In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« The Drips
The Drips does a Dream Emmy Ballot--The End
Well, this took a little more effort to complete than I expected since my TV in my bedroom decided to burn up last night. Literally. Luckily there were no actual flames, just some smoke, but, as any of you who have been through a fire can attest to, smoke damage is a big pain to take care of. It was made worse by the fact that we discovered that all of bedroom windows had been accidentally painted shut. (***cough*moron painters*cough***) So now that we've cut open the windows my room is still airing out and in much disarray and we are waiting to see if all of my clothes and other stuff has to be cleaned. Yay. I can't complain, though, because half my extended family lives in Cedar Rapids, IA, which is currently a lake. Anyway, back to the fun stuff...
And now...my choices for the winners:
(This was so hard, but I made myself choose just one per category (two stars) and a runner-up(one star). I tried to explain my choices and occasionally, in the closest races, my thoughts on the other "nominees". If you are wondering about my criteria for picking the winners, I tried to consider the consistency of the performances over THIS season (sorry, no "lifetime achievement awards") and the impact of a character on the show and the other characters. I tried to ignore my personal preferences for one show or character over others, and my personal feelings about the actors or show runners. I am human, though, so I'm sure those things still factored in.)
Supporting Actor in a Drama
**Robert Sean Leonard, House
*Paul Adelstein, Private Practice
Watch the House season premiere. There will be tears in your eyes...of laughter. Now watch the House season finale. There will be tears in your eyes again, but definitely not tears of laughter. All because of Robert Sean Leonard. They should go ahead and print out an Emmy with his name on it.
Adelstein comes in second for creating the only multidimensional, and still loveable, character thus far on Private Practice.
Supporting Actor in a Comedy
**Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
*Chi McBride, Pushing Daisies
On other people's blogs all week (Hi Rod!) I've been calling for a tie between these two, so I forced myself to make a decision here. I think Neil Patrick Harris is amazing on HIMYM, and no one could be Barney except for him. That is all there is to it. Chi McBride's crotchety, knitting detective was my favorite new character of the TV season. Honestly all these guys are so amazing that I'd be happy if any of them won.
Supporting Actress in a Drama
**Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
*Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
If Chandra Wilson were ever to leave Grey's Anatomy I don't think I could watch anymore. She is the heart and soul (and usually the brain, too!) of the show. She always seems to say what I'm thinking. Christina's Hendricks' Joan was one of the most complex characters I've seen created in a long time.
On a side note, yes, I realize Lisa Edelstein did not have big Emmy-worthy storyline this season, but she is just so consistently good on a weekly basis that I gave her a nod. And I love her. Don't judge me. 
Supporting Actress in a Comedy
**Amy Pietz, Aliens in America
*Kristin Chenowith, Pushing Daisies
Another tough one. (Aren't they all?) How great is Kristin Chenowith as Olive? She sings, she dances, and she takes care of Digby! Amazing. And yet, Amy Pietz took what could have so easily become a one-note caricature and turned her into a mom for modern times...who isn't always as up with the times as she likes to think she is. Aliens was a good show that never got the credit it deserved and Amy Pietz was it's heart and funny bone.
Lead Actor in a Drama
**Hugh Laurie, House
*Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Yikes! You all know I love my David Boreanaz and Christopher Meloni, but I had to go with two other guys who I though were truly amazing this year. Jon Hamm's Don Draper was so complex that I couldn't decide from one scene to the next how I felt about him, but I still rooted for him anyway. Hugh Laurie does everything and more that these other guys do...with an accent and a limp. He is way over due for an Emmy and I hope this is his year.
Lead Actor in a Comedy
**Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
*Steve Carell, The Office
Why are these all so hard?! I'd be happy with any of these guys winning, but Steve Carell's Michael is so completely loveable/hateable that he amazes me on a weekly basis, and Alec Baldwin wins for me because of the "Tracy's Therapy" scene (in addition to his usual weekly excellence).
Lead Actress in a Drama
**Maura Tierney, ER
*January Jones, Mad Men
This one hurt me a little. I absolutely adore Mariska Hargitay and Emily Deschanel. I really, really do. And they are both amazing actresses who had great seasons. But when I thought of January Jones' damaged housewife, Betty, and then of the way Maura Tierney took Abby from the top of the world to the depths of despair and addiction and then back to somewhere in between, well, I had to vote the way I did.
Lead Actress in a Comedy
**Tina Fey, 30 Rock
*America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Tina Fey has made Liz Lemon into a quirkier, a little absurd, Mary Tyler Moore for the new era. Alec Baldwin is great, but it is Fey who really carries the show and keeps it centered. America Ferrera continues to make Betty the girl that everyone can root for even when she is stuck in impossible, and sometimes hilarious, situations.
Drama Series
**House
*Bones
*Mad Men
Did you watch the House season finale? Well, did you? That is all I have to say.
