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 Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2012-2013)

One week after the Supporting Actors, it's time for the ladies, and like the men this was a tough category to narrow down, at one point in the year I had 9 or 10 women vying for the topic six spots in this category.  These six women became the no brainers.  Not only are these some of the strongest women on television, but they provide some great layered female characters, which are hard to find!

Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart in The Good Wife 

Diane navigated the potential break up of her firm, the choice between career and love, and at the end of the day did so with poise.  While everyone loves Kahlinda Diane stole this season making her one of the most valuable pieces to The Good Wife family.  Watching her fight to keep her firm was like watching a parent fight for a child, Diane battled to keep the firm, and made sure that at the end of the day she and Will kept control of their baby.  Diane is the most underrated character on the show, and Baranski plays her like no one else could; she is strong, and one of the most commanding female performers on television.

Jennifer Carpenter as Debra Morgan in Dexter 

Boom, you find out your brother is a serial killer, go!  Carpenter's acting skills have grown throughout the years, and while everyone has paid attention to Michael C. Hall they often have forgotton about Debra.  Watching Debra cope with finding out about the "dark passenger" was one of the most amazing story lines, and Carpenter gave incredible performances week after week.  I think the most heart breaking moment was within the last episode where (spoiler) she killed Laguerta instead of Dexter.  The ramifications of this act are going to be interesting but Carpenter proved that Deb, not Dexter was the most interesting character this season.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys "Khaleesi" Targaryen in Game of Thrones

Over the years Clarke has grown into her acting much in the same way Lena Headey grew into character in Thrones.  Khlaeesi is the "mother of the dragons"she is becoming a force to reckoned with, and the growth of her character has been chronicled well this season.  As Khaleesi grows Clarke's strong performance is something powerful, and that should be recognized.  In the past this story line, often was my least favorite, but as Clarke's determination and power grow her performance becomes 

impressive time and time again.  I love the way she not only commands her army, but the screen.

Anna Gunn as Skylar White in Breaking Bad 

Skylar may not have spoken much, her grief about the way she and Walt handled themselves and their fake business got the best of her.  I always hated this character, and to be honest I still do, but Skylar's portrayer Gunn has taken this once shrill character and made her layered, and given a new depth to her, which never existed.  Whether its watching her disgust for Walt, in a more subtle manner or empowering herself Skylar is a different women after a year (the time passed in the show).  Gunn has turned in the most spectacular performance this past season, namely because you can't imagine someone working through the complexity of a husband who makes and deals meth.

Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes in House of Cards

House of Cards who be nothing without the foil to Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey), Ms. Zoe Barnes.  Zoe is young naive, driven, selfish, and I could use many more adjectives to describe this young woman.  At the beginning of Cards Zoe is ready to do and be anything in order to get ahead.  As the season passes by Zoe grows more and more hesitant about the path she has chosen, and the darkness within the political realm which has made into something she never expected.  There are times when you believe Zoe and Frank are cut from the same clothe, but in reality this character is the millenial opposite, biting off more than she can chew.  Mara is fantastic in this role.

Monica Potter as Kristina Braverman in Parenthood 

This was one of the most personal stories told on television this year.  My mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, I am glad that diagnosis came after watching Potter's Kristina Braverman go through the experience.  Kristina's cancer story line was one of the driving forces of this season of Parenthood, and one of the most believable journeys of a family to cope with disease.  Potter's performance throughout the season was both beautiful and heartbreaking, I may have cried several times.  Whether you were laughing with her when she got stoned, or crying as she went into septic shock Potter nailed every moment this season.  At the heart of things beyond this story line Kristina is a great mom in the show and together all of these things play out because of Potter.

Runners Up: Abigail Spencer-Rectify, Olivia Munn-The Newsroom, Morena Baccarin-Homeland

NBC's Massive Overhaul Creates a Thoroughly Unimpressive Fall 2013 Line-Up

A few days ago NBC announced massive cuts, they cancelled every sitcom except Community, and Parks and Recreation, and the only returning dramas are not massive ratings grabers like Parenthood, Grimm, and Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit.  Chicago Fire, and Revolution are the only first year dramas returning at the moment.

NBC's new Fall schedule has been announced and they moved everything around, and even shelved Community until 2014, so Parks is the only returning sitcom for the peacock.  Why the massive time shifts, and cuts?  NBC is attempting an overhaul, which looks incredibly unsuccessful.  At the moment there are a few shows still in limbo: Celebrity Apprentice, Hannibal, Fashion Star, and Beauty White's Off Their Rockers.

Listed below is Fall 2013 Schedule 

MONDAY
8/7c The Voice
10 pm THE BLACKLIST (new series) 

TUESDAY
8 pm The Biggest Loser
9 pm The Voice
10 pm Chicago Fire

WEDNESDAY
8 pm Revolution
9 pm Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
10 pm IRONSIDE (new series)

THURSDAY
8 pm Parks and Recreation
8:30 pm WELCOME TO THE FAMILY (new series)
9 pm SEAN SAVES THE WORLD (new series) 
9:30 pm THE MICHAEL J. FOX SHOW (new series)
10 pm Parenthood

FRIDAY
8 pm Dateline NBC
9 pm Grimm
10 pm DRACULA (new series)

SATURDAY
Encore programming

SUNDAY
7 pm Football Night in America
8:15 pm NBC Sunday Night Football

SUNDAY (Post-football/Winter 2013)
7 pm Dateline NBC
8 pm Nate Berkus’ AMERICAN DREAM BUILDERS (Reality)
9 pm BELIEVE (new series)
10 pm CRISIS (new series)

Believe (Drama)

EPs | Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men), J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk (Fringe)
CAST | Kyle MacLachlan (Desperate Housewives), Johnny Sequoyah, Jake McLaughlin (Savages), Delroy Lindo (The Chicago Code), Jamie Chung (Once Upon a Time), Sienna Guillory (Resident Evil), Arian Moayed (The Following)
Follows an unlikely relationship between a gifted young girl and a man sprung from prison who has been tasked with protecting her from the evil elements that hunt her power.

