Emmy Awards - The Morning After

Last night's Emmy telecast was easily one of the best I'd ever seen. Having Neil Patrick Harris host was a brilliant move on CBS's part, and I think we can assume the next time the network gets the ceremony, NPH will be back as emcee. Whoever hosts next year's ceremony on NBC (most likely their go-to guy Conan O'Brien) has some pretty big shoes to fill. I loved the Dr Horrible bit, with NPH and Nathan Fillion in character. Fillion is entertaining on Castle, but the procedural doesn't fully utilize his charisma and comedic talents. He needs his own half-hour comedy series, preferable on HBO. I enjoyed the presentations by Ricky Gervais (as usual) and Jimmy Fallon (surprisingly). I also loved the fact the Music and Lyrics category was moved to the Primetime Emmys, so the overexposed Justin Timberlake could except an award live, but he lost to the team who wrote Hugh Jackman's opening Oscar number.

While the show itself was great, the actual award winners were all over the place. The night started off with a great win for Supporting Actress in a Comedy, the always adorable Kristin Chenoweth from Pushing Daisies, but any happiness from that win was stripped away once the Supporting Actor in a Comedy trophy went to Jon Cryer. I had predicted a win for him, but mainly as a joke about how bad the Emmys can sometimes be. They proved me right. What is it about NPH that stops them from giving him the prize? I was happy Lost's Emerson picked up the prize for Supporting Actor in a Drama, though my own pick would have been Aaron Paul, and while I love Glenn Close on Damages and Bryan Cranston on Breaking Bad, I kind of wish they hadn't repeated their wins from last year. The same goes for Alec Baldwin and his Best Actor in a Comedy win. Seriously, will Carrell ever get the award. The big prizes for Comedy and Drama Series went to deserving winners 30 Rock and Mad Men. I was worried Mad Men would lose, as it had only picked up one trophy at the Creative Arts Emmys, for hairstyling, and only one other Emmy last night for writing. I thought there could have been a backlash against so much attention being paid toward a cable television series. You know the networks are steamed about being shut out of most categories these last two years, but hey that's what happens when you fill you're schedules with a bunch of crime and medical procedurals.

My Emmy Winner Predictions

The Primetime Emmys are handed out tomorrow night, so I thought I'd have a got at predicting the winners. Sometimes its easy to guess whom the voters will pick, put more often the winners can seem completely random. There are some questions about this year's ceremony. Will Mad Men win the big prize again? How big of a sweep will 30 Rock have? With Jeremy Piven not in the running, can Neil Patrick Harris finally win an Emmy?

Drama Series:
Big Love
Breaking Bad
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost
Mad Men
Will Win: Mad Men, although I have a sinking suspicion House may take the prize.
Should Win: Mad Men. The only other nominee that's even close to its brilliance is fellow AMC drama, Breaking Bad.

Actor, Drama:
Simon Baker - The Mentalist
Gabriel Byrne - In Treatment
Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad
Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Michael C. Hall - Dexter
Hugh Laurie - House
Will Win: I think they'll want to award the star of a break out network show, and give the prize to Simon Baker
Should Win: Jon Hamm and Bryan Cranston were both great this season, but I'd give it to Hamm.

Actress, Drama:
Glenn Close - Damages
Sally Field - Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay - Law & Order: SVU
Holly Hunter - Saving Grace
Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men
Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer
Will Win: Glenn Close - the Emmys do love their repeat winners
Should Win: January Jones! Oh, she's not nominated. Mary McDonnell! Whoops, again not nominated. Elisabeth Moss, just for her scene with Vincent Kartheiser in the second season finale.

Suppoting Actor, Drama:
Christian Clemenson - Boston Legal
Michael Emerson - Lost
William Hurt - Damages
Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad
William Shater - Boston Legal
John Slattery - Mad Men
Will Win: Hurt or Emerson seem like the obvious choices, which means they'll bestow the award to... William Shatner!
Should Win: Any of the men, aside from the Boston Legal boys, would be deserving of the award, but I'd give it to Aaron Paul for expanding the depth of his character.

