Team Experience: (More) Emmy Reactions
Sunday, July 21, 2013 at 7:45PM Now that we've had a few days to process the Emmy award nominations, do we have any outrage left over?Though we’re a film site, it’s unwise to ignore proclaimed golden age of television we’re living in -- even if the arguments that TV is greater than film is wholly suspect -- especially when so many movie stars keep on crossing over. So we surveyed Team Experience with the following questions:
- win you're most rooting for?
- most baffling nomination?
- most compelling category?
- better luck next year?
- which Oscar-winning actress?
Which Oscar Winner Are Your Rooting For For Emmy: Helen, Jane, Jessica, Maggie or Melissa?
Read our collective responses and answer the same questions after the jump. No small screen coverage is complete without your comments, TV being so communal.
JOSE
Win: Jane Kra-freaking-kowski. It’s time! I’m stupidly hoping, she’ll have Cheno’s Pushing Daisies luck (Broadway star getting TV award for last season of critically acclaimed show). Not that it’s a “thing” but, hey, there’s a precedent.
Most Baffling: Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery for Downton Abbey. I love them both, but seriously?
Compelling Category: Best Actress in a Miniseries/TV Movie. I need Elisabeth Moss (Top of the Lake) to win, because…well, she’s impressive! But I also want Laura Linney to win to make up for Melissa McCarthy stealing her Emmy. And then we also have Mirren and Weaver and Lange doing mesmerizing work! I think this is always my favourite category.
Better Luck Next Year: Parks and Recreation and Nick Offerman. :(
Which Oscar Winner: Mirren, Fonda, Lange, Smith, Leo: Can I say I’m rooting against Maggie Smith instead?
MICHAEL
Win?: I’m pulling for Breaking Bad across the board, but I would jump up and cheer loudest for a Jonathan Banks for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama. TV veteran Banks took a character that was supposed to be a one-off and built him up into an essential part of the show through the sheer power of his presence.
Most Baffling: No room for so many of the dozens of brilliantly directed episodes of Veep, Parks and Recreation, New Girl or Enlightened but they manage to squeeze in a nod for Glee? I thought everyone had moved on from that one.
Compelling Category: With cable TV’s increasingly strong production values the Emmy’s cinematography category is becoming as compelling as the Oscars. How do you choose between the gorgeous, atmospheric worlds of Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, House of Cards and Mad Men? Well, that’s easy, you vote Breaking Bad – it’s the most visually arresting show ever made. But still, an incredible line-up.
Better Luck Next Year: I get that there is a glut of quality show these days, but not a single nominations for Justified? Not even Walton Gogginss’ jaw-dropping work as Boyd Crowder? Boo. Boo, I say.
Which Oscar Winner: I’m rooting for Melissa Leo because her raucous turn on Louie was explosively funny, but also as a stand-in for Louie’s phenomenal season of guest stars including unforgettable turns from Parker Posey and David Lynch.
ABSTEW
Win: Sarah Paulson in American Horror Story for Outstanding Supporting Actress in Miniseries / TV Series. I haven’t been her biggest fan in the past, but I felt she did her best work to date this season as the plucky reporter/unwitting inmate/power lesbian – Lana Winters. And unlike Jessica Lange who creates her characters to maximize awards potential, gobbling up scenery and getting backstory monologues that bring the story to a halt, Paulson’s Lana propelled the story forward and was nothing but compelling.
Most Baffling: Anything for The Big Bang Theory. I just don’t get the appeal of that show, or any of the CBS comedies really. Oh, and Scott Bakula for Behind the Candelabra. I almost forgot that he was in that. But, crazy-faced Rob Lowe still haunts my nightmares. Where is his nomination?!
Compelling Category: The Emmys are frustrating in that they find something like and stick with it. But, I am pleased with the Outstanding Drama Series nominations especially Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Homeland and the introduction of the new Netflix series House of Cards.
Better Luck Next Year: Parks and Recreation for Outstanding Comedy Series and Nick Offerman for Supporting Actor. Why they continue to ignore the show for anything other than Amy’s regular nominations is beyond me.
Which Oscar Winner: I can’t wait for another round of Melissa Leo’s self-paid “consider me” ads…but, I’m going with Jane Fonda. I have not seen a single episode of The Newsroom but I love her too much not to go with her. We lost her for so long in the nineties that I’ll get her in any way I can. I’ve even seen Monster-in-Law and Georgia Rule.
