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Wednesday, 20 July 2011
You thought you’d gotten away from me? Nope, I know I haven’t completed my Emmy ballot which of course accounts for the snubs at last week’s nominee announcement. So, yes, I’m liable for those snubs in the drama category. Here’s my ballot, and yes I have United States of Tara in drama which makes me wonder feel even worse about the snub it got – a whopping zero nods. But, television’s so weird now. Sometimes True Blood comes off comedic. Ah, well.
OUTSTANDING WRITING
Nominees:
-Big Love / Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa for “Exorcism”
-Boardwalk Empire / Terrence Winter for “Pilot”
-Dexter / Wendy West for “Everything Is IlLumenatyed”
-The Good Wife / Keith Eisner for “Ham Sandwich”
-True Blood / Alan Ball for “I Got A Right to Sing the Blues”
-United States of Tara / Dave Finkel and Brett Baer for “The Good Parts”
This is a ridiculously strong line-up of nominees. Sometimes I do think the Emmy’s are a bit over infatuated with dramas but it’s been a good year for television dramas – these six shows in particular. I wasn’t sure about this choice of episode for The Good Wife, the main case was a bit of a sleeper but the episode is filled with brilliant beats especially Kalinda’s hearing. The show does do well with its writing. At its best True Blood is a ridiculous supernatural romp and I have a penchant for what Alan Ball does when he gets into the writer’s chair. It sort of functions as the middle episode of the season and it does what the show does best – each character gets their important moments as Sookie finally meets Russell. The episode where Lumen finally gets into the grit of Dexter's madness is excellently done, both dark and comedic and just a perfect point for Stiles to do fine work. The same goes for Big Love and its penultimate episode, that faceoff with Alby, the craziness with Nikki was all adeptly handled. Sometimes Boardwalk Empire got a little gratuitous during the season, but the pilot was beautifully written. No one can touch the United States of Tara series finale, though, absolutely perfect – just the good parts.
Runners-Up: Dexter for “The Big One” / Mad Men for “The Good Parts / The Good Wife for “Getting Off” / Big Love “When Mountains Meet Men” / Boardwalk Empire for “The Ivory Tower” / The Closer “Living Proof”
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING
Nominees:
-Big Love / Adam Davidson for “Exorcism”
-Boardwalk Empire / Martin Scorsese for “Pilot”
-Dexter / John Dahl for “Hop A Freighter”
-The Killing / Patty Jenkins for “Pilot”
-True Blood / Michael Lehman for “I Got A Right to Sing the Blues”
-United States of Tara / Adam Bernstein for “Bryce Will Play”
I love The Killing most for that atmosphere which envelopes the story at times and that depends on the directing. The pilot episode set the tone excellently for the episodes to come. The penultimate Big Love episode felt so short, even as the script dealt with so much issues. It was directed as more as a closer than the actual final episode. True Blood. The madness of Bryce was probably the darkest theme the show has covered and it was his offing (not literally) of Dr. Hatiras that depended on the superb direction of the show. Dexter and Boardwalk Empire top the list both of them keeping a close watch on the protagonists and amping up the suspense. I’m not even sure that Scorsese completely steamrolls Dahl, it’s a bit of a tie.
Runners-Up: Dexter for “The Big One” / Big Love for “When Mountains Meet Men” / Boardwalk Empire for “The Ivory Tower” / The Good Wife for “Getting Off” / The Closer for “Living Proof” / Mad Men for “The Suitcase”
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR
Nominees:
-Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empirefor “Pilot”
-John Corbett in United States of Tara for “The Electrifying and Magnanimous Return of Beverlamp”
-Michael C. Hall in Dexter for “Circle Us”
-John Hamm in Mad Men for “The Summer Man”
-Bill Paxton in Big Love for “When Mountains Meet Men”
-Michael Pitt in Boardwalk Empire for “The Ivory Tower”
I must admit that sometimes I underestimate Paxton and Hamm, the latter especially – but I just don’t care for Hamm. Still, they’re both doing fine work in shows with luminous women, and sometimes they get lost in the shuffle. Bill Hendrickson’s swan song depended on Paxton’s excellence and as little as I care for Don Draper Hamm did good work with his development this past season. I wish that Corbett could get half the notices that Paxton and Hamm get. True, Collette is fabulous on United States of Tara, but Corbett’s quiet intensity is not to be ignored and with the series’ end he’s stepped up and turned into a true lead actor (category submissions, be damned). Honestly, I don’t understand in what universe Buscemi is the lead actor on Boardwalk Empire and Pitt is supporting. The show is a tentative back and forth between the young and the old and the two are the leads – the show reaches some of its strongest beats when Nucky and Jimmy have their conversations. The first two episodes are priceless, and though Pitt wins in the showdown they’re both outstanding. But, it’s still Michael C. Hall that I look to when it comes to the lead actors. Year after year (for five years) he’s been turning in superb work on Dexter.
Runners-Up: Peter Krause in Parenthood; Stephen Moyer in True Blood; Matthew Rhys in Brothers and Sisters
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS
Nominees:
-Toni Collette in United States of Tara for “Bryce Will Play”
-Mireille Enos in The Killing for “Missing”
-Julianna Margulies in The Good Wife for “In Sickness”
-Elizabeth Moss in Mad Men for “The Suitcase”
-Kyra Sydgwick in The Closer for “Help Wanted”
-Jeanne Tripplehorn in Big Love for “A Seat at the Table”
Once again, this is a solid line-up and I sort of don’t know who to start with first. True, Sevigny is who I think of first when I turn to Big Love, but the journey towards the end was significant for Barb trying to find her way and Tripplehorn was beautiful watch, oftentimes upstaging Paxton but at her best when working opposite her sister wives. Margulies and Moss are the actors that might face-off for the Emmy, who knows? Margulies exudes a coldness that makes it difficult for me to love her, but it’s that same coldness she uses to her advantage when she finds out about her husband’s affair and Moss is just brilliant holding down “The Suitcase”. Enos is a true find on The Killing. Her sombreness amuses me, but she never overdoes. Still, it’s the brilliance of “Missing” where I find her most interesting. She never gets hysterical, and her work opposite Kinnaman is golden. But, it’s about Collette and Sedgwick for me. One battled the LAPD, the other her demons. It’s not quite a tie, because Sedgwick carries her show on her shoulder more than any actor I can think of, but they’re both excellent. Naturally, neither of the two earned Emmy nominations this year.
