Breaking Bad, and Orange is the New Black lead Writer's Guild Award Nominations (Television)

It should come as no surprise that Breaking Bad score 4 nominations at the Writers Guild Awards (WGA) more than any show this year.  Freshmen Netflix series Orange is the New Black, also received 4 nominations. which received 3 nominations.  Returning series Modern Family and The Simpson both received the next highest total with 3 nominations each.  This is a great slate of nominees, they picked the episodes and series with the best writing this past year.

DRAMA SERIES

Breaking Bad
The Good Wife
Homeland
House of Cards
Mad Men

COMEDY SERIES
30 Rock
Modern Family
Parks and Recreation
Orange Is the New Black
Veep

NEW SERIES
The Americans
House of Cards
Masters of Sex
Orange Is the New Black
Ray Donovan

EPISODIC DRAMA
“Buried” (Breaking Bad), Written by Thomas Schnauz
“Confessions” (Breaking Bad), Written by Gennifer Hutchison
“Episode 101” (House of Cards), Teleplay by Beau Willimon
“Granite State” (Breaking Bad), Written by Peter Gould
“Hitting the Fan” (The Good Wife), Written by Robert King & Michelle King
“Pilot” (Masters of Sex), Written by Michelle Ashford

EPISODIC COMEDY
“Career Day” (Modern Family), Written by Paul Corrigan & Brad Walsh
“Farm Strong” (Modern Family), Written by Elaine Ko
“Hogcock!” (30 Rock), Written by Jack Burditt & Robert Carlock
“Lesbian Request Denied” (Orange Is the New Black), Written by Sian Heder
“Leslie and Ben” (Parks and Recreation), Written by Michael Schur & Alan Yang
“Pilot” (Orange Is the New Black), Teleplay by Liz Friedman and Jenji Kohan

ANIMATION
“A Test Before Trying” (The Simpsons), Written by Joel H. Cohen
“Game of Tones” (Futurama), Written by Michael Rowe
“Hardly Kirk-ing” (The Simpsons), Written by Tom Gammill & Max Pross
“Murder on the Planet Express” (Futurama), Written by Lew Morton
“Saturday Morning Fun Pit” (Futurama), Written by Patric M. Verrone
“Yolo” (The Simpsons), Written by Michael Nobori

My Thanksgiving List for Movies, Television, and Music (2013)

There are obvious things I am thankful for, like friends, family, and the lot.  There are also things I am thankful in the world of movies, music, television, and beyond, which I would like to share with you as well.  So here we go!

Movies

More Diversity on the Big Screen!

Sandra Bullock carried a 250 million dollar film, basically by herself this year with Gravity. I can't remember a female ever doing that on her own throughout the years I have watched film.

Then this has also been a great year for black cinema with Fruitvale Station, Lee Daniels' The Butler, 12 Years a Slave, The Best Man Holiday, and black Nativity.

This has been inspiring, and I am beyond thankful studios have finally realized the power in exploring diverse stories.

Better Adult Dramas

The quality of films this year is astonishing, I have seen so many great "adult dramas"ranging from Captain Phillips to Dallas Buyers Club, and more.  Adults stopped going to the movies, but they stopped because studios seemed to forget about them as a group.  Big surprise movies "adults" would see with an R rating are succeeding again, and studios are creating more and more, bravo!

Television 

Better new Fall comedies and dramas

Sleepy Hollow, Brooklyn-99, The Crazy Ones, Trophy Wife The Blacklist are just a few.  These are great shows, and its been a while since network television  has produced such fun creative new television in this large of a number.

The Good Wife

Week after week this show astonishes me with the writing, directing, acting, and beyond.  The show is in its fifth season, and has never faltered (well maybe with Kalinda's husband).  This year a game changing event has made this must see television and is the smartest television show on the air.

Breaking Bad 

The best show on the air, is closely followed by the best show, which just ended its run, and that's Breaking Bad.  Vince Gilligan and co. created a true arc, a series, which had a beginning middle, and end which felt connected like he knew what was going on the whole time.  Who does that when they create a series?  Intelligent people have a plan.  Bad's cast was just perfect, this was one of, if not the best final seasons of a show ever.

Music

Justin Timberlake

I am beyond happy he returned to music; he is the most talented performer/musicians in the mainstream at the moment, and he knows how to create an "Experience."  Loved both albums just wish I got to see him live with Jay-Z.

TCA Awards Spread the Wealth Honoring Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Parks and Recreation and More!