This is the only one where I cheated. I absolutely love Bones (I'm sure none of you knew this!) and the way they blend together so many different elements into one cohesive, excellent, show, is almost perfect, but the finale...well, you know. I think Mad Men was the most consistently high quality show I watched all year, even above House. So I just couldn't choose.
Comedy Series
**30 Rock
*Pushing Daisies
There are so many amazing comedies on TV right now; we are very fortunate. The stuff they come up with at 30 Rock is absolute genius. Smart, topical, absurd, but with a heart. And laugh-out-loud funny. Pushing Daisies was the best, and most creative, new show of the season. The cinematography was gorgeous, and the characters and storylines were amazing.
Whew! That was definitely hard, but lots of fun. So who are your "Emmy" winners?
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Jun 13, 2008 10:27 AM
|
Hi Megan,
I was so sorry to read about what happened to you last night. I hope the damage isn't too bad and that you get your room in order without too much trouble. When my previous TV gave out, it just turned off and never turned back on again--thank goodness!! Now I know how much worse it could have been.
Here are my thoughts on your choices:
Supporting Actor in a Drama
I don't watch House, so I'm not in a position to choose. I'll just say that I love Paul Adelstein on Private Practice.
Supporting Actor in a Comedy
**Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
*Chi McBride, Pushing Daisies
I agree with these choices. Chi McBride is my favorite character on Pushing Daisies, but NPH really outdid himself on HIMYM this past season. Who else could be Barney?
Supporting Actress in a Drama
Again, I'm not in a position to choose here because I don't watch Grey's Anatomy. But I did pick Christina Hendricks of Mad Men out of your original choices. I knew a lot of women like her Joan character during that time, and Christina plays her to perfection.
Supporting Actress in a Comedy
**Amy Pietz, Aliens in America
*Kristin Chenowith, Pushing Daisies
I love Kristin's Olive on Pushing Daisies, but I have to go along with your choice of Amy Pietz. She was perfection in her role of the mother on AIA.
Lead Actor in a Drama
I don't watch House, but I did pick Jon Hamm of Mad Men out of your original choices. I find him mesmerizing as the troubled not-Don Draper.
Lead Actress in a Drama
I don't watch ER, and I don't remember who I picked out of your original choices, but January Jones certainly deserves recognition as the repressed Betty Draper in Mad Men. Again, I knew many women like Betty during that time and January's performance speaks for all of them.
Lead Actor in a Comedy
I don't watch The Office, but I picked out Alec Baldwin of 30 Rock from your original list. He makes that show for me. (And thanks for talking me into giving it another chance.)
Lead Actress in a Comedy
I'm not a big Tina Fey fan, so I have to go with America Ferrera on Ugly Betty. She's so endearing, we can't not root for her.
Drama Series
You know how much I love Bones, but I have to go with Mad Men. It's not only excellent drama for any time period, but it so perfectly evokes a long-ago era that I remember very well.
Comedy Series
I'm really enjoying 30 Rock but, for me, Pushing Daisies is the best comedy for it's sheer enchantment and originality, and the one I picked from your original list.
Megan, you and Rod have made this a really fun week. Thanks so much for the time and effort you put into this, especially under such extreme duress.
|
|
Jun 13, 2008 12:14 PM
|
Meggy!! Your TV burned down??!!! That has to be the most tragic thing I've ever heard and I've been throwing up the past 24 hours! I hope you can get rid of all the smoke damage and that it's not all that extensive. When a friend's kitchen burned down the insurance folks paid to have everything cleaned and even then the smoke smell lingered for years. Good luck! I hope you have insurance? And I'm glad you weren't hurt in all this.
I'm sorry to hear about your extended family too! Worst flood since '93, isn't it?
I'm not going to vote anymore, I'm just so tired and nauseated. Well, you know my votes by now anyway.  I would've probably thrown in a couple of performances from Scrubs though. But I have to go lie down now. Doctor's appointment in a bit!
|
|
Jun 13, 2008 1:01 PM
|
|
I still say I wish they'd give awards to the top five in every category and make it more of a celebration of brilliance and a job well done and not the best of. I agree with a lot of what you say. To me the best shows I saw this year and the ones most deserving are Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Dexter, House, Supernatural, Medium, Dirty Sexy Money, 30 Rock, The Office, Scrubs, Pushing Daisies, Chuck, My Name is Earl, and Medium. The people who impressed me the most were on these shows.
|
|
Jun 13, 2008 1:03 PM
|
Famin - feel better!
Megan - I left you a TV post on my blogs. Yikes!
|
|
Jun 13, 2008 1:04 PM
|
Aww, Famin, I hope you are at least starting to feel better. Get plenty of rest and liquids! I knew my blog buddies would truly appreciate how traumatic it is for a TV to burn down! We had an electrical fire when I was in high school and the only physical damage was in my bathroom, but the smoke damage was so bad that we had to live in a hotel for a month while everything was cleaned. This was a lot less smoke so we are going to keep airing out the house for awhile before we decide if we need to get stuff drycleaned. The flood is terrible; I read a few minutes ago that 400 city blocks are under water in Cedar Rapids now.
