Emmy Chatter: Series

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.

Ryan: See that WOULD be a massive shock if that were to happen. It'd go along with my random Matt Morrison snub, but I still predicted it to be nominated everywhere else.

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?

Encore Emmy Ballot: Dramas (Pt. 1)

Ryan and I still are doing our Emmy predictions, but I'm back with my own personal ballots - now headed over to the drama categories. If you love Boardwalk Empire, True Blood, United States of Tara or even Mad Men look out below...

        

OUTSTANDING CASTING

Nominees:

-Boardwalk Empire

-Big Love

-The Good Wife

-The Killing

-Mad Men

-True Blood

Johnny Lee Miller and Julia Stiles alone would secure Dexter a mention here. The two period dramas, Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire, both depend on casting the players to participate in their businesses – one legal, and the other not so much. Regardless of where you stand on The Killing its excellent casting was imperative to its run through this past season but The Good Wife and True Blood rule this category. Both have expansive casts and both depend so much on getting the right people to play opposite their regulars. And both succeed.

Runners-Up: Parenthood / Dexter / United States of Tara

             

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR

Nominees:

-Eddie Izzard in United States of Tara

-Zach Grenier in The Good Wife

-Jonny Lee Miller in Dexter as Jordan Chase

-Denis O’Hare in True Blood as Russell

-Dallas Roberts in The Good Wife

-Peter Weller in Dexter

Sure, Miller’s Jordan Chase was the real villain on the past season of Dexter but Weller’s Liddy was just as distressing. Dexter is a show that often thrives on its guests and both men were worthy foes to Dexter. Both Roberts and Grenier have that sarcastic charm that works so excellently on The Good Wife. The entire fiasco with Derek Bond was brilliant for two reasons, giving Baranski material and allowing Grenier to work all the caustic witticisms the writers could come up with and other than Panjabi Roberts is the best actor to bring out the warmth in Margulies. At first Izzard seemed intent on playing his character in broad strokes but the closer it got to his exist the more personal his performance became leading to that phenomenal performance in “Bryce Will Play” and everything about Russell was superlative. A villain for the ages.

Runners-Up: Kevin in The Closer; Michael J. Fox in The Good Wife; Dennis O’Hare in The Good Wife

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS

Nominees:

-Frances Conroy in United States of Tara

-Mary McDonnell in The Closer

-Gretchen Mol in Boardwalk Empire

-Mamie Gummer in The Good Wife

-Alfre Woodard in True Blood

-Anika Noni Rose in The Good Wife

This category is always filled with greatness. Mol and Woodward both play mothers but they’re worlds apart. Woodard does well as Lafayette's mom, her few scenes she manages to create an affecting relationship with Ellis. Mol does the same with Pitt in Boardwalk Empire. She plays a more significant character, with a number of facets, but it’s her work as an atypical mother precipitating a slight oedipal arc which is strongest. McDonnell and Rose both play working women in high positions. One of the great things about The Good Wife is how they steered clear of making Rose’s Wendy a villain without making her two perfect. Rose does wonderfully in her scenes and manages to play well against the big names in the cast – her scenes with Margulies are especially taut. The same goes for McDonnell who’s best when opposite Sedgwick. Gummer might not be her mother, but she’s a fine actress and her interesting quirks have made her work incredibly well in the fabric of The Good Wife. Conroy’s done a few guest spots this season, but it’s her work opposite the Gregson clan that was most memorable. In fact, the entire of “Crunchy Ice” seemed dedicated to giving her more to do and she succeeded excellently.

Runners-Up: Evan Rachel Wood in True Blood / Mary Kay Place in Big Love / Frances Conroy in Grey’s Anatomy / Mary Beth Peil in The Good Wife / Doris Roberts in Grey’s Anatomy

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR

Nominees:

-Alan Cumming in The Good Wife as Eli Gould for “Wrongful Termination”

-Keir Cilchrist in United States of Tara for “Crunchy Ice”

-Vincent Kartheiser in Mad Men for “The Rejected”

-Ryan Kwanten in True Blood for “Trouble”

-Michael Shannon in Boardwalk Empire for “Paris Green”

-Sam Trammell in True Blood for “Hitting the Ground”

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.