PAOLO
Win: Kerry Washington for Scandal. She’s the first lady of network TV. Or, she should be.
Most Baffling: 30 Rock’s writing nominations. They’ve done better.
Most Compelling Category: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series because I can actually keep up with those and I like laughing which most of these have managed to achieve.
Better Luck Next Year: Kelly Macdonald in Boardwalk Empire. But I’m biased.
Which Oscar Winner: Jessica Lange in American Horror Story: Asylum. She’s the only one of the lot who’s truly deserving of a win.
DEBORAH
Win: Christina Hendricks. Honestly, Mad Men has been shut out of acting so thoroughly by the Emmys. But rights, it should Jon Hamm, but she’s just as good with less material.
Most Baffling: Harry Hamlin in Mad Men. Such a trifle of a role to be recognised.
Most Compelling Category: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama. It’s really interesting with Hendricks, Morena Baccarin, Maggie Smith, Christine Baranski – impressive group of women.
Better Luck Next Year: Jon Hamm, because maybe the swan song season of Mad Men will get him some love. And maybe get some love for the unfortunately never nominated Vincent Kartheiser.
Which Oscar Winner: The only one of these I watch is Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey, but I think Jessica Lange winning would be cool as shit.
GLENN
Win: “Hang the Moon” from Smash for original song. I know the hip choice is “The Rural Juror” (30 Rock), but it would be a fond farewell to Smash to see arguably its finest contributors (songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman) win a statue for one of their finest moments., after that I think there’s going to be a whole subsection of the internet hoping Adam Driver can take down supporting actor in a comedy for Girls.
Smash - Bernadette Peters - Hang the moon by Gavrilo_Rabrenovic
Most Baffling: All it took for Enlightened to get a nomination for Laura Dern was to get axed! It’s a wonder why with a field of six, and plenty of viable contenders just outside the nomination pool, the voting committee choose now to nominate her. Unless they felt bad for not nominating her last year when they still had a chance to parley any awards success into viewers.
Most Compelling Category: Best Actress in a Drama. Oh, sure, Claire Danes will probably take her second win in a row for Homeland but did anyone think Homeland’s second season was as good as the first? With six – SIX – other contenders that are either beloved (Britton) or on big zeitgeist hits (Dockery, Washington, Wright), owed (Moss), or just clearly super excellent enough to somewhat snag a surprise nomination (Farmiga, my personal dhoice) maybe her win isn’t quite as set in stone. And, hey, you know Julianna Margulies is pulling some crazy voodoo backstage on her.
Better Luck Next Year: The aforementioned Laura Dern doesn’t have a hope (remember when Julia Louis-Dreyfyss won an Emmy for The Old Adventures of New Christine because she was literally the only nominee whose show hadn’t been axed or ended?), but there won’t be a “next year” for her.
Which Oscar Winner: abstain.
DANIEL
Win: I say it every year, but it bears repeating: all reality TV hosts should be as gracious, enthusiastic, genuine, and full of personality as the luminous Cat Deeley. In every moment of So You Think You Can Dance, you wish that you were a contestant just so you could be her friend. Now THAT’S great hosting.
Most Baffling: I know no one who doesn’t love Jane Lynch, but what did she even DO on Glee this season?
Most Compelling Category: Guest Actress in a Drama Series. You’ve got Margo Martindale as the sole representative of the incredible cast of The Americans, Diana Rigg’s delicious Olenna Tyrelll on Game of Thrones, Jane Fonda’s supreme scenery chewing on The Newsroom, Joan Cusack’s always touching and hilarious Sheila on Shameless and Carrie Preston’s shoulda-been-Emmyed-at-least-twice-over Elsbeth Tascioni on The Good Wife. Not to mention the always awesome Linda Cardellini on Mad Men which I don’t watch but have heard good things about. Honestly, if it weren’t for Carrie Preston not having an Emmy for this role as yet, I wouldn’t know who to vote for.
Better Luck Next Year: The Americans and New Girl, easily two of the best shows on TV, regardless of genre. And, of course, our beloved RuPaul – the mainstream will catch up to the genius of Drag Race some day.
Which Oscar Winner: Jessica Lange deserves that Emmy for her drunken rant during the movie on American Horror Story’s “Nor’easter” episode ALONE. Not to mention, “The Name Game”.