Runners-Up: Anna Pquin in True Blood / Lauren Graham in Parenthood / January Jones in Mad Men
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Nominees:
-Boardwalk Empire
-The Closer
-Dexter
-The Good Wife
-True Blood
-United States of Tara
All ten of the shows above and below are excellent, and they’ve all had fine seasons. Of the six above The Closer probably seems like an odd one out, but the show had an excellent season last year and even as it develops as a typical procedural it’s an excellent one. Boardwalk Empire is brilliant new show and yet it’s my fifth favourite of the nominees which goes to show how much goodness we're working with here. I don't know how to rank the top 4. United States of Tara has been almost pitch perfect in its final season, and True Blood thrilled me, humoured me and thrilled me in its third season. The Good Wife and Dexter both focus on protagonists trying to do good, some better than other - one has a killer supporting cast the other has a killer lead - literally. It probably comes down to those two at the end, and I refuse to choose. But, wouldn't a Dexter/Kalinda face-off be brilliant?
Runners-Up: The Killing / Big Love / Mad Men / Parenthood
Previously: Comedies: Part One, Comedies: Part Two, Dramas: Part One
What would your drama ballot have looked like?
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Ryan’s and I conversations about Emmy have come to an end and in preparation for the imminent reading of the nomination-list tomorrow we speculate on the potential nominees.
Ryan: Okay ready!
Andrew: Invert that to ready-okay, and we have the beginning of a Bring it On cheer.
Ryan: Awesome, oh wow, like totally freak me out, I mean, right on. The Toros sure are #1!
Andrew: So are the potential comedy nods totally awesome?
Ryan: I don't know about awesome, but I don't think they'll be any big shockers a la a Community or a Cougar Town nomination. And actually to make it ridiculously easy for myself I just looked at my other nominations throughout the past few chats we've had and tallied it up.
Andrew: I don't know, but I could see some big shocks happening. Well, not big but you know.
Ryan: And the top 6 are my show nominations... and it sort of worked out.
Andrew: Emmy isn't Oscar. They don't always nominate those with the most nomination. Didn't True Blood get like 1 other nomination other than Best Drama last year? (Although I fear I'm getting ahead of myself.)
Ryan: Oh, yes on True Blood, so my system isn't perfect, but at least it lines up with my predictions at least giving them some sort of logic (which again is not the Emmy way really). But in any case, we have some locks surely.
Andrew: Four locks, I would presume...although I'm still thinking that there could be a massive shock and Glee gets snubbed.
Andrew: Of course, as much as Glee is not my in MY top 6 I love it like I love a wayward child - so I don't want that to happen.
Ryan: And even though they are fickle, they are not THAT fickle. They can't ignore how big the show still is in terms of public awareness/buzz.
Andrew: And, as you said - like heroin when it's good it gets you high.
Ryan: Right, so the other locks though seem to be fairly safe especially since they've all won before.
Andrew: Well, The Office has never won but I say that it's a lock.
Ryan: It won in 2006.
Andrew: I honestly forgot that. I kept thinking that the show and Carrell had never won.
Ryan: I didn't know it either until I checked Wikipedia right before our chat! But yeah, since its win it's never NOT been nominated and with it being its the last season... it won't suddenly find itself not in the running.
Andrew: Did you just say this is the last season of The Office?
Ryan: Whoa. Yeah. How... random.
Andrew: Random, and dangerous...if that show gets cancelled this is on you!
Ryan: Ha! But yeah, random Freudian slip maybe. But really with Carrell gone, it really does feel like it though.
Andrew: So, the new shows fighting for a potential nod: ShowTime darling (and its biggest premiere) The Big C; SAG nominated cast Betty White’s Hot in Cleveland and Raising Hope
Ryan: The first two seem to be duking it out. Their main lead is almost guaranteed a nomination so they have that going for them.
Andrew: True. I say The Big C gets the edge because it's most likely going to pick up a writing or directing nod.
Ryan: Yeah and it's not like it'll be a big breakthrough for it to be nominated. Weeds in 2009 and Nurse Jackie in 2010 paved its way. What's weird is why United States of Tara has never been nominated.
Andrew: Diablo Cody hatred, perhaps?
Ryan: Well she's divisive, but who knows?
Andrew: Indeed.
Ryan: Any show, other than Community and Cougar Town, you wish could be honoured? For me, those are the two really. I mean I love How I Met Your Mother and all, but I'm okay with it not being nominated. Wait, there's one show I WOULD LOVE to get nominated, and it's not even a sure thing so I don't know why I didn't mention it. I think it's because I'm hoping it's a lock for a nomination...Andrew: Are you talking about a particular government office?
Ryan: With a particularly charming blonde lead? YES.
Andrew: If any show gets a breakthrough nod, it could be that...which I could see taking the spot that went to Nurse Jackie last year...
Ryan: It's just really sad that possibly the best sitcom on TV right now needs to "breakthrough" to get a nomination.
Andrew: Yes, it is. It really should be shoo-in...but Emmy voters scare me (re: Two and A Half Men...but that's out right?)
Ryan: Thank goodness. They had the decency to not submit themselves this year.
Andrew: THANK GOODNESS, indeed. So, predictions?
Ryan: My predictions:
30 Rock
The Big C
Glee
Modern Family
The Office
Parks and Recreation
Andrew: My predictions:
30 Rock
The Big C
Glee
Modern Family
The Office
Parks and Recreation
Andrew: Yup, yet again we have the same group...but it's pretty solid. 30 Rock is the least deserving for me ...but they had some brilliant episodes this past season.
