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2013 Early Emmy Talk #1(The “locks”)


modern family

Last year, when I did this post for the 2012 Emmys, I actually predicted most of the locks right. The only ones I got wrong was Parks and Recreation for Series and John Slattery for Supporting Actor. However, I was still very weary about making a post this year because…for some reason, I feel like we’re in store for some really big surprises this summer. With some shows finishing out their tenures (and some new shows coming out), it’s tough figuring which shows and people are “safe.” The truth is…no one’s ever truly safe. Last year, everyone and their mother predicted Parks and Recreation and Louie for series nominations, and maybe even wins. Instead, they were surprisingly overturned by the likes of Veep (yay!) and Girls. So…it may be a bit silly to make predictions this early in the season…but, the Emmy bug is itching so…here goes.

Just a reminder, here are some ground rules:

1. This is not an OFFICIAL prediction list. I actually don’t make concrete predictions until voting’s over. I’m just going to name the 1 or 2 people in each category that, no matter what, will most likely get a nomination. That’s all…

2. I never consider new shows and new actors “locks.” Even if it’s PAINFULLY obvious, I leave them out for now. Remember when we all thought Luck would dominate? Exactly. (Side note: are there really any new series this year that are major contenders this year? Is House of Cards that big of a threat?)

3. …I think that’s it, actually.

OK. Here are the locks for the 2013 Emmys as of April 29th…

COMEDY

Lead Actor: With Larry David out of the way this year, we have one slot open…a slot that will probably be filled by either Matt LeBlanc (Episodes) or Jason Bateman (Arrested Development). However, this a category that seldom sees much movement so…Alec Baldwin (for his last season), Jim Parsons, Jon Cryer (last year’s winner) and Louie CK remain the four strongest contenders this year. Don Cheadle is very much in the game but…I can’t help thinking that last year might have been a “one time thing.” I guess we’ll see.

Lead Actress: She probably won’t win, but Tina Fey is most definitely getting in for her last season of 30 Rock. Last year’s winner and reliable Emmy favorite Julia Louis Dreyfuss is also in (and might even win again if the rest of season 2 is as good as these first 3 episodes). Parks and Recreation may be losing stock, but the likable Amy Poehler should stick around. And, last, I think America’s sweetheart Lena Dunham should have another chance of Emmy gold after being routinely snubbed last year. There aren’t many new contenders in this category, so we might very well see the same nominations we got last year. Newbie Mindy Kaling could squeeze in though…but again, I’m not considering newbies (not that I that I think she’s much of a lock anyway).

Supporting Actor: Is it too easy to assume that all four Modern Family dudes will be back this year? It’s tough because Arrested Development could bring a couple supporting actors of their own…and that would still be a perfect six. But still…supporting actor is tighter than you may think. I haven’t watched a single episode of MF this year so I have no inkling who’s been standing out. But…I think previous winners Eric Stonestreet and Ty Burrell are safe. If this is going to be the year that voters think outside the “Modern Family box.” then I believe those two will be left standing.

Supporting Actress: Because there are only two adult women in the Modern Family cast, I think it’ll be easier for Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara to get in easily. As for everyone else? Good luck. If Jane Krakowski hadn’t been egregiously snubbed last year, she would definitely be a lock because it was 30 Rock‘s final season. However, because Emmy voters usually play the “Once you’re out, you’re always out” game, it’ll be a tough road for Jane K. Jessica Walter (AD) may also be a contender and could even win if given the chance. And last year’s surprise nominees Mayim Bialik and Merrit Weaver are still in the game…even though I’m quite confident both will be knocked out come July. (Hey…a Girls gotta eat.)

Series: There are three locks this year: Modern Family because…well…it’s Modern Family, 30 Rock (because their last season was universally acclaimed unlike the last seasons of past Emmy bait shows like Will and Grace. ) and Girls. Everything else is in a bubble. For Veep, it’s too early to say…although I would love to see it get nominated again. For Arrested Development….it’s even more too early because none of the episodes have premiered yet and, well, they could in theory be crap (also, we don’t quite know how voters will react to online television being in contention). Big Bang Theory remains the highest rated comedy on television. I haven’t watched it all this season (actually there are a lot of comedy shows I’ve missed on this season for one reason or another)…but I’ve heard even the most diehard fans say how uneven this season’s been. Louie SHOULD get in…but it’s last 2 (IMO superior) seasons have been snubbed so maybe we should just give it up. It’s also the last season of The Office but…unless the very last episode is spectacular, I’m not seeing right now. And, for the fun of it, let’s not leave out New Girls, Parks and Rec, Episodes, and Enlightened, k?