DAVID
Win: Jon Hamm in Mad Men. It's unusual for me to care about the male acting categories, but, contrary to the major flow of opinion, I've found this season of Mad Men electrifying, fascinating, maddening, and deeply wonderful. I said after Hamm's monologue at the end of 'The Flood' that something is seriously wrong if he doesn't win the Emmy, and everything since has only compounded that opinion.
Most Baffling: Jeff Richmond, Tina Fey & Tracey Wigfield, Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics category for 'The Rural Juror'. Never in a million years would I have given the Emmys enough credit to expect a nomination for something as absurdly brilliant as this. 30 Rock will indeed be greatly missed.
Most Compelling Category: Happily, Lead Actress in a Drama Series seems like quite the tough call this year. You'd call Danes a sure thing, if the second series of Homeland hadn't veered off so wildly; does Dockery win by default, or does Washington ride her show's booming popularity, or does Moss finally get that trophy? The equivalent Comedy category is better quality, but Fey's on her way out and she's got room for one more gong.
Better Luck Next Year: I'm just going to have to sit on my hands until they finally recognise the flawless work Nick Offerman is doing in Parks. And the entire supporting cast, for that matter. And the show itself.
Which Oscar Winner: Honestly? I don't watch any of their shows. Can we pretend Diana Rigg won an Oscar? (I don't watch her show either, but it's Diana freakin' Rigg.)
ANDREW
Win you’re most hoping for: I’m rooting for The Good Wife in any way possible. It’d be excellent if it continues its trend of picking up one acting statue a year with a win for Preston or Baranski in their respective categories but the one category where its peerless among its competitors is Outstanding Casting. The legal world of Chicago is as large as Westeros, as full of crooks and villains as Washington in House of Cards and Homeland and as filled with legends and excellent newcomers as Downton. On its fourth consecutive nomination I think it’s time they get the prize.
Most Baffling: Emelia Clarke’s nomination for Game of Thrones is still the one I’m trying to wrap my head around. It’s not even my general lack of excitement towards the show on a visceral, other than key omitted ladies in this packed category (Kelly Macdonald, Gretchen Mol, January Jones, Archie Panjabi, Monica Potter) there are the ace contenders on her own show she’s working against (Headey and Fairley) I’m trying to think of anything significant she’s done this season other than release dragons and glare stonily at her enemy.
Most Compelling Category: All the major categories I love on the drama side have that one albatross bringing them down. The writing and directing categories for drama would be excellent without Downton Abbey, so that the one category that truly fills me with joy is Outstanding Casting for a Drama series. The nominated field of Game of Thrones, Homeland, Downton Abbey, House of Cards and The Good Wife is rather stellar.
Better Luck Next Year: It’s a real shame that the well constructed season 3 of Boardwalk Empire (my favourite show of the season) could only manage major nominations for supporting actor and directing. Will Kelly Macdonald and Steve Buscemi and the show manage return nominations? Will Michael Shannon and Gretchen Mol ever break in?
Which Oscar Winner: I love watching Jessica Lange accept awards as much as I love watching her act. I remember when she won that Emmy for Grey Gardens she sadly smiled noting how grateful she was at her age to find such rich role. And now in that short space of time, she’s heading to maybe a third Emmy! Ryan Murphy may be many things but so long as he continues giving Jessica Lange roles worthy of her I will rejoice.
That's it (for now) for Team Experience's reactions to the Emmy nomination. Your turn! Who are you rooting and gunning for on Emmy night? Which Oscar winner do you hope adds (another, in some cases) Emmy to her trophy cabinet?
Reader Comments (33)
Win: Game of Thrones for Best Drama and Kerry Washington for Scandal. Both would be bold statements.
Most Baffling: Robert Morse for Mad Men. I don't even remember him this season...
Compelling Category: Best Actress: Drama... that's a lot of talent and it still doesn't cover all the kick ass work women are doing on TV.
Better Luck Next Year: I'm hoping they go Mad Men crazy next year and just let all the actors back in circa season 3, and hopefully they include Vincent K. Oh, and Janie Bryant for costunmes! Also, I think Maisie Williams is doing work worth recognizing on Game of Thrones.
Which Oscar Winner: Lange. That performance was just sick. The Name Game alone is enough for her to win.
Who I'm Rooting For: Vera Farmiga in Bates Motel all the way. Best performance on a TV show last year (Yeah, I said it. Suck on that, Claire Danes). Her Norma Bates is one of the most baffling, delusional, passive-aggressive characters I've ever encountered. I enjoyed riding every wave of her manic-depression. Plus, she almost single-handedly (Highmore and Thierot deserve credit, too) turned a show I was ready to give up on after episode two into my must-see show of the spring.
