Jumping the Shark Part 4: A New Hope.... to Improve

This part of of my "jumping the shark" entry is going to be a little different.  In the past I called for the end of shows, which had moved past their prime in more ways than one.  Most of the shows in parts one, two, and three have been cancelled, or on the road to ending.  My goal with this entry is to push hope that these few shows will bounce back, and achieve greatness once again.  I am not calling for these shows to cancelled, I am just challenging them to think about their current state, and the direction they are heading.  Be mindful of of spoiler midfield!

Community (2009-Present)-NBC  Dan Harmon is back! I removed this show from a previous list, because there is hope with Harmon back that this show will climb out of the abyss from the wreckage of the fourth season to be the show that it once was.  If I were Harmon I would make the fourth season part of one of the alternate time lines, or something more clever.  Dan Harmon was the genius behind the show, and when NBC canned him I was nervous.  The cast stated that in productions things were feeling and looking the same even without Harmon, but a true fan can see this show has lost something, the fire which made it the wittiest, independent show on television.  The plots are still outlandish, and there are still elements of the original Community, but the show has lost its edge.  The new show runners pulled a Britta, but with Harmon back I have hope this show can be better.

Update: Guess what NBC, bringing Dan Harmon made this show better, who would have thought that the creative mind behind the show, would have done that, sarcasm intended!  From GI Jeff to MeowMeowBeenz, and getting rid of Pierce this show is back, and better than the previous season.  6 seasons and a movie!

Downton Abbey (2010-Present)-PBS/BBC-Season one, or series one was epic, and great.  Series two was solid, but not as great.  Series three was depressing, and just did not hold my interest the way the show has in the past.  The fourth series/season is currently playing in the UK, but it will air starting on January 5th in the States.  My hope is that the show will be able to capture the magic even with Matthew gone.  The love story of Matthew and Mary was what made season three watchable.  These two characters had finally gotten together, but at the end of the third season Matthew dies.  My hope is that the show captures the evolving era well, and the way it influences the traditions/societal norms of the residents of Downton Abbey.

Update: Oh wait, what's that I just barely woke up after watching the most boring season of this show. The only character who even made it worth watching was Jim Carter's Mr Carson.  Raping Anna was pointless.  Julian Fellowes with Robert Altman is drowning in his lack of creativity.  Time to end things, there is no hope.

Girls (2012-Present)-HBO-Season two ended on odd, but interesting note.  Hannah is her own worst enemy; she wants to be a writer, but can't get there.  I know people find this show, and the characters vapid, but I look at it as an interesting sociological study on my generation.  With that said I can see this show faltering, and not lasting long, its niche.  My hope is that is that Lena Dunham continue to use her unique voice, but to not let it over power that natural occurrences within the series.

Update: Season 3 was great, and the finale showed Hannah growing in more ways than ever before.  Hannah reminds me of my Caitlin on many levels, Caitlin is a much better person though.  Should the show have ended here?  I often think shows should end while on top, and this show redeemed itself.  While the show got better I wonder if it should have ended this season.

Homeland (2011-Present)-Showtime One word, Dana. Enough already.  Fans of the show tell you they hate a character, and you give audiences more of her?  I am baffled on this one, fans of a show do not always know best, but in this instance they are correct.  While some of you may think I am as crazy as Carrie for putting this show on the list, there is something that has happened to this show post the episode entitled "Q&A" which have pushed this show on a slight downward spiral in quality.  The acting is great, and Mandy Patinkin is killing it; he is the reason I watch this show now.  I have faith in the show runners, that there is always a plan but the third episode of season entitled "Tower of David" was a clunker, a boring way to tie Carrie and Brody's story together.  A show can not always maintain a high level of quality, and I will stick by this show, but at the moment I am just holding out hope that the creative minds behind this show will push in the right direction.  Now Carrie is pregnant?  How did this not come out while she was being treated?

Update: Season 3 was a creative fail, but Brody is dead, does that mean things will get better? Probably not.  I like that this show can start from a fresh place in season 4, but is one more season enough for this show?  Probably, my prediction it ends at 5 or 6.

