Johnny Simmons

There’s something especially great about rewatching great TV shows and seeing all those important “firsts” – like the first time Spike arrived in Sunnydale, or the first time Ross and Rachel made out – you know those moments that stick with you. Take Will & Grace for example, it’s not till the second episode that the crazy sidekicks – Karen and Jack – meet up, and though I’ll always prefer Will to Jack, no one can top Karen. And their meeting deserves to be recognised as the benchmark moment in television it was (says me).

Jack: “Are you Karen?”

Karen: “Yes, honey.”

Jack: “Look at you, you little hottie! Stand up!”

Jack: “PS, loving the boobs.”

Karen: “Uh, uh.”

(And she proceeds to anyway.)

I’m shining the spotlight on two pieces this week, the first an article Jose wrote over at the Film Experience. I still find it  amusing that he manages to write so much on something as ineffectual as an Academy Awards’ poster – but there’s creative writing for you. And while we’re on the note of Oscars’ Nick writes an especially profound ten points (part 1, part 2) on what could very well be the next Best Picture winner – The Social Network.

The Fighter sort of came out of no where and is now looking like a heavy frontrunner, Castor seems to be particularly fond of it, and Tim offers up a nice review of it too (I especially love what he has to say about Adams, though alas I can't say if he's right - I've yet to see it) and to make it a trinity check out Joe's insightful take on the supporting women in The Fighter who won't be remembered come Oscar night.

Remember The Town? Of course you do, it seems like it may build steam and lead Jeremy Renner to a second Oscar nod. It's not that I hated The Town - I just didn't care much for it. That's why I like CS' review of it so much.

People are making claims left and right, but of all the acting races the Supporting Actress one seems to have the least direction. I think that’s a good thing, though. I’m having an especially difficult time whittling down my personal ballot to five, and I haven’t even seen all of the heavyweights. True, I’ve already cast my Oscar vote blatantly to Helena Bonham Carter, and I’m still backing her all the way. If Helen Mirren, Jeff Bridges, Morgan Freeman and (insert gag) Sandra Bullock can win Oscars for lifetime achievement I have no problem with HBC doing the same – what a career it’s been. I have no idea if she’s a veritable threat, though – she’s obviously on her way to a nomination and from the looks of it she’ll be joined by The Fighter duo – Amy Adams and Melissa Leo. Perhaps it’s because I’ve yet to see Russell’s feature, but I keep on doubting that both ladies will turn up at the Oscars, but all indications point to that they will, I can be a bit headstrong in my stupidity sometimes. Melissa Leo is getting a lot of support for a win, but I’m even more doubtful of that – unless she stream-rolls the precursors. If Christian Bale ends up getting the push to go all out and take the win I can’t imagine Leo taking the Oscar too. I’d be more likely call Adams as a potential threat in the race; she’s been especially ubiquitous these past 5 years.
                      

Jackie Weaver, from Animal Kingdom (a film which should be receiving much more laurels than just Weaver) is another one being touted as a serious threat. She got a Globe nod, but SAG didn’t come knocking. I could see it happening, but I could just as easily see it not happening – and really, the lack of love from the SAG doesn’t help. True, Marcia Gay Harden took the Oscar without even a nomination from SAG or FPA but that was ten years ago and there are some key distinctions between Animal Kingdom and Pollock. Not only was the latter an American biopoic, but legendary thespian Ed Harris was helming the project (and starring in it), there was obvious goodwill there - Animal Kingdom doesn't have that obvious industry support. SAG gives support to Mila Kunis in Black Swan and Hailee Steinfeld in True Grit, who I heard is being fraudulently campaigned here – but it’s never stopped them before. Kunis has a Globe nod too, but that’s one prediction I’m tentative of supporting. Like the Best Actress race there’s that fifth spot that could go to anyone, and I’m yet to see Black Swan, but all the citations for Kunis still surprise me. Speaking of category fraud, though, maybe I shouldn’t count Julianne Moore out of the supporting category just yet. I’m predicting her in my Lead Actress spot, but who knows....perhaps she could show up here. If pushed, I’d predict Kunis over Steinfeld – though – because I have a feeling that True Grit is not going to be that much of a heavyhitter at the Globes. I can’t explain for the lack of love for Dianne Wiest who’s a perennial supporting actress, and a standout in a talented ensemble. It could be a surprise nod (a la Ruby Dee in American Gangster) but then, this year is much more packed a race than 2007. For now I’ll say Adams/Bonham-Carter/Leo/Wiest/Weaver – I’m gunning on the belief that the hundred or so actors who've worked with Woody Allen will support Wiest’s bid for a nod.

