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.

Why Is Lisa Simpson on Mad Men?

Ok, it wasn't actually Lisa Simpson, but Yeardley Smith, the actress who provides her voice, who made a brief appearance on last night's episode of Mad Men as a nurse in the hospital where Betty gave birth. I find it interesting that the cast members of The Simpsons continue to do other acting gigs, considering how much money they make per episode of the animated series. Out of the cast only Julie Kaver doesn't do other work. I suppose it's the love of acting which makes them branch out, and I'm guessing Yeardley didn't take the bit part for the paycheck. She's most likely a fan of the program, and would take any opportunity to appear on it.

"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.

Sunday Blessings - Charlie Hunnam

Having watched the season premiere of the FX series Sons of Anarchy the other night, I'm devoting today's edition of Sunday Blessings to its star Charlie Hunnam. The series' first season aired last year, and though I was tempted to watch because of the casting of actors I enjoy - Katey Sagal, Ron Perlman, Maggie Siff (I'm so glad she's continued working after her great recurring role on Mad Men) - I never sat down to watch it. A series centered around a motorcycle gang had little interest to me, and I found the notion of former British model Charlie Hunnam playing a rugged member of the gang laughable. So then why did I watch the second season premiere? Well... it's a very shallow reason. I had heard Hunnam showed off his booty in the episode. He did, and it was lovely, but the show as a whole drew me in. I wasn't completely sure what was going on all the time, since I missed an entire season's worth of story, but it was interesting none the less, and I can see myself becoming a regular viewer. The ladies of the show, Sagal and Siff, are of course the stand outs, and I have to give credit to any series that can create interesting female characters. As for Charlie Hunnam, he's surprisingly believable in the role, at least looks wise. He's got just enough scruff to potentially be a member of a motorcycle gang, though he'd still be the prettiest member of the gang by far. Acting wise, I find Hunnam a very limited actor, and I didn't believe he displayed as much internal turmoil as was necessary for the character. Although, I don't believe his acting chops are what get him casted so often, and I can't really complain if he's willing to show some skin. Amen.

Oh Joan

"I do, however, find your ad unfortunate."

Oh Joan, you always know how to make me laugh.

"Bye Bye Birdie..."

I only watched the film Bye, Bye Birdie once, when I was in middle school. At the time I didn't think much of it, but after last night's episode of Mad Men, showcasing the opening number by Ann-Margret, I kind of want to go back and rewatch the film. I don't know if the film's opening actually had much significance, or the series just elevated the sequence, making it seem more important. I was also pleasantly surprised by the appearance of Embeth Davidst, playing the wife of Jared Harris' Lane Pryce. I doubt they would have hired the actress for one brief scene, so I expect to see more of her character during the season.

Mad Men and Vanity Fair

The current issue of Vainty Fair features an article about the series and features a beautiful Annie Leibovitz photo spread of Jon Hamm and January Jones. You should check it out. I'm so happy the Mad Men is back on my television. It really kills me to have to wait so long in between each season. The season premiere was this past Sunday on AMC, and it was great as usual. The whole sequence with Sal and the bellboy was just yowza, and Don Draper's line to him - "Limit your exposure." - still gives me chills. The office drama is also interesting. "Moneypenny" had me dying from laughing. I cannot wait to see the direction the series will go this season.

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.

TCA Nominations - Still Sexist

The Television Critics Association announced their nominations this week, and considering they are a critics group, you would think their nominations would be better than the Emmys. Well, that's not really the case. Some of their nods are confusing - Battlestar Galactica and Saturday Night Live gets nods for Program of the Year but not Drama and Comedy nods. They give nominations to the big network hits - The Mentalist get a nod for New Program of the Year. The most annoying aspect about the TCA, however, is they don't seperate their performance categories into Actress and Actor, leading to a lack of recognition for women year after year. Out of the ten performance nominations this year, only two are for women - Glenn Close for Damages and Tina Fey for 30 Rock. There is a definite sexist aspect to it, as television critics, who are mostly men, only seem to believe male roles are worthy of accolades, even the two women who are nominated, Glenn and Tina, have rather masculine roles in their respective series. The fact they'd give Hugh Laurie another nod for House, over the superior work of Marcia Gay Harden in Damages, Mary McDonnell in Battlestar Galactica, Elizabeth Moss and January Jones in Mad Men, or Jill Scott in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, is downright irritating.

