Monday, September 10, 2007

It's Emmy Week

It's Emmy Week, and we're celebrating it big here at the TV Guy. At some point today or tomorrow, our Web master should have the online poll ready for you to vote for your Emmy favorites. Note that this is a poll to see who you think is the most deserving, not who you think will will.

After you submit your votes, my picks will come up (if the tech works right; I know nothing of such things). On Friday, I'll list my predictions on who will win and tell you who I think should have won.

Submit your votes here: Click here to vote in The TV Guy's Emmy Poll

In that spirit, these are the biggest Emmy snubs in my opinion:

DRAMA
Best Actor: Kyle Chandler, "Friday Night Lights" - I almost went with Michael Chiklis of "The Shield," but opted for Chandler instead for two reasons. One, Chiklis at least has an Emmy (not a reason to snub him, though), and 2) I've met more high school football coaches than any TV Critic in America and believe me, Chandler absolutely nails it in terms of realism.

Best Actress: Connie Britton, "FNL" - The loyal dozens who regularly read this blog will pretty much have already guessed this one. Britton took what could have been a thankless role and turned it into one of the most compelling on TV. I've always liked her as an actress, but this year, Britton blew me away. Honorable mention to the always remarkable Mary McDonell of "Battlestar Galactica."

Supporting Actor: Walton Goggins, "The Shield" - I'm going with Goggins here because he took his game to a whole new level and because "The Shield" snubs were among the worst by the Emmy voters. Honorable mention to Jack Coleman of "Heroes," who I would have picked slightly ahead of Masi Oka, who ended up with a deserved nomination himself. But Goggins' portrayal of the agony his character was going through even though he was betraying those close to him was certainly something to behold.

Supporting Actress: Elizabeth Mitchell, "Lost" - I've already devoted an entire rant to this snub appropriately entitled, "I'll See You In Hell Emmy Voters (Part 1)," back in July.

Show: "Friday Night Lights" - Ratings shouldn't count in awards. "FNL" is the sort of quality family programming networks claim to shoot for, yet they totally ignored this gem. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.

COMEDY

Best Actor: Zach Braff, "Scrubs" - Hey, "Scrubs" has pretty much been ignored throughout its run, so why start honoring them now? But Braff is one of the best things on one of TV's best comedies.

Supporting Actor: (tie) Jack McBrayer, "30 Rock" and Michael Urie, "Ugly Betty" - It's really hard to pick between the two scene-stealers, but I don't want to be accused of hometown favoritism for the Macon-bred McBrayer.

Supporting Actress: Becki Newton, "Ugly Betty" - In my suggestions to the Academy, I noted that it was very difficult to choose between the scene-stealing Newton and co-star Vanessa Williams, who is more of a lead in terms of plot, and Williams got the nod, so I can't complain. But Newton is a supporting actress in the truest sense of the word, and I'm always delighted every time her Amanda appears on camera.

Show: "How I Met Your Mother" - That CBS scores with "2 1/2 Men" and not this is truly mind-boggling, but at least Neil Patrick Harris scored a nomination as Best Supporting Actor. This is one of the few shows on network TV that got better during it's sophomore season. Emmy voters ought to be on the receiving end of a slap bet for ignoring this one.

So, why no lead actress in comedy? Because I can't really quibble with the picks in those categories, and no one really leapt out as a snub.

Which actors and shows do you think were the biggest snubs?

L&O PREVIEW: My favorite publicist of my favorite network publicity department sent me a link for "Law & Order: SVU" fans who want to check out footage of the upcoming season: http://www.nbc.com/Law_&_Order:_Special_Victims_Unit/video/#mea=152615

MONDAY'S BEST BETS: "My Boys" (TBS, 10 p.m.) wraps up its season (Man, already? That seems quick) with an hour-long run tonight as PJ (Jordana Spiro) tries to choose among three suitors. I'm hoping it isn't Jeremy Sisto; his episode was the only weak one this season.

Also wrapping up are "The Closer" (TNT, 9 p.m.) and "Greek" (ABC Family, 9 p.m.) "Saving Grace" (TNT, 10 p.m.) is also new.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Back in the USA...

I actually pretty much agree with your biggest snubs across the board. I think of all the snubs, the most egregious is the overall lack of attention for what was the best series of 2006-2007, "Friday Night Lights".

I agree as well about actors like Walton Goggins and Elizabeth Mitchell. I also wonder if the Emmys will ever pay attention to the mini cultural phenomenon that is "Battlestar"?

