Year after year I watch the Emmy nominations come out and year after year I rant about how the show is reaching Grammy like levels of cultural obscurity. The same shows dominate year in and year out and while there’s an occasional recognition in writing and directing, the really quality shows on television are often ignored in the major categories. Lost gave me hope a couple years ago when it stormed the castle and took home best drama but it has since been shut out of even a nomination and it’s the nominations that are really the problem here. I’m not expecting Veronica Mars to take home the best drama trophy put a nomination would not only be deserved but would feel like a victory. For example when I see writers and directors of the ilk of Wes Anderson or David Lynch get Oscar nominations that thrills me and while I know the Oscar would never be awarded to a doofus hipster or a box office maverick, the nomination is recognition enough. So with that in mind, here’s a brief look at some of the noms:
Outstanding Comedy Series- Here’s my biggest joy…30 Rock is nominated for best comedy! Seriously I’m really happy with 3 of the nominees, (30 Rock, The Office, and Entourage) but where the hell is Extras? Ricky Gervais is all over the other comedy nominations (acting, writing, directing) but the show isn’t nominated? Worse yet as excited as I am about the 3 shows I am pulling for, I know that either the painfully dull Two and a Half Men (how is this still on the air?) or America’s darling Ugly Betty will walk home with the trophy.
Outstanding Drama- Big question here is whether or not The Sopranos are going to go out as big winners. I wouldn’t be surprised but in the meantime this is a mess of a category. You’ve got a show that hasn’t been good since it was called The Practice (Boston Legal), and a show that’s more famous for its gossip then its quality (Grey’s Anatomy). Now I thought 24 had a sub par year but its still leaps ahead of these two and don’t even get me started on Lost which after a slow start turned in a really strong season. It is nice to see Heroes get a nod but I’ll crap my pants if they walk away with the prize and besides the more I think about it, Friday Night Lights was really the best new drama of last year.
Lead Actress Comedy- Good news:Tina Fey from 30 Rock is nominated. Bad news: America Ferrera from Ugly Betty is nominated. Oh well maybe Maria Menudos will insult her after she wins ala the Golden Globes.
Lead Actor Comedy- Alec Baldwin is nominated for 30 Rock and I think he’d have been a shoe in if not for calling his daughter an ignorant pig. I’d love to see Gervais take it home and Carrell is always good but with Charlie Sheen, who apparently blackmailed himself to another nomination, and the stale act of Tony Shaloub (who seems to win every year), my hopes are not high.
Lead Actress Drama— Who are all these people and who watches their shows!
Lead Actor Drama- Eh I just don’t care. Good for Keifer, I guess.
Supporting Actor/Actress Comedy- Glad to see Rainn Wilson and Jenna Fischer get the nods from The Office and they both deserve to win but with Jeremy Piven (Entourage) and Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) in their respective categories I’ll doubt we see that happen.
Supporting Actor/Actress Drama- Oh hey look, Lost does exist as both Michael Emerson (Ben) and Terry O’Quinn (Locke) are up. I would love to see either of them or Heroes’ Hiro win but I’ve got a feeling The Shatner (Boston Legal) will take this one or maybe TR Knight (Grey’s) will get the sympathy vote. On the women’s side of things I would hope to see the immensely talented Lorraine Bracco take one last Emmy for The Sopranos even though her role was somewhat smaller this last season.
Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program- This year Stephen Colbert loses to Tony Bennett although that should be easier to take then Barry Manilow.
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series- Is it sad that this is one of the few categories I look forward too? I look forward to seeing someone deserving of an Emmy win every year whether it be The Daily Show, Conan, or Letterman.
Outstanding Reality Competition Program- Could this be the year that The Amazing Race finally loses? I doubt it but I’m glad to see both Top Chef and Project Runway up there to challenge. If Idol or Dancing with the Stars wins then I’m off the Emmy’s for life!
Writing and Directing Shout Outs- As I stated at the top, the really good shows only seem to get their props in the Writing and Directing categories and looking at the nominations this year that has certainly been born out. On the drama side, Battlestar Galactica and Lost both got writing and directing nods. Studio 60 and Friday Night Lights both got directing nods. On the funny pants side, 30 Rock, The Office, and Extras dominated both writing and directing and Scrubs even squeezed out a directing nomination.
Now we’ve got a couple of months before the ceremony and after the brief excitement of today most of us will go back into Emmy apathy, Maybe I’ll do some more serious picks the week of, but really, just wake me up when The Golden Globes are announced.
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