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« Roush Dispatch
The Emmys: A Dramatic Shift Toward Cable
Jon Hamm courtesy AMC
If you heard someone momentarily flatlining in the audience at the reading of the Emmy nominations Thursday morning, that was me. They were announcing the best drama series candidates and I was mostly on board as I checked my list in the back of the TV Academy theater. Damages. Yay! House. OK. Boston Legal. I don’t approve, but I’m no longer surprised. Lost. OMG! Dexter. OM-Freaking-G! Wait. That’s five. Surely they didn’t leave out . . .
And they didn’t. AMC’s dazzling Mad Men, the last to be announced, not only made the cut, it made history. With 16, it’s the most nominated drama of the year, and with FX’s Damages (seven nominations total), represents basic cable’s first-ever breakthrough into the top tier of Emmy accolades for best series. Mad Men also has to be seen as the odds-on favorite for best drama at this point.
While we’re on this category—and let’s face it, this is the golden age of TV drama, so this really is the night’s top prize—let’s hail the Emmy voters for recognizing the creative rebirth of Lost this season, which had fallen off the list since winning best drama for its first season. And what a pleasant shock to see the Emmys embrace (only a year late) the twisted brilliance of Dexter in its second year for coming into its own with plotting that never stopped. Of the three cable dramas vying for the Emmy, Dexter was a much bigger surprise for me than the success of Mad Men and Damages, which despite not airing on pay cable have the look and feel of first-class blue-chip entertainment. (I secretly suspect Emmy voters were confused about Mad Men having been created by a former Sopranos writer and just assumed it aired on HBO, since it surely looks like it does.)
Now that I’ve gushed, let’s pause for a moment to lament the final snub for HBO’s searing urban masterpiece The Wire (a single writing nomination) and another cold shoulder for Friday Night Lights (a casting nomination, but no acting honors yet again). I guess the Emmy voters must somehow think these shows are documentaries, not dramas. And because they take place on those strange, obscure planets of Texas and Baltimore, the Hollywood contingent simply can’t be bothered.
God forbid they’d favor either of these shows over the cartoonish pandering of Boston Legal (seven nominations, including three for acting and one for directing). I’m a little irked as well by the rote nomination of House (four nominations, including no-brainer Hugh Laurie and directing) after a lukewarm season marred by awkward cast transitions. A few killer episodes, especially toward the end, does not a deserving season make, but no argument about Hugh Laurie.
Speaking of best drama actor, which like the best-drama category made room for six nominees, how does one choose among Laurie, Jon Hamm, Michael C. Hall, Bryan Cranston (an inspired choice for AMC’s other new drama, Breaking Bad; what a great year for AMC), In Treatment’s brooding Gabriel Byrne and the inevitable James Spader. Laurie is overdue, but I’m torn between Hamm and Hall. An embarrassment of riches.
The best drama actress category is more clear-cut. Some terrific contenders in past winners Sally Field and Mariska Hargitay, plus TNT queens Kyra Sedgwick and the over-the-top Holly Hunter, but this one’s going to Damages’ Glenn Close for her ferocious performance as the cunning Patty Hewes. (Kudos to Ted Danson and Zeljko Ivanek for earning supporting nominations for Damages as well.)
Few surprises in the various comedy categories. I was bummed that Pushing Daisies, despite earning 12 nominations (second only to 30 Rock’s 17 in the comedy field), didn’t crack the best-comedy category. I blame the strike, which kept Daisies from completing more than nine episodes. I also blame the Emmy voters’ infatuation with HBO, because Entourage certainly didn’t deserve a nod for its most recent subpar season. (No such argument with Jeremy Piven and Kevin Dillon’s supporting nominations.) But Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, 30 Rock and Two and a Half Men were all expected to make the cut, and did.
A quick note on the movies/minis categories. As usual, HBO leads the pack with its epic miniseries John Adams earning 23 nominations. Its only real rival: PBS Masterpiece’s delightful Cranford, with eight. The movie prize will come down to HBO’s politically charged satire Recount and ABC’s beautifully rendered remake of A Raisin in the Sun, unless HBO’s Extras movie finale is a spoiler. (Raisin’s Phylicia Rashad, who won a Tony for the role, should be a shoo-in for movie actress despite tough competition from Laura Linney’s Abigail Adams and Dame Judi Dench’s poignant Cranford spinster. With lesser competition, John Adams’ Paul Giamatti is probably a lock for best actor, unless Extras’ Ricky Gervais pulls off another upset.)
