Welcome to 2006 everyone. As the sun sets on another year in Porn Valley, we can look back at the best and the worst that the industry had to offer. We can also look forward to the new girls, talent movement and the trends that will shape 2007. (Five words: Porn For Your IPod) This first column of the year will focus on the end of the year awards. The fans have spoken the critic’s choice noms are out and we’re all getting ready for AVN to pass out the hardware in Las Vegas. That’s what makes this time of year fun. Well, awards and the great new pictures of the hot girls I’m going to collect when I hit the floor.

For the eighth time, fans and readers of my site came to the polls and selected winners in the Rog Reviews Fan Faves Awards. The RRFF voting takes place in November every year and selects winners for Best Female, Best Male, Best Director, Best Newbie, Best Company and Most Wanted Celebrity. This year’s voting took only four weeks to whittle down fields of as many as 100 names to a final round of four in each category. Fans turned to familiar names in the Best Director and Best Male category. Jules Jordan took home his fifth consecutive award as the top director in the business. Erik Everhard repeated his 2004 win as Best Male. Evil Angel won again as Best Company, their fourth win in a row. Angelina Jolie finally broke the pop-star death grip on the Most Wanted Celebrity award, beating out Jessica Alba in a close race. History was made this year when Taryn Thomas became the first woman to win both Best Female and Best Newbie in the same year. Using an aggressive Internet campaign to build support, Taryn beat out Katja Kassin for top female honors and got past tough competition from Hillary Scott and Jasmine Byrne to win best newbie honors. The winners will get their trophies in Las Vegas next week. Thank you to all who took the time to vote and congratulations to the winners.

Mary Carey had a very busy month. When December began she was Kick Ass Pictures’ one and only contract girl. By mid-month she announced that she had parted ways with the company after three years. Sporting a new look that includes a trimmer figure, brand new teeth and a pumped up set of doctor-made hooters, Mary said she wanted a fresh start. The split was amicable and necessary given Mary’s new rack. Kick Ass stands by their 100% natural rule and apparently that even applies to their own contract stars. Not one to sit on the sidelines for long, Mary had a new contract a week after leaving Kick Ass. Landing a deal with Legend, Carey is now inked to a two-year deal that will feature twelve productions. In addition to the fresh start she was looking for, Legend apparently offers something that Mary just wasn’t getting at Kick Ass. “I just wasn’t feeling the (FINISH QUOTE)” Ever eloquent Mary added “I want to feel like a Princess when I’m sucking cock for money.” The relaxed release schedule at Legend should also allow Mary plenty of time for her Gubernatorial run, which officially kicks off in February.

Joining Mary on the contract girl merry-go-round is former Wicked Girl Devinn Lane. Like Carey, Lane didn’t stay on the market for long. The new deal will have Devinn directing movies for Shane’s World. It is a perfect fit for Lane, who has been behind the camera for some memorable gonzo projects, including the highly-acclaimed “Road Trix” movies. Her style will fit in perfectly with the vibe at Shane’s World. Devinn created quite a stir with her first SW project when the crew went out for a late night TP session. It might have been just another Shane’s World prank had the home not belonged to Wicked director Brad Armstrong. Apparently Brad didn’t find it as funny as Devinn had hoped, prompting Miss Lane to publicly apologize for incident.

One contract girl in the headlines, but not on the movie is Jesse Jane. The Digital Playground star has landed the cover of Playboy’s ‘Special Edition Lingerie’ magazine, featuring ‘The Girls of Playboy TV.’ The issue highlights some of the sexy women who grace their airwaves. Jesse hosts “Naughty Amateur Home Videos” for the network when she isn’t being one of Porn Valley’s hottest performers. In addition to the cover shot, Jesse is featured prominently in a seven-page article inside. Fans hoping to pick up a copy can find it on stands during February and March.

