2012's Best Performances in Television (no order)

Sebastian Stan-Political Animals, Once Upon a Time-Some would have expect Sigourney Weaver to be the most talented performer on Political Animals (and she was solid), but the best performer on the show was her drug addict gay son, played by Stan.  Stan’s struggle with addiction, and coping with his being the first openly gay son of a President, and part of a famous political family was nothing short of amazing. 

Stan makes this for his role for his maddeningly good scene stealer in Once Upon a Time as the Mad Hatter; he is so charismatic, and there is something about this guy that draws you in above most performers on television; he is a true scene stealer.

Sam Waterston-The Newsroom-Another scene stealer in television was Sam Waterson’s alcoholic mentor Charlie Skinner on The Newsroom.  When the show was facing mass criticism (just haters) people were unanimous that the best part of this show was Waterston’s performance, and they were right about that.

 Julia Louis Dreyfuss-Veep-Elaine be gone!  Julia Louis Dreyfuss is one funny ass lady, and playing a female Vice President who is constantly ignored by Potus is one funny running gag.  Dreyfuss had a pregnancy scare, and insulted other politicians time after time, and never made her performance a gimmick; she has great comedic time, and is one of a kind!

Lena Dunham-Girls-Dunham’s performance is so genuine that you almost feel awkward an intruder on her personal experiences.  Dunham is not only the lead on Girls, but she created writes, and directs for the show.  This quadruple threat has proven her talent is not just behind the camera, but that her unique point of view provides her the opportunity to break ground with her acting.

 Julianne Moore-Game Change-Moore’s Palin is more frighteningly real than Tina Fey’s mockery.  Moore steals the show with ever key mannerism, facial expression, and inflexion with her voice.  This performance is raw, powerful, and shows the good the bad, and the ugly of this real life persona.

Jonathan Banks-Breaking Bad-For Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, this season belongs to Mike.  Banks silent brilliance contributed to an incredible dynamic of this show.  Banks is incredible in this role, and it’s often performances like these that are ignored, but he is proof silence is golden.

Sarah Paulson-American Horror Story Asylum and Game Change-Sarah Paulson like Sebastian Stan has played two extremes this year.  Like Stan she is in my book one of the most under rated actresses working on television today, and a name most folks should remember.

In American Horror Story: Asylum Paulsen is great as a lesbian committed by her partner against her will; she plays terrified well, and along with playing one of the best characters of the season in the show.  The scene where she is forced to grope the naked man was one of the most painful to watch, but she nailed every moment, and terrified look.

In Game Change Paulsen has a smaller role, as she tries to prepare Sarah Palin for the election.  My favorite scene with her was where she tearfully admits to Woody Harrelson’s character she did not vote, what a great moment, and she is off the charts one of the performers of the year.

Kerry Washington-Scandal-After watching the episode “Happy Birthday Mr. President” I could keep this woman off this list.  Washington has always been one of my favorite actresses; she always steals the spotlight.  Whether that was in Ray or For Colored Girls, Washington is a force to be reckoned with in anything she does, and as Olivia Pope the “fixer” she give one great performance!

Newsroom Pulses with Energy as Aaron Sorkin Creates Another Brilliant Television Series

The Newsroom is a new series on HBO from Emmy and Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network).  The Newsroom centers on Will McAvoy who has a minor freak out while speaking in front of a group of college students.  McAvoy is surrounded by two other television journalists, one liberal and one conservative arguing while he is called "the Jay Leno of news" who sits in the middle and does not take a position.  A young college sophomore steps up to the microphone, and asks "in one sentence or less why do you think America is the greatest country in the world?"  The liberal pundit states diversity while the conservative pundit states freedom twice.  Will states "the Jets" but is goaded and goes off on a tirade against the young lady about the problems with the news and America.  Jeff Daniels who plays McAvoy gives one hell of a speech, and his performance throughout the episode proves this show has a fire that can't be put out like in the gulf.

As Will returns back to work he finds out or notices that most of his staff is missing, and the newsroom is empty.  Will is sent up Charlie Skinner's office (Sam Waterson), and he tells him that his executive producer is leaving his show and taking his crew.  Soon Bill finds out that his ex-girlfriend Mackenzie MacHale (Emily Mortimer) who was having visions of before he went on his tirade will be his new executive producer.  As Mackenzie and Will meet up for the first time a news story breaks about an explosion in the Gulf of Mexico and two things happen the show flashes a date stating that is back in 2010 and they are delving into the BP oil crisis, and the show takes off like a rocket.

The interesting diference is that many critics were harsh on this show saying Sorkin missed, and hit a sour note.  I fervently disagree.  Emily Nussbaum writes the following to close out her piece entitled "Broken News":

“The Newsroom” is the inverse of “Veep”: it’s so naïve it’s cynical. Sorkin’s fantasy is of a cabal of proud, disdainful brainiacs, a “media élite” who swallow accusations of arrogance and shoot them back as lava. But if the storytelling were more confident, it could take a breath and deliver drama, not just talking points. Instead, the deck stays stacked. Whenever McAvoy delivers a speech or slices up a right-winger, the ensemble beams at him, their eyes glowing as if they were cultists."

Quantifying this show naive bordering on cynical is way off track, and if you read the entire article you can that Nussbaum has an axe to grind, one which she will use on Sorkin's head.  One of Nussbaum's major complaints is the misuse of a quality ensemble.  Nussbaum states that ensemble is filled with three minority characters whom Sorkin like in his other show Studio 60 are underdeveloped.  I know most television critics get the first few episodes, but the focus of the show is the dynamic between Will and Mackenzie, and the message of telling the truth and honest journalism.

Sorkin may have his own axe to grind, but within that framework he's stating a message, and most of the reviewers are not listening to the message.  This show centers on a broken government with a population as divided as during the days of the Civil War and the people who have the responsibility of bringing the news to the masses.  Will is walking away from "being Jay Leno" and moving towards being more than just a run of the mill anchor.  The beginning of the episode is his own homage Peter Finch's "I'm mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore" from the film Network (1976).  The Newsroom's first episode proved to be an impeccably written and directed show, that will hopefully continue to challenge the political structure, and the way media outlets operate.  Bravo Mr. Sorkin.