To the Batcave

Holy 25th Amendment, Batman. The Pengiun's taken over the White House.

This Woman Used to be My Neighbor

Though I worked in New York City, I lived in a small Jersey village called Kinnelon. While everyone seemed so simple, I recently found out there was so much more going on behind closed doors. Thank you Stephen Colbert for bringing out the truth of this American Difference Maker.

Now why did I never get to meet her???

Emmy Preview, In Review

The Emmy nods were released early this morning, and you can catch the full list here. But if there's one thing we've learned is that I must be an expert on comedic acting, because I was a perfect 10 for 10 in the lead actor and actress in comedy categories. Yeah! Bring on the self-shout-out, 'cause that's about as good as it gets.

As I called it, Heroes got the outstanding drama nod, but with no major acting nods. Though I didn't call Grey's too, I was right about their acting. Only supporting roles got nominations for the ABC Seattle show. Lost got snubbed, but surprisingly Boston Legal got some love. That makes me happy, even thought last season was strong than this year. I went 3 for 5 here, not bad.

I was 3 for 5 too on comedy series. Two and a Half Men stole one away and is the only traditional live audience taped sitcom in the group. Entourage got one too, which like Boston Legal, was stronger in the past. Extras and Weeds got no love here, which is quite disheartening.

Outstanding drama actor boosted up to 4 for 5, with Kiefer Sutherland (last year's winner) getting the last spot even though 24 had a down year. Maybe James Woods can come on strong next year!

I was 4 for 5 again in oustanding drama actress, with Polly Walker getting no love for Rome (I don't think HBO is too upset about this year's crop), but the Academy suprised me and added a sixth nod to this category, so Oscar winners Minnie Driver and Sally Field got some Emmy love.

As for the supporters, Kevin Dillon did get that Emmy love, and Jeremy Piven did too. I was only 2 for 5 on supporting actor in comedy, but I took some risks too. As for supporting actress, the Academy gave 6 nods to screw with me again, but I only hit 1 of those.

Yep, 6 were given out again for supporting actress in a drama, and way too many went to Grey's women. It really should be just Chandra Wilson here. Katherine Heigl was way too whiny this year. I only got 1 here too, but hopefully the 1 that counts!

And, finally, those drama actors?? Surprise, 6! Well, I got 3 of them. I'm happy to see John Locke from Lost get some love here. I was tempted to add him, but wasn't sure if Emmy would head that way. Sadly, T.R. Knight should not be here. I must wonder if it's some sort of consolation prize for his past year. Then we have Heroes only acting nod to Masi Oka, a fan favorite...though I think this is a bit of a stretch.

Now, until September 16 until the little buggers are handed out!

Emmy Preview, Part Quatre

And so it has come to this. Much ado about nothing for the big prizes. Who will get all the marbles, whatever those marbles might and whatever they might do with those marbles. Fact is, the best shows usually don't get the award. There are exceptions, of course, but they don't have a track record as good as the Oscars. That's why many consider the Emmy's a joke. Then again, there is so much television now. But excuses I shall not make. To the big board!

Outstanding Comedy Series

Extras
The Office
30 Rock
Weeds
Ugly Betty

Yeah, no Entourage. As much as I love it, it's suffered some as of late. That hurts it chances. And it hasn't gotten the nod before. Extras is new because of the much stronger second series put out by Gervais and company. All in all, lots of newcomers here.

Outstanding Drama Series

Lost
The Sopranos
House
Heroes
Rome

Frankly, that last drama spot was hard to pick. Not that there was tough competition, just that there wasn't much that stood out enough. Heroes gets some recognition here for all around good show. Lost should take it. It's just that great.

Of course, there are plenty of other categories, but those don't really count for much. Not that these do either. Much ado...

Emmy Preview, Part Trois

Now for those you watch the show for…at least that’s what the networks think. To the bat cave!

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

America Ferrera for playing Betty Suarez on Ugly Betty
Felicity Huffman for playing Lynette Scavo on Desperate Housewives
Tina Fey for playing Liz Lemon on 30 Rock
Mary-Louise Parker for playing Nancy Botwin on Weeds
Julia Louis-Dreyfus for playing Christine Campbell on The New Adventures of Old Christine

I want Parker…so what?

