This year has been sort of a Debbie Downer.  From the stock market slump, to the shocking death of Heath Ledger, to the lame duck President’s reversal of medical rights last week, things have been looking pretty glum.  But I’m ready for a clean slate! So, for those of you who are with me and SO over ye ole ’08, here are 10 things to look forward to in 2009:

1. Going To Bed With Jimmy Fallon: The former “Saturday Night Live” star will get his own late night show in Spring ’09.  He’s taking over Conan’s slot and the giant ginger is moving on down into Jay Leno’s time.

As I noted yesterday, “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson cut his hair. While it’s obvious that he’ll have to grow it back for the sequel “New Moon”—after all, Edward Cullen’s hair doesn’t CHANGE—I’m still mourning the loss of his luscious, dirty locks. Above, his hair in its many disheveled forms. Can you guess the chronological order of these photos, from the oldest to the most recent? Answers, after the jump, but no cheating!

Summit Studio can’t seem to save the “Twilight” drama for the screen. Chris Weitz replacing Catharine Hardwicke as director isn’t the only shake up for the “Twilight” sequel, “New Moon.” As we reported last week, the studio still isn’t sure baby-faced Taylor Lautner should continue to play Jacob Black, who is much bigger and beefier in the remaining books. Weitz and author Stephenie Meyer recently released statements explaining the casting drama. But neither statements confirmed Lautner’s return. In fact, a rep from Summit said, “The casting decision in regards to the character Jacob Black has yet to be made.” We now hear that Weitz is considering 26-year-old Michael Copon, the actor from the “Scorpion King 2,” for the new role of Jacob. Can you hear me screaming in agony? As I’m reading, New Moon, I picture Lautner and only Lautner as Jacob. However, Copon seems determined to land this role. And has even began self-advertising by changing his Facebook status to: “Michael Copon in a Twilight Zone!” But don’t count Lautner out yet because his agent has a plan to show Summit how a digitally beefed-up Lautner could work as the new Jacob. As if the Jacob drama wasn’t enough, another actor, Ben Barnes from “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” is jockeying for the role of Aro. And guess what? Barnes has the same manager as Copon and Cam Gigandet, who played James in “Twilight.” Shady![Perez Hilton]

I’ve been waiting for it, and finally, Sarah Haskins has targeted vampires, specifically the mania surrounding “Twilight.” Is Edward Cullen really the perfect boyfriend? Fans at a “Twilight” book signing try to convince her that he is. Hilarious!

When you do a search for “twilight spoof” or “twilight parody” on YouTube, there are hundreds of results, most of them made by fans. The one getting the most attention right now mashes up “Twilight” movie clips with “Saturday Night Live”‘s most recent digital short “J**z In My Pants”—check it out above, and then watch four other hilarious “Twilight” parodies, after the jump…

You read that right; Robert Pattinson is just too manly … for a modeling career, anyway. Not surprisingly, before he became the breakout heartthrob he is today, Robert started out as a child model at the tender age of 12. His pretty-boy look worked well for him until he turned 16 and became too “much of a guy.” He tells British magazine Closer, “When I first started I was quite tall and looked like a girl, so I got lots of jobs, because it was during that period where the androgynous look was cool. Then, I guess, I became too much of a guy, so I never got any more jobs. I had the most unsuccessful modeling career.” It’s hard to believe that with those luscious eyebrows, sallow cheeks and long, thick wavy hair, he would be accused of being too manly … or that he had a most unsuccessful modeling career. But that’s Robert for you, I guess—a regular “Paul Bunyan,” as New York jokingly referred to him. [NYMag]

Now that Catherine has jumped off the “Twilight” bandwagon and dragged Emily down with her, Annika and I are holding down the fort for “Twilight” fans on The Frisky. I finished the fourth book, “Breaking Dawn,” this weekend and am super sad about it. To get over my melancholy, I’m catching up on my “Twilight” movie news! First, Catherine Hardwicke, the “Twilight” director, is out for the filming of the second film in the series, “New Moon.” I’m actually pretty relieved about this, because as much as I enjoyed watching the movie, including all the campiness, I do think there were lots of rushed moments and poorly shot scenes. I hope they replace the screenwriter as well—I know they had to condense the storyline so that it wouldn’t be an absurd four hours in length, but I felt like grazed over important bits that made the love story “believable.” No word yet on who is going to direct “New Moon,” but the guy who directed “About A Boy” and “The Golden Compass,” Chris Weitz, is supposedly among the contenders.

