TV Academy Shines Emmy Love on "30 Rock," "Mad Men," "Damages"

After weeks of leaked semi-finalist nominee lists, it's good to finally get a glimpse of which series and actors actually made it onto the ballots, instead of seeing yet another list that showed who could make it to the nomination stage.

The Emmy nominees were announced this morning and I have to commend them for showering such love onto diverse and unique series such as Mad Men, 30 Rock (17 nominations, no less!), and Damages... while also locking some repeat offenders--like Ugly Betty in the comedy category--out in the cold. (Yes, I watch Ugly Betty but should it be competing with such comedy series as 30 Rock, Curb Your Enthusiasm, or The Office? Hells no, especially when HBO's hysterical Flight of the Conchords didn't even get a mention.)

So which series and actors did land Emmy noms? Let's talk about the major categories.

Outstanding Drama Series:
Mad Men (AMC)
Boston Legal (ABC)
House (FOX)
Lost (ABC)
Damages (FX)
Dexter (Showtime)

I'm actually quite impressed with the selection here as well as the fact that it must be the first year in a long, long time that HBO didn't have a nominee for best drama series in the mix. (Though I do wish that Big Love would start getting some, well, big love from the TV Academy.) Damages and Mad Men made Emmy history as the first basic cable programs to receive nominations in the outstanding drama series category. It's a tough call for me between Lost, Damages, and Mad Men, all of which have had exceptionally good years. The TV Academy does love a comeback story and Lost managed to please on all levels during a season in which the producers creatively reinvigorated the series; Damages dazzled with deft plotting, overlapping storylines, and a dense, complex storyline; Mad Men ambitiously recreated the world of the 1960s, complete with sexism, racism, and the eternal battle of the haves and have-nots that percolated underneath the gorgeous costumes and set pieces. Forced to choose one, I give the edge to Mad Men in the end.

Outstanding Comedy Series:
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Entourage (HBO)
The Office (NBC)
Two and a Half Men (CBS)
30 Rock (NBC)

Is there really any doubt in your minds? I'm picking 30 Rock all the way.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:
James Spader, Boston Legal
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Hugh Laurie, House
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Again, another tough race to call with some real power-players competing neck and neck here for the title. My money is on Jon Hamm for turning in a performance that was at once self-assured and completely vulernable. The scene at the very end of Mad Men's first season--in which Don Draper sits alone in his house, abandoned by the family he pushed away--was absolutely heartbreaking, powerful, and established Hamm as the one to beat.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Glenn Close, Damages
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

I'd be insane not to put my money on Glenn Close for her role as Damages' cutthroat attorney Patty Hewes, who gives new meaning to the phrase toxic corporate culture. Her tough-as-nails Patty is willing to do anything--from covering up a crime to having her associate murdered--in order to win her crusade against Arthur Frobisher. It's a performance that as rich and layered as any film role as Patty strips away the last vestiges of her very soul in order to defeat her nemesis.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:
William Shatner, Boston Legal
Ted Danson, Damages
Zekjko Ivanek, Damages
Michael Emerson, Lost
John Slattery, Mad Men

Um, wow. I really don't know who I'd want to win this category but as long as Shatner doesn't walk away with the statuette, I'd be thrilled. Any of these guys would be an incredible win and represent the cream of the crop on the supporting actor side, from Danson's amazing turn as malevolent Arthur Frobisher to Emerson's turn as Machiavellian Benjamin Linus. Tough race to call.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:
Candice Bergen, Boston Legal
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment

Me, I'm just happy to see that Katherine Heigl isn't up for anything for Grey's Anatomy. That's almost enough of a present for me, though I do wish that the ladies of Mad Men--January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, and Christina Hendricks--would have ended up on this nominee list.

Oustanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:
Steve Carell, The Office
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies

I'm thrilled to bits to see Lee Pace's name up here against such luminaries as Steve Carell, Alec Baldwin, Charlie Sheen, and Tony Shalhoub; his performance as Ned the Pie Maker on Pushing Daisies was a master class in understated comedy, deft wordplay, and simmering desire. Still, I have to say that it's Baldwin's star turn as Jack Donaghy that truly defines the words "lead actor," as he absolutely pulls the cast of 30 Rock to a whole new level.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

Tina Fey.
Tina Fey.
Tina Fey.

Need I say more? Sure, Mary-Louise Parker has dazzled with her performance as Nancy Botwin on Weeds but I can't say that I've found Nancy to be particularly sympathetic these days and I'm finding I have a strong aversion to her character lately, while America Fererra's Betty Suarez is now grating on my nerves. Christina Applegate is absolutely adorable on Samantha Who, but she doesn't hold a candle to Fey's self-assured performance as Liz Lemon. What other actress could eat an entire sandwich (with special dipping sauce!) in one take in an outrageous sight gag that underplayed her character's insistent need to stop ex-boyfriend Floyd at the airport gate and still come off as entirely lovable?