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Edie Falco for playing Carmela Soprano Soprano on The Sopranos
Kyra Sedgwick for playing Brenda Johnson on The Closer
Patricia Arquette for playing Allison DuBois in Medium
Polly Walker for playing Atia of the Julii on Rome
Mariska Hargitay for playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Rome…delicious.

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Steve Carrell for playing Michael Scott on The Office
Alec Baldwin for playing Jack Donagy on 30 Rock
Tony Shaloub for playing Adrian Monk on Monk
Charlie Sheen for playing Charlie Harper on Two and a Half Men
Ricky Gervais for playing Andy Millman on Extras

Tough competition!

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

James Woods for playing Sebastian Stark on Shark
James Spader for playing Alan Shore on Boston Legal
James Gandolphini for playing Tony Soprano on The Sopranos
Denis Leary for playing Tommy Gavin on Rescue Me
Hugh Laurie for playing Gregory House in House

No, I did not try to squeeze as many Jameses in there as possible. It just happened.

Yep…no Heroes at all. Great writing. Not spectacular acting. No more Losties either. And the main characters of Grey’s Anatomy really can’t act. They just whine or speak monotone.

But really…what’s better than Woods bouncing around yelling at people??

Emmy Preview, Part Deux

No Arrested Development. No Malcom in the Middle. No Will & Grace. And frankly, last year's winner (Jeremy Piven from Entourage) doesn't really deserve to get the nod again. That means newbies.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Kevin Dillon for playing Johnny "Drama" Chase on Entourage
Stephen Merchant for playing Agent on Extras
Rainn Wilson for playing Dwight Schrute on The Office
Jack McBrayer for playing Kenneth Parcell on 30 Rock
Maz Jobrani for playing Gourishankar "Gary" Subramaniam on The Knights of Prosperity

For the record. Knights won't receive any nods at all, which is a shame because it was a great show. Too bad it didn't catch any sore of following. Props go to HBO and NBC for really keeping comedy alive on television. I think Dillon should really take this one home.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

William Shatner for playing Denny Crane on Boston Legal
Gary Anthony Williams for playing Clarence Bell on Boston Legal
Michael Emerson for playing Ben Linus on Lost
James Pickens, Jr. for playing Dr. Richard Webber on Grey's Anatomy
Michael Imperioli for playing Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos

Let's go ABC! This one may be tough competition, but Emerson deserves it most for his portrayal of Lost's bad/good guy. This would be the only chance Williams would have for a nod before his character gets old. And with David E. Kelley's track record, he might not be around for too long.

Emmy Preview, Part Une

Bright and early on July 19, the 59th Primetime Emmy Award nominations will be announced...but why wait? Emmy typically gets it wrong and will not doubt get it wrong again. It should be actually pretty simple. Great acting is hard to find on most television these days. So, over the next few blogs, let's examine who should be nominated so when they do come out, we can sit back and laugh...or something like that.

Lady's first!

Three of last year's nods, including the winner, weren't on the air this past year, so new blood is in the water. Only one repeat nod should be on the horizon. Here's how it should breakdown:

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Elizabeth Perkins for playing Celia Hodes on Weeds
Perrey Reeves for playing Mrs. Ari on Entourage
Angela Kinsey for playing Angela Martin on The Office
Nicollette Sheridan for playing Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives
Jane Krakowski for playing Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock

The last one is iffy. I'm not sure there were five stellar supporting performances at all the past year. But the list has to be three. Hopefully Reeves will bring Entourage recognition besides Jeremy Piven (who frankly wasn't as good this past year). Sheridan came on strong this season when Marcia Cross took a break from the "comedy" Desperate Housewives. And Martin is amazing on The Office, but she will likely not receive the nod.

Now to those that make you cry...

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Chandra Wilson for playing Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey's Anatomy
...
...
...
Kate Walsh for playing Dr. Addison F. Montgomery on Grey's Anatomy
Sarah Paulson for playing Harriet Hayes on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Julie Bowen for playing Denise Bauer-Chase on Boston Legal
Sonja Sohn for playing Shakima Greggs on The Wire

Yes, those spaces were intentional. Wilson is hands down the best actress on television, so she deserves to be set apart. Maybe Walsh's addition is just my crush, but you gotta admit she's good.

That's right. No Heroes. No Lost. Though the shows were great, no women stood out enough. Paulson likely won't get a nod because of how lowsy Studio 60 turned out to be to the critics, but her performance was the only one that was consistent and heartfelt, which may be why she stood out.

More to come...