Runners-Up: Joel Kinnaman in The Killing / Sam Jaegar in Parenthood / Justin Chambers in Grey’s Anatomy / Billy Campbell in The Killing / Brent Sexton in The Killing

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Nominees:

- Christine Hendricks in Mad Men for “The Good News”

- Brie Larson inUnited States of Tara for “Wheels”

- Kelly MacDonald in Boardwalk Empire for “Belle Femme”

- Sandra Oh in Grey’s Anatomy as Cristina Yang for “That’s Me, Trying”

- Archie Panjabi in The Good Wife for “Getting Off”

- Chloe Sevigny in Big Love as Nicolette Grant for “The Noose Tightens”

Brie Larson is the one member of the show whose comedic work has been more plentiful than her dramatic work this season but that doesn’t mean she’s not adept at both. Is there any sibling relationship more beautiful than Kate and Marshall? Brie manages to work that arc while being incomparable in what could have been a rote romance with Evan and on the topic of rote Cristina’s journey on Grey’s Anatomy this season could have fallen flat with a lesser actor but Oh is such a brilliant thespian (where, oh where, is her Emmy) that it lands with resounding force. I was uncertain of MacDonald in the first few episodes of Boardwalk Empire, but somewhere around the halfway point the series realised how to use her and she became astonishing trouncing Buscemi in their scenes together. The Roger/Joan fiasco seemed a bit too reprisal last season, but unlike Slattery Hendricks managed to make it works as moments of poignant development for her character, “The Good News” depends on her. It’s so tough to choose between Sevigny and Panjabi. Both play women with issues revealing their true selves, and both ruled their shows. In both cases I loved them most when their walls came down. Kalinda was continuously excellent, but that breakdown in the elevator in the penultimate episode is the stuff Emmy’s are made of as was Nicolette’s breakdown with Bill. They’re both difficult to understand, performed by excellent women.

Runners-Up: Julia Stiles in Dexter/ Rosemarie DeWitt in United States of Tara / Michelle Forbes in The Killing / Christine Baranski in The Good Wife / Ginnifer Goodwin in Big Love; Monica Potter in Parenthood

         

What are your drama favourites? Who wins in the supporting categories for you?

Emmy Chatter: Writing and Directing (Drama Series)

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.

How many nods is Mad Men getting this year?

Andrew: Well, imagine what it's like for people like me who DON'T love the show. They get a wee bit out of hand when they love you.

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.

Any chance of The Killing making it in?

Andrew: Ha, I loved that The Killing did that. Probably just to fuck with voters. What really surprises me about the submissions for writing is that Boardwalk Empire really throws me for a loop when they submit almost every episode but NOT the pilot. And pilots of great shows are almost always the go-to for nominations. So I don't know which Boardwalk Empire episode to wager for a nod.

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."

Andrew: Before we actually predict, I HAVE to ask. As someone who loves The Good Wife what do you think of the submissions? I think that there are some pretty egregious snubs in terms of submissions neither "Getting Off" nor "Ham Sandwich"? Or "Breaking Up" which I thought was a fair episode but excellently written. But, I guess of the lot "VIP Treatment" is the best bet.

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.

Ryan: Yeah, even as an on-off-on again fan of the show, I thought it was insane they didn't get any love for their chilling finale last year.

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?

“I want more”

You don’t need to tell me that I’ve been neglecting the blog, I know. It’s not that work is that stressful, but I do spend in excess of nine hours there per day and my faithful steed (aka my laptop) refuses to play nice – as per normal. And that list of films to review keeps piling up (Win Win, No Strings Attached, Kung Fu Panda 2, X Men: First Class, Green Hornet and more).

           

See how out of whack my brain is? I’ve already spiralled off topic – apologies. I’m working on a “project” in anticipation of the Emmy nominees (more on that later) but I do want to do some TV talking. The television season is officially over and some cable shows are beginning their new seasons as early as this week, and those primetime giants will be back in late September. Soon we’ll be getting retrospective and making best-of lists, but for now I want to look ahead. It’s been a good season for some shows, mediocre ones for others but it seems that almost every show, good and bad, keeps dropping the ball on some potentially great characters. Here are some recurring on regular characters on television shows who need to get better or increased material, or in some cases both. Because I’ve been so lazy lately, I’m giving you a two-in-one: two top 5 lists. First, the men…