The Noms:

Program of the Year:
Battlestar Galactica
Lost
Mad Men
Saturday Night Live
The Shield

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy:
30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
The Daily Show
How I Met Your Mother
The Office

Outstanding Achievement in Drama:
Breaking Bad
Friday Night Lights
Lost
Mad Men
The Shield

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Mini-Series, Specials:
2008 Summer Olympic Coverage
24: Redemption
Generation Kill
Grey Gardens
Taking Chance

New Program of the Year:
Fringe
The Mentalist
No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
True Blood
United States of Tara

Individual Achievement in Comedy:
Alec Baldwin
Steve Carell
Tina Fey
Neil Patrick Harris
Jim Parsons

Individual Achievement in Drama:
Glenn Close
Bryan Cranston
Walton Goggins
Jon Hamm
Hugh Laurie

Outstanding Achievement in News & Information:
60 Minutes
The Alzheimers Project
Frontline
The Rachel Maddow Show
We Shall Remain

Best of the TV Season: Acting

Since the upcoming Emmys will expand their categories to fit six nominees rather than five, I decided to do the same. I'm not exactly sure on category placement for certain shows or actors, so I went my own way - I'll consider Castle a drama and all actors on Southland supporting.

Best Actor - Drama:
Bryan Cranston - Mad Men
Nathan Fillion - Castle
Jon Hamm - Breaking Bad
Edward James Olmos - Battlestar Galactica
Jason O'Mara - Life on Mars
Jeremy Renner - The Unusuals

Best Actress - Drama:
Glenn Close - Damages
Sally Field - Brother & Sisters
January Jones - Mad Men
Mary McDonnell - Battlestar Galactica
Elizabeth Moss - Mad Men
Jill Scott - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Best Supporting Actor - Drama:
Michael Cudlitz - Southland
Michael Emerson - Lost
Lucian Msamati - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
John Noble - Fringe
Dean Norris - Breaking Bad
Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad

Best Supporting Actress - Drama:
Anna Gunn - Breaking Bad
Marcia Gay Harden - Damages
Christina Hendricks - Mad Men
Regina King - Southland
Anika Noni Rose - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Katee Sackhoff - Battlestar Galactica

Best Actor - Comedy:
Alec Baldwin - Pushing Daisies
Kyle Bornheimer - Worst Week
Steve Carrell - The Office
Charlie Day - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Zachary Levi - Chuck
Lee Pace - Pushing Daisies

Best Actress - Comedy:
Christina Applegate - Samantha Who?
Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Anna Friel - Pushing Daisies
Eva Longoria Parker - Desperate Housewives
Kaitlin Olson - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Amy Poehler - Parks & Recreation

Best Supporting Actor - Comedy:
Neil Patrick Harris - How I Met Your Mother
Hamish Linklater - The New Adventures of Old Christine
Jack McBrayer - 30 Rock
Chi McBride - Pushing Daisies
Tracy Morgan - 30 Rock
Paul Schneider - Parks & Recreation

Best Supporting Actress - Comedy:
Kristin Chenoweth - Pushing Daisies
Jenna Fischer - The Office
Jane Krakowski - 30 Rock
Melissa McCarthy - Samantha Who?
Becki Newton - Ugly Betty
Wanda Sykes - The New Adventures of Old Christine

Best of the TV Season: Top Ten (Part 2)

