Emmy Week (2013) Who Should Have been Nominated?

Every year there are always some gasps about major snubs, and because the Emmy Awards split their categories between drama, and comedy, there are always one or two in each category that should have made the cut in each category, but did not.  Who should have made the cut?

Outstanding Drama Series 

The Good Wife 

The Good Wife was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series for its first two years, but last year it was snubbed, and it became the first year no major broadcast nominees received a nomination.  Wife had a slow start, but built to a terrific finale, and had one of its strongest years creatively.

What would it have replaced, Downton Abbey.  Sorry friends, Downton is good, and addicting drama, but it is not one of the best shows on the air anymore.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Matthew Rhys-The Americans

While the show itself was not amazing, in my opinion the performances from Matthew Rhys and Kerri Russell were out of this world.  Rhys who was great on Brothers & Sisters took things to a whole new level in this show.

Who would he have replaced-Hugh Bonneville-Downton Abbey-While Hugh had a great story line this past season with the death of his daughter and trouble with his marriage he could not hold a candle to the great performance of Rhys.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Tatiana Maslany-Orphan Black

Maslany is a multiple threat, and I mean that literally she plays so many roles on Orphan Black it is hard to keep track of the number.  Maslany is fantastic in all of these roles, and she carried this show on her back with her great performance.

Who would she have replaced-Connie Britton-Nashville-The Emmy Awards have a toner for Britton, and while she deserved her three previous nominations she should have sat this year out.  Nashville is fun, and Britton is great, but Maslany is just miles ahead.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (tie)

Sam Waterston-The Newsroom 

Love or hate the first season of The Newsroom, you can't deny that Charlie Skinner (Waterston) was the heart, which kept this show going.  Waterston is great in this role, and made you feel the passion this man has had for the news all these years.

Who would he have replaced?-Bobby Cannavale-Boardwalk Empire-Again Cannavale is a great actor, and I have admired his career trajectory, but this role was too over the top for me.  I think Waterston's under stated nature grounded his show.

 Corey Stoll-House of Cards

How can you nominate House of Cards for Best Drama, Best Actor, and give it 7 other nominations without a nomination for Corey Stoll.  Stoll was the heart of of this show, and his downward spiral within the DC world of political power was fascinating thanks in great part to this character actor.

Who would he have replaced?-Aaron Paul-Breaking Bad-I know this going to be unpopular, but Paul did not do much at all last season (I would nominate him next year).  In the first half of the last season Jesse Pinkman took a back seat to Mike, and just did not have as much to do; he was still great.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Monica Potter-Parenthood

Potter's cancer story line was one of the most heart wrenching things on television this past year; she was great, and I do not know if there was a moment where the actress did not sell every aspect of dealing with her disease.  What a beautiful performance.

Who would she have replaced-Christina Hendricks-Mad Men-Come on Matthew Weiner Joan is more than window dressing, and you gave her nothing to do this past season.  I get that the show centers around Don, but you lose other characters in the mix, and this year you did not do enough for the talented Ms. Hendricks.

Outstanding Comedy Series

Parks and Recreation

For some reason the Emmy Awards nominated this show one year, and has forgotten about it year after year.  This show continues to be the funniest show on the air, and the Emmy Awards for some reason have not gotten on board with this show.  Leslie Knope come on!

What would this show have replaced-30 Rock-While the show had a great last season, I think Parks never falters the way Rock did, and I would have rather seen the Emmy Awards stop trying to think their cool.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Jake Johnson-New Girl

Nick Miller grew up a little bit, and his relationship with Jess last season was one of the biggest highlights of the season.  Aside from this relationship Nick developed even further, and this is in large part to Jake Johnson's performance.

Who would he have replaced-Matt LeBlanc-Episodes-Another talented actor who has grown, but this show has lost its flavor, and LeBlanc did not do enough to deserve a nomination this time around.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series 

Zooey Deschanel-New Girl

How do you forget this quirky girl?  While the list of six nominees is great this year I can't help but think that without Deschanel there is something missing.  Jess's journey through love, and unemployment this year was touching, and hilarious.

Who would she have replaced-Edie Falco-Nurse Jackie-Falco is a great actress, and the show is solid, but she should have been bumped, because people are just simply voting for her as a name rather than on the talent.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series 

Simon Helberg-The Big Bang Theory

How do you ignore Howard ?  Hellberg and the writing have fleshed out this character brilliantly making him less one dimensional hornball and rather a great loving husband, and soon to be father this season.  I am excited to see how that plays out, but there are more men on this show than Parson.

