The Emmy nominations were announced this morning.
This year there was the promise of something new as blue-ribbon panels picked the final nominees from the top ten vote-getters from the Academy's general membership. I don't know how much "new" there is, but there were some surprises... and, of course, some major overlooks (in my humble opinion)...
The Sopranos - The show gets the expected nod for Best Drama, but the big surprises were the absence of the usually slam-dunk nods for James Gandolfini and Edie Falco. Now I am not familiar with all the shows/actors, but I found it particularly insane that the wooden Geena Davis, for Commander In Chief, earned a spot over Falco. Michael Imperioli did get a nod for Supporting Actor.
Desperate Housewives - I agree the show has slipped in its sophomore season... but last year's winner for Best Comedy was pretty much shut-out in the major categories. None of the leading ladies were nominated (including last year's winner, Felicity Huffman). If anything, I thought the lone non-nominee last year, Eva Longoria, might get one this time around. Craziest? The only major acting nod was Best Supporting Actress for ... Alfre Woodard?!?! I love Alfre, but the Applewhite storyline is what I felt really dragged down this entire season.
Six Feet Under - It seems like such a long time ago since we said goodbye to the Fisher clan, but the stellar final season was just eligible for this round of Emmys. While I hoped it would earn a final Best Drama nod, it did not... Peter Krause and Frances Conroy earned lead nominations... but none for Michael C. Hall and Lauren Ambrose, both who broke my heart (multiple times) over those last few episodes.
Lost - As with Housewives, last year's winner for Best Drama was totally shut out of major nominations this year... no acting nominations, lead or supporting... only Henry Ian Cusick (Desmond) earned a "guest actor in a drama series" nomination.
The Comeback - One the nominations that made me the happiest... Lisa Kudrow for Best Actress in a Comedy series. Valerie Cherish may have got the shaft, but at least Lisa knows she's being heard.
The Office - Earned nods for Best Comedy as well as for Steve Carell. But no Emmy love for Jim and Pam (John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer) in the supporting categories.
My Name Is Earl - Perhaps eclipsed by The Office, I felt the freshmen comedy was a bit slighted. No nominations for Best Comedy or Jason Lee or Ethan Suplee -- but all is well in Best Supporting Actress-land with a well-deserved nod to Jamie Pressly.
Arrested Development - The show eked out one more nod for Best Comedy series... but was on the short-end when it came to acting. Only Will Arnett (Gob) squeaked in for supporting. Where or where was my Jessica Walter nomination?!?
Will & Grace - Also, in its last hurrah. The show fails to be up for Best Comedy... but 3/4's of the cast are nominated one more time (sorry Eric McCormack).
The West Wing - Gets its last (and, in my opinion, well-deserved) nod for Best Drama... with the usual suspects nominated in the acting categories... Sheen in lead, Janney in lead, and Alda in support.
24 - The show with the most nominations, including Best Drama. Now while I think that this is technically a very good show, it's not one I watch for its fine acting. Nevertheless, Kiefer gets a lead acting nod... and the devilish First Family, Gregory Itzin and Jean Smart, earn nods in support. What no Chloe?! Guess we need a "best comedic performance in a drama series" category for Mary Lynn Rajskub.
Weeds - A very good show over at Showtime... didn't expect a Best Comedy nod, but thought the deliciously sly Mary Louise Parker (and Award show fave) would make the cut for Lead Actress, she did not... the only major nod was Elizabeth Perkins in support.
Scrubs - Ok, I am thrilled for the Best Comedy nod... but WTF?!!!? Where are the acting nominations?!?! Zach Braff made it onto the list last year, so I thought we were past all of this... and again, it is just inexcusable that John C. McGinley has never been nominated as Dr. Cox.
For the full list of nominess... and to see if your favorites have been nominated from the few shows I do not watch (i.e. the very much nominated Grey's Anatomy)... go here:
Yahoo! TV - Coverage of The 58th Annual Emmy Awards
A more "easy on the eyes" list can be found here:
EW.com | Here are the Emmy nominees
Where was the Best Drama nod for Battlestar Galactica? I know it's scifi, but it was (and is) still one of the best shows out there.
Posted by: Scott-O-Rama | Thursday, July 06, 2006 at 01:04 PM
Ed, I'm so happy the Emmy folks finally got one right. The new nominating procedure seems to have helped!
Great to see Arnett recognized for his work. And Kyra Sedgwick is so wonderful on The Closer... I'll be so pissed if she doesn't win!
Posted by: tlm | Thursday, July 06, 2006 at 01:09 PM