So the Emmy nominations were announced yesterday…sigh. I really shouldn’t be surprised. The Emmys are so old school sometimes, it’s as if they don’t even watch the shows and just prefer to have the same names over and over and throw in surprises that don’t make sense. Anyways, I will list some of the categories below, my thoughts on the nomination and who I want to win. Please note, who I want to win is not who I am predicting to win. These are the Emmys – they gave Jon Cryer best supporting actor last year and also denied Giancarlo Esposito’s fantastic turn as Gus on Breaking Bad a win. Soooo…I don’t even try to pretend like I can predict the Emmys. They are unpredictable. Here we go:
Outstanding Drama Series
Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, TV 360, Startling TV and Generator Prodns with HBO Ent
Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Prods, Cherry Pie Prods, Keshet, Fox 21
House Of Cards • Netflix • Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Prods with Media Rights Capital for Netflix
Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
My Thoughts: Solid list of Nominees. I still don’t get the Downton Abbey fascination in America. Don’t get me wrong, I love the show and I think its great but I can think of 5 more dramas better than it. It certainly doesn’t deserve to be in the company of the other 4 nominees.
Who I want to win: Now, you guys know how much I love me some Mad Men but I can be objective so if I had the power to award the Emmy, I would give it to House of Cards. I can’t remember the last time I was so sucked in by a show. They had a great first season run and I think it was strong.
Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions with Warner Bros Television
Girls • HBO • Apatow Prodns and I am Jenni Konner Prodns with HBO Entertainment
Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc.
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Prodns & Steve Levitan Prodns with 20th Century Fox Television
30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger with Universal Television
Veep • HBO • Dundee Prodns with HBO Entertainment
My Thoughts: I am not a huge comedy fan, so no investment in this category. Save for Girls, I can kinda agree with this list. This season, my bias aside, I am not sure Girls knew the direction it was headed and I know for sure it wasn’t comedy. It was like some rom com type dramedy. I don’t know if I laughed at all. I guess it was a long stretch to expect The Mindy Show to be recognized. I see no reason why The League isn’t on the list. oh wait..it’s not an Emmy recognized show, so it shall be ignored.
Who I want to Win: I have to say Louie deserves the win. Veep is really strong but sometimes, I just zone out. Louie is so clever, different and quite authentic and funny.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Bryan Cranston as Walter White
Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Hugh Bonneville as Robert, Earl of Grantham
Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Prodns, Cherry Pie Prodns, Keshet, Fox 21
Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody
House Of Cards • Netflix • Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Prods with Media Rights Capital for Netflix
Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood
Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Jon Hamm as Don Draper
The Newsroom • HBO • HBO Entertainment
Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy
My Thoughts: The usual people on the list and I sit and wonder what Hugh Bonneville is doing on the list. I see nothing exceptional in that role. Same goes for Jeff Daniels but I can kinda see his. These actors could have been replaced by Charlie Hunnam, Matthew Rhys, Timmothy Olyphant, Michael C Hall and most especially Aden Young from Rectify. His acting on that show was so subtle and yet so powerful. But again…it’s the Emmys.
Who I Want to Win: I don’t even care who is better. In a world of fairness, I’d give this hands down to Kevin Spacey without blinking but dammit! my Jon Hamm needs an Emmy! I know it’s not going to happen but this is who I want to have the trophy 🙁
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Bates Motel • A&E • Universal Television, Carlton Cuse Prodns and Kerry Ehrin Prodns
Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates
Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley
Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Prodns, Cherry Pie Prodns, Keshet, Fox 21
Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison
House Of Cards • Netflix • Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Prodns with Media Rights Capital for Netflix
Robin Wright as Claire Underwood
Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson
Nashville • ABC • ABC Studios
Connie Britton as Rayna James
Scandal • ABC • ABC Studios
Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope
My Thoughts: Once again, this Downton obsession. I don’t see what Michelle Dockery is doing on this list. Nothing exceptional. Kerry Washington does deserve her nom but I do believe Bellamy Young is the best actress on that show, but she probably qualifies as a supporting actress. Connie Britton should have been replaced by Hayden Pannettiere. She definitely does a MUCH BETTER job as an actress as Juliette. Interesting to see Vera Farmiga nominated for Bates Motel, which is great but the newbie nomination was a hands down, clear given performance by Tatiana Maslany in about 7 different characters on Orphan Black. Her not getting nominated is just a glaring omission but I have faith in the Golden Globes. They are kinder to newbies
Who I Want to Win: Robin Wright. If you have watched House of Cards then you know there’s not much else to say. The end.