Shame that neither the ladies from Nowhere Boy (Kristin Scott Thomas or Anne Marie Duff) or The Ghost Writer (Kim Cattrall or Olivia Williams) have a shot, and Rosamund Pike has two supporting roles in Made in Dagenham and Barney’s Version that I’m looking forward to...but neither looks likely.

               

Which lady would bet on? Which lady would you like to see sidle into that fifth spot?

Now that Dexter has wrapped up its fifth season I’m officially worried about what TV show I’m going to look forward to every week. As brilliant as cable shows are it really does suck that they only offer about 12 episodes per season. I didn’t offer up an official review of “The Big One” but it was just as awesome as you’d expect from the show – including Lumen’s departure and Dexter’s reaction.

Good god, can they PLEASE give Michael C. Hall his Emmy now? It’s getting ridiculous. With the Golden Globe nomination for Julia Stiles I wonder if they’re going to push her in the supporting category instead of fraudulently espousing her in the Guest Category like John Lithgow did last year. Truly, I’d prefer her go in the guest category just to assure her a win – but I think she’s good enough to be a serious threat in the supporting category, so who knows? With Dexter gone, though, at least Parks & Recreation (my favourite comedy) is coming back in January – so maybe the brilliance of Amy Poehler will be able to make up for the lack of Dexter Morgan.

           

We’re officially at the halfway point for shows on network TV and (and at the end of the season for cable shows like Mad Men and Dexter) – here’s how I’d rank them thus far.

Eligible (14 shows): Brothers & Sisters, Burn Notice, The Closer, Community, Desperate Housewives, Dexter, Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, Mad Men, Modern Family, The Office, Parenthood, 30 Rock

Alan Alda in 30 Rock

Johnny Lee Miller in Dexter

Timothy Olyphant in The Office

Reid Ewing in Modern Family

Peter Weller in Dexter

        

Carol Burnett in Glee

Emily Bergl in Desperate Housewives

Gwyneth Paltrow in Glee

Romy Rosemont in Glee

Amy Ryan in The Office

Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock

Ty Burrell in Modern Family

Steve Carrell in The Office

Jesse Tyler Ferguson in Modern Family

Matthew Morrison in Glee

Michael C. Hall in Dexter

John Hamm in Mad Men

Sam Jaegar in Parenthood

Peter Krause in Parenthood

Matthew Rhys in Brothers & Sisters

Julie Bowen in Modern Family

Alison Brie in Community

Jane Krakowski in 30 Rock

Jane Lynch in Glee

Lea Michele in Glee

January Jones in Mad Men

Elizabeth Moss in Mad Men

Sandra Oh in Grey’s Anatomy

Monica Potter in Parenthood

Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer

Julia Stiles in Dexter

“Classy Christmas” The Office (Mindy Kaling)

“Furt” Glee (Ryan Murphy)

“Halloween” Modern Family (Jeffrey Richman)

“Christmas Attack Zone” 30 Rock (Tracey Wigfield)

“Circle Us” Dexter (Scott Buck)

“Hop A Freighter” Dexter (Scott Buck, Karen Campbell, Tim Schlattman)

“The Big Bang” The Closer (James Duff, Mike Berchem)

“Happy Thanksgiving” Parenthood (David Hudgins)

“Grilled Cheesus” Glee (Alfonso Gomez-Rejon)

“Halloween” Modern Family (Michael Spiller)

“Classy Christmas” The Office (Rain Wilson)

“Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish” 30 Rock (Ken Wittingham)

“Circle Us” Dexter (John Dahl)

“Hop A Freighter Dexter (John Dahl)

“Take It” Dexter (Romeo Tirone)

“These Arms of Mine” Grey’s Anatomy (Stephen Cragg)

So, from September to December 2010 – what’s the best thing that happened on TV for you?