In addition to the usual talent movement this month, we’ve had some comeback news. Former Vivid Girl Taylor Hayes has returned after several years away from the adult business. The one-time Tushy Girl for Seymore Butts has signed with Seymore’s talent agency to once again perform in front of the camera. Her comeback is limited to girl/girl scene and blowjob-only action with guys. As one of the best oral sex artists we have ever seen, Taylor is sure to light things up, even if she’s only using her mouth for now. Seymore’s talent agency also welcomed Phyilissa Anne back to the adult world. She’s a few years older, but still has those long legs and that great ass so expect to see a lot of hot anal action from her this time around. Rounding out the comeback trio is sexy little Kacey. The pretty brunette with the Jennifer Connelly face and natural breasts to die for has been keeping quiet of late, but is ready to make her presence felt once again. She has been working hard on her web site www.clubkacey.com and is ready to hit Vegas to find some video work for 2006.

Perhaps porn’s all time comeback queen; Christy Canyon will also be in Las Vegas. Hold on to your jocks boob fans. The legendary performer is not back in front of the camera. She will be in town to help Paradise Visuals promote their DVD release of the Canyon classic “WPINK-TV.” I’ll be on line to pick up a copy of the first adult movie I ever watched and maybe to interview Christy who was, not surprisingly, my very first porn-crush. Another classic adult film is getting a new look. VCA has announced that alt.porn flavor of the week Eon McKai will be at the helm for the latest incarnation of their New Wave Hookers line. Following in the footsteps of some of the top directors in porn history won’t be easy and given McKai’s brief history, this one will be like nothing we’ve seen from the series to date.

Now that the fans have had their say, it is time for the Rog Reviews Critic’s Choice awards. Below is the list of nominees. Winners will be announced on January 5th at 11AM and can be heard/seen on the www.dailynoise.com show. Tune in and watch the beautiful Aurora Snow, the lovely Kacey and other surprise guests help us announce this year’s top performers. (For those who miss the initial broadcast, Daily Noise has a great archive system so you can listen to it later.)

RRCC 2005

Best Female

Jasmine Byrne Jesse Jane Katja Kassin Tiana Lynn Tiffany Mynx Hillary Scott Aurora Snow Flower Tucci

Best Male

Ben English Erik Everhard Manuel Ferrara Steve Holmes Brandon Iron Lexington Steele Michael Stefano Brian Surewood

Best Newbie

Jasmine Byrne Sunny Lane Tiana Lynn Tiffany Rayne Keri Sable Hillary Scott Brandy Taylore Taryn Thomas

Best Director

Seymore Butts Robby D Mike John Jules Jordan Michael Ninn Jim Powers Joey Silvera Van Styles

Best DVD

Aurora Snow Vs. Gauge: Evil Angel Buttman’s Bubble Butt Babes 2: Evil Angel Camp Cuddly Pines Power Tool Massacre: Wicked My Plaything: Rita Faltoyano: New Sensations Neo_Pornographia: Pure Play Perfect Specimens: Evil Angel Pirates: Digital Playground POV Pervert 5: Red Light District Vault of Whores: Evil Angel Virtual Sex with Teagan Presley: Digital Playground

Best Feature

Bad News Bitches: AMA Britney Rears: Wild Back Stage Sex: VCA Camp Cuddly Pines Power Tool Massacre: Wicked Catherine: Pure Play Dawn of the Head: Evolution Erotica Dark Angel 2: New Sensations Darkside: Red Light District Harlot, The: Sin City New Devil in Miss Jones: Vivid Pirates: Digital Playground

Best All Sex

Cheek Freaks: Pulse Me Luv U Long Time 8: Red Light District No Swallowing Allowed: Diabolic Once You Go Black You Never Go Back 4: Evil Angel Poon Tang Clan: Hustler POV Pervert 4: Red Light District POV Pervert 5: Red Light District Superwhores 5: Mercenary Take it Black 2: Hustler Teen America 5: Digital Playground

That’s all there for now my friends. I hope you all have a happy New Year. I’ll do my best to bring back a whole bunch of interviews with some of our favorite performers from Vegas. With any luck I will also have enough sexy pictures to fill up a host of new galleries for 2006. Thanks for reading in 05 and I’ll do my best to keep bringing you the best and the worst from Porn Valley in the New Year.