I think there would be WORSE things they could do this year than give it to Danes again. I mean, look at "Beirut Is Back" or "Q&A". ESPECIALLY "Q&A". Of course I say this as someone who completely forgot to watch after episode seven or eight and still hasn't witnessed its apparent descent into stupidity to have my esteem for those two episodes sullied, but, like. I lost my point.
Oh! Right. My point is:
KRAKOWSKI BETTER NOT LOSE.
I'm happy with my point.
I honestly just want to see Jon Hamm win and I don't care about the others. Most are past winners that don't need to win again.
David's "Which Oscar winner" answer: exactly my thought upon reading the question.
Am I the only one who thinks Breaking Bad is overrated?
cal -- i've only seen a few episodes but didn't enjoy them so i'm inclined to say no, you're not the only one, but maybe it improved considerably after the beginning of the first season? i shouldn't judge since i've seen so little but i really didn't get the fuss.
Win you're most rooting for? I'm a little surprised that Ed O'Neill has never won an Emmy; I think he's a wonderful comedic actor. But his "Modern Family" role too often is written as cheesy and melodramatic. I think Merritt Wever on "Nurse Jackie" is the only truly funny actor on a show that is only a comedy because Showtime claims it's a comedy (although I do thoroughly enjoy the show). So while I'd love to see both of them win in their categories, the win I'm most rooting for is Jon Hamm. He has created such a rich, complex character within the context of portraying a man who is obsessed with revealing nothing about himself that it remains a complete mystery to me why he hasn't won at least once.
Most baffling nomination? Anything for "Downton Abbey". I own all three series, I love watching the show and have rewatched it multiple times with various friends, and I hope it lasts forever. But it's an historical soap opera. Nominate the costumes, scenery, the fine attention to detail, but seriously, this is not a "best" drama, this is an addictive soap opera. And the performances are all good, but there's not a one of them I would declare as superlative.
Most compelling category? Lead Actress. I don't know why Michelle Dockery was nominated; she's a good actress but Julianna Margulies is astonishing. And I haven't seen "House of Cards" so I can't judge her performance. But the other five are phenomenal. And yes, I know "Nashville" is about as deep as a puddle, but damn, I would love to see Mrs. Taylor win one of the five Emmys she should have already been awarded.
Better luck next year? Katey Sagal. I thought she'd win for the second season of Sons of Anarchy. The fact that she wasn't even nominated is yet another reason why I never watch the awards show when it airs and why I skim through the list of winners the next day and then promptly forget most of them.
Which Oscar-winning actress? I'm gonna go with Jessica. She nails every role she plays and is a national treasure.
Can anyone that watched this season of Mad Men really say that Christina Hendricks deserved her nomination? She should have won last year but had absolutely nothing to do this season.
Cal and Nathaniel, I personally don't think "Breaking Bad" is overrated. I do, however, think it's a show that isn't for everyone. The first season (and I say this after watching it three times) really feels like an introduction, and not a particularly good introduction. Sometimes the show is excruciatingly slow. But then it starts acting on things it set up long ago and it's breathtaking. It keeps surprising with the paths it takes, and there are several episodes that I think are amazing.
But again, it's not a show for everyone, just like "Mad Men" or "NCIS" or "The Middle" isn't for everyone. Simple answer, if you feel like it's overrated, then it is, at least to you. (And to the other 99.99% of the world that doesn't watch it, probably.). But if you are interested enough to give it a chance - maybe watch the first two seasons - then you might be surprised. I can honestly say the first season was okay for me, but then it kept building and building like a good horror movie and now I'm just in awe of where it ends up.
win you're most rooting for? any actor from 'mad men' to finally take home a trophy. if it can't be a regular let it be linda cardellini as a sneaky way of honouring two of the greatest shows ever on television
most baffling nomination(s)? scott bakula over rob lowe in 'behind the candelabra' - there's no way that makes sense on any level (also: harry hamlin and robert morse over bob freakin' benson in 'mad men'?)
most compelling category? compelling, but not in a good way - comedy series. other than the deserving '30 rock' i can easily think of five better/funnier contenders to fill out that category. i hope liz lemon & co stomp all over the competition
better luck next year? keirnan shipka
which Oscar-winning actress? holly hun- oh, wait. not lange or mirren, 'cause i want elisabeth moss to win that category. not leo, as i want molly shannon to win there. not maggie, as much as i love her she's been amply rewarded for the role. so fonda - for being the legend that she is
I got truly hooked (and understood the hype) on "breaking bad" only in its second season, and I started watching it only last year.