      

Sean in The Big C (John Benjamin Hickey)

Hickey recently won a Tony for his work in The Normal Heart and if he’d had only a few more killer scenes in The Big C he’d have been a shoo-in for Emmy consideration. He’s the brother of Linney’s cancer patient, and he just happens to be living on the streets – by choice. Hickey paints his intrepid character in broad strokes, but those strokes are hilarious and he’s an absolute delight to watch. He’s great opposite Linney, but even better opposite Cynthia Nixon (a friend of Cathy who he recently impregnated). The Big C just happens to be about someone with cancer, it’s ensemble is brilliant. Hickey needs to get more.

Puck in Glee (Mark Salling)

The amount of things I want to change on Glee…. Musically, Salling is my favourite supporting player on the show and for some time in season one Puck was my favourite character. As of late, though, he’s become one random ball of confusion – like a number of things on the show. It’s not that I object to the presence of Lauren, I just wonder if the writers have any legitimate interest in Puck since they’ve managed to turn him into an overly trite mess. Remember how funny he was dreaming about Rachel in “Mash Up”? Or how surprisingly deep he was offering Quinn that money in “Wheels”? Give the guy something to do. When he’s going to get another Jewish artist to cover?

Mitchell in Modern Family (Jesse Tyler Ferguson)

When the nominations are announced in a few weeks pundits predict that Ferguson will be the lone adult of Modern Family not among the list of nominees. In fact, last year when he was nominated the consensus seemed to be that he’d stolen Ed O’Neil’s nomination. Truthfully, disregarding the actual material given, I think Ferguson’s the most talented of the cast but Mitchell continues to be the one given the worst material. I’ve realised more and more that the entire show revolves around broadly painted stereotypes, but Ferguson (and by extension Stonestreet) deserve more than spilling juice on rugs or worrying about going to a Gaga concert.

David Lee in The Good Wife (Zach Grenier)

Somewhere around the middle of the last season I feel in love with Grenier’s acerbic family law representative of Lockhart/Gardner. Whether he was insulting Derek Bond or advising Alicia on her prospective divorce Grenier was continually excellent offering a brand of caustic humour that the show lacks on occasion. The show already has Eli Gold for random humour, but I’d love if David Lee got a more prominent role in the show next season. He's another theatre alum (Tony nominated for 33 Variations), so far he’s been brilliant opposite Alicia, Diane and Will. Let’s see him face off with Kalinda and Cary.

Lane Pryce in Mad Men (Jared Harris)

Apparently every real Mad Men had orgasmic reactions to “The Suitcase”. I’m not a “real” Mad Men fan (though, I did like the episode). Still, my favourite scene of the last season involved neither Peggy Olson nor Don Draper it was Lane and Joan who defined the season for me. Case in point, that scene in “The Good News” where Lane’s incompetent secretary mixes up his flower orders and Joan and him have that argument. Jared Harris is just perfect as Lyle, whether it’s fending off his abdominal father or dealing with his marriage problems. He’s a great addition to the cast, and I’m hoping that when the show returns he’s given more to work with. More great scenes opposite Hendricks would be great.

And the women…

Kelly in The Office (Mindy Kaling)

Kaling writes for the show, so I figure that they’re not too intent on going overboard with her and, true, I miss Ryan (BJ Novak) just as much. Consider this a nomination for both of them. Kaling was so funny in the season finale, applying for the job of manager, and her ditzy charm works brilliantly especially since she’s so certain that she’s not ditzy. The departure of Carrell has not made me lose interest in the show, but giving Kaling more to do would make me love it even more.

Gillian in Boardwalk Empire (Gretchen Mol)

Mol’s not a regular on Boardwalk Empire and the show boasts such a large ensemble that I could pick out any number of characters who’re worthy of more screen time. Still, Mol is so fantastic in her role that she’s all but begging for a promotion to a regular player. She plays the mother of one of our protagonists, Jimmy. (Ignore the propaganda; Michael Pitt and Steve Buscemi are co-leads.) Her son is 13 years younger than she and she maintains a good relationship with him even as she plays her leading role in a burlesque club. Other than Kelly MacDonald the show is lacking in strong female performers, more of Mol would not be a bad thing.

