Amy Sherman (she dropped Palladino) Rocks the Quick Wit with Bunheads

One of my favorite television writers is back at it with a new television show on ABC Family entitled Bunheads.  Amy Sherman-Palladino (or just Amy Sherman as she is cited on imdb now) wrote, directed, and produced the television series Gilmore Girls.  Gilmore Girls was one of the most underrated shows on the air, and while I hear fans talk about the show fondly, the show never got any serious awards recognition, except a Golden Globe nod for Lauren Graham once, and some attention from critics groups.  Sherman has re-tooled the original concept for this new series now entitled Bunheads about a Las Vegas showgirl who is swept off her feet, gets married to a man, and moves to a small town in California.

Sherman is back to her old form; she knows how to create that small town charm, and like within Gilmore Girls she knows how to talk about dance ala Miss. Patty.  Throughout the the first episode Sherman's dialgoue ran at a rapid pace, and the quick wit is there.  Sherman's writing elevates this beyond more than the typical ABC Family fare, and the network has a truly quality show on their hands.

Leading the charge within the cast is the Broadway baby Sutton Foster.  Foster is a two time Tony winner for the shows Thoroughly Modern Millie and Anything Goes; she was also Tony nominated for her roles in The Drowsy Chaperone, and Shrek the Musical.  This girl has talent to boot, and boy can handle the dialogue with great ease.  Returning to the world of Amy Sherman is Kelly Bishop who like Foster started out in Boradway; she won a Tony for her performance in A Chorus Line.  Bishop is most known for her role in the Gilmore Girls where she played stuffy socialite Emily Gilmore.  Bishop's character is somewhat similar, but in the end it does not mater because she is a great actress, and the material helps transform her into this incredibly fun dance instructor.  The younger cast of the show seem like they will provide a good amount of entertainment, and bring about a wonderful balance.  While they all seem to play archetypes I know Amy Sherman will help flesh out their characters well.

I am excited to return to a world created by Amy Sherman with the quick wit, the great pop culture references, and a small town where everyone is in everyone's business.  Welcome back Amy Sherman!

Dream Emmy Ballot: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

I was looking at my list of nominees and the Television Critics Awards nominees and I realized something pretty interesting, my lead nominees are the same as theirs.  Now before you skeptics say I just picked the same nominees, look at my supporting dream ballots,they are different.  I also picked my nominees before these nominations were announced, guess I should should be part of this group, I will be sending my application posthaste.

Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad-This may be one of my favorite categories this year.  Like all of the other men within this category Walter White is an incredibly complex character.  Cranston has continued to make this one of the best characters to ever exist, and as the year passed by not only did he reach darker places, but there is this incredible balance where Walter still tries to be a good husband/father even through the muck.  This year was no different, and unlike most Cranston has taken on this role without flinching.

Kelsey Grammer as Mayor Tom Kane in Boss-Grammer played this incredible comedic roles on television the last 20 years from Cheers to Frasier to Back to You.  Grammer shatters each of these images as Mayor Tom Kane.  Tom Kane is a brilliant heavy man who not only works to crush his opponents, politically, but he also does this while hiding a debilitating neurological disorder. While Boss is a clunker in the ratings, Grammer carries this show, and makes it one of the most realistic portrayals of the complex political structure.

John Hamm as Don Draper in Mad Men-I never thought I would see the day when Don Draper was speechless, but the moment Peggy walked away from him, the look on Hamm's face was priceless. Cut to a week later when he found Lane Price hanging in his office.  Don Draper went through a bit of a change this year, an almost evolutionary change.  While still misogynistic (by nature) his new wife made him a better husband, along with being faithful.  I liked seeing the softer sides of this man, especially his night out with Joan.

Charlie Hunnam as Jackson "Jax" Teller in Sons of Anarchy-Hunnam has always been an incredible force within this show, but this category always seemed to hold too many strong contenders which prevented him from making my list.  This year Hunnam took his performance to the next level as he challenged his Machiavellian stepfather, and finally took their relationship to a crossroads.  Like with Homeland Hunnam often gets lost in the shuffle to Katey Sagal (Lewis to Danes).  Hunnam is a lesser known actor, but his talent should no longer be hidden.