This years Television Critics Association (TCA) Awards were what most fans Emmy dreams were made of, series nominees were fresh, and included shows like The Americans, Parks and Recreation, New Girl.  To be fair most of the quality Emmy nominees were also nominated here including Louie, Veep, The Big Bang Theory, Game of Thrones, Homeland, House of Cards, and Breaking Bad.

The acting categories were also filled with many quality performances from actors snubbed at the Emmy Awards, which include: Jake Johnson in New Girl, Monica Potter in Parenthood, Matthew Rhys in The Americans, and Tatiana Maslany in Orphan Black.  Vera Farmiga is the one surprise nominee that made the cut here and at the Emmy Awards.

The TCAs decided they were going to spread the wealth, but the "big" winner was Breaking Bad, which won Program of the Year.  While Drama Series went to Game of Thrones, Comedy Series was a tie for Parks and Recreation, and The Big Bang Theory, New Series went to The Americans.  As the categories split winning Program of the Year is a clear sign of the respect this show has attained, and deserves.

Tatiana Maslany showed the Emmy Awards whose boss, and won the Individual Achievement in Drama Award.  Maslany is the fourth woman to win this trophy, the other three were Edie Falco (The Sopranos) Julianna Marguilles (The Good Wife) and Claire Danes (Homeland).  Maslany is one of few women to win this award, and she is the only winner who has never been Emmy nominated, this may change or prove the Emmys do not know a good thing.  Louis CK won the Individual Achievement in a Comedy for a second year in a row.

Listed below is a list of the nominees and winners, and all I can say is I wish the nominees and winners looked like this for Emmy, winners are denoted by * symbol:

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
The Americans, FX
Breaking Bad, AMC* 
Game of Thrones, HBO
House of Cards, Netflix
The Walking Dead, AMC

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
The Americans, FX
Breaking Bad, AMC
Game of Thrones, HBO*
Homeland, Showtime
Mad Men, AMC

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad (AMC)
Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel (A&E)
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black (BBC America)*
Monica Potter, Parenthood (NBC)
Matthew Rhys, The Americans (FX)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
The Big Bang Theory, CBS*
Louie, FX
New Girl, Fox
Park and Recreation, NBC*
Veep, HBO

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
Louis C.K., Louie (FX)*
Lena Dunham, Girls (HBO)
Jake Johnson, New Girl (Fox)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep (HBO)
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation (NBC)

NEW PROGRAM
The Americans, FX*
Elementary, CBS
House of Cards, Netflix
The Mindy Project, Fox
Orphan Black, BBC America

OUTSTANDING MOVIE, MINISERIES OR SPECIAL
American Horror Story: Asylum, FX
Behind the Candelabra, HBO*
Downton Abbey, PBS
Rectify, Sundance Channel
Top of the Lake, Sundance Channel

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY PROGRAMMING
The Amazing Race, CBS
The Glee Project, Oxygen
Shark Tank, ABC*
Survivor, CBS
The Voice, NBC

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING
Adventure Time, Cartoon Network
Bunheads, ABC Family*
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, PBS
Sesame Street, PBS
Switched at Birth, ABC Family

NEWS AND INFORMATION60 Minutes, CBS
Anderson Cooper 360, CNN
Central Park Five, PBS*
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Comedy Central
Rachel Maddow Show, MSNBC

HERITAGE AWARD
All In the Family, CBS*
Lost, ABC
Saturday Night Live, NBC
Star Trek, NBC
Twin Peaks, ABC

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
James L. Brooks
James Burrows
Jay Leno
William Shatner
Barbara Walters*

Emmy Predictions (Nomination Day)

Now that the Emmy nominations are out, and the mistakes and triumphs have been laid to bed (almost) here are my initial gut reactions on who will win (should win), before the tapes the shows, and actors have been released.

BEST DRAMA SERIES
"Breaking Bad"
"Downton Abbey"
"Game of Thrones"
"Homeland"
"House of Cards"
"Mad Men"

I would say that Mad Men, and House of Cards are out, but even the latter has a better shot.  Downton could win, it won SAG, the actors are very supportive of this show.  I think this is a three way race between Bad, Thrones, and Homeland.  Homeland has the fact that it's won on its side, got more acting nominations, and writing and directing nominations.  Thrones has the most nominations, including a writing nomination, more acting and a cinematography nomination (which its never received).  Breaking Bad has never gotten a writing nomination, but got two nominations this year, and voting will occur while the final part of the last season airs.  This is a tough one, but at the moment, my gut goes with Breaking Bad.

