Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a Strong Second Chapter, and Proves to be a Fascinating Journey

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (4 out of 5 Stars)

Directed by: Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In)

Written by: Mark Bombac (The Wolverine), Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)

Starring: Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Kerri Russell, and Andy Serkis as Caesar 

About three years ago around this time Rise of the Planet of the Apes took an old franchise, and gave it new life.  Back in 2001 Tim Burton attempted to put a modern spin on this film with Mark Wahlberg in the Charlton Heston role, but this film needed to break from the original series, and create its own brand and it has.

Dawn starts ten years after the events from Rise of the Planet of the Apes.  The humans who worked in the lab where the apes were being held captive and tested ended up creating a disease which wiped out a large percentage of the human race.  Dawn focuses on two groups, the apes who broke free led by Caesar, and the humans who survived led by Oldman's character.  The apes are thriving, creating their own community, they thrive, and can adapt to the change.  The humans are searching for a power source, their ability to adapt is limited.  When the two come into contact for the first time in many years there is a test of will power, who can be trusted, proving flaws in both human and ape exist.

Dawn and Rise are both strong because of their use of stop motion visual effects to create the apes.  Burton's film did not advance any aspect of the original franchise, but rather flat lined in a stagnant manner, doing or making the apes be costumes.  In Dawn the focus is mostly one the ape community, and this stop motion technology helps create one of the most powerful stories about these entirely human creatures. 

John Dalberg-Actor said "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely."  This quote rings true showing the flaws in both man and ape, resonating through fear, and is timely lesson for today's politicians and people in positions of power.  There is an inherent fear, with which this films highlights, and draws sharp contrasts to way in which love and trust can and should penetrate leaders.  This can be seen in Caesar's second in command Koba, and Gary Oldman's Dreyfus.  These two characters fear each other, and use their power to create war.  Rather than civil discourse they take things to an extreme breaking the societies built.  Dawn succeeds because of this message.

Dawn also succeeds because Andy Serkis is a brilliant performer, and while some will not give him credit because of the stop motion aspect, he is acting!  Serkis gives life to Caesar who in the first film in this series had the strongest level of humanity, being raised by James Franco's character.  Caesar is the true leader of the apes, and with every facial expression, physical action you lose yourself in the belief that Serkis is Caesar, and that there is no distinction between human performance and the ape on the screen.  Serkis is one of the hardest working, and most talented actors working today.  While I hate clamoring for Oscar attention this performance deserves to be recognized.

Matt Reeves is new to this franchise as the director, but his battle sequence at the end is visually masterful, and he did a solid job with this film.  I do think the only hinderance to this film is the pacing, somewhere along the lines the middle falls flat, and the film stretches the story too much.  I also wish I got to know more about some of the key humans like Oldman's Dreyfus who felt like a central character, but also felt pointless, or wasted.

Beyond these small gripes, Dawn is a fantastically deep film, on that takes the evolution of humanity, and explores it through multiple aspects.  Dawn is a strong second chapter, and proves to be a fascinating journey.

The Primetime Emmy Awards seem to like the same shows, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, American Horror Story, and Fargo lead the Nominations

To quote Emmy winner Heidi Klum, "one day you are in and the next day you are out!"  Does this phrase apply at the Emmy Awards?  It did for two shows, but I will get to them in a minute.

On Thursday July 10th at around quarter to 9 the Emmy Nominations were announced by Mindy Kailing and and Carson Daly.  There we some surprises like Lizzy Caplan, without Michael Sheen, which makes no sense, but honestly beyond that nomination, nothing that was announced live shocked me.  Alright I was shocked and saddened that one of the actual announcers, Mindy Kailing was snubbed for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the soon to be over rated Melissa McCarthy.  Kailing looked a tad upset, but unlike past announcers who were announced to present and then not nominated, and bailed, she showed up.

