With the Emmy Nominations coming out tomorrow, I wanted to weigh in on a few performers and shows that I feel should get recognized when the nominations are read. Naturally, we expect the usual suspects to get nominations such as Dexter, Mad Men, House, 30 Rock, etc.
This list is people that you may or may not think will be remembered. This is who I really would like to see get nominated.
Incidentally, the best show on TV right now, 'Breaking Bad', is ineligible for nominations this time around since it aired it's last episode outside of this years nomination window. Otherwise, it would and should be sweeping the awards. It continues to be TV's best and most riveting show.
So here we go with my Emmy Wish List:
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - In this category, I would love to see Alyson Hannigan recognized for her work on 'How I Met Your Mother.' Hannigan has long been an underrated comedic actress and her performance as Lilly really shines among a great ensemble.
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Jason Segel's performance on 'How I Met Your Mother' this season just continued to get better as his character dealt with the death of his father. Touching and funny at the same time, Segel deserves to be recognized. My other choice in this category is Adam Baldwin. Week after week, his low-key performance as John Casey on 'Chuck' never failed to deliver smiles. He is clearly the best part of 'Chuck' these days. I also can't forget Kunal Nayyar from 'The Big Bang Theory.' His turn as Rajesh Koothrappali last season was consistently one of the funniest on TV.
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - 2 clear choices for me here. The first one is Regina King from 'Southland.' Her performance as Detective Lydia Adams this season deserves to be rewarded. My other choice is Mae Whitman from 'Parenthood.' By the end of last season, her performance as Amber Holt, had run the gambit of emotions, dealing with an estranged father, a protective mother, and a near death experience. She more than held her own among a very strong cast.
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - This is a very strong category this year, but I think it should belong to 'Southland.' First and foremost, Shawn Hatosy from 'Southland.' Not since Andy Sipowicz has a character been through so much in such a short period of time. His character of Detective Sammy Bryant dealt with the breakup of his marriage, his ex having a child that may or may not be his, the violent death of his partner, and his struggles with exacting revenge on his partners killer. The other actor from 'Southland' that should get a nomination here is Michael Cudlitz. His characters slow decline into a dependency on pain medication, and finally his realization that he needed help was painful to watch. He made us feel Officer John Cooper's pain. I did mention this is a very strong category this year. The amount of strong actors that should be recognized here is proof. Joel Kinnaman portrayal as junkie turned homicide detective, Stephen Holder on 'The Killing' just got better and better as the season went along, a true breakout performance for him. Finally, Michael Shannon's ever so creepy performance as Federal Agent Van Nelson on 'Boardwalk Empire' deserves to be mention here as well.
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Believe it or not, Steve Carrell has never won for his portrayal of Michael Scott on 'The Office.' Since this is his last chance to be nominated for this iconic character, I would love to see him get a nod here. Another hopeful here is Zachary Levi from 'Chuck.' His performance as the super nerd turned super spy has always been strong. However with NBC announcing that next season will be the shows last, his chances are dwindling. I'm hoping he gets recognized this year. Finally, it would be a crime if Ed O'Neill was snubbed for a second year in a row. 'Modern Family' is the best comedy on TV these days and he is the glue that holds it together.
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - I've always felt that Kaley Cuoco was very underrated as Penny on 'The Big Bang Theory' but this year she really came into her own and shined. An Emmy nomination is long overdue. My other choice here is Yvonne Strahovski from 'Chuck.' Even though I thought she was more worthy of a nomination last season, she still deserves to be recognized for her stellar work as Sarah.
Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Mireille Enos of AMC's 'The Killing' gave an amazing, yet understated performance as homicide detective Sarah Linden. She may not be well known enough to academy voters to get recognized but the series was very much talked about, so hopefully she will get a nomination here. My other choice here is Lauren Graham from 'Parenthood.' Week after week her work as Sarah Braverman never failed to impress. The goodbye scenes between her and her ex played by John Corbett were some of this TV seasons best scenes. Lastly, I also would like to see Kelly MacDonald from 'Boardwalk Empire' be nominated. Just a great performance as Margaret Schroeder in the midst of a powerhouse cast. Her amazing transition from a meek and abused housewife to a knowing and willing participant in Nucky’s various endeavors was enjoyable to watch.
Lead Actor in a Drama Series - The first actor I'd really like to see recognized in this category is Ray Romano from 'Men of a Certain Age.' He is well known to everyone as a comedic actor and he has been recognized by the academy for his comedy. But he more than holds his own on the drama side of things as well. He has been delivering a dark performance, fighting his addiction to gambling and going through a divorce and hopefully the academy gives him some recognition. Next on my wish list is Tom Selleck for his work on 'Blue Bloods.' He has been nominated 7 times before, but he hasn't won since his days on 'Magnum, PI.' His role as the patriarch of the Reagan family is one of Selleck's best roles. Finally, the academy really needs to recognize the great work that Peter Krause is doing on NBC's 'Parenthood.' His turn this year as father struggling with his son's autism and his daughter's sex life showed how great an actor Krause is. He hasn't been nominated since 'Six Feet Under.' It's been too long, and it's about time the academy nominated not only him but also gave some recognition to this fine drama series.
Best Comedy Series - With as popular as 'The Big Bang Theory' is, you would think that it has been nominated in this category before. You would be wrong. While the show has lost a little steam over the last season, it is still among TV's best comedies and hopefully will get a nomination here. Another show i'm hoping gets nominated is 'Chuck.' The show has been forever "on the bubble" and I think that has really taken some attention away at how good this show really is. Yes, I agree, it isn't quite as good as it has been, but still some high quality television. Lastly, 'How I Met Your Mother' need to start getting some recognition outside of Neil Patrick Harris. Aside from 'Modern Family' no other show makes me laugh on a regular basis like this one does. Hopefully we'll see a nomination for it.
Best Drama Series - With the best drama series on TV in 'Breaking Bad' being ineligible this year, this category should be wide open. Lets start with 'Boardwalk Empire.' This show should be a shoo-in to be nominated and it deserves it. My next choice is 'Parenthood.' I have been touting this show since it premiered and it hasn't disappointed me yet. It keeps getting better and better and hopefully an Emmy nomination will get more people watching this ratings-challenged gem. Next is 'Southland.' Once cancelled by NBC, TNT quickly scooped it up and I'm so glad they did. It is TV's best police drama hands down. I would also like to see CBS 'Blue Blood's' grab a nod here. 'The Killing,' while I liked it very much and boasted great acting performances needs to be just a bit better to garner a nomination here.
Thats it. The nominations will be read tomorrow morning at 8 am Eastern Time. Let's hope most, if not all, of my wishes come true.
