Emmys

[selenak]

Somewhat belatedly, because I'm behind these days (and keep those links coming): so, the Emmy nominations are there. They make me conclude that I might be watching too much tv; as opposed to previous years there are actually categories in which I'm familiar with almost or all candidates. This makes the rooting tricky at times - take the "outstanding lead actor in a drama series". Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan or Hugh Laurie as Gregory House? Despite the fact I have some mixed feels re: season 2 - not loss of quality feelings, I hasten to add, the show remained on top of its game, feelings as to the content - and despite enjoying Hugh L. I must say my vote would go to Michael C. Hall, who is awesome and never over the top in a role that practically invites it. I'm afraid neither of them will win, though, since Mad Men is such a critics' darling and Jon Hamm is also nominated. (He's good as Don Draper, but easily trumped by either Hall or Laurie; imo, of course.)

I'm glad londonkds recced Damages for me so I can root for Glenn Close as outstanding actress for better reasons than general admiration. Patty is the kind of morally ambiguous (and middle-aged!) role still sadly mostly given to men on tv, and she rocks in it.

Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series is torment, because there are two Damages and one Lost guys nominated, all of whom I would be happy to see winning. Still, despite some wavering in the direction of Zeljko Ivanek as Ray Fiske, I can't resist favouring Michael Emerson as Benjamin Linus. He was great from the moment he first showed up in later s2, and s4 in many ways has been the season of Ben. He really deserves that Emmy. Again, I'm afraid the fact Damages has two nominations splitting loyalties (Ted Danson as Arthur Frobisher is also nominated) and they'll go for the Mad Men guy instead, John Slattery as Roger Sterling. Which will make me cross. If Emerson doesn't get it, either Ivanek or Danson really should.

Outstanding Drama series has Dexter versus Damages versus Lost versus Mad Men versus House. (Oh, and Boston Legal, but I still haven't watched that.) See my dilemma? I shall surpress my inner fan and my unresolved issues and go with Dexter because all being said and done, it does what Mad Men, Damages and House do and does it better. (Which is to say: the characters are as flawed and a product of their background, the writing as good, but as opposed to Mad Men or Damages I care for the entire ensemble, not just some of them, and as opposed to House those characters do have lives that don't center around the lead.) While Lost has had a wonderful fourth season, it isn't quite on that level.

Lastly: biggest surprise? That Battlestar Galactica made it into one of the not-technical categories. Sadly not in one of the acting ones (or happily, because if Mary McDonnell were nominated I couldn't root for Glen Close, and James Callis would make me waver in my Ben/Emerson loyalities, but it did get nominated in "Outstanding writing for a drama series", where the episode in question runs against two from Mad Men, one from Damages and one from the Wire, so I don't expect BSG to win. (Genre prejudice and all, pluse there are formidable opponents.) Still, one episode got nominated... and it was written by fannish bete noir, Michael Angeli. Six of One, to be precise. Which I recall was very good (as Cylon-centric episodes tend to be, but then I'm biased), but I'm surprised the show's creators didn't supply The Hub.

Comments

[greenpear.livejournal.com]

I really don't worry about the Emmys anymore. It always seemed like a big farce and popularity contest. And I've been in enough organizations that are just like (I have an award in one which I hold it slight disdain).

Most of the nominees (shows and actors) I haven't seen. So I don't see any real drama there.

I just keep watching what makes me happy nd I hope that those shows stay on the air.

BTW: I hope that Dexter wins...

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Not being American, I watch it from the outside anyway, but the staying on the air part seems to be helped if/when they win some awards...

[greenpear.livejournal.com]

That's how I watch most of my tv. I download what like or buy obscure DVD sets.

The Emmys, IMO, are a joke. Good does equate to getting an award and an award does equate to a good show.

I'm just now preparing to watch three seasons of "I Spy" that I found on DVD. Now that was good television.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Although I like Mad Men a lot, I took somewhat nasty pleasure in some people on the Goldderby board who claimed that the show was so hugely successful with the voters because they still vividly remember those good old days when they were in their prime...

As for who gets the Supporting nod, I remain steadfast in my opinion that Michael Emerson should have submitted for lead, because the leading man of Lost is what he was in Season Four. Alas, politics. (Not to mention that he probably would have stood less of a chance to actually win.)

Lastly, Michael Angeli is the bete noir of BSG fandom? How so? (Not saying I disagree, I have no opinion on him, given that I only halfway remember having heard the name in connection with the show.)

[skywaterblue.livejournal.com]

Issues with writing the ladies, I believe, and some of the single episode stinkers have been his. I don't hate him myself, but BSG certainly has better writers on staff than him.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do think the part about issues with writing the ladies rings a bell. Thanks!

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I see the BSG part has already been replied to. Michael Emerson, well, yes to all of that - he was the leading man, but he'll stand a greater chance of winning in the supporting category, plus no trouble with cast mates.

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

Slattery? Well, he was good, but I'm slightly surprised they didn't go for your friend Vincent Kartheiser on that one.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Among ourselves, I suspect this is because he plays such an unflattering portrait of a young man back then. With Slattery and Roger, they can at least feel somewhat nostalgic and mollified and remember the hot secretary who they're sure did feel something for them like Joan did for Roger, and the young and coming guy who was like a son (Don), surely, not hating their guts like Pete did.

[inlovewithnight.livejournal.com]

I believe I read somewhere that "The Hub" aired after the cutoff point for eligibility.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Ah, that explains it.

[violaswamp.livejournal.com]

You'd recommend Damages, then?

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I would, and have written a post about it some three weeks back...