Some thoughts on other major categories (for a full list, go here):
Comedy actor: Nice to see Pushing Daisies’ charming Lee Pace break into a tight category. But 30 Rock’s Alec Baldwin, denied a win last year, will take this one. (I knew it was a long shot for this year, but I'm hoping the Emmys will soon discover The Big Bang Theory's truly hilarious Jim Parsons.)
Comedy actress: Ditto Christina Applegate, joining a list of worthy repeat nominees. I’d love to see Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ hysterical Old Christine win again. That underappreciated show could use the boost.
Supporting/guest nominations: Shout-outs to Lost’s Michael Emerson and Grey’s Anatomy’s Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson for representing their otherwise neglected ensembles; to How I Met Your Mother’s Neil Patrick Harris and Mad Men's John Slattery; to Saturday Night Live’s versatile Amy Poehler for forcing the Emmys to consider work in late-night comedy worthy of inclusion in the comedy category; and while Desperate Housewives' regular cast was entirely shut out, here’s to guest actresses Kathryn Joosten and Polly Bergen for keeping Wisteria Lane on the map.
Reality: How likely is it that The Amazing Race will once again beat American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Bravo’s Project Runway and Top Chef for reality-competition? Very likely. But Race's Phil Keoghan was left out of the new reality-host race, which should go to Dancing’s unflappably appealing Tom Bergeron (his competition: Heidi Klum, Jeff Probst, Ryan Seacrest and, gulp, Howie Mandel, who can now add “Emmy nominee” to his resume). Still the wackiest category: Outstanding Reality Program, a grab-bag that includes Antiques Roadshow, Dirty Jobs, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Intervention and Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List—who will she tell to “suck it” should she win again?
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Jul 17, 2008 1:19 PM
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I hate that the Emmy's even mentioned Mary McDonnell's name when that 'list' was leaked of potential nominees. Why bother? Everyone knew when that list was put out that the Emmy panel wouldn't actually officially nominate her, so what was the point of tossing her name out there in the first place? It was just a waste of time for them, for her, and for her fans. Hopefully, after years of being jerked around and ignored, Mary McDonnell knows better than to get her hopes up - a lesson I still need to learn, apparently.
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Jul 17, 2008 2:08 PM
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It's great to see Mad Men get the recognition is deserves, but I'm really hoping Damages takes the award for best drama series. I was on the edge of my seat throughout and hadn't been that engrossed by a mystery in a long time.
Oh, and Matt, I'm sure you were as pleased as i was that Oliver Platt got nominated for his "outstanding" work on Nip/Tuck this season !!!
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Jul 17, 2008 2:27 PM
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I am delighted that Mad Men and Damages received so many of the top nominations, and that Lost was recognized for it's great come-back season. But once again, no love for Friday Night Lights.
I suppose until Boston Legal goes away, it's going to be the annual fly in the Emmy ointment. Is the Boston Chamber of Commerce bribing these peope?
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Jul 17, 2008 3:10 PM
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No love yet again for Kyle, Connie, any of the FNL cast and the show. *sigh.*
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Jul 17, 2008 3:15 PM
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Actually I am kind of happy...I have another reason not to watch these. I mean..there are some good..edgy choices. Dexter is wonderful and very under rated...but are you kidding me with this Boston Legal and 30 Rock?? Good Lord those are so bad it makes me wonder why even release their semi-finals. FNL is the very best acted and written show on tv..how you can simply ignore it is just proof that it is a really a popularity contest.
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Jul 17, 2008 3:20 PM
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I was actually pretty happy with this year's list of nominees.
I hope people haven't forgotten just how good Damages was since it's been so long.
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Jul 17, 2008 3:27 PM
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Make fun of "Boston Legal" if you must...I get it. But I must say that James Spader moves me more on a weekly basis than most actors (and I don't even agree with most things he says).
My only beef is that they can't seem to decide what category it should be in: in the SAG awards in 2006, it was a Comedy, and in 2007 it was a Drama. It seems more like a comedy to me (like Desp HW, Pushing Daisies, etc.).
