Emmy Week (2013): Time to Liven Up Outstanding Comedy Series at the Emmy Awards. Can Louis C.K. Save the Day?

For the past 6 years 2 shows have won Outstanding Comedy Series at the Emmy Awards, 30 Rock and  Modern Family.  From 1999 until 2006 only one show repeated their victory and that show was Everybody Loves Raymond.  Between 1999 and 2006 shows like Ally McBeal, Friends, Will & Grace, Sex and the City, Arrested Development, and The Office each took their turn at the podium.  Each of these shows won in a year with critical support, they were the best seasons of their shows history, and deservedly.  The only win I would argue against was Everybody Loves Raymond's repeat, which should have been a repeat win for Arrested Development, or even Desperate Housewives.

As stated above 30 Rock and Modern Family have dominated these categories for six years, and this could be the seventh, this award winner has gotten stale like back to the days of Frasier's 5-peat in the mid to late nineties.  The big question of the week is can comedian Louis C.K. come in and save the day making this category a bit more interesting?

Ove the years only a few shows have repeated in this category, Frasier has the most wins at 5.  There are three shows tied with four wins: All in the Family, Cheers, and The Dick Van Dyke Show.  Four shows have three wins: 30 Rock, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Modern Family, and Taxi.  Seven shows have 2 wins: Everybody Loves Raymond, Get Smart, The Golden Girls, I Love Lucy, The Jack Benny Show, Murphy Brown, and The Phil Silvers Show.

Of the 65 years only 20 years have had repeat winners, which is pretty great at creating variety in this category, but we are in a drought.  Both Modern Family and 30 Rock are heavy front runners this year, but there is one upstart who could change it all, and that's Louis C.K. for Louie.

Over the years shows like Louie rarely win in the series category, but do score nominations.  Curb Your Enthusiasm is obviously the closest show to compare.  Curb  has been nominated for 39 Emmy Awards, but only won 2, only one non technical award for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series.  Louie has just tied Curb's record of two wins, one for writing last year, and one for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.  C.K. himself has been nominated all three the show has been on the air for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, but this is the first year the show has been nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series.  Can Louis C.K. do what Larry David, the creator of Seinfeld from an HBO series could never do with Curb, win?

Louis C.K. is nominated for nine Emmy Awards this year, and the answer is maybe.  Is there Modern Family fatigue?  The show was nominated for fewer awards this year, and one of their cast members was snubbed for the first time since the first season.  The show also has no writing nominations.  Can 30 Rock swing back for the purpose of sentimentality?  The show won it's first Emmy in 3 years Outstanding Casting, which is fairly rare for a show in its last season.  The only problem is that only two shows have won for their final seasons, and they are Everybody Loves Raymond and Barney Miller.  30 Rock may win win an acting and writing or directing, but not series.

Does this open the door for Louie?  Why not The Big Bang Theory, the most watched show comedy on television?  Bang has no writing or directing nominations, along with some of the other major technical awards that signal a win here.  Girls is too polarizing and has lost its sheen, and while Veep has the clout it did not score a writing or directing nomination in a show where those factors are the most important.

My gut says Modern Family will keep the snooze fest of this category alive, but I am going to go out on a limb, and predict that Louie will shake things up, and pull out a surprise victory in this category.

Blue Jasmine Proves the Power of Woody Allen still Exists, and this Darker Film (with some laughs) is One of his Best Films in Years

Blue Jasmine (4 1/2 out 5 Stars)

Directed and Written by Woody Allen (Annie Hall, Manhattan, Hannah and Her Sisters)

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Sally Hawkins, Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Dice Clay, and Alec Baldwin

Going to see a good Woody Allen film, is a cathartic experience.  Allen is one of longest, hardest working directors; he has been directing/writing for film since 1966, and prior to that he wrote for television in the 1950s and 60s.  Allen is one of those lasting directors from that time period who true to form creates a genuinely magical cinematic experience, and through his blend of the dramatic, and humorous he transports you into the minds of the neurotic. 