DRAMA

Lead Actor: The likes of Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom) and Kevin Spacey (House of Cards) have been getting a good amount of buzz…but they’re new shows so…Also, The Newsroom is a hella polarizing. Just sayin’. Anyway, I think the magic three (Bryan Cranston, Jon Hamm, Damian Lewis) will pop up. Steve Buscemi is a little shaky just because Boardwalk Empire isn’t a “hot button” show anymore (at least, that’s what it seems like to me…BTW, I don’t follow the show so maybe I’m wrong), but I still think it’s a lock. I think those 4 definitely have a better chance than Hugh Bonneville and Timothy Olyphant. Michael C. Hall will probably get a nomination, but I wouldn’t consider him a lock persay.

Lead Actress: Once again, I’m not going to put Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men) on the list because there’s still that slight chance she’ll switch to supporting (thus giving Jessica Pare a better chance to prevail). Who knows what’s up with Moss or her character or how long we’ll follow her this season? So…she’s not a lock. Call me strange but, like Lead Actor, I think there are 4 locks: Julianna Margulies, Claire Danes, Glenn Close (if she could manage a nomination last year, she’ll probably get in again this year for the last season of Damages) and Michelle Dockery (Golden Globe and SAG nominee who definitely stood out this last season of Downton Abbey). With Kathy Bates out, there is pretty much one slot open. Will it go to Kerry Washington? Connie Britton? Jessica Pare? Mariska Hargitay?

Supporting Actor: The Supporting Drama Actor category is looser than a…something that’s loose. Yeah, Aaron Paul and Peter Dinklage are virtual locks. But outside that…it’s anyone’s game. I mean, let’s remember, last year…two guys from Downton Abbey got in. You never know what the voters are thinking. I do believe Mandy Pantinkin (Homeland) and Jonathon Banks (Breaking Bad) are probably the next up…but they’ve never been nominated before [for these roles] so…again…very loose.

Supporting Actress: The Good Wife is in an interesting position. For the last three years, they’ve been able to hold on to those 2 supporting actress slots. But this year their hurt by a couple things. One, is Archie Panjabi’s really bad story line during the 1st half of the season. And two, the show as a whole being snubbed series which signifies that voters may be letting go of the series slowly but surely. Will these otherwise amazing actresses be the next victims? Only time will tell. Right now, they’re not locks. Maggie Smith and Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad) definitely are. (Hayden Panettiere FYC).

Series: It’s strange. All 6 nominees from last year could get in this year. In fact, that’s probably what I would predict if I were making a real prediction right now. However, for the sake of me not being bold, I’ll say that the only locks right now are Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and last year’s winner Homeland (even though critics and fans alike were very critical of the latter half of the season). Downton Abbey could be the token period piece / network show this category needs but…I dunno, it’s not everyone’s favorite show. And, hey, The Good Wife could come back and take the spot from Game of Thrones or Boardwalk Empire. Maybe? Probably not. House of Cards, The Newsroom, The Americans, and even Nashville are also contenders. But, again, I think it’ll probably just be the same 6 as last year…

Cool. I got that out of my system. Did I leave out any BIG contenders? Am I underestimating the power of Malibu County? What about Glee? Is that still a thing? Would it be so totally awesome if Shameless got any love besides Joan Cusack? Sound off below.

2013
04/29
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Reviewing the 2012 Emmy Nominees #30 (Casting Categories) + a Review of Lifetime’s “Five”


For more Emmy discussion, visit my Emmy page.

