MagneticMediaFed

Is it that time of year again? Yes. The nominations for the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards came out this morning. There has been much discussion about recent rules changes in the nominating process. The idea is that the old system catered to a specific group of “premeire” shows. The new rules are suppose to broaden the field a bit. This years nominations, while hardly shocking in their limited scope seem to suggest the “new rules” might have been lost in the mail, despite many a high profile show being snubbed completely. The nominations and my picks for winning are right after the jump…

 

 

Outstanding Comedy Series
Arrested Development
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Office
Scrubs
Two and a Half Men

First of all, its nice to see Scrubs getting some love. Curb shouldn’t be on this list, as the show has morphed into something of a parody of its former self. Really, this contest for me is about The Office versus Arrested Development. But this isn’t so much about me, it’s about the Emmy voters, and they’re going to reward The Office in a big way this year (plus, AD is a lost cause).
Advantage: The Office

* * *

Outstanding Drama Series
Grey’s Anatomy
House
The Sopranos
24
The West Wing

You might notice that there are two names not on this list: Desperate Housewives and Lost. This is likely due to those shows inibility to be REVOLUTIONARY for two years in a row. Though as we make our way through these lists, you’ll notice a trend in what isn’t being considered “outstanding” this year. As for what is left, you can get rid of The Sopranos (they’ll reward the show when it ends this winter), House (on a series based on the antics of a singular character, it’s really only fair to reward “the character” not “the show”), and 24 (could win, but I suspect it won’t). The West Wing and Grey’s Anatomy are the big ones here. TWW symbolizing the death of an Emmy favorite (though missing one Sorkin) and GA being the new guard, ready to be sworn in.
Advantage: Grey’s Anatomy

* * *

Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
Barry Manilow from Barry Manilow: Music And Passion
Stephen Colbert from The Colbert Report
Craig Ferguson from The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson
David Letterman from Late Show With David Letterman
Hugh Jackman from The 59th Annual Tony Awards (2005)

I said a couple years back that a “traditional” talk show would never win another major award, because the playing field had changed. I still believe this to be true and that’s why Letterman and Craig Ferguson (!!!) will have to be scratched out. The award is for performance and thus it seems obvious to go with Stephen Colbert, who of the candidates listed is the only one doing the show in a character… well, except for maybe Hugh Jackman. Dammit! I hate the nominating of other award shows. Jackman is definitely the wild card. Oh well.
Advantage: Stephen Colbert

* * *

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Larry David as Himself in Curb Your Enthusiasm
Kevin James as Doug Heffernan in The King Of Queens
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk in Monk
Steve Carell as Michael Scott in The Office
Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper in Two And A Half Men

If Steve Carell doesn’t get this, then there is no god. Or something. I don’t know exactly, but aside from Tony Shalhoub no one else is really doing all that much acting, and Mr. Monk has won before.
Advantage: Steve Carell

* * *

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Denis Leary as Tommy Gavin in Rescue Me
Peter Krause as Nate Fisher in Six Feet Under
Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in 24
Martin Sheen as President Josiah Bartlet in The West Wing

I have to say, this one is a mystery to me.  I love Chris Meloni, but I’ve only seen him in Wet Hot American Summer and Harold and Kumar… so I’m really in no position to call it for him for L&O 2.0. Obviously, I’m a Leary fan and would love to see him win (Q: was the nomination for this season which started a month ago, or for last season which ran over the summer of 2005?). Sadly, I could see The West Wing clean up and Martin Sheen take away a trophy, but deep down I’m led to believe Peter Krause will pull out a win for the kids at Six Feet Under (I never saw the 4th or 5th season, but have heard that the show’s finale was one of the best ever).
Advantage: Peter Krause

* * *

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish in The Comeback
Jane Kaczmarek as Lois in Malcolm In The Middle
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell in The New Adventures Of Old Christine
Stockard Channing as Lydia Barnes in Out Of Practice
Debra Messing as Grace in Will & Grace

The general disdain for Lisa Kudrow’s The Comeback will certainly carry over into the voting, knocking her out of contention.  Ms. Kaczmarek and Debra Messing have been nominated more than the lord on high making the masses bored, and since no one watched Out of Practice I gotta give it to Julia for her incredibly normal and non-threatening role in “Situation comedy on CBS.”
Advantage: Julia Louis-Dreyfus