Supporting Actress, Drama:
Rose Byrne - Damages
Hope Davis - In Treatment
Cherry Jones - 24
Sandra Oh - Grey's Anatomy
Dianne Wiest -In Treatment
Chandra Wilson - Grey's Anatomy
Will Win: I don't know. I'll just guess Dianne Wiest because she won last year
Should Win: I don't really have a preference, though I wouldn't mind a make up Emmy for Sandra Oh.

Comedy Series:
30 Rock
Entourage
Family Guy
Flight of the Conchords
How I Met Your Mother
The Office
Weeds
Will Win: Barring some revolt against the series' domination, 30 Rock takes this in a cake walk.
Should Win: It's a toss up between 30 Rock and The Office.

Actor, Comedy:
Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Steve Carell - The Office
Jermaine Clement - Flight of the Conchords
Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory
Tony Shaloub - Monk
Charlie Sheen - Two and a Half Men
Will Win: Alec Baldwin again, though an upset by Jim Parsons wouldn't surprise me.
Should Win: Steve Carrell! The Michael Scott Paper Company plotline was beautifully acted.

Actress, Comedy:
Christina Applegate - Samantha Who?
Toni Collette - The United States of Tara
Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - The New Adventures of...
Mary Louise Parker - Weeds
Sarah Silverman - The Sara Silverman Program
Will Win: Tina Fey - everyone still loves her.
Should Win: Christina Applegate. I'm going to miss Samantha.

Supporting Actor, Comedy:
Jon Cryer - Two and A Half Men
Kevin Dillion - Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris - How I Met Your Mother
Jack McBrayer - 30 Rock
Tracy Morgan - 30 Rock
Rainn Wilson - The Office
Will Win: NPH seems like the obviouc pick, but again, it is the Emmys, so I'm going to predict Jon Cryer.
Should Win: Neil Patrick Harris!

Supporting Actress, Comedy:
Kristin Chenoweth - Pushing Daisies
Jane Krakowski - 30 Rock
Amy Poehler - SNL
Elizabeth Perkins - Weeds
Kristen Wiig - SNL
Vanessa Williams - Ugly Betty
Will Win: Tough call, but I'll go with Amy Poehler for her final season on the show.
Should Win: Any of the ladies would be deserving, but I really want Kristin Chenoweth to pick up the trophy.

"Shmemmys" Handed Out

Over the weekend, the Creative Arts Emmys, or the Shmemmys, were handed out at a ceremony hosted by Kathy Griffin. The awards show was taped and will air next weekend on the E! channel, so I do look forward to watching it. Sadly, Kathy did not win the prize for Best Reality Series, losing to A&E's Intervention. I suppose you can't win every year, unless you're named The Amazing Race, and last summer's season of My Life on the D-list wasn't the strongest, so its not too big of a loss. It will definitely provide her with a lot of fodder, and she'll most likely win again next year if she submits either the Prop 8 or Maggie's bucket list episode. In the other categories, Tina Fey deservably won for Best Guest Actress for her appearance as Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live, and Pushing Daisies was a big winner, taking home three trophies for Costumes, Make Up, and Art Direction. It's kind of ridiculous the show didn't recieve a nomination for Best Comedy Series. Mad Men, on the other hand, only picked up one trophy for Hairstyling, which makes me worry it doesn't have enough support to win Best Drama Series next weekend. Though really, the Emmy awards often make very little sense.

Laura Linney Heads to Showtime

The talented screen actress Laura Linney will executive produce and star in her own series on Showtime, entitled The C Word (an interesting title?), about a woman with cancer (story at EW). Why are all my favorite film actresses moving to television? The small screen already took my Holly Hunter and Toni Collette, and now it's taking my Linney. It's not as if the actress doesn't still get challenging film roles (The Squid and the Whale, Jindabyne, The Savages), but all those films seem to be independents, so the paycheck for the television series is probably better. I only wish I had Showtime. Grrrr. Network television seriously needs to step it up, as all the well-made, female centric series are on cable television. Pretty soon they're not going to have any nominations in the Lead Actress Emmy categories.

Diane Keaton Moving to Television?