5. 30 Rock (NBC)
30 Rock ranks this high simply for being the funniest series on television. Every episode ellicits at least three boisterous laughs from me, which is by no means a small feat. The series might have been criticized this season for being too guest-star heavy, but while several episodes did incorporate celebrity guests, they were for the most part well utilized, the exceptions being Steve Martin and Salma Hayak. Hayak's plotline would actually have worked well had it only covered two or three episodes. This season benefited from better usage of Jane Krakowski as the needy, egotistical, and almost delusional Girlie Show actress Jenna Maroney. Last season Jane's Jenna was often on the periphery, or just plain absent, from the episodes, but this season she had two hilarious, ongoing plotlines, playing Janis Joplin in a biopic, and finding success with a popular catchphrase, and had a chance to sing in a number of episodes. If you hire a Tony winning actress for your series, you better let her sing.

4. Pushing Daisies (ABC)
Why did you have to cancel this series ABC? I'm still highly upset over the network's handling of the program. It could have maintained decent enough ratings had the show only come back after last year's writers strike, rather than being kept off the air until the next season. Whatever; what's done is done. I'm going to miss every quirky moment of this series, it's dark underside camoflauged by bright colored sets and costumes, and rapidly spoken dialogue. I'm going to miss the romance between Ned and Chuck, the pie-shaped restaurant appropriately named The Pie Hole, the Charles sisters, but most of all I'm going to miss Olive Snook, the adorable waitress pining for Ned, played by the equally adorable Kristin Chenoweth. Sob.

3. Battlestar Galactica (SciFi)
The SciFi series came to a close this season, airing its last ten episodes, and boy did it go out a bang. A grandly staged battle between the Galactica and the Cylon's base led to a brief truce, which collapsed under human/cylon psychodrama. The humans find a new "Earth," our Earth thousands of years in the past, and Hera proves to be the ancestor of all humans. Then there's President Roslin, played magnificently by Mary McDonnell, who, once finding a home, succumbs to her cancer. I'll admit it - I cried. The series also chose not to explain everything, retaining a sense of mystery around it. What exactly was Kara, what happened to the Cylons once they left the humans on Earth, and who or what was the God/Supreme Being/Force intervening in these character lives? Lost could learn a lot from the Battlestar Galactica's finale. When you're bringing an epic series to a close, make the finale epic, and don't force an explanation for every mystery, leave some wonder.

2. Breaking Bad (AMC)
The first season of Breaking Bad showed signs of a promising series, but there was always the sense its concept, a high school chemistry teacher dying from cancer decides to sell chrystal meth to support his family, would limit its scope. Season 2, however, has proven this wrong. The series benefited from expanding its focus beyond Walt, delving deeper into the supporting characters. While Jesse was often used as comic relief in the first season, he's become the voice of reason in many instances, opposing Walt's grander schemes. Skyler is no longer the dutiful, trusting wife. She realizes Walt has been lying to her, and is willing to confront him, while rebeling in her own ways. Hank, Walt's brother-in-law and DEA agent, has probably expanded the most. During the first season, he wasn't so much a character, as a concept, providing a sense of danger and irony, but given a promotion in the DEA, Hank is now shown as a reluctant hero, who may be in over his head. The series also benefits from refusing to allow easy situations. Most of Walt's and Jesse's plans to expand their business fall through, because ultimately, these characters still have no idea what they're doing.

1. Mad Men (AMC)
How bizarre is it that AMC has the two best series on television? Who'da thunk it? Choosing my number one program was the easiest decision on the list. Nothing on the air can compare with Mad Men. Hell, most films couldn't compare with Mad Men. IT'S SOOOO BRILLIANT! But, anyway... the second season proved creator/writer Matthew Weiner had more to say about these characters and the time period. Most great shows often fumble during their second outing, not finding their footing after the initial concept is explored in the first season. The series was aided by having a leap of time between the seasons. We get to discover the events that led to the characters' positions in season two, without having to witness them. And while, Don Draper is the central character of the series, and its thesis, the most interesting aspects of the show, are its women. The characters Peggy, Betty, and Joan represent archetypes of women in the early sixites - the newly ambitious working girl, the dutiful wife, and the husband-seeking single gal, but through the season, we see these women struggle with their society given identities. Few other shows are able to write such strong female characters.

