Over the course of 2011, we covered an array of politicians, authors, entertainers, media mavens, and others as they discussed their crafts and their industries. (Here’s last year’s list.) We enjoyed most of the panels, lectures, and debates we took in, while some of them fell short. Here, a rundown of our 5 favorites, followed by the 10 quotes that defined the year in New York City media panels:

If NPR won’t fight back against charges of bias, Ira Glass will.

The This American Life host already took to NPR’s On The Media to submit his rallying cry, arguing to host Brooke Gladstone that “we have nothing to fear from a discussion of what is the news coverage we’re doing.”

“This American Life” host Ira Glass went on NPR’s “On The Media” show on Friday to discuss the organization’s current public troubles, and questioned why NPR is not responding head on to conservatives’ charge that it has a left wing bias.

Who: Michael Lewis, interviewed by Ira Glass What: “Michael Lewis in Conversation with Ira Glass” Where: 92nd St. Y When: February 3, 2011 Thumbs: Up It’s a subject some of us choose not to discuss or think about anymore. Not because it makes us uncomfortable, but because it’s been exhausted over the past few years. [...]

Who: Writer Etgar Keret interviewed by This American Life host Ira Glass What: Live from NYPL’s “Is Reality Overrated?” Where: New York Public Library’s Celeste Bartos Forum When: October 28, 2009 Thumbs: Up

Vivian Schiller is the president and CEO of National Public Radio, which she joined at the end of 2008 after seven years with The New York Times Co., where she served most recently as SVP and General Manager of NYTimes.com. During her tenure at the Times, she oversaw a complete overhaul of the paper’s website and dismantled TimesSelect, an early attempt at charging for content online. Schiller’s leadership at NPR has also meant a redesigned website. Earlier this week, Schiller came to New York to participate in a debate with Journalism Online founder Steve Brill — “The Great Digital Debate: Free vs. Paid Content Online.” Now she answers our 5QQ — Five Quick Questions.

Do you love topical panels, lectures, and seminars, but can’t seem to find the time to attend them? Do you want to know what your favorite columnist had to say about her newest project, even if you don’t live in New York City? Would you be interested in reading about the five most captivating moments [...]