Diane in The Good Wife (Christine Baranski)

All Diane Lockhart, one of the name partners of Alicia Florrick’s (the eponymous good wife) firm needs is a withering glance and she steals a scene and as much as I love Kalinda (in superlatives) I wish there’d be more for Baranski to do with the role. After the power-play last season by Derek Bond the show sort of lost interest here, and the season finale was egregiously low on Diane witticisms. Hopefully Panjabi will win a second Emmy this season, so the writers need to put all their effort into ensuring that Baranski wins it next season, and for that to happen they need to give her better material to work with.

Donna in Parks and Recreation (Retta)

I’m loathe to say that there’s anything wrong with Parks and Recreation, it’s about as perfect a TV show as there is at the moment but I can’t deny that the opportunity for Retta’s delightful Donna having more screen time would make my day. One of the most surprisingly great arcs last season on the show was Ann and Donna going on speed dates and bumping into each other and the two’s chemistry was brilliant. It’s only proof that Retta is just all around greatness. Give her and her Mercedes more!

Pam in True Blood (Kristin Van Bauer)

Thanks to Jose I’ve fallen truly, madly, deeply in love with True Blood and as expansive as the cast I always feel as if everyone gets enough love – except for Pam. Pam is Eric Northman’s (Alexander Skarsgård) protégé and is one of the best female vampires – ever. There are lot of things I want in season 4 (continued storylines for Sam, a little more Tara and Sookie) but increased Pam is one I want desperately. Kristin Van Bauer deserves something more than occasional one-lines (even if she’s brilliant doing them).
             
Any TV characters you want writers to pay more attention to?

TV Season, 2009/2010: Top Fifteen Supporting Actresses, Comedy and Drama

Eligible Shows (Eligible does not mean featured): 30 Rock, Big Love, Brothers & Sisters, Burn Notice, Californication, The Closer, Community, Cougar Town, Desperate Housewives, Dexter, Entourage, Glee, Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, Law & Order: SVU, Lost, Mad Men, Medium, Monk, The Office, Parks & Recreation, Private Practice, Psych, Royal Pains, Samantha Who, Supernatural, The Tudors, Ugly Betty, Weeds

                     

Runners Up: Alison Brie in Community, Sharon Gless in Burn Notice, Christina Hendricks in Mad Men, Audra McDonald in Private Practice, Elizabeth Perkins in Weeds, Busy Philips in Cougar Town, Jean Smart in Samantha Who, Angela Smith in The Office

#15: Vanessa Williams in Ugly Betty

She didn't get the Emmy send-off I was expecting, which was unfortunate. My general interest in Ugly Betty waned long ago but Vanessa still continued be an asset to television. I'm interested in seeing what she does on Desperate Housewives next season. I hope the writing is worthy of her talent.

           

#14: Sara Ramirez in Grey’s Anatomy

She's finally managed to get some significant story arcs, and really it's about time. Ramirez has potential to be one of the strongest on the show and she was especially good in the first half of the season. There's still a whole lot of fine tuning that needs to be done as far as her relationship with Arizona goes, but it's getting better.

                 

#13: Elizabeth Moss in Mad Men

as Peggy Olson

Perhaps it's the prototypical deglam at times but I always end up being moved by her Olson the most. Perhaps the character is too much at times, but I'm always pleased with the direction she takes it and though she can get overly technical at times I'm always appreciative of what she does.

                 

#12: Gabrielle Anwar in Burn Notice

as Fiona Glenanne

Am I blinded by lust? She’s one of the reasons that I often think that maybe Burn Notice is a comedy. She’s trigger-happy in the worst of ways, and her perkiness (if we can call it that) is scary at times. But it all blends together gloriously because she's oftentimes responsible for the biggest laughs of the show. She and Donavan are golden together.

             

#11: Aubrey Plaza in Parks & Recreation

as April Ludgate

She’s like a young Nick Offerman in training (well without his moroseness, actually scratch that with his moroseness). It would be easy to write her off as frigid, you’d be missing the point – I think. It’s sort of the ultimate comedic performances, she works more off actions than dialogue; odd considering that the show is so well written. The fallout between her and Ron was a highlight.