And as much as season 1 of "Heroes" was, it was by far the weakest of the 'big 3' sci fi shows, between that, BSG and "Lost". In particular, "Lost" should have gotten the nod over either. With the exception of the horrible Jack tattoo episode, "Lost" was my pick for 2nd best show of the year, after "Lights".

As for Jack Coleman, IMHO, he was far more deserving of a nomination than co-star, Masi Oka. Oka was fun, but not even in my top 10 for best supporting dramartic actor.

How do you justify for Oka (or far worse, the laughably bad acting of Bill Shatner) over guys like Jack Coleman and Walton Goggins? Mind boggling.

But then Forest Whitaker's lack of an Emmy nomination last year for what may have been the best television acting performance EVER, only further shows how out of touch and snobby the emmy voters really can are.

Anonymous said...

Re: "My Boys"

I agree completely. Seems like a really short season to me as well. I also agree about Jeremy Sisto, a fine actor who should stick to DRAMAS (see "Kidnapped", "Six Feet under"). He's a terrific Dramatic actor who's just not funny - at all.

He also had zero chemistry with the adorably light PJ.

Prediction - she ends up taking BRENDAN to Italy.

Phillip Ramati said...

Attention, readers: The Emmy link is up and works. Feel free to vote away.

Phillip Ramati said...

There are many other egregious omissions. I could have just as easily listed Dexter's Michael C. Hall for Best Actor, for example.

There are always going to be snubs, but sometimes the Academy displays no common sense.

Oh, and I think PJ takes the new guy to Italy, IMO.

Anonymous said...

Your vote for Katherine Heigl for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama is humorous. Seeing as you don't watch "Grey's Anatomy".

You can't base your vote on her performance in "Knocked Up" - or the fact that she's gorgeous. Those are not reasons to vote for someone. :-)

Phillip Ramati said...

True, but this is a weak category, with top actresses like CCH Pounder, Elizabeth Mitchell, Evangeline Lilly and Katee Sackhoff, among others, omitted.

I like Rachel Griffiths, but I've never watched the show. The Grey's women cancel each other out, as do the Sopranos women (both of whom were only in about half the episodes anyway.)

So, the hotness of Katherine Heigl is my overriding factor. My choice. If you don't like it, feel free to vote for someone else in the poll.

Anonymous said...

I think Heigl is hot too, and she's obviously a solid actress, but considering how many deserving people they left out, I went with the best of the lot - Lorraine Bracco.

Anonymous said...

Having watched "Friday Night Lights" DVD in 3 days I was amazed that they did not fare better. Why was "The Shield" ignored ?

"Sopranos" was pretty bad this year, why the nominations ?

Phillip Ramati said...

Sopranos was in its final year. No way it was going to be ignored. No idea why FNL or The Shield were omitted.

Anonymous said...

The Emmys ignore greatness all the time, that's no surprise. I am more surprised when they get those rare nominations correct, like a Michael Emerson or a Neil Patrick Harris.

But more than a few folks have rumored that "Friday Night Lights" was ignored in more of the "Red State/Blue State" controversy. The Emmys of course are very left coast and that's why they love these oddball shows like "Boston legal". But God forbid a show be GREAT and take place in the home state of a hated, conservative President (Texas). Great should be great whether it's Texas or L.A.

I actually believe the FNL producers were considering a guest spot for Rosie O'Donnell not just because of a possible ratings spike that her name would bring, but also because she's the mouthpiece of far left wing politics these days, and an appearance by someone as controversial and beloved in L.A. as her, might finally give FNL more award attention.

It shouldn't have to be this way, but I would put up with about 10-15 minutes of her in only 1 episode, it meant bigger ratings and awards attention. Yes, in this case, a deal with the devil.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, there is no way 'My Boys' should be pulling an 8 episode season. That just doesn't make sense. Did they film the whole season in a week and call it a wrap? It's disappointing, because they have some good storylines going that could definitely be expanded on for at least five more episodes.

Also, not enough Troutie this season. That guy annoys me when he is on for whole episodes, but he's hilarious as a peripheral character.

Phillip Ramati said...

Well, you are in luck Ryan. TBS announced this week that My Boys has been picked up for a third season, so hopefully the Trout-man and everyone else will be back next summer.

Anonymous said...

Ryan,

I cringe everytime Troutie shows up. And frankly, just like the unwatchable Giovanni Ribisi everytime he makes an unwatchable appearance on "My Name is Earl", I feel the same way about Troutie.

Anonymous said...

Zod: I can understand where you're coming from on Troutie. I hated him initially, but he kind of grew on me (as long as they limit him to 1-minute apperances every couple of episodes). I think he was only in one ep this season.