The Emmy Nominations

(Ahhh, so golden and buttery...)

So, anyone else get really excited about the primetime Emmys? I know that the Academy awards are supposed to be the biggest night in entertainment, but as someone who watches maybe one movie a year yet juggles about twelve television shows a week, the Emmys are where it's at for me.

Now that the nominations have finally been announced, let's look at them in more depth, shall we?

(First and foremost, I am gobsmacked over no nominations for Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton of Friday Night Lights. I am also a bit shocked that Elizabeth Mitchell (Juliet) of Lost didn't earn a nom, since there was mad buzz about it prior to the official announcement of the nominees yesterday.)

For what it's worth, here are some of the nominees I think should take home that very pointy and vaguely threatening statue.

Best comedy series: (Like there's any doubt) The Office
I won't lie: with competition like 30 Rock, the show could miss out (but I don't think it will because it gets better ratings). The Office is consistently one of the most clever, hilarious, believable, and heartwarming (yeah, I said it) comedies out there. Every performance is stellar, and even a lot of Brits will agree that this show has surpassed its predecessor from across the pond.

Comedy actor: Steve Carrell
Playing needy, insecure, politically incorrect, and overall embarrassment Michael Scott can't be easy. But you'd never know it from Carrell's brilliant, spot-on, and seemingly effortless performance every week. Given his recent overexposure (Evan Almighty), however, I wouldn't be surprised if the statue went to another actor in this category, like Alec Baldwin, for instance. Still, I hope it goes to Carrell.

Comedy actress: Tina Fey
Fey's Liz Lemon is funny, clever, and in control (well, maybe not when it comes to her personal life). She's also sweetly vulnerable and likable in every way. Plus? Tina Fey's role is more than just the lead actress on the show, and that only makes her more amazing.

Comedy Directing: Either Gervais and Merchant for Extras or Ken Kwapis for The Office
This is a tough one. I think the degree of difficulty in directing both of these shows is probably rather equal, and since both programs are shot so well, I gotta leave this a toss up.

Supporting actor: Jeremy Piven for Entourage
This is also a tough category. I don't necessarily find Ari a funnier character than the other ones nominated, but I'm impressed as hell with Piven's ability to get me to consistently laugh at a character so over the top, so in love with himself, so vile, that I should totally hate him. I don't hate him, though. I love Ari. And I think that it's Piven's performance---even more than the show's excellent writing---that makes me love this character.

Supporting actress: Jenna Fischer for The Office
This category, man.... Jaime Pressly is over-the-top, in-your-face funny on Earl, where Jenna is more nuanced on The Office. Both crack me up, though. I'm going to give this one to Jenna, however, because I think her character this season had more to explore/experience than Jaime's, and we got to see more range from her as a result.

Comedy writing: Extras "Daniel Radcliffe" episode
Daniel Radcliffe trying to get off with countless women, discussing his sexual prowess with Ricky Gervais, and accidentally flinging a condom onto the head of a respected British actress made this episode of Extras one of the funniest of the series. Say what you will about the Ian McKellan episode---as far as I'm concerned, it was Radcliffe's Horny Potter (ew, terrible joke, I know) that truly killed this season.

Drama series: The Sopranos
Because, come on. It's The Sopranos. And it was the show's last season. Just give them another accolade already, okay? The show is iconic/legendary/the height of what television can accomplish/etc., etc. The end.

Drama leading actor: James Gandolfini for The Sopranos
See explanation above.

Drama leading actress: Edie Falco for The Sopranos
See above.

Drama, directing: Peter Berg for Friday Night Lights
This show was robbed of nominations in the three categories above, so by God, it deserves this directing win. Very few shows on TV today manage to elicit powerful emotion from such controlled and measured scenes and performances. You have to respect the director who can deliver that every week.

Drama, supporting actor: Michael Emerson for Lost
Dudes, I'm sorry, but if that freaky-ass Benjamin Linus walks away empty-handed come September, it's  just WRONG.

Drama, supporting actress: Chandra Wilson for Grey's Anatomy
She is tough, but vulnerable; an intimidating force one minute, a protective mother hen the next. She's Bailey, and she steals every damn scene she's in. I love her.

(Also, I was thrilled to see that two songs from that hilarious Scrubs musical episode were nominated!)

So that's my take.Where do you stand? And bonus question: everyone is saying Lost was essentially robbed for failing to garner more nominations in the bigger categories---do you agree?

Comments

[M]

The Wire was robbed again. Not even a writing nomination. That said, I agree with pretty much everything above. Love Bailey, the Pivs, FNL, and that Daniel Radcliffe episode of Extras is brilliant. I might have to skip out of work early to watch the dvd.

"I'm buggin' out, Liz Lemon!"

[Amanda]

I assumed The Wire wasn't eligible for, like, not airing new content during the specific time frame or something. If that isn't the case and the show was overlooked, then I totally agree that it was robbed.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the SNL song "D*ck in a Box" is also nominated for an award. There's an acceptance speech I'd love to see!