2011 Emmy Nominations

I haven't really talked about TV in months on this blog, which is strange considering the ridiculous amount of shows I follow. I didn't even make predictions for TV's big night, the Emmy Awards, and completely forgot that the nominations were announced this morning. As is usual with the Emmys in recent years, there's quite a bit here that I like, but also plenty of disappointments and missed opportunities.

**For a full list of nominees, go HERE.

Outstanding Comedy Series:
Glee
Parks and Recreation
The Office
30 Rock
Modern Family
The Big Bang Theory

All I really care about here is that Parks and Recreation has finally broken into the Emmy race. After an iffy debut season, the show has rapidly gained steam, and season 3 was easily its best to date. If the show can pull an upset win on September 18th, I'd be thrilled.

Outstanding Drama Series:
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Mad Men

Another solid line up, although if any of these deserve to be replaced, and it pains me to say it, it's Dexter. Season 5 simply wasn't up to par, especially coming off of the incredible 4th season. FX's Justified deserved one of the six slots instead, especially since there wasn't an eligible season of Breaking Bad (the soon-to-start 4th season is eligible for next year, however). The nomination for Game of Thrones is a nice surprise as well. The show may lack the more intimate, high-intensity acting of Breaking Bad or Mad Men, but as compelling narratives go, it was one of the best. And speaking of Mad Men, I'm starting to wonder: can the show take the Drama trophy for the fourth consecutive year, or will Emmy voters go for something different to shake things up a little?

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:
Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Steve Carrell - The Office
Johnny Galecki - The Big Bang Theory
Matt LeBlanc - Episodes
Louis C.K. - Louis
Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory

All I can think while reading this is "why doesn't Rob Lowe have one of these slots?" This is, LITERALLY, one of the worst snubs of the year. As evidence, I present the following:


Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series:
Steve Buscemi - Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler - Friday Night Lights
Michael C. Hall - Dexter
Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Hugh Laurie - House M.D.
Timothy Olyphant - Justified

Along with the usual suspects (minus Bryan Cranston), I'm thrilled to see that both Buscemi and Olyphant have scored nominations this year for their strong work (now if only Justified can break into Best Drama at some point...). That said, with Cranston out of the way, I'm hoping that Jon Hamm can finally claim an Emmy this year, for what was perhaps his best work yet on Mad Men.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:
Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Laura Linney - The Big C
Melissa McCarthy - Mike and Molly
Martha Plimpton - Raising Hope
Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation

Now this is a strong line up, one that is, surprisingly, made up of mostly new entries (the only returning nominees are Falco and Fey). Linney's role has the most drama to it, which gives her an edge over the other comedic roles (save for Falco, who some say isn't even in a comedy...). Still, I'm glad that Amy Poehler finally earned a nomination for playing Leslie Knope, and that Martha Plimpton was recognized for her work on the surprisingly hilarious Raising Hope.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:
Kathy Bates - Harry's Law
Connie Britton - Friday Night Lights
Mireille Enos - The Killing
Mariska Hargitay - Law and Order: SVU
Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men

While Mireille Enos is an interesting surprise, Emmy voters, I'm begging you, please finally reward Elisabeth Moss. Like Hamm, she had possibly her best year yet, and considering that she's one of the show's most interesting characters, that's really saying something.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
Ty Burrell - Modern Family
Chris Colfer - Glee
Jon Cryer - Two and a Half Men
Jesse Tyler Ferguson - Modern Family
Ed O'Neil - Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family

It's really nice that Ed O'Neil was actually able to join the other men of Modern Family this year; he's just as deserving as the rest of that excellent ensemble. Less deserving is Jon Cryer, who is here in a slot that should be filled by either Nick Offerman or Adam Scott from Parks and Recreation. Not that it matters, since I have a hard time seeing anyone but Chris Colfer taking the award home this year.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:
Andre Braugher - Men of a Certain Age
Josh Charles - The Good Wife
Alan Cumming - The Good Wife
Peter Dinklage - Game of Thrones
Walton Goggins - Justified
John Slattery - Mad Men

Now here's a category where it's pretty much up in the air. Of the repeat nominees, none were considered front-runners, which could leave this race wide open for an excellent newcomer like Dinklage or the slithery Goggins to walk away with the trophy. Somewhat mystifying, though, is how, with all of the Boardwalk Empire love, the Emmy voters passed over Michael Shannon's scary-as-hell turn as a hardline Christian/Prohibition-enforcing federal agent.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:
Julie Bowen - Modern Family
Jane Krakowski - 30 Rock
Jane Lynch - Glee
Sofia Vergara - Modern Family
Kristen Wiig - Saturday Night Live
Betty White - Hot in Cleveland

