*Asterisk denotes who I think out to win
Best Drama:
Lost*
Friday Night Lights
Dexter
Sons of Anarchy
Damages
Breaking Bad
My Reasoning: Of course, you knew I had to include Lost. Emmy voters have nominated (and rewarded) the Sci-fi juggernaut before, but as the plot got more convoluted and the viewers began fleeing, so too went the support of the Emmys. However, in its last year the show should get some cumulative love and I think it ought to win. You know, for being the best show of all time. Other contenders include: FNL, for being the best dramatic depiction of everyday life on the air today(shout out to the much lambasted Parenthood for coming in second on that front), not to mention the best ensemble cast on TV. Dexter, for making the emotional plight of a sadistic serial killer as compelling as any pedestrian tale. Sons of Anarchy for its epic seasonal story arc that paralleled Kingly warfare (castle siege and all!) to a tee. Also, for being generally bad-ass. Damages, for its terse, close-to-the-cuff yarnspin of corporate greed, American justice and the inner-workings of people you see walk around the Financial District. And, Breaking Bad for its singular vision of a man unhinged by circumstance and desperate choices.
Best Comedy:
30 Rock*
Modern Family
Glee
United States of Tara
Community
Party Down
My Reasoning: I don’t think that I need to spin the positive merits of 30 Rock for anyone — it’s consistently the most smartly written comedy on television. Modern Family came out of the gate this year with a concept that hadn’t been done in quite awhile: presenting a family as they are and coming off as heartfelt as it is humorous. Glee is bold, innovative, fun and tender — and the musical numbers have brought millions of American men closer to haranguing their narrow conceptions of manhood. United States of Tara is a mutherfucking masterpiece. And I HATE Diablo Cody. I love the family. I love the concept. I love everything about this crazy show. Community is self-referential awesomeness, the sort of half-hour comedy that makes viewers wonder, “How come I never thought of that joke/scenario/character?” And, although I was late to the Party Down game I’m mourning its loss. Equal parts dry humor and poignant character study (really) the show about cater waiters who would rather be making it big is laugh out loud hilarious.
Best Actor in a Drama:
Michael C. Hall, Dexter*
Bill Paxton, Big Love
Matthew Fox, Lost
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Ray Romano, Men of a Certain Age
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
My Reasoning: Michael C. Hall as Dexter was charged with doing the near-impossible — he had to make the audience want to root for the bad guy. And that he did, not to mention chomping down scenes with John Lithgow’s spooky Trinity, grappling with the death of Rita (god, that scene killed me) and attempting to balance the perverse and mundane elements of his life. Bill Paxton had a lot of character growth to explore this season as the secrecy of his Mormon life was constantly threatening to come to the surface. When he finally made the decision to come out in public it was an acting revelation. Matthew Fox has never been recognized before, but he’s also never cried Jears like he did in that finale. His journey and sacrifice as Jack was never more pertinent than it was this season and he stepped up to the plate in a major way. Jon Hamm is the best thing about Mad Men, and that’s saying a lot. I know that I didn’t include it in the "Series" category (due to space constraints) but his Don Draper drives the show in a smoldering way. Who knew Ray Romano could act?! Throw the dude a bone for his sappy, frustrating and often embarrassing portrayal of a recently divorced dude dealing with growing old. If you’ve ever seen an episode of Friday Night Lights you want to be Coach. Or have him as your father. Or play on his football team. Kyle Chandler is a study in restrained acting in a television line-up of overwrought B.S.
Best Actress in a Drama:
Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy*
Glenn Close, Damages
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Anna Torv, Fringe
Jeanne Tripplehorn, Big Love
Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters
My Reasoning: God damn, Katey Sagal! You were so good this season! Playing the strongest woman on TV can’t be easy, especially when you have to deal with a gang rape storyline. That bowl-crash-on-the-table scene was ah-maz-ing. Glenn Close wrapped up her turn in the series that was made for her with a glimpse into her character’s past, and even the heartbreaking parts were played with icy calm. The last scene with Patty in sunglasses reflecting on her choices was some of the veteran actress’ best work to date. Connie Britton’s subtle portrayal of Tami Taylor is what the motion camera was made to capture. Feisty, caring and above all, loyal, she’s the kind of woman who is both instantly identifiable and the stuff that heroes are made of. Fringe isn’t the most critically-acclaimed show of the year, but Anna Torv's emotionally touching turn as FBI agent Olivia is worth noting. Jeanne Tripplehorn has always been a standout on Big Love, where her role as First Wife Marge demands that she be steadfast and flexible. But this year, as her husband makes choices that she roundly disagrees with, Tripplehorn was able to show the audience a whole new side of Marge. Sally Field is a terrific actress with lots of terrific roles behind her, but this den-mother turn late in her career has afforded her the opportunity to show the world that a full gamut of emotions doesn’t stop after your hair turns grey.