Crisis (Drama)
EPs | Rand Ravich and Far Shariat (Life)
CAST | Gillian Anderson (The X-Files), Dermot Mulroney (New Girl), Rachael Taylor (666 Park Avenue), Michael Beach (Third Watch), James Lafferty (One Tree Hill), Lance Gross (House of Payne), Halston Sage (How to Rock), Max Martini (Revenge), Max Schneider (How to Rock), Joshua Erenberg (Suburgatory)
Examines what happens when an unlikely puppeteer pulls Washington’s elite — including the President of the United States — into an international conspiracy.

About a Boy (Comedy)
EP | Jason Katims (Parenthood)
DIRECTOR | Jon Favreau (Revolution, Iron Man)
CAST | David Walton (New Girl), Minnie Driver (The Riches), Anjelah N. Johnson (MADtv), Benjamin Stockham (1600 Penn), Leslie Bibb (GCB), Al Madrigal (The Daily Show)
Based on the book and subsequent 2002 film starring Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult, the single-cam comedy centers on the relationship between a man-child and the young boy who moves in next door.

Sean Saves the World (Comedy)
EPs | Victor Fresco (Better Off Ted), Todd Milliner (Hot in Cleveland)
CAST | Sean Hayes (Will & Grace), Linda Lavin (Alice), Echo Kellum (Ben and Kate), Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!), Lindsay Sloane (Weeds, Grosse Pointe), Samantha Isler, guest star/recurring Vik Sahay (Chuck)
A multi-cam sitcom about a man attempting to both parent the teenage daughter who just moved in and appease a temperamental new boss.

The Michael J. Fox Show (Comedy)
CAST | Michael J. Fox (Spin City), Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad), Kate Finneran (I Hate My Teenage Daughter), Wendell Pierce (Treme), Juliette Goglia (Easy A), Ana Nogueira
The single-cam comedy is inspired by Fox’s real life and stars him as Mike Burnaby, a husband and father of three in New York City juggling the challenges of family and career while dealing with Parkinson’s disease.

Family Guide (Comedy)
EPs | DJ Nash (Bent), Jason Bateman (Arrested Development), Jim Garavente (Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium)
CAST | Parker Posey (Louie, The Good Wife), J.K. Simmons (The Closer), Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley
The single-camera sitcom centers on a son who idolizes his blind father and enjoys his mom’s newfound adolescence after his folks divorce and ultimately grow closer.

The Blacklist (Drama)

WHO | James Spader (The Office), Megan Boone (Law & Order: LA), Ryan Eggold (90210), Diego Klattenhoff (Homeland), Harry Lennix (Dollhouse), Ilfenesh Hadera

WHAT | The world's most wanted criminal suddenly turns himself in and offers to give up anyone he's ever worked with. The catch: He'll only work with a new FBI agent, one with whom he has no known connection

Ironside (Drama)

WHO | Blair Underwood (The Event), Brent Sexton (The Killing), Pablo Schreiber (Weeds), Neal Bledsoe (Smash), Spencer Grammer (Greek), Kenneth Choi (Sons of Anarchy)

WHAT | Based on the '60s cop drama, a tough, sexy and acerbic police detective is relegated to a wheelchair after a shooting, but is hardly limited by his disability as he pushes and prods his hand-picked team to solve the most difficult cases in the city.

Welcome to the Family (Comedy) 

WHO | Mike O'Malley (Glee), Mary McCormack (In Plain Sight), Ricardo Chavira (Desperate Housewives), Justina Machado (Private Practice, Six Feet Under), Ella Rae Peck (Deception, Gossip Girl), Joey Haro (Glee, Awkward), Aramis Knight

WHAT | In the single-cam comedy, cultures collide when a white family and a Latino family are bonded together by their children who fall in love followed quickly by an unplanned pregnancy.

Dracula (Drama)

WHO | Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors), Jessica De Gouw (Arrow), Katie McGrath (Merlin) and Nonso Anozie (Game of Thrones)

WHAT | Based on Bram Stoker's novel of the same name, the 10-episode series finds Dracula preparing to unleash hell on the Victorian society responsible for ruining his life. But he's thrown when he falls for a woman who's a dead ringer for his beloved, long-deceased wife.

The 2014 shows, or midseason shows are as follows, dramas: Crossbones, Chicago PD, and The Night Shift, the comedies: Community, About a Boy, Undateable , and The Family Guide.  If you look at the actual descriptions of the new shows along with the schedule shifts like Revolution to Wednesdays at 8 pm, and Parenthood to Thursdays prove the person running this network has no clue what they are doing.  Although I vow to watch anything that replaces the Celebrity Apprentice.