Hmm, it's very difficult for me to decide a select few to list. When you can't choose some of them, talk about all of them! Not at length though...
Toons of 2009 in order of releaseHremail 62: Kicking off the year, we're treated to a full episode of Homestar's very own show. It had a few laughs, but I didn't find it all that funny. The 'drawer' bit at the end seemed too dragged out.
Hremail 2000: Looks like Homestar's email show is here to stay. I found this one to be better than the above, with the puppet show scene being one of the highlights.
Best Caper Ever: Brilliantly nonsensical. Definitely a highlight.
4 Gregs: Again, one of 2009's highlights. I love Teen Girl Squad, and the second spin-off of the year was a classic. I'd love to see another...
Answering Machine 16.2: Strong Sad provides a great twist to this under-appreciated part of the site. The increased use cut-aways from the answering machine helps this one to stand out, and makes it even funnier. The year looks to be a good one!
Career Day: Um, about that last comment... Nah, in all seriousness, this is an 'okay' toon. I don't find it particularly memorable though.
Kick-A-Ball: YES! The best Big Toon of the year, no question! The classic sports formula, some excellent writing, the return of the Umpire, it's all there.
SBEmailiarized!: Strong Bad finally helping us to understand Drive-Thru was pretty good. This one's essentially one big self-parody. And it works. And then they follow it up with the April Fools one. And that worked too. Plus it gave the forum an amusing game
Donut Unto Others: This toon is a personal favourite. Everyone loves a good donut, and this one just makes me crave them. Overall, it's a very enjoyable toon that consistently makes me laugh (come on, you've got to love Angry Bubs).
Where U Goin' 2?: Interesting. I liked it, and it's got a catchy song, but that's all I can really say about it.
Pistols For Pandas: Another 'okay' toon. Nothing particularly stood out for me, aside from the "what good is a dollar" line.
Hremail 7: "
Yeah, melonade! We haven't talked about that much lately!"
In the same way that
lady..ing gave us the MLS-style sequence, we now have an entire cartoon set eight years before. The whole thing is pretty funny, and we finally know why Strong Bad started checking emails.
TGS 15: What else can I say except it's awesome? Like I said, TGS is always good.
79 Seconds Left: This one feels like we came in during the middle of another toon. But then, the rather strange scenario puts it into the same category as Best Caper Ever: strange, but enjoyable. Perhaps not as much, though.
2 Part Episode: Merged as one for simplicity. This one's another highlight, but not quite as good as Kick-A-Ball. Crackotage's introduction for the Topplegangers was important to, since some of us (due to really bad wireless internet and clunky PCs) haven't gotten round to playing SBCG4AP. I didn't really like having to wait for the second part, even though it was just one week. I hate suspense.
Hremail 3184: Triumphant return to SBEmails? Perhaps, but I class this as a low point due to the death of the Lappy. it may have been a mercy killing, but I would've expected Strong Bad to be much more upset than he was. Compare his sadness with the Lappy's demise to his devastation over the Compy. The email itself wasn't much to write home about either.
Loading Screens: What a cop out! And we love it! Well, yes it's a good song, but it's still a cop out.
imaginary: Once again, this one didn't really do it for me. I didn't find it particularly funny.
Where my hat is at?: Another re-imagining of a classic, and once more the Bros Chapman have pulled it off brilliantly. Homestar pointing out some of the stranger parts of his search was excellent.
Compy Catalog: Well, at last we see SB's new computer. Best bit was Strong Sad's little scene.
independent: I found this one... dull. So far, SBEmails aren't making me laugh like they used to.
On Break: Add it to the 'okay' toons. The acapella songs were kinda funny.
dictionary: Again, the humour was lacking for me.
Animated Adventures...: *sigh* Where do I begin? I really didn't see the point in animating the puppets, since that defeats the purpose of having puppets. Combine that with only one funny line, and we have the lowest point of the year. This makes 'tapeleg' look like comedic gold.
Crystal Fortress: Man, I love Strong Bad making snarky comments. These made what would otherwise be a fairly average toon.
videography: So far, the best Compé email. I really enjoyed this, partly because as a media student I know to avoid the things Strong Bad mocks. Plus we have the best Youtube easter egg yet.
Decomposing Pumpkins: Again, a TGS video. Again, it's brilliant.
Doomy Tales...: The recent Halloween toons have had a huge quality boost. This one's nearly on par with Jibblies 2, and that's saying a lot. Strong Sad's revenge? Awesome. Humour? Classic. Highlight? Of course.
Fan Costumes '09: Just as I look forward to the H'ween toons, I always look forward to more of SB's snarkiness. And yay for obscure characters!
Punkin Show: Meh, not as good as the last one, but that's to be expected.
Overall, quite a mixed year. Some instant classics, some unimpressive ones, and the ones in between. I'm hoping the Baby Break ends soon, and with another instant classic (to make up for the lack of a Decemberween and a VERY low-key acknowledgement of Trogday).