Story here. Diane Keaton, one of the geatest film actresses ever in my opinion, will move to the small screen, starring in a half hour HBO comedy series about a feminist icon starting a sexually explicit magazine for women. The series will be written by Marti Nixon, a producer/writer previously involved in a number good to great television series, including Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Point Pleasant. Mad Men, Grey's Anatomy, and Brother & Sisters. I think the series sounds promising, and hopefully it will provide great material for Diane Keaton. She's really only had two notable performances this decade - Something's Gotta Give and The Family Stone. With few great film roles for older actresses, it seems television is the place to go. Sally Field, Glenn Close, and Holly Hunter have already made the jump from big screen to small, and while they've been successful in their transitions, it's still a pity, since I feel their talent should be on display in theatres rather than just my television screen. Oh well, at least with Toni Collette, Edie Falco, and now Diane Keaton, the Emmy category for Best Actress in a Comedy should become very interesting.

Emmy Nomination Reactions

The Emmy nominations were announced yesterday morning, and there were a number of surprises, but also a good deal of disappointments - it is the Emmys afterall. In their last chance to award Battlestar Galactica, the Emmy voters decided to ignore it once again, with its only major nomination being for direction. I actually thought the show had a chance of picking up a surprise Drama Series nod, as Star Trek: The Next Generation had received a nomination for it's last season, but alas that was not the case. The really surprising shutout, however, belongs to True Blood, which didn't receive any major nominations. HBO had really been pushing the series, but as I had suspected, it had a problem connecting with the voters, being both a genre show and very, very gay. It didn't even get a writing or direction nom, which is where I thought it would make an appearance, since the Emmys seemed to like Alan Ball. Oh well, better luck next year. Even though I love both series, Mad Men and 30 Rock dominating the writing categories, each getting four out of the five nods, is kind of ridiculous. They're we're a number of other series that deserved at least one writing nod. Anyway, a run through of the major categories:

Best Drama Series:
Big Love
Breaking Bad
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost
Mad Men

This year they expanded the categories to six nominees, which of course means we wind up with seven nominees. They seriously need to rewrite the rules to prevent ties. Anyway, cable doninated the category with five of the seven nominees. The networks are probably grumbling, but hey, maybe they should do better quality work. Fox should feel lucky it even got the House nod, since it clearly shouldn't be a part of this lineup. Mad Men will win this in a landslide, since I can't figure out what could challenge it, and the series easily deserves the win. A Breaking Bad win would also make me happy, but I don't think it has the same support in the industry.

Lead Actor - Drama:
Simon Baker - The Mentalist
Gabriel Byrne - In Treatment
Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall - Dexter
Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Hugh Laurie - House

I'm almost shocked by the James Spader snub, seeing as it was the final season of Boston Legal and the Emmys have loved the performance for some unknown reason. As for the men who did receive nods, I think all but Michael C. Hall as a chance of winning. If I had to, I'd put my money on Jon Hamm, but then I think that if they wanted to award him, they'd have done it last year. Maybe he's just too pretty for them to reward. My second guess would be Baker, in a surprise similar to Patricia Arquette's bizarre win for the first season of Medium.

Lead Actress - Drama:
Glenn Close - Damages
Sally Field - Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay - Law & Order: SVU
Holly Hunter - Saving Grace
Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men
Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer

As expected they ignored the two best leading lady performances - Mary McDonnell and January Jones. Damn you Emmy voters! I'm happy for Elisabeth Moss's nod, I just wish they had room for both Mad Men ladies. Did Hargitay need another nomination for a character who hasn't really grown in a while? Expect Close to win again, though I wish it was Moss, just for the scene in the finale where she tells Pete she had his baby.

Supporting Actror - Drama:

Christian Clemenson - Boston Legal

Michael Emerson - Lost

William Hurt - Damages

Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad

William Shatner - Boston Legal
John Slattery - Mad Men

Yippee! Aaron Paul got a well deserved nomination. Of course, the Emmys had to ruin it by giving two nods to the men of Boston Legal. I know, I know - I like to rag on that show, but I find it overly awarded. Paul deserves the win, but I'd be happy with a Emerson, Slattery or Hurt win as well, but since this is the Emmys, expect Shatner to take the prize.