Jasmine is one Allen's darker films although I laughed loudest in the theatre.  The film centers around Jasmine (Blanchett), or Janette; she seems to have intentionally changed her name, from the one given to her by her adopted family.  Jasmine was whisked away by her husband Hal (Baldwin) in her junior year of college; she lives the life a socialite throwing parties for the elite, wrapped in only designer labels. Jasmine is used to the finer things in life, and has avoided her past to protect her status.

The film jumps between her time with her husband Hal, and the aftermath of Hal's Bernie Madoff ponzi schemes.  The film jumps back and forth between Jasmine's plush life in Manhattan (I love her line about being forced to live in Brooklyn) and living with her step sister Ginger (Sally Hawkins) in San Francisco in an apartment she loathes from first glance.  Ginger is searching for her own happiness, through different relationships, although the sisters had two different paths.

Allen's script is one of his best in years, although I was a huge fan of Midnight in Paris, this is stronger. Allen uses the template of Streetcar Named Desire to define Jasmine as a Blanche type who definitely depends on the kindness of strangers; she goes a little crazy without a set path, you feel as though this woman has lost, or maybe never had a grasp on reality, as she is constantly trying to avoid the past from her days of being adopted to her failed marriage.

Allen has set up Ginger and both the men in her life as "Stanleys" the working class schlub, with whom she must settle.  Both Augie (Dice Clay) and Chili (Cannavale) are these bravado macho men whose softer, less financially solvent sides are laughable to Jasmine.  Meanwhile Ginger finds love with both of these men because of their genuine nature, although there is an uncertainty if she is ever truly happy with either, especially since even after she divorces Augie and is dating Chili she goes after Al (Louis C.K.).

Together this ensemble is brilliantly woven together, and play off each other so nicely, but the stand out is clearly Blanchett, she is electric in this role, and goes off and on the rails with ease.  Watching Blanchett act is a true art forml she makes you laugh, cry, hate, scream, and feel every emotion all with one performance.  There is this vulnerability to her as she goes "a little mad" but this madness is brought together layered to be something more twisted within her, and the performance speaks volumes to making this film even more successful.

Hawkins and Dice Clay are the other stand outs.  Hawkins Ginger is weak, timid, vulnerable, but like her step sister there is something about her which allows you to see every facet to her personality.  The film never states the cause for her divorce, but you can pieces of Jasmine in her as she too is trying to continue to find a man who will give her more, and be more for her.  Who knew Andrew Dice Clay could provide such depth; he has only a few scenes in the film, but I blown away by his performance, and stark contrast he portrays to the rest of the characters, he is the most real, and you feel as though he tried to be the best man he could for his family, but got caught up in each sister's web.

In Allen's last successful film, Midnight in Paris the theme was clinging to the past, in this film its clearly about avoiding and forgetting the past at all costs.  Jasmine attempts to move past Hal with Dwight (Peter Sarsgaard) through lies, which she truly believes to be true as she tells him about herself. There are also moments when Jasmine forgets key details about her relationship with Hal; she talks about him so lovingly, but their marriage was flawed.  Jasmine has lost her grip on reality because her comfort and the life she believed she had was taken from her.  There is something beautiful in the writing about walking away from the past, or her case having a spotty memory of her past because of her psychosis, which makes this film impactful.

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!

Homeland, Louie, and Game of Thrones Dominate the Television Critics Awards (TCA)

This years award winners split things evenly (all winners listed below).  Homeland won two awards for Claire Danes (Performance Drama), and the show won Outstanding New Program.  Meanwhile on the comedy side Louie star Louis C.K. as a producer and performer for his show.  Breaking Bad took home Outstanding Achievement in Drama, but the HBO series Game of Thrones took home Program of the year.  What a great list of winners!