And while I'm alienating people, may I say that I just don't get all the hype around "Mad Men." I see that it's a quality show, but I dozed off during several episodes last summer. I don't do that during Damages, Lost, Dexter, or Friday Night Lights (or Boston Legal, for that matter).
And thumbs up for recognizing Bryan Cranston - - now, that's acting!
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Jul 17, 2008 3:45 PM
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It was a good year for TV I think as more and more great actors and writers see TV no longer has a stigma, but where the good stuff is. Great parts and writers aren't treated like furniture. 
I have to say I did watch Boston Legal and thought it was good, for a while (I came over as a Murphy Brown fan) but as I've gone from watching it in the background and forgetting to watch, I am shocked by this.
I think almost all of the noms are worthy, but Boston Legal really shows that something has to change. Name Rec is rulling the Emmys and it means great people are left out in the cold. People who perhaps are loved by the audience, but just not on the tip of the tounge of Emmy voters.
There needs to be a balance.
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Jul 17, 2008 3:48 PM
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Hurray for basic cable on making history with Mad Men and Damages! Take that, you stupid major networks!
What is it about Boston Legal?! I used to love it, but IMHO, it passed its prime a couple of years ago.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for Kyra Sedgwick and Chandra Wilson.
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Jul 17, 2008 3:56 PM
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The strike really did a number on things, didn't it...
I too love FNL and hope it gets some good nominations next year. Watched an episode of Mad Men this year (the lipstick one); interesting, but a little too solidly dramatic for me right now. I'll check it out at some point down the line. However, I don't see a problem with it getting a win in its sophomore year instead, if that happens. I'm excited for basic cable's Emmy achievements overall though - enough with the complete HBO snobbery! ;-P
We've watched Dexter since it's initial premiere, and I am super giddy happy that both the show and Michael C. Hall earned nominations.
I also adore Boston Legal. It's never won for best drama (and has only been nominated once before in the category), and with the competition it seems unlikely to win this year. However, Spader has been nominated (and won) three times, skipping 2006 which was 24's year. It really is an awesome, over-the-top, absurd show, and both it and star Spader deserves their noms.
I used to hate on shows like CSI, Law & Order, West Wing, etc. because they always won the awards, and I felt like my favorite quirky shows were being unduly dismissed. So I get it. But Boston Legal simply isn't a Law & Order. It's special. It's also topical. And between Spader, Shatner, and Bergen - I can't deny the perfection.
Also - NPH got a nom!!! That's legen - wait for it - 'dairy'!
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Jul 17, 2008 4:15 PM
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In the Best Actress miniseries category, I think it's actually Linney, not Rashad, who is the shoo-in. I expect John Adams to sweep all the major categories.
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Jul 17, 2008 4:23 PM
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I don't get it. The Emmy people finally decided to recognize quality shows this year, but they still snubbed Friday Night Lights. Well, kudos for Mad Men and Damages and at least a couple of nods for Pushing Daisies. I don't watch a lot of these shows, so it's hard to have a good opinion, but the consensus seems to be that Boston Legal shouldn't be there every year. I watched a couple of shows at the beginning, but I liked The Practice better. I'm rooting for Kyra Sedgewick to win, but Glenn Close will probably take it . John Hamm is my choice for actor as I have not even seen the others. I'll also be hoping for a win for both NPH and Kristin Chenowith. I hope John Adams wins a lot because it well deserves it. And I'm hoping that Lost will win the best drama award again. Except for the FNL snub, I'm pretty happy with the noms. I've actually seen a lot of stuff that got included for a change and many of my faves are there. It will be interesting.
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Jul 17, 2008 4:44 PM
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I HATE that FNL's was snubbed again. That show is quality entertainment with drama and humor.
However I LOVE that Dexter and Michael C Hall received a well deserve nom.
And congrats to Lost for being there again.
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Jul 17, 2008 4:55 PM
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The Emmy's are a total joke. Every year they disappoint. No Friday Night Lights or the Wire? Travesty. I was glad to see Michael Emerson and Bryan Cranston get nominations. Although I have only seen one episode of MadMen, I can understand all the buzz for this show. Glad the Emmy board picked at least one deserving show.
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Jul 17, 2008 5:08 PM
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