 was not exactly a landmark year for theatre, but there was one notable exception. The Donmar's production of Sweat forms a timely and nuanced account of life among America's "forgotten people", in impoverished rust-belt country. Economic displacement, the loss of blue collar jobs, and a fear of immigration and trade. While the play wisely never mentions Trump by name, this tale nevertheless makes for essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand his appeal, or the desperation which has motivated many to buy into this type of rhetoric. One of the best plays I have seen in a long while.

Our runner up this year is the National Theatre's new production of Edwardian classic Rutherford and Son. This story of class, gender, and generational divide is as timely as ever, and made notable by a memorable performance from the great Roger Allam.


8. The Debbie for Album of the Year 
Winner: Kiwanuka - Michael Kiwanuka
Runners Up: Miss Universe - Nilüfer Yanya, Father of the Bride - Vampire Weekend










In the space of a few years Michael Kiwanuka has gone from a relatively obscure musician dabbling in an array of genres somewhat unsuccessfully, to one of the hottest names in British music. The debut album was folksy and charming, and the follow-up layered and brooding. His third album Kiwanuka continues the evolution of the singer-songwriter with an album of much wider ambition, and a quality of production to match. Key tracks include You Ain't the Problem and Piano Joint in an album full of memorable tunes. As with his previous work, Kiwanuka here sounds timeless without feeling dated. Crucially, the songwriting is as brilliant as ever, and with producer-to-the-stars Danger Mouse at the helm, it sounds as a tight and fully realised vision, with barely a detail amiss.

We have a tie for runner up. First is newcomer Nilüfer Yanya. This is a name that has been bouncing around blogs like mine for a couple of years now, and her eventual debut LP Miss Universe did not disappoint. Tracks like Angels and In Your Head are, in the parlance of the day, "certified bangers". A very promising start from an artist with some considerable songwriting talent, not to mention a great voice.

Our second runner up is the latest from Vampire Weekend, Father of the Bride. Indie darlings though they may be, Vampire Weekend are nevertheless one of those bands who manage to fly under the radar for all the quality work they produce. This newest LP displays a mature evolution of their preppy roots, expanding their subject matter whilst remaining sonically familiar. Harmony Hall and This Life typify an album of refreshingly breezy, but extremely adroit pop gold.


9. The Debbie for Debut Album of the Year 
Winner: Miss Universe - Nilüfer Yanya
Runner Up: Good at Falling - The Japanese House










Not surprisingly for a debut album which managed to break into the top three of all albums for the year, Nilüfer Yanya's first LP Miss Universe will claim the crown for best debut album of 2019. For this artist to show such mastery of her craft on the first attempt lays down a marker that she is not just another ephemeral pop starlet, but a truly original voice. This is by no means a perfect or groundbreaking album, but it is a bold and fascinating statement from an exciting new talent.

Another veteran of multiple Hot Lists, and a perennial "up and comer" of the Internet's music blogs, Japanese House also finally released their debut LP in 2019, Good at Falling. My one concern with this band is that they have a particular sound, this dreamy, layered synth pop, and rarely seem willing to stray from that one formula. Fortunately it is a sound that they deliver with great aplomb. Check out Maybe You're the Reason and You Seemed So Happy for a taste. They've arguably had better songs in their EPs (see Clean), but I've seen enough to suggest that they are going to produce some fine music in the coming years.


10. The Debbie for Song of the Year 
Winner: You Ain't the Problem - Michael Kiwanuka
Runners Up: Arabesque - Coldplay, April - Caravan Palace 










This is always a tricky one to call, but this year's winner has to be Michael Kiwanuka's excellent lead single off the new album, You Ain't the Problem. Bold, energetic, and a wonderfully bizarre mishmash of influences and eras coming together into an unforgettable album opener.

Next is none other than Coldplay, with one of their most divisive singles to date. New album Everyday Life didn't make it into the top three albums of the year in my view, but Coldplay nevertheless deserve great praise for their willingness to experiment outside of their usual milieu. While these adventures may not all have landed effectively, one track where it does is Arabesque, a mesmerising journey of a song with influences in jazz and world music.

Finally we have what has to be the standout track from what was a fairly divisive new album from electro-swing maestros Caravan Palace. New album Chronologic has been criticised by some longtime fans for straying too far into more mainstream pop, but tracks like April show that they can still be as eclectic and brilliant as ever.


11. The Debbie for Live Performance of the Year 
Winner: Gizmo Varillas










Often a memorable live music experience comes from the experienced showmanship of a well-traveled star, but this year I wanted to go for something a bit different. Of the various bands and performers that I have seen over the course of 2019, the one that has made the most surprising impression on me was a small support act by the name of Gizmo Varillas.

