By Stacy Jenel Smith

As 2009 draws to a close, it’s easy to see that the year has been an exceptionally busy one for hookups and breakups in the celebrity realm – and that’s just for Tiger Woods alone.

The man whose superhuman abilities on the golf course won the game television viewership like never before has now provided TV with a bonanza of jokes, from morning shows to late night, over the numerous extra-marital liaisons he apparently conducted.

Also sad was the fate of adorable young music superstar couple Chris Brown and Rihanna. Theirs became the shocking breakup story of the year in February, when the news broke that Brown had been arrested for beating up a woman – and insiders identified the victim as Rihanna.

Ensuing months brought his public apology, her visit to Oprah – now as a de facto banner carrier for domestic abuse victims – his sentencing to five years’ probation with community service and a stipulation that he not come close to Rihanna, and his talk with Robin Roberts on “20/20.”

His statements blaming the media for his woes and stating that women will still want to be with him because, after all, he is Chris Brown, are disturbing to say the least.

Also disturbing: the selfish, shameful behavior of reality TV personalities Jon and Kate Gosselin, both of whom clearly put themselves before their eight children this year as their bitter marital split and extra marital interests splashed all over the public arena. Why are we keeping track of Jon and his cheap affairs? Why did Barbara Walters invite Kate and her ugly haircut onto her Most Fascinating People of 2009 special? Why waste the time even trying to comprehend those questions?

As the year drew to a close, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake were keeping the gossip patrol jumping – to conclusions.

Those A list celebrity couples have all been the subject of heading-toward-splitsville stories, but as this is being written, just about the only sure thing is that they’ve sold a lot of tabloids. Said Biel in November, “Honestly, I look at a magazine and they know more than I do.”

In January of 2009 “Ghost Whisperer” Jennifer Love Hewitt called off her engagement to Ross McCall -- and in March, her costar Jamie Kennedy confirmed that they were dating. J & J looked awfully cute together out and about – but by fall, they, too, were denying reports of troubles in their relationship.

There were no doubts about the separate ways taken by Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo. As reports of trouble in the relationship of the beautiful singer-actress and the NFL superstar widened, so did she.

Her weight gain and “fat” pictures dominated the media for awhile early this year, along with reports that he’d thrown a party in her house while Jessica was away -- partying especially intimately with one pretty guest on the scene. Flag on the play, Tony! He’s said to have called it quits the night before Jessica’s 29th birthday in July. Eh!

She’s better off without those 226 pounds – the Cowboys quarterback.

Oh, yes, and she lost her excess weight, too. (Ironically, Romo had to contend with his own controversy over not being in good enough shape this past summer.) Hard to believe, but word is she’s taken up with Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins now.

Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal were a golden couple at the beginning of 2009. In March, Star magazine had them engaged.

September had her spotted flaunting a gold band on her wedding finger.

There were stories in which unnamed sources described Jake wanting to wed, but Reese wanting to stay single. There were stories in which unnamed sources said Reese was pushing for marriage, but Jake wasn’t into it. In October, an InStyle magazine spread hit stands in which Reese described their lifestyle as idyllic, saying that Jake is "a great cook - he does a lot. We spend the weekends outside L.A, in Ojai, where I have a farmhouse. We have chickens and we grow cucumbers and tomatoes. I love it. It reminds me of where I grew up in Tennessee," she gushes. But November saw a flurry of breakup stories and denials.

By early December, their romance, which began on the set of their 2007 movie “Rendition” really did appear to be over...or not.

Mel Gibson’s long-suffering wife Robyn filed for divorce in March. His girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva gave birth to their daughter in October.

Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel could’ve been a comedy couple for the ages, as exemplified by their “I $#!@’ed Matt Damon” and “I $#@!’ed Ben Affleck” hers and his videos. But alas, after five years, the couple who split, then reconciled, split again in July.

Sadly, so did Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek after 16 years of marriage.

But despite the sad stories of love’s labors lost, there were still plenty of new romances blooming in Tinsel Town this year. Like, LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian. Too bad they were married to others at the time.

How about young hotties Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner? The duo isn’t talking about their relationship, but they’ve certainly been seen together, including his presence in the wings and out in front at her concerts in various locales. Taylor & Taylor are in the ensemble “Valentine’s Day” movie due – when else? – in February. Sweet.

Yes and you can’t ignore Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. The “Twilight” leads continue to be the subject of countless romance stories, even though he told magazines he’s still single, and she’s so sick of being asked about her personal life she famously told EW, “We are. We aren't. I'm a lesbian.”

In 2009 bad boy British comic Russell Brand and bad girl singer Katy Perry became an item.

So did country sweetheart Carrie Underwood and Ottawa Hockey star Mike Fisher.

Rachel McAdams hooked up with Josh Lucas, but they broke up after four months.

Thanks to his reality TV show, Antonio Sabato, Jr. hooked up with Cheryl Moana Marie.

Tom Arnold got engaged in March, and married Ashley Groussman in November in Hawaii. Fourth time’s a charm.

And let us not forget the whirlwind one-month romance and reality-ready celebrity wedding of Lakers star Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian. In October, details of their prenup spilled, such as Khloe’s reported stipulation of a flat sum of approximately $500,000 for each year of their marriage in the event of their split, in addition to $25,000 a month in general support.

Ah, l'amour!