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2013 Emmy Predictions (Top Contenders) – Supporting Actress in a Drama Series


downton abbey elizabeth mcgovern

Interestingly enough, there was a time when, before the actual nominations came out, voters would narrow down all the contenders to the “top 10″. They obviously don’t do that anymore. But…we can still assume which contenders are at the top of the voter’s minds. Before I release my official nomination predictions around early July, I am going to run down which 10 or so contenders are the biggest threats…and maybe some personal long shots that I believe voters should consider. Here we go!

(Yeah…I copied that opening paragraph from last season…deal with it.)

For more Emmy stuff, click here.

Here are the top Emmy contenders for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. In alphabetical order…

Similar to “Supporting Actor in a Drama Series,” this is also an especially tough category to pin down and I went back and forth with a lot of these contenders, but, ultimately, I chose a whopping 16 actresses I think had the best chance at getting a nomination this year. Here we go!

1. morena baccarin (homeland): PRO: Last year, Homeland surprised everyone by winning Drama Series and the two lead acting races. With so much momentum coming into this year, Homeland could probably pick up a few more acting nominations. Besides Mandy Patinkin, Morena has the best chance at benefiting from this momentum for her overall strong performance on the show. Her character certainly had a lot to do this season. Voters like these “wife of monster” roles (see Anna Gunn or even January Jones during her prime). CON: Besides an Ensemble Award at this year’s SAG, she hasn’t gotten any recognition for this role. It is hard for her to make a name for herself against the heavy hitters (Danes, Lewis, Patinkin) right beside her.

2. christine baranski (the good wife): PRO: A perennial Emmy favorite, she has consistently gotten nominations for various programs since her first (and only) win in 1995 for Cybill. She has received nominations the last three years for The Good Wife. Although, sometimes it seems like she’s (unfortunately) underused on the show, other times, she is given stuff to work with, including dealing with her law firm’s financial problems and considering a political career. There are definitely some stand out episodes she could submit if nominated. CON: It’s a toughie. After the show itself was left out of the Drama Series race, how long will the Emmys continue nominating TWO supporting actresses from a show they’ve stopped loving? Similar to what happened to Oh and Wilson for Grey’s Anatomy, I could see the voters dropping both Baranski and Panjabi in one cruel swipe.

3. rose byrne (damages): PRO: Although snubbed last year, she was nominated for the two eligible years before  then. It being the show’s last season, Byrne could be invited back to the race, especially if voters watched either the series finale or “The Storm’s Moving In.” CON: Damages used to be a reliable Emmy force…but ever since it moved to DirecTV, only Glenn Close seems to still be getting notice, and even she’s not a complete lock this year. If Byrne couldn’t get in last year with Bridesmaids possibly working in her favor, I don’t much see her getting in this year.

4. laura carmicheal (downtom abbey): PRO: As the “homely” middle child, Edith, she had her share of ups and downs…and downs. In the beginning of the season, she’s preparing for her wedding. And then she’s dumped at the altar. And then she falls into a deep depression. And then she discovers her love of writing. And then she meets another man…and seems to be falling in love…until it’s revealed that the man is still married and is unable to get a proper divorce. This season, viewers were actually able to relate to Edith and feel sympathy for her at the same time. This is the first year Carmichael would actually deserve a nomination. CON: No previous nominations. No other work outside of Downton Abbey. Only her performance will help her…assuming the voters actually liked it.

5. emilia clarke (game of thrones): PRO: This is tough for me because I know virtually nothing about this show or her character. In fact…I can’t even remember her from the three episodes I’ve watched from previous seasons. So…I don’t know much about her character or what about her character that would make it Emmy bait. However, I do know that year after year people single her performance out and this year seems to be no different. She was nominated for a Monte-Carlo award last year and a Critics Choice Award this year. Maybe it’s time for someone besides Peter Dinklage to get a nomination. CON: I think after two seasons of snubs, maybe (because this is a fantastical world) voters just can’t take the performances too seriously. Maybe it’s the type of show where they appreciate the world and the direction and the writing and even the characters…but not necessarily the actors behind the characters (except “MVP” Peter Dinklage.)

6. michelle fairley (game of thrones): PRO: Same sitch as Clarke. I know very little. However…I did watch the last few minutes of “The Rains of Castamere” since everyone was talking about it. Clearly, Fairley will no longer be a cast member on the show after the episode, which could lead to some sentimental votes a la Jared Harris (this isn’t a slight against them of course.) Fairley also drew a lot of praise for her performance in the episode. I actually believe out of all the supporting female performances on the show, she has the best chance at sneaking into an Emmy race. CON: Does that mean I’m predicting her? I’m not sure yet. Like I mentioned above…voters seem to only appreciate Peter Dinklage.

7. joanne froggatt (downton abbey): PRO: Last season, Froggatt received a semi-surprising nomination for portrayal as Anna, a woman who is trying to fight for her husband’s release from prison. This season we saw even more of that. I can’t say I was terribly captivated by her story line (in fact, many times I found it a drag), but I still admire her performance. CON: She’s not going to get a nomination over Maggie Smith. However, if voters decide to nominated two actresses from the show again in this category, then she has a chance at repeating.

8. anna gunn (breaking bad): PRO: It took a couple years (and a switch to supporting), but Anna Gunn finally received a deserved nomination for Breaking Bad last year. Despite a shortened “half season,” Anna Gunn still had plenty to do, especially in her showcase episode “Fifty-One” (which I’m assuming will be her tape). CON: Do people still find the character unlikable? Or have we finally realized that maybe Skyler had a point the entire time? Anyway, I can’t really think of a “Con.”

9. christina hendricks (mad men): PRO: With three previous nominations, Hendricks has become sort of a reliable tent pole in the category. Mad Men does well with getting a lot acting nominations, and Hendricks has the best shot in getting into this category out of all the other actresses on her show that also submitted in this category. CON: This has been a pretty light season for Hendricks, especially compared to season 5. If she couldn’t win last year when she had at least 2 or 3 strong tape possibilities, she probably can’t win this year.

10. kate mara (house of cards): PRO: Buzz. A lot of buzz. Mara’s been in the business for a while (Brokeback Mountain), but this is her first really critically acclaimed role. Similar to Archie Panjabi when she was first nominated (and won), I could see voters congratulating the fresh faced Mara with a nomination, and maybe even a surprise win. CON: It depends on how well the voters will embrace this online series.

11. elizabeth mcgovern (downton abbey): PRO: She received a Lead Actress nomination a couple years ago when the series erroneously competed in “Miniseries/Movie.” Last year, she was passed on in favor of Michelle Dockery in Lead Actress in a Drama Series. This year, with her role becoming less prominent, she opted to compete in Supporting which, IMO, is a nice strategy and increases her chances. This season, from her husband almost losing the estate to her daughters’ marriage issues, she was the calming, American presence throughout the halls of Downton Abbey. Other times, we got some real intense emotion from her, like when Sybill tragically passed away. This was truly McGovern’s strongest season. CON: Did I say her screen time became less prominent? I meant, she has practically become a “featured actress” on the show. When Shirley MacLaine visited as Cora’s mother, you think this would be the opportunity to give Cora something to do and give her her own conflict. Instead, she was an afterthought during that whole debacle. Her limited screen time will ultimately be the thing that will keep her from a nomination despite, in my opinion, a great standout performance.

12. hayden panettiere (nashville): PRO: Nashville has become a breakout network hit, and Panettiere has definitely gotten some buzz and notice since the show’s debut. From dealing with a deadbeat mom to shoplifting to a marriage gone wrong, Juliette Barnes has become one television’s most interesting characters. And Hayden has played her well, becoming my personal favorite thing about the show. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe last winter. CON: While the ratings for the show are steady, Emmy buzz for the show has waned, especially with the introduction of newer cable shows. If the show doesn’t get widespread broad support, Panettiere will have a hard time making a case for herself alone.