On to the nominations at hand, Game of Thrones went from 16 nominations last year to 19 nominations in its fourth season, that type of jump rarely happens.  The show was honored in Best Drama Series, Supporting Actor (Peter Dinklage) and Lena Headey.  I must applaud Emmy voters for swapping Emilia Clarke who did nothing this past season with Headey, she deserves this nomination.

Breaking Bad did amazing as well scoring 16 nominations, including nominations for Drama Series, Lead Actor (Cranston), Supporting Actor (Aaron Paul), and Supporting Actress (Anna Gunn).  Dean Norris was predicted by many but was snubbed.  The biggest snub in my opinion is no directing nomination for Rian Johnson who directed the best episode of the season "Ozymandias" they gave the nomination to Gilligan for the finale.  "Ozymandias" was nominated for writing.

True Detective had an impressive 12 nominations, the highest for a drama series in its first season (tied Orange is the New Black for new series).  I am proud/happy the Academy nominated the underrated Harrelson, I hope he beats McConaughey.

Rounding out the six was House of Cards, Downton Abbey, and Mad Men.  Cards did well in its second season scoring two lead nominations along with a Guest Actor and Actress, Writing and Directing.  Can someone tell Americans just because its British period piece does not mean it should be rubber stamped.  The most boring season of Downton Abbey made the cut, time to put this and Maggie Smith nominations out to pasture!

The biggest past winner, now loser is Homeland.  This show won Drama Series two years ago and they let it go, Danes and Mandy Patinkin are still nominated, but the show has few other nominations.  While this is not a surprise I think its interesting that Emmy voters paid attention to the critics point of view on this shows downturn in quality.

On to laughing, Modern Family and its cast are starting to lose their sheen.  Family only 3 cast members nominated their lowest tally of nominees, they were Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Julie Bowen.  The show received 10 nominations.

The biggest nominations tally went to Orange is the New Black, which is not really a comedy, but I digress.  I am happy to report this show received 12 nominations, including Comedy Series, Lead Actress (Taylor Schilling), Supporting Actress (Kate Mulgrew), three Guest Actress nominations, and nominations in writing a directing, but that directing nomination should have gone to Michael Trimm not Jodie Foster. Beyond proud of Laverne Cox and her nomination.

Veep is climbing up the nomination ladder from 5 to 9, and they finally have a writing and guest nomination!  Watch out for this show to spoil, but at the moment I would predict this or Orange is the Black.  Rounding out the rest of the comedy series nominations is The Big Bang Theory, Louie, and Silicon Valley.  With regards to those three, Kaley Cuoco is the Courteney Cox of Big Bang; she deserves a nomination. Thank God Ellen Burstyn did not get a nomination for Louie.  Silicon Valley is not my jam so I think its nomination over The Mindy Project, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and many others is a bit pretentious.

Who got the biggest shaft?  Girls.  The show got two nominations, one for Dunham, and one for Adam Driver, but it was bounced from writing, directing, got no guest nominations, and no series nominations.  My thought is that they replaced this with Valley because well they get dorky boy humor over whiny girl humor, but just a thought.

FX just became a power player in the Mini-Series category, Fargo received 18 nominations, and American Horror Story: Coven received 17 nominations, pretty impressive, now if they could only get more than a guest actress nomination for Margo Martindale and The Americans I would be even happier.  Again I digress. Fargo is the most nominated long form program nominated this year.

On the television movie side the most nominated TV Movie was The Normal Heart, it not only earned a lead actor (Mark Ruffalo) and supporting actress nomination (Julia Roberts), but it earned 4 supporting actor nominations (Bomer, Parson, Mantello, and Molina).  Sherlock: His Last Vow came in second, and scored twelve nominations.