Blessed with bright textures, and warm melodies, Varillas has a great ability to meld both light and dark into his tracks in a way that I find quite effective, and his tenderness comes across doubly on stage. See Cysgod dy Gariad and Freedom for a Change for great examples of what he can do. Seeing him this year has definitely established Varillas on my list of acts to watch, and with a new album on the horizon, there is much to look forward to in 2020.


12. The Debbie for Art Exhibition of the Year 
Winner: Picasso: Blue and Rose Periods at The Beyeler Foundation










A return to the top spot for Basel's Beyeler Foundation, who excelled once again with a memorable exploration of Pablo Picasso's Blue and Rose Periods. These crucial works of a young Picasso are not always the pieces we immediately associate with his name, but in focusing on them, this exhibition provides us with a valuable insight into these formative years. The Beyeler's ambitious collection assembles the most complete array of these works ever seen in Europe, and makes essential viewing for any art lover.


13. The Debbie for Book of the Year 
Winner: The Secret Commonwealth - Philip Pullman










Philip Pullman is back in vogue all of a sudden. Not only has the BBC put together a cracking adaptation of his original Lyra trilogy, His Dark Materials, but we have also been treated to the second instalment of his newest, The Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth. Pullman's earlier work is considered a seminal piece of young adult literature for a generation, and I am pleased to say that he appears to have lost none of his edge in the intervening years. This is another novel of big ideas and concepts.

His latest is the first true sequel to the original trilogy, and follows a now grown up Lyra and Pan as they unravel a new mystery regarding the Magisterium. The writing pulls no punches in criticising the establishments of power and corruption in the world, and delivers another excellent adventure that deserves to be read by any fan of his work or of deceptively thoughtful and complex fiction.

Business & Technology

14. The Debbie for Scientific/Technological Breakthrough of the Year 
Winner: Event Horizon captures first ever picture of a black hole










Sometimes a year gone by gives us some great new technological concept or breakthrough, something that will change the world and lives of its denizens. Sometimes it just gives us something completely new, something that no one has ever really seen before to remind us at just how clever we really can be.

This year the Event Horizon telescope managed to produce the first ever image of a black hole, something that not too long ago was still only a theoretical concept. This is not going to change our lives tomorrow, but it does remind us just how quickly technology advances, and provides a tantalising promise of discoveries yet to come. It is equally remarkable that this (admittedly blurry) image so closely mirrors the expectations of what such an object would look like, reminding us additionally that human beings also possess incredible theoretical minds.


15. The Debbie for Videogame Console of the Year
Winner: PC










Ok, technically not a console, but in 2019 a good old fashioned PC computer showed itself to be the best place to play games, and here's why. The choice of PC vs console for me has always come down to the flexibility and power of a PC vs the more polished delivery and features of a console. Increasingly this disparity is becoming a non-issue.

Publishers like Microsoft, Bethesda and EA are bringing console-style seamlessness and business models to PC. Indie games and the mod scene are becoming increasingly mainstream and integrated into official gaming products, meaning that the ability to take advantage of PC's increased potential is no longer as reliant on significant effort and/or technical knowledge. Consoles, by contrast, have had a relatively modest year when it comes to innovation, with new systems on the horizon that have little to offer aside from fresher hardware.


16. The Debbie for Videogame of the Year 
Winner: Disco Elysium (PC)
Runners Up: Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Switch), Sunless Skies (PC)










Two months ago I felt pretty sure I knew what was going to win 2019's game of the year, then Disco Elysium came along. This game is a true original and one of the more memorable gaming experiences I have had in years. Its creative innovations create a remarkably robust set of RPG mechanics, brought together by some of the most exceptional writing I've ever seen in a game. While the game has some flaws and is way too short an experience, every minute of that experience is unforgettable.

Console gaming's greatest moment in 2019 has to go to Fire Emblem: Three Houses, the latest essential exclusive for the Nintendo Switch. With this title, Nintendo has come close to perfecting the turn-based strategy genre, but what really stands out is its world-building and the surprisingly compelling cast of characters.

Honourable mention goes to Sunless Skies, the latest in Failbetter Games' series of macabre, vaguely lovecraftian exploration roguelikes. Sunless Skies refines and improves upon the formula that has proven so successful in the past, allowing players to explore, trade, and adventure your way across a truly unique setting.


17. The Debbie for Company of the Year
Winner: Salesforce










Salesforce has become ubiquitous in modern business. The product is strong, an elegant and versatile solution to networking and sales management that has quickly risen to be one of the essential apps. But it is the progressive and people-focused culture of the company that impresses most.

