Emmy Week 2012: Who Should Have Been Nominated

This year there were of course a bunch of shows/actors/writers/directors who should have been nominated, but they were not.  Ironically most of the people or shows on this list received nominations in other categories, but missed out in the key categories posted below.

Drama Categories

Outstanding Drama Series : The Good Wife (CBS) No network television show made it into this category this year for the first time in this categories history.  The Good Wife was nominated for the shows first two seasons, but missed out on a nomination this year.  The show proved that it can play with the big dogs, and has accomplished a lot, and should have been a nominee.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Kelsey Grammer-Boss-The biggest shock the day the nominations were announced was that this 12 time nominee did not get a nomination when he proved his dramatic chops on the Starz drama.  Grammer made people forget about Frasier Crane proving that this guy should have made this list.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Kate Sagal-Sons of Anarchy-Another comedic icon who shed her laughs for this dark role, Sagal has been ignored by this voting body time and time again for some reason.  Gemma is one bad ass, and Sagal's performance is one of the strongest female acting on television today.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Mandy Patinkin-Homeland-Saul is the quiet one of the bunch.  Unlike Carrie and Brody he does not have the flash in his story, but Patinking proves that he is the quiet rock.  Patinkin is one incredible actor, and people seem to forget him in this show for some reason, but his performance is incredible.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Lena Headey-Game of Thrones-This Lady Macbeth type character was a little one note in season one, but Headey provided a lot more depth in season two.  Her interactions with Dinklage always used to have me saying "Wow he's great."  This year she stepped up her game, and proved her talent.

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: Breaking Bad-Box Cutter-Vince Gilligan-The season four premiere kicks off where the intensity from season 3 ended, and Vince Gilligan starts strong as he knows how to do.  This show was snubbed in the writing category (although the show's direction is stronger), but should be given credit for the almost often well crafted self contained world.

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: Game of Thrones-Blackwater-Neil Marshall-The epitome of what could defined as one of the best directed television episodes ever!  This larger than life battle was brilliantly crafted, and built up the tension perfectly.  My winner of the year would be this episode.

Comedy Categories 

Outstanding Comedy Series: Community-The Emmy Awards always seem to forget the Greendale 7.  This is going to be regarded as one of the funniest series of all time to not get a nomination in this category, but like the Greendale 7 this show is rebellious, and not ever getting a nomination will keep its hip factor alive.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Adam Scott-Parks and Recreation-Ben Wyatt's dorky/nerdy side could give Sheldon Cooper and the gang from Big Bang for their money.  Scott's loveable dork/love interest for Leslie Knope was the highlight of season four; he ran Leslie's campaign, cried dressed up like Batman, and so much more.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Laura Dern-Enlightened-I have said this before and I will say it again, I loathe this show, and just think there is something about it that makes me cringe.  With that said Dern does a fantastic job of making a show I hate bearable enough.; she is a great actress, and this is one terrific role.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Nick Offerman-Parks and Recreation-Who leaves Ron Swanson off the ballot?  Ron Swanson would actually leave his own name off so maybe the voters got thrown by his persona.  Offerman has created one of the funniest, most distinct characters in television history, I do not know what the Emmy voters do not get.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Casey Wilson-Happy Endings-Watch out for this show next year!  Last season the show hit full steam and was one of the best shows on television, namely because of its great ensemble including the lovelorn Penny Hartz.  Wilson is one funny lady, and this character is no Phoebe she is her own crazy persona.

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series: Veep-Chung-Sean Gray & Armando Iannucci & Will Smith-The writing on this show was spot on, I am shocked voters did missed it in this category, especially the funniest episode of season, "Chung."  This episode follows the Veep herself as she may be replaced by a Senator named Chung with whom she makes a racially driven comment about on television, I cried with laughter.

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series:Community-Remedial Chaos Theory-Jeff Melman-The show got its first major nomination in the writing category this year for this episode, but how can you forget Melman's direction?  The direction in this episode was the glue to the framework.  This was one of the shows strongest episodes ever, and Melman deserves just as much credit.

Dream Emmy Ballot: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

I was looking at my list of nominees and the Television Critics Awards nominees and I realized something pretty interesting, my lead nominees are the same as theirs.  Now before you skeptics say I just picked the same nominees, look at my supporting dream ballots,they are different.  I also picked my nominees before these nominations were announced, guess I should should be part of this group, I will be sending my application posthaste.

Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad-This may be one of my favorite categories this year.  Like all of the other men within this category Walter White is an incredibly complex character.  Cranston has continued to make this one of the best characters to ever exist, and as the year passed by not only did he reach darker places, but there is this incredible balance where Walter still tries to be a good husband/father even through the muck.  This year was no different, and unlike most Cranston has taken on this role without flinching.

Kelsey Grammer as Mayor Tom Kane in Boss-Grammer played this incredible comedic roles on television the last 20 years from Cheers to Frasier to Back to You.  Grammer shatters each of these images as Mayor Tom Kane.  Tom Kane is a brilliant heavy man who not only works to crush his opponents, politically, but he also does this while hiding a debilitating neurological disorder. While Boss is a clunker in the ratings, Grammer carries this show, and makes it one of the most realistic portrayals of the complex political structure.

John Hamm as Don Draper in Mad Men-I never thought I would see the day when Don Draper was speechless, but the moment Peggy walked away from him, the look on Hamm's face was priceless. Cut to a week later when he found Lane Price hanging in his office.  Don Draper went through a bit of a change this year, an almost evolutionary change.  While still misogynistic (by nature) his new wife made him a better husband, along with being faithful.  I liked seeing the softer sides of this man, especially his night out with Joan.

Charlie Hunnam as Jackson "Jax" Teller in Sons of Anarchy-Hunnam has always been an incredible force within this show, but this category always seemed to hold too many strong contenders which prevented him from making my list.  This year Hunnam took his performance to the next level as he challenged his Machiavellian stepfather, and finally took their relationship to a crossroads.  Like with Homeland Hunnam often gets lost in the shuffle to Katey Sagal (Lewis to Danes).  Hunnam is a lesser known actor, but his talent should no longer be hidden.

Damien Lewis as Nicholas Brody in Homeland- Where do this man's loyalties lie? Brody is a master manipulator; he is the soldier long thought dead while fighting in Iraq, but surprise he has been alive, and now be a sleeper agent sent to wreak havoc on the government using his hero status.  This is one of the most brilliant cat and mouse narratives ever to play out on television, and while most give the credit to Danes (she is brilliant) many forget the sheer complexity to Lewis's role, and the way he makes love and hate him without knowing him, brilliant work!

Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens in Justified-U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens is one kick-ass guy, and Timothy Olyphant exudes this raw magnetism when he walks on the screen.  Olyphant brings on the southern charm while being a complete bad ass in the next breath.In an article I read about Olyphant and his portrayal as Raylan Givens the writer said "he is the kind of man who "buys you a drink before he puts a bullet in you."  I love watching this man on the screen; he is a terrific actor, and does a great job with this role.