KT Update-Thoughts on the Emmy Nominations (Finally!)

At this point most of you know that even though the Emmy’s tend to infuriate me, I just can’t stop watching. There were some happy surprises this year, but of course, there were also some inexcusable snubs. Take a peek below for my thoughts. Oh and Joss might finally get an Emmy. Dr. Horrible was nominated for something called Outstanding Special Class - Short-format Live-Action Entertainment Programs. No idea what that means, but I’m hoping for a win. So here they are, the Emmy nominations complete with KT comments.

BEST COMEDY SERIES
Entourage
Family Guy
Flight of the Conchords
How I Met Your Mother
The Office
30 Rock
Weeds

I’m really over Entourage. I know it still has a loyal following, but I have heard that a lot of people are done. Mostly I’m just excited for the “How I Met Your Mother” love. I don’t think it has a chance in hell of winning but still, it is nice to be noticed. Weeds was CRAZY last year, but even though the show has gone in a darker direction, I still care about the Botwins & find myself laughing out loud. It is so weird to think back to when I hated Andy. I don’t watch Family Guy or Flight of the Conchords, but I know both have followings. Anyhoo, my money is on 30 Rock and I think it is deserving. That being said, I’m still a proponent of “If you win 3 times you have to take a year off from the category.” It would have been nice for Pushing Daisies to get some love. I’m still depressed about that cancellation.

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Jemaine Clement, Flight of the Conchords
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

I don’t think it is a big secret that I’m not the hugest Office fan, but I do think the whole “Michael Scott Paper Company” was a brilliant storyline that breathed fresh air back into the series. I still don’t want him to win though. I don’t watch Flight of the Conchords, I loathe Tony Shalhoub, Two and a Half Men is a little too “sitcom-y” for me, so this comes down to Baldwin vs. Jim Parsons. I don’t watch Big Bang Theory, but I know a lot of you do and I know how much you love it. As much as I love Baldwin (and am still pulling for him to win) it would be nice to see the unexpected newbie to win. Um, can I get some Chuck love?

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
Toni Collette, United States of Tara
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Sarah Silverman, The Sarah Silverman Program

I love Mary-Louise Parker & Tina Fey but I’m really pulling for Christina Applegate here. It would be nice to show her some love after the way her show was neglected by ABC.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Jack McBrayer, 30 Rock
Tracy Morgan, 30 Rock
Rainn Wilson, The Office

Although it is nice to see Kenneth & Tracy get some recognition, I’m so in love with NPH it is not even funny (how can you not love him after the singing in Dr. Horrible? ) although I wish Chi McBride was here for Pushing Daisies. Other standout performances that are missing are Casey and Morgan from Chuck, who are so frikkin hilarious.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Elizabeth Perkins, Weeds
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live
Kristin Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty

Krakowski had moments of brilliance as have the SNL ladies, but this HAS, HAS to go to Chenoweth. Her Olive was so sugary sweet, vulnerable & highly funny. Plus, she would bust out into song every now & again. How can you not love her??? God it is UNREAL how much I already miss this show. Damn you ABC!!!

GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alan Alda, 30 Rock
Beau Bridges, Desperate Housewives
Jon Hamm, 30 Rock
Steve Martin, 30 Rock
Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live

Timba-Timba-Timberlake all the way. It was the only time anyone talked about SNL after the election.

GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jennifer Aniston, 30 Rock
Christine Baranski, The Big Bang Theory
Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live
Gena Rowlands, Monk
Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock
Betty White, My Name Is Earl

Has to be Fey. Oooh. See, you can give the Best Actress Emmy to Applegate & then give Fey the guest actress award! Yay! Everybody wins!


BEST DRAMA SERIES
Big Love
Breaking Bad
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost
Mad Men

House. Really? The rest of this group is pretty solid. Thought Lost was stellar this year while Mad Men is a high quality show with an amazing ensemble. I just finished Breaking Bad and thought it was awesome. I wouldn’t have minded seeing Fringe on here. I thought it started off kinda slow but the last few episodes were fabulous. In fact, I would say that Fringe was one of, if not the, best season finale. Honestly, I think I’d be happy with any of these, minus House & Damages.

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Simon Baker, The Mentalist
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House

I know there was little chance of this happening, but I would have loved a shout out to Life’s Charlie Crews. I generally hate cop drama’s but Charlie Crews was such an engaging character that I couldn’t help myself (this is also the case for Simon Baker in the Mentalist). In terms of who I’m cheering for, Bryan Cranston is frikkin amazing in Breaking Bad as Walt, a chemistry teacher who takes up cooking meth with a former student in order to pay for his cancer treatments & to leave his family with money after he is gone. Walt started off as an everyman doormat and has transformed into a bad ass man with a mission who uses science to solve a lot of his problems. I watched one episode & couldn’t stop. I think I watched 95% of the season in one day (don’t get too excited, it was only an 8 episode season). Cranston just pulls you in and you can’t help but root for him & love how bad ass he becomes.


BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Glenn Close, Damages
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

I have to say I’m not especially excited about this list. I thought Katherine Heigl (love her or hate her) had a fantastic season (or second half of the season anyway) on Greys. I also think that January Jones’ Betty Draper was amazing this year as she progressed from a naïve housewife into a woman who must decide between the comforts she’s accustomed to and standing up for herself.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Christian Clemenson, Boston Legal
Michael Emerson, Lost
William Hurt, Damages
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
William Shatner, Boston Legal
John Slattery, Mad Men

I absolutely had some issues with Grey’s this year, nearly broke up with it when Denny showed up, but I though there were a few standouts (as mentioned above) one of which is Kevin McKidd’s tortured Owen Hunt. Even when I was dangerously close to breaking up with the show I enjoyed the Owen-Christina storyline…man, those two were smoking!! With those on this list, I would vote for either Aaron Paul (as Walt’s former student & partner Jesse) or Michael Emerson. I’m leaning more towards Emerson because I just can’t figure Ben out. Just when I think he HAS to be evil he does something that makes me doubt his full evilness and that is all a credit to Emerson. For me, even for a nano second, not to hate Ben after everything he’s done is thanks to Emerson’s flawless performance.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Rose Byrne, Damages
Hope Davis, In Treatment
Cherry Jones, 24
Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy

This comes down to Cherry Jones and Sandra Oh. Jones is 24’s sole acting nomination and with good reason. I often felt like she was the core of the show. She also represented a return to strength in the White House. Not since President Palmer have we’ve seen someone who wouldn’t back down from their principles. It was so awesome when she turned her wretched daughter in. Sandra Oh had an outstanding year as Dr. Christina Yang. Between Owen and Izzie, you could really feel what Christina was going through this year and it brought me to tears more than once.


REALITY

REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
The Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing With The Stars
Project Runway
Top Chef

Survivor is not on here? This season was one of the best in a while. JT ruled! I can’t even remember who was on Runway last year and Dancing With the Stars is lame (although I heard that a few SYTYCD alum are now on the show) and I don’t watch Top Chef (I will say that I know a lot of you enjoy it). I thought the Amazing Race was decent this year, there were some great moments (like the cheese rolling down the hills) but I thought the last episode was a little lackluster. Idol was THE show at the watercooler this year as everyone was talking about Glambert (either for or against). Idol deserves it, but the Amazing Race is the Emmy’s darling.

HOST FOR A REALITY OR REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM
Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars
Phil Keoghan, The Amazing Race
Heidi Klum, Project Runway
Padma Lakshmi (Host) and Tom Colicchio (Co-Host), Top Chef
Jeff Probst, Survivor
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol

I’m so bitter Cat Deeley is not on here, she frikkin rules. There is nothing fake about her (a la Seacrest) and you can see she really cares about the performers. Probst was stellar once again. I have to say, there is nothing I love more on Survivor than when Probst calls someone out in Tribal Council.

REALITY SERIES
Antiques Roadshow
Dirty Jobs
Dog Whisperer
Intervention
Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List
MythBusters

I’m not really sure why Deadliest Catch isn’t on here (it is classified as Nonfiction Series, isn’t that the same as reality series?) These are all decent shows, so I would be fine with any one of them taking it.

Outstanding Animated Program (for programming less than one hour)
American Dad
Robot Chicken • Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II
South Park
The Simpsons

South Park is frikkin phenomenal. I don’t know where they come up with some of this stuff but it is irreverent, biting, relevant & hilarious. That being said, I did really enjoy Robot Chicken Star Wars Episode II.


Outstanding Choreography
81st Annual Academy Awards • Musicals Are Back • Rob Ashford, Choreographer
Dancing With The Stars • Jive / Great Balls of Fire • Derek Hough, Choreographer
Julianne Hough, Choreographer
So You Think You Can Dance • Bleeding Love • Tabitha D'umo, Choreographer
Napoleon D'umo, Choreographer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaLroD0915o

So You Think You Can Dance • Mercy •Mia Michaels, Choreographer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYPUaF4tcEc

So You Think You Can Dance • Adam and Eve / Silence Tyce Diorio, Choreographer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBFM81rj0HI

So You Think You Can Dance • A Los Amigos • Dmitry Chaplin, Choreographer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZeW9iduGOs

I actually thought the Mia Michaels with Katee & Joshua http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-hZCl-OKDg, Katee & Joshua’s Bollywood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oO4cg9h9Ps
and Sonja’s Mark & Courtney’s piece http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USR3WY-5eRE
were better than Adam & Eve or Mercy. That being said, Bleeding Love was my favorite performance of the season. I’m cheering for NapTab!


Outstanding Special Class - Short-format Live-Action Entertainment Programs
30 Rock's Kenneth the Web Page • NBC.com • Universal Media Studios
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog • drhorrible.com • Mutant Enemy, Inc.

Do you even have to ask?

Well that’s that. The Emmy’s are Sunday, September 20th with Neil Patrick Harris hosting.