Can Someone Give Maggie Siff a Series

After great recurring roles on Mad Men and Life on Mars, I think she deserves a starring role a televison series. I wonder if Siff does contemporary as well as she does period.?

RDJ Named EW's Entertainer of the Year

The new issue of Entertainment Weekly features their list of the top 25 entertainers of the year, with Robert Downey Jr. being named #1. I can't really argue with their choice. He gave an energizing performance in a summer blockbuster, turning him into an A-list action star after having already spent over two decades in the business, and followed it up with well recieved performance in a comedy. The rest of EW's list, however, is kind of all over the place.

2. Tina Fey - yes definitely!
3. The Cast and Crew of The Dark Knight - of course

4. The Gossip Girls (Blake Lively & Leighton Meester) - kind of high?

5. Stephenie Meyer - enough with Twilight pimping!

6. Lil Wayne - I guess...I don't know?

7. Rock Band - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. I don't understand the popularity.

8. Sex and the City Women - sure, though the movie was a let down quality-wise

9. Jonas Brothers - shouldn't talent and not just popularity be taken into account

10. TV's Talking Heads/Political Pundits - yeah to Maddow, Behar, Matthews

11. Meryl Streep - always!

12. Stars of the Bravo Network - sure, especially Tim Gunn

13. James Franco - interesting pick

14. WALL-E - adorable, should have been paired with Po from Kung Fu Panda

15. Coldplay - eh, really? I like them, but still...eh?

16. Elizabeth Banks - this pick makes me happy

17. Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim - I love the two of them, but I find it odd

18. Kid Rock - yawn

19. Jon Hamm - should be a lot higher, especially after SNL

20. Facebook - I'm on it, but I still find it annoying

21. Katy Perry - fine, whatever

22. Richard Jenkins - I love the fact he's finally getting attention

23. Boring Ogre Face - go away already!

24. Leona Lewis - over Estelle, Adele, and Duffy....I think not!

25. Neil Patrick Harris - this pick also makes me happy, now give him an Emmy

Last Night's Mad Men

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! Oh my god! Last night's season finale of Mad Men was amazing, and it certified that there is no show, currently on the air, that can compete with it, in term's of quality. The fact that the show's producers and writers choose not to dumb it down and the network's executives don't pressure them to do so, is deserving of some accolades. What I'm hoping comes out of the critical success of Mad Men, is other basic cable networks taking a chance on well written television projects that are passed over by the major networks, for fear of not receiving large enough ratings. An episode of the series probably has an audience of about 2 million, when repeat airings are included, and, while yes it is a small number, AMC has very little original programing, so it can afford to keep a show with such a niche audience. Maybe A&E can have its own critical darling series, or Bravo, which is going to need something big, since it's lost Project Runway. Come on Bravo, you were willing to take a chance with Project Runway and it was a success, so why not take a chance with an original scripted series? The major networks seem to be flailing. Most of their shows aren't getting high ratings, and the shows that are successful are mainly crappy procedurals and reality shows. The networks do have some great programs, though not at the level of Mad Men, but they always seem to be in danger, because of low ratings. Pushing Daisies may not be picked up for a full second season, the new series Life on Mars continues to drop its ratings, so it may not get to a second season, and 30 Rock always seems on the bubble. 30 Rock may be safer because of the industry's love for it, although that didn't help Arrested Development to a fourth season, so you never know.

Sunday Night Mad Men

Oh Mad Men, just when I think I know where you're going you completely surprise me. I didn't see the widow of the actual Don Draper coming into play, or the friendship that had develop between Don/Dick and the widow Draper. Also Christina Hendricks - Jane the office manager/secretary - continues to shine with the material she's given, whether she's center stage, as in last night's episode, or just a background character. Give this woman an Emmy!

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.