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.

Tune In or Tune Out: Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)

Created by: Dan Goor (Parks and Recreation), Michael Schur (Parks and Recreation)

Starring: Andy Samberg, Melissa Fuermo, Joe Lo Truglio, Terry Crews, and Andre Braugher 

The team from Parks and Recreation has brought together another odd ball group, but this time they are in a police station in Brooklyn.  While crime hasn't been funny since Barney Miller (1974-1982) this show tackles cops in a truly hilarious way.

The shows strength is ensemble which centers around Detective Jake Peralta (Samburg), Detective Amy Santiago (Fuermo), Detective Charles Boyle (Lo Truglio), Sergeant  Terry Jeffords (Crews), Captain Ray Holt (Braugher), and some relatively new players to round out the ensemble.  This show was at the top of my list for must-watch new comedies, and it did not disappoint. 

While Samburg may not be everyone's cup of tea his charm as cocky police officer attempting to grow up works.  Samburg has worked with Schur before on Parks and Recreation; he gets the humor and blends into this series well without becoming too obnoxious.  The best part of this first episode was Braugher; he is one of my favorite actors working today, and he tackles humor here with that perfect dry wit.  Braugher is the standout of the episode, but like this duos past work on Parks and Recreation there is a great ensemble which looks like it will be developed further.  The only person who felt a little out of place was Crews whose shell shocked officer was more gimmick than anything else.  

These two men who have worked on Parks and Recreation have helped write and create some of the greatest moments for the show.  Parks and and Recreation also knows how to use characters, through evolving them, or having them move on from the series.   I feel as though this was a great start to a show that has tremendous potential.   

Tune In! One of my Favorite Comedy pilots in a while 

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 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!

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.