Best & Worst 1997

As Teddy Roosevelt once said, ''It is not the critic who counts.'' But that hasn't stopped us. On the following pages, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY's opinionated pop pooh-bahs provide a guide to the year's best and worst movie, book, TV, CD, and multimedia offerings. Looking for stocking stuffers? You can't go wrong with Radiohead, Hanson, the Spice Girls, or John Coltrane. Need a good book to read while traveling during the holidays? Keep in mind Julia Child and Mia Farrow but leave Whoopi Goldberg and Dick Morris on the shelf. Haven't seen L.A. Confidential yet? Get thee to a multiplex! Still haven't seen Boogie Nights? Hurry! Missed The Saint? Lucky you. Maybe you'll agree with us, or maybe you'll think Teddy was on to something. But in 1997, at least one thing was certain: Absolutely everybody loved Raymond.