Ah, The Emmy Voters Never Fail to Not Surprise

Song Lyric of the Day:

Light the bridges with the lantern / You know something’s going to happen

Klaxons / “Forgotten Works“

8:24PM.
As I was busy ranting yesterday about my concerns over Supernatural‘s impending third season, I didn’t write about the Emmy nominations right away. That, and I had to study and absorb the fact that, few differences aside, by and large this year’s Emmy noms are a very familiar bunch. (Click here to see the entire list of nominees.) For brevity’s sake, I’m going to primarily stick to the major categories. If you want an opinion on Best Animal Costume in a Miniseries Made for The Evil Monopoly That Is Cable TV, write one. (Seriously — that should be a category.) Anyhoo, let’s get started.

Outstanding Drama Series
The nominees: Boston Legal, Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, House, The Sopranos
Let me just start off by asking, Where the HELL is Dexter? Instead of the increasingly ludicrous Boston Legal, which is a chore to watch (and I’m being nice), why not reward this new Showtime series that is so well written, acted, and directed, that you’re rooting for the protagonist, a serial killer? Did I mention the show also manages to skillfully inject much-needed dark humor that keeps the harrowing storylines from crossing over into morbidity? And as much as I love Grey’s Anatomy, I’ll be the first to admit that the series went way, way off track this year. Characters became almost irreparably unlikable (sweet Izzie as a husband-stealing harpie? Meredith and Derek’s incessant fighting? Ugh.) and storylines were too silly even for this already light fare (the no-sex bet between Addison and McSteamy? Lame). I won’t bother with the off-set issues. Grey’s slot should’ve been filled by the critically and fan-worshipped Friday Night Lights. Despite not having the ratings, the show had what Grey’s lacked this year: freshness, quality storylines, and characters you cared about. Heroes I love despite its occasional unevenness, but I’ll chalk that up to first year growing pains. I’m also happy that a mainstream sci-fi series got a nomination — because nothing on the actual Sci-Fi channel got represented in the major categories (where is Battlestar Galactica, anyway?). The voters need to expand their horizons and start taking what they may see as atypical shows seriously. I don’t watch House, so I’ll leave that one alone. But The Sopranos? Really? Again? Don’t stop believin’ that the Emmy voters will be at a complete loss as to how to fill this slot next year. That’ll require them watching a new show.

Lead Actor in a Drama
The nominees: Kiefer Sutherland, James Spader, Hugh Laurie, Denis Leary, James Gandolfini
Where the HELL is Michael C. Hall? Oh, that’s right — not on this list. I’m sorry, but anyone who can make you actually care — much less cheer on — a likable serial killer is deserving of an Emmy. That, and the fact that Dexter is my new favorite drama and also got snubbed as a whole in all the major categories have me pretty steamed. As for the actors who did get nominated? Kiefer won’t get it simply because season six of 24 was seen as its worst ever. James Spader? I don’t have the time to go into this one. Why not Kyle Chandler for Friday Night Lights instead? Hugh Laurie? Been there, done that. James Gandolfini? He’ll get the sentimental vote just because The Sopranos ended this year. Whatever. At the least, Matthew Fox should’ve been credited for leading a stellar cast in Lost‘s triumphant third season. In Michael C. Hall’s absence, I’d love to see the Emmy finally go to Denis Leary. His world-weary, alcoholic, beyond-dysfunctional Tommy Gavin is such a large part of why I’m a fan of Rescue Me. Nobody currently on TV does pathos-meets-humor better than he’s doing right now.

Lead Actress in a Drama
The nominees: Sally Field, Mariska Hargitay, Patricia Arquette, Kyra Sedgwick, Minnie Driver, Edie Falco
God, the pickings are usually so slim for the women. The men really do get all the truly meaty roles, don’t they? Sally Field is beloved by all for almost everything she does, so her turn as the matriarch in Brothers & Sisters could very well be rewarded with the Emmy. Mariska Hargitay is another golden child for her tough-but-tender Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Of course, both Field and Hargitay are previous Emmy winners, so I think the new kids have a good chance this year. Patricia Arquette is the heart of Medium, but I see an uphill battle in her future since her show could be considered fantasy as much as it is drama (see: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel), and we know how the voting committee feels about shows that think outside the box. Minnie Driver has reignited her career with The Riches, so I think she’s got a pretty good shot. They should’ve added another slot for Connie Britton of Friday Night Lights, too. But my money is on Kyra Sedgwick for The Closer. I started watching this procedural recently (including catching up on repeats), and I’ve not only been impressed with how the show has refreshed the police drama genre, but also with how skillful Sedgwick is as the sweetly Southern but fierce squad leader, Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson.

