Countdown to 2009: Melissa's Top Eight Reality TV Stars of 2008

tyrabanks.topten.12.30.jpg Every weekday of December (except for December 25, that is), Phillyist will be counting down to 2009 with our highlights from the past year and our predictions for the next. If you have a list you'd like to submit, let us know!

8. Whitney Port from The City - First there was Laguna Beach, then The Hills, and now The City starring former Hills girl Whitney Port. Do you follow? The City is actually a spinoff of a spinoff that premiered last night on MTV and I plan on watching every bit of it. Fake drama? Sign me up.

7. Nene from The Real Housewives of Atlanta - Props to Nene for saying it like it is on this ultra fake show. One of the best scenes is when she made fun of fellow cast mate Kim for trying to make it as a country singer with virtually no singing experience. You tell 'em Nene!

6. Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt from The Hills - These guys are still together? Really? You better believe it. Recently on a very special episode of The Hills, Heidi and Spencer drunkenly tied the knot. Sounds like true love to me.

5. Old lady on Dancing with the Stars - I can't even remember her name so I'll be referring to her as OLDWTS (old lady on Dancing with the Stars). Her stint on the show actually made me tune in for a couple weeks just to see her beat out celebrities half her age.

4. Stephanie from Top Chef - She was the first girl to win the competition. I would eat any of this girl's food any day. And, it really impressed me when she made a wedding cake for one of the challenges having virtually no pastry experience. Go girl!

3. Kenley Collins from Project Runway - Talking back to Heidi Klum is one thing, but talking back to Tim Gunn is unacceptable. Just for that, this girl goes down as one of the worst reality stars of 2008. I can't believe she made it to the final three by painting flowers onto dresses. Definitely not my style.

2. Hot tranny mess on America's Next Top Model - The show saw Isis, its first transgender contestant this past season. It's rumored that the next season of the MTV's The Real World Brooklyn also has a tranny on the show. Yay for built-in drama.

1. Tim Gunn from Project Runway - Nobody is classier than Tim Gunn or speaks more eloquently. Favorite quotes of mine include, "This worries me" and "Make it work." Whenever I am feeling low I just think of Tim Gunn and I "make it work."