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama:
Michael Emerson, Lost*
Terry O’Quinn, Lost
Martin Short, Damages
Enver Gjokaj, Dollhouse
Alexander Skarsgard, True Blood
John Noble, Fringe
My Reasoning: Deciding between the performances of Michael Emerson (as the ever-conniving but emotionally broken Ben) and Terry O’Quinn (as both Locke and Not-Locke [notable in both!]) is going to be one of the hardest decisions of the year. It’s quite simply some of the best acting that I have ever seen. Martin Short was surprisingly good in Damages — the shell of a man who has been turned against by everyone he’s ever loved. Enver Gjokaj was a fucking revelation in the little-watched and even less lauded Dollhouse — a role that required him to be more than half a dozen people. He was fantastic in all of them, most notable for his portrayal of undying love. Remember that scene in True Blood where Alexander Skarsgard as Eric mourned the death of his maker (kind of like the vampire equivalent of our lover, mother, father, brother and best friend)? I do. It was perfect. Again, Fringe gets no love but John Noble as former mental patient and all-around genius, Walter, is a spot-on. He’s ecentric, hilarious and heart-breaking.
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama
Rose Byrne, Damages
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Chloë Sevigny, Big Love
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men*
Khandi Alexander, Treme
Aimee Teegarden, Friday Night Lights
My Reasoning: Who would I most like to grow up to be on Mad Men? Why, Elisabeth Moss’ Peggy Olson, who had the gumption to work her way into a copy writing position from her job as a secretary. Yay, women’s rights! Chloë Sevigny, always a standout on Big Love, was never better than this season when she dealt with the news that she is infertile. You know who just might be better than Elisabeth Moss on Mad Men? Christina Hendricks. She hasn’t gotten promoted like Peggy has and has to deal with gender repression in a way that Peggy doesn’t (being sexy in a man's world isn't exactly easy), which makes her turn as Joan all the more interesting. I tried to like Treme, I really did. Turns out the only thing I liked about it was Khandi Alexander’s acting. And, the scene where Aimee Teegarden’s Julie realizes that her relationship with Matt is over was heartbreaking in the worst kind of way. She's turning into quite the little actress.
Best Actor in a Comedy:
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock*
Joel McHale, Community
Steve Carell, The Office
Adam Scott, Party Down
Thomas Jane, Hung
Jason Schwartzman, Bored to Death
My Reasoning: Alec Baldwin as the masochistic right-winger, Jack Donaghy, is a breath of fresh air in the comedy world — no wonder this part was written for him. I’ve been a big fan of Joel McHale since I first saw him on The Soup, and while the earlier episodes of Community bordered on him playing himself, he’s really crafted Jeff Winger into a beast all-his-own. While The Office may have gone downhill this season, the writers gave Steve Carell some great material. Always uncomfortably unaware of his surroundings (a quality that makes him hilarious), Michael discussing the loss of Holly was enough to earn him a nom. Adam Scott, how do I love thee? The guy who's also really funny on Parks and Rec, carries Party Down as an actor who’s given up on his dream — but not his quiet sarcasm. I know that not a lot of people like Hung, and I know that not a lot of critics think it’s worth noting, but Thomas Jane manages to make being a divorcee prostitute whose house burned down and whose kids hate him into some real comic gold — you know, in an adult kind of way. Does anyone else watch Bored to Death? Well, you should. The noir-ish concept requires Jason Schwartzman to infuse his typical neurotic awkwardness with lovelorn depression. The results are surprisingly funny.
