People used to kid me about my Meg Ryan crush, claiming that I gave an extra half-star to any film she starred in.

I deny it. I hated “In the Cut” and rated it accordingly.

Ditto that hostage film she made with Russell Crowe about the time the two of them did the adultery two-step.

That adultery thing knocked her down a rung in my estimation.

So did her new lips.

Meg stopped being the quintessential girl next door from “Sleepless in Seattle,” “When Harry Met Sally …,” “You’ve Got Mail,” the underrated “French Kiss” and “I.Q.”

The question was, and still is: Who will replace her? It doesn’t seem that difficult a part _ just be adorable, vulnerable, warm, playful, charismatic, endearing (I think that’s different from adorable) and approachable.

Now how hard can that be?

Some of the candidates: Jennifer Aniston and Maggie Gyllenhaal have adorable going for them, but they tilt toward more complex parts and, ironically, they may be too old. (Starting in the 20s is ideal.)

Others: Audrey Tautou has the look but her resume keeps her out of the U.S.; Rachel McAdams has everything going for her but a hot romantic pairing (she and Owen Wilson in “Wedding Crashers” almost qualifies her, but that was a boys’ comedy rather than a boy-and-girl thing. And while she carried “The Notebook,” it wasn’t comedic).

Amanda Peet qualifies but she may have higher aspirations.

I’m not a Kate Hudson fan, but she has the track record and the look.

Thandie Newton can do too many other things.

Lindsay Lohan keeps shooting herself in the foot. Hilary Duff has the look but apparently not the mind-set.

Molly Parker and Julianne Nicholson may have moved permanently to the small screen. Michelle Trachtenberg’s gone serious.

Kirsten Dunst … but would she want it?

Anne Hathaway? Maybe.

I’m out of ideas. If you have some, write back in the “submit a comment” area below.

Feel free to write if you disagree, too.

I’d love to hear your ideas.

Who know? Maybe someone in Hollywood would pay attention.