The Good:
True Detective and Orange is the New Black scoring 12 each
Veep bumping up in nominations
The Good Wife's Julianna Margulies and Josh Charles getting nominations again
Allison Janney as a double nominee
Kate McKinnon's Supporting Actress nomination for SNL, and Fred Armisen's Supporting Actor nomination for Portlandia
Lizzy Caplan's nomination for Masters of Sex
Lena Headey in for Game of Thrones
Andre Braugher representing Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The Puzzling
No love for Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Episodes getting a Comedy Writing and Directing nomination
Melissa McCarthy back for Mike and Molly

The Bad
Downton Abbey, time to burn the house down, and stop submitting Maggie Smith!
No love for Brooklyn Nine-Nine
The Good Wife snubbed in drama
NO TATIANA MASLANY!! (yes that deserves caps)
no Mindy Kailing, or her show\
The lack of of love for Masters of Sex
No Bellamy Young for Scandal
Hannibal snubbed again!

Overall it looks like The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences liked the same shows once again, with a few surprises.  This is a mixed bag, kinda just glad no more Merritt Wever.

Boyhood is Poignant, Funny, and a Journey that will Stick with me for the Rest of my Life

Boyhood (5 out of 5 Stars)

Directed and Written by: Richard Linklater (Before Midnight, School of Rock, Bernie)

Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, and Ethan Hawke

Getting to watch Patricia Arquette and Ellar Coltrane speak about their experiences working on Boyhood made the experience even more perfect.  Nostalgia, maturation, and the development of people, family, on the screen shot over 12 years is an impressive feat, but if there is any director who can tackle this project its Richard Linklater.

For just over about 2 decades Linklater has been providing some of the most heartfelt journeys for audiences to experience.  In the Before franchise we followed Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as they fell in love as young twenty somethings, talked about their regrets about missed opportunities as thirty somethings, and then discovered what it meant to be in their forties and in love.  Last year Linklater's Before Midnight was also my first five star review of the year.  Linklater invests in the characters, the journey, the experience.  This film is conveys another journey, and without flash, the man uses substance to tell one of the most heartfelt films ever made.

Mason Jr. or MJ (Coltrane) starts out in the first grade doing typical things fighting with his sister, playing video games, forgetting to turn in his homework.  In Boyhood we watch Ellar as Mason grow up experience the pain of his mother's  (Arquette) multiple failed relationships, only experiencing his father (Hawke) every other weekend or in short bursts, and we see that this unique "lets the moments shape him."

As Mason grows on screen you see and hear the popular culture that benchmark his life.  Linklater is intentional about the momentous Harry Potter series having Mason's mother read "Chamber of Secrets" to her children, and eventually having them dress up for a book party.  The music plays as a transition of years, or as annoyance from his sister Samantha (Linklater) singing "Baby One More Time." There is also a Star Wars line in the mix which has become unintentionally funny since the film was shot.  Linklater is a king of nostalgia, but also the king of foresight, blending the moments to shape the characters and to let stories unfold in subtle, but beautiful nature.

Watching each one of these characters/actors grow throughout the film process is also a treat, especially Coltrane.  In an interview with The Guardian, Linklater talks about why he picked Coltrane, stating "he didn't feel straight."  Arquette echoed these comments in her words tonight, Coltrane was a "unique, smart boy at the age of six."  Coltrane isn't the typical lacrosse jock, but rather simple at moments while liking to play video games, but also a person who questions.  Coltrane is fantastic as Mason, he breaths depth, life, and you feel as though you get to watch him grow before your eyes, because you do get to see Mason experience life.  The same can be said for Linklater, Arquette, and Hawke.

Each performance in this film is a master work of understanding the human psyche.  I was able to ask Ms. Arquette about her characters intellectual intelligence vs. her emotional intelligence.  In the film you get to see this beautifully smart women who wants to do right for her family make them complete.  Over the years you experience her stumble as she finds these men who will in her words "help her carry her family."  Arquette is fantastic in this role.

Hawke on the other hand is a mess from the start as Mason's father he has had adventures in Alaska, and with his return he is the fun parent, passing out sage advice about love, life, sex and beyond.  Hawke is such a charming actor, and is great in this role, every moment he was on screen I felt myself smiling, but that was the character's role.  Hawke is meant to be the parent who shows up and sweeps the kids of their feet with baseball game tickets, and presents.  Together he and Arquette have opposite roles in their childrens' lives, and each does a fantastic job creating their own journey.