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Kevin Dillion, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Rainn Wilson, The Office
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

Hmmm... give it to Rainn Wilson already, won't you?

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:
Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies
Jean Smart, Samantha Who?
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty

My money's on either Pushing Daisies' Chenoweth, whose Olive is a study in sublimated desire, or SNL's Amy Poehler, who will get her own scripted comedy series next spring on NBC. I'd love Pushing Daisies to walk away with an acting prize and Chenoweth might just find herself singing about the birdhouse in her soul on that Emmy stage.... Or Jean Smart will manage to walk away with the top prize. Hmmm.

Outstanding Mini-Series:
Cranford (PBS)
John Adams (HBO)
The Andromeda Strain (A&E)
Tin Man (Sci Fi)

If you haven't seen Cranford, you've done yourself a major disservice; the PBS mini-series featured a dream cast that included Dame Judi Dench, Philip Glenister, and Michael Gambon and deftly interweaves three novels into a glorious exploration of the war between technological progress and small town England as the railroad tries to make its way to the female-run village of Cranford. Along the way, beloved characters die, couples marry and spat, and a cold dowager discovers the beating of her heart, possibly too late. Brilliant and spellbinding.

Outstanding Reality-Competition Series:
American Idol (FOX)
Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
Project Runway (Bravo)
Amazing Race (CBS)
Top Chef (Bravo)

I have a feeling Amazing Race will walk away with the top honor but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Bravo's Top Chef, which has tranformed culinary competition into a cutthroat, edge-of-your-seat extravaganza.

So there you have it. Who are you rooting for to walk away with the top prize? Who got snubbed? And who do you wish the Academy would award the Emmy to? Discuss.

Jeremy Bentham Snubbed by Emmy Noms Shortlist

The shortlist for the 2008 Emmy Award nominees been announced and I am utterly confounded by the fact that Terry O'Quinn's name is nowhere to be found on the list of eleven supporting actor shortlist nominees.

Sure, Lost is represented with the inclusion of both Michael Emerson and Naveen Andrews, but I thought for sure that, after his brilliant performance this season on Lost as John Locke/Jeremy Bentham, O'Quinn would end up on that shortlist, if not walking off with a full-blown nomination, especially after a storyline that not only gave O'Quinn a chance to shine but also reasserted his character at the forefront of the series' labyrinthine storyline.

Hell, it was his bravura performance at the end of the series' fourth season as alternately fragile/strong Locke that made me fall in love with the character all over again and the man did win the 2007 supporting actor award with good reason.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Andrews and Emerson make it onto the final ballot but I can't help but feel stung after the exclusion of O'Quinn. Sure, I'm thrilled that Ted Danson, Zeljko Ivanek, Bruce Dern, and John Slattery on are on the shortlist, but Medium's Jake Weber? Really???

Color me confused.

Live from the Death Star: The 59th Annual Emmy Awards

Wow, talk about a boring Emmy Awards. I mean I had my doubts when it was announced that Ryan "I'm about as deep as my spray tan" Seacrest would be hosting, but it's FOX, so who else were they going to get to MC this bloated thing, anyway? Paula Abdul? Hardly. (Please bring Ellen DeGeneres back. Please?)

Whose misguided idea was it to hold the Emmys in a circular stadium? I felt like I was watching a basketball game rather than a TV awards ceremony. Badly, badly done. It looked cheap, tacky, and possibly very fitting with the Emmys' new home on FOX. Plus, that Death Star-designed black disco ball freaked me out. Did you notice how FOX seemed to make it out of the opening Family Guy song and dance relatively unscathed? Hmm, coincidence?

In any event, there were a few bright spots, like the writing award for The Office's Greg Daniels, Helen Mirren winning for the superlative Prime Suspect: The Final Act, and Lost's Terry O'Quinn finally receiving some recognition for the amazing work he does as John Locke. He deserves some time in the spotlight. And, yes, he definitely deserves the paycheck of even the least-paid Wisteria Lane denizen of Desperate Housewives.

Also, thank you, Academy members, for doing something right and giving a statuette to the talented cast and crew at NBC's 30 Rock. More than any other series this year, 30 Rock proved that groundbreaking comedy can air on network television (strange, but true). It also proved that the voters aren't completely out of touch with reality, like they were when they awarded best supporting actor in a comedy to Jeremy Piven. Again. Still, the echoes of Arrested Development's win for best comedy struck a chord in my heart. Here's to hoping 30 Rock doesn't suffer the same fate...

But onto the winners and this jaded writer's reactions for each of the main categories.

Drama Series: The Sopranos.