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Arrested Development • Netflix • Produced by Imagine TV and 20th Century Fox Television for Netflix
Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth
The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper
Episodes • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Hat Trick Productions, Crane Klarik Productions
Matt LeBlanc as Matt LeBlanc
House Of Lies • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Crescendo Prodns, Totally Commercial Films, Refugee Prodns, Matthew Carnahan Circus Products
Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan
Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc.
Louis C.K. as Louie
30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy
My Thoughts: It’s comedy meh. The usuals are up. Not sure what Jason Bateman is doing up there. Couldn’t even finish this new season of Arrested Development.
Who I want to Win: I would be okay with Louis CK or Matt LeBlanc. Interestingly enough, Matt LeBlanc does a really good job as himself on Episodes.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Enlightened • HBO • Ripcord Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Laura Dern as Amy
Girls • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath
Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Showtime Presents, A Caryn Mandabach Production, Clyde Phillips Productions, Jackson Group Entertainment, Lionsgate Television
Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton
Parks And Recreation • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Fremulon, 3 Arts Entertainment and Universal Television
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope
30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon
Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer
My Thoughts: Enlightened is canceled. The few eps I watched, nothing spectacular about Laura Dern’s acting, she’s quirky that’s about it (she did win the GG), Lena Dunham for Girls- umm ok yeah, moving on. Edie Falco as Nurse Jackie, she must still be living on Sopranos past glory because that’s the only reason I can think of for why she still gets nominated plus that show jumped the shark so long ago. I am okay with the rest.
Who I Want to Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the clear front runner for me but I have also heard so much about how Amy Poehler has been robbed that I almost want her to win so we can stop hearing about this robbery. 4th time might be the charm (Don’t tell that to Steve Carrell though)
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie
Behind The Candelabra • HBO • Jerry Weintraub Productions in association with HBO Films
Michael Douglas as Liberace
Behind The Candelabra • HBO • Jerry Weintraub Productions in association with HBO Films
Matt Damon as Scott Thorson
The Girl • HBO • Warner Bros. Entertainment, GmbH/Moonlighting and BBC in association with HBO Films and Wall to Wall Media
Toby Jones as Alfred Hitchcock
Parade’s End • HBO • A Mammoth Screen Production, Trademark Films, BBC Worldwide and Lookout Point in association with HBO Miniseries and the BBC
Benedict Cumberbatch as Christopher Tietjens
Phil Spector • HBO • Levinson/Fontana Productions in association with HBO Films
Al Pacino as Phil Spector
My Thoughts: Save for Candelabra, I was bored by the rest of the nominees. None of them were quite exciting. That being said, I think everyone already knows that this award is Michael Douglas’ to lose.
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
American Horror Story: Asylum • FX Networks • 20th Century Fox Television
Jessica Lange as Sister Jude Martin
The Big C: Hereafter • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Sony Pictures Television, Perkins Street Productions, Farm Kid, Original Film
Laura Linney as Cathy Jamison
Phil Spector • HBO • Levinson/Fontana Productions in association with HBO Films
Helen Mirren as Linda Kenney-Baden
Political Animals • USA • Berlanti Productions and Laurence Mark Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television
Sigourney Weaver as Elaine Barrish Hammond
Top Of The Lake • Sundance Channel • A See-Saw Films production in association with Screen Australia, Screen NSW and Fulcrum Media Finance for BBC Two, Sundance Channel, UKTV and BBC Worldwide
Elisabeth Moss as Robin
My Thoughts: I actually don’t have anything to say on this.
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program
American Idol • FOX • FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and 19 TV Ltd.
Ryan Seacrest, Host
Betty White’s Off Their Rockers • NBC • Kinetic Content, Inc.
Betty White, Host
Dancing With The Stars • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions
Tom Bergeron, Host
Project Runway • Lifetime • The Weinstein Company, Bunim-Murray Productions and Full Picture Entertainment in association with Lifetime
Heidi Klum, Host
Tim Gunn, Host
So You Think You Can Dance • FOX • Dick Clark Productions, Inc. & 19 Entertainment
Cat Deeley, Host
The Taste • ABC • Kinetic Content, LLC
Anthony Bourdain, Host
My Thoughts: As a watcher of most things realit, Jeff Probst is not nominated and therefore this list is quite null and void. Why are Heidi and Tim Gunn both given billing as hosts? Tim Gunn is not a host
Who I Want to Win: I know it’s the cool thing to hate on Ryan Seacrest but I have always said that he does his best work on American Idol and it would be nice to see him rewarded for it.
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
The Amazing Race • CBS • World Race Productions, Inc.