Best Actress in a Comedy:
Toni Collette, United States of Tara*
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Lea Michele, Glee
Jane Adams, Hung
My Reasoning: I cannot say enough about the virtues of Toni Collette. She has to play multiple characters here, but if that hat trick isn’t enough for you, her portrayal of Tara is as frustrating as it is endearing — something that’s not so easy to do. Having to deal with your Mexican drug kindpin baby-daddy constantly trying to have you killed is pretty heavy stuff, but Mary-Louise Parker handles it with aplomb. Amy Poehler is the best part of Parks and Rec, which is saying something for what I think is a great little show. She’s earnest,something really hard to play without being annoying. Amy does it. I may not like Lea Michele, but she was born to play Rachel Berry, who is basically Tracey Flick with a great voice. See, Lea is earnest while being annoying. Really, really hilariously annoying. My boyfriend will disagree but I think that Jane Adams, as a bumbling pimp in Hung, is a delight to watch. Thought processes wash over her face like a sign-board and her female-Woody Allen shtick is pretty darn funny.
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy:
Chris Colfer, Glee
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family*
Nick Offerman, Parks and Rec
Ed Helms, The Office
Jack McBrayer, 30 Rock
Keir Gilchrist, United States of Tara
My Reasoning: God, that episode of Glee where Chris Colfer had to play desperate-to-be-loved Kurt, trying to turn himself straight so that his father will pay attention to him was awe-inspiring. Great job, kid. Eric Stonestreet is the funniest thing about Modern Family. Period. Ron Swanson is the best libertarian character on television like, ever. He loves breakfast and guns. And we love Nick Offerman's mustache. With Steve Carell leaving The Office next year, someone is going to have to step into his shoes. I think that that person might be Ed Helms, whose Andy is goofy and endearing, is too likable for me to tell him to shut up. “Mr. Donaghy, I know you said only interrupt you if was very important, but Tishonda from Time Warner Cable is on the phone, and she's offering three free months of Showtime, but we have to act now!” Fucking genius, Jack McBrayer. United States of Tara wouldn’t exist without Toni Collette but my personal favorite character is her son, played by Keir Gilchrist. He’s dedicated to his family, confused about his sexuality and often to only source of sobering reality.
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy:
Jane Lynch, Glee*
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Megan Mullally, Party Down
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Allison Brie, Community
Sue Sylvester has been gifted with some of the best one-liners that television has ever offered, but they’d be nothing without the biting delivery by Jane Lynch. Mean never made me so happy. Julie Bowen is a constantly frustrated and consistently funny mom — she’s got the kind of comedic timing that makes you feel like you're there. It’s a bit annoying that Kristin Wiig is in every skit that takes place on SNL but there’s a reason for it: She’s really freaking funny. Have you caught Megan Mullally on Party Down? I recommend it — she was so funny on Will and Grace but this part proves that she has more characters in her than just Karen, including her painfully optimistic waitress here. I remember when there was a big hullabaloo about ugly little troll Rachel Dratch being kicked out of her role in favor of the much more traditionally beautiful Jane Krakowsi. Critics of the choice cried foul that a talented comedienne had been replaced by a mere actress but this (and every season) of 30 Rock proved that some people can be funny and hot. Sucks to be you, Rachel Dratch. Allison Brie’s Annie (a perfectionist scholar whose presence at community college is only due to a pesky prescription drug problem) is adorably cute and funny.
So, there are my choices. A lot of these didn't make it in (most likely due to the fact that I watch niche shows and original content as opposed to traditional network dramas and comedies — The Good Wife and Two and a Half Men, I'm looking at you) and a lot did. There were even some surprises! Both lead actors on FNL were finally recognized, as well as Matthew Fox! But FNL itself was passed over for the campy (albeit enjoyable) True Blood. Mad Men had too many noms (when will voters realize that January Jones actually sucks?). Although Ray Romano didn't get a nod, Andre Braugher did, so that's great for Men of a Certain Age! Congrats to all who were nominated! I hope some of my choices win!
Side Note: Why Zach Gilford did not get nominated in the Best Guest Appearance-Drama category, I do not know. But I am very, very angry.
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