Mad Men (2007-Present)-AMC- Season 6 of Mad Men tackled the fall of Don Draper, as he became a shell of himself, losing touch with his suave nature, and becoming unable to hide who he truly has been all his life, Dick Whitfield.  The show also tackled the different civil rights movement well.  Beyond these things characters like Joan, and Peggy felt wasted.  The show felt more lost than usual, the writing less punchy.  The show seemed to spiral in the sense that it just felt like it went nowhere for most people.  I know I am not alone in the feeling that this last season of Mad Men was off.  Mad Men has one two part season left, much like Breaking Bad.  I hope Mad Men can end on top like Breaking Bad did.

No updates for Mad Men, still waiting for the premiere, which airs April 13th.  Critics were allowed to see the first episode only and the reactions have been mixed.  I have heard the general tone is good character development, no plot development.  Which is the shows biggest critique recently.  Only time will tell, but there are only 7 episodes, which could be tricky for this show.

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

There are a lot of funny women on television, but there could be more!  This list was not hard to narrow dow, the only other people I would have potentially on this would have been Tina Fey (30 Rock), or Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie).  With Dern's show off the air, Foster's show potentially cancelled, and 30 Rock off the air, there are fewer shows with strong female leads.  I am hoping that this category gets some great new potential with the fall 2013 shows.

Laura Dern as Amy Jellicoe in Enlightened

After only two seasons, creator Mike White's show had the plug pulled.  I will admit that this show grew on me, partly because White found his groove, but also because leading lady Laura Dern is a great actress who make Amy incredibly realistic persona.  Amy, and Enlightened are not your traditional comedy archetypes, but there is an something honest about her acting.  Amy wants to live a vivid more connected life, and Dern provides audiences with acting that makes you feel connected with this character.

Zooey Deschanel as Jessica Day in New Girl

Jess went through a lot this year, from being sex buddies with her boyfriend, and realizing she wanted more, to thinking about wanting children, to dealing with her parental baggage, to dating her roommate Nick.  While the first season introduced the quirk the second season added even more depth and layer to Deschannel's Jess.  While many will argue the actress is playing herself, or a version of other characters she has played before, I have argue, that Deschanel still does a great job.  Zooey added life to this character, and had one of the best years for a female performer; she is a vision here, and does a fantastic job within this role.

Lena Dunham in Hannah Horvath in Girls

Hannah, Hannah Hannah, you got a job writing finally, but then you couldn't put words on the page.  One of the most interesting aspects of Hannah's journey this season was the exploration of her OCD, watching Dunham explore this offbeat topic with the blended mixture of humor and drama was some of the best television from this past season.  At the center of this show Dunham is a captivating leading lady, who does not fit the mold, Hannah defies the norm constantly, and does so with guts.  Dunham is great within this role, her performance within the season finale is proof.

Sutton Foster as Michelle Simms in Bunheads

Sutton Foster is one of my favorite Broadway babies, he performances in shows like Anything Goes, and even Shrek were fantastic.  In Bunheads Foster continues the fast talking tradition of Amy Sherman-Palladino as the fast talking Michelle, who is whisked away from her life as Vegas showgirl to get married and move to a small town.  Foster is brilliant as Michelle, the way she mentors the young girls with whom she teaches, and how she spars with Kelly Bishop; she carries the mantle of fast talking champ Lorelai Gilmore well.  Let's just hope she gets to do more, and the show is picked up.

Julia Louis Dreyfus as Vice President Selena Meyers in Veep

Dreyfus is one of the best female comediennes in the history of television.  This is of course a bold statement, but this woman has created three different television characters (all great), and been a player on Saturday Night Live.  In season two Selena helped save hostages, ran into a glass door, and contemplated her own Presidential campaign, none of it was with ease, and most of it was clumsy.  Dreyfuss is the commanding force on this show; she is is great in this role, and really nails every moment, every facial expression with ease.

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation

I like her and I love her!  Leslie's first year on city council was met with many obstacles, like councilmen Jamm, town folk who were willing to let law keep them in the 1800s, and so much more.  The beginning of the season also had her far away from her boyfriend Ben, but that was fixed after Gerry had his fart attack, and Ben proposed.  Poehler still adds new layers to Leslie after all these years; she is one of the funniest women, and makes this sometimes compulsive women the most like able characters on television.  

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