Supporting Actress - Drama:
Rose Byrne - Damages
Hope Davis - In Treatment
Cherry Jones - 24
Sandra Oh - Grey's Anatomy
Dianne Wiest - In Treatment
Chandra Wilson - Grey's Anatomy

There were some serious surprises in this category, as they ignored previous favorites rachel Griffiths, Candice Bergen, and Katherine Heigl. Unfortunately they also ignored the best supporting actress turn by Marcia Gay Harden, but they voted for Rose Byrne. I like, not love, Byrne on Damages, but in no way is she a supporting character. She is most definitley the lead, as the series centers around her and her relationship with Close's Patty Hewes. Oy. I don't think there's a single front-runner in the category, as any of them could take the prize, but since she won last year, I'll guess Wiest.

Best Comedy Series:
30 Rock
Enourage
Family Guy
Flight of the Conchords
How I Met Your Mother
The Office
Weeds

Again with the seven nominees, but hey, at least they threw out Two and a Half Men. Poor Pushing Daisies - no nod again, even though it was the best comedy series on television. The Emmys also seem to seriously dislike Desperate Housewives. Seven nominees and still no room for the ladies of Wisteria Lane. I actually think that if the show was submitted in the drama categories it would get some nods. Yay for How I Met Your Mother, but boo to Family Guy. I'm a casual viewer of the series, but even I admit this past season sucked, and the fact it has a Best Comedy Series nod while The Simpsons doesn't is a travesty. The Weeds nod I just find weird, as it finally received a nomination for its least successful season. 30 Rock will win, duh!

Best Actor - Comedy:
Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Jermaine Clement - Flight of the Conchords
Tony Shaloub - Monk
Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory
Steve Carrell - The Office
Charlie Sheen - Two and a Half Men

They ignored his show in the Best Comedy Series category, but they still had to nominate Charlie Sheen, and over Lee Pace no less. Argh. I find it funny they nominated one of the guys from Flight of the Conchords over the other, when it seems a both or neither type situation. Baldwin will win this again, though I think Carrell deserves it this season for the Michael Scott Paper Company plotline.

Lead Actress - Comedy:
Christina Applegate - Samantha Who?
Toni Collette - The United States of Tara
Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - The New Adventures of Old Christine
Mary-Louise Parker - Weeds
Sarah Silverman - The Sarah Silverman Program

This is a pretty good line up, and I have no real complaints. I just wish they'd found room for Amy Poehler for Parks & Recreation. The Sarah Silverman nomination still has me chuckling. The fact they can appreciate her brand of humor, gives me some hope in the Emmy voters. I'd say Fey easily walks away with this again, seeing as how Emmy voters haven't yet got their love for her out of their systems. I think she may one day be the winningest female actress.

Supporting Actor - Comedy:
Jon Cryer - Two and a Half Men
Kevin Dillion - Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris - How I Met Your Mother
Jack McBrayer - 30 Rock
Tracy Morgan - 30 Rock
Rainn Wilson - The Office

They really seemed to go gangbusters for 30 Rock this year, with two nominations in this category, but the true shock is Jeremy Piven's omission. I guess the whole fiasco over leaving Speed the Plow because of "food-poisoning" from sushi, actually affected peoples' views of him. This clearly puts the win up for grabs, but I'm leaning towards Harris, as love for him seems to be growing. Plus it would be cool to see the host win an award.

Supporting Actress - Comedy:
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

Hands down, this is the best set of nominees this year, even without a nod for Jenna Fischer. I'm excited that they finally nominated Krakowski, and that they nominated Wiig and not just Poehler. Since last year's winner, Jean Smart, wasn't even nominated, the trophy can go to anyone. I'd give it to one of the singing ladies, Chenoweth or Krakowksi, but I'm guessing the actual winner will be Poehler for her last season on Saturday Night Live.