The entire Frisky office is presently working on the “Twilight” series because we’re trying to escape the holidays (if only for a few hours a week) and we love sexy, beautiful men, even if they’re imaginary. I’m also planning on reading the Sookie Stackhouse books now that the first season of “True Blood” is done. I didn’t want to spoil the TV series for myself, so now that I know the plot of the first book, “Dead Until Dawn,” I can’t wait to actually read it and the rest of the series in preparation for season two. If you’re not interested in these vampire series, then now is the perfect time to reread the Shopaholic series because the movie “Confessions of a Shopaholic” premieres early next year. Other great series’ to consider? All of Augusten Burrough’s memoirs, the “Dexter” book series (on which the TV series is based), and, yeah, Harry Potter.

See all the ways to make the most of the last 31 days of 2008 here.

I know there is a bit of a Robert Pattinson backlash occurring right now, which I don’t necessarily mind, as it leaves less competition for when I attempt to score him for three out of the five types on my rebound list. I still might have to fight off Tyra Banks though, by the looks of this clip from when she had Robert on her show on Friday. Honestly, I’m sadly aroused and jealous. While I would never be so lame as to actually ASK him to bite me, I kind of want him too. And he leaves a mark!

Poor Kristen Stewart. The actress who plays Bella in “Twilight” (Did you see it yet?!) has to deal with all of the rabid, screaming fans, but chances are most of the adoration is directed at her male co-star, Robert Pattinson. The thing is, though I haven’t seen the film just yet, given Kristen’s other work, she is probably the most perfectly cast actor in the film. You see, Kristen Stewart was an actress before “Twilight” and while the vampire filmed (and it’s probable subsequent sequals) are going to make her a mega star, she’s gotten plenty of critical attention in the past. After the jump, everything you could ever want to know about the actress who is going to be the biggest thing since, well, Robert Pattinson.

Amelia thought the “Twilight” fans who paid a visit to “The Today Show” were nuts. Little did she know how crazy fans can become… Taken during the finale of this year’s “American Idol,” the above video features a group of nutso tween David Archuleta fans. I don’t approve of their hysteria, but at least Archuleta is a real person, unlike Edward Cullen. [Videogum—thanks, Nathan!]

Everyone and their momma is planning to see “Twilight” this weekend. I’m sure most of them have read the book, but in case there are a few people that haven’t, or if you need to refresh your memory, we’ve compiled a list of pertinent “Twilight” facts, thanks to Twilight Lexicon. Twilight cheat sheet after the jump.

“It used to be my thing, I would propose all the time. Just go up to someone, you know, and say ‘I love you’ or ask them to marry you. It always works.”—Robert Pattinson

Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, ZOMG, I mean Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, were on “The Today Show” this morning to promote “Twilight” which opens in theaters tomorrow. This interview was awkward to watch for a number of reasons, the first being that Pattinson and Stewart seem really burnt out by all the fan obsession, Stewart especially. I kind of get the feeling that Pattinson likes the fact that he can get all the booty he wants, but frankly, it also seems like the only booty he wants is Kristen’s.

Anyway, it was also awkward because “Today” featured a lot of footage of fans going absolutely apes**t for Pattinson, declaring things like, “He’s the love of my life! The reason for my existence! And I love him!” And that was just coming from a teenager—at the end of the segment, Meredith Viera dragged Pattinson and Stewart out into the cold to answer questions from “Twilight” fans, including one woman, who had to be in her late 20s, whose head seemed poised to explode. Clip above! (Oh, also, Robert, time to wash the hair. It looks like it smells.)

“Twilight” fans, you’re probably not going to like what I have to say about the book, but I’m okay with that—just don’t get too angry.

Twilight disappointed me. The story was pretty captivating—I definitely didn’t want to put the book down—but Bella made feel sad. Here’s why…

Welcome to the Twilight book club! WARNING: Do not read the following post if you would not like to know what happens in the second half of the book.

I gotta say, it was hard to put the book down. There was so much action from chapter 13 through the end that I stayed up reading it until 1am. Keep reading to see our discussion, then tell us what you think in the comments!