Here are the nominees for Casting for a Drama Series:

Boardwalk Empire

Downton Abbey

Mad Men

The Good Wife

Homeland

Game of Thrones

Who Should Win: I think we all know what show I’m rooting for: The Good Wife. The show casts so many different actors and they play so many different characters. I suppose you could say the same for the other shows – shows that are all “ensemble heavy” pieces. But…The Good Wife is my favorite drama show that was devastatingly snubbed for Best Drama Series, yet still managed the snag six acting nominations, so…yeah, this is the show that I want to see win.

Who Will Win: Shot in the dark? I think this will be an award Downton Abbey will get.

Here are the nominees for Casting for a Comedy Series:

Modern Family

Girls

Nurse Jackie

The Big C

New Girl

Veep

Who Should Win: What’s The Big C doing here? I thought voters were done with this show? Anyway, any show that gives Tony Hale and Anna Chlumsky a job gets my vote. So…Veep it is! New Girl is at a close second, mostly because Jake Johnson and Max Greenfields were good finds.

Who Will Win: I’m guessing that Modern Family will in it again this year after losing to Glee last year. Again, New Girl is at a close second for its very likable cast.

 

Here are the nominees for Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special:

Who Should Win: Let’s talk about Five(SPOILER ALERT) for a moment because I think this is a great TV Movie that was, in my opinion, under-awarded  this Emmy season. How does a program that gets nominations for the Director’s Guild and the Writer’s Guild get only one nomination for Casting. (Although I am a little disgusted that on the official poster, they credit the celebrity directors as opposed to the less famous stars of the show so…maybe voters share my slight disgust). In that case, this movie deserved more, particularly for its performances. Even though the pickings are getting slimmer, I really wish “TV Movie” and “Miniseries” were separated again because I believe this movie would have been able to squeeze into the category the same way Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy  did a few years back (also a Lifetime movie.) But instead, this movie will walk away from their award season criminally unrewarded.

This movie is separated into 5 segments – different stories revolving around “breast cancer”. This first part takes place in the 50′s or 60′s and it revolves around a little girl named Pearl (Ava Acres) who slowly learns that her mother (Ginnfer Goodwin) has cancer and will be dying soon. From mostly the eyes of the little girl, this is a weirdly subdued, yet beautiful way to begin the movie. Pearl grows up to be an oncologist (Jeanne Tripplehorn) and deals with women who have the disease. The second part follows Mia (Patricia Clarkson), a business woman type who finds out she has stage 4 cancer (she jokes that “Stage 5″ would be death, which might be another allusion to the film’s name). She plans a fake funeral and deals with her husband leaving her with a depressing sort of humor. In the end, she finds out she’s cancer free against all odds. Patricia Clarkson gives a very dry performance (in a good way) throughout.

The third part is honestly my favorite part of the entire movie. It revolves around Cheyanne (Lyndsy Fonseca), an exotic dancer and her husband Billy (Taylor Kinney). When Billy discovers a lump on her breasts, she goes to a check up and learns that she does have breast cancer, and that a mastectomy would be her best option for survival. Although at first she’s reluctant to get the procedure, believing it would ruin her job and her marriage, her husband strongly encourages her to get the procedure. The last scene of the part really strikes a chord with me. Billy shaves his head to support his wife (earlier Cheyanne defends her position to not get the procedure by quipping that Billy freaks out when someone cuts his hair wrong) and they both decide to have a baby after the chemo. The last scene shows Billy slowly taking off Cheyanne’s robe, revealing the effects of the mastectomy. It’s a painfully romantic (and painful!!!) scene that stands out months after I have seen the film. It’s refreshing to see the husband actually supportive (I don’t know why a husband would choose his wife’s breasts over her life…like that episode of Grey’s Anatomy).

The fourth part revolves around Lili (Rosario Dawson) and how she deals with the news of her breast cancer with her sister (Tracee Ellis Ross) and her overbearing mother (Jenifer Lewis). Besides the wonderful performances, I also like how we saw a glimpse of a man with the disease (in this case, Jeffrey Tambor). I wish they would have dug deeper in that story. But, otherwise, this was a great, somewhat humorous, part.