Damien Lewis as Nicholas Brody in Homeland- Where do this man's loyalties lie? Brody is a master manipulator; he is the soldier long thought dead while fighting in Iraq, but surprise he has been alive, and now be a sleeper agent sent to wreak havoc on the government using his hero status.  This is one of the most brilliant cat and mouse narratives ever to play out on television, and while most give the credit to Danes (she is brilliant) many forget the sheer complexity to Lewis's role, and the way he makes love and hate him without knowing him, brilliant work!

Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens in Justified-U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens is one kick-ass guy, and Timothy Olyphant exudes this raw magnetism when he walks on the screen.  Olyphant brings on the southern charm while being a complete bad ass in the next breath.In an article I read about Olyphant and his portrayal as Raylan Givens the writer said "he is the kind of man who "buys you a drink before he puts a bullet in you."  I love watching this man on the screen; he is a terrific actor, and does a great job with this role.

Tony Awards Honor Once and Clybourne Park

Tonight Neil Patrick Harris took to the Tony stage for the third time, and like he stated the third time in the trilogy is when the series gets it right.  Harris as usual, sang and danced his way into the hearts of his audience.  While the show opened with a number from The Book of Mormon, when NPH took the stage he sang about the beauty of a life full where singing and dancing supported everyday life.  Like in a trilogy the number was not as great as the number he did last year, but it was solid.  Watching NPH mock Spiderman: Turn off the Dark by hanging upside down was another highlight of his hosting.  I love watching this man; he is one great award show host.


When it comes to the actual awards Once and Clybourne Park took the top honors in a predictable manner for Best Musical and Best Play.  Once won 7 other trophies (8 total) besting the strong favorite Newsies in several categories including Best Lead Actor in a Musical.  Steve Kazee won besting Jeremy Jordan and Danny Burstein the two favorites in the category.  Meanwhile Clybourne Park's win was the shows only win for the night.  The big winner for plays was the adaptation of the Peter Pan story entitled Peter and the Starcatcher, which won five trophies.


In the other lead acting categories there was also an upset in the Lead Actor in a Play category where the predicted winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Death of a Salesman) lost to James Corden from One Man, Two Guvners.  On the actress side Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur) bested the more famous women in her category, and won Best Actress in a Play.  Audra McDonald tied record making her one of the few people with five Tony awards for Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.  Although McDonald tied the record this was her first win in lead category.  In the revival categories Death of a Salesman won for Best Revival of a Play, and in a more surprising turn Gershwin's Porgy and Bess beat Follies to win the Best Revival of a Musical.

Choreography: Christopher Gattelli, "Newsies."

Orchestration: Martin Lowe, "Once."

Book of a Musical: Enda Walsh, "Once"

Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Judith Light, "Other Desert Cities."

Sound Design of a Musical: Clive Goodwin, "Once."

Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Michael McGrath, "Nice Work If You Can Get It."

Sound Design of a Play: Darron L. West, "Peter and the Starcatcher."

Direction of a Musical: John Tiffany, "Once."

Direction of Play: Mike Nichols, "Death of a Salesman."

Costume Design of a Play: Paloma Young, "Peter and the Starcatcher."

Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Christian Borle, "Peter and the Starcatcher."

Costume Design of a Musical: Gregg Barnes, "Follies."

Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Judy Kaye, "Nice Work If You Can Get It."

Scenic Design Play: Donyale Werle, "Peter and the Starcatcher"

Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre: "Newsies."

Scenic Design of a Musical: Bob Crowley, "Once."

Revival of a Play: "Death of a Salesman."

Lighting Design of a Musical: Natasha Katz, "Once"

Play: "Clybourne Park."

Lighting Design of a Play: Jeff Croiter, "Peter and the Starcatcher."

Revival of a Musical: "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess."

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Steve Kazee, "Once."

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: James Corden, "One Man, Two Guvnors."

Performance by an Actress in Leading Role in a Play: Nina Arianda, "Venus in Fur."

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Audra McDonald, "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess."

Musical: "Once."

Predicting the Tony Awards! Not Many Sure Bets

Tonight Neil Patrick Harris is back as the host of the Tony Awards, with an opening number from The Book of Mormon, and lots of live performances from this years new musicals and revivals.  The Tony's always put on the best show, and tonight with NPH in toe I think it will be a fun year.  The other reason the show will be great is because unlike most years the award categories are more unpredictable than ever.