* * *

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson in The Closer
Geena Davis as Mackenzie Allen in Commander In Chief
Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Frances Conroy as Ruth Fisher in Six Feet Under
Allison Janney as C.J. Cregg in The West Wing

The amount of performances I’ve seen in this group of actors can be counted on one finger: zero.  That being said, I’m absolutely going for Kyra Sedgwick as she takes home the award for “popular person in a popular new show that seems fine but nobody knows anyone who actually watches it.”
Advantage: Kyra Sedgwick

* * *

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
The Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing With The Stars
Project Runway
Survivor

The Amazing Race wins this every god damn year.  But American Idol this seaon has gone from a quirky talent show watched my millions to THE ULTIMATE RATINGS JUGGERNAUT.  I’m thinking Simon should prepare a speach.
Advantage: American Idol

* * *

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Will Arnett as Gob Bluth in Arrested Development
Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold in Entourage
Bryan Cranston as Hal in Malcolm In The Middle
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper in Two And A Half Men
Sean Hayes as Jack in Will & Grace

God bless the academy for nominating Will Arnett.  It’s a shame he won’t win. Ari has this one locked up.  What?  They’re gonna go with Sean Heyes or Jon Cryer?  Hardly.  If Hollywood loves anything, its itself.
Advantage: Jeremy Piven

* * *

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
William Shatner as Denny Crane in Boston Legal
Oliver Platt as Russell Tupper in Huff
Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos
Gregory Itzin as President Charles Logan in 24
Alan Alda as Arnold Vinick in The West Wing

The Sopranos is seriously underserved in the acting categories (say what you will about this past season, but they know how to act), and that’s why this award goes to Michael Imperioli (writer of Summer of Sam).  The other nominees all have a decent shot at nabbing the award but the one that poses the biggest threat to “Christopher” is Alan Alda, because EVERYONE loves Alan Alda (except Robert Altman, according to the commentary track for M*A*S*H where he accidentally calls him Alan Aldo).
Advantage: Michael Imperioli

* * *

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Cheryl Hines as Cheryl David in Curb Your Enthusiasm
Alfre Woodard as Betty Applewhite in Desperate Housewives
Jaime Pressly as Joy in My Name Is Earl
Elizabeth Perkins as Celia Hodes in Weeds
Megan Mullally as Karen in Will & Grace

Were people really that fond of Will and Grace?  According to the aforementioned article about the “new rules” for academy voting, over the past 5 years of Emmy ceremonies, three actresses occupied HALF of all possible nominations in this category.  Are Doris Roberts and Megan Mullally really the BEST supporting actresses on television?  In any case, this category is going to be a battle-to-the-death between Elizabeth Perkins, who was so good in Weeds she was able to get me to stick around for the whole season, and Jaime Pressly, who was so good in Poison Ivy 3 she got me to sit through 2 hours terrible filmmaking, poor acting, and bad music.  Oh, and she’s absolutely carrying My Name Is Earl on her back.  The kid has spunk.
Advantage: Jaime Pressly

* * *

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt in Boston Legal
Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang in Grey’s Anatomy
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Bailey in Grey’s Anatomy
Blythe Danner as Izzy Huffstodt in Huff
Jean Smart as First Lady Martha Logan in 24

I’m kind of seeing Grey’s Anatomy being The Office of the drama category, and taking most of the awards.  Maybe this is just, maybe it isn’t.  I’ve never seen the show.  I do like Sandra Oh, though.
Advantage: Sandra Oh

* * *

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Late Night With Conan O’Brien
Late Show With David Letterman
Real Time With Bill Maher

I want to say The Colbert Report seems primed for the honor, but its hard to say as many still feel The Daily Show is the superior of the two (not I).  Conan is spotty and while I feel this has been a great year for Letterman, I don’t see either getting the trophy (remember what I said about traditional talk-shows being over?).  Then there’s Real Time a show that I don’t mind watching, but don’t particularly enjoy watching.  Ah, hell…
Advantage: The Colbert Report 

* * *

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
Arrested Development • Development Arrested
Entourage • Exodus
Extras • Kate Winslet
My Name Is Earl • Pilot
The Office • Christmas Party