Yawn. But it was rather predicable that the series--which faded to black with a whimper rather than a bang--would get an awards swan song at the Emmys. Still, a standing ovation for David Chase et al? Was that really necessary, given the flak they got for that unfulfilling ending? At least The Sopranos is now ineligible for any more Emmys. That must count for something, right?

Comedy Series: 30 Rock.

Finally, something to cheer about. (And I really did jump off my couch and holler.) Congrats to Tina Fey, the cast, and the uber-talented crew of this smart, witty, absurd comedy. To all the naysayers out there who predicted the series wouldn't make it through the first season, one giant raspberry in your honor.

The only other series up for consideration that I would have been happy with winning was The Office, but even I will admit that 30 Rock had a significantly stronger season than The Office. And, finally, a voting body that admits that there's no rationale for awarding a top comedy prize to Ugly Betty. Yes, it's a funny series, but it's a melodrama with comedic undertones, NOT a comedy. Hee. I'm still ecstatic about 30 Rock.

Reality-Competition Program: The Amazing Race.

As always, the classiest reality series on television. Now maybe CBS will realize how much its fans are going to miss it this fall and, you know, actually put the next season on the air sooner rather than later. Hmm, word of advice, CBS? Pull the god-awful Kid Nation off your lineup and replace it with Amazing Race, stat.

Lead Actor in a Drama Series: James Spader, Boston Legal.

Meh. I don't know a single person who watches Boston Legal and yet Academy voters seem to love the damn thing. And let's be honest, neither 24 nor Rescue Me had very good seasons. But did you see how the crowd got super-excited when they announced the winner as James and then completely deflated when they followed that with Spader? Teehee.

Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters.

Sure, I was rooting for The Riches' Minnie Driver to walk away with the award, but the Emmy voters really like Sally Field. They really like her. So I'm okay with Field, in her triumphant return to television, winning the Emmy for her work as matriarch on Brothers & Sisters. And, oh, the word she got bleeped for saying? It was goddamn. Sigh. Cut to large, ominous disco ball...

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Terry O'Quinn, Lost.

Thank you, Emmy gods, for listening for once and giving this award to Terry O'Quinn. The man himself didn't disappoint, bringing us an acceptance speech that was at once touching and hysterical. And, yes, more than a little pointed towards the inequity between the pay scale of the Losties and the ladies of Wisteria Lane.

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Katherine Heigl, Grey's Anatomy.

Oh, Izzy. At least Eva Longoria and the cast of Entourage pronounced Heigl's name correctly when she won the award, as the announcer couldn't seem to do that correctly when they announced her as a presenter. (Nice, guys.) Still, she looked absolutely gorgeous and seemed truly, sincerely shocked.

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Ricky Gervais, Extras.

Oh. My. God. I am completely blown away and speechless. I'm a huge Gervais fan but I never, ever expected this, considering that he was up against Steve Carell and Alec Baldin and nominated for a series, which I loved but rarely anyone else seemed to tune in to (Extras). Still, I am ecstatic that Gervais would take home the statue, especially in such distinguished company. I guess there is some love for Andy Millman, after all.

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: America Ferrara, Ugly Betty.

It's not a comedy, people. Sigh. I was really, really hoping that this would go to Tina Fey for 30 Rock or Julia Louis-Dreyfus for New Adventures of Old Christine. Or Mary-Louise Parker for Weeds. Sure, Ugly Betty is funny (um, at times) and Ferrara is funny as Betty, but really? I'm quickly losing patience with the Emmy voters again.

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Jeremy Piven, Entourage.

Okay, I've officially had it with the voters. Ask anyone I know that they'll say that Entourage peaked years ago. It was bad enough to give Piven the Emmy last year, but to add insult to injury and do it again this year over, say, Rainn Wilson for The Office? Grr. It just burns me up inside. Enough of Piven, enough already.

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Jaime Pressly, My Name is Earl.

Question: why was Jaime Pressly quite so... red? Flustered nerves? Sunburn? It's an Emmy mystery. Like Jeremy Piven's award, I'd be happier if she had won this a few years ago. Personally, I'd have rather seen this go to Vanessa Williams or Elizabeth Perkins. It's almost as though the voters were reminiscing about a few seasons back rather than, er, watching the screeners from this season.

And there you have it: another year, another Emmys. Underwhelming, boring, or all over the place? You decide.

Emmy Nominations Unveiled; Lots of Love for "The Office" and "30 Rock"

Can you believe it's that time again? I can. But then again, I got up at the ungodly hour of 5:35 am to see Jon Cryer and Kyra Sedgwick unveil the nominees for the 2007 Emmy Awards this morning.