Best Musical
Leap of Faith 
Newsies 
Nice Work if you can Get it
Once 

This is the battle of two former movies, Newsies vs. Once.  Both have a great shot at winning.  Newsies is more likely to be a bigger commercial success while Once is the most nominated show of the night (11 nominations).  This reminds of the race between Wicked and Avenue Q, and the smaller show came out on top.  Newsies does not need to win here to make commercial success it has the shows name.  I think Once has more passionate support as well, and squeak out a win.

Prediction: Once
Very Close Second: Newsies

Best Play
Clybourne Park
Other Dessert Cities
Peter and the Starcatcher
Venus in Fur

From what I have heard every one of these plays has its ardent fan base.  Venus looks to be the biggest long shot, while many like it its a long shot. Peter the prequel to Peter Pan could be a massive spoiler, but the main race is between the other two plays.  While Other Dessert Cities has a strong chance, my money is on Clybourne Park a satire about race relations, and 2011 winner of the Pulitzer prize for drama.

Prediction: Clybourne Park
Very Close Second: Other Dessert Cities
Spoiler: Peter and the Starcatcher

Best Musical Revival
Evita
Follies
The Gershwins Porgy and Bess
Jesus Christ Superstar

Another two way horse race, this time between Follies and and Porgy and Bess.  Follies did not win during its original run, nor during its abysmal revival in the early 2000s, but this show had great reviews and was one of the best reviewed shows of the season.  While Porgy and Bess has a shot this is one place it seems Follies will clean up its much deserved trophy of the evening.

Predictions: Follies
Second in Line: Porgy and Bess

Best Revival of a Play 
Death of a Salesman
Gore Vidal's The Best Man 
Master Class
Wit

This is one of the sure bets of the evening, the Mike Nichols helmed versions is poised to take this honor with ease.

Best Actor in a Musical
Danny Burstein-Follies
Jeremy Jordan-Newsies
Steve Kazee-Once
Norm Lewis-The Gershins Porgy and Bess
Ron Raines-Follies

Raines and Lewis should be honored for their nominations.  This is a tight race between the three other men.  Kazee has a shot being in a best musical nominee, but the other two men in this race are the ones to watch.  Jordan was in two shows and this would be a chance for Tony to honor a new young upcoming talent.  Meanwhile Danny is a Broadway Baby with three previous nominations and no wins.  This is a tight race.

Will Win: Jeremy Jordan-Newsies
Very Very Close Second-Danny Burstein
Spoiler Steve Kazee

Best Actor in a Play
James Corden-One Man Two Guvners
Phillip Seymour Hoffman-Death of a Salesman
James Earl Jones-The Best Man
Frank Langella-Man and Boy
John Lithgow-The Columnist

Cordern has a small chance to spoiler, but like in the Best Play category Hoffman moved audiences to tears and reminds the Tony people about the struggles of the working man.  Hoffman is one step closer to that elusice EGOT.

Prediction:Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Spoiler: James Corden

Best Actress in a Musical
Jan Maxwell-Follies
Audra McDonald-The Gershwins Porgy and Bess
Cristin Millioti-Once
Kelli O'Hara-Nice work if you can get it
Laura Osnes-Bonnie and Clyde

McDonald is on her way to becoming part of an elusive club, the 5 winner club, and at a young age this is an incredible feat.  The only spoiler in my mind is Jan Maxwell from Follies who was the best in my book.

Prediction: Audra McDonald
Spoiler: Jan Maxwell

Best Actress in a Play
Nina Arianda-Venus in Fur
Tracie Bennett-End of the Rainbow
Stockard Channing-Other Dessert Cities
Linda Lavin-The Other Lyons
Cynthia Nixon-Wit

Nixon who won this award a few years and she is the one already out of the race while the other four women battle out for the prize.  Logic says Bennett is the winner for her portrayal as Judy Garland just seems bound for glory, but my gut has told me that Arianda has such an ardent fan base, and that she is the hip pick.  Channing and Lavin still have a shot and are spoilers.