13. archie panjabi (the good wife): PRO: She shockingly won the Emmy her first year, and received two nominations afterwards. People like Kalinda. They like how mysterious and badass she is. Panjabi also gives a great performance. Against all odds, she still received a Golden Globe nomination last year. CON: This wasn’t the best season for Kalinda in terms of story arc. The first half was pretty much a giant misfire in terms of her development. They (the writers) made things right by abruptly getting rid of her husband. But, with nothing to fall back on, Kalinda was pretty much given nothing to do for the second half. Panjabi tries her hardest, but this was not the best year for her character.

14. jessica pare (mad men): PRO: After failing to get a nomination last year for Lead Actress, she’s trying her luck in the supporting category. This may be a smart idea considering she was never going to get a nomination over Elizabeth Moss, and that it seems like in the Supporting Actress category, voters are more willing to nominate two actresses from the same show (this has been the case since 2006). CON: Pare does a really good job on the show, but out of all the regular female characters on the show (and this includes Sally and Betty), Megan is the least interesting to me. Maybe if she was dying by the end of the season, she would have a better chance.

15. monica potter (parenthood): PRO: This isn’t a show I’m caught up on yet (I’m still on season 1), but I’m so far impressed with Potter’s performance in the first few episodes. However, it is this current season that Potter seems to be getting a boat load of praise and buzz for her cancer story line. If the voters pick up on this buzz and maybe watch a few episodes from this season before making their final decision, I could see a surprise  nomination  for Potter. CON: Despite some heavy praise, Parenthood suffers when it comes to both awards and ratings. I have a feeling, despite all the praise, Potter will miss out. Remember when Zach Gilford got a lot of buzz for the fourth season of Friday Night Lights but was still snubbed? I feel like this may be the same situation for Potter. Parenthood just isn’t popular enough with voters…at least right now.

16. maggie smith (downton abbey): PRO: Let’s make this quick. With two previous wins for this role, everyone’s favorite witty grandma will be back again this year. She even had some nice (IMO, overrated) dramatic work in the episode where Sybill dies (spoiler alert!) CON: Fatigue? Outrage over her last win? Maybe?

Other strong contenders: Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), January Jones (Mad Men), Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire), Emily Mortimer (The Newsroom), Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy), Morgan Saylor (Homeland), Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men), Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy)

Long shots worth considering: Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad), Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter), Mary McDonnell (The Closer), Madeleine Stowe (Revenge)

Even longer shots I recommend checking out: Clare Bowen (Nashville), Megan Hilty and Debra Messing (Smash), Emma Kenney (Shameless), Katie Lowes and Bellamy Young (Scandal), Alison Pill (The Newsroom), Sara Ramirez (Grey’s Anatomy)

Read the ballots here to see who else was submitted in this category. Thanks for reading! More coming soon! For more Emmy stuff, click here.

2013
06/19
CATEGORY
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2013 Emmy Predictions (Top Contenders) – Supporting Actor in a Drama Series


corey stoll house of cards

Interestingly enough, there was a time when, before the actual nominations came out, voters would narrow down all the contenders to the “top 10″. They obviously don’t do that anymore. But…we can still assume which contenders are at the top of the voter’s minds. Before I release my official nomination predictions around early July, I am going to run down which 10 or so contenders are the biggest threats…and maybe some personal long shots that I believe voters should consider. Here we go!

(Yeah…I copied that opening paragraph from last season…deal with it.)

For more Emmy stuff, click here.

Here are the top Emmy contenders for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. In alphabetical order…

This category was particularly difficult for me (it usually is) so…hopefully, whoever gets nominated in this category is at least mentioned in this post, whether they’re a “top contender” or not…

1. jonathan banks (breaking bad): PRO: Banks had a really great season this year. With Giancarlo Esposito out of the way, Banks was really been allowed to stand out as the “real badass in charge.” I don’t want to give any spoilers away but…let’s just say…something happens to his character by the end of the season that would make voters more inclined to pick him this year. CON: This would be his first nomination for the show so…it’s tricky. Otherwise, all signs should point towards a nomination.

2. jim carter (downton abbey): PRO: People don’t want to admit it, but he was nominated last year so, technically, he is a top contender. This season, Carter did more of the same…but it’s that “same” that the voters liked the last season. I could see him repeating. CON: Was Carter really nominated last year because voters genuinely admired his performance…or because they just wanted to give Downton Abbey as many nominations as possible? I believe Carter’s nomination mostly depends on how voters regarded the show this season.

3. alan cumming (the good wife): PRO: He’s been nominated twice (once for guest) for this role, but he was snubbed last year. People still really like how quirky this character is. He brings a sense of humor to the show and definitely stands out among the cast. Out of all the supporting actors on the show, he has the best chance of squeezing in. Also, if the New York voters watched his performance of Macbeth on Broadway and was upset that he was snubbed at the Tonys, giving him an Emmy nomination might make up for it. CON: I’m trying to think off the top of my head what “episode” he would submit if he got a nomination. I honestly can’t. Maybe that’s just my bad memory but…I don’t know if he stood out this season IMO.

4. peter dinklage (game of thrones): PRO: He won for his first season and received another nomination last year. The Emmy voters don’t seem to appreciate the cast much, but Dinklage is the one actor that stands out among them. CON: I’m the only person in the world that doesn’t watch this show regularly. I’m also the only person in the world who (from the little I’ve seen) isn’t crazy about his performance.

5. noah emmerich (the americans): PRO: I don’t know anything about this show or his role on the show, but I do know that Emmerich (of Truman Show fame) is a long working, respected actor who’s never been nominated before. If this show becomes the Emmy hit it is destined to be, I could see this as Emmerich’s chance at getting in. People are already predicting him for a nomination. CON: However, if The Americans doesn’t get the broad Emmy support, I’d be little surprised to see Emmerich’s name on the list of 6.

6. larry hagman (dallas): PRO: Despite its relatively good reviews, I don’t think Dallas was destined to be much of an Emmy favorite. However, voters may want to honor Hagman for his contribution to television and give him a posthumous nomination “John Ritter-style.” It’s not too far-fetched. He was nominated for the role in the 80′s a couple times, and he has gotten some good notices for his performance in the revival. I could definitely see a spot saved for him. CON: I hate asking this but…would Larry Hagman be such a strong contender if he were still alive? I don’t watch the show so I don’t truly know. However, I wasn’t hearing people say “Larry Hagman deserves an Emmy” before his death. Just a thought…

7. rob james-collier (downton abbey): PRO: Who else watched “Episode 7″ and went OH SHIT!? Yeah, exactly. This season, we saw a different side of Thomas. A more vulnerable side of him that voters, who we know watch the show, may appreciate. With Brendan Coyle curiously not being submitted, James-Collier could rightfully take the now empty Downton Abbey spot for this category. CON: James-Collier has always given a good performance, so why hasn’t he been nominated before? Even last season, him being nominated would have probably made more sense than Jim Carter. It’ll be interesting if voters have just noticed Rob James-Collier.

8. vincent kartheiser (mad men): PRO: At this point, it may seem silly to anticipate a Vincent Kartheiser nomination. However, John Slattery’s snub last year in favor of the new Jared Harris may give us some newfound hope. Maybe voters have just realized that there could possibly be more deserving actors than John Slattery…including Kartheiser. CON: Or…maybe Harris only got nominated last year because his character committed suicide, and now that he’s not eligible, Slattery will take his spot on the short list again. Maybe they’ll continue to snub Kartheiser the same way they’ve been snubbing him the last 5 years.