Though I fear that Lynch will win again even after season 2 wasted her character, I have hope that one of the Modern Family ladies will pull through. Bowen, in particular, was on fire this year, and would be a perfect change of pace for the category.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:
Christine Baranski - The Good Wife
Michelle Forbes - The Killing
Christina Hendricks - Mad Men
Kelly MacDonald - Boardwalk Empire
Margo Martindale - Justified
Archie Panjabi - The Good Wife

Another strong set; the women really hit it out of the park this year on TV. As nice as it would be to see Hendricks win (how her show hasn't won a single acting Emmy is beyond me), I think the two best here are MacDonald and Martindale. Martindale's chilling scene in the first few episodes of Justified alone was worthy of a nomination, and the rest of her work didn't disappoint.

Chasing Emmy: Predicting the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards

The Globes, Grammys, Oscars, and Tonys were all months ago, and yet now, at the end of August, the Emmys, the odd man out of awards shows, is finally upon us. I agree with those writer who have pegged the 2000s as a new Golden Age of Television, and despite some terrible snubs from the 09-10 TV season, the Emmy voters made some terrific choices this year. Here's hoping tonight's winners measure up. One thing before we get started: it's easy to forget, but even when it comes to series or performances, the shows usually only submit one or two episodes for consideration, which can sometimes affect a nominee's chances (I've heard that Modern Family's producers made a poor choice for Sofia Vergara, submitting an episode where she does practically nothing). I haven't been able to find a list of submitted episodes (yet), so these predictions are based more on my knowledge and feelings towards the shows and performances as a whole, not on an episode-specific basis.

Outstanding Comedy Series:

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Glee

Modern Family

Nurse Jackie

The Office

30 Rock

Will Win: Glee or Modern Family.

Though 30Rock is still the funniest show on TV when it hits its mark, season 4 took longer than usual to find its groove, and people noticed. Expect the comedy champion's (it has won for its first three seasons) reign to finally end. The question is, what will take its place? Modern Family is more consistently funny and balances its ensemble better, but Glee really has been the "it" show of the season.

Should Win: Modern Family.

Right from the pilot episode, it's been funny, consistent, and known how to use every member of its ensemble to perfection. Some shows take a half season or a full season to really find their groove; Modern Family founds its immediately, with brilliant and hilarious results.

Outstanding Drama Series:

Breaking Bad

Dexter

The Good Wife

Lost

Mad Men

True Blood

Will Win: Mad Men.

Unlike 30Rock, Mad Men still has a strong shot at keeping its winning streak going (let's hope it doesn't end next year though; season 4 has been amazing so far).

Should Win: Dexter.

As much as it pains me to say it, I'm not sure if season 3 was the best year for Don Draper and crew (though season 3 did have one of the best episodes in the show's history: "Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency..."); at times it was almost too slow. Season 4 of Showtime's vigilante serial-killer Dexter Morgan, on the other hand, delivered some of the show's strongest moments by far, both in terms of acting (Hall, Carpenter, Lithgow), writing, and story-telling (the Trinity Killer case).

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:

Alec Baldwin - 30Rock

Steve Carell - The Office

Larry David - Curb Your Enthusiasm

Matthew Morrison - Glee

Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory

Tony Shalhoub - Monk

Will Win: Tony Shalhoub.

I'm just glad that this show is finally over. I have nothing against Tony Shaloub, but the same cannot be said for Monk or his performance on the show.

Should Win: Alec Baldwin.

Can he win for the fourth year in a row? It's doubtful, but as part of the pair that holds 30Rock together, he's still fantastic on the show.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:

Kyle Chandler - Friday Night Lights

Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad

Matthew Fox - Lost

Michael C. Hall - Dexter

Jon Hamm - Mad Men

Hugh Laurie - House

Will Win: Michael C. Hall or Jon Hamm.

Both have yet to win an Emmy for their acclaimed performances, and this could finally be the year one of them takes home a statue. Between the two, I have a feeling the Emmy voters will pick Hall over the more understated Hamm, but that's far from a bad thing; both are excellent performances.

Should Win: Michael C. Hall.

He's made a serial killer likable and fascinating over and over again, without ever once delving into the obnoxiousness that pervades the character in the source novels.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:

Toni Collette - United States of Tara

Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie

Tina Fey - 30Rock

Julia Louis-Dreyfuss - The New Adventures of Old Christine

Lea Michele - Glee

Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation

Will Win: Edie Falco.

The show has received pretty solid support, though the one thing that could lessen her chances: Nurse Jackie is more of a drama with some comedy in it, not the other way around...will the voters notice, or will they only use that as a reason to vote for her?