Predicition: Nina Arianda
Very Close Second: Tracie Bennett
Spoiler Linda Lavin and Stockard Channing

Other categories
Best Featured Actor in a Play-Christian Borle-Peter and the Starcatcher
Best Featured Actress in a Play-Judith Light-Other Dessert Cities
Best Featured Actor in a Musical-David Allan Grier-The Gershwins Porgy and Bess
Best Featured Actress in a Musical-Judy Kaye-Nice work if you can get it
Best Director (Play)-Mike Nichols-Death of a Salesman
Best Director (Musical)-Jeff Calhoun-Newsies
Best Musical Book-Once
Best Musical Score-Newsies
Best Choreography-Newsies

Dream Emmy Ballot: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

This past week I announced my dream nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and now on to the leading ladies.  This year provided some beautifully brilliant moments for women in drama.  From a CIA operative with bipolar disorder to a young lady of noble blood attempting to find her place in 1910s society, all the way to being the matriarch of a motorcycle gang.  Here are my dream nominees for the Emmy awards.

Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison in Homeland-Danes has always been one of the most dependable actress working.  From My So Called Life to her film work to this present day series she commands any screen.  In Homeland Danes goes 0 to 60 in moment.  Carrie is a CIA operative with bipolar disorder bent on proving a soldier who has returned home is an operative for Al-Queda.  Danes intensity masked with vulnerability is sheer brilliance and one of the strongest leading performances in years.

Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley in Downton Abbey-Lady Mary Crawley is one brash lady; she is more than just a woman of noble blood, she is a woman who breaks societal norms of the time and looks to want to find love rather than convenience.  Mary will fall in love one minute and within the next shoot herself in the foot by challenging the patriarchal authority of the man who feels she is stronger than the man.  Watching her is a beautiful case study in brash behavior and wonderful acting.

Julianna Marguilles as Alicia Florek in The Good Wife-After 3 years as the housewife turned lawyer Mrs. Florek still continues to storm the gates, and is one of the best female characters on television.  Marguilles handled a betrayal from her best friend, breaking the rules and choosing her own path by seeing Will, and insecurities about her career path and a challenging junior associate.  Marguilles still breaths fire into this role, and takes this character to different levels.

Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olsen in Mad Men-Peggy has become one of the strongest female characters, and is a brilliant case study in character development.  Together Matthew Weiner and Moss have helped her grow from a study in a silence voice in the 60s to a woman who challenges the man, literally.  This season Peggy bucked familial tradition moving in with her long time boyfriend, and walked away from Don, and advertising agency.  No person has ever made Don Draper baulk, but Peggy, and I give full credit to Moss.

Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher in Shameless-Rossum has certainly grown into her own as an actress; she started with the music of the night in Phantom of the Opera, now she is wrangling her brothers and sisters as a pseudo parental figure.  Rossum did not make my list last year, but this season she more than toppled the other actresses in this category.  Rossum is one of the best parts of this terrific ensemble, and she holds nothing back.

Katey Sagal as Gemma Teller Morrow in Sons of Anarchy-While season three hit some skids in road, the show and Sagal was on full cylinders this season.  Sagal is a wonderful actress, and while the show is about group of men in a motorcycle gang Gemma's matriarch position often becomes one of the most central characters within the series.  Gemma is a fighter and within this season she proved that even as the show progresses she is still one badass character.

Homeland Lands the Most Nominations at the TCA Awards

The Television Critics Association (TCA) announced their nominations today.  Unlike most television award shows this one breaks down performance to a single category entitled individual achievement in drama, and individual achievement in comedy.  One of my qualms within this system usually means less female nominees (for some reason), but this is not the case this year.

This year two women landed nominations in the drama category Claire Danes (Homeland) and Jessica Lange (American Horror Story).  The woman makeup the majority of the comedy nominees Lena Dunham (Girls), Julia Louis Dreyfuss (Veep), and Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation).  This is unusual, and I have applaud the TCA for breaking this gendered streak.

Homeland also broke barriers today.  In Homeland's first season they became the most nominated television series with four nominations including the above mentioned nomination for Claire Danes, Outstanding New Program, Outstanding Drama Series, and Program of the Year.