Recently voted the world's best place to work by Fortune, and with a CEO in the news for being outspokenly philanthropic almost to the point of fault. Increasingly there is a trend in global business to do good for the community as much as the shareholder, and Salesforce are fully embracing that shift. All of this makes for great publicity, and builds a brand that most companies would do anything to replicate. It's been a strong two years for this company.


18. The Debbie for Startup of the Year
Winner: Banjo Robinson










The children and education sector is ripe for technological innovation. It has been pleasing to see so many startups looking towards this field over the past year, and this year my proverbial pick of the litter is Banjo Robinson. The concept here is for a subscription learning service, utilising fictional mascot and magical cat Banjo Robinson. The company sends personalised letters detailing Banjo's travels around the world, complete with activities and materials for children to explore, and encouraging children to send back responses.

A charming concept that promises a rewarding, entirely bespoke experience for customers, with the potential to teach valuable, reading, writing, and general knowledge skills to young children. I stated above that there is a trend in global business to do good for the community as much as the shareholder, and Banjo Robinson's aim of engaging with children for educational purposes rather than pure monetisation is a prime example of that mindset.

Sports

19. The Debbie for Footballer of the Year 
Winner: Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool










There is a tendency in football to overvalue attacking players whilst not giving defenders their due. This is the only reason I can conceive of why John Terry never won the Ballon D'Or. Virgin van Dijk may not dribble like Messi or score goals like Cristiano Ronaldo, but he reads the game better than anyone alive, and his formidable physique and instinct makes him one of the most unbeatable defensive players on the planet, not to mention a deceptively capable technical footballer. It is true that goals win games, but preventing goals also wins games, and in 2019 I don't think there is any single player who makes so significant a contribution to winning games on a consistent basis as this man.


20. The Debbie for Under-21 Footballer of the Year 
Winner: Erling Håland - Red Bull Salzburg










Yes I am aware that Kylian Mbappé has not yet turned 22, but this award, and indeed all football player awards, are not supposed to simply be "who is the best player", but rather which (in this case U21) player has had the best year. This year, that award goes to Erling Håland, the hottest footballing talent to come out of Norway for a generation.

This has been a breakout year for Håland, whose goalscoring record this season (28 in 22 games, including 8(!) Champions League goals) is incredible for a 19 year old. But it is not just the number of goals, as the manner of his play - that combination of power and explosive pace. His ability to turn and run on a sixpence is as good as any player I've seen. A move to a larger club is inevitable, and if he can produce this form on a bigger stage, as his form in the Champions League suggests he can, then he will be a major world star.


21. The Debbie for Football Manager of the Year 
Winner: Jürgen Klopp - Liverpool










It would be easy for me to add to the chorus of praise that has been directed towards Jürgen Klopp, but the man really does deserve it. His work with Dortmund was impressive, but the way in which he has turned Liverpool from perennial underachievers into arguably the best football team on the planet will become the stuff of legends. Certainly, it is a victory for proponents of giving a manager time and years in which to pursue his vision (this transformation did not happen overnight), but even given all the time in the world few managers would have been able to execute this project so successfully, and many had tried.


22. The Debbie for Football Club of the Year 
Winner: Liverpool FC










Every club has its day, and right now Liverpool FC is having a glorious day. Champions of Europe (having been runner up the year before), runners up of England (and likely champions this year); there is a good claim to say that Liverpool are the best football team in the world today, and its an accolade that is earned not just by their on-the-pitch performances, as much as the extensive work that has been done to turn what was, until recently, a pretty old fashioned kind of outfit into one of the best run clubs in the business. Profitable, an academy producing world class talent, and a brand that makes them one of the planet's sporting icons. I am not a Liverpool fan, but it is a good time to be one.


Current Events

23. The Debbie for Politician of the Year 
Winner: Nancy Pelosi










It has been a year of elections in Europe, Presidential primaries in the US, and an increasing celebrity-politician culture the world over. Yet this year, this award for the standout politician is going to someone far less glamorous, and far more opinion-splitting. Nancy Pelosi made history more than ten years ago as the first woman ever to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

That first spell as speaker proved to be as divisive as it was legislatively productive. 2019 might just have been her outstanding year in politics, a series of battles that began with the unlikely reclaiming of a House majority, in spite of extensive anti-democratic gerrymandering, and ended with the historic impeachment of President Trump. In between those two milestones, she has had to battle to reclaim her Speakership amidst a rebellion from the ideologues of her own party, and resist overwhelming calls from those same factions for impeachment following the partial release of the Mueller report.