The last part goes back to Pearl who learns that, after dealing with patients with breast cancer, she herself has breast cancer. In the first part earlier in the film, the people around young Pearl try really heard to keep her mother’s secret from her. In the present, adult Pearl doesn’t want to lie to her daughter, so the bulk of the film deals with her trying to find a way to tell her young daughter. She does, and, after five years, survives the disease and celebrates with the other characters of the film. One person is noticeably absent from this get together…and that is Cheyanne (although her husband and their daughter show up), which was a huge shock and definitely made me teary eyed. The movie never explicitly says it, but it’s implied that she doesn’t survive which is definitely sad, but it’s honestly the right decision the director made because in reality, not everyone survives. And what was really shocking was that it seemed like she would be the least likely to die (she had the most seemingly definitive treatment). But it happened…and I think the way it was revealed was beautifully subtle. In a channel where movies tend to be over dramatic and soapy, this movie was surprisingly subtle, well acted and beautifully crafted. It’s one of the best TV Movies I’ve seen lately.

Jeanne Tripplehorn certainly deserved to get a Lead Actress nomination over any of the nominees except Julianna Moore. And I think   any of the other actresses would have been deserving as a supporting actress (Patricia Clarkson should have submitted there). But, alas, this is the only nomination the movie got. With a large laundry list of familiar faces coming together to spread this message and awareness, I strongly believe Five deserves this award.

Who Will Win: However, in the end, the movie doesn’t seem to have enough support so I think Game Change will come out on top. The casting people did a good job of finding actors to fill the roles of the real political figures so, to that credit, this would still be a deserving win.

 

2012
08/20
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Reviewing the 2012 Emmy Nominees #29 (Choreography)


For more Emmy discussion, visit my Emmy page.

Here are the nominees for Choreography:

Stacy Tookey – So You Think You Can Dance (In this Shirt / Turning Tables / Heart Asks For Pleasure First)

Christopher Scott – So You Think You Can Dance (Misty Blue / Velocity)

Spencer Liff – So You Think You Can Dance (Whatever Lola Wants / Please Mr. Jailer / Where Do I Begin)

Joshua Bergasse – Smash (National Pastime / Let’s Be Bad / Never Met a Wolf)

Travis Wall, Teddy Forance, and Nick Lazzarini – Dancing With the Stars (Without You)

Who Should Win: This is another fun category I love doing! In the case of So You Think You Can Dance, especially, it’s so much fun to relive the dances from last season. Some of you are probably wondering why I haven’t been recapping this current season of the show. The truth is, in the beginning, I was planning on doing it…but I simply don’t have the passion for the show anymore. I still watch it and enjoy it (although the last episode where they rehashed old Mia Michael routines was pretty awful), but I’m sort of fed up with the new rules and the judges and some of the dancers chosen for the top 20 (cough cough Cyrus). So…for this year at least, I’m not going to kill myself over the show.

Anyway, in 5th is Christopher Scott who gets a big FAIL for not submitting his strongest dance of that season (“Ain’t no sunshine“). If he had submitted that dance he actually probably would have been number 1 on my list. Instead he has two good, but not great, routines up. In 4th is Stacy Tookey. “In This Shirt” was a little “too much” for me (like too much unnecessary movement), but I do think her other dances are wonderful, particularly “Heart” which centers around two housewives who are trapped in their homes. She’s still a “poor man’s Mia Michaels,” but she tries and I appreciate her effort. This is her third nomination in a row!

Another thing Smash accomplished that Glee never could do is get a nomination for Choreography. I found a lot of the choreography on the show very impressive and slick (one example is during the “National Pastime” number where Marilyn sings that “baseball diamonds” are a girl best friends and the back ground baseball player dancers fashion a diamond out of baseball bats). It’s not as deep and emotional as the other numbers…but it’s not supposed to be! Joshua Bergasse really kills it.

It’s weird seeing really good choreography on the gimmick that is Dancing with the Stars, but Travis Wall and co. really brought it with this beautiful, ethereal piece. If this dance wins, I’ll consider it a victory really for SYTYCD because most (if not all) the dancers who contributed are alums of the show (including recent winner Melanie Moore). However, I actually think Spencer Liff should come up on top. “Whatever Lola Wants” doesn’t do much for me, honestly, but his other two dances were among the best of that season. “Please Mister Jailer” featured two criminally underrated dancers doing a bunch awesome, sensual tricks around a prison cell, while “Where Do I Begin” centers around a secret relationship involving a dance teacher and his student. Both dances are crazy amazing, subtle, sexy, and incredibly powerful. I’m glad these somewhat under the radar dances got nominated and I hope they win!