Dancing With The Stars • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions
Project Runway • Lifetime • The Weinstein Company, Bunim-Murray Productions and Full Picture Entertainment in association with Lifetime
So You Think You Can Dance • FOX • Dick Clark Productions, Inc. & 19 Entertainment
Top Chef • Bravo • Magical Elves
The Voice • NBC • One Three, Inc., Talpa Media USA, Inc. in association with Warner Horizon Television
My Thoughts: Survivor is not nominated. Hands down the best reality competition show.
Who I Want to Win: Top Chef, Project Runway and Amazing Race all had really weak seasons last season. Even though I don’t care for the show, I’d give it to The Voice for their ability to just put a smile on your face during the audition segment.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire • HBO • Leverage, Closest to the Hole Prodns, Sikelia Prodns and Cold Front Prodns with HBO Ent
Bobby Cannavale as Gyp Rosetti
Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut
Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman
Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Jim Carter as Mr. Carson
Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, Television 360, Startling
Television and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Prodns, Cherry Pie Prodns, Keshet, Fox 21
Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson
My Thoughts: Gyp Rosetti. Gyp Rosetti. Gyp Rosetti. The end. Oh wait, Jim Carter should have been replaced by Jack Huston as Richard Harrow on Boardwalk Empire. Also sad to see that Jeff Perry and Guillermo Diaz from Scandal didn’t score a nom.
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Breaking Bad • AMC • Sony Pictures Television
Anna Gunn as Skyler White
Downton Abbey • PBS • A Carnival / Masterpiece Co-Production
Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham
Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, Television 360, Startling
Television and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen
The Good Wife • CBS • CBS Television Studios with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions
Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart
Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Prodns, Cherry Pie Prodns, Keshet, Fox 21
Morena Baccarin as Jessica Brody
Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris
My Thoughts: Why is Emilia Clarke on this list?
Who I want to Win: My heart says Christina Hendricks. My head says Christine Baranski.
Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series
The Good Wife • CBS • CBS Television Studios in association with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions
Nathan Lane as Clarke Hayden
The Good Wife • CBS • CBS Television Studios in association with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions
Michael J. Fox as Louis Canning
Homeland • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21
Rupert Friend as Peter Quinn
Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Robert Morse as Bertram Cooper
Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Harry Hamlin as Jim Cutler
Scandal • ABC • ABC Studios
Dan Bucatinsky as James Novack
My Thoughts: I think the board must have got bored and pulled names out a hat. Why is Rupert Fiend a guest actor? Robert Morse, really?
Who I Want to Win: Nathan Lane
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series
The Americans • FX Networks • Fox Television Studios and FX Productions
Margo Martindale as Claudia
Game Of Thrones • HBO • Bighead, Littlehead, Television 360, Startling
Television and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell
The Good Wife • CBS • CBS Television Studios in association with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions
Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni
Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television
Linda Cardellini as Sylvia Rosen
The Newsroom • HBO • HBO Entertainment
Jane Fonda as Leona Lansing
Shameless • Showtime • Showtime Presents, John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television
Joan Cusack as Sheila Jackson
My Thoughts: Isn’t Joan Cusack a regular?? And if Emme Rossum was snubbed why are we recognizing Joan Cusack?
Who I Want to Win: Listen people, in all things always pick Margo Martingdale. This woman is a force BUT I simply cannot deny the wonderfulness of Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni. She deserves all of the Emmys.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Girls • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Adam Driver as Adam Sackler
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Ed O’Neill as Jay Pritchett
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy
Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video
Bill Hader as Various characters
Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Tony Hale as Gary Walsh
My Thoughts: I find it hilarious that the Emmys woke up one morning and decided that they would nominate all Modern Family actors and shut out last year’s winner, Eric Stonestreet. Good to see Adam Driver’s performance nominated (even though I still insist it wasn’t a comedy last season).
Who I Want to Win: Modern Family fatigue aside, Tony Hale. As Selena Myer’s lackey and bag man, he is hilarious.
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler
Glee • FOX • Ryan Murphy Television in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Sofia Vergara as Gloria Pritchett
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy
Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Showtime Presents, A Caryn Mandabach Production, Clyde Phillips Productions, Jackson Group Entertainment, Lionsgate Television
Merritt Wever as Zoey Barkow
30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney
Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer
My Thoughts: Jane Lynch was barely in the season last year but ah well. I really don’t get excited for comedy.
Who I Want to Win: Toss up between Julie Bowen and Merritt Weaver
Ok guys, I’ll stop now before I have you sleeping. What do you guys think? Who are you rooting for and who do you think was snubbed?