I didn't want to watch it before because, honestly, I 'knew' the show from reactions like "yeah, cranston is a badass!" and didn't care much for the rooting-for-the-'antihero' trend -- "dexter" was awful in its most recent seasons and I didn't like the other worshipped flawed leading men (don draper).
but "breaking bad" does not glorify walter white, and I believe gilligan has a better understanding than other showrunners of how to write a leading character you're supposed to enjoy watching but not defend every-action necessarily (obviously the skyler haters don't get that, but gilligan flat out calls them misogynistics).
Win I'm Rooting For: I think that Kevin Spacey's Foghorn Leghorn impression on House of Cards is so dastardly and fun that it alone kept pulling me deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole. (Note: My summer homework is to start watching Breaking Bad and I don't like Mad Men so please don't hate me.)
Most Baffling: I'm flabbergasted that Patrick Wilson wasn't nominated for Guest Actor for his episode of Girls. EVERYONE was talking about that episode and he was predicted to be a lock. Then to get snubbed for Will Forte in 30 Rock? It's all so random. And while it wasn't a surprise that Bob Newhart was nominated for The Big Bang Theory, he wasn't anything special on it. And I say this as a big fan of the show.
Most Compelling Category: Best Actress in a Comedy. I feel that I could make a compelling case for 5 of the 6 nominees to seriously win. And the sixth is Edie Falco. Amy Poehler deserves it, but I'll probably be happy any which way it shakes down.
Better Luck Next Year: Bob's Burgers for Original Song. Maybe all of the fantastic songs got votes and cancelled each other out. But it's so deserving. If you don't watch Bob's Burgers, you really should. It was nominated for Animated Program for an episode where the son of the family befriends a talking toilet voiced by Jon Hamm.
Oscar-Winning Actress: Jessica Lange. I've watched The Name Game at least a dozen times. She's clearly just having a blast working on American Horror Story.
WIN: Jessica Lange, “America Horror Story: Asylum”. Staggeringly brilliant.
COMPELLING CATEGORY: Actress (Drama)… especially w/ Farmiga in the mix.
MOST BAFFLING: Robert Morse, “Mad Men”. WTF?
BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR: Jemima Kirke, “Girls”
OSCAR WINNER: Jessica Lange, “America Horror Story: Asylum”
Hit it out of the park. Again.
Win: Kerry Washington, Sarah Paulson, John Hamm, and Christina Hendricks.
Compelling: Both actress categories. Comedy because I could make a case for almost any of them winning, but I sadly don't think they will make an interesting one. Drama is sooo interesting though. SEVEN nominees, with a usual nominee left out (Marguiles), as well as an expected newbie (Russell). And on top of that, they still managed to nominate four newcomers. It's extremely refreshing considering the Emmys usually feel like a broken record. I could see a case being made for most of them, so I'm really hoping it doesn't go to Claire Danes simply because it's so fun to feel like there are more possibilities. I really want Kerry Washington to win, and if the fans of the show really rally around her, she could become the first black woman to win Best Actress in a Drama Series. If Scandal had gotten a Drama series nod, I really think she'd have an even greater chance.
Baffling: Definitely Jane Lynch. What? So many others though. Didn't everyone expect Shirley Maclaine to be nominated for Dowton Abbey? I dont watch it, but it just seemed to make sense on paper. There are others too.
Better luck: Any deserving winners that don't stand a chance at winning.
Oscar winner: Melissa Leo. She could use an Emmy. And who doesn't want to see her drop the F bomb again?
Win you're most rooting for? Adam Driver
Most baffling nomination? America Horror Story: Asylum
Most compelling category? Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Better luck next year? Zosia Mamet
Which Oscar-winning actress? Ellen Burstyn
win you're most rooting for? Jonathan Banks for Breaking Bad. A truly bad-ass performance. And Alfre Woodard just because.
most baffling nomination? The Downton crew. Its good and I love watching it, but there are other, much more compelling performances.
most compelling category? Not sure I have one. Every category seems to be missing someone I felt deserved to be nom'd over others who were.
better luck next year? Tatiana Maslany in Orphan Black. You can bet they are all rushing to see what they missed and she is the best performance from a woman on TV and perhaps film. Watch Globes and SAG not make the same mistake.
which Oscar-winning actress? Fonda. Great performance without obviously chewing the scenery.