So who made the cut in some of the top categories? Let's grab a cup of coffee and find out.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Extras • HBO • BBC and HBO Entertainment
Ricky Gervais as Andy Millman

Monk • USA • NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk

The Office • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Steve Carell as Michael Scott

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper

This is a seriously tough category, filled with some strong contenders. Who would have ever thought we'd see Extras' Ricky Gervais competing against The Office's Steve Carell, who's playing a character based on a character originally created and performed by.... Ricky Gervais? Likewise, I'm very happy to see that the voicemail incident didn't derail Alec Baldwin's chances at a nomination for his stellar work in 30 Rock. I do want the winner to be one of the three and all three series leads were absolutely superlative this past season. So who has my vote? Steve Carell, by a hair.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
James Spader as Alan Shore

House • Fox • Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television
Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House

Rescue Me • FX • Produced by Apostle, the Cloudland Company and DreamWorks Television in association with Sony Pictures Television
Denis Leary as Tommy Gavin

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano

24 • Fox • Imagine Television & 20th Century Fox Television in association with Realtime Productions
Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer

While normally Kiefer seems a lock for this category every year, this past season of 24 was so sub-par that I don't see the award going to Jack Bauer. Instead, the Academy will either award it to James Gandolfini for his swan song this past season or do something daring and give it to Denis Leary. Please let it be the latter.

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Desperate Housewives • ABC • ABC Studios
Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo

The New Adventures Of Old Christine • CBS • Kari’s Logo Here in association with Warner Bros. Television
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon

Ugly Betty • ABC • ABC Studios
America Ferrera as Betty Suarez

Weeds • Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions
Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin

Wow! Only one of the Desperate Housewives made the cut this year! Who would have thunk it? I'm thrilled to see some other talented women in this category, especially 30 Rock's Tina Fey, Old Christine's Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Weeds' Mary-Louise Parker. I do love America Ferrera but wish there were another category for one-hour dramedies (you could nominate all the Desperate Housewives alongside her!). But let's be honest: I'm really pulling for Fey to win this, which would be the perfect momentum with which to start 30 Rock's second season. Come on, Academy, give the woman a break: she not only stars in the series but writes and executive produces it. Shouldn't that count for a lil' something?

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Brothers & Sisters • ABC • ABC Studios
Sally Field as Nora Walker

The Closer • Slippin’ • TNT • The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Kyra Sedgwick as Dep. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC • A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson

Medium • NBC • CBS Paramount Television, Grammnet, Picturemaker Productions
Patricia Arquette as Allison Dubois

The Riches • FX • FX Productions and Fox Television Studios
Minnie Driver as Dahlia Malloy

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano

I'm sure this will end up going to Edie Falco (and there's nothing wrong with that), but I really wish it could go to Minnie Driver, for her amazing performance as addict/Traveler Dahlia Malloy, which was pitch perfect this past season on The Riches, as she catapulted forwards and backwards in her attempts to fit into a buffer's life while longing to return to the only life she's ever known. Heartbreaking and hysterical. But, sigh, no love for Lost's Elizabeth Mitchell?

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Entourage • HBO • Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Kevin Dillon as Johnny Drama

Entourage • HBO • Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold

How I Met Your Mother • CBS • Twentieth Century Fox
Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson

The Office • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper

Um, hello? Rainn Wilson. Is there really another choice in this category? Okay, maybe there is. But I am hoping that the Academy voters finally smile some favor onto Dwight Schrute, who has proven a wily and adept Office employee. Can I get some support on this decision?

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
William Shatner as Denny Crane

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
T.R. Knight as George

Heroes • NBC • Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Masi Oka as Hiro Nakamura

Lost • ABC • ABC Studios
Michael Emerson as Ben

Lost • ABC • ABC Studios
Terry O’Quinn as John Locke

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti

Talk about conflicted; we've got two Losties up for nominations in this category and it's gonna be tough to choose between Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson (hopefully they won't split the vote). I really can't decide between them as both men turned in bravura performances this past season and kept the somewhat listing ship that were the early Season Three episodes of Lost afloat. Slight edge to Michael Emerson for portraying one of the most diabolical and Machiavellian villains on television and for remaining, tantalizingly and brutally, inscrutable, even when his character does heinous things like sell out his people and dump them into a mass grave or shoot Locke. What do you guys think?

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

My Name Is Earl • NBC • Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jaime Pressly as Joy Turner

The Office • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Conchata Ferrell as Berta

Ugly Betty • ABC • ABC Studios
Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater

Weeds • Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions
Elizabeth Perkins as Celia Hodes

Man, another tough category filled to the brim with talent. I'm rooting for Jenna Fisher for obvious reasons, though failing that, I would be happy if Vanessa Williams or Elizabeth Perkins took home the prize. (I'm hoping the two Two and a Half Men noms cancel one another right out.) Fisher's performance this season on the The Office was funny, wry, and heartfelt, turning Pam from Jim's object of affection to a jealous, jilted would-be lover.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Brothers & Sisters • ABC • ABC Studios
Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Katherine Heigl as Isobel “Izzie” Stevens

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Bailey

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi

Um, let's just give it to Rachel Griffiths, okay? Just because.