Kathy Griffin to Host the Schmemmys

Story at ETOnline. Funny lady Kathy Griffin was chosen to host this year's Primetime Creative Arts Emmys, or as Kathy as has famously called them the "Schmemmys." It's actually a brave decision to choose her as host, particularly considering her "Suck on it Jesus" acceptance speech from two years ago. I can't wait to see how this turns outs, but I'm just hoping she doesn't turn down her brand of humor too much. I understand she doesn't want to anger the voters and award's body, but as proven by her two Emmy wins, they can actually appreciate her jokes. In realted news, Griffin was nominated, again, for two Emmys - one for her reality series My Life on the D-List and one for her special She'll Cut a Bitch. I wonder if Kathy can win three years in a row for Best Reality Series. Her biggest competitor Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, wasn't even nominated this year. However, Mythbusters, which is such a guilty pleasure for me, did finally receive a nomination in the category, after several years of being snubbed, so yay! I'll further discuss this years' Emmy noms either later tonight or tomorrow. There we're actually several wtf omissions and inclusions, both good and bad.

Emmy Nomination Predictions

The nominations for the Emmy Awards are announced this Thursday morning (July 16th), so I though I'd give a try as guessing the nominees in the major series and acting categories. This year the categories have expanded to fit six nominees, which would suggest some surprises, but it's the Emmys, so the nominees will ultimately remain boring.

Drama Series:
24
Boston Legal
Damages
House
Lost
Mad Men

Essentially the same line-up as last year, except switching out Dexter for 24, which wasn't eligible last year. Most people are predicting True Blood to make the cut, but I have my doubts, seeing as it would have to jump the hurdles of being both a genre series and extremely gay. I consider both Breaking Bad and In Treatment as runners-up, which might take the place of either 24 or Lost.

Lead Actor, Drama:
Gabriel Byrne - In Treatment
Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad
Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Michael C. Hall - Dexter
Hugh Laurie - House
James Spader - Boston Legal

I simply guessed the same group of men as last year, but of those men, I consider only Hamm and Hall to be locks. Michael Chiklis, Kiefer Sutherland and Simon Baker have just as much chance at getting nods as the other four men. I also wouldn't be completely shocked by a surprise sympathy nomination for Patrick Swayze.

Least Actress, Drama:
Patricia Arquette - Medium
Glenn Close - Damages
Mariska Hargitay - Law & Order: SVU
Holly Hunter - Saving Grace
Sally Field - Brothers & Sisters
Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer

Look, I'm happy for the fact television is providing middle-aged actresses with prominent roles, and the Emmys are willing to notice them, but can we get a better group of nominees. The two best leading lady performances were given by Mary McDonnell and January Jones, yet I fear both will go unrecognized. McDonnell's snub will sting the most, seeing as it will be the fifth year in a row she'll go unnominated for one of the best performances on television ever.

Supporting Actor, Drama:
Jeremy Davies - Lost
Michael Emerson - Lost
William Hurt - Damages
John Mahoney - In Treatment
William Shatner - Boston Legal
John Slattery - Mad Men

Rather than going for more interesting performances by lesser known actors - Aaron Paul, Lucian Msamati, Ryan Kwanten, Michael Cudlitz - the Emmy voters will likely go for bigger named stars. I'm pretty sure about all my guesses, except for Davies, who could just as easily be replaced with John Larroquette or Josh Holloway.

Supporting Actress, Drama:
Candice Bergen - Boston Legal
Marcia Gay Harden - Damages
Katherine Heigl - Grey's Anatomy
Sandra Oh - Grey's Anatomy
Dianne Wiest - In Treatment
Chandra Wilson - Grey's Anatomy

For the most part, this is a boring line-up, and as much as I like Oh and Wilson, I don't feel they should be nominated year after year. If one of these actresses were to be passed over, I fear it would be Harden, who actually gave the best supporting performance this past television season, but then, who would replace her - Hope Davis, Rachel Griffiths, Alison Bill, Cherry Jones, Jane Kaczmarek?

Comedy Series:
30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Entourage
How I Met Your Mother
The Office
Two and a Half Men

I highly doubt CBS will garner three nods in this category, but what are the other options? Pushing Daisies was ignored last year, despite a slew of other nominations, so I'm guessing it won't get a nod this year. The only other serious choices would be Flight of the Concords or a Desperate Housewives return, though it would be a total kick if the Emmy voters went outside the box and gave a nomination to something like Chuck or Parks & Recreation.