Since I only care about Mad Men:
I thought Moss would not get this nomination, but her performance this season was specially fantastic, and she keeps building Peggy and the character only gets richer, even and it seems to not be doing anything. Jon Hamm, of course, was at his greatest since season 4. I think Morse deserved this for that veredict line only. Creepy.
I thought Hendricks didn't have much to do and Jones was perfect again. Cardellini was good, but Channing Chase should get her nomination instead as Dorothy Campbell.
Win I'm rooting for: Dern, as much as I suspect it won't happen. (Could use it to get big.)
Baffling nomination: SNL pulling a repeat.
Compelling: Best Drama's got a strong stock this year.
Better luck next year: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. If there's a better show that hasn't been nominated for A SINGLE EMMY (of that Pajiba "25 best shows without a best series nom" there's five others without A SINGLE NOM (though some are in specialized technical categories): Party Down (only lasted two (short) seasons), Veronica Mars (probably the next grossest to not have A SINGLE NOM), Orphan Black (which only has a single season right now so that might change), Rectify (again, only a single season right now so it might change) and Better Off Ted (which has only two short seasons). It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is unlike all those other cases. Why? Well it's secured 10 season run for one, which should clearly indicate to the voting board that there's SOMETHING to this near-toxically misanthropic show that keeps people coming back.
I agree 100% with Daniel about Cat Deeley. She is extraordinary. No one else comes close to being that good.
Can we talk about how ludicrous it is that the only nomination that Southland received is for stunts?
No acting noms for Michael Cudlitz or Regina King?
No writing noms for the best and most realistic crime show on TV?
No cinematography nom for one of the best looking but hardest to shoot TV shows around?
I'd say better luck next year but as it didn't get renewed...
Nico -- i really think, like all awards shows, it comes down to habitual practices and if they aren't watching a show they aren't watching it. Southland was awesome in so many ways and i was not even its target audience since i kinda hate cop shows.
◾win you're most rooting for?
JON HAMM, for gawd sakes! Listen up, Academy, I know you hate Matthew Weiner for some reason (could probably name 10, but you shouldn't deny his writing talent) but please give Jon Hamm an award, at least for the millions of herb cigarettes he's smoked over the last 7 years!
◾most baffling nomination?
All of the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series noms. Kind of tired of the Sheldon show and Jack Donaghey being nominated every year. Also, not feeling happy about all of the Downton Abbey noms.
And very mad that Parks and Rec and Community were snubbed again for Best Comedy!
◾most compelling category?
Lead Actress in a Comedy. It had better be Amy or Laura!
◾better luck next year?
I agree with Jose, Abstew, and David. Parks and Rec and Nick Offerman (who was very good in Kings of Summer!)
◾which Oscar-winning actress?
JESSICA LANGE. She is so good at playing creepy, weird, whack, etc. Plus, I just watched Sweet Dreams again recently, and I love her!
◾win you're most rooting for?
JON HAMM, for gawd sakes! Listen up, Academy, I know you hate Matthew Weiner for some reason (could probably name 10, but you shouldn't deny his writing talent) but please give Jon Hamm an award, at least for the millions of herb cigarettes he's smoked over the last 7 years!
◾most baffling nomination?
All of the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series noms. Kind of tired of the Sheldon show and Jack Donaghey being nominated every year. Also, not feeling happy about all of the Downton Abbey noms.
And very mad that Parks and Rec and Community were snubbed again for Best Comedy!
◾most compelling category?
Lead Actress in a Comedy. It had better be Amy or Laura!
◾better luck next year?
I agree with Jose, Abstew, and David. Parks and Rec and Nick Offerman (who was very good in Kings of Summer!)
◾which Oscar-winning actress?
JESSICA LANGE. She is so good at playing creepy, weird, whack, etc. Plus, I just watched Sweet Dreams again recently, and I love her!
Two Words: AMY POEHLER
Team Jessica all the way!
Team Jessica all the way!
Win you're most rooting for? Jane Krakowski, but Anna Chlumsky's nomination made me soo happy I wouldn't be too upset if she won.
Most baffling nomination? Hugh Bonneville, there are more but that was one of the biggest WTF moments for me
Most compelling category?
Better luck next year? Emmy Rossum, The Americans and Hannibal
win you're most rooting for?
Like many people said Jon Hamm deserves an Emmy. But also I support Elisabeth Moss, but as an actress in Miniserie/Movie. Sorry Lange, but Moss' work in Top of the Lake is marvellous.
most baffling nomination?
Downton Abbey acting nominations. Especially Bonneville and Carter.
most compelling category?
The Lead actress category in comedy.
better luck next year?
I hope Matthew Rhys and Tatiana Maslany. Their work are even better than some of the nominees. Also Hannibal as technical categories.
which Oscar-winning actress?
Jane Fonda.
For those of us in the US who like Jon Hamm, just saw this post
http://www.deadline.com/2013/07/jon-hamm-daniel-radcliffe-reteam-for-second-young-doctors-notebook-mini/
Looks good. What do readers in the UK think of this series?
Win: Jon Hamm. Since Mad Men's writing got no nominations for such a Don-centered season, it does not seem to bode well for him. But, the work he did in letting his character be stripped of anything enviable about him while in the end earning sympathy and hopefulness in that he could be redeemed, while also displaying the stubborn qualities he had the whole series, is what makes him a worthy winner. If he does not win let it be Cranston for the millionth time and not Damien Lewis' increasingly broad (the writing did him no favors) character or Kevin Spacey's reanimated In The Garden of Good & Evil impression.
And Adam Driver dethroning all of the Modern Family guys. Sorry, Stefon.
Most Baffling: House of Cards love. Actually not surprising, Netflix spent a fortune on its, campaign but are people really still buying what that show is selling? It is #3 to both Veep and Scandal as far as entertaining Beltway-driven shows. The only award-worthy person for that show was not nominated, Corey Stoll.
Also, Mad Men goes from 3 writing nominations last year to ZERO. BS. "The Crash" and "In Care Of" were some of the best hours of TV this year. I definitely buy it as Matthew Weiner backlash.
And not to dwell on charges of category fraud but I want this trend of SNL players taking the already crowded categories in Comedy. But Lorne is powerful and has masterfully exploited the category.
Compelling Category: We finally saw Mad Men dethroned last year (although the wrong show did it if we are talking quality). Can Modern Family be stopped from a four-peat in Outstanding Comedy Series? 30 Rock could be poised due to the Swan Song season much like Everybody Loves Raymond had. The Big Bang Theory has the broad appeal to steal votes from Modern Family. Girls has the 'cool kids' vibe and the critical support that works the room better than Louie does thanks to be younger and having a female voice leading it. Those 3 are the biggest threats. I really want it to happen, although the Community stan part of me is going to seethe if it is The Big Bang Theory.
Better Luck Next Year: The Americans and New Girl. Some were left a little ice-cold by the former but the latter is pretty surprising when it was nominated for major categories last year, specifically Zooey Deschanel and Max Greenfield. It was common agreement that Season 2 was better than Season 1 and they made it out with ZERO Emmys. Jake Johnson easily run circles around the Leading Comedy Actor category not named Bateman or Baldwin.
Which Oscar Winner: Melissa Leo although I found Sister Jude much more interesting than Jessica Lange's other American Horror Story character ('Lana Banana, Banana, Nanna-Fo-Fanna...'), I am rooting for Elisabeth Moss in that category since Top of the Lake.
"Can anyone that watched this season of Mad Men really say that Christina Hendricks deserved her nomination? She should have won last year but had absolutely nothing to do this season."
I agree and the same could be said with Aaron Paul getting nominated for Breaking Bad when I really thought he had nothing to do that was as compelling in previous seasons. January Jones, or even Kiernan Shipka, should have had her spot. Hendricks had some great moments but her role now as office woman is not even the most interesting female office-based story (Peggy is).
I will defend Glee's directing nod. For all of the terrible writing that has plagued the show since its inception the ensemble and direction of the show deserve all the kudos for the intense work schedule they have that is vastly on a different plane from the other show. Joss Whedon got a directing nod for his work in the first season and I remember that episode working like gangbusters. With all that said, I really wanted Todd Haynes' episode of Enlightened to be nominated.
Glee got nominated because the episode is directed by Paris Barclay, who was just elected the president of the DGA, right?
The silver lining I'm looking for might be the end of 30 Rock. It's brilliant and all, and I really do believe Krakowski gets the win this year, but without 30 Rock, Parks and Rec just might get the attention its deserved for so long.