Outstanding Comedy Series

Entourage • HBO • Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

The Office • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

Ugly Betty • ABC • ABC Studios

Oh, don't make me choose here. This is probably the hardest category for me to choose a top contender because most of these are just simply hysterically funny, well-crafted series that each deserve a shot at the top prize. While I'd normally be voting for The Office, I'm actually going to switch it up a bit and give this category to 30 Rock, which had such a superlative first season. That series has proven that mighty oaks really do spring from little acorns, crafting a pitch perfect episode every week that has me rolling on the floor (a rare feat, trust me).

Outstanding Drama Series

Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios

Heroes • NBC • Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio

House • Fox • Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio

The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

I'm hoping there is backlash against the completely unfulfilling ending of The Sopranos and it doesn't walk away with the win. Other than that, I'm not really rooting for any particular series in this category though I am a bit perturbed that Lost isn't in here, especially given the strength of the second half of the season.

Outstanding Reality Program

Antiques Roadshow • PBS • WGBH Educational Foundation

Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan • National Geographic • Produced by MPH Entertainment, Inc. in association with Emery/Sumner Productions for the National Geographic
Channel

Extreme Makeover Home Edition • ABC • Endemol USA

Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List • Bravo • Picture
This Television, Bravo

Penn & Teller: Bullshit! • Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Penn & Teller, A Division of Buggs and Rudy Discount Corporation, Star Price Productions, The Wolper Organization

Cesar's great but let's do Kathy Griffin a favor and vote her series in. With everything she's been through lately, she could use a little emotional lift. Besides, her series is wry, funny, and strangely endearing and she's not afraid to mock herself every single week.

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program

The Amazing Race • CBS • Amazing Race Productions Inc. and Touchstone Television Productions, LLC in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and WorldRace Productions, Inc.

American Idol • Fox • FremantleMedia N.A., Inc. & 19TV Ltd.

Dancing With The Stars • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions, LLC

Project Runway • Bravo • Magical Elves for The Weinstein Company/Miramax, Full Picture, Bravo

Top Chef • Bravo • Magical Elves, Bravo

Wow. For me it's a toss-up between Amazing Race, Project Runway, and Top Chef. If I were forced to make a decision, my gut says to go with... Project Runway this time around. It would be nice to see this taut, polished reality production get some awards love this year.

Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series

Extras • Daniel Radcliffe • HBO • BBC and HBO Entertainment
Ricky Gervais, Writer
Stephen Merchant, Writer

The Office • Gay Witch Hunt • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Greg Daniels, Written by

The Office • The Negotiation • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Michael Schur, Written by

30 Rock • Tracy Does Conan • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Tina Fey, Written by

30 Rock • Jack-Tor • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Robert Carlock, Written by

Seriously, this is a tough one. I'd have given it to 30 Rock had "Fireworks" or "Black Tie" been submitted but for me it's tough fight between The Office's "The Negotiation" or Extras' "Daniel Radcliffe." In the end, I'm going to give it to The Office as "The Negotiation" was one of my favorite episodes this season and was hysterical from start to finish. Well done, Mike.

Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series

Battlestar Galactica • Occupation/Precipice • Sci Fi Channel • R+D TV in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Ronald D. Moore, Written by

Lost • Through The Looking Glass • ABC • ABC Studios
Damon Lindelof, Written by
Carlton Cuse, Written by

The Sopranos • Kennedy And Heidi • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Matthew Weiner, Writer
David Chase, Writer

The Sopranos • The Second Coming • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Terence Winter, Writer

The Sopranos • Made In America • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
David Chase, Writer

It's amazing to see that Battlestar Galactica was even singled out for an Emmy nomination this year (apparently, hell IS freezing over); at least some of the voters have realized how intricately plotted and beautifully written this series is. It might be sci fi but BSG deftly turns a mirror on our own society, providing a metaphor for post-9/11 America while also remaining a kick-ass drama series, week in and week out. "Occupation" and "Precipice" put our beloved characters into something rather akin to occupied Iraq and forced us to ask us what we would do in their situation. Meanwhile, Lost's "Through the Looking Glass" completely exploded all narrative rules, propelling the castaways off of the island and jumping into the "future" after their rescue from that terrible, smoke monster-haunted place. It proved that, in a series filled with plot twists and turns, it could still pull one over on the audience, creatively recharging the series and demolishing all expectations. This was one season finale that left you aching for more and ratcheted up the tension to an 11. Simply an effing brilliant episode.