Who Will Win: After three years, I think Stacy Tookey will finally win. Watch out for Travis Wall and co. Voters love big company dances.

2012
08/18
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Reviewing the 2012 Emmy Nominees #28 (Music and Lyrics)


For more Emmy discussion, visit my Emmy page.

Here are the nominees for Original Music and Lyrics:

“Let Me Be Your Star” (Smash) – Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman

“It’s Not Just For Gays Anymore” (65th Annual Tony Awards) – Adam Schlesinger and David Javerbaum

“I Can’t Believe I’m Hosting” (Saturday Night Live – Jason Segel) – Eli Brueggermann, Seth Meyers, and John Mulaney (Not on Youtube)

“Welcome Back to Hope” (Raising Hope – Prodigy) – Matthew W. Thompson

“The Heart of Christmas” (The Heart of Christmas) – Matthew West

Who Should Win: See how strong this category can look when it’s not filled with Lonely Island raps? There are even some legitimate, serious songs in this mix (as opposed to those funny, joke songs that usually crowd the category). In 5th would be “I Can’t Believe I’m Hosting”. It’s a very funny sketch and the Muppets do a great job with it…but it’s not the pinnacle of songwriting excellence.

It’s tough for me to do this but “It’s Not Just For Gays Anymore” makes my fourth position. It’s an incredibly hilarious, clever song. And it was a great way to open the ceremony. I dunno…I’m just not feeling it as much as the top 3.

Matthew West is the only nominee who actually performs the song he wrote. First and foremost, it’s pretty noble that voters were able to notice this Christian song for a small Christian movie from a “little known about” Christian network. I don’t know how the voters were able to find it but I’m glad they did. I discovered a new song to add to my Christmas playlist. I just…wish that more Christians were more accepting of different people (not tolerant, but full-fledged “acceptance”). But, whatevs, this isn’t the time for that (I just bring it up because this Christian song is in the same category as a song about “gay people”…and that Candance Cameron Bure who stars in the movie The Heart of Christmas is a Chick-Fil-A Supporter). OK! I’m done!

Smash DID achieve something that Glee never could – it was nominated for the Original Music category. “Let Me Be Your Star” is a lovely, powerful song with great vocals by Katherine McPhee and Megan Hilty. But…my vote goes to “Welcome Back Hope”. At about less than 2 minutes, the song is the shortest of the bunch, but, in my opinion, has the most heart. And it’s impressive that Thompson was able to squeeze in so many clever lyrics in such a compact song. I think the song also strikes a chord with me because, while the song is mostly centered around the character Hope, it’s also a song that allows us to think about our own lives and how we’ve grown up and about our life as little kids. The song has everything. It’s cute. It’s funny. And Kate Micucci does a great job performing it with a ukulele accompaniment. Vote for it!

Who Will Win: I think the voters want something really funny so I think “It’s Not Just For Gays Anymore” will ultimately prevail. The song was performed by Neil Patrick Harris and it’s about how theatre is uh…not just for gays anymore!

2012
08/18
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Reviewing the 2012 Emmy Nominees #27 (Main Title Categories)


For more Emmy discussion, visit my Emmy page.

Here are the nominees for Outstanding Main Title Design:

American Horror Story

Great Expectations (Can’t find on Youtube)

Magic City (Can’t find on Youtube)

Strike Back

New Girl

Who Should Win: Never hearing of the show before, I was quite surprised by how utterly gorgeous Strike Back’s theme was. The music. The fiery hew. The shadowed figures. So terribly lovely. However…I gotta pick New Girl. It was short. It was sweet. It was funny. The song was catchy (I know there’s a separate category for that but still…). And it would be cool if my favorite new comedy didn’t walk away completely empty handed. I think AHS’s is too overwhelming. Great Expectation‘s was simply too boring. Magic City would have been better if it had been shorter. The whole thing with the swimmers got boring and monotonous after a while.