The TCA as you may have noticed have those other neat categories like Outstanding New Program, Program of the Year, Heritage Awards for performers and television series.  This year (like most) Program of the Year is dominated by Dramas, in fact all five are drama series this year.  Usually they sneak in one comedy, a news program, or even a reality series.  I would have liked to see Parks and Recreation or Community make this list but no such luck.  Overall a great set of nominees.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
Claire Danes (Homeland)
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Jessica Lange (American Horror Story)

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
Louis C.K. (Louie)
Lena Dunham (Girls)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS AND INFORMATION
Anderson Cooper 360
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Frontline
60 Minutes
The Rachel Maddow Show

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY PROGRAMMING
The Amazing Race
Dancing with the Stars
The Glee Project
So You Think You Can Dance
The Voice

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING
iCarly
Phineas and Ferb
Sesame Street
Switched at Birth
Yo Gabba Gabba

OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM
Girls
Homeland
New Girl
Revenge
Smash

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINISERIES AND SPECIALS
Downton Abbey
Game Change
Hatfields & McCoys
Hemingway & Gellhorn
Sherlock

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
Breaking Bad
Game of Thrones
Homeland
Justified
Mad Men

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
The Big Bang Theory
Community
Louie
Modern Family
Parks and Recreation

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dick Clark
Andy Griffith
David Letterman
Regis Philbin
William Shatner

HERITAGE AWARD
Cheers
Lost
Saturday Night Live
Star Trek
Twin Peaks

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Breaking Bad
Game of Thrones
Homeland
Mad Men
Downton Abbey

Snow White and the Huntsman Fails to live up to the Fairy Tale Expectations

Snow White and the Huntsman (2 out of 5 Stars)

Directed by Rupert Sanders 

Written by Evan Daugherty, John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side), Hossein Amini (Drive)

Starring: Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, and Chris Hemsworth

The beauty of fairy tales is there are numerous versions, and even though there can be an origin story, fairy tales have been adapted through time to teach lessons or to of course continue the legend.  Snow White started as German tale, and was adapted throughout the years by a variety of people ranging from the Brothers Grimm to Walt Disney.  Although these two versions are not the only ones they are the most famous.  The Grimm Brothers created the magic mirror, and the poisoned apple.  While Walt Disney created a much less darker family friendly version where he was he was the person to name the dwarfs.  Who is surprised that Walt Disney love German fairy tales? I am not.

This year has provided a lot of obsession over the Snow White myth.  Lost creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, put Snow and the Evil Queen at center stage for the battle over fairy tale land and Storybrook in the ABC series Once Upon a Time.  Ginnifer is a great Snow White/Mary Margaret, but the show does not have as much magic in my opinion.  In March of 2012 Tarsem Singh brought Mirror Mirror which centered around a lighter version of Snow White, with Julia Roberts as the Wicked Queen.  I skipped Mirror Mirror looking at the preview made me want to laugh and not in a good way.Then came what appeared to be the darkest most action packed story to date from Rupert Sanders in his directorial debut.  Each version has taken liberty with the story and showed the beauty of adapting a story, but have each of these versions tried to hard, or complicated the myth? Possibly.

Snow White and the Huntsman opens with a narration from Chris Hemsworth with Snow's mother pricking her finger on a red rose that lived within the fallen snow.  As in the fairy tale Snow's mother dies and her father is consumed with grief.  In this version an army takes advantage of his grief, and attacks, in that attackhe finds a beautiful female prisoner, and makes her his bride.  On the weeding night this beautiful bride named Ravena (Theron) kills the king and takes the kingdom for her own; she then holds Snow White (Stewart) captive in the tower until she escapes and the Huntsman (Hemsworth) is sent to track her down.

Sanders took a on a lot in his directorial debut, one of the most grandiose in art direction and production design, not to mention some incredible visual effects, including some intense battle scenes.  While the art direction was superb it could not save the poor writing.  This film went big, but left the heart of the story behind.  With three screenwriters pulling the string the film felt overlong and burdened with far too much adaptation of the original myth. Why did we meet Snow White's boy hood friend the "prince" if he would serve no real purpose? Why did they make this queen like Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty?  While Theron was easily the most entertaining part of this film, the writers took the character a few steps too far. They explored all of the magical lands/area, but where were they and what was their connection to the kingdom?  These unanswered questions proved to bog down the film immensely. 

The film ended up being number one at the box office because of the intense action packed trailer, which probably brought in more guys.  The only problem was that Ravena tricked you enough into believing the film was more than it was.  The film slows down in the middle, almost too much, and focuses on a less than convincing Stewart as Snow White.  Stewart is one of the weakest actresses working today; she is an unconvincing female lead who has never grown up, she should be in Peter Pan.  I love watching Hollywood become creative with fairy tale myth, but they have to remember quality over quantity, and this film fails to live up to the fairy tale expectations.