Lead Actor, Comedy:
Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Steve Carrell - The Office
Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory
Lee Pace - Pushing Daisies
Tony Shaloub - Monk
Charlie Sheen - Two and a Half Men

This category should to be a lot more fun than it is. Sheen and Shaloub again? I'm just hopin Pace can hold on to that nomination, and not be replaced by Johnny Galecki, which I believe might happen. I usually like Galecki, and loved him on Roseanne, but he seems to just get steam-rolled by the rest of the Big Bang cast. My biggest fear is one of the Entourage leading men making it into this category. That's scary just thinking about it.

Lead Actress, Comedy:
Christina Applegate - Samantha Who?
America Ferrara - Ugly Betty
Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - The Old Adventures of New Christine
Mary-Louise Parker - Weeds
Amy Poehler - Parks & Recreation

A typical group of ladies, with the addition of Poehler for her first starring role. I wonder if Toni Collette might make an appearance, replacing Applegate or Ferrara. What about the Desperate Housewives? With a rejuvenated season (though, really only the first half seemed fresh) might one of them get a nod. If so, expect it to be Felicity Huffman, though Eva Longoria Parker was the real best-in-show. Plus, there's always Debra Messing waiting in the wings.

Supporting Actor, Comedy:
Jon Cryer - Two and a Half Men
Kevin Dillon - Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris - How I Met Your Mother
Tracy Morgan - 30 Rock
Jeremy Piven - Entourage
Rainn Wilson - The Office

It would be nice if John Krasinski finally got nominated, but I doubt it will ever happen, since he's the cute guy on the series. Actually do we even need this category, considering we all know Piven will win for the fourth time in a row? Piven can pretty much guarantee winning the award until either he takes his name out of submission (the respectable thing) or the show ends.

Supporting Actress, Comedy:
Judy Davis - The Starter Wife
Kristin Chenoweth - Pushing Daisies
Amy Poehler - Saturday Night Live
Jean Smart - Samantha Who?
Holland Taylor - Two and a Half Men
Vanessa Williams - Ugly Betty

This is probably the most wide open category with several serious contenders. Besides these women, you also have Conchata Ferrell, Jenna Fischer, Kristin Wiig, Dana Delaney, Swoozie Kurtz, Jaime Pressly, Elizabeth Perkins, Tracey Ullman (her category placement is weird) and Jane Krakowski. Krakowski definitely deserves a nod, but I fear she'll be passed over again, even though she had more screen time this season. Judy Davis is my completely-out-there guess, but I figure since she won last year for the same role in the mini-series/tv movie category, she has a decent shot at a nod this year.

Sunday Blessings - Jeremy Renner

This week's Sunday Blessings is devoted to actor Jeremy Renner, currently starring in the Kathryn Bigelow directed, Iraq war film, The Hurt Locker. Renner may seem an odd choice; he's doesn't fit the standard of beauty - his face is kind of short, the eyes set wide apart -but it works on him, and I find the man rather sexy. He's also a few years older than he looks. While looking for info on Renner, I found he was 38 years of age, yet I would have sworn he wasn't a day over 30/31. I'm guessing it's the babyface that makes him seem younger. Anyway, the actor first made an impact in the film industry playing serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in Dahmer, a film which I have yet to see, though everyone keeps telling me to do so. Following the performance he garnered supporting roles in S.W.A.T., North Country, The Assassination of Jesse James..., and 28 Weeks Later, and while I always seemed to notice him - "oh, hey it's that guy" - it wasn't until the "zombie" movie that he truly grabbed my attention. In the film Renner gave a better performance than required (true of most of the cast), and he came off far sexier than before. I'm guessing it was the short-cropped hair and military uniform that did it for me. Plus, I love a man who can handle a large weapon. Renner also recently starred in the ABC drama series The Unusuals, about a group of New York City cops, giving a great performance. It would be nice if Emmy voters gave him an Emmy nomination, but I can pretty much guarantee that won't happen, considering the series' lack of success. As for The Hurt Locker, the film is gathering much accolades and awards buzz, but it's still early in the year, so whether or not that translates into actual Oscar nods remains to be seen. At least the film's critical success will provide Renner with more opportunities in the industry. Well, one hopes as much. Amen.

