Every once in a while, the Emmy voters like to prove that they are still alive and vote for an upstart TV show that is off the beaten path. And then they continue to nominate said show over and over ad nauseum until the entire world is so sick of the show and its cast that they never want to hear the word "Monk" again. Or "Entourage." Or "Piven." Or "Jon Cryer."
Ryan Seacrest who? 'American Idol' what? The best host in reality TV is Cat Deeley, who leads us through the best reality competition program, 'So You Think You Can Dance,' each week.I've loved Busy Phillips since she was on 'Freaks and Geeks,' and now she's one of the best reasons to check out 'Cougar Town.'J.B. Smoove as Larry David's roommate on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' has taken the show to a whole new level. His explanation of how to get all up in someone's ass is one of the greatest TV moments of the past few years.The 'Community' duo of Donald Glover and Danny Pudi is one of the best reasons to watch NBC on Thursday nights.Charlie Day is absolute genius on 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.' All I should have to write is, "Kitten Mittons."
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Raj was the stand out supporting character last year, but this year the biggest laughs on 'Big Bang Theory' were sent in the general direction of Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz.There were bound to be snubs in this category. There are so many outstanding supporting comedic actors right now. I think the biggest snub of all was Nick Offerman for his role as Ron Swanson on 'Parks & Rec.' He's complex, powerful, and he loves breakfast meats. (I would've accepted nods for Aziz Ansari and Chris Pratt, in his stead, though).What does Courteney Cox have to do to get an Emmy nomination already? I mean, seriously.It's difficult to find a lead actor on a comedy series these days. Most shows are ensembles, and what each show needs is a good straight man. Ted Mosby is not the flashiest role on 'How I Met Your Mother,' but he is the character that holds the whole show together. And Josh Radnor manages to do just that.I was not a believer in 'Community' at the beginning of the season. I thought the tone was all wrong and I thought Joel McHale was too big of a tool. But, man, did this show improve over time. The ensemble is fantastic, as is the show's commitment to spoofing movie genres while working within the framework of the community college setting. The paintball episode and the mob movie spoof are instant classics.
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Jim Parsons gets a lot of the glory for 'The Big Bang Theory,' but the show itself is a gem and a shockingly hip multi-camera sit-com.Any discussion of snubbed comedies has to start with 'Parks & Recreation.' The show really found its footing in the second season and has become the most consistently funny show on television.I didn't loooove 'Treme' as much as I'd wanted to, but Khandi Alexander was sublime as the bar owner whose brother was lost in the storm.Sorry to carry on with all the 'Lost' stuff, but it's the last time I get to do that (Sob!). So where's the Emmy love for Kate (AKA Evangeline Lilly)?While I do not think acting is the strong suit of 'True Blood,' Ryan Kwanten as Jason Stackhouse proves each week that he is more than just a set of butt cheeks.
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And I wish Matt Ross would've seen just a little love for his role as Alby Grant on 'Big Love.' No other actor on TV makes you pity him then loathe him more times in one hour than Matt Ross.I can't really speak to whether Martin Short or Andre Braugher belong on this list (though, really, Martin Short always belongs everywhere), but I do wish the voters had cast their net a little wider and pulled out nominations for Josh Holloway and/or Jorge Garcia, who were at the same time humorous and heartbreaking during the final season of 'Lost.'This category is pretty much fine the way it is, so I'll just use this space to post a picture of Don Draper.Even though the show itself suffered a creative setback this season, Jeanne Tripplehorn was still outstanding as the steely matriarch of the Henrickson clan.Honestly, I don't feel like anything was snubbed here. 'Breaking Bad,' 'Lost,' and 'Mad Men' are all certainly worthy. I'm OK with 'True Blood' being here because it's campy and fun and different, even if its storytelling is uneven. Most of the other dramas had lackluster years, i.e. 'Grey's,' '24,' and 'Big Love.'
You include a lot of comedy category snubs, but you say the "Modern Family" noms are deserved. So who would you remove from the lists to get your snubs in?
Good question. For Supporting Actor, Jon Cryer is out for sure, because he's won before and his show is an abomination. I'd actually knock NPH out as well, because he's been to the dance before and he's nominated for Guest Actor, too, why pile on? I like my NPH with the underdog status. While I am in no way a "Glee" fan, I'd say that Chris Colfer can stay because he is one of the brightest spots in that show.