* Individual Achievement in Drama: Claire Danes (Homeland)
* Individual Achievement in Comedy: Louis C.K. (Louie)
* Outstanding Achievement in News and Information: 60 Minutes
* Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming: So You Think You Can Dance
* Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming: Switched at Birth
* Outstanding New Program: Homeland
* Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials: Downton Abbey
* Outstanding Achievement in Drama: Breaking Bad
* Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: Louie
* Career Achievement Award: David Letterman
* Heritage Award: Cheers
* Program of the Year: Game of Thrones

Dream Emmy Ballot: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

This group of six men is incredibly unique, two of the men are playing themselves, three of the men were or still are comedians, and Alec Baldwin and Steve Carell are gone from this list.  This year's leading men are a bunch of off the wall oddball, atypical leading men.  This is one of my favorite categories this year, and is one of the strongest line-ups I have seen in years.

Larry David as Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm-After a brief hiatus the Curb team returned for for another great season, one of their best.  Larry used an excuse to get out of doing something, and ventured to New York City.  Before Larry went to the East Coast and scuffled with Michael J. Fox and Rosie he dealt with a mini-dilemma, whether or not to eat from a Palestinian chicken restaurant with amazing chicken.  The episode entitled Palestinian Chicken is one of the funniest half an hours of television I have ever seen!  David is spot on, and I never laughed harder then when the Palestinian waitress is sleeping with him and insulting him calling him a "dirty Jew"...he takes it because she is beautiful.  David was great all season, and he could finally win this year.

Garett Dillahunt as Burt Chance in Raising Hope-One half of one of the funniest duos of television today.  Burt Chance is not the sharpest, but even with his lower intellect he is one of the funniest leading men on television today.  Of these six men Burt is one of the most real characters; he is a great father, husband, and granddad.  From the first time you meet this guy pushing a guy into thorns while he pees you can see that he he remains a man child, but throughout the second season he has become more hilarious, and the character is even better than in the first.

Louis C.K. as Louis C. K. in Louie-Louis C. K. is one of the funniest men on television today.  I love watching his facial expressions; he is incredibly straight faced, but also looks appalled by many of the crazy situations he has gotten into.  I think my favorite moment was his interaction with Joan Rivers this season, these two had this great chemistry, and as she is trying to mentor him he goes for a kiss.  Awkward, she hits him, and begrudgingly accepts.  Louis C.K. reminds me of Seinfeld but funnier than Jerry himself. He uses the situational crazy antics of New York, his daughters, and his broken marriage to find the hilarity in life, and makes it work so well.

Joel McHale as Jeff Winger in Community-Winger zingers are the best.  From day one Jeff Winger has fought hard against being considered part of this study group, but as he feels more at home he has developed into an even better character.  In "Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism" we get explore the more vulnerable side of Jeff's younger years where we find out Shirley bullied him when the were younger.  McHale has great chemistry with Yvette Nicole Brown and they make an brilliant comedic duo.  McHale is great in this show, and his "cool" ways as Jeff Winger always add a little fun to the group especially when he is getting kicked out of biology class or helping investigate the death of a yam.

Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt in Parks and Recreation-Too many people have been ignoring this man.  While this was the year of Leslie Knope and her campaign, I was more enamored with her campaign manager Ben Wyatt (that could be mainly because I think he's cuter), but more because he is one of the funniest people on the show.  Ben had a lot of great moments from defending Leslie at a bowling alley, to being an out of work calzone maker, to Leslie's campaign manager, but my personal favorite Ben moment was watching him try to "Treat Yourself" and buy and dress up in a Batman outfit, one of the funniest moments of the season.  The real question "Is Batman Crying?"

Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory-Knock "Penny" Knock "Penny" Knock "Penny" Knock "Penny" Knock "Penny"...Parsons is one of the funniest men in television today.  Sheldon Cooper is emotionally vacant mainly he has no use for sarcasm only straight forward dialogue that furthers what he needs and wants.  In the "The Friendship Contraction" Sheldon keeps Leonard up all night with emergency preparedness, and then Leonard refuses to take him so some appointments, which causes the two to hilariously revisit their roommate agreement.  In the fifth season Sheldon finally admits Amy is his girlfriend, and this took his character to a whole new level.