The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards will be handed out Sunday, September 16th. Who are you rooting for this year?

Tempest in a Tea Cup: An Emmy Weekend Round-up

So I succumbed just a little bit to the Emmy mania that was sweeping through Los Angeles last night. Just a little bit, anyway. It all started Saturday with the Fourth Annual BAFTA Emmy Tea Party at the Park Hyatt Hotel, where the red carpet was walked by some of my favorite American, British, and Commonwealth television actors (more on that to come).

However, I will say that I didn't watch much of the actual Emmy telecast last night but instead stuck to my time-honored tradition of getting the winners from the internet and tuned in to some random moments whilst doing some other things (like trying to get drunk off of the drinks at a certain show's post-Emmy bash at The Highlands, where people watching the tape-delayed telecast seemed deliriously unaware of the award show's outcome). So then, which Emmy awards worked for me and which ones just didn't?

Megan Mullally for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy.

Gawd, seriously? Yes, it was Will & Grace's swan song this past season but that show stopped being relevant (and funny) years ago. (While Mullally's Karen may have once been hysterical, she'd become a cartoonish shrew of a character.) I really had my heart set on seeing Jaime Pressley accept that particular award, especially as Pressley was My Name is Earl's only shot at taking home one of the major awards. But alas...

Julia Louis-Dreyfus for Best Actress in a Comedy.

I was thrilled to see Louis-Dreyfus win and her weepy acceptance speech about the "reality" of certain post-Seinfeld curses was as hysterical as it was touching. Her performance in Old Christine is fun, fierce, and outright funny AND she remembered to thank her hubby, Brad Hall. Well, only after Debra Messing prompted her, anyway. If Lisa Kudrow couldn't take home the prize for her stunning turn as Valerie Cherish on The Comeback, I'm glad that it was Louis-Dreyfus who did. (Though poor Valerie: always a bridesmaid and never a bride.)

"The Amazing Race" for Best Reality Program.

Um, as if there was ANY doubt...

Helen Mirren for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Movie

I adore Helen Mirren and while I was rooting for Bleak House's Gillian Anderson to take home the prize, she lost to undeniably one of the very best actresses in the business. I thought that Mirren's acceptance speech walked just the right line between the silly and the serious and her message to writers thanking them for realizing all of their characters was touching, as was her insistence that there are actresses of every age and race waiting for more incredible characters to play. Sadly, it's a message that most people at the Shrine Auditorium need to hear.

Jeremy Piven for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy.

Freddie called and he wants his ascot back.

Tony Shalhoub for Best Actor in a Comedy.

Okay, here's where things get really weird. I love Tony Shalhoub, absolutely adore the guy. But over The Office's Steve Carell? Seriously? There's no contest whatsoever. To me, this was Carell's year, between The Office and Little Miss Sunshine on the big screen and he was ROBBED. I nearly ripped out my hair when I heard about this one. But it also cemented the notion in my head that the Academy would choose to recognize the series as a whole and not a particular performance or episode. (While I would have liked Michael Schur to win for Writing, I still don't think that "Christmas Party" was the series' strongest episode this past season.)

Kiefer Sutherland for Best Actor, Drama, and "24" for Best Drama

If Lost couldn't even get on the nomination list, I'm glad that Sutherland and 24 took home the top prizes last night for delivering another taut, gripping season of geopolitical terrorism in this kooky post-9/11 world of ours. Though I'd still rather have seen another "Jack" take the stage last night...

"The Office" for Best Comedy

Thank the Lords of Kobol that The Office actually did win, though there was still the slightest possibility in my mind that somehow the dearly missed Arrested Development would be crowned again. However, I was as pleased as punch that my current favorite comedy series was awarded the top prize last night and that the entire cast and crew, all looking exceptionally gorgeous in fact, took to the stage to celebrate. Everyone that is, except for Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, who mysteriously remained in their seats. Ricky and Stephen, while The Office has taken on a life of its own in its sophomore season, the series' existence in the first place is all down to you two and your own effingly brilliant Slough-based Office. And David Brent would have wanted you up there...

Meanwhile, the day before, I had the pleasure of meeting Gervais and Merchant. And, not only is Stephen Merchant seriously tall (I mean *really* tall) but he's also apparently quite press-shy. I tried to make him walk the red carpet press line on Saturday at the BAFTA Emmy Tea Party, but he remained stubbornly resistant, choosing instead to wait for Ricky to make it down the press line before entering the party together. (I do have to say though that both Gervais and Merchant are charmingly down-to-earth, considering the fact that I consider him to be a comedy genius and general all-around god.)