That impeachment has proven to be a largely popular move (an accomplishment in itself) is largely down to the restraint and discipline that Pelosi has shown in choosing the right battle. And despite claims to the contrary from her opponents, the House under her stewardship has been historically productive, producing an impressive array of legislation on healthcare, international trade, and anti-corruption, most of which has died in the Senate. No mean feat considering the divisions and increasing rancour in the House.

Like her or hate her, Pelosi has proven herself to be one of the most competent and capable politicians in the country, outmanoeuvring President Trump (not to mention the increasingly vaudevillian opposition in the minority) at every turn, carefully shepherding her legislative body through difficult and divisive moments, all while remaining easily the most productive branch of Government in 2019. She may not win popularity contests, but history will show Pelosi to be a towering figure in Congressional politics, whose dignity in office is matched by an outstanding legislative record.


24. The Debbie for Scandal of the Year 
Winner: Trump-Ukraine Scandal










There can only be one winner here. The impeachment of a sitting President is a rare and historic moment. Prior to Donald Trump, only two Presidents had been impeached (Nixon resigned before articles could be voted on), and while his militants may rave about conspiracies and point the finger at everyone else, there can be no doubt that this extreme measure has been thoroughly deserved.

For those less politically inclined, the story here is that Donald Trump threatened to withhold vital military aid from Ukraine unless Ukraine's President announced a fake criminal investigation against Joe Biden, considered at the time to be Trump's most likely opponent in next year's election. It is absolutely beyond contention that using the office of the Presidency for so nakedly self-serving a political purpose represents a serious abuse of power, if not outright bribery/extortion. This is before one even considers the implications of denying military aid to an ally in active conflict with Russia, one of America's primary geopolitical foes, with whom Trump already has a disturbing history.

And it's one of those scandals that just gets dirtier every time you look at it. Why in the world was the President's personal fixer Rudy Giuliani (not a Government employee) conducting apparent state business in Ukraine? Why was EU Ambassador and Trump loyalist Gordon Sondland involved, rather than the actual Ambassador to Ukraine (against whom Giuliani later waged a personal campaign of disinformation)? Why has the real transcript still not been released? Why has the administration gone to such lengths to hide the detail of this supposedly "perfect" call? It doesn't take a genius to smell when something is fishy, but it takes a complete fool to ignore when it's slapping you in the face.

Many have likened this scandal to Watergate, but in truth this clearly goes way, way beyond some petty political espionage. This threatens the security of America and Europe, irreparably damages the diplomatic reputation of the US, and all for a personal political ruse that is, to put mildly, insultingly transparent. Noah Feldman, Harvard law professor and Presidential historian, put it best when he said simply, "If this is not impeachable conduct, then nothing ever is."


25. The Debbie for Cause of the Year
Winner: Independence of the Press










It might seem lazy, but I am going to go with my 2017 cause once again. We live in increasingly troubling times with all the stories of corruption, fake news, and authoritarianism creeping back into mainstream western politics. But all of this concerns a central theme: the independence of the press. We have taken for granted the importance of this topic. The only way to combat these insidious forces is to ensure that the general public is well informed and has access to verified, peer reviewed facts. The corrupt powers know this, which is why they exert so much energy on trying to censor information, discredit reputable and independent sources, and when that doesn't work, drown it out with an overload of fake information.

Unfortunately we have seen even more of this in 2019, be it Boris Johnson threatening political repercussions against the BBC and Channel 4 for unfavourable coverage, or Trump's continued vendetta against any and all media source that isn't outright propaganda. The sad truth is that the credibility of the press is at a low, and much of that is their own fault. But we need real journalism now more than ever. We need robust fact checkers, and widespread access to that data. Reality is not a matter of opinion and facts do matter. We are witnessing a concerted effort to turn western democracy into a Russia-style propaganda state. We all need to start paying attention now if we want to prevent this slide into Orwellian dystopia.


26. The Debbie for Person of the Year 
Winner: Greta Thunberg










It may seem an obvious choice, and one that will prove controversial with a certain segment of the population, but Greta Thunberg deserves this. To become a global icon at so tender an age, to inspire millions to a movement, is a remarkable feat borne of passion and commitment.

As for the message itself, I know we all groan a bit when environmental protestors block the train on our morning commute, but the truth is that it is a cause worth supporting, albeit through a more productive outlet. Thunberg's impassioned pleas to world leaders is the ideal example of that productive outlet. Let's be honest, you're only going to make so much progress on environmentalism by convincing people one at a time to switch the lights off, for example. Real change will only come at the national level, by persuading those with real power to affect real change, and that is what Greta Thunberg is doing better than anyone else right now. It is right to apply this pressure to world leaders, and I wish her nothing but success in doing so.


Social & Lifestyle

27. The Debbie for Restaurant of the Year 
Winner: The Harwood Arms
Runner Up: Chai Ki










An old favourite, and a restaurant that year after year continues to impress. The Harwood Arms became famous as the first Michelin starred pub in London, but in truth its solitary mark undersells the quality of its food. The concept is British cuisine, done very, very well. So you might get Cornish crab on toast, or fallow venison. Meats, fish, winter vegetables, and with a wide selection of British sparkling wines. It is mystifying that this myth of the inferiority of British cuisine still persists, and the Harwood Arms provides ample proof that the cliché is not deserved.

Our runner up prize goes to a newcomer. Chai Ki, the excellent new restaurant under Canary Wharf's Crossrail station from the same people who brought you Roti Chai. Chai Ki is essentially two restaurants in one, the more casual street-food bar in the front of shop, and the fancier dining room in the back. Both are excellent. Some of the dishes in the main restaurant present mouth watering Indian cuisine in a way you will never have seen, with a high-end finesse borne of European food culture. Chai Ki stands out by doing something fresh and different with a well established cuisine, and doing it very well indeed.


28. The Debbie for Club/Bar of the Year 
Winner: The Pulitzer Bar










A return for The Ephemeric's old club/bar of the year prize, which took a break in 2018. This year this highly coveted award goes to The Pulitzer Bar of Amsterdam, a stylish and cosy cocktail venue from the hotel of the same name. Adorned with books, classic leather armchairs, and frequently rotating cocktail list themed after great literary figures, there is certainly no more whimsical a setting to enjoy a good snifter in 2019. But this is no mere novelty bar, far from it. It is the high quality of the setting, and the creativity of the drinks that makes Pulitzer a standout establishment, and somewhere that everyone should visit in Amsterdam.


29. The Debbie for Destination of the Year
Winner: Amsterdam, The Netherlands










You know a town is nice when you visit three times in one year (with another coming up in January). Amsterdam is blessed with beautiful, romantic canals that would make a Parisien swoon, world class museums, and generous, laid back locals. For those who like to indulge, Amsterdam offers a good variety of local products from chocolate, to cheese and pancakes (I hear there are other things too). An impressive array of shopping, culture and late night life makes Amsterdam a great place to visit for a solo-traveller, a couple, or just a group of friends.


30. The Debbie for Wine of the Year 
Winner: Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs









We are ringing the changes with these last two awards. You will note that the wine and champagne prizes have been consolidated into a single Debbie, in order to make way for our new event closer: the "Tipple" of the year Debbie, intended to celebrate the finest in non-vinous drinkables. From here on out, sparkling and non-sparkling wines will be considered together. For 2019, we are stirring the pot even further and awarding this prize to an English wine, Gusbourne's excellent Blanc de Blancs. The British restauranteur's go-to sparkling wine of the moment, Gusbourne is currently the pick of a very good array of wine coming from the Kent countryside.


31. The Debbie for Tipple of the Year 
Winner: Brockmans Gin 










And finally to inaugurate our first ever Tipple of the year Debbie, I bestow this accolade on the very finest of Britain's great gins, Brockmans. Produced in Liverpool, this small producer is quickly becoming a mainstay of the country's more selective gin-serving establishments. The unique blueberry botanicals make this a standout selection, one that can work well with most types of tonic, and ideally with a little fruit. A perfect choice for those who like to have a festive gin and tonic over the holidays.


2010s: Best of the Decade Awards

The Top 10 Films of the Decade:

1. The Social Network
2. La La Land
3. Whiplash
4. 127 Hours
5. Gravity
6. Blackkklansman
7. Chef
8. The Irishman
9. Inside Out
10. The Artist

1. Master of None
2. The Crown
3. Stranger Things
4. The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel
5. Parks and Recreation
6. American Crime Story
7. Fargo
8. Black Mirror
9. Breaking Bad
10. Fleabag

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
2. Red Dead Redemption
3. Stardew Valley
4. Portal 2
5. Disco Elysium
6. What Remains of Edith Finch
7. Kerbal Space Program
8. Mass Effect 2
9. Mario Odyssey
10. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

1. Helplessness Blues - Fleet Foxes
2. Hurry Up, We're Dreaming - M83
3. Wildflower - Avalanches
4. Love & Hate - Michael Kiwanuka
5. The Desired Effect - Brandon Flowers
6. Reflektor - Arcade Fire
7. Gossamer - Passion Pit
8. The Next Day - David Bowie
9. WITHDRAWN - the previous holder of this spot has had their Debbie accolade withdrawn as a result of anti-Semitic behaviour.
10. Plastic Beach - Gorillaz