Who would he have replaced-Any of the Modern Family men-Hard to pick, each the show is getting monotonous, and while its hilarious, and good still, they should not have three spots anymore, and its to go in the way of The West Wing, where they fade away slowly.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series 

Jessica Walter-Arrested Development

Binge watching, and the Emmy Awards were not kind to Arrested Development, but Walter should have been nominated, her single episode was one of the best of the season; she is great and one of the best television characters of all time.  How and why did she miss out?

Who would she have replaced-Jane Lynch-Glee-Speaking of character fatigue, love Jane Lynch, but how do these voters see this character as anything but one note now.  Ryan Murphy is the only person to blame, because he had no structure to the progression of his character.  In fact I think he makes things up as he goes, but poor Jane Lynch should not be nominated this year.

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (2012-2013)

Where have all the good leads gone?  I will say that this is the best this category has been in a few years, this category along with Lead Actress (in a Comedy series) have started to improve over the last few years, but this category has always been the weakest.  A few years ago if you took away Steve Carell, Alec Baldwin and one or two other men like Jim Parsons or Jason Bateman you were hard pressed to find quality contenders for this category.  Throw in Louis C.K., Adam Scott, Jake Johnson, and Bateman back into the roster, and you have one swell round-up.

I think the difference within this category is there are fewer commanding lead performances like Baldwin or Carell.  While Adam Scott's Ben is potentially the on screen love of my life Leslie Knope steals his thunder (although they share the screen well).  My thesis to this is that many of the men in this category have remained the same over the years, with an odd new comer coming into the mix.  With no more Baldwin, who will be the dominating force here, and who will win at SAG?  Jake Johnson is a breath of fresh air, and I hope New Girl continues to use him wisely.

Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy in 30 Rock

In the last season of this show Jack grew as a person, while dealing with his divorce, being a father, and losing his mother.  I loved watching Jack finding out he was the old man in a woman's dating rotation, his reaction was priceless, and provided some of the best laughs.  My favorite moment was when Jack and Liz went to help clear up his mother's belongings at her house, and they found out she was in relationship with a woman.  Jack and Liz pondering these thoughts in the same bedroom was a great work up to the odd chemistry between these characters.  Baldwin may find nothing as great Jack, and he went out playing him brilliantly.

Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth in Arrested Development

Michael finally had flaws!  Throughout the entire first three seasons, Michael had flaws, and had his misadventures, but this past season did he fall hard.  After investing in building up his properties, which eventually turned into a ghost town crashing with his son at college was the bottom of the barrel. Michael did not get that his relationship with George Michael had changed, and that he was wearing thin on his son, this was both well acted and hilarious.  Michael wasn't merely the son holding his family together he was dealing with his own problems, along with trying to make a movie about his family, which was one big failure.  Bateman is great.

Adam Scott and Ben Wyatt in Parks and Recreation

As I stated above Ben Wyatt would be my dream husband, too bad he's fake and now taken by Leslie Knope, even in a fake world.  I like him and I love him.  Ben took to Washington DC to help work on political campaigns living out his dream.  The real dream was enacted through his proposal and wedding to Leslie.  Wyatt is a dork supreme, but one of the most romantic.  Wyatt was a pro as Ben especially when he went back to "ice town" to find out that his town was punking him.  This emotional journey for Ben was one of the most poignant, and hilarious showing just how great this actor has grown over the years.

Jake Johnson as Nick Miller in New Girl

What can I say that has not been said by others about the growth of Nick on this show, well Johnson has done a great job with this character.  From Nick dealing with his father who uses him, and then ultimately dies to dealing with his relationship with Jess.  Johnson knows how to walk the fine line of that cranky old man like Oscar from the Odd Couple mixed with dashes of the gentile nature of the modern leading man.  Johnson is hilarious in this show, as this loner who finally finds someone and something he cares about enough to push him to change, Jess.

Louis C.K. as Himself in Louie

Watching Louis C.K. date and potentially take over the Tonight Show this season were two of the best story arcs in television this season.  I loved watching him grapple with an honest crank like himself in Melissa Leo, then finding a woman in Parker Posey with whom he genuinely liked and connected with.  These moments showed a growth in his acting, and made you connect with him more than ever.  Then there was the story where he was talking about possibly taking over for the Jay Leno.  Watching Louie battle the glee and the nerves associated with the job offer was not only great television, but provided some great laughter as well.

Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory

Boy has Sheldon grown, sort of.  In the first episode of the season his girlfriend Amy gives Sheldon an ultimatum that he must open up his heart to her, or she will break up with him.  Sheldon ends up reciting a beautifully emotional speech, which is from Spider-Man, but also proves the genius with this character, and Parson performance.  Sheldon has grown as much as he can because of his connection with Amy, and while he has grown he is still the same Sheldon, awkwardly flirting and getting a sexual harassment lawsuit thrown at him, and playing Words with Friends with Steven Hawking.  Parsons is great in this role, and continues to wow!

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Writing and Directing in a Comedy Series (2012-2013)

It's the end of an era.  Two major television comedies, which had a major influence on recent television series ended within the last television cycle, The Office and 30 Rock.  30 Rock ended back in January, and The Office had a huge swan song in May.  Fans, and critics alike are often very critical of the way a show ends, look at Seinfeld.  This series finale had mixed reactions, but has never tarnished the brand of the series, the show is still ranked one of the best of all time.  Many will cite when a show goes out with a whimper or tries too hard, Roseanne, is a good example of this, and the way she pulled the rug out saying the past season or was all within a novel.  Trying too hard to do something that seems cool can fail in a big way.  

This year's series finales were two of the best I have ever seen, they were heart warming, funny, and stayed true to the show's illustrious reputation, and history.  Rarely do you get moments where even when you watch your favorite show ending that make those moments feel complete.  The Golden Girls is the best example, the series finale always makes me cry, in the sense that this show was about four women who found friendship late in life.  I may be getting misty as I write this, but oh well.  Writing and directing a great series finale is a major accomplishment, and both The Office and 30 Rock should be proud of their accomplishment.

On a quick side note Louis C.K. is once again the star within this category, writing and directing a submission, which makes this category.  Amy Poehler and Lena Dunham's are usually cited for their writing, but this year they it's all about their directing some of the best television episodes, and hey Television Academy, I have four females in my directing category, can you at least nominate two?  Or in the words of Bob Barker, "ladies do I hate have two numbers right?"

Outstanding Directing

Arrested Development-Colony Collapse-Mitchell Hurwitz and Troy Miller

Enlightened-The Key-Nicole Holofcener

Girls-It’s About Time-Lena Dunham

Louie-Daddy’s Girlfriend Part 1-Louis C.K.

Parks and Recreation-Leslie and Ben-Amy Poehler

30 Rock-Last Lunch-Beth McCarthy Miller

Outstanding Writing

Arrested Development-A New Attitude-Mitch Hurwitz Jim Vallely

Louie-Daddy’s Girlfriend Part 1-Louis C.K.

New Girl-Virgins-Elizabeth Merriweather

The Office-Finale-Greg Daniels

Parks and Recreation-Emergency Response-Norm Hiscock and Joe Mande

30 Rock- Last Lunch-Tina Fey and Tracey Wigfield

Veep-Hostages-Armando Ianucci and Sean Grey

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Guest Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series (2012-2013)

Who would have ever thought David Lynch and Bob Newheart would be, or well should be in the same category for a nomination.  Beyond many interesting inclusions on my dream ballot this year there were two shows who did guest stars right Louie, and Arrested Development.  I do not include Saturday Night Live these are variety performers, not guest stars in a comedy series.

How does or did Louie enhance the role of it's guest stars within season 3?  Louie used  the model of Curb Your Enthusiasm with real life stars like Robin Williams and other comedians, who did not make the list, but they were funny.  Louie also used the crazy girlfriend model, having Louis C.K. date, or look for softened the character, a little, and I emphasize a little.  With edgy, hip women like Parker Posey, and Melissa Leo how could Louie not succeed within this realm?  David Lynch in Late Show Parts 2 and 3 were some of the most brilliant moments from the season.  Louie is an off beat show, these guest stars contributed brilliantly to the quirky humor.

