7. J.J. Abrams.
The producer/director/writer embraces risks, and this year most paid off. His new series, Fringe, earned critical praise and a full-season pickup. The Cloverfield intrigue translated into box-office earnings. His updated Star Trek (slated for 2009) has fanboys buzzing. And then there's Lost, which had one of its best seasons. Without him, what the heck would I talk about at parties?
Source: USA Today