Thanks, Cindy! I don't watch all of those shows, but I agree that the ones I do watch are excellent. They definitely all deserve recognition.
Thanks, Marci, and thank you for telling me all your choices, too! I have had fun this week. Since Mad Men is a bit "male-centric" I love the fact that it had so many strong female performances for us to talk about.
|
|
Jun 13, 2008 2:30 PM
|
|
I just had to share something. I just read the USA Today Dream Emmy ballot and guess who is on it. Lisa Edelstein. Yay, they love her, too! Now I feel like I didn't have to explain myself on my ballot because apparently I'm not (just) a crazy fan.
|
|
Jun 13, 2008 4:00 PM
|
Hi Megs,
I've been very busy last couple of days and although I haven't been commenting, I've been reading your dream Emmy Lists. I don't watch alot of the shows you nominated, but I've enjoyed your take.
Although I can't even think straight after a couple of grueling days, the least I can do address some of the comments you made.
...Robert Sean Leonard. They should go ahead and print out an Emmy with his name on it.
After reading your explanation about the first and last eps, I gotta agree.
He deserves to win this year.
If Chandra Wilson were ever to leave Grey's Anatomy I don't think I could watch anymore.
Baily makes the show for me, too. Totally agree with this statement.
Yikes! You all know I love my David Boreanaz ... but I had to go with two other guys ...
I am SHOCKED and APPALLED is all I can say! I guess he didn't wear his wifebeaters enough this year.
This is the only one where I cheated. I absolutely love Bones (I'm sure none of you knew this!) and the way they blend together so many different elements into one cohesive, excellent, show, is almost perfect, but the finale...well, you know.
Yes, I know.
You, Rod and Vickie are so good at this, Megan. You guys should go professional. You already have a fanbase here!
|
|
Jun 13, 2008 5:16 PM
|
|
Megan - You know i feel the same way about Lisa. She is really deserving and unsung IMO.
|
|
Jun 13, 2008 5:52 PM
|
The flood is terrible; I read a few minutes ago that 400 city blocks are under water in Cedar Rapids now.
God. That is just insane. How are those people managing? I was just thinking about the weather this summer and it's only June and we're average mini power outtages pretty much every day already. What's it going to be like in August??! If it's already well into the 90s and 100% humidity already?? Plant a tree people! Maybe three!!
Good luck airing your house out, Meg. At least it's summer and you can keep your windows open without fearing frostbite! Maybe try Febreeze and Neutra-Air as well. They seem to work pretty well with bar smell (cigarettes and stale beer) so maybe it'll work with burned TV? Good luck!
|
|
Jun 14, 2008 6:54 PM
|
Lisa in Monte Carlo
Thank you, Kath!
I am SHOCKED and APPALLED is all I can say! I guess he didn't wear his wifebeaters enough this year.
Ah, yes, that must have been it. If he goes completely shirtless next season he tops my lists by default.
Thanks, Cindy. She really is quite something, isn't she? I've been a casual fan of hers for some time, but once I started watching House my fanship went into overdrive. She was at the TV Festival in Monte Carlo last week (which, Kath, David was at, too, and as soon as my life settles down I plan on posting pics and vids from it the Bones group) so there were new pictures and interviews with her every day for a week. It was like Christmas for a Lisa fan! (Except when I read the comments to her interview with Kristin from E!. Grr...some people are idiots).
LOL...Thanks, Famin! I think the smell is gone now, or if it isn't I have just stopped noticing it. I can't smell it on my clothes either, so that is definitely a good sign for my drycleaning bill. Now I just need to find a new TV. 
I've heard that the waters are finally receding in Cedar Rapids, but that they are rising in Iowa City. I just can't imagine all the damage that has been done and how those folks are going to cope with it all. I'm definitely thinking about them often.
Are you feeling better?
|
|
Jun 15, 2008 11:45 PM
|
I am feeling better, thanks. Or at least, I was feeling better until I had to come in to work. Now I feel decidedly worse! 
You know, I just bought a new TV. You could have my old one!
Ah, yes, that must have been it. If he goes completely shirtless next season he tops my lists by default.
Well, he was (presumably) naked this season and wearing a beer hat. Wasn't that enough for you?
|
|
Jun 16, 2008 9:20 AM
|
I'm glad you are feeling better! Your "old" TV is probably still younger than mine than burned up, so it would be a welcome addition to my room. If only we didn't live 10 hours apart!
Well, he was (presumably) naked this season and wearing a beer hat. Wasn't that enough for you?
LOL...I'm not sure how, but I had momentarily forgotten about that. Maybe I need to rethink my votes...
|
|
Jun 16, 2008 10:33 AM
|
If only we didn't live 10 hours apart!
Darn it all! Well, you could drive over. And while you're driving over you could use the time to rethink your votes.
|
|
Jun 16, 2008 1:35 PM
|
|
Haha, true. I will need that time to think about what I've done.
|
|
Jun 16, 2008 2:50 PM
|
|
|