Also almost devishly nice is the adorable Lucy Davis (The Office's Dawn Tinsley) who was gorgeously tan and super-cute and who arrived with the equally gracious Owain Yeoman, late of FOX victim Kitchen Confidential, who shows up this fall as a hostage-taker on The Nine.

Another adorable pair was The 4400's Joel Gretsch and his lovely wife Melanie who were on hand with fellow 4400'ers Jacqueline McKenzie (drop-dead stunning in an orange dress), Richard Kahan, and an almost-unrecognizable Patrick Flueger, who showed up in full rocker mode with black, spiky hair, a nose ring, and striped, tight pants, accentuated with a silver chain. No sign of Chad Faust, however. (Though come back tomorrow for some thoughts on last night's simply jaw-dropping finale of The 4400.)

I chatted with a super-friendly Tahmoh Penikett about next season's Battlestar Galactica and he was thrilled to talk with someone who had actually seen the first five episodes of the series' third season (that would be yours truly) and had some very kind words to say about fellow BSG actor Michael Hogan (that would be Colonel Tigh), whom he hadn't really gotten to share a scene with before the upcoming season. As for what those scenes deal with, you'll have to wait until this fall.

But the best moment at the BAFTA event had to be when I recognized one of my favorite actor/writers, Simon Pegg, wandering around the red carpet in oversized sunglasses and denim shorts, clearly unnerved by the glitziness of the entire affair. Apologizing for not wearing long trousers, Pegg was clearly hoping to slink in unobserved (or slink out), but I made him walk the press line (I had failed with Merchant, so here was my chance to make up for it), only after chatting with him about how much I loved Shaun of the Dead and Spaced (shame on you if you've never seen it) and how I couldn't wait for his follow-up to Shaun, Hot Fuzz. Pegg seemed stunned that I knew who he was, much less was excited about his next film. It was quite simply one of the very best birthday presents I could have asked for.

And it almost made up for the lack of Lost on the Emmy bill. Well, almost...

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Two and a Half Men/How I Met Your Mother (CBS); Katrina: The Long Road Back (NBC); 7th Heaven (WB); Wife Swap (ABC); Prison Break (FOX); Major League Baseball (UPN)

9 pm: Two and a Half Men/The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS); Medium (NBC); 7th Heaven (WB); Wife Swap (ABC); Vanished (FOX)

10 pm: CSI: Miami (CBS); Medium (NBC); Supernanny (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

9 pm: Vanished.

It's the second episode of FOX's new serialized drama Vanished (reviewed originally here). On tonight's episode ("The Tunnel"), some new clues open up the scope of the investigation. Meanwhile, the senator's ex-wife (Penelope Ann Miller) tries to reconnect with her family. I smell a red herring...

10 pm: Life on Mars on BBC America.

It's the sixth episode of this brilliant (and British) mind-bending mystery series that stars State of Play's John Simm as Detective Sam Tyler, a modern-day copper who wakes up in 1973. On tonight's episode, Sam finds himself confronting a hostage situation but for that hostage-taker things just got very personal...

10 pm: Weeds on Showtime.

Season Two of Showtime's suburban-set pot dramedy is in full swing. On tonight's episode ("Last Tango in Agrestic"), Nancy faces some, er, growth problems with younger son Shane, while Celia enroles Isabelle in boot camp and Heylia has a suitor.

11 pm: Lovespring International on Lifetime.

The improvised comedy returns with a brand new episode tonight. On tonight's installment, a Lovespring client falls in love with a homeless woman (guest star Alanis Morissette) that Burke smuggled in to Lovespring HQ to paint his office. Ain't love grand?

Ambivalence, Rather than Anticipation, Over the Emmys

I can't say that I'm really all that excited about the Emmy awards this year, especially after getting all worked up about the mere possibility that traditionally undervalued shows like Battlestar Galactica, Everybody Hates Chris, Gilmore Girls, and Veronica Mars might actually be represented next to 24, The Sopranos, and Grey's Anatomy.

Instead, we all know too well how the latest voting overhaul scheme went (love that Ellen Burstyn still walked away with a nom for a 9-second performance) and it still smarts that Lost was virtually quarantined from the high-profile nominations. (I blame Dharma Foundation nomination-fixing.)

Sure, I'm rooting for The Office to take home the top comedy prize, and according to those mysterious "TV pundits," the gang at Dunder-Mifflin is the "heavy favorite" to do just that, along with Steve Carell for actor in a comedic performance. And wouldn't it would be just desserts if Lisa Kudrow walked away with the top prize for her role has the oft put-upon Valerie Cherish in HBO's cancelled mockumentary series, The Comeback? Not to mention Will Arnett taking one home for the Bluths.

