Here are this years 15 most talked-about tales. The internet announced a fall schedule that featured way too many white male leads. (Sorry Matt LeBlanc, but that includes you too). Cate Cameron/The CW; Peter Kramer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Prashant Gupta/FX; Will Heath/NBC; Gene Page/AMC; Robert Voets/Netflix Nothing on TV compared to the drama that unspooled at those three debates unless you count election night. It took James Corden less than 12 months, thanks to the viral sensation that is Carpool Karaoke....

Two EW writers debate the protagonists' merits This week marks the 80th anniversary of J.R.R. Right there in the title, it introduced Tolkien’s single greatest contribution to fantasy literature. Before him, fantasy had mostly revolved around valiant heroes: Kings, knights, wizards. Credit: Everett Collection (2) You know, casual. The titular protagonist ofThe Hobbittruly redefined what a hero could be. He outsmarted a trio of trolls! He crept into a dragon’s lair to steal the Arkenstone from right under his nose!...

They meet Socrates, Billy the Kid, Joan of Arc or rather So-Crates, Mr. The Kid, and Ms. of Arc. Teen comedy scripts, they never had any kind of depth to the language, recalls Winter. Peggy Sirota for EW This one seemed to be such an assault on that, says Reeves. How do you not laugh at Beeth-Oven and Noahs wife? InExcellent Adventure, the history presentation is a great success. Peggy Sirota for EW...

Her husband, however, could not have been more chill about the situation. Big deal, she had pneumonia, people get it all the time, Clinton said. Youre always concerned, but I was pretty sure I knew what it was. Credit: Comedy Central She had been working hard, she was dehydrated, shed been standing up a long time there. She wanted to go to that 9/11 ceremony, and we both thought it would be OK....

Could be, could be, Cosby said. So many different nefarious is a great word. And I just truly believe that some of it may very well be that. Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/WireImage Or whether or not they might be able to get back at someone. So its not all, not every, but I do think that theres some. He has pleaded not guilty and denies similar claims from more than 50 other women....

Speaking toGood Day Alabamaon Thursday, spokesman Andrew Wyatt said, Mr. Cosby wants to get back to work. Well talk to young people because this is bigger than Bill Cosby. He continued, This issue can affect any young person, especially young athletes of today. And it also affects married men, Wyatt added, chuckling. Is it kind of a Do as I say, not as I do situation? host Janice Rogers asked....

Pete Davidsonhes in the movieTrainwreck, Hader said, referring to the upcoming Judd Apatow-directed, Amy Schumer-starring comedy. He has a small part in it. I told Lorne Michaels about him, said he was really funny. Credit: (L-R) Jeff Vespa/WireImage; Randy Holmes/Getty Images And then they auditioned him for a piece, and Lorne called me to say Pete got the show. I was like, Oh my God, thats wonderful!' Michaels went on to drop even more news on Hader....

First comes denial: Wait, what? Bill Hader cant leaveSNL hes in, like, every sketch! There must be a mistake. Next is anger: This iscrap. How could you do this to us, Hader? Well never forgive you.Never. Well even stop harping about how lameThe Californiansis. Just… just kindly dont go. And then comes depression… the stage in which many of us find ourselves now. We may never truly accept the fact that Hader is exitingSNLafter eight rubber-faced, wonderfully goofy years....

Hader says, laughing. (No, we do not know.) I dont have to wake up early tomorrow.' Credit: Dana Edelson/NBC Little did he know how wrong he was. Its his second nod for his work onSaturday Night Live, as well as his fourth nomination overall. (Hader won a statuette once, in 2009, for his work onSouth Park. Oh and party host Hamm got another nomination this morning too.) If I thought about it, I would go insane, he explains....

Meanwhile, Haders longtime Weekend Update foil Seth Meyers moves to host NBCsLate Nightin early 2014.) Clickherefor more of EW.coms Best of 2013 coverage. I think my last season, we kind of made a point of not doing too many Stefons. Maybe I felt like I was running out of gas. I probably still have it I just jotted it down on a piece of paper. Like, Oh, heres what the final Stefon would be....

Entering to considerable applause, Maher said, “Thank you for letting a sinner in your midst. Michael Eric Dyson will be here shortly to take me to the woodshed.” I did a bad thing." Credit: Janet Van Ham/HBO I’m not here to do that." And that’s why I apologize freely, and Ireiterate ittonight. I’m not that big of an ahole." “People don’t think, ‘Oh, Bill Maher is a racist,'” he said....

Maybe if I pretend I’m asleep they’ll get their things and leave,'" said Maher. “‘Hey man, you know the guy from theCelebrity Apprentice? He’s the president now. Credit: HBO And theCake Bossis Pope, and Bill Cosby’s the drug czar.'” Maher went on to criticize Trump’s positions on healthcare, the environment, andreproductive rights. The liberal comedian and political commentator noted that those celebrating Trump’s victory are mostly white voters. “One other little detail about the election: Hillary won!...

Bill Maher has strong words for President Donald Trumps first week in office. Its day seven in the war on facts. What the f is going on? Credit: HBO Maher said during his monologue on Friday nights episode ofReal Time With Bill Maher. I turned on my iPhone today to check the news, and Siri said, Are you sitting down? But hey, you know what? His first week was like the last half-hour ofGoodfellas....