9. mandy patinkin (homeland): PRO: Last year, Patinkin didn’t get a nomination. The writers of Homeland took note and gave Patinkin stronger, more emotional material. In some cases, he would be the best thing about an episode. Last year, I didn’t particularly think he deserved a nomination. This year? I think he would be in my personal top 6. Do the voters feel the same way? Despite the criticisms this season has accumulated, Homeland is still expected to have a strong showing, possibly even stronger than last year. CON: But still…he wasn’t nominated last year. So this year will be especially nail-biting.

10. aaron paul (breaking bad): PRO: He has been nominated three times, winning for his last two eligible years. Even last year when most people were predicting Esposito (not me!), he still prevailed. He continues to be intense and sublime in his role and there is NO reason why he should be left off this year. CON: Absolutely no reason.

11. john slattery (mad men): PRO: He was consistently nominated for the show’s first four years before being dropped last season in favor of Jared Harris. However, now that Harris is gone, I could Slattery comfortably taking his spot again. Similar to Cumming, Slattery is nice comedic relief for the show and usually breaks the tension. Also, that signature grey hair? Sa-exy. CON: Even though Mad Men is a very popular show among voters, the “once you’re out, you’re out” rule may still apply to John Slattery. Also, so far (the show still has only one episode left to air), Slattery hasn’t been given too much to do.

12. corey stoll (house of cards): PRO: Since Midnight in Paris, Stoll has broken out and become a truly a respected actor. His performance in House of Cards has gotten praise and even earned him a Critics Choice Award nomination. If a complete newcomer can squeeze into the race, it’s probably Stoll. CON: Despite the praise, sometimes it takes a year or two before an actor is nominated. Just ask Aaron Paul…or even Michael C. Hall. Sometimes a voter simply needs more proof of worthiness before adding him to his or her ballot.

13. Sam Waterston (the newsroom): PRO: He’s been nominated for eight Emmys, but he’s never won for an acting performance. Nonetheless, he’s clearly an Emmy favorite and, I believe, being on the long running (and maybe tiring) Law & Order has kept him from receiving more Emmy nods. With this new, fresh role as network president Charlie Skinner, maybe he finally has a chance for Emmy glory. CON: No Golden Globe nomination might be a crutch (although, it’s much harder for a supporting performer to get nominated for a Golden Globe than an Emmy). Still, this show is very divided and Waterston will need all the people who love the show to vote for him in order to get the nomination.

Other strong contenders: Bobby Cannavale (Boardwalk Empire), Josh Charles (The Good Wife), Guillermo Diaz (Scandal), Ben Feldman (Mad Men), Walton Goggins (Justified), David Harewood (Homeland), Kit Harington (Game of Thrones), Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel), Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal), John Noble (Fringe), Dean Norris (Breaking Bad), Kevin Rahm (Mad Men)

Long shots worth considering: Michael Cuditz (Southland), Matt Czurchy (The Good Wife), Tony Goldwyn (Scandal), Jeff Perry (Scandal), Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire)

Even longer shots I recommend checking out: Noel Fisher, Cameron Monaghan, and Jeremy Allen White (Shameless), Jordan Garavis (Orphan Black), James Pickens Jr. (Grey’s Anatomy)

Read the ballots here to see who else was submitted in this category. Thanks for reading! More coming soon! For more Emmy stuff, click here.

2013
06/17
CATEGORY
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the good wife
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2013 Emmy Predictions (Top Contenders) – Lead Actor in a Drama Series


house of cards kevin spacey

Interestingly enough, there was a time when, before the actual nominations came out, voters would narrow down all the contenders to the “top 10″. They obviously don’t do that anymore. But…we can still assume which contenders are at the top of the voter’s minds. Before I release my official nomination predictions around early July, I am going to run down which 10 or so contenders are the biggest threats…and maybe some personal long shots that I believe voters should consider. Here we go!

(Yeah…I copied that opening paragraph from last season…deal with it.)

For more Emmy stuff, click here.

Here are the top Emmy contenders for Lead Actor in a Drama Series. In alphabetical order…

1. hugh bonneville (downton abbey): PRO: He was (surprisingly) nominated last year. This season, his character dealt with a lot of things – from the (almost) loss of his estate to the death of his daughter. As an actor he had a lot to work with. CON: However, some may see the character as too unlikable (or even too stupid). And let’s be honest, last year, he was nominated mostly because of the overwhelming support for the show as a whole. If the show doesn’t get the same amount of support this season, he could easily be dropped out.

2. steve buscemi (boardwalk empire): PRO: These last three seasons, he’s been consistently nominated for all the big TV awards, including winning two SAG awards in the process. He’s an actor’s actor and I believe the industry respects him enough. CON: Is it just me (and I say this as someone who doesn’t watch the show regularly) or has this show been overshadowed by Breaking Bad and Homeland? Just sayin’…

3. bryan cranston (breaking bad): PRO: Three Emmys out of four nominations…and he just received his first SAG award this year.  This season was highly acclaimed and we’re all anticipating the second half of the last season in the process. I think it’s safe to say he’ll get nominated this year and last year too…he may even win again in the process. On a personal note, in my opinion, he gives one the best performances on TV. CON: Hey! Even James Gandolfini missed a year during his Sopranos run. Anything can happen!

4. jeff daniels (the newsroom): PRO: He’s actually never been nominated for any Emmys for his previous work. However, so far, for The Newsroom, he’s gotten a nominated for the Satellite, The Golden Globes, and the SAGs. All signs lead to “Emmy.” If voters watched only the pilot (like I have), he could still get in based on his fiery performance in that episode. CON: The Newsroom has gotten some pretty nasty reviews from critics (and even audiences). The whole show, including Daniels, could be snubbed.

5. michael c. hall (dexter): PRO: Last year, against all odds, despite scathing reviews for the season, Michael C. Hall still received a nomination. He received it over Hugh Laurie for his last season of House and presumed front runner Kelsey Grammar for Boss. That is how much voters like Michael C. Hall. This last season hasn’t gotten better reviews so, technically, it should be safe, right? CON: Something in my blood tells me this category will be shook up. This category is TOO competitive this year with too many new contenders for voters to give Hall his 6th nomination (without a win). But…I think I said the same thing last year so what do I know?

6. jon hamm (mad men): PRO: The season isn’t over yet, but, so far, I think Hamm has done enough to warrant another nomination. He’s an Emmy favorite. He’ll probably get nominated for 30 Rock again…even if he didn’t appear in any episodes. CON: Is Mad Men losing stock? The show got no wins last year. Hamm has never won an Emmy. Even newcomer Damien Lewis beat him last year. Will there be a time when voters will stop nominating Hamm altogether?

7. damien lewis (homeland): PRO: Damien Lewis, IMO, gives a tour-de-force performance. And he impressed me more this season than he did last season when he actually won. He deserves another nomination this year, maybe even a second Emmy. CON: Homeland got a lot of flack this year (mostly the second half of the season). And not everyone loves Lewis’s performance. But, again, this is a “critics vs. regular people vs. industry” situation.

8. andrew lincoln (the walking dead): PRO: I am the only person in America who doesn’t watch this show. Seriously, this show gets ratings that broadcast networks would die for. Even if this show isn’t really a reliable awards favorite, this wouldn’t be the first time an actor has received an Emmy nomination after a few seasons, especially when the critical reception for the show is getting warmer. CON: But, again, the show isn’t a reliable awards favorite. And besides a couple Saturn Award nominations, Lincoln has never been nominated for anything significant (SAGs and Golden Globes, etc.)

9. timothy olyphant (justified): PRO: As the rough and tough deputy, he earned a nomination for the show’s second season when the show was receiving a lot of Margo Martindale related buzz. He hasn’t gotten nominated for much since then, but he is still a top contender because he and the show still receives a lot of acclaim. CON: He wasn’t nominated last year. You know the old Emmy rule: “Once you’re out, you’re out forever!”