When it comes to writing, and you look at the nominees, it’s got to be Arrested Development or nothing.  Especially when you look at  what episodes the shows are being nominated for.  I mean, I keep saying that The Office is going to clean up, but Christmas party wasn’t even the best episode of that month.  I’m inclined to say that episode of Extras was pretty damn good, and Exodus was by far the greatest Entourage episode produced to this day, but none of these really hold a candle to how clever the AD finale was for a fan of the show.  But AD isn’t going to get any love.  People have forgotten by this point (or are hoping to forget).  There’s a new kid in town.
Advantage: The Office

* * *

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Grey’s Anatomy • It’s the End Of The World, As We Know
It (Part 1 & 2)
Grey’s Anatomy • Into You Like A Train
Lost • The 23rd Psalm
Six Feet Under • Everyone’s Waiting
The Sopranos • Members Only

Mmmm.  Tricky.  Personally, I’m leaning toward The Sopranos.  Members Only was a GREAT episode. Remember when a certain character was shot in the stomach at the end and we all thought that things were shaping up to be AWESOME (of course, it panned out differently).  Lost always has great writing, even if its frustrating, and sometimes snail-paced, but Lost is just that, lost.  Like Desperate Housewives it was a bit of a one-season super-power.  It’ll maintain its audience and give us a few more great seasons, but its no longer the type of show that gets awards (even if it should). The Grey’s Anatomy two-parter seems primed to win.  I didn’t see it, though have heard about it, and while I can’t imagine it being even remotely close to Members Only in terms of quality, I suspect it has the momentum.
Advantage: Grey’s Anatomy

* * *

Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Late Night With Conan O’Brien
Late Show With David Letterman
Real Time With Bill Maher

Best program and best writing in the variety, music or comedy program category is really the same thing.  The writing makes these shows.  The performance of the host is obviously the second crucial detail, but the final product and the writing can’t really be split up.  That’s why Colbert will win this one too.  It also doesn’t hurt that its the one show that is almost entirely written– even the interview segments are with “Stephen Colbert” not just Stephen Colbert.
Advantage: The Colbert Report

* * *

Complaints, musings, and general grievances

All awards shows are flawed.  They have to be.  But in those flaws we can spark debate, and that’s really what’s its all about.  The Emmys have always been the “middle-road” award show.  Never as classy or trusted as The Oscars, and yet not as flat-out-stupid as The Grammys.  Though with each passing year, The Emmys have started to shift more and more toward the likes of The Grammys.  This is because the amount of shows recognized is so much smaller than the amount of shows that actually exist (it also has WAYYY to many categories… like the Grammys).  As we can see from the list above (which didn’t include any of the miniseries awards or the technical awards), there wasn’t all that much variety, despite efforts to create it.

Where was Veronica Mars in the writing categories? Or even Gilmore Girls? Where was Rollergirls, James Gandolfini, and Edie Falco (remember episode 602? I actually wept!)?  And for the love of god, where was The Shield?!

The Shield, in its previous 4 seasons was always walking a fine line between exploitative and awesome, but this year was different.  This year the show decided that it could be more than what it had been. It brought in Forest Whitaker who not only should have been nominted for an Emmy for Best Guest Star, but should have been nominated for the fictional “Single Greatest Performance on Television” award that I just made up.  And yet, The Shield got nothing.  And outside of Mr. Leary, the FX network as a whole was suspiciously absent (Andre Braugher was nominated for best actor in a “miniseries” which I guess is technically what Thief was, but it always seemed billed as a new drama).

The point is that television is becoming too big for one awards show.  There’s too many channels, and shockingly, too much good content for recognition to be spread amongst a few academy members.  It’s become a battle between what’s good and what’s popular, and unfortunately the result has been the triumph of neither.  What is innovative in television never gets the praise it is deserved (until it becomes popular, and subsequently copied– I’m lookin in your general direction Law and Order: SVU). All we can do is sit back and hope to god one of the fringe programs wins, causing it to gain and audience and thereby be saved from the network axe– oh, wait.  Nevermind.  We all ready tried that.

I just hope Billly Crystal sings a song about… oh wait, that’s the other show.

Tags: ABC, Award Shows, CBS, Emmys, NBC

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 6th, 2006 at 5:52 pm and is filed under News, TV. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.