"Thank You for Being a Friend"

I'm still chuckling from Monday night's episode of My Life on the D-List, featuring Kathy's mother Maggie's bucket list. Betty White was, as always, a pistol, The Griffin Girls was a good laugh, and Maggie's genuine emotion at the end was touching. I guess we can all assume the episode will be Kathy's submission tape for next year's Emmys, and she'll probably get another win. In general, I like how this season has turned out so far, and how Kathy has been "honoring" female entertainment legends, who aren't currently grabbing all the headlines - Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, Stevie Nicks, Liza, Jane Fonda, Betty White...

Neil Patrick Harris to Host Emmys?

(Variety). If this is finalized, it will be the third awards show he hosted this year, after the TV Land Awards and the Tonys. Harris would make a fine host for the broadcast, as evidenced by his previous endevours, but I hoped CBS would have chosen Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson to punch up the show. Oh well, at least its better than last year's decision by ABC to have the five nominated reality hosts emcee the broadcast. Now if only the Emmys voters would come up with better nominees. Hah! What are the chances of tha happening?

Emmys - The Morning After

The Emmys were on last night and the show was.....well, dull. Yawn. I was happy with the best series wins - Mad Men and 30 Rock, especially Mad Men's win, since I didn't think it would happen. Earlier in the evening, when it lost directing to House, I thought it definitely wasn't going to win. Happily I was wrong, so there you go. There were a lot of negatives about the show, especially the hosting job (who thought that was a good idea), but I decided to focus my post on the highlights of the program.

10. Conan O'Brien - I just find him funny anytime he's on an awards show

9. Kristen Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris presenting together. They didn't really do anything, but it was nice to just see the two stand next to each other.

8. Jeremy Piven's jab at the show's opening "I don't want to just stand here talking for twelve minutes. That was the opening of the show"

7. Lee Pace and Kristen Chenoweth holding holding hands while their director Barry Sonnenfield accepted his award.

6. Heidi Klum in a men's suit

5. Alec Baldwin wins Best Actor in Comedy Series

4. Julia Lousi Dreyfus's reaction to Tina Fey saying she copies Julia when acting.

3. The Ricky Gervaise bit with Steve Carrell. Funny, funny, funny. This is why the Emmys need a comedian to host the show - they bring life to the program.

2. Don Rickles and Kathy Griffin presenting - Oh my God I was laughing my ass off. It was just surprising to see someone Rickles's age so quick on their feet with the humor. I thought Kathy was going to pee in here pants.

1. Mad Men winning Best Drama Series - YAY!

The Emmys Are Coming! The Emmys Are Coming!

I haven't posted anything in a couple of days - just busy, busy, busy - but anyway, the Emmys are handed out this Sunday, and of course I'll be watching. Yes, I know the Emmys usually suck. They have a tendency to nominate and award the same people over and over again, while completely ignoring great shows (Gilmore Girls, you bastards!), but it's still no where near as much of a joke as the Grammys. Ewwwwww. So here are my predictions and preferences in the major categories.

Best Drama Series:

Boston Legal

Damages

Dexter

House

Lost

Mad Men

Who Will Win: House Who Should Win: Mad Men

Everyone's predicting Mad Men for the win, but I can't see the Emmy voters going for a series whose ratings are under 2 million. I hope I'm wrong, because it really deserves the win. Oh, how I just want to wrap my arms around that show I love it so much. I'm predicting House since it's the highest rated, it was once critically well liked, and it's never won before - not that it ever deserved to win.

Best Comedy Series:

30 Rock

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Entourage

The Office

Two and a Half Men

Who Will Win: 30 Rock Who Should Win: 30 Rock

It's kind of ridiculous that Pushing Daisies, the best comedy series of the year, got the second most nominations for a comedy (12), but didn't get the series nod. Especially since Two and a Half Men did get a nomination. Uh, who is voting for that show? Who thinks that's great television? 30 Rock will probably win again for the second year, although The Office might slip in there, and a 30 Rock win would be completely deserving. It is the funniest laugh-out-loud show currently on television, even though it did kind of lose its focus in the second half of the season.