Linklater has crafted the journey for family that is both poignant and funny.  Linklater's blend of humor helps makes this journey feel real.  Linklater is a master at humor from Dazed and Confused to School or Rock to Bernie, the man knows how to craft a clever story.  Shot in 39 days and filmed over 12 years Boyhood seamlessly blends every aspect of the development of Mason and his family.  Boyhood is the perfect tapestry, its brave, and flawlessly constructed.  This is a film that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Dream Emmy Ballot 2014: Outstanding Drama Series

Breaking Bad (AMC) 

What more can I say about one of the best final seasons of a television series than it was an epic way to close a show.  From the beginning of this shows run to the end, there was this feeling of being on a roller coaster.  Every episode zigged and zagged, there was build-up and a point where you just fell.  Within this season specifically every episode made you feel this way, and fans would cry on twitter, there is no way each week this show could possibly top itself, but it did.  I am going miss every character in the ensemble because Vince Gilligan and his team gave each person great purpose.

Best episodes: "Ozymandias" and "Felina"

Game of Thrones (HBO)

In season four this show has not lost any steam, most of the season's focus was on wrapping up the drama in King's Landing, and boy were there numerous deaths there, from "the purple wedding" to some good ole fashioned patricide.  Dinlage, Headey, and Dance were the MVPs of this season each giving some of the most memorable performances you can imagine.  There was also the episode entitled "The Watchers on the Wall" which was one of their best directed episodes focusing only on one area.  Game of Throne's is always a game changer, and treats this journey as a perfect epic treat every time it airs on television.

Best Episodes "The Lion and the Rose" and "The Watchers on the Wall"

The Good Wife (CBS)

Few network television shows can live up to the hype of cable, pay cable, and netflix these days, The Good Wife has proven that a show that last 22 or 23 episodes can still play with the big boys and girls.  From Alicia and Carey leaving the firm and their bitter battles with former mentors Will and Diane, to the death of Will and the aftermath of the events on Lockhart/Gardener (LG) this show had one great episode after the other.  I think one of the best story arcs involved the aftermath of Will's death on Alicia.  Alicia dug into her grief and cried, while finally realizing her marriage wasn't what it once was and making it more about convenience for both of their careers and children.  Wife also has the best guest stars on the planet, who weave into the show without pulling focus from the central characters. 

Best Episodes: "Hitting the Fan" and "Dramatics, Your Honor"

House of Cards (Netflix)

Political drama taken an interesting level.  Cards looks at the darker shadowy aspects to the behind the scenes manipulation that exists within Washington DC.  Has a politicians pushed a girl onto the train tracks before, probably not, but the nature of Frank and his wife Claire seems to play into the general system of modern politics.  In this show you have two leads who are so commanding, so fantastic, that the rest of the cast bows down to their every whim, and they steal every aspect of the show.  Watching someone con a man out of the Presidency is a true art form, that takes a clever duo, and these two are up to the task.  Politics is all about playing the game, and this is one of the best chess games in town.

Best Episodes: "Chapter 14" and "Chapter 26"

Masters of Sex (Showtime)

One of two shows in their first year to make the list.  Masters explores humanity mixed with sexuality better than any show I have encountered.  You get the clinical, and the emotional need for sex at the turning point in American history.  From the moment Masters and Johnson meet there is a spark on all levels intellectually and physically.  I think the show explores all aspects of male sexuality, female sexuality, and from every angle.  There are stories that also focus on love and the connection between the physical and mental aspects.  I am proud of this show because it is tackling one of the most taboo subject matters and shining a light on the taboos that should have gone away from the 1950s but still exist.  Throw in great performances from every regular cast member, and Allison Janney, Beau Bridges and Julianne Nicholson and the show is one of the best of the year.