Should Win: Tina Fey or Amy Poehler.

Two very funny women on two very funny shows. Fey in particular had a great, and she seems to blossom (as an actress) a little more with each passing season.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:

Connie Briton - Friday Night Lights

Glenn Close - Damages

Mariska Hargitay - Law and Order: SVU

January Jones - Mad Men

Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife

Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer

Will Win: Julianna Margulies.

She's practically had this in the bad since the Golden Globes; the show and the role have been a huge comeback for her and people have taken notice.

Should Win: The only one I've seen consistently is Jones, and while she's perfect for Betty Draper, she's extremely limited as an actress (I'm still trying to forget that SNL episode).

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:

Ty Burrell - Modern Family

Chris Colfer - Glee

Jon Cryer - Two and a Half Men

Jesse Tyler Ferguson - Modern Family

Neil Patrick Harris - How I Met Your Mother

Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family

Will Win: Neil Patrick Harris.

He already has an Emmy this year (for his guest stint on Glee) but Harris has yet to win for HIMYM. The men of Modern Family will likely split votes among themselves, I don't really see Glee winning BOTH of the supporting categories, and Jon Cryer already has an undeserved Emmy from last year.

Should Win: This is a tough one. The MF guys are all great in their roles, but then again, but I'm going to have to go with Burrell for being such a hilarious doofus desperate to be a "cool dad".

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:

Andre Braugher - Men of a Certain Age

Michael Emerson - Lost

Terry O'Quinn - Lost

Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad

Martin Short - Damages

John Slattery - Mad Men

Will Win: Terry O'Quinn.

Lost's final season isn't leaving empty handed, and this is its strongest bet.

Should Win: Aaron Paul.

At times extremely unlikeable (though the same can be said of everyone on Breaking Bad), season 3 was Paul's best yet as Cranston's partner in crime. Those last few episodes were award-worthy on their own.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:

Julie Bowen - Modern Family

Jane Krakowski - 30Rock

Jane Lynch - Glee

Holland Taylor - Two and a Half Men

Sofia Vergara - Modern Family

Kristen Wiig - Saturday Night Live

Will Win: Jane Lynch.

The easiest category to pick for tonight's show, Lynch's Sue Sylvester has been a sensation since's Glee's beginning. Throw in a handful of touching scenes involving Sue and her mentally handicapped sister, and the award is all but locked up.

Should Win: Any of them.

No seriously, any of them, with the exception of perhaps Taylor. This is an absolutely incredible line-up and any one of these ladies would be incredibly worthy winners.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:

Christine Baranski - The Good Wife

Rose Byrne - Damages

Sharon Gless - Burn Notice

Christina Hendricks - Mad Men

Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men

Archie Panjabi - The Good Wife

Will Win: Elisabeth Moss.

She's been nominated before (in lead), and I don't think any of the others have enough buzz or support, whereas Moss was praised from early on.

Should Win: Christina Hendricks.

She's made Joan Holloway something of an icon (and not just for her figure), and taken a role that could have been a complete throwaway and made her an interesting role. While Moss's Peggy somewhat retreated in season 3, Joan stepped up to the plate on more than one occasion, and Hendricks deserves to be rewarded for it.

For the remainder of the nominees, jump on over to IMDb. The show starts at 7 pm (Central Time) on NBC; happy Emmy viewing, everyone!

So...the Emmys totally sucked

The five hosts were terrible. T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E. I could go on about the horrid skit about how they litterally had "nothing", or how Oprah went out and rambled for five minutes while looking like someone had inflated her, or how Howie Mandel is, and always will be, a pompous ass...but what the F*** happened to Candice Bergen??? But the winners were pretty good....and TINA FEY WON BEST ACTRESS (comedy)!!!!! And here are the major winners, by the way:

• Outstanding Drama Series: "Mad Men"
• Outstanding Lead Actor (Drama): Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
• Outstanding Lead Actress (Drama): Glenn Close, "Damages"
• Outstanding Supporting Actor (Drama): Zeljko Ivanek, "Damages"
• Outstanding Supporting Actress (Drama): Dianne Wiest, "In Treatment"
• Outstanding Comedy Series: "30 Rock"
• Outstanding Lead Actor (Comedy): Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
• Outstanding Lead Actress (Comedy): Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
• Outstanding Supporting Actor (Comedy): Jeremy Piven, "Entourage"
• Outstanding Supporting Actor (Comedy): Jean Smart, "Samantha Who"
• Outstanding TV Movie: "Recount"
• Outstanding Miniseries: "John Adams"