Outstanding Comedy Series
The nominees: 30 Rock, Entourage, The Office, Two and a Half Men, Ugly Betty
I don’t watch Entourage, but I’ve heard from friends who are loyal, die-hard fans that this year hasn’t been its best (a sentiment shared by critics), so we’ll take it out of the running. If the Emmy voters had wanted to reward a worthy cable comedy series, they should’ve picked Weeds — it hit all-new great heights in season two; social commentary that will make you laugh out loud? That’s golden. You know what I think about the traditional, three-camera sitcom, and I have watched Two and a Half Men, so: yoink! off the table it comes. Instead of Two and a Half Men, the Emmy voters should’ve given the nod to My Name Is Earl, which found its footing and only improved throughout its second season. I’m a loyal fan and viewer of both The Office and Ugly Betty; between the two, I’d have to go with Ugly Betty solely because of The Office‘s slow, uneven start this past year. That, and the heart at the center of Ugly Betty‘s storytelling. The dark horse? 30 Rock, which had as much critical acclaim as it didn’t have viewers. I’ve watched sporadically, and it has made me burst out laughing on several occasions, which is rare for comedies these days. I’d keep an eye on this one.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy
The nominees: Alec Baldwin, Ricky Gervais, Tony Shalhoub, Steve Carell, Charlie Sheen
Let me go ahead and say Tony Shalhoub and Charlie Sheen: no and no. Monk never recovered from losing Sharona (Bitty Schram) and the paper-thin plots wore out their welcome not long after. And much as I love Tony Shalhoub, someone else deserves a chance to win. Charlie Sheen may be the best thing about Two and a Half Men, but that’s not enough. Ricky Gervais is another golden-boy-of-the-moment, so he could take it for Extras. I think along with Gervais, Steve Carell has the best shot at the Emmy for his work in The Office. Although I’d be just as happy to see Alec Baldwin win, since I think his comedic work, which is always brilliant, is usually overlooked. The big question there is, will his ugly custody battle and that phone call cost him the Emmy?

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy
The nominees: Tina Fey, Felicity Huffman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, America Ferrera, Mary-Louise Parker
This is a tough category this year, but I’ll whittle it down by throwing Felicity Huffman out of the mix. Like Morgan Freeman, she can elevate anything she’s in, even if it’s awful. But her character was so badly written on Desperate Housewives this past season, I don’t think she should win this year. Julia Louis-Dreyfus of course has multiple wins, so that’ll diminish her chances against the impressive newcomers. Honestly, I’d be happy if Tina Fey or Mary-Louise Parker wins, because they are their respective shows. I’ve been a fan of Fey’s since first seeing her on Saturday Night Live; her acerbic but smart personality translates really well to the craziness of 30 Rock. And no one but Parker could so convincingly, heartbreakingly, and hilariously portray a pot-dealing, widowed mother of two. Still, I think this will be America Ferrera’s year. She is the best thing about the fabulous Ugly Betty, bravely leading the characters into the all-at-once telenovelaesque, poignant, and wickedly funny storylines. I met her once in New York City, and anyone as sweet and gracious as she is deserves every possible success.

Supporting Players
Here’s where the Emmy voters went really askew. Where were Justin Kirk and Romany Malco (Weeds) and John Krasinski (The Office) among the comedy nominees? What about John C. McGinley for Scrubs? For drama nominees, where was James Pickens, Jr. (Grey’s Anatomy)? What about Elizabeth Mitchell for Lost? I’m pretty happy with who did get nominated, though. I’d like to see Chandra Wilson (one of the best, most constant things about Grey’s), Jaime Pressly or Jenna Fischer, Masi Oka (everybody loves a Hiro!), and Rainn Wilson walk away with the Emmy.

Before I go, let me just add that I am totally blown away by the fact that Saturday Night Live‘s insta-classic “Dick in a Box” skit got a nomination for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics (it’s up against “Guy Love” and “Everything Comes Down to Poo” from the musical Scrubs episode). Nominations like that give me hope that someday, maybe even in my lifetime, the main rosters of the perenially nominated actors, actresses, and series just might change to reflect what us mere TV fans genuinely appreciate and respond to. You know — the shows and characters we love to watch.

I’ll leave you with Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg. Just don’t watch this at work. Enjoy!