10. matthew rhys (the americans): PRO: This is a very new show that hasn’t had much of a chance to pick awards steam. However, Matthew Rhys just received a TCA nomination, and Critics Choice nomination, and tons of critical acclaim. CONS: You’d have to be ballsy to put him in your final top 6 (esp. considering everyone nominated last year is eligible this year). But predict him if you must.

11. kevin spacey (house of cards): PRO: Like Rhys, he’s on a very new show that has gotten some really nice critical notice. Unlike Rhys, he is a terribly established actor with two Oscars and a couple Emmy nominations for previous works. After three episodes, I found the show a little boring to be honest, but I found his performance invigorating and droll. CON: If this show had premiered on traditional television and not the internet, I’d probably be more confident of his chances.

Other strong contenders: Kevin Bacon (The Following), Andre Braugher (Last Resort), Hugh Dancy (Hannibal), Michael Emerson (Person of Interest),

Long shots worth considering: Patrick J. Adams (Suits), Simon Baker (The Mentalist), Kelsey Grammer (Boss), Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy), Jeremy Irons (The Borgias), Peter Krause (Parenthood), Gabriel Macht (Suits), William H. Macy (Shameless), Jonny Lee Miller (Sherlock)

Read the ballots here to see who else was submitted in this category. Thanks for reading! More coming soon! For more Emmy stuff, click here.

2013
06/12
CATEGORY
tv
television
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70th (2013) Golden Globes Predictions (Television Categories)


game change

Is anyone else completely psyched for this year’s Golden Globes. I don’t necessarily take the actual awards too seriously…but I love the ceremony atmosphere. It’s a lot less stuffy than some of the more “major” awards. It’s just cool seeing drunk celebrities so uninhibited. And as much as I liked Ricky Gervais and his painfully honest commentary, I am balls to the wall excited for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. They are the two funniest women in Hollywood. They’re best friends. I am confident this will be a fun night. But before then, I just GOTTA predict which people will win (and should win). Right now, I’m just going to focus on television. I’ll predict the movie categories after the Oscar nominations are announced Thursday. I know it shouldn’t matter…but it does.

OK…let’s start this thang. The nominations are here.

DRAMA

Series: With Mad Men surprisingly out of the way, this category is down to two strong contenders. The Newsroom is the type of new show that the Globes would probably like to reward, but the negative reviews might turn the Press away. Breaking Bad is a show that was never popular with this awards group. It’s weird how this was the show’s first nomination. And, let’s face it, no one really talks about Boardwalk Empire anymore. So, it’s last year’s winner Homeland vs. last year’s winner Downton Abbey. According to many fans and critics alike, both shows have gone through “sophomore slumps” in their second seasons. Nonetheless, they’re both front runners, and I think these mostly foreign voters will want to vote for the sophisticated British drama: Downton Abbey.

(However, I believe Breaking Bad should win to make up for all those times it was snubbed an nomination (Also, my opinion on the second season of Homeland might have changed a bit since my “Top 10 TV Shows” article from a few days back.))

Actor: Again, if The Newsroom had gotten better reviews, I’d feel tempted to predict Jeff Daniels. But, I think this time, the voters won’t vote for the “new nominee.” Clearly the HFPA doesn’t love Mad Men anymore so I don’t see Jon Hamm prevailing. And, again, no one really talks about Boardwalk Empire. So, similar to the Emmys, it’s Cranston vs. Lewis. The HFPA have had so many chances to give Bryan Cranston the award. I don’t think it’s going to happen this year. I think recent Emmy winner Damien Lewis will win.

(And, I think Damien Lewis should win. He was really great this year. Bryan Cranston winning would be fine, if only to make up for the past years snubs.)

Actress: Like I’ve mentioned before, the Golden Globes really love awarding the new underdog, with or without Emmys. That’s why the likes of Anna Paquin and Katey Sagal have won the years before. So, yeah, Connie Britton and Michelle Dockery have a chance. However, the HFPA’s love for Claire Danes is undeniable (she has never lost a Golden Globe before). So, I think she’ll just win this one again.

(Claire Danes is a worthy winner, but, for the sake of spreading the wealth, I’d like to see Michelle Dockery nab the prize this time. Julianna Margulies has also had a great year. I love Connie Britton, but her story line in Nashville is the most boring.)

COMEDY

Series: This is a toughie for me. I think it’s safe to say Big Bang Theory and Smash are out. The Golden Globes clearly like Episodes - Matt LeBlanc won last year. Modern Family seems to win everything nowadays. And Girls is a new, critically acclaimed show – the type of show that voters would like. Hm…I think MF has run its course. Episodes will win. (So, if things go according to plan, British shows will win for Drama and Comedy.)

(I’m hoping Episodes win. It’s the only show in this lineup that I would have personally nominated.)

Actor: Alec Baldwin could get a “goodbye” win…but I think the voters’ ambivalence towards the show as a whole is holding Baldwin back. This is Louis CK’s first nomination…I think the nomination is the award for him. In short, I think this will be a good night for Matt LeBlanc and he’ll win again. He should watch for Don Cheadle though.

(Honestly…anyone but Jim Parsons. I’m rooting for Louis CK’s the most.)

Actress: It’s the dueling hosts – Amy vs. Tina! Just kidding. It’s really Lena Dunham vs. Julia Louis Dreyfus. The Golden Globes like cable comedies. They like young women. I think first timer Lena Dunham will prevail and win her first major award.

(Hm…I think Tina Fey is the best of these ladies. But, at the same time, seeing Amy Poehler finally win an award would be beautiful.)

TV MOVIE/MINISERIES

TV Movie/Miniseries: The Golden Globes usually just copy off the Emmys…even if there are new contenders. Game Change‘s only real competition is Hatfields and McCoys.

(Having not seen The Girl, Political Animals or the second season of The Hour, I have no choice but to root for Game Change.)

Actor: This category is pretty much out in the air. Benedict Cumberbatch of Sherlock is a strong contender, but I’m going to predict Kevin Costner this time for Hatfields and McCoys. 

(I think Cumberbatch should win. I really like Woody Harrelson though. It’s sad that he doesn’t get much credit for Game Change.

Actress: Jessica Lange won a Golden Globe last year for American Horror Story. She could very well win again for this second season. However, like I mentioned before, the Golden Globes usually just award the person who won the Emmy. So I think Julianne Moore will win for her wonderful Sarah Palin performance in Game Change.

(Yeah, Julianne Moore FTW.)

SUPPORTING PERFORMERS

Actor: The supporting categories are always a crapshoot. Besides Danny Huston for Magic City, any of these men have a chance. Eric Stonestreet won the Emmy last fall, while Max Greenfield and Ed Harris were nominated. However, Mandy Patinkin had a stand out role in this season’s Homeland. If the voters love Homeland, they watched this season. And if they were as impressed with his performance as everyone else was, then I think they’ll award him along with his two co-stars. It’s anyone’s game though.

(I think Mandy Patinkin is the most deserving (If Aaron Paul had been nominated, then we’d be having a different discussion.). If Eric Stonestreet wins, I’ll lose it.)

Actress: Without Jessica Lange in her way, this is Maggie Smith‘s to lose.

(Honestly, this is the one category where I really like all the nominees. However…a little part of me is rooting for Hayden Panettiere of Nashville. Yeah, is she really supporting? Who knows? She’s still really good and has sort of become a breakout this season. I hope she’s nominated for an Emmy)

So…that’s it. Stay tuned for my movie predictions which I’ll either have posted on the night of the 10th…or early 11th. Thanks for reading!

2013
01/08
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My 10 Favorite Television Programs of 2012


I decided not to title this article “Ten BEST Shows of 2012″ because, honestly, there are still a few shows I haven’t watched yet…most notably American Horror Story. I really liked the first season. And although that first season probably wouldn’t have made my top 10 last year, I still think it’s worth noting that I would probably enjoy the show this season and that it would probably be a contender for my top 10.

Anyway, let’s go through the top 10 (separated by comedy and drama), and afterwards I’ll list a couple honorable mentions…

COMEDY:

5. ANT Farm - On this blog, I’ve discussed my adoration for kids shows like iCarly and Good Luck Charlie. (Both shows are definitely part of my honorable mention list). iCarly had a really nice series finale…however, most fans admit that the show had been getting worse and worse. However, a new generation of kids shows have surprisingly been holding up…and the best of the shows is definitely ANT Farm. The show stars musical prodigy China Anne McClain, and is about a bunch of young high schoolers who are part of a gifted program at their school. This show is actually very funny and if people actually looked past the “Disney Channel” label and gave it chance, they would crack up more than once. Also, China Anne McClain is more talented than Selenademimileyhilary and all the others IMO.

Standout episode: “fANTasy Girl” (Watch the episode twice!)

4. Episodes - This second season wasn’t as fresh and hilarious as its first season (last year it was my number 1 show). Nonetheless, this show still easily finds a spot in my top 5 comedies. This season took off from where the last one left us. The show did a good job dealing with Sean and Beverly’s separation. We saw them struggle with their marriage and also their show which didn’t do too well in the ratings. We also saw Joey deal with getting old and see him reflect sadly on his “Friends” day. Once again, this show does a good job balancing slightly raunchy humor with some realy poignant stuff. And I am definitely looking forward to the next season.

Standout episode: “Episode Nine” (This show is good with finales).

3. The New Normal - Book of Mormon is literally one of the best musicals of the last few years, so, naturally, I was very excited that Andrew Rannells had a new comedy show (esp. considering how hilarious he was in Girls). I really like this show. Yeah, some people think the show is too preachy. I dunno…I feel like we need shows like this. There are people out there who are still disappointingly racist and homophobic, so I don’t mind watching a show that stresses the importance of tolerance and acceptance. I think Rannells and Justin Bartha have great chemistry together. And, I don’t watch much cable reality television, but I have such a soft spot for Nene Leakes. IMO, her character is a better foil for the main characters than Ellen Barkin’s. This is the only new fall comedy that I watch religiously.

Standout episode: “Sofa’s Choice” (Shania as Little Edie was enough for me to get hooked onto this show.

2. 30 Rock - Here comes the waterworks! I’ve mentioned on this blog many times how much I love this show. I pretty much plan on writing another article towards the end of the show’s run. So, I’m not going to delve too deeply on my love for this show. However, season 7, in particular, has been great so far. And if things go according to plan, season 7 could end up being the show’s strongest season ever. Jane Krakowski has been a stand out. I’m really going to miss the show when it ends in January.

Stand out episode: “Mazel Tov Dummies” (Liz and Criss’s wedding made me crack up and cry at the same time.)

1. Veep - This eight episode first season has been pitch perfect. The first time I watched the season, I loved it. The second time I watched it, I appreciated the swift writing even more. This show is similar to 30 Rock in that there’s a joke every ten seconds. And most of the jokes are just hilarious. This show has one of the sharpest casts on television. I think it’s a little ridiculous  that people only focus on Julia Louis Dreyfuss, when Anna Chlumsky and Tony Hale also give great performances (which is why I’m glad The Emmys gave us a surprise and nominated the show as a whole along with the lead actress.) I like Girls alot…but this show deserves much more attention.

Stand out episode: “Baseball” (really all of them…but this episode is just the bees knees).

game change

DRAMA:

5. Game Change - The thing I really like about this TV movie is that it really paints a sympathetic portrait of the Republican party. Despite what the people at Fox News thinks, this movie isn’t completely scathing towards Palin orMcCain. I mean, yeah, it does point out how unqualified Palin would have been for the job (and how McCain tried to manipulate the public by choosing her in the first place). But, I left the movie not hating them…but feeling sorry for them. Maybe if I had known how much these people were struggling/hurting, I would have voted for McCain (jk…seriously…jk). Anyway, Julianna Moore gives a great performance and she won her Emmy fair and square with her pitch perfect Sarah Palin impression.

4. Breaking Bad - I really don’t think the producers should have split the last season in half. I would have rather waited 2 years for 16 episodes in a row, then watch 8 episodes a year. As much as I loved this season, I felt like it was mostly set up for the last 8 episodes next summer. This is the same problem The Sopranos had during their last season (although, because The Sopranos is more anthological, it worked better). This show is obviously still in my top 10 because it still remains one of the best shows on television. But…there are three drama shows I liked more this year. Bryan Cranston, Anna Gun and Aaron Paul still continue to do great work. And Jonathan Banks deserves an Emmy nomination next year.

Stand out episode: “Fifty-One” (the fight between Walter and Skyler was wild).

3. Homeland - This has become the show people love to hate apparently. Yes, towards the end of the season, the show became a bit ridiculous and implausible. But…I never got into this show because it was “realistic”. I got into this show because it was exciting and because I constantly anticipated what happened next. This show constantly surprised and I watched every episode on the edge of my seat. That’s mostly what I look for in a show like this. So…despite what others think, this show has not jumped the shark and I’m already looking forward to the third season (because I have no idea what they plan on doing with Brody). Mandy Patinkin CHALLA BREAD!

Stand out episode: “Q and A” (for obvious reasons).

2. The Good Wife - This technically still remains my favorite dramatic show. The show is just slick and sly, with fast paced editing and sharp characterization and performances. The show constantly makes me laugh and keeps me intrigued. Julianna Margulies continues to be a great leading lady and anchors the cast well. I’ve also really enjoyed the addition of Amanda Peet as a military lawyer who works for the DA’s office after losing her rape trial. The thing that’s preventing this show from being number 1 is the really terrible Kalinda story line this fall.  Luckily, the producers got rid of it and still have a chance to fully redeem season 4.

Stand out episode: “Another Ham Sandwich”

3. Shameless - The more I think about this show, the more I love it. It’s just such a messy, crazy, imperfect show with a great cast and crazier story lines. And, yeah, this show has so many “funny” moments that it could be counted as a comedy. But what really draws me to this show is the heartbreaking drama, particularly anything having to do with the mother (her suicide attempt was cray!)Karen’s birthing episode was also pretty dramatic, especially the scenes where she tries to get her mother (Joan Cusack) to not adopt the baby. Overall, I love this show with a passion and if no other critic is going to acknowledge it…then I will!

Standout episode: “Just Like the Pilgrims Intended”

Other honorable mentions go to: Mad Men (I just couldn’t fit it into my top 10), Louie, New Girl, Dance Moms, Saturday Night Live, Grey’s Anatomy, and Bob’s Burgers.

I also have to give a special shout out to Downton Abbey. Season three was really great this season and if it had already aired in America this year, it would have definitely made my top 10. But…I ultimately decided not to include the season this year. But look for it next year. I can’t wait until the rest of America watches it (y’know, the part of the population that’s never heard of Sceper).

OK! What’s in your top 10! Thanks for reading and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2012
12/25
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2012 Emmys Recap!


So…that just happened. Can I be honest? Between late July and now, my interest level in the Emmys have dropped considerably. Like I came into this ceremony not really caring about…anything. I suppose that’s a good thing because there were one too many “wasted wins”. So…congrats you rich celebs! Let’s just go through this…THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE UGLY!

THE GOOD

  • The following wins: Damian Lewis (I was hoping Bryan Cranston would make history but Lewis was my second choice and it’s nice seeing an underdog win), Homeland (again, I was technically rooting for Breaking Bad, but, by golly, this was a spectacular first season and I’m glad something beat Mad Men this year. Proud of the cast and crew.)
  • I actually liked the opening video. It was kind of cool seeing a nominated actress pop up, one after the other. Seeing a nude Lena Dunham eat cake in a stall was…interesting. And I did have a pretty big LOL moment when Heidi, Howie, Tom, Ryan and Jeff popped up said they would host the show. It wasn’t as great as Jane Lynch’s last year. And it doesn’t even come close to the likes of Jimmy Fallon’s or Conan O’Brien’s…but I guess I have to appreciate the fact that Jimmy didn’t piggyback off those past hosts and do a song or put himself in other shows. It was a short and sweet opening.
  • Louis CK winning two Emmys. That was nice. He won his first Emmy for writing which was a slight disappointment considering I thought the script he submitted was pretty weak compared to some of the others. But Louie CK writes every episode on his show so I’ll say this Emmy represents his solid work along the season. I’m just glad he walked away with an Emmy. It would have been tragic if he had been snubbed this year.
  • Sofia Vergara happily chanting “BRAVO!!” to her co-star Julie Bowen after she won, showing how great of a sport Vergara is. I suspect her time will come soon.
  • During the “Best Direction in a Comedy Series” clip package, the directors are asked who make the best directors. Lena Dunham’s “Jewish Men?” had me chuckle.
  • Despite the fact that I was pretty angry with Modern Family dominating again, their clip package involving a badass Lily was funny. Funniest quip: “Can anyone understand what [Sofia Vergara's] saying?”
  • Melissa McCarthy going over the Lead Actors in a Comedy Series (Alec Baldwin has great chest hair, Jim Parsons is smooth like a baby.) She’s such a funny lady on such an unfunny TV show!

THE BAD

  • The following wins: Eric Stonestreet (although his slight pro-gay rights message was appreciated), Julie Bowen (which means Kristen Wiig has ZERO Emmys for her work on SNL. ZERO!!!), Steve Levitan for Directing in a Comedy Series, Modern Family (so, yeah, pretty much anything having to do with Modern Family), Jon Cryer (although his utter disbelief didn’t make the whole moment seem too terrible), Maggie Smith (she’s excellent on Downton Abbey, but in such a strong year for supporting actresses, did she really need another Emmy?), Kevin Costner (Really? Really.),

THE UGLY

  • Last year’s Emmys was so great because they had these beautifully edited clip packages for all the actors nominated. This year, they had nothing for the comedy actors, and barely anything for the drama/Movie actors. C’mon! Remind us one last time why these actors are great!

AND THE OUTSTANDING

  • The following wins: Aaron “Freakin’” Paul!!! (Deserved a second win through and through! I love how passionate and intense his speeches are. As great as Esposito is, I don’t think he should win just because his character dies), Claire Danes (“Mandy Patinkin. HOLLA!”), Julianna Moore (and pretty much all the love Game Change got was fantastic)
  • Y’know, I was really rooting for Amy Poehler to finally get a golden baby, but I absolutely adore Veep and I think Julia Louis Dreyfuss was still deserving. That little skit she created with Amy Poehler was hilarious and genius and was definitely the brightest moment of the entire night. Amy Poehler continues to have such a great attitude despite her continual losses. Let’s cross our fingers for next year.
  • Again, Jon Stewart’s 10th win was pretty disappointing. What made it better was Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert pulling Stewart back to prevent him from getting on the stage. And what followed was a pretty earnest speech from Stewart, giving props to all the other nominees in particular. I don’t think Jon Stewart should pull a “Candice Bergen” and drop out of the race, but I really hope next year someone new can win. I hope this every year and it never happens!

Overall, I can’t say this was a great Emmy night. It was so-so. Some great funny little bits, a couple deserving winners, a few undeserving ones. Jimmy Kimmel was a fun host, but I think he could have been better. But…who am I kidding? I’m just glad this is all over! Goodnight!

2012
09/24
CATEGORY
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FINAL 2012 EMMY PREDICTIONS + Reviewing the Comedy Series and Drama Series nominations


For more Emmy discussion, visit my Emmy page.

First things first, I want to apologize for kind of forgetting about this blog for the last few weeks. The truth is, I have just begun my senior year of college, and I haven’t had much time to even speculate over the Emmys. I was really hoping I would do more categories this year. I even watched all the nominees for Animated Program and Voice Over Program…but I simply didn’t have the energy to finish what I started. I’m happy that I at least covered all the “major” categories. That was my main goal. So…no regrets…but still disappointed.

So this will be my final post before the big night(s), so I’m just going to squish everything on one page. Let’s start with figuring who I think will win. In my “Reviewing the Nominees” posts, I only revealed who I thought SHOULD win. Now is the time to buck up and make real objective predictions. Let’s do this!:

(Of course, I won’t be predicting anything from the Creative Arts Emmys because those are taking place as I type this. Again…sorry!)

Movie/Minseries - I think the political drama Game Change will prevail. It’s a short movie that most voters have probably seen.

Lead Actor in a Movie - I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Bill Paxton will win for Hatfields & McCoys beating his more famous co-star, the same way Barry Pepper beat Greg Kinnear last year. (Bill Paxton gave the stronger performance of the two the same way Pepper did.)

Lead Actress in a Movie – Julianna Moore all the way.

Supporting Actor in a Movie - Hm…I think Ed Harris will take this for Game Change as well…

Supporting Actress in a Movie – I want it to be Sarah Paulson so bad but…Jessica Lange has been the front runner since she won the Golden Globe earlier this year.

I pretty much also think Game Change will take awards for Writing and Directing.

Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Bryan Cranston (6 for 6, baby! 6 for 6!)

Lead Actress in a Drama Series - This is Claire Danes to lose. If both Jon Hamm and Elizabeth Moss couldn’t win last year, I don’t think either of them have a chance this year.

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Nope. Not Giancarlo. It’s gonna be Aaron Paul all the way. I can feel it. I can feel it in my loins.

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Downton Abbey can’t walk away empty handed, so I think Maggie Smith will unfortunately beat Christina Hendricks.

Directing for a Drama Series - The Emmys love pilots, which is why I’m tempted to go with Homeland…but Breaking Bad’s “Face Off” was the most talked about episode of the year.

Writing for a Drama Series - What a toughie. I’m going to have to go with… the Homeland pilot. 

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Louis CK is well respected in Hollywood, but after Jim Parsons beat Steve Carell last year…it would be silly not to predict him again.

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Amy Poehler’s not going to win. Let’s just prepare for it now. The plucky Zooey Deschanel wouldn’t be such a bad pick however.

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family. He had a stand out year, and I think voters will eventually want the whole cast to win.

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - I only have one more chance to do this…so I might as well do it now: Kristen Wiig

Directing for a Comedy Series - Louis CK. He can’t go home empty handed again. I think this will be the category where he will prevail.

Writing for a Comedy Series - Lena Dunham for the same reason I had for Louie CK.

The Amazing Race and The Daily Show will win their respective categories for the billionth year.

For the full nominees for all these categories, plus more detailed takes on the categories (along with my choices as to who SHOULD WIN…visit my EMMY PAGE.

OK! The next (and more important) part of this post is my views of the Drama Series and Comedy Series nominations.

Here are the nominees for Best Drama Series:

Boardwalk Empire

Mad Men

Game of Thrones

Breaking Bad

Homeland

Downton Abbey

Who Should Win: Of these nominees, there are four shows I love and watch, and two shows I care little about. While I recognize that Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire are beautiful, well made, well written shows with dedicated fan bases (particularly GoT)…the shows have never really caught my interest. BE is just a little too slow for my taste…the exciting moments are too far in between. And, more than anything, the subject matter never initially interested me…and sadly the show didn’t make me more interested. As for GoT…I’ve never really been a fan of genre television. It’s not my style. So I can’t pretend I’d be happy if either of these shows won.

I have to admit, I’ve grown to love Downton Abbey. I know I was quite ambivalent about the show during the 1st season…and I wouldn’t say the 2nd season is BETTER…but the 2nd season definitely, for some reason, made me understand what has drawn people to the show. I STILL think Mildred Pierce is a much better program…but I genuinely do enjoy this show and I am so looking forward to the 3rd season (which I will be watching tomorrow…no matter what…not waiting for PBS). On the other hand, Mad Men is a show I’ve always liked, that gets better and better with every season. Season 5 was just so amazing with stand out episode after the other. I still don’t think Mad Men is the best drama on TV…and I never have. But I appreciate the show for at least improving, something even the best shows fail to do…

Homeland was the surprise hit of the season…and I was certainly surprised at how much I loved show and how engaged I was while watching the episodes. I never thought I would love a military thriller…but this show definitely caught my attention. I’m very glad it got all the attention it did. However…it’s been too long…Breaking Bad has to win. It was the most talked about show last year. And I feel like so many people discovered this show and watched it from the beginning because of the sheer awesomeness of this season. It would be a shame in 10 years to look back and realize that we never awarded this great drama. We’re doing it right now with The Wire. Let’s not make the same mistake with Breaking Bad.

Last Good Wife shout out: The Good Wife is better than all these shows.

Who Will Win: Mad Men. Sigh…just…sigh.

Here are the nominees for Best Comedy Series: 

30 Rock

Modern Family

The Big Bang Theory

Girls

Veep

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Who Should Win: This is a category that always pisses a lot of people off. It just shows how strong the comedies are lately. We truly are living in a golden age. However…I will confidently say that I would replace Modern Family, Big Bang Theory and Girls with Parks and Recreation, New Girl, and Louie among others. Sorry! Just sayin’. Girls had a really solid first season. I truly did look forward to new episodes…and I’m looking forward to the next season. But Lena Dunham is still a very green writer and actor. I just feel like voters, in nominating this show, were rewarding the young person’s accomplishments and not the actual product. Girls was simply not among the top 6 this year. Plain fact. The other two shows are similarly overrated. I used to LOVE The Big Bang Theory…I still really like it. But (kill me) I truly believe 2 Broke Girls has more heart and funnier jokes (neither shows deserve recognition…but if a multi-camera sitcom had to win…) And Modern Family is cute…but it’s not terribly edgy and there’s very little development. I hope they step it up next year.

30 Rock is my favorite show but it’s won 3 times…so I don’t really need to see it win again. I mean, I would be happy for the show…but I don’t think it’s a necessary win. At this point, people aren’t going to like the show any more or less. The same technically could be said for Curb…but the show HAS NEVER won. And, as someone who has started getting into the show, I think it would be cool if they finally did. I mean, “Palestinian Chicken” is just a perfect 30 minutes of television. However, my vote would definitely go to Veep, a thoroughly underrated show that cracks me up every third line spoken. I just don’t know how they come up with such funny dialogue and situations. If an Emmy win means more people will give this gem a chance, then I am ALL FOR IT.

Who Will Win: Modern Family.

So…that’s as much as I can do. I’ll see you all next week and I definitely plan on recapping the ceremony and reviewing the winners and all that jazz. Thanks for reading!

 

2012
09/15
CATEGORY
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Reviewing the 2012 Emmy Nominees #22 (Lead Actor in a Drama Series)


For the next few weeks, I’ll be reviewing the nominees in the major categories. When it comes to the performers in comedy or drama series, I will be discussing their episode submissionsas well as their performance on the show as a whole. There are some shows I haven’t really watched; so in some situations, the only way I’ll be able to judge a performer is by the submission solely (I’ll make it clear what those shows are.) So be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly for my picks on who should win…

For more Emmy discussion, visit my Emmy page.

Here are the nominees:

Steve Buscemi – Boardwalk Empire (“Two Boats and a Lifeguard”)

Michael C. Hall – Dexter (“Nebraska”)

Bryan Cranston – Breaking Bad (“Crawl Space”)

Hugh Bonneville-  Downton Abbey (“Episode 7″ Christmas)

Jon Hamm – Mad Men (“The Other Woman”)

Damian Lewis – Homeland (“Marine One”)

I watch all these shows regularly, except “Dexter” and “Boardwalk Empire”.

Who Should Win: I haven’t gotten around to really watching Dexter. I’ve only watched tapes if need be for the last couple of seasons for the sake of these posts. I’m sure there was a time when Michael C. Hall was amazing and deserving. His performance has a lot of power to it, but it sort of pales in comparison to the best of this category. Also, judging from the “last episode preview” that plays before the episode, I’m not sure if he submitted his most intense episode. I mean it looked like he kills someone in the middle of the ocean. Why didn’t he submit that episode? Again, I’m not a regular watcher of this show. I am a regular viewer of Downton Abbey and while Hugh Bonneville does fine work on it, he totally submitted the wrong episode. In Episode 7 he comes across as more like-able. He supports his daughter. He supports his staff. But it’s an incredibly lightweight performance. If he had submitted Episode 6 (where his wife becomes sick, he has an affair with one of the maids, and he angrily condemns his daughter for marrying the chauffeur) then he would have been in the competition more. In Episode 7, besides the court room scene, he’s pretty much forgettable and lost in the shuffle.

Two relative heavy weights Steve Buscemi and Jon Hamm take up my 4th and 3rd spot respectively. Buscemi’s episode revolves around Nucky learning that his father has passed away. It’s a perfect submission where Buscemi is allowed to play with different emotions, with a nice climax of him crying by his father’s grave. I also think Jon Hamm submitted his best episode, particularly because that last scene he shares with Elizabeth Moss is probably the best moment of the entire season. Beautifully acted by both of them. In my opinion, Hamm gives a better performance this season than he did the previous season (and I technically thought he should have won last year.)

Unfortunately, Hamm has to compete against Damian Lewis and…that other guy who’s already won THREE Emmys. I began watching Homeland a little later than everyone else. That is, I watched like the first 6 episodes on a Saturday, just in time for the 7th episode for Sunday. I approached the series because Claire Danes had gotten so much buzz and I had to see what was up. While Claire Danes was quite spectacular, I was shocked and pretty much dismayed at how little recognition and buzz Damian Lewis was getting. So, I’m glad, by the end of the season, most people were able to recognize his performance. And I’m very glad he was able to get a nomination, even if that meant knocking out heavy favorites like Kelsey Grammer and/or Dustin Hoffman. “Marine One” is one of the best finales of the TV season. A thrilling motion picture length episode where Lewis is just absolutely crazy, from his first scene where Brody tapes a video message explaining his possible terrorist intentions to that thrilling scene where he’s this close to blowing up the shelter with the bomb strapped on his vest, thus killing the Vice President. How cool would it be if Damian Lewis ended up winning?!

Still not as cool as Bryan Cranston winning a 4th Emmy for the craziest moment of the television season. Not gonna lie: Cranston could have submitted ANY episode and he still would have been my top choice based on that episode (even “Box Cutter”). Cranston just kills every scene, every situation, every line. He ended up submitting “Crawl Space” which was, in my opinion, his best choice. It’s a tricky submission because Cranston doesn’t do much for the the first two-thirds of the episode. But the last third where Walt frantically tries to find a way to escape Gus with his family and when he realizes he physically can’t because he doesn’t have the money is just painful to watch (in a good way). That scene in the crawl space is Cranston’s best showcase and, screw spreading the love, Cranston just needs to have a perfect 6 for 6. He’s that good and that deserving.

Lead Actress, Series, and then I’ll be done with the important categories at least. Stay tuned!

My actual predictions will be coming later in the summer. Click here for more Emmy stuff! Thanks for reading! 

2012
08/17
CATEGORY
awards
breaking bad
drama
emmy awards
emmys
nominations
predictions
reflection
review
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Reviewing the 2012 Emmy Nominees #19 (Supporting Actress in a Drama Series)


For the next few weeks, I’ll be reviewing the nominees in the major categories. When it comes to the performers in comedy or drama series, I will be discussing their episode submissionsas well as their performance on the show as a whole. There are some shows I haven’t really watched; so in some situations, the only way I’ll be able to judge a performer is by the submission solely (I’ll make it clear what those shows are.) So be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly for my picks on who should win…

For more Emmy discussion, visit my Emmy page.

Here are the nominees:

Archie Panjabi – The Good Wife (“The Dream Team”)

Anna Gunn – Breaking Bad (“Cornered”)

Maggie Smith – Downton Abbey (“Episode 1″)

Joanne Froggatt – Downton Abbey (“Episode 7″ – Christmas)

Christina Hendricks – Mad Men (“The Other Woman”)

Christine Baranski – The Good Wife (“Alienation of Affection”)

I watch all these shows regularly.

Who Should Win: This was actually a tough category for me to choose the one I like the most. Maggie Smith is one of the brightest things about Downton Abbey. She brings so much refreshing humor in a relatively soapy environment. I literally look forward to seeing her during an episode. She really isn’t given enough to do, but she makes the most of her one liners. She’s 6th (and she shouldn’t have won last year), but I still love her and her round, doughy, emotionless eyes.

It pains me to say this but the two ladies from my favorite dramatic show take up my 5th and 4th slot. Archie Panjabi was unfortunately not given much to do. She didn’t have the same impact she did the first two seasons. In her episode submission, Panjabi effortlessly switches between fear and “badass-ness”. However, as someone who has actually watched the entire season, I can say that maybe this is a year where she should sit out. On the other hand, I’d love to see Christine Baranski win an Emmy…but I don’t think she submitted the best episode. But that doesn’t really matter. She does the absolute best with what she is given. I wouldn’t be mad if she won, but I’d rather she win when the writers give her something truly juicy.

It was hard figuring out who should win between the top 3. I’ll place Joanne Froggart third. This is her first nomination for her second season. She gives as good of a performance as the other two ladies so the only thing I have against her is that she hasn’t paid enough of a due to truly warrant a win (I usually don’t give a shit about “dues” when it comes to who deserves to win but…in this case…).  But Froggart should be happy with her nomination…I mean…what a shock!

Anna Gunn was stellar during this year of Breaking Bad, and in many cases she matched Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston. I also love how she chose an episode with some many quotable quotes (“You know what, Walt? Someone has to protect this family from the man who protects this family.” Ouch.)  It feels good that I can die tomorrow knowing that Anna Gunn has an Emmy nomination. Of course I would love to see her win…but Christina Hendricks is the actress who stands out in this crowd. She’s been nominated three times for a show that’s been on for 5-6 years. It’s time. And it would most definitely be deserved. TBH, I was hoping she would submit “Mystery Date” (the episode where she ends it with her husband). I felt like she showed more range in this episode and came off as more sympathetic. But, ya know, she does great work all around and her performance in “The Other Woman” is good enough for an Emmy.

This category is so perfect, with 6 perfect actresses…but I think now is the time for a Mad Men actor to win…and, right now, that actor should be Christina Hendricks.

My actual predictions will be coming later in the summer. Click here for more Emmy stuff! Thanks for reading! 

 

2012
08/12
CATEGORY
awards
breaking bad
drama
emmy awards
emmys
nominations
predictions
reflection
review
television
the good wife
tv
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1 comment

Reviewing the 2012 Emmy Nominees #18 (Supporting Actor in a Drama Series)


For the next few weeks, I’ll be reviewing the nominees in the major categories. When it comes to the performers in comedy or drama series, I will be discussing their episode submissionsas well as their performance on the show as a whole. There are some shows I haven’t really watched; so in some situations, the only way I’ll be able to judge a performer is by the submission solely (I’ll make it clear what those shows are.) So be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly for my picks on who should win…

For more Emmy discussion, visit my Emmy page.

Here are the nominees:

Aaron Paul – Breaking Bad (“End Times”)

Giancarlo Esposito – Breaking Bad (“Hermanos”)

Brendan Coyle – Downton Abbey (“Episode 7″ – Christmas)

Jim Carter – Downton Abbey (“Episode 2″)

Jared Harris – Mad Men (“Commissions and Fees”)

Peter Dinkalge – Game of Thrones (“Blackwater”)

I watch all these shows regularly, except “Game of Thrones”.

Who Should Win: There are two repeat nominees on this list: Aaron Paul and Peter Dinklage. Peter Dinklage won last year. Now, when I was reviewing the nominees last year, I put him last in terms of who I thought deserved to win (knowing full well that he would  anyway). When he did win, I wasn’t really upset though because, like I’ve stated before, I’ve really enjoyed his past work, and I’m just overall excited that he’s getting recognition, even if it’s not a performance I care about. However, now that he already has an Emmy, I don’t feel bad about putting him last again. And, yes, I will be upset if he wins again. “Blackwater” is an overall exciting episode. The huge battle scene is incredibly thrilling, but, like Dinklage’s submission last year, he’s pretty much lost in the excitement. He has a couple semi-impressive scenes towards the beginning…but I don’t find them particularly Emmy worthy. I just…(and, I don’t watch this show regularly so feel free to throw daggers) feel like he hasn’t fully transformed into his character. When I’m watching him, I’m very aware that I’m watching an actor playing a character. To be honest, he’s pretty much overshadowed by Lena Headey, who really rocked this episode in my opinion.

So, yes, despite what everyone else thinks, I believe the two Downton guys would get my vote over Dinklage. I was quite excited that Jim Carter got a nomination. I don’t think people really appreciate what he does. I think he just gives a very authentic performance. He never tries to go all out or direct attention towards him in a scene. Carter does his humble duty the same way Mr. Carson does his. It’s probably the least “Emmy bait” performance to get a nomination; so I appreciate that the voters were able to recognize his great performance nonetheless. He probably should have submitted Episode 1 (“heart attack”),  but considering that the first episode is nearly 2 hours long, it was probably more effective to submit the more compact second episode. However, I have such a soft spot for John Bates. Brendan Coyle gives a very quiet and tender performance. The Christmas episode practically revolves around his character’s murder case. He plays a very sympathetic figure, but there’s still some depth. He’s probably my favorite male actor on the show so if a male actor on the show had to get a nomination, I’m glad he was included.

The actors in my top 3 are incredibly strong…I almost feel bad for wanting Aaron Paul to win again…but I really want Aaron Paul to win again. If I had to name Paul’s 3 or 4 best episodes on the series, they all would be from season 4. Paul was absolutely wild and he had so many choices (like “Problem Dog”). He chose the right episode in the end. He does so much in “End Times”; but the stand out scene was when Jesse almost kills Walt. Aaron Paul’s face turns so red, veins are literally sticking out of his forehead, tears in his eyes. I don’t know what Paul had to dig up inside himself to give that kind of performance, but it must have been deep because I believed every second of it. Aaron Paul simply deserves to take over the Emmys the same way Bryan Cranston is.

The 2 other actors are great and, as much as I love Aaron Paul, I wouldn’t begrudge if any of these two won, particularly Jared Harris. Have I told you guys how happy I am that the voters got over their love affair for John Slattery and gave a nomination to Jared Harris? Actually, frankly, they both probably deserved to get in, but Jared Harris deserved it SO MUCH more. Harris’s best scene is definitely the scene where Don fires Lane. Harris portrays so much pain and misery. It makes the whole “suicide” twist in the end, not actually a twist. Jared Harris played a man on the edge perfectly, not only in that episode, but throughout the season really. And Giancarlo Esposito…it’s also great that he’s getting recognition too. He submitted a great episode where his character shows a little vulnerability. And that flashback scene towards the end of the episode sort of breaks my heart.

Very strong category.

My actual predictions will be coming later in the summer. Click here for more Emmy stuff! Thanks for reading! 

2012
08/11
CATEGORY
awards
breaking bad
drama
emmy awards
emmys
nominations
predictions
reflection
review
television
tv
TAGS














1 comment

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