Best Episodes: "Catherine" and "Phallic Victories"

Orange is the New Black (Netflix) 

Orange is the Black is another game changing series.  Orange takes a look at women from all walks of life who end up in minimum security prison.  The focus of the show or lens you view the show through is Piper Chapman, the typical pretty blonde, yet as spends more and more time in her position you get to see Piper is complicated lady, with a complicated back story, much like the rest of the inmates.  At each moment you get to interact with women, see their back stories who are transgender, of different races, have different beliefs, and are confined because, well life is more complicated than you were told.  In the other sense you see the systematic problems within the system through the incompetent administrators, cops, and that there back story is not without its pain, and mistakes.  This show is absolute perfection. 

Best Episodes: "Can't Fix Crazy" and "I Wasn't Ready"

Dream Emmy Ballot 2014: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad

Walter White's journey came to an end this past year, and one of the best anti-heroes had one hell of a send off.  Walt was discovered by his brother-in-law, and a new cat and mouse game began, one of the most painful for Walt.  Watching Hank get killed, watching his family slip away from him, trying to save the life he worked so hard for was all slipping away.  Cranston is one of the best actors, and he did a great job fully forming every aspect of this character, and his last year you can't help but say he was the best.  

Hugh Dancy as Will Graham in Hannibal

Will Graham went through so much, from jail, to dealing with his psychosis, to seeing someone brought back from the dead and taken away from him.  How do you battle the genius of Hannibal Lector?  Dancy is perfect in this role, and his work with Mikkelsen who should also be nominated is some of the best back and forth I saw on television all year.  Dancy plays every moment perfectly; he started out quiet, but towards the end as his revenge on Hannibal took to action Dancy was at his best, and his portrayal of Will was taken to a new level. 

Mad Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lector in Hannibal

This season proved you could look at the disturbing nature of Hannibal Lector through the eyes of a different actor.  In season one Mikkelsen was great in this role, but is power of manipulation mixed with the intensity of the role have only grown through the evolution of the entire second season.  There is a subtle brilliance to Mikkelsen; he has taken the role to a multi-layered level, that sometimes even shows a shred of vulnerability.  In the end Mikkelsen is fantastic in this role!

Matthew Rhys as Phillip Jennings in The Americans

Once again this man is the MVP of this show; he shows so much depth and range within this character that you almost lose yourself in the performance.  Rhys performance in "Martial Law" is enough to help land him a spot among these these other 5 men.  In that mainly stand alone episode the true nature of his person as a father, spy and beyond come out in a tour de force performance.  Rhys has been recognized with nominations from critics two years running, its time for the Emmy Awards to pay attention.

Michael Sheen as Dr. William H. Masters in Masters of Sex

So stoic, so together, Sheen is perfect in this role.  As you watch Bill interact with Virginia Johnson you finally get to see him let go.  While Sheen got a Globe nomination from this show, I feel as though people take this performance for granted.  Sheen has no big speeches, he doesn't typically yell, but he does do so much with this role.  Sheen is an impressive actor, and I loved getting to watch his intellectual exploration as Masters while growing as a person himself, its an impressive performance.

Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood in House of Cards

While I still think Claire was the MVP of season Francis Underwood is still one of the most characters to watch, and its all because of Spacey.  Spacey looks like he has never had more fun than with this role.  Frank is no long just in Congress, no longer just the VEEP, but now he has the role of POTUS.  Through some master manipulation along the way he and his wife will be in the White House in season 3.  Spacey a fantastic actor, and he made this character even more interesting this season.

Emmy Nomination Predictions (2014)

Emmy nominations will be announced this Thursday, will your favorite show/actors make the cut?  Here is who I think will make the cut, and why in the Outstanding Drama and Comedy Series categories.

Will Orange is the New Black make a Big Splash?  Will Homeland be snubbed as badly as some are predicting?  Will Modern Family and Breaking Bad repeat last years' wins.  