But those bright spots aside, it's hard to work up enthusiasm for an awards show which, while taking place a few scant miles away from my house (literally), is tape-delayed by three whole hours. (Unlike the Oscars which smartly air everywhere simultaneously.) I do believe that Al Gore invented the internet for just these very scenarios, so something tells me I won't be tuning into the telecast at all, not even via my beloved time-altering TiVo.

Also, Sunday is my birthday and, although I was invited to a certain after-party thrown by a certain Emmy-nominated series, I'm toying with the notion of boycotting the Emmys this year altogether. If the Gilmores, the 09'ers, the Colonial Fleet, and those darn castaways aren't invited to sit at the adults' table, I think I might just have to sit this one out.

Besides, it's the season finale of The 4400, which I promise will have more twists and turns (and outright drama) than the entire duration of the Emmy telecast. Trust me on this one.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: The Unit (CBS); Dateline (NBC); What I Like About You/Twins (WB); America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC); Men in Black II (FOX; 8-10 pm); WWE Friday Night SmackDown (UPN)

9 pm: The Unit (CBS); Las Vegas (NBC); Reba/Living with Fran (WB); Kyle XY (ABC)

10 pm: NUMB3RS (CBS); Law & Order (NBC); 20/20 (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

10 pm: The Kumars at No. 42 on BBC America.

The hilarious semi-improvised sitcom/talk show hybrid returns with a new season of celebrity interviews. In the studio tonight: rock legend Alice Cooper and legendary Brit comedian Ronnie Corbett.

10:40 pm: Little Britain on BBC America.

If you missed this outrageous sketch comedy's third season, here's your chance to catch it from the beginning. Roman gets more than he bargained for at a health spa, thanks to ex-wife Bubbles deVere...

New Nominating System, Same Old Emmy Nominations

And the Emmy nominations are... really quite pathetic.

In a year where many thought the Television Academy's new nomination system would buck the trend of recent years and showcase some critically acclaimed but criminally neglected series like Gilmore Girls or Battlestar Galactica, the nominations are painfully boring and middle-of-the-road.

Part of me was hoping that this would be the year that Lauren Graham would finally (finally!) be singled out for recognition or that series like Veronica Mars would get a nod, but the other, more jaded part of me knew that it would most likely be the same old, same old for the stodgy Academy. Still, I couldn't tell you how depressed the nominations made me this morning. (Talk about getting up at the crack of dawn for nothing.)

There were a few bright spots, like Lisa Kudrow getting a nom for her deliriously wacky performance as put-upon actress Valerie Cherish on HBO's sadly missed The Comeback (I think I was one of the only people actually watching it) or My Name is Earl's divine Jaime Pressly, whose Joy makes me howl with laughter on a weekly basis. And of course, I'm thrilled that Steve Carell, The Office, Scrubs, and Arrested Development were singled out.

That said, where are nominations for Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls, Battlestar Galactica, or--hell--Lost? Other than a writing nomination and some technical categories, the drama behemoth was altogether shut out of all of the major races. No love for Terry O'Quinn or the other castaways?

Alfre Woodard for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy? Alfre Woodard? Don't get me wrong, I love Alfre to pieces, but was that even a comedic role? A woman locks her mentally disabled son in the basement? Not exactly the funniest thing I've heard all year. And it's become obvious that the once critical darling Desperate Housewives has lost its luster, even in the eyes of the Academy.

I've listed the major categories below as well as my thoughts on the nominations. But it's a dark day here in Hollywood and I can't say that I'm pleased by this "new and improved" nominating system, the outcome of which seems suspiciously similar to the old system...

Outstanding Comedy Series

Arrested Development -- FOX -- Imagine Television and The Hurwitz Company in association with 20th Century Fox Television

Curb Your Enthusiasm -- HBO -- HBO Entertainment

The Office -- NBC -- Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC in association with NBC Universal Television Studios

Scrubs -- NBC -- Touchstone Television

Two And A Half Men -- CBS -- Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions, a Division of WB Studio Enterprises Inc.

>>I'm actually pretty happy with the above, though I'd much rather have seen My Name is Earl get the nomination over CBS' Two and a Half Men, which I've yet to be able to sit through an episode of. If it HAD to be a CBS series, then why not Old Christine or How I Met Your Mother instead?

Outstanding Drama Series

Grey's Anatomy -- ABC -- Touchstone Television

House -- FOX -- Heel and Toe Productions, Shorez Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with Universal Television Studios

The Sopranos -- HBO -- Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

24 -- FOX -- Imagine Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television in association with Real Time Productions

The West Wing -- NBC -- John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television

>>Wow. Just really... wow. You mean to tell me that The Sopranos topped the nominations received by Lost?!? I can honestly say that I don't know a single person who has enjoyed watching this past season of The Sopranos and yet it somehow edged out Lost? My blood is boiling. No love for Veronica Mars, Rome, The 4400, Big Love, or Battlestar Galactica, