So our friend Jeffrey was apparently getting e-mails telling him that he had to do this, and when he did, he encouraged everyone to do the same.

He was asked to list the 10 celebrities he found most attractive or sexiest, male or female or both (depending on preference).  He was to list them, and post that list on his blog.  And he was to push for others to do the same.  A sort of objectifying chain letter!

Not sure why, on a day when we have to pack for a trip, this captured our imagination, but it did.  A list of the sexiest/most attractive celebs.   It's objectifying and pointless at the same time.  And also fun for the whole family!

So, anyway, this post isn't just from me.  Both Christina and I will post here.  First will be my list, then Christina's thoughts on it.  Then her list, then my thoughts on that.

Here goes:  who do I find most attractive...?

First off, my honorable mention list - there were a LOT of names I came up with, and cutting it down to 10 was really tricky.  Amanda Tapping and Keri Russell were the hardest cuts to make.  I also worship at the altars of Jodie Foster, Julianne Moore and Laura Linney.  And then there were the celebrities who would have made the cut except they were just a bit too thin for my tastes.  I find both Amy Acker and Keira Knightley very compelling, yet a spend a lot of the time I'm watching them wanting someone to give them a friggin' sandwich.  Thus, they didn't make the list.

Now, the 10.

#10:  Carey Mulligan

Anyone who's heard me talk about TV in the last year or two has heard me mention the Doctor Who episode "Blink."  I think it's one of the best hours of TV I've ever seen.  And Carey Mulligan is a major reason.  She's witty, charming, cute... you name it.  Frankly, based on her performance as Sally Sparrow, I could have easily put her at the top of this list.  But that's all I've ever seen her in.  One hour of TV.  Since I have such a small sampling, I had to put her in at #10.  But boy do I love Carey Mulligan as Sally Sparrow!

#9: Kate Beckinsale

On looks alone, Kate could top this list.  I find her one of the most beautiful women on the screen.  But she's also dangerously thin in some pictures (which almost made me lump her in with Acker and Knightley).  Plus, the others on this list have a huge pull for me based on persona and performances.  Kate's performance in Serendipity made me fall in love.  But her others... well, let's just say the PVC in Underworld was the main appeal of that film.  Still, I'd be lying if I left Kate Beckinsale off my list.  I just don't get into the performances and persona enough to put her any higher.

#8: Rachel Nichols

Appearance-wise, she was too pasty in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, but she was great in the part.  However, in Alias...  wow.  I was in love with the character.  She went from frightened newcomer to capable agent in one season, and did it well.  Most people know my deep love of Black Canary.  So you'll know how attractive I find her when I say that's she's my ideal casting for a young Dinah.  And, on another note, she's the only reason I'm even contemplating seeing the G.I. Joe movie.

#7: Natalie Portman

Not much to say here.  It's Natalie Portman.  Sure, she's much better when she has a real director and not, oh, say, George Lucas.  But honestly, that guy managed to get Liam Neeson to suck, so I don't blame Natalie for the prequels.  Beyond that little blemish, she's as talented as she is beautiful.  And that's saying a lot.

#6: Alyson Hannigan

Even when she was a complete dork who'd 'seen the softer side of Sears' in early Buffy, I was completely in love with Willow.  The dorky girl next door who's ultimately as hot as her spotlight grabbing friends, she's kind of my ideal come to life, in some ways.  Alyson Hannigan isn't Willow, but I have yet to see her in anything where I didn't come away completely charmed by her.

#5: Freema Agyeman

In Doctor Who, the Doctor spent series three getting over Rose, while not quite getting the fact that Martha Jones was falling for him.  And the whole season, I wanted to scream at the screen.  Martha Jones, as played by Freema Agyeman, was the perfect companion for him.  Cool, smart, sexy... if I was going to travel through space and time in a TARDIS, this is who I'd take with me.

Bad Doctor... no biscuit!

#4: Jean Arthur

I love old movies, and I love old movie stars.  But I love none so much as I love Jean Arthur.  With her unique voice, her penchant for playing women who were smarter and deeper than their leading men...  I fell in love with her when I went to college and discovered Frank Capra.  I later discovered that she'd taught at that very college a decade or so earlier.  If only I'd been 10 years older, I could have learned from her.  Or at least met her.

#3: Diane Lane

The most beautiful movie star in Hollywood today, if you ask me.   Grown up, beautiful, silly when the part calls for it, sexy when that's called for.  Perfect.