Arrested Development used history, mixed with a few fresh faces to help bring the guest stars into the fold.  One of the best things about this series is the way Development used actors and actresses like Liza Minnelli, Henry Winkley, Scott Baio, Ben Still, Christine Taylor, Ed Begley Jr. and many more within the original run of the series.  Bringing these actors back into the mix for the re-launch, and it worked beautifully, especially Minelli, and Stiller who made my lists.  The other great thing was bringing new blood into the mix, like Ron Howard as more than the narrator, and Isla Fisher playing his daughter.  My favorite were the brief cameos of Kristin Wiig as a young Lucille, in those brief moments she captured everything you imagine a young Lucille would be, and more.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

David Lynch-Louie

Bob Newheart-The Big Bang Theory

Rob Reiner-New Girl

Ben Stiller-Arrested Development

Patton Oswalt-Parks and Recreation

Patrick Wilson-Girls

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Elizabeth Banks-Modern Family

Melissa Leo-Louie

Liza Minelli-Arrested Development

Parker Posey-Louie

Molly Shannon-Enlightened

Kristin Wiig-Arrested Development

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2012-2013)

Much like the year without a Santa Clause, this is the first year without a supporting actor from Modern Family.  Modern Family is still a solid show, but the show and its actors have hit a plateau, Phil is still the goofy dad, Mitch and Cam still have some of the best quips, and Jay remains old and cranky.

While none of those men made my final list this was the toughest comedy category to narrow down this year.  I could have had ten nominees in this category, proving that even though it may be a tough job constantly supporting these men are up to the task time and time again!

Will Arnett as Gob Bluth in Arrested Development

The MVP of Development's return on Netflix.  Both of the Gob episodes were some of the funniest television episodes I have seen all year, and while the writing had a lot to do with that funny, Arnett deserves a lot of credit.  Arnett has starred, and guest starred in numerous roles in a post Development on Fox, pre-Netflix era, and while Devon Banks (30 Rock) was a great character, nothing comes close to Arnett's portrayal of Gob.  Watching him pretend to be gay, while actually maybe being gay with Ben Stiller proved to be comic genius.  His magic trick to get out of his wedding to Ann rocked too.  Arnett is great and he deserves a nomination.

Max Greenfield as Ted Schmidt New Girl

Watching Schmidt fight for CeCe, and find himself more and more this year was a great acting achievement for Max Greenfield.  Schmidt needed to go back to his roots with Elizabeth (Merrit Wever) find himself and no longer cling to what he thought made him desirable to women.  There were of course other moments earlier on where he realized he need to have feelings for someone in order to have hot sex again, which was hilarious to watch Schmidt realize how feelings make sex even better.  Greenfield is great at this role, and this season showed more growth in Schmidt, making him a richer, and even funnier character,  Greenfield is a rock star at playing this bro!

Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory

Howard in spaaaaace! Loved watching Howard journey through the depths of space being teased, dealing with his paranoia, and then of course being a newlywed and potentially moving out of his mother's house.  Helberg has grown well as an actor, and given further depth to this character throughout the years, watching him interact with his father-in-law who only answers things in short sentences is priceless. Helberg is great in this role, and after six seasons finally deserves a place on this list as one of the funniest supporting actors in television.

Alex Karpovsky as Ray Plonshansky in Girls

On a show centered around, well let's say, girls without any digs about how shallow and self absorbed they, oh wait whoops, Ray is one of the most interesting characters on the show.  At the beginning of season Shoshanna was dealing with Ray's inability to commit, and Ray dealt with his own hang ups. Karpovsky's Ray soon comitted and became the man Shossanna wanted, delving into the relationship world.  Karpovsky was brilliant as Ray this season adding a little more depth to his sarcasm from season one.  While most people focused on Hannah's ex Adam, Ray was the boy in this show who provided the most heart and laughs this season.

Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation

As Ron meets Diane, there was an instant shine that was added to his character, unlike all the Tammy's Diane was sane, had children, and Ron soon became Ron with a little added care.  As much as Ron could give, with his regular Libertarianism. Watching Ron attempt to help baby sit Diane's two young girls was hilarious, and will provide great context for Ron as a father next season.  Ron's level as protector to Leslie was also upped, especially when he punched Councilmen Jamm who was breaking up Leslie's wedding.  While some will argue a lack of growth in Ron, I see this season as a year of development with one of the greatest Libertarians of all time.

Damon Wayans Jr. as Brad Williams in Happy Endings

Another sad write-up, as Happy Endings has been cancelled.  Brad's character blends the confidence of a great man and the comfort of being able to be stay at home husband with ease, well almost.  Brad was fired from his job at the end of season two, and throughout this season he was a stay at home husband, a hilarious "trophy wife," working at a children's birthday party funplex, amping up Bar Mitzvahs, and then eventually back to business world.  Brad is on funny guy, and I loved getting to watch Damon Wayans Jr. tackle this more fleshed out character, which unlike anyone makes you laugh more than anyone before.  He was the glue to this cast, and this character will be missed.

Runners Up: Mike White-Enlightened, Ty Burrel-Modern Family