Look for Orange is the New Black, Game of Thrones, True Detective, Breaking Bad, The Normal Heart, Fargo, and probably Modern Family to have the most nominations.

Outstanding Comedy Series

The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)

Louie (FX)

Modern Family (ABC)

Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)

Veep (HBO)

These six make the most sense. Girls was still great in season 3, but the show will probably be dropped.  Silicon Valley has a better shot, but HBO’s only pony in this race will be Veep.  This will be the first since 1981 NBC will not have a comedy series nomination, which they have dominated they have 19 wins since 1981.

Outstanding Drama Series

Breaking Bad (AMC)

Downton Abbey (PBS)

Game of Thrones (HBO)

House of Cards (Netflix)

Mad Men (AMC)

True Detective (HBO)

Bad, Thrones, Cards, and Detective are safe.   Who takes up the last two spots?  Three past favorites Downton Abbey, Homeland, and Mad Men are all on the fringe.  Can The Good Wife surge back?  Does Masters of Sex have the chance to make it in is first year for Showtime?  Many are talking The Americans, but it only was a blip last year.  I think Homeland may be out, but I also think there will be seven nominees, playing it safe with the last two nominees.

Outstanding Miniseries

American Horror Story: Coven (FX)

Bonnie & Clyde

Dancing on the Edge (Starz)

Fargo (FX)

The Hollow Crown [Great Performances] (PBS)

Outstanding Television Movie

Killing Kennedy (NGC)

The Normal Heart (HBO)

Return to Zero (Lifetime)

Sherlock: His Last Vow [Masterpiece] (PBS)

The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program

The Amazing Race (CBS)

Project Runway (Lifetime)

So You Think You Can Dance (FOX)

Survivor (CBS)

Top Chef (Bravo)

The Voice (NBC)

Outstanding Variety Series

The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)

Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)

Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)

Saturday Night Live (NBC)

The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (NBC)

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Louis C.K. as Louie, Louie (FX)

Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan, House of Cards (Showtime)

Matt LeBlanc as Matt LeBlanc, Episodes (Showtime)

William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher, Shameless (Showtime)

Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Andy Samberg as Detective Jake Peralta, Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Bryan Cranston as Walter White, Breaking Bad (AMC)

Woody Harrelson as Martin Hart, True Detective (HBO)

Matthew McConaughey as Rust Cohle, True Detective (HBO)

Michael Sheen as Dr. William Masters, Masters of Sex (Showtime)

Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood, House of Cards (Netflix)

James Spader as Raymond Reddington, The Blacklist (NBC)

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock: His Last Vow [Masterpiece] (PBS)

Chiwetel Ejiofor as Louis Lester, Dancing on the Edge (Starz)

Martin Freeman as Lester Nygaard, Fargo (FX)

Jeremy Irons as King Henry IV, The Hollow Crown [Great Performances] (PBS)

Mark Ruffalo as Ned Weeks, The Normal Heart (HBO)

Billy Bob Thornton as Lorne Malvo, Fargo (FX)

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath, Girls (HBO)

Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton, Nurse Jackie (Showtime)

Mindy Kaling as Dr. Mindy Lahiri, The Mindy Project (FOX)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, Veep (HBO)

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreation (NBC)

Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison, Homeland (Showtime)

Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates, Bates Motel (A&E)

Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, The Good Wife (CBS)

Tatiana Maslany as Various characters, Orphan Black (BBC America)

Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, Scandal (ABC)

Robin Wright as Claire Underwood, House of Cards (Netflix)

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Helena Bonham Carter as Elizabeth Taylor, Burton and Taylor (BBC America)

Minnie Driver as Maggie Royal, Return to Zero (Lifetime)

Whoopi Goldberg as Viola, A Day Late and a Dollar Short (Lifetime)

Jessica Lange as Fiona Goode, American Horror Story: Coven (FX)

Sarah Paulson as Cordelia Foxx, American Horror Story: Coven (FX)