#2: Tina Fey

I'm a geek at heart, and Tina is the goddess of geeks.   The fact that she made the country realize Sarah Palin was an empty shell just makes her that much cooler.  One of two women I think are perfect to be Lois Lane (more on that in a sec), and given my love of Lois, that's saying a LOT.

And the big one, #1:

Lauren Graham

I know Gilmore Girls is supposed to be a chick show, but it was, without a doubt, my favorite TV show.  Ever.  In the history of TV.  And a lot of that had to do with Lauren Graham.  How she didn't win an Emmy once (when she deserved one every season) is beyond me.

Lauren Graham has the patter of a screwball comedy star, and the ability to look like both the girl next door and the most beautiful woman you'll ever meet.

I mentioned on Tina Fey that she'd make a great Lois Lane.  But even better (sorry Tina) would be Lauren Graham.  Again, given my love of Lois, this says a lot.

There you have it.  The ten celebrities I find sexiest.  A lot of it is persona.  And talent.  And a lot is your basic, crass, attractiveness.  So sue me.

Anyway, I'll turn this post over to Christina now.

***********

Hi, all.. moving on to the female point of view.  Not sure I have much to say on Nunzio's top 10.  My husband has good taste.  And while I was about to say I would have put Diane Lane at #1, it's hard to argue with Tina and Lauren.

So instead I'll move on to my Top 10 Hottest/Sexiest/Most Attractive Men.

It was hard to narrow down to ten.  So I, too, have an Honorable Mentions list.  They include Dennis Quaid, Antonio Banderas, John Cusack, David Boreanaz and Matt Czuchry.  Those who have been aware of my crushes over the years will probably be surprised that some of those names did not make the top 10.  But times change, people change (them and me) and well, the Top 10 is a small and elite category.

Here's my list.

#10: Taye Diggs

I'm not sure what else to say except damn is he good looking!  If I were more familiar with his body (no jokes please) of work, he probably would have been higher on the list.  But as it is, 10 is not bad.

#9: James Marsters

I love me my Spike.  And sorry James, but you'll always be Spike to me.  I'm not sure he fits in as classically good looking, but I do find him attractive and the man just oozes personality.

#8: Cliff Simon

I was not surprised to discover that Mr. Simon was once Mr. South Africa.  But I discovered him on Stargate.  It's the only show I've ever seen him on, but 1) I've seen A LOT of Stargate and 2) his villain Ba'al is one of the hottest, baddest baddies there is.  This man can capture me any day!

#7: Joe Flanigan

This is another discovery from Stargate, only this time from its spin-off Atlantis.  I think they just like to cast good looking guys over at Sci-Fi.  Joe, however, falls again into the category of liking him for his persona.  While he's easy on the eyes, his cocky grin gets me every time.

#6: Michael Shanks

You may be detecting a trend here as I give you Daniel Jackson, also from Stargate.  I spent ten seasons salivating over him.  He plays a bit of an intellectual dork, but I find him hot all the same.

#5: Balthazar Getty

If you read Jeffrey's post (remember, he started this whole damn thing), he comments on needing to respect someone to include them on the list.  I've heard stories recently about Balthazar's poor choices in is personal life.  This makes me sad, but that's his business and I don't have all the facts and I can't judge him on that.  And, besides... I still find him damn hot.

#4: David Sutcliffe

David is another actor I know from only one show.  But he was in Gilmore Girls and for seven seasons, I arranged my TV viewing calendar around that show.  Funny thing is, while I find him extremely hot, his character was not the one I was rooting for to wind up with Lorelai.  Maybe I just wanted to keep him for myself.

#3: Justin Hartley

Complete and total eye-candy!  And he makes a damn fine Green Arrow.  I don't usually go for blondes, but he's a keeper for this list.

#2: Goran Visnjic

This is more my usual type.  Tall, dark, broody.  The man smolders.

And, last but not least, at #1...

Christian Bale!

Again, dark and broody all the way.  Could there be a better Bruce Wayne?

And there you have it.  Or Top Ten.  I'm sure we'll regret having done this.  But it was a fun way to pass a few hours.

*********

And back to the male perspective for a few quick sentences.

I was one of the ones surprised to find David Boreanaz, John Cusack and Dennis Quaid off the list.  I wasn't surprised to see Antonio gone - the older that man gets, the more he looks like he needs to bathe.  And my wife doesn't do the grungy unwashed thing.

My only other comment is that, based on sheer physical hotness alone, I'd have moved up Cliff Simon and Taye Diggs.  I'm straight, but I'd gladly do either of them in a New York minute.

Anyway, that's it for us.

Wonderfully crass, huh?

So... who are your top ten?