Best Actor - Drama:

Gabriel Byrne - In Treatment

Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad

Michael C. Hall - Dexter

Jon Hamm - Mad Men

Hugh Laurie - House

James Spader - Boston Legal

Who Will Win: Hugh Laurie Who Should Win: Jon Hamm

If James Spader wins again, so help me God, I will kick in my TV screen. Do you really need to award someone for the same performance over and over again, especially when the character and performance remains one note year after year? Hugh Laurie will probably win because he still hasn't won an Emmy. I understand if he had won for the first or second season, but it's not like the character has developed over the last couple seasons - still sarcastic, still angry, still limpy, but yeah I get that it would be a make up Emmy. I'd like Hamm to win, just for the episode "The Wheel" alone - it's so heartbreaking. Cranston would also be a good win, since he was great on Breaking Bad

Best Actor - Comedy:

Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock

Steve Carell - The Office

Lee Pace - Pushing Daisies

Tony Shaloub - Monk

Charlie Sheen - Two and a Half Men

Who Will Win: Alec Baldwin Who Should Win: Alec Baldwin
Actually I'd be happy if either Baldwin, Carell, or Pace won, since they'd all be deserving. All hell will break loose though if Tony Shaloub wins agains (does he really need a fourth win), or if Charlie Sheen picks up a trophy. I shudder to think.

Best Actress - Drama:

Glenn Close - Damages

Sally Field - Brothers & Sisters

Mariska Hargitay - Law & Order: SVU

Holly Hunter - Saving Grace

Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer

Who Will Win: Glenn Close Who Should Win: Mary McDonnell...wait, what? Uh, Close
Seriously Mary McDonnell should own this category for Battlestar Galactica, but she wasn't nominated. Glenn Close was a hoot in Damages, and her star-factor should be a help in this category so I'm predicting her. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if Field wins again.

Best Actress - Comedy:

Christina Applegate - Samantha Who?

America Ferrera - Ugly Betty

Tina Fey - 30 Rock

Julia Louis-Dreyfus - The New Adventures of Old Christine

Mary-Louise Parker - Weeds

Who Will Win: Tina Fey Who Should Win: Christina Applegate

Tina Fey will probably win, as she has become a pop culture fixture over the last year, and while 30 Rock was the Best Comedy Series Winner last year, I think this year the Emmys will award the show in several categories with the industry annointing it the best sitcom currently on television. Fey wouldn't be a bad winner, in fact I don't think any of them would be, as I feel they all add creatly to their respective series, but heart goes to Applegate for her portrayal of woman trying to realize who she actually is as a person.

Supporting Categories

Best Supporting Actor- Drama:

Who Will Win: Zeljko Ivanek Who Should Win: John Slattery

Best Supporting Actor - Comedy:

Who Will Win: Jeremy Piven Who Should Win: Neil Patrick Harris

Best Supporting Actress - Drama:

Who Will Win: Chandra Wilson Who Should Win: Chandra Wilson

Best Supporting Actress - Comedy:

Who Will Win: Amy Poehler Who Should Win: Kristin Chenoweth

Congratulations Kathy Griffin!

Over the weekend the Creative Arts Emmys, also known as the Schmemmys, were awarded, and Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D-List won best reality series for the second year in a row. Good for her. I'm actually surprised, because I thought after last year's acceptance speech and the whole "Suck it Jesus" brou-ha-ha, the Emmys wouldn't want to receive any controversy by awarding her again. But they did, so good for them. Also congratulations to Mad Men and Pushing Daisies, who received 4 and 2 Emmys respectively. Though I have an issue with Mad Men losing Best Casting for a Series to Damages. I really liked Damages, but the casting of that series can in no way compare to Mad Men's casting. Everyone in that series from the regular cast members, to the recuring roles and the guest stars were all perfectly cast. Just because you managed to get Glenn Close and Ted Danson to star in your series, doesn't mean you should win an award for casting.