            

#10: Rashida Jones in Parks & Recreation

as Ann Perkins

Sometimes I wonder if she’s too understated. And then I remember that that’s what makes her special. For example, her drunkenness towards the end of the season was so well played, and never over-the-top. She doesn’t mug the camera, and yet I’m often looking for her. Like Schneider she’s playing a straight-guy to the crazies, and like Schenider she works brilliantly with Poehler. I liked her a bit more in the first season, but I’m getting picky.

          

#9: Ginnifer Goodwin in Big Love

as Margene Heffman

I ALWAYS forget how good she is (and it doesn’t help that Jeanne and Chloe keep up turning in those excellent performances) but she’s a good actress. She's the kind of actor who works well on the TV because we get to see her explore more than one facet of character. She'll always be the *third* wife - but she's still worthy of praise.

              

#8: Yvette Nicole Brown in Community

as Shirley Bennett

She is Community’s secret weapon – even if they don’t realise it. As clichéd as it sounds (and it does) she winds up being the heart of the show. She knows that Community is as realistic as Jeff’s original college degree, but she’s somewhere between enjoyably over-the-top and gloriously perfect, leaning more to the latter.

              

#7: Sandra Oh in Grey’s Anatomy

as Cristina Yang

It’s a pity that Sandra Oh doesn’t have an Emmy, but from Danner to Danner to Heigl to Wiest to Jones (the latter of whom I’ll assume was good from word-of-mouth) her competition was fierce. She fools you into thinking that her forte is the comedic portion (her almost offensive recalling of Schindler’s List complete with deadpan was brilliant), but then she’ll throw you for a curve when she gets emotive.

               

#6: Jane Lynch in Glee

as Sue Sylvester

She’s having so much fun playing this role and it shows. It’s comedic over-posturing at its best. The very concept of Sue Sylvester is ridiculous, she knows that and so do the writers which is why every time she pushes the envelope it doesn’t elicit an eye-roll from me but a bright chuckle. I still single out her diatribes in “Throwdown” as her highpoint, but what’s even more hilarious is her ability to deliver dialogue like no one’s business. Her delivery of the “I am Ajax” line still has me rolling with laughter for reasons beyond my comprehension.

                    

#5: Jenna Fischer in The Office

as Pam Beasley –Halpert

It’s nice when the writers grow and are willing to make even Pam a little snarky; though it’s just regular with an extra bite. She still can’t rival Krasinski with the deadpan facial reactions, and it’s odd that her strongest moment of the season was her acting very unlike Pam (the reaction to Michael and her mother). It’s to Jenna’s talents that she pulled off an almost childish tantrum. We couldn’t root against Michael…but we could not root against her either.

                

#4: Chandra Wilson in Grey’s Anatomy

as Miranda Bailey

At the height of her talent few actors can deliver an emotional juggernaut like Chandra Wilson. It’s ironic that in the weakest of seasons (see Season Four) Wilson ends up becoming even better. A potentially exasperating storyline in the final episode led to an oddly moving performance from Wilson. She’s been doing the titanic task of keeping it serious (and she almost pulled off those braids in the flashback episodes. Almost).

               

#3: Jayma Mays in Glee

as Emma Pillsbury

Mays has the most distinctive speaking voice of the cast and her strange enunciation works impeccably in fashioning the strange creation of Emma Pillsbury. It’s easy (too easy) to write off her many tics as over-the-top. She stood as the strongest in the Madonna themed episode because Mays is aware of all the things that make Emma crazy and all the things that make Emma attractive.

                

#2: Chloe Sevigny in Big Love

as Niccollette Grant

It’s criminal in some ways how Big Love’s talented cast is continuously ignored by the Emmys. Sevigny continues to be the strongest, by now she has the caustic manner down and manages to humanise her character when necessary too. Her reaction to Bill's campaign, though surprising, was well played.

               

#1: Jane Krakowski in 30 Rock

It’s even stranger when I think that Jenna’s role has been decidedly shortened in this last season, but that’s the brilliance of how Jane Krakowski makes a few minutes in a 20 minute comedy that much better. She continues to make the most of the writers’ one-liners continuing to make Jenna’s theatricality a reality and not a peculiarity. She comes out as the strongest in the cast most often than not, even when she’s only there for a moment.

               

Previously:

Lead Actor
Lead Actresses
Supporting Actors
Guest Performers

           

Who were the supporting women that had you cheering last season?