Will Win:Breaking Bad
Should Win: Any of the three top contenders, I'd pick Homeland

BEST DRAMA ACTOR
Hugh Bonneville, "Downton Abbey"
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Jeff Daniels, "The Newsroom"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Damian Lewis, "Homeland"
Kevin Spacey, "House of Cards"

This is the hardest race to predict, Lewis was a bit of a surprise last year, and Kyle Chandler beating John Hamm, was one of the biggest surprises ever.  So who takes the prize?  Bonneville is the weakest link, but he has more material then last year.  Cranston does not have any tape that I can think of, and has won many times before, I think he could win next year.  If Hamm submits the season finale he's a contender.  Lewis has Q&A, Daniels The Pilot, and Spacey has 3 great episodes.  My gut is between newcomers Spacey and Daniels, but could this be Hamm's year?  At the moment I am going with Spacey.

Will and Should Win: Kevin Spacey

BEST DRAMA ACTRESS
Connie Britton, "Nashville"
Claire Danes, "Homeland"
Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey"
Vera Farmiga, "Bates Motel"
Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"
Kerry Washington, "Scandal"
Robin Wright, "House of Cards"

7 ladies, another great category, I still am angry the snubbed Marguilles.  Moss, Britton, Wright, Dockery, and Farmiga are the long shots of the bunch.  Last year's winner Claire Danes is the favorite, but Kerry Washington is a serious threat especially with history on her side; she is the first black actress to be nominated in this category since 1995.  I think Danes may lose this one honestly, and while history shouldn't ensure a win Washington is great in the show.

Will Win: Kerry Washington
Should Win: Claire Danes

BEST DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jonathan Banks, "Breaking Bad" 
Bobby Cannavale, "Boardwalk Empire" 
Jim Carter, "Downton Abbey" 
Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones" 
Mandy Patinkin, "Homeland" 
Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad"

I would have only nominated two of these people so predicting this list will be tough.  The Emmy Awards like Cannavale, he has an Emmy for Will & Grace, has now been nominated twice for Nurse Jackie, and now enters the major categories.  He chews scenery with the best of em, and could win.  I would say this is anyone's guess, but I think Mandy Patinkin is the favorite.

Will and Should Win: Mandy Patinkin

BEST DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Morena Baccarin, "Homeland" 
Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife"
Emilia Clarke, "Game of Thrones" 
Anna Gunn, "Breaking Bad"
Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men" 
Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey" 

Most of the time I would say Smith has most awards in the bag, but I do not think she has this one, not even close.Clarke is solid, but I can't see her winning.  Hendricks doesn't have many tapes.  I could se Baranski winning; she has good tapes and is well like.  I think Anna Gunn takes this!

Will and Should Win: Anna Gunn

BEST DRAMA GUEST ACTOR
Dan Bucatinsky, "Scandal" 
Michael J. Fox, "The Good Wife" 
Rupert Friend, "Homeland" 
Harry Hamlin, "Mad Men"
Nathan Lane, "The Good Wife" 
Robert Morse, "Mad Men"

Will and Should Win: Nathan Lane 

BEST DRAMA GUEST ACTRESS
Linda Cardellini, "Mad Men" 
Joan Cusack, "Shameless" 
Jane Fonda, "The Newsroom" 
Margo Martindale, "The Americans"
Carrie Preston, "The Good Wife" 
Diana Rigg, "Game of Thrones" 

Will Win: Jane Fonda
Should Win: Carrie Preston

BEST COMEDY SERIES
"The Big Bang Theory"
"Girls"
"Louie"
"Modern Family"
"30 Rock"
"Veep"

Girls is out, too polarizing, unlike Sex and the City, there are ardent haters.  I do not think Big Bang has a shot either, same acting nominations, no writing or directing, I think the Academy views this show as too cute, and not "important" enough.  Louie and Veep score major bumps, but Veep has no writing or directing nominations, shows of this pedigree rarely win this award without them.  Louis C.K. just received 9 nominations today, and his show could win out.  I think this is between 30 Rock, and Modern Family.  Tough call! Rock has the last two episodes, which are fantastic and both nominated for writing, and one is nominated for directing.  Modern Family has only one directing nomination.  I am going to go out on a limb with this one.