On a side note: I’m so glad that there are some shows still making there. Some shows have downgraded to just a simply title card. Why?

Who Will Win: You know what? I think New Girl will win this. I think the opening is the most different from the five and the voters might find it refreshing.

Here are the nominees for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music:

Touch

Great Expectations (Can’t find on Youtube)

Page Eight 

Homeland

Hell on Wheels

Who Should Win: That was a fun three minutes! I mean, they’re all good. I’m not particularly passionate about any of the choices. Great Expectations has a nice deep, dramatic score that’s somewhat haunting. I never much cared for Homeland‘s opening, or even really their music. It’s just too messy. Page Eight has a nice jazzy thing going for them. I think I liked Hell on Wheels’ ragged country score the best. I couldn’t help but tap my toes to the beat. It almost reminded me of Justified‘s.

Who Will Win: Probably Great Expectations.

2012
08/18
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Reviewing the 2012 Emmy Nominees #23 (Lead 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:

Julianna Margulies – The Good Wife (“Parenting Made Easy”)

Michelle Dockery – Downton Abbey (“Episode 7″ Christmas)

Elizabeth Moss – Mad Men (“The Other Woman”)

Kathy Bates – Harry’s Law (“Onward and Upward”)

Claire Danes – Homeland (“The Vest”)

Glenn Close – Damages (“I’ve Done Way Too Much For This Girl”)

I watch all these shows regularly.

Who Should Win: This was a very difficult category for me to rank. I came into this believing that I would be rooting for Claire Danes…but after re-watching all the episodes and considering these actresses’ best moments, thoughts of different picks began swirling my brain. Ultimately, I have to say that Claire Danes has given one of the best TV performances of this entire year. I’m really not crazy about her episode submission. I think “Blind Spot” would have been her best submission. Even “Marine One” or “The Weekend” would have been stronger. I think her performance in “The Vest” comes across as a bit too hammy, and there are very few “quiet” scenes to balance out all the crazy. So, it was difficult to remember her truly best moments of the season after watching “The Vest”. But…regardless of that, I supposed Danes deserves an Emmy for a season worth of great performances.

I was also strongly considering Elizabeth Moss. Sometimes…I don’t think she’s given enough to deserve an Emmy. Like…I feel like her degree of difficulty isn’t as strong as some of the other contenders. And that’s not fair to her…but it’s just the way it is. But, ultimately, she does everything she’s supposed to do perfectly. If one deserved to win an Emmy based off one scene, then it would be Moss. The last scene of her episode where she resigns from her job to Don was beautiful and almost heartbreaking and Moss just does a stellar job through and through. Danes technically already has an Emmy for Temple Grandin…maybe this is the year that Moss should get a turn at winning something. Anything.

Then there’s Julianna Margulies who, despite winning last year, I believe is incredibly underrated. Her performance (similar to Moss) isn’t terribly explosive, but she’s really the moral glue of the entire show. While a lot of supporting characters on The Good Wife are amazingly eccentric, Margulies is consistent and steady and she thoughtfully plays her role. Also, she’s such a bonafide lead of her show. The show is an ensemble, but Margulies is at the heart of it all. Everything begins and ends with her. What I’m saying is…y’all better appreciate what Margulies is trying to do!

If Kathy Bates must win an Emmy this year, I honestly rather it be for Harry’s Law than for her stint on Two and a Half Men. I personally really like the show and I’m sad to see it end. I think it was really cool that she submitted the last episode of the series. Her last few moments (from singing “Take Me Home” to visiting her ex husband’s grave) are quite poignant and beautifully acted. Michelle Dockery’s nomination was definitely a surprise (esp. over Elizabeth McGovern), but it was a nice one. It’s interesting…an actor’s best scene usually is a scene where something tragic or sad happens, but Dockery’s best scene is simply the “proposal scene” at the end of the Christmas special. Dockery does a good job and hopefully this nomination will allow for Fellowes to write her meatier stuff next season so she can possibly be ahead of the pack next year. And there’s Glenn Close who plays one of greatest, interesting, multi-dimensional female characters on television. Season 4 wasn’t terribly strong for her and her submission isn’t that great. She’s the only nominee who really shouldn’t be in the discussion. Maybe next year!