Ryan: It is a solid list and I think it's more because I can't see any other shows nominated?
Andrew: Which probably means we're wrong.
Ryan: I mean sure Hot in Cleveland, Raising Hope, Nurse Jackie, and even How I Met Your Mother, but probably not. And yeah, we're SO wrong.
Andrew: Things get a whole lot more interesting in drama.
Ryan: Maybe. We'll see. I have about 4 locks, 1 most likely, and a wildcard.
Andrew: I really can't see Mad Men winning again.
Ryan: Who knows? But yeah it really all depends on how much they love Boardwalk Empire aka the shiny new HBO epic kid on the block.
Andrew: (Which just happens to be made of brilliance.)
Ryan: It's not TV, after all, it's HBO.
Andrew: So, Boardwalk Empire and Mad Men are going to head-to-head...those two male centred dramas...does that mean Alicia Florrick of The Good Wife can sidle in and shock us all?Ryan: With a win, highly unlikely, but a nomination is pretty lock. It's the one show from broadcast network that has any chance at all really. The closest would be Friday Night Lights, for its final season. And even then a) not big enough or seen enough andit's technically a Direct TV show vs. an NBC show.
Andrew: And I think the category is WAY too stacked for FNL.
Ryan: Most definitely.
Andrew: Dexter I want to say is a lock, but I'm worried that people are tiring of it - sadly.
Ryan: I think it's still a lock though. They, probably, still feel really bad about not honouring Michael C. Hall last year and this season was great at least when it came to Johnny Lee Miller and Julia Stiles.
Andrew: If they felt bad they'd have f%%%ing gave him the statue!!!! (That was for dramatic effect, of course)
Ryan: Of course. In terms of new shows that could breakthrough we have Game of Thrones, The Killing, The Walking Dead, and Shameless. Am I missing anything? Any of them have a chance?
Andrew: And if they go absolutely crazy, which they won't The Borgias. In Treatment was cancelled and in a way, I could see it getting some love at least more than FNL.
Ryan: I haven't seen it, but I felt it was a tough sell of a show. Yes, it's got some love from the acting branch, but the show sort of lends itself to that kind of nomination. But for the whole show? Not sure.
Andrew: It's never been nominated, which I find odd but it seems made for Emmy love.
Ryan: Yeah, if it was going to be nominated, it'd be for its first season or whenever Gabriel Byrne was nominated. Then again one could say the same thing for Friday Night Lights. I'd like to think though that last year's duo-acting nomination could be a sign of (too late?) momentum. But really, probably not.
Andrew: It's on the cusp; if there were - say - eight nods maybe...
Ryan: Weird, it’s my eight pick as well.
Andrew: That IS weirdness. Shall I predict?
Ryan: Go right ahead.
Andrew: I predict:
Boardwalk Empire
Game of Thrones (as last year's True Blood)
The Good Wife
The Killing
Mad Men,
True Blood (as last year's Lost)
Ryan: Hmm. True Blood as last year's Lost? I don't get that analogy. Lost had multiple nominations and they were honouring it for the whole series.Andrew: Well, year, but they always like an oddball fantasy nod...this year is lacking that.
Ryan: Well that's why they have Game of Thrones. Speaking of... My predictions:
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Mad Men,
Shameless
Andrew: We both go in for some new blood. We shall see what ensues.
Ryan: Thrones is my most likely, Shameless is my wildcard, and the rest are my locks. Though if there was anything like last year's True Blood, I'd have think it'd be for The Walking Dead.
The Emmys do love them their AMC the past few years.
Andrew: Which I considered, but I opted for the actual True Blood. Now, I'm nervous wondering how right we were.
Ryan: Just for completes sake... Justified has a chance because they're pushing the show hardcore and critics love it... and then there's my off-the-wall Hail Mary pass for Fringe.
Andrew: I should probably put out a final mention for Big Love...just because. But it shall not happen.
Ryan: It's all about putting it out there. You never know. In fact, hey Emmy how about the retroactive love for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you damn bastards.
Andrew: Ha. We'll see...we'll see...Nothing to do now, but wait.
The Emmy nominees are being announced tomorrow morning by Melissa McCarthy and Joshua Jackson (heavy on the alliterative names, apparently).
Previously: Guest Actors and Actresses / Writing and Directing for Comedy / Writing and Directing for Drama / Supporting Actors / Lead Actors / Supporting Actresses / Lead Actresses
We’ll be back to give our thoughts on the nominees and make predictions when they’re out, but for now – who are you hoping gets nominated?
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
True Blood has such an expansive cast (and a principally male ensemble) that the actors have little time to make their mark. Kwanten and Trammell have been most effective for the past season. Watching Kwanten do his usual dance between melodrama and comedy continues to be interesting and Trammell has never been as interesting as he was this past season dealing with a family from hell. Kartheiser continues to be underrated on Mad Men but he’s been incredible in season 4. Pete can be arrogant without losing his humanity and Kartheiser makes his attempts to balance his work and family more than a repeat of Don’s issues. I’ve not been especially fond of Marshall this season, but Gilchrist has been phenomenal. Sure, he was good in the New York episodes and dealing with Lionel’s death but it’s the confrontation with Bryce that I remember most. Shannon reaches a new level of creepy on Boardwalk Empire when he gets religious fever and Eli Gould is, as always, untouchable.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
In theory, I think the supporting actor category at the Emmy's should be an eclectic bunch, but you never know when Emmy is concerned. They often have a penchant to go for the infinitely safe and forget some good stuff. Ryan and I are back to discuss the potential nominees.
Ryan: Okay, segue to supporting characters...
Andrew: Well, we were talking last time about random selections so let's pick up there. Before we do... I heard Harry Shum Jr. (of Glee) didn't submit because his agent thought it would be silly to do so. Apparently, you have to pay to submit yourself.
Ryan: Wow, really?
Andrew: This, of course, begs the questions… Do some of these actors submitting honestly expect that they have any chance?
Ryan: It really is quite mind-boggling. Sorry Chace Crawford, but as handsome as you are, the Emmys will not be voting for ANYONE on Gossip Girl.
Andrew: I understand someone from Gossip Girl submitting, but all Chace does is stand and look vacant.
Ryan: Well I didn't see any of his other male co-stars submit themselves, which is even funnier really.
Andrew: True, he's awful. So, comedy or drama first?
Ryan: I think we should stick with comedy first. We've done in that way for the others.
Andrew: Okay, well. I love the pickings, and it's a generally strong field. But, I'm sort of sad that none of the Cougar Town men (other than Grayson) submitted themselves... they probably had little chance, but they're hilarious (read: Dan Byrd)
Ryan: Very strong field, but yeah I wouldn't have minded if they all submitted themselves. At least it would've made sense to us!
Andrew: Exactly...so locks? I say resolutely that as far as LOCKED goes, it's NPH and Burrell
Ryan: I agree. Though as much as I love love love NPH, if there was someone in his show that deserves the nomination, it would be Jason Segel. Though NPH did well in his scenes with John Lithgow and with his much-loved Tony hosting duties still fresh on people's minds, yeah, he's locked.
Andrew: Really, NPH is the only reason I keep watching How I Met Your Mother.
Ryan: To a small extent, me too, but Segel did great work this season. But speaking of Burrell, what is the status of the rest of the men of Modern Family? I'm thinking they feel horrible for snubbing Ed O'Neill and will nominate him this year.
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| Can all the Modern Family gents make it in? |
Andrew: Well, even though I think Stonestreet was a bit disappointing this season he's locked...it's the question of whether or not Jesse Tyler Ferguson or Ed O’Neill will make it. Personally (and I know they don't care) if they HAVE to nominate a second Modern Family guy alongside Burrell I think it should be Jesse...
Ryan: Personally, I'd actually pick Nolan Gould. Luke is so damn hilarious.
Andrew: Ha, he is...but we know Emmy hates children (unless they're Frankie Muniz, who DID deserve his nomination)
Ryan: Oh yeah, I have no illusions they'd ever nominate him or the other very talented and deserving children of that show, but they should. But speaking of locks, what of Golden Globe winner Chris Colfer?
Andrew: Ha, let's just cross that bridge now. I'm not a fan of Colfer as an actor, generally or this season in particular. I was rewatching some season one episodes and he was much more uninhibited back then, now it just seems a bit pretentious. (I love him when he's in the lighter registers a la "Duets" or the You smell homeless, Brett bit from "The Substitute" but overall, meh). But, yeah, he's probably in.
Ryan: Well the show is slowly turning into The Kurt Show as unfair as that may sound. For me, I actually have appreciated the character more, because I've paid more attention to the actor as his meteoric star has been on the rise. The kid is charming left and right, so as much a problem as Kurt the character; everyone is loving Chris the actor.
Andrew: Colfer is the type of actor who I think works best when he's a supplementing. He seems nice enough but damn it - that doesn't make him Emmy worthy!
Andrew: Gah, we're back at ridiculous submissions. Max Adler, please make a case for what makes you worthy of me even considering you for a nomination?
Ryan: His case would be, like Colfer, he deftly handled a sensitive and topical storyline. You could argue how effective and truthful it is, but that is his argument. And sadly, you're not a voter.
Andrew: What really annoys, is that if an actor is on a streak and one year they miss it the Emmy's completely forget them. Jeremy Piven should at least be in discussions for a nod, but it's as if they've forgotten the show.
Ryan: Didn't he miss it because of the controversy over his Broadway stint?
Andrew: That was what, two years ago?
Ryan: Will this be similar to maybe what happens with Jon Cryer this year? Yes, he's not Charlie Sheen, but the show and Sheen did NOT submit themselves. That's got to affect his chances.
Andrew: Hopefully Cryer's out. When he won that Emmy......weirdness.
Ryan: That was NPH's Emmy. I'm still mad.
Andrew: I understand. So, we've touched on the Modern Family men...briefly touched on Entourage...you do know which giant supporting male ensemble we're missing, right?
Ryan: There's actually two shows I still want to talk about. Though only one with any real hopes of nominations. The one that doesn't is Community.
Andrew: Ah, yes...that.
Ryan: In a perfect world, Danny Pudi and Don Glover would be nominated. Together.
Andrew: I'm not big on Pudi, but Glover at least deserves consideration.
Ryan: Together, they are golden though. But how about that other show?
Andrew: Well, Offerman is at least close to a nomination. But, I'm floored that Adam Scott isn't coming up in more conversations.
Ryan: He definitely has the best chance out of all the guys. I wished Adam Scott would make it in, but playing the straight man doesn't really get the awards. Hopefully the growing love for Parks and Recreation will bring him into the fold. He more than deserves it.
Andrew: So, drumroll please...make your predictions.
Ryan: My predictions:
Ty Burrell Modern Family
Chris Colfer Glee
Neil Patrick Harris How I Met Your Mother
Ed O'Neill Modern Family
Nick Offerman Parks and Recreation
Eric Stonestreet Modern Family
Andrew: Okay, here goes:
Ty Burrell Modern Family
Chris Colfer Glee
Neil Patrick Harris How I Met Your Mother
Nick Offerman Parks and Recreation
Oliver Platt The Big C
Eric Stonestreet Modern Family
Yup, O'Neill snubbed. I'm a mad man.
Ryan: Oliver Platt is an actor's actor. So not too crazy.
Andrew: He's like nicer version of Paul Giamati to me.
Ryan: Ha! That should be on his business card. Should be interesting, though relatedly... John Corbett? Keir Gilchrist? Anyone from Weeds?
Andrew: Ugh, first off Corbett should have submitted in the lead category and holy shit can't they give United States of Tara some goddamn love.
Ryan: If there's a gay kid spot on that list, it needs to go to Keir Gilchrist. Sorry, Chris.
Andrew: I know, I'm not even a big fan of Marshall as character but Gilchrist is a fine actor and as far as grieving gays go (oooh, I am one mean person) Gilchrist > Colfer
Ryan: Let it all out. Though I fear, the drama discussion is going to be less fun.
Andrew: No freakin' way. No discussion headlined by Alan Cumming is allowed to be anything less than smashing.Ryan: Pretty genius of him to submit himself in Guest Actor last yr, get nominated, and now he has a step up over the rest of the field really.
Andrew: I know, he is so so so so so so so so so so so (X100) awesome!
Ryan: I mean I'm not calling him a lock or anything, because who knows, but I'd love for him to get nominated. He stole every scene he was in.
Andrew: What about Noth or Charles (or even Czuchry). I think they have chances, in that order.
Ryan: Charles and Czuchry won't be nominated, but I can see Noth get in as well. They like him.
Andrew: They didn’t give him a nod for Sex and the City, though, even though he'd gotten a Globe nod.
Ryan: Maybe I was thinking of the Globes then, which is a different beast. Still he has name recognition that Charles has a bit, but definitely not Czuchry.
Andrew: (I know, not Czuchry but allow me to dream about him and Panjabi getting it on at the Emmys)
Ryan: What do you think they did after she won last year? Also I practically screamed when she won last year. I was delirious. Similar to when Chenoweth won.
Andrew: "What do you think they did after she won last year?" (Evil grin.) Don't make me answer that. But, really, Archie’s SO nice in person, it's impossible not to love her. She even has the power to derail a conversation on SUPPORTING ACTORS. Kalinda Sharma is all powerful.
Ryan: Yes, yes she is. So let's talk about Boardwalk Empire. Or actually you talk about it since I don't watch it. There's buzz for... Michael Pitt?
Andrew: Ugh, Pitt is so not a supporting actor. But, I don't blame him for submitting there, he's not a name actor. Think of the duo of Daniel Day Lewis and DiCaprio in Gangs of New York. But, Buscemi is not as good as DDL in that, and Pitt is better than DiCaprio’s Amsterdam (although he does have the same mannerisms). Two leads, right?
Ryan: Oh definitely. But I guess that's why he's getting buzz then.
Andrew: He's in, but I'm thinking that Michael Shannon who is FREAKY crazy on it is more than a potential nod, too. Can I give you a spoiler?
Ryan: Yeah, go ahead. I have a horrible memory.
Andrew: There's an episode where he baptises a man to death. I'm not kidding. CRAZY!
Andrew: Okay, let's just talk about the white elephant...John Slattery.
Ryan: The white-haired elephant. Sure, he's probably in even though did he do anything of note last season?
Andrew: I know. I mean, from season 1 to 3 Roger was my favourite character I was touting him all year round but he doesn't deserve to be there this season. Kartheiser would be so much more deserving (he was great this past season).
Ryan: I would agree with that, but I'd be shocked if he makes it in.
Andrew: You watch Justified and Game of ThroneS. Any word on potential nods?
Ryan: Peter Dinklage is amaze-balls. If they watch Game of Thrones, he would be a lock. And he definitely has buzz from critics. (Whatever that means.)
Andrew: Ha. Whatever that means indeed.
Ryan: The only reason why he wouldn't be nominated would be vote splitting, but I think most Game of Thrones fans know he's the MVP of the cast. At least when it comes to the guys.
Andrew: I'm not being facetious – I know they won't be nominated but in a perfect world someone from True Blood (read: Kwanten, Trammell) would be in.
Ryan: Denis O'Hare would have my vote for sure! It's a pity he didn't submit himself as Guest Actor.
Andrew: I know he's being "honest" but I hate he didn't submit there, too.
Ryan: Then there's John Noble in Fringe. The media/critics/whoever is pushing for him (and the show) hard. I'm hoping it happens. I mean Lost got traction here, too.
Andrew: They're pushing Sexton from The Killing, but with less alacrity. Probably won't happen, though.
Ryan: It's funny you mention Sexton since I wanted to ask you what his chances are. I saw the first 3 episodes and I thought he deserves it, but I don’t know what has transpired since.
Andrew: He deserves to be considered at the least but not as much as Kinnaman and Campbell. Still, Emmy's probably won't remember any of them.
Ryan: Interesting. Okay, you show your hands first.
Andrew: I predict:
Alan Cumming The Good Wife
Chris Noth The Good Wife
Michael Pitt Boardwalk Empire
Michael Shannon Boardwalk Empire
John Slattery Mad Men
Hmm, no idea for a sixth.
I say Braugher (Men of a Certain Age. Just to be racially conscious, they love him and he was nominated last year.
Ryan: My crazy, crazy predictions:
Alan Cumming The Good Wife
Peter Dinklage Game of Thrones
John Noble Fringe
Michael Pitt Boardwalk Empire
Brent Sexton The Killing
John Slattery Mad Men
Though I'm guessing 1, maybe 2, of these will actually make it in. Oh well. I'm giving the Emmys way too much credit it seems.
Andrew: You never know, right?
Ryan: Exactly.
How crazy are Ryan's predictions? Will Boardwalk Empire thrive? Are we bad for hating on Colfer? Any love for Gilchrist? What are you predictions?
Friday, 1 July 2011
Why is that the lead actors’ races seem so boring to us? Is it because the pickings are slim or is it because we know Emmy is lazy in their choices? Ryan and I are back with my predictions, the Outstanding Lead Actors. We start off predicting and end up veering into discussions on Web Therapy and excel spread-sheets.
Andrew: So, the lead actors. It's in theory the top acting category, but I find the pickings really slim. Or is it just me?
Ryan: No, it's not just you. My long-list is not really that long to be honest.
Ryan: But I think most of that is also due to the Emmys sticking to the same 5-6 guys as much as they can whenever they can.
Andrew: Exactly. Because there are some great actors coming to mind, but I just know that Emmy is never going to nominate them.
Ryan: Most definitely. With that said, in Comedy and Drama there are people who aren't eligible or their shows ended, so they HAVE to pick new-ish people.
Andrew: So, which of the two to start with. Which is weaker, drama or comedy?
Ryan: Don't know about weaker per se, but let's start with Comedy first.
Andrew: Parsons, Carrell and Baldwin?
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| Are these three poised for a nomination? |
Ryan: Exactly. Last year's winner, sentimental favourite, and loved by the Emmys.
Andrew: Yup, yup, yup. I can already see that this is going to be one tepid discussion. (I'm sure our personal lists will be way more fun.)
Ryan: Most definitely. Though it will be interesting to see where the Emmys will go to fill the other spots. Would it be 2 or 3 more spots?
Andrew: Generally, it's six per category (for serial acting). I know you're not a fan of Morrison, but considering the weak field of persons they'd actually nominate I'd say he deserves a nod (and will probably get one).
Ryan: Ha! Actually when I was making my predictions I came up with five choices leaving out Morrison so I guess he could take that sixth spot for me. I wonder if the Emmys are still high on Glee though in general. I'd wish they'd branch out a bit more like Joel McHale even though he isn't the funniest in his cast.
Andrew :I think I'll save my thoughts on Glee acting for when we meet a particular category, but I think Morrison deserves credit for making a lot poor writing decisions work (most notably “Rocky Horror Glee Show” which he sort of sold).
Ryan: Yeah, I guess. I think I've just developed a sense of apathy towards Morrison's character which is sad.
Andrew: Heretic! And, incidentally, I'm wondering if McHale could get a nomination (although I like to pretend Community is just Glover and Brie.)
Ryan: It really all depends on if they think that Community was snubbed last year. Zero nominations in all categories! Which was especially stingy since they asked McHale to announce the nominations last year!
Andrew: AND Community was BRILLIANT last season, much better than this one.
Ryan: Yes, exactly I was just going to say that if this season had built up on the goodwill the first one had, then it'd almost be a no-brainer. But speaking of a brilliant show... Parks & Recreation... any thoughts on Rob Lowe's lead campaign?
Andrew: I think it's both brilliant and ridiculous...just like his character actually. It might work, and then again it might not, but maybe it might. On the topic of freakish submissions, I finished watching Episodes Season One and Matt LeBlanc is nowhere NEAR a lead actor. I have a feeling one of them will get in, but I'm not sure which...
Ryan: That's a bit weird. At least from the commercials I've seen it looked like LeBlanc's star vehicle post-Friends (because Joey never ever existed).
Andrew: (Drea de Mateo was ridiculously wasted on Joey. Ugh.) Nope, the Brits are the lead. The show is HILARIOUS, but Matt's hardly the draw for me. But, eh, he's a name actor. And, why has Duchovney never gotten an Emmy nod? I didn't watch this last Californication season, but he's great and he has a Golden Globe.
Ryan: Yeah, plus we already said it's a weak field. I was even tempted to put it Matthew Perry for the not-so-good Mr. Sunshine just for name recognition alone.
Andrew: Why haven't Perry and Kudrow gotten better post Friends shows? They're brilliant (PS. off topic, but have you heard Web Therapy is coming to the small screen?)
Ryan: I actually sort of dug The Comeback and Sunset Strip. They were both flawed, but at least Kudrow and Perry were damn watchable.
Andrew: Yeah, they were good but they both got cancelled well before their time!
Ryan: And yes, I can't wait to see how Web Therapy on TV. I need to catch up on the web series!
Andrew: Wow, we sort of derailed this conversation, that's how boring these men are. Okay, what do your nods look like?
Ryan: My predictions:
Alec Baldwin 30 Rock
Louis C.K. Louie
Steve Carrell The Office
Matt LeBlanc Episodes
Joel McHale Community
Jim Parsons The Big Bang Theory
And yes, I'd rather be wrong than predict Matthew Morrison.
Andrew: To quote Sue, “your resentment is delicious!” So, you see Louie making it? I've never seen it.
Ryan: Never seen it either, but critics are loving it. And again, weak category.
Andrew: My predictions:
Alec Baldwin 30 Rock
Steve Carrell The Office
Rob Lowe Parks and Recreation
Matthew Morrison Glee
Joel McHale Community
Jim Parsons The Big Bang Theory
Ryan: Rob Lowe! Delicious. Literally. Okay, Drama.
Ryan: This field is a bit more interesting. Maybe? Not really.
Andrew :Haha. What do you think of the field, generally? I think great potential nominees. Shame, Emmy hates them.
Ryan: Pretty much what I'm thinking too. Like Comedy, I see three locks. Buscemi, Hall, and Hamm.
Andrew: God, I want Hall to win so badly. Seriously, my mouth was on the floor when he lost last year? I mean cancer, a SAG, a Globe and the man STILL can't win an Emmy? Egads.
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| What does he have to do to win an Emmy? |
Ryan: Yeah, I love love love Bryan Cranston and his character Walt in Breaking Bad, but he did not need to win a third time and certainly should NOT have won over Hall last year. I was so... confused!
Andrew: I mean, Rita died DAMN IT! Ugh. Okay, moving on - I'm getting caught up. Who do we see joining him? I say Chandler, easy as pie. (Not that pie is easy, but whatever.)
Ryan: Is it that easy really? I mean it was a great (and awesome) breakthrough for him and Britton to be nominated last year, but will they repeat? I guess in this case, Emmys complacency should help for once.
Andrew: I just feel like Chandler is EVERYWHERE now and the Super 8 (which I DID NOT LIKE) I just feel like he's in. I don't know. But then, Paxton has never been nominated (WTF??????) and his show ended too...
Ryan: Kind of odd to see Chloe Sevigny the only person to get noticed from that show, but neither here nor there.
Andrew: (and Sevigny did not get Emmy love, but I'm not even going there...not for now)
Ryan: Other than Buscemi, any other new blood? There's a lot of talk about Timothy Olyphant for Justified.
Andrew: I've never seen Justified, I love Olyphant but I'm a terrible fan...for some reason I think he could be easily snubbed...it's sort of half-and-half from where I sit. Same goes for William H. Macy in Shameless.
Ryan: And Sean Bean in Game of Thrones. Lots of maybes, who knows, we'll see...
Andrew: And Hugh Laurie in House. Geez, this category is actually looking packed.
Ryan: Gabriel Byrne in In Treatment is a former nominee.
Andrew: Irons for The Borgias, Byrne for In Treatment, Leary for Rescue Me. Wow...this is interesting.
Ryan: Yeah, plenty of people could be nominated it seems!
Andrew: I'm going to go ahead and lay down my picks; even though I have a feeling I'll be devastatingly wrong.
Ryan: Half of our picks will at least be right!
Andrew: (Always the optimist). Predictions:
Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empire
Gabriel Byrne in In Treatment
Kyle Chandler in Friday Night Lights
Michael C. Hall in Dexter
Jon Hamm in Mad Men
Bill Paxton in Big Love
I sort of feel Chandler and Paxton won't both be nominated, but I don't know which to chuck out. Paxton was great this last season, but then....he's always been good...Ugh.
Ryan: Wow, we both snubbed Hugh Laurie. Very interesting. My predictions:
Steve Carrell
Kyle Chandler in Friday Night Lights
Michael C. Hall in Dexter
Jon Hamm in Mad Men
William H. Macy in Shameless
Timothy Olyphant in Justified
Um, Wow not Carrell... Buscemi for Boardwalk Empire.
Andrew: Ha. Now THAT'S a weird slip.
Ryan: Well Steve Carrell did make me cry this season! Bastard.
Andrew: I'm actually kind of sure that Paxton WON'T be nominated, but I don't want to predict him not getting in. I'd feel responsible if he doesn't...
Ryan: We have our own battles. Mine is not predicting Morrison, yours is predicting Paxton. We're good.
Andrew: So, hmm. The men are done. I'm having way more fun making up my fake ballots.
Ryan: I'll need to look over the list again to make my own picks, but yeah it'll definitely be way more fun.
Excel Sheets,
Andrew: When I say I'm neurotic, I'm not kidding. I've been making my spreadsheet since January. I have an entire excel sheet dedicated to my ballot.
Ryan: That is impressive. The closest thing I've done similar to that would be to keep an on-going list of movies I see and rank them relative to each other as soon as I see them so that by year's end, the list would be done. Oh and I also list all of the critic awards pre-Oscars to track down front-runners and whatnot.
Andrew: (I have another excel document for movies.)
Ryan: Of course you do!
Andrew: This is so screwed up.
Ryan: It's what we do. We all have our little obsessions.
Andrew: My own awards are more fun because I choose my own categories, wherever I see fit. Like when we discuss the supporting actors next (tomorrow?) you'll see how random some of the submissions are.
Ryan: I've looked them over already though nothing really looked out of place for me. I'm sure you'll point them out though.
Andrew: I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or not…
Ryan: I'm not! For me, it was just funny seeing people submit themselves as if they have a chance to actually get nominated. So hilarious. Oh man now I sound overly pretentious... but seriously, some of these people... no.
We can’t give away the entire conversation. Supporting Actors are next, but what do you think of our predictions for the Lead Actor Ballot? Are we crazy for snubbing Laurie? Is Ryan crazy for snubbing Morrison?
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Remember two years ago when Mad Men took up four of the five writing nominations at the Emmy? We sure do. Ryan (of Sorta That Guy) and I started Emmy predictions with the guest performers early in the week. We return, this time focusing on the potential writing and directing nominees. These categories are notoriously difficult to predict, but this conversation was a lot of fan to predict.
Ryan: But off the bat, I've never even tackled predicting Writing/Directing nominees before because it's hard.
Andrew: It IS hard to predict. You were saying on twitter that it’s exasperating when shows submit like a dozen episodes, and even though I know they want to give themselves as much chances, I wonder if they really expect double nods.
Ryan: It doesn't help that the Emmys LOVE to give multiple nods. I remember two years ago how ridiculously it was that Mad Men got 4 of the 5 nominations. Love the show, but that is excessive.
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| How many nods is Mad Men getting this year? |
Ryan: Well with that said, shall we dive into Writing for a Drama then?
Andrew: Indeed, and since we're talking about Mad Men, they've won each year for the past three years. 2 nods the first season, 4 the second, 2 the third. How much do we see them getting this year and for what?
Ryan: At most 3 nominations for "The Suitcase" "Walfdorf Stories" and "Tomorrowland." I'm confident that "The Suitcase" will get nominated though.
Andrew: Really, because if we have any legitimate precursor for this category it's the WGA and the nominated MAD MEN episode there was "Chrysanthemum and the Sword"...which they won for...
Ryan: Hm. Maybe I should've paid more attention to the precursors! Well, then it'll be that and "The Suitcase." Or you know, maybe they'll get 4 nominations. Who knows anymore? The thing is there are a lot of new shows that they might want to honour.
Andrew: If there's a third, I'm thinking either "Tomorrowland" or "Beautiful Girls", but really they go crazy over some episodes. My favourite episode of the season was "The Good News", but I'm not a true fan. Sigh.
Ryan: Well as for new shows, Boardwalk Empire is the big one, but there's also Game of Thrones, Shameless, and The Walking Dead.
Andrew: Has Shameless been well received? That one seems to have escaped me.
Ryan: I'm not sure how well-received Shameless is actually, but it's HBO so it almost feel automatic for it to be in the running. And The Killing, which submitted almost every episode ever.
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| Any chance of The Killing making it in? |
Ryan: Especially since Boardwalk Empire's "Pilot" is the front-runner for Directing. Um, Martin Scorsese thank you very much.
Andrew: (Yup, he's the frontrunner. But, you're pre-empting me. ha. ha) I figure the season finale is the best bet for a nod.
Ryan: I agree, but I don't really watch the show so I don't know. Also I was wrong about Shameless, it's on Showtime, not HBO. Its chances actually dropped because of that.
Andrew: You are mean.
Ryan: I'm going purely by nominating history of the Emmy's. They love HBO.
Andrew: Friday Night Lights and The Good Wife both got writing nods last season. Are they coming back?
Ryan: That's funny since I was going to ask you if there are any non-cable shows that would make it in.
Andrew: Let me get this out of the way now, I don't get Friday Night Lights. I'm trying so hard to get through the final season, and it's well made but I just can't love it. I'm barely mustering up a liking.
Ryan: I actually quite love it, except for the final season. Something's just been off about it, but then again I saw all of Friday Night Lights in 2 weeks a few months ago.
Andrew: Well, they submitted one episode which means all the fans have one horse to bet on. A nod you think?
Ryan: It's a great strategy definitely, but who knows. Everyone else does seem to love it, so its finale "Always" has a shot. As for The Good Wife, I'd say "VIP Treatment."
Ryan: The episodes you mentioned are damn good, but that's the thing about this show, almost every episode is perfectly written. That's why I actually respect that they took the "less is more" route over the alternative.
Andrew: I do respect them for that. I'm a Dexter fan but it's never gotten a writing nod. Odd isn't it?
Ryan: Yeah and I have no idea how to explain it. They're okay with violence (The Sopranos), so who knows?
Andrew: I don't get that; and some critics weren't a fan of this season so I guess it's not a lock for a nod. I think it's time we show our hands; this is going to be fun. I'll go first.
Ryan: Do we really have to predict now, because I have 12 episodes on my long list and I have no idea how to pick 5-6 of them. I really, really don't. Guess I'll look at yours and decide.
Andrew: Pick blindly. (And you only have 5 choices.)
Ryan: Even better.
Andrew: My picks:
Boardwalk Empire “A Return to Normalcy”
The Good Wife “VIP Treatment”
The Killing “Pilot”
Mad Men “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword”
Mad Men “The Suitcase”
Ryan: My predictions are actually the exact same as yours, except I'm wavering on The Killing's Pilot. BUT my alternatives to that would be episodes from genre shows aka Game of Thrones"Baelor" and The Walking Dead"Days Gone By." So... I'm going to go with…
Boardwalk Empire “A Return to Normalcy”
The Good Wife “VIP Treatment”
Game of Thrones “Baelor”
Mad Men “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword”
Mad Men “The Suitcase”
Andrew: I, too, am wavering on The Killing, people have started to hate it so it could easily get ignored. And I don't see Game of Thrones getting love. I'd be pissed on principal if they do, because they ignored The Tudors back in the name which I find criminal.
Ryan: That's exactly why I'm wavering on The Killing. The buzz just seems to not be on its favour now, while Game of Thrones is riding some good ones.
Andrew: But the Emmy's are weird, they kept nominating Two and a Half Men without a care in the world. So, who knows?
Ryan: I'm predicting a shut out for that show this year. But maybe its wishful thinking. Also, that's jumping ahead a bit. Shall we go to Directing? Any front-runners?
Andrew: Hah. I'm already dreaming about how awesome Martin's speech will be.
Ryan: He's so locked, it's funny. I'm looking forward to seeing it. And I will definitely see that episode before the Emmy's. This category is a bit more forgiving on genre shows, so I'm predicting Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, and maybe even Fringe could get in. The latter is DEFINITELY wishful thinking on my part.
Andrew: I have Game of Thrones there too.
Ryan: Three episodes though. Which one has the better chance?
Andrew: I say the pilot, for obvious reasons. Dexter will probably make it too. It won last year, and Shill directed "Everything is Ilumenated" which seems to have a good chance.
Ryan: I was thinking the pilot, too. And yes, definitely on "Everything Is Illumenated" since as you said, it’s last year's winner.
Andrew: Although, I'd think "Hop a Freighter" is a more obvious choice...
Ryan: And how about the perennial winner Mad Men? I keep saying "The Suitcase" because it was my personal favorite episode of the season, but I'm not sure. Especially since Matt Weiner did "Tomorrowland" and last year nominee Lesli Linka Glatter did "The Chrysanthemum And The Sword." Also I say "winner" though it hasn't won a directing award, has it?
Andrew: They've never won for directing, and probably might not...it could be any number of nods for them, though...but one is what I’m assuming...
Ryan: Any thoughts on the chances of "These Arms of Mine" for Grey's Anatomy? The direction of that episode was front and centre as they had to make it look like a documentary.
Andrew: But they've started hating on the show, they didn't even nominate Sandra last year. So I don't want to be hasty.
Andrew: I concur. Emmy's are really random that way.
Ryan: Another nominee last year, Agnieskza Holland could be nominated for her work on The Killing. But who knows?
Andrew: Show your hand, sir. Before you do, though, the DGA nominated Dexter, Mad Men, Lost, Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire.
Ryan: Thank you sir for that. Okay...
Boardwalk Empire “Pilot
Dexter “Everything is Illumenated”
Game of Thrones “Winter is Coming”
Mad Men “The Suitcase”
The Walking Dead “Days Gone By”
Andrew: Seriously? That's my line-up which is really random.
Ryan: So you were thinking The Walking Dead, too, though? That one was the surprising consensus to me.
Andrew: (I erred it was actually The Walking Dead and not Game of Thrones which got DGA love. Game of Thrones hadn’t come out yet.) I'm going crap it up and say "Hop A Freighter" instead of “Everything is Illumenated” instead for DEXTER.
Boardwalk Empire “Pilot
Dexter “Hop A Freighter”
Game of Thrones “Winter is Coming”
Mad Men “The Suitcase”
The Walking Dead “Days Gone By”
And...Darabont (The Walking Dead) is an Oscar nominee. But, really who knows?
Any predictions on the writing and directing for drama categories? Scorsese for the win? Mad Men to rule and conquer?