Will Win: 30 Rock
Should Win: Louie

BEST COMEDY ACTOR
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
Jason Bateman, "Arrested Development"
Don Cheadle, "House of Lies"
Louis C.K., "Louie"
Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes"
Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"

Development was majorly snubbed, but Bateman could win if they judge based on tapes, and the Academy could make up for the snub.  Baldwin is very well liked, but has had some bad press lately, never prevented him from winning.  Louis C.K. was obviously well liked, but comedians rarely win in the acting categories.  My money is on C.K. this year.

Will and Should Win: Louis C.K.

BEST COMEDY ACTRESS
Laura Dern, "Enlightened"
Lena Dunham, "Girls"
Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"
Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep"
Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation"

Tough call, I think Dreyfuss is going to simply repeat, the best way to honor Veep.  The rest of the nominees all have a shot, but I think Falco, Dunham, and Dern should all be happy for the nomination. Fey could get tapped for a parting tap, like at SAG.  Could this be the year they finally honor Poehler?  They do not seem to like her show, so probably not.

Will Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfuss
Should: Laura Dern

BEST COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ty Burrell, "Modern Family"
Adam Driver, "Girls"
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, "Modern Family"
Bill Hader, "Saturday Night Live"
Tony Hale, "Veep"  
Ed O'Neill, "Modern Family"

Last years winner is gone! I am pretty surprised Hale, and Driver made this list, but they are both great.  Hader will submit his farewell episode, great episode for him.  I think this is where Modern Family continues their winning streak, and with Ty Burell again, although I could see them finally honoring O'Neill.

Will Win: Ty Burrell
Should Win: Adam Driver 

BEST COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory"
Julie Bowen, "Modern Family"
Anna Chlumsky, "Veep"
Jane Krakowski, "30 Rock"
Jane Lynch, "Glee"
Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"
Merritt Wever, "Nurse Jackie"

If Jane Lynch wins for this I would be shocked, but they like Glee again for some reason.  I could honestly see any of these women winning.  Bowen has won two years running, but after a weak season I can't think of a single tape that she can win with.  I think this is going to be between Krakowski; she is great in the finale.  I do think this will be based on tapes, but this is going to come right now Krakowski is my prediction.

Will Win: Jane Krakowski
Should Win: Anna Chlumsky

BEST COMEDY GUEST ACTOR
Louie C.K., "Saturday Night Live" 
Bobby Cannavale, "Nurse Jackie" 
Will Forte, "30 Rock" 
Nathan Lane, "Modern Family" 
Bob Newhart, "The Big Bang Theory"
Justin Timberlake, "Saturday Night Live"

Will and Should Win: Bob Newhart

BEST COMEDY GUEST ACTRESS
Dot-Marie Jones, "Glee" 
Melissa Leo, "Louie" 
Melissa McCarthy, "Saturday Night Live" 
Molly Shannon, "Enlightened"
Elaine Stritch, "30 Rock"
Kristin Wiig, "Saturday Night Live" 

Will Win: Kristin Wiig
Should Win: Melissa Leo 

BEST TV MOVIE/MINISERIES
"American Horror Story: Asylum"
"Behind the Candelabra"
"The Bible"
"Phil Spector"
"Political Animals"
"Top of the Lake"

Will and Should Win: Behind the Candelabra

BEST TV MOVIE/MINISERIES ACTOR
Benedict Cumberbatch, "Parade's End" 
Matt Damon, "Behind the Candelabra" 
Michael Douglas, "Behind the Candelabra" 
Toby Jones, "The Girl" 
Al Pacino, "Phil Spector"

Will Win: Michael Douglas
Should Win: Matt Damon

BEST TV MOVIE/MINISERIES ACTRESS
Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story: Asylum" 
Laura Linney, "The Big C: Hereafter" 
Helen Mirren, "Phil Spector"
Elisabeth Moss, "Top of the Lake" 
Sigourney Weaver, "Political Animals"

Will and Should Win: Elisabeth Moss

BEST TV MOVIE/MINISERIES SUPPORTING ACTOR
Scott Bakula, "Behind the Candelabra" 
James Cromwell, "American Horror Story: Asylum" 
John Benjamin Hickey, "The Big C: Hereafter" 
Peter Mullan, "Top of the Lake" 
Zachary Quinto, "American Horror Story: Asylum" 

Will Win: Zachary Quinto
Should Win: Peter Mullan

BEST TV MOVIE/MINISERIES SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Ellen Burstyn, "Political Animals" 
Sarah Paulson, "American Horror Story: Asylum"
Charlotte Rampling, "Restless" 
Imelda Staunton, "The Girl" 
Alfre Woodard, "Steel Magnolias" 

Will and Should Win Sarah Paulson