This column was originally published in The Valley Patriot, July 8th, 2014.
The Primetime Emmy nominations will be announced on July 10th
and every year I like to review the past year in TV and give my Emmy Wish
List. This is my list of performances
and shows that I really hope get recognized by the Television academy. The nominations are almost certain to include
members of the cast of Fargo, Breaking Bad, True Detective, Veep, and House Of
Cards just to name a few. However, there
is always that one performance you really want to be recognized. So I may not cover every category, just the
ones where I really feel the chances of someone being overlooked exists. So
here we go.
Melissa McBride, The
Walking Dead, AMC - In my opinion, no one gave a more heart-wrenching,
compassionate, powerhouse performance this year than Melissa McBride. In particular, in the episode “The
Grove.” When her character, Carol, has
to commit an unspeakable, tragic, but necessary act, you couldn’t help but be
riveted to your TV screen. In this show,
full of amazing actors, McBride’s work stood above the rest this year and
deserves a nomination.
Matthew Rhys, The Americans,
FX – The most improved show on TV this season was FX’s cold war spy drama
The Americans. Season 1 was good. Season 2 was phenomenal. No bigger reason for the shows improvement
than the performance of its lead actors Matthew Rhys, and Keri Russell. Rhys
is mesmerizing in his role as Philip Jennings, torn between his actions as a
spy and his life as a father to his two children. Bryan Cranston and Matthew McConaughey are the
favorites in this category, but at the very least Rhys should be recognized
with a nomination.
Freddie Highmore,
Bates Motel, A&E – Last year I felt that Bates Motel’s best performance
came from Vera Farmiga as Norman’s mother Norma. That still might be true, but this year it
got a heck of a lot closer. Hightower’s
work this year as future Psycho Norman Bates was really something to
behold. Watching Norman’s slow but
certain descent into madness was riveting, and while a nomination here is a
long shot due to the competition, it is most certainly deserved.
Uzo Aduba, Orange Is
The New Black, Netflix – People who are not Netflix subscribers are really
missing out on some great TV. Along with
House of Cards, Orange is the New Black is among the best shows on TV right
now. TV’s best ensemble cast delivers
episode after episode, and this season Uzo Aduba’s turn as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes”
Warren was touching, funny, and you couldn’t take your eyes of the screen when
she was on it.
Keri Russell, The
Americans, FX – Much like her co-star Matthew Rhys, Keri Russell absolutely
should be nominated for her outstanding work on FX’s The Americans. Russell perfectly portrayed Elizabeth
Jennings, a ruthless cold war spy, who balances her job with the roles of
mother and wife, and struggles with her feelings of loyalty to her country, and
her loyalty to her family.
Ray Romano,
Parenthood, NBC - It’s always great as a TV fan when you see a performance
that surprises you. For me, this year,
that performance came from Ray Romano and his turn as a dramatic actor on NBC’s
Parenthood. Romano’s work as Hank
Rizzoli tugged at the heartstrings.
Hank’s realization, as he learns more about Max's
Asperger's diagnosis, and comparing it to his own personality traits delivered
some exceptional scenes. It really says
something when an actor who is known for his comedy stands out among such a
great cast.
James Spader, The
Blacklist, NBC – NBC’s The Blacklist was the best drama on broadcast TV
this year. The role of Raymond
Reddington joined the list of great TV Villains, and was played incredibly by
James Spader. I will make this
guarantee. James Spader WILL win an Emmy
for this role. It may not be this year,
but it will happen. He is that
good. It’s an extremely tough and
crowded category, but Spader deserves to be mentioned among the best dramatic
actors on TV.