And I'd kick Tony Shalhoub out of the Lead Actor category to make room for Ed O'Neill. While I know he submitted himself as a supporting actor, his character is the glue that holds the whole Modern Family show together. And I'd say that's a leading performance.
As far as the ladies go, I really don't think Kristen Wiig deserves to be on the list this year. Her SNL performances were not up to par with previous seasons. And, well, you already know how I feel about "2.5 Men." And while Lea Michele can sing like crazy, her acting leaves a lot to be desired.
I can't speak to "Nurse Jackie," never having seen it, but I wouldn't hesitate to get rid of either "Glee" or "The Office" or both in the Best Comedy category.
Parks and Recreation deserved a Best Comedy nomination more than any other show this year, especially 30 Rock and The Office. John Noble would have been nice in the Supporting Actor race.
For Glee - keep Chris Colfer and Jane Lynch, and chuck all the other nominations.
Cox and Busy Phillips deserve better too.
Yay for Coach Eric and Tami Taylor though! Oh, and one huge omission: Zach Gilford as Matt Saracen. The funeral episode this year was the best FNL episode ever. He had two spectacular monologues in it, and he nailed them both.
And let's get rid of January Jones - her one-note performance as Betty Draper grows tiresome.
The episode was called "The Son" and Zach Gilford knocked it out of the park. How that performance didn't win him a nomination is beyond me. Acting doesn't get much better than that. Period.
Just noticed another big snub in the Guest Actor in a Comedy: Michael Sheen for "30 Rock." His Wesley Snipes was one of the best things about that show this season.
I'm a Chicago native, former Latin teacher, sometime singer, sometime cook, most of the time parent, not enough time writer, and too-much-time TV watcher.
Of course as soon as I posted this I realized I forgot both John Noble and his television show, "Fringe."
For best actress in a drama - Khandi Alexander for "Treme".
I have Khandi Alexander on the list, but for Supporting Actress.
You include a lot of comedy category snubs, but you say the "Modern Family" noms are deserved. So who would you remove from the lists to get your snubs in?
Good question. For Supporting Actor, Jon Cryer is out for sure, because he's won before and his show is an abomination. I'd actually knock NPH out as well, because he's been to the dance before and he's nominated for Guest Actor, too, why pile on? I like my NPH with the underdog status. While I am in no way a "Glee" fan, I'd say that Chris Colfer can stay because he is one of the brightest spots in that show.
And I'd kick Tony Shalhoub out of the Lead Actor category to make room for Ed O'Neill. While I know he submitted himself as a supporting actor, his character is the glue that holds the whole Modern Family show together. And I'd say that's a leading performance.
As far as the ladies go, I really don't think Kristen Wiig deserves to be on the list this year. Her SNL performances were not up to par with previous seasons. And, well, you already know how I feel about "2.5 Men." And while Lea Michele can sing like crazy, her acting leaves a lot to be desired.
I can't speak to "Nurse Jackie," never having seen it, but I wouldn't hesitate to get rid of either "Glee" or "The Office" or both in the Best Comedy category.
Thanks for the comment!
Oh, and I forgot to mention that Matthew Morrison should've been immediately DQ'd from consideration on account of his "rap" stylings.
Parks and Recreation deserved a Best Comedy nomination more than any other show this year, especially 30 Rock and The Office. John Noble would have been nice in the Supporting Actor race.
For Glee - keep Chris Colfer and Jane Lynch, and chuck all the other nominations.
Cox and Busy Phillips deserve better too.
Yay for Coach Eric and Tami Taylor though! Oh, and one huge omission: Zach Gilford as Matt Saracen. The funeral episode this year was the best FNL episode ever. He had two spectacular monologues in it, and he nailed them both.
And let's get rid of January Jones - her one-note performance as Betty Draper grows tiresome.
The episode was called "The Son" and Zach Gilford knocked it out of the park. How that performance didn't win him a nomination is beyond me. Acting doesn't get much better than that. Period.
Just noticed another big snub in the Guest Actor in a Comedy: Michael Sheen for "30 Rock." His Wesley Snipes was one of the best things about that show this season.
Aside from Jerem.
I'm still trying to think of a non-gay way to ask Ron Swanson to go camping with me.
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