Cicely Tyson as Carrie Watts, The Trip to Bountiful (Lifetime)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Andre Braugher as Captain Ray Holt, Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)

Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy, Modern Family (ABC)

Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett, Modern Family (ABC)

Tony Hale as Gary Walsh, Veep (HBO)

Ed O’Neil as Jay Pritchett, Modern Family (ABC)

Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker, Modern Family (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Jim Carter as Mr. Carson, Downton Abbey (PBS)

Josh Charles as Will Gardner, The Good Wife (CBS)

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones (HBO)

Dean Norris as Hank Schrader, Breaking Bad (AMC)

Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad (AMC)

Jeffrey Wright as Valentin Narcisse, Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Matt Bomer as Felix Turner, The Normal Heart (HBO)

Martin Freeman as John Watson, Sherlock: His Last Vow [Masterpiece] (PBS)

John Goodman as Masterson, Dancing on the Edge (Starz)

Colin Hanks as Gus Grimly, Fargo (FX)

Joe Mantello as Mickey Marcus, The Normal Heart (HBO)

Jim Parsons as Tommy Boatwright, The Normal Heart (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy, Modern Family (ABC)

Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer, Veep (HBO)

Allison Janney as Bonnie Plunkett, Mom (CBS)

Kate Mulgrew as Galina "Red" Reznikov, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)

Merritt Wever as Zoey Barkow, Nurse Jackie (Showtime)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart, The Good Wife (CBS)

Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates, Downton Abbey (PBS)

Anna Gunn as Skyler White, Breaking Bad (AMC)

Michelle Monaghan as Maggie Hart, True Detective (HBO)

Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Downton Abbey (PBS)

Bellamy Young as Mellie Grant, Scandal (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie

Angela Bassett as Marie Laveau, American Horror Story: Coven (FX)

Kathy Bates as Madame Delphine LaLaurie, American Horror Story: Coven (FX)

Jacqueline Bisset as Lady Cremone, Dancing on the Edge (Starz)

Ellen Burstyn as Olivia Foxworth, Flowers In the Attic (Lifetime)

Julia Roberts as Dr. Emma Brookner, The Normal Heart (HBO)

Allison Tolman as Molly Solverson, Fargo (FX)

Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program

Tom Bergeron as Host, Dancing with the Stars (ABC)

Carson Daly as Host, The Voice (NBC)

Cat Deely as Host, So You Think You Can Dance (FOX)

Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn, Project Runway (Lifetime)

Jane Lynch as Host, Hollywood Game Night (NBC)

Jeff Probst as Host, Survivor (CBS)

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

Louis C.K. as Host, Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Jimmy Fallon as Host, Saturday Night Live (NBC)

James Earl Jones as Himself, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Nathan Lane as Pepper Saltzman, Modern Family (ABC)

Bob Newhart as Arthur, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Pablo Schreiber as George "Pornstache" Mendez, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series

Beau Bridges as Barton Scully, Masters of Sex (Showtime)

Dan Bucatinsky as James Novak, Scandal (ABC)

Paul Giamatti as Harold Levinson, Downton Abbey (PBS)

Robert Morse as Bertram Cooper, Mad Men (AMC)

Joe Morton as Rowan Pope, Scandal (ABC)

Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell, Game of Thrones (HBO)

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series

Uzo Aduba as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)

Kathy Bates as Kay McKinnon, Mike & Molly (CBS)

Ellen Burstyn as Evanka, Louie (FX)

Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)

Tina Fey as Host, Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Melissa McCarthy as Host, Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series

Kate Burton as Sally Langston, Scandal (ABC)

Jane Fonda as Leona Lansing, The Newsroom (HBO)

Allison Janney as Margaret Scully, Masters of Sex (Showtime)

Lisa Kudrow as Josephine Marcus, Scandal (ABC)

Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni, The Good Wife (CBS)

Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Tyrell, Game of Thrones (HBO)