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.

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 Actress in a Drama Series (2012-2013)

I feel as though I say this every year (but I don't), the roles for women in television have only gotten better.  If you look at these six women, they represent a wide variety of women, and represent different character distinctions along with having their own journeys.  Some of these women are working mothers, bad ass CIA agents, spies for other governments, or fixers.  

Kerri Washington is the first lead African American actress to be a part of this category in all of the years I have watched dramas (or should be a part of this category.)  Washington's Olivia Pope is one of the few strong lead African American or black actresses to be a major lead on any television series cable, basic or pay.  This is odd considering the way television has grown, but I think this is a great advancement, and should be recognized.   Take note television it's time for more representation, and not just the supporting characters!

Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison in Homeland 

Danes performance was made fun of mercilessly by Ann Hathaway on SNL this past year.  While the dig was funny, I think one thing is true, Danes intensity has created on of the most fantastic characters on the air. Watching Carrie grapple with her suspension, and then get sucked right back into the CIA game.  There is no greater performance than watching her go after Brody, attack him using her more together prowess then interrogate him and use him as an agent of the agency.  The episode Q&A proves just how great Danes is within this role, and beyond the romantic connections, she plays every movement, tick, anxiety ridden instance with ease.

Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates in Bate's Motel

I have to say from the first time I saw previews of this show, and heard they were doing a modern take on Psycho, I was against it from the start.  I watched the show, and caught up on most of it, and while I still am not a fan, Farmiga makes me want to tune in, week after week.  Farmiga's dark motherly ways make this one twisted relationship, and give an interesting context to the Psycho story.  Was it needed, no, but Farmiga gives one of the best performances of the year, making a so-so show even better with her strong performance. While Highmoore is great as Norman, it's Farmiga and Norma who week after week make this show something of a great character study.

Julianna Marguiles as Alicia Florick in The Good Wife 

After four years not many characters stay relevant, or as fresh as when they started, but Alicia is one of those characters who continues to develop.  While Robert and Michelle King have a lot to do with that development, Alicia would be nothing without Marguiles.  Alicia fighting for partner, dealing with her mother, her growing children, her husband's gubernatorial election, betrayal of a new friend, her love for Will, and striking out on her own in a new firm with Carrie.  What a year!  Marguiles has created one of the most dynamic female characters in television history; she is so complex, and does a fantastic job with this role.  Marguiles is a pro, and she is fantastic as Alicia! 

Tatiana Maslany as Sarah Manning (and many more) in Orphan Black

What can I say about this performance, that critics, bloggers have not said.  Maslany plays Sarah Manning and many girls who are said to be clones.  Maslany kicks ass, is a soccer mom, a cop, and many more roles; she is a true chameleon within each of these of these different roles, none of them feel the same, and that's an incredibly hard accomplishment to achieve.  While the show is solid it's Maslany's performance which keeps you hooked; she takes each of these roles with ease, and looks like is having a blast doing this.  I burned through an entire season of this show because I was enthralled by Maslany, and I can't wait to see what she does with this role, when the show returns.

Kerri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings in The Americans

Watching Russell play the other half of the married couple pretending to US citizens while really being Soviet Spies is impressive.  Russell is incredibly stoic, while being vulnerable as she deals with the trials and tribulations of finding the balance in being a mother and spy.  While Rhys has gotten more credit (I agree during the evolution of the show he is better), Russell battling the thought of her rape, and dealing with this as she approaches the man who took advantage of her was one of the most intense scenes.  Russell is dynamic in this role, proving she can stretch her acting muscle to newer levels.

Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope in Scandal

I know I may get shit for this one because of the "soapy" nature of this show, but Washington is a force to be reckoned with, and after a roller coaster year dealing with her married lover's assassination attempt (yea he is the President too), and being forced to admit her own fault in helping rig the election; she is was off the charts great.  Washington is no victim, and even though most of her emotional choices may be driven by her love for Fitz she is one strong woman, and fights back in some of the most realistic ways.  Washington's performance is real, and that's one of the major reasons people tune into this show week after week!

Runner Ups: Elisabeth Moss as Peggy in Mad Men, and Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher in Shameless

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2012-2013)

The men of drama caused quite a stir this year, ranging from a man battling a zombie apocalypse and losing his wife to man posing to a regular everyday American, but is actually Soviet spy in an arranged marriage.  This year's list is filled with many new comers ousting out some old favorites.  These men while complex and flawed prove that there are still great roles for men out there....wait, that's always been true.  What's most important about the evolution of this category is the wide range of men who have filled these five or six spots over the last decade have become more and more interesting.  Please note not one of these men is from a network television series.

Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad

Cranston is the only veteran returning for a fifth time; he has the most nominations, and has not missed a year in my own personal awards.  Cranston took Walt to new levels with Gus dead, and him in charge.  Walt took to new levels of darkness while trying to cling to being a part of his family.  As Skylar zoned out, Walt turned into a darker more intense man who is starting to get hooked into the game.  Watching him with that look in his eyes as he took control, and even killed was one of the most intense experiences of the last season of Breaking Bad.  Cranston takes Walt to new levels and is one of the best working in actors in all of television and film today.

Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy in The Newsroom

While some called Will one note, I think he is one of the most interesting characters of the 2012-2013 television season.  Daniels has become a force to reckoned with on stage and screen, and he has developed one great character within this show.  Will's rant alone in the first episode about the collapse of our society and journalism is reason enough for him to score a nomination, it is one of my favorite monologues from a television series.  Daniels is great in this show, and I love the way he flexes his pen is mightier than the sword wit on the camera it is truly a work of art.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead

Wow, is all I can say.  While Walking Dead started to lose me with all of that Andrea/Mayor stuff, Lincoln kept me engrossed in the show.  Andrew Lincoln was the reason to watch this past season of Dead, his performance when he lost his wife Laurie was heart wrenching, and the after math even more.  Watching Rick struggle through not only the loss of his wife, but the battle with "the Mayor" was also worth the watch.Lincoln is one of the most underrated actors working on television, and this past season is proof that people need to take him more seriously.

Damien Lewis as Nicholas Brody in Homeland

The episode "Q&A," nuff' said.  While many folks complained that Homeland was soapier than season one, and that is namely because of the back and forth romance between Carrie and Brody, but the performances took things beyond that level.  Lewis was the all star of season one, and that level performance continued this season as he tried to not only play a double agent but stay true to his mission.  During the interrogation the intensity in Brody was some of the best acting Lewis has ever done, and watching him slip as he lost everything, or was about to lose everything including his family was some great acting.

Matthew Rhys as Phillip Jennings in The Americans

Kevin Walker, is that you? What a transformation.  While the show itself had growing pains in my opinion, the acting was top notch and Rhys himself was one of the best performers of the year.  Watching him fight to keep his family together, and avoid being found out as a Communist spy was some of the most intense television of the year.  One of Rhys best scenes was where he confronts the man who raped his wife, and kills him.  The intensity in Phillip's face as he kills the man proves that there is more this than an arranged marriage.  Rhys proves his acting chops here, and makes this show even better with his performance.

Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood in House of Cards

Who said you can't break the fourth wall?  This works so well in this show, and Spacey is a master of the theatrical.  Franics Underwood is representative of what I assume most politicians in DC to be like, sneaky, manipulative, and mainly out for themselves.  There is honestly nothing redeeming about this character; he uses people and spits them out, all on his way to getting what he wants.  Yet over the course of the season Spacey creates one of the most layered anti-heroes on television (well Netflix) proving like with Don Draper being a "good guy" or having redeeming qualities can be over rated.  Spacey hits every note and action with grace making you remember why he has two Academy Awards.

Runner Ups: Hugh Dancy as Will Graham in Hannibal, Timothy Olyphant as U.S. Marshall Raylan Givens, 

Breaking Bad and The Americans Lead the TCA Nominations

The Americans and Breaking Bad lead the TCA (Television Critics Association) Awards.  I guess I missed something with The Americans.  Time to go back and watch, I got through most of the first season, but did not see the fuss, although the performances were great.  

I have to applaud this group for including more women again, props to Farmiga, Maslany, and Potter nominations.  This is a solid group of nominees, I am shocked there is no Kevin Spacey for House of Cards. Overall this is something the Emmy Awards should take note of, and give some of those lesser shows the boot.

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
"The Americans"
"Breaking Bad"
"Game of Thrones"
"House of Cards"
"The Walking Dead"

BEST DRAMA SERIES
"The Americans"
"Breaking Bad"
"Game of Thrones"
"Homeland"
"Mad Men"

BEST DRAMA PERFORMANCE
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Vera Farmiga, "Bates Motel"
Tatiana Maslany, "Orphan Black"
Monica Potter, "Parenthood"
Matthew Rhys, "The Americans"

BEST COMEDY SERIES
"The Big Bang Theory"
"Louie"
"New Girl"
"Park and Recreation"
"Veep"

BEST COMEDY PERFORMANCE
Louis C.K.," Louie"
Lena Dunham, "Girls"
Jake Johnson, "New Girl"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep"
Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation"

BEST NEW PROGRAM
"The Americans"
"Elementary"
"House of Cards"
"The Mindy Project"
"Orphan Black"

BEST MOVIE, MINISERIES OR SPECIAL
"American Horror Story: Asylum"
"Behind the Candelabra"
"Downton Abbey"
"Rectify"
"Top of the Lake"

BEST REALITY SERIES
"The Amazing Race"
"The Glee Project"
"Shark Tank"
"Survivor"
"The Voice"

BEST YOUTH SERIES 
"Adventure Time"
"Bunheads"
"Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood"
"Sesame Street"
"Switched at Birth"

BEST NEWS AND INFORMATION PROGRAM
"60 Minutes"
"Anderson Cooper 360"
"Central Park Five"
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"
"Rachel Maddow Show"

HERITAGE AWARD
"All In the Family"
"Lost"
"Saturday Night Live"
"Star Trek"
"Twin Peaks"

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
James L. Brooks
James Burrows
Jay Leno
William Shatner
Barbara Walters