At the end of the day…I think the trophy should go to Claire Danes.

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

2012
08/18
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
television
tv
1 comment

Reviewing the 2012 Emmy Nominees #21 (Lead Actress in a Comedy 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:

Zooey Deschanel – New Girl (“Bad in Bed”)

Lena Dunham – Girls (“She Did”)

Edie Falco – Nurse Jackie (“Disneyland Sucks”)

Amy Poeler – Parks and Recreation (“Win, Lose, or Draw”)

Tina Fey – 30 Rock (“The Tuxedo Begins”)

Julia Louis-Dreyfuss – Veep (“Tears”)

Melissa McCarthy – Mike and Molly (“The Dress”)

I watch all these shows regularly, except “Mike and Molly” and “Nurse Jackie”

Who Should Win: The last episode of Mike and Molly I watched was McCarthy’s submission last year (the second episode of the first season), and things have not changed much. Mike and Molly are roughly the same size they were during the first season (the trouble with casting fat actors in a show about trying to lose weight) and the jokes still aren’t funny. This is a show I was supposed to love because I’m a fat guy myself, but the writers have misfired on this one. I’m not supposed to judge the show. I’m supposed to judge the performance. But, in all honesty, I didn’t really care much for McCarthy’s performance either. And I’m pretty sure that’s not her real speaking voice so she either has a cold (in that case, why would she submit the episode where she has a cold?) or the producers told her that audiences love their female leads with squeaky chipmunk voices. She is dead last on my list and if she wins again it’ll be a waste of a win. I don’t care how heartfelt her acceptance speech would be.

I respect the hell out of Edie Falco. In my opinion, however, if the voters wanted to choose a “comedy” actress in a dramatic role, I wish they had opted for Laura Dern instead (I’m actually not too happy Dern was snubbed.) But I have to give credit where credit is due. Falco submitted an episode where her character goes to rehab and she has some really wonderful scenes, particularly with Laura Silverman. Sometimes, last moments win me over. And that last moment after Jackie saved her old roommate where Jackie looks on and realizes she’s finally happy was incredibly powerful. It’s almost painful putting her sixth…but she’s sixth.

I believe Lena Dunham thoroughly deserved her nomination and it’s incredibly inspiring seeing someone so young gain so much success. She had a great first season of Girls (not perfect, but still great) and I’m looking forward to her second season next year. I also look forward to her acting skills improving. She had some inspiring moments throughout the season (her best moment might have been from “Leave Me Alone” where her character has that huge fight with Marnie…) but she simply isn’t as seasoned and good as the other actresses. She sometimes does that weird thing where she underacts and overacts at the same time (you know what I mean?) I can’t explain it clearly but I hope the experience she’s gotten this first season will help her in the next season. Whatever. It wouldn’t be bad if she won. Again, she’s sort of an inspiration. A mini-Tina Fey closer to my age.

Veep is one of the funniest new comedies of the season. It’s just mishap after mishap after mishap and I crack up with each one. At the center of this great comedy is the “Queen of TV Comedy,” Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. She’s been nominated for practically every season of every comedy show she’s starred in (let’s not talk about Watching Ellie.) She’s undeniably a front runner in this category. She didn’t submit her best episode (even the pilot would have been stronger) but since she’s such a present lead in her own show…it doesn’t really matter. The other really funny new comedy of this season is New Girl. I’m not gonna lie, I am a huge fan of Zooey Deschanel. I’m a weakling when it comes to her “quirky schtick”. I love her big glasses and her cute skirts and her songs (“hey girl”). Her situation is similar to Kristen Wiig – a lot of people do like her…but she has a weirdly passionate group of detractors. Let’s piss off those detractors even more and give Deschanel her first Emmy. (Although, I think her best performance came from the thanksgiving episode which also featured Justin Long.)

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, on the other hand, absolutely submitted their strongest episodes. Fey is so wild in “The Tuxedo Begins,” an episode where she goes from complaining about how rude New Yorkers to becoming one of those rude New Yorkers. She slowly transforms into the Joker from The Dark Knight and…I’ve seen the episode at least 5 times and I crack up every time. Tina Fey won back in season 2 and she really has not lagged since then. This was  a great season for her and a second win would be deserved.

But…I think now is the time for Tina Fey’s pal, Amy Poehler, to get her first Emmy. This season of Parks and Rec stands out to me because of the whole “election story line” and Poehler really delivers every step of the way. “Win, Lose or Draw” is a schmorgasbord of different emotions and feelings. She feels sadness, happiness, craziness. She boxes. She cries. She laughs like a maniac. She just has so many moments. Last year, “Flu Season” wasn’t the best submission for her. This year she submitted right with an episode where she’s front and center. The audience is with Leslie Knope every step of the way. The more I think about this episode, the more I just love it. She needs to win this year. Let’s not make the same mistake we made with Steve Carell. Despite such a competitive year, Poeher should end up as the victor.

But, at least, anyone but Melissa McCarthy…

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

2012
08/13
CATEGORY
30 rock
awards
emmy awards
emmys
nominations
predictions
reflection
review
snubbed
television
tv
1 comment

Reviewing the 2012 Emmy Nominees #20 (Lead Actor in a Comedy 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:

Larry David – Curb Your Enthusiasm (“Palestinian Chicken”)

Jon Cryer – Two and a Half Men (“Frodo’s Headshots”)

Louis CK – Louie (“Duckling”)

Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory (“The Werewolf Transformation”)

Don Cheadle – House of Lies (“Gods of Dangerous Financial Instruments”)

Alec Baldwin – 30 Rock (“Live From Studio 6H”)

I don’t watch “Two and a Half Men”  or “Curb Your Enthusiasm” regularly. This was the first episode of “House of Lies” I had ever watched.

Who Should Win: OK. Let’s start at with 6th…At 6th is Jon Cryer. I can never get too angry when he gets nominated (over and over again!) because I think Cryer is an overall good comedic actor. It’s not him that’s bad. It’s the show he’s on. However, it doesn’t matter. He probably gets a higher salary than the other nominees at this point. So…does he really need an Emmy to go with that multi million dollar salary? No. So let’s not vote for him.

Jim Parsons is a great actor and I truly love his work on the show…but I wish the writers had developed his character more. And it’s so strange that he didn’t submit the episode where his character develops in the slightest (like “The Flaming Spittoon Acquisition” where he gets into a “relationship with Amy) and instead submits an episode where he’s afraid of getting a haircut. Parsons is great, but it’s the same schtick we’ve seen over and over again. I’m not sure if I like the idea of him getting a third Emmy…

Especially when you have Louis CK on the ballot. I wouldn’t have chosen “Duckling” for Louis CK, but it’s still better than pretty much anything behind him. CK has two really strong moments in the episode. His most dramatic moment is when he’s on a helicopter and the helicopter begins to combust and Louie freaks out and fears for his life. And the second moment is his hilarious stand up routine he first performs for the troops (the guy is sort of obsessed with sex…so he’s a man). If the voters want to vote for a funny performance, then they can still vote for CK because that comedy routine is among the funniest moments of the year.

Right behind Louis CK is Larry David, someone who has been overdue for a while now. I’m not regular viewer of the show, but “Palestinian Chicken” is a comedy episode that really stands out, David is at the center of it. Rounding out the my 3 and 4 spots are Don Cheadle and Alec Baldwin respectively. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed “House of Lies” (and I’m thankful Cheadle submitted the show’s first episode so I was never confused or anything). The episode itself isn’t perfect and I’m not sure if the “breaking the 4th wall” bits were effective, but Cheadle is a nice looking lead with a nice looking butt so…whatevs, I’ll put him 3rd. And Alec Baldwin is Alec Baldwin. He’s awesome.He submitted a fun episode (the live one) and he got to play multiple characters. He does a great job…but I wouldn’t say the funniest moments from the episode included him.

Interesting tidbit, both Cryer and Parsons’s submissions have Vernee Watson-Johnson playing a nurse. Interesting, right?

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

2012
08/12
CATEGORY
30 rock
awards
emmy awards
emmys
nominations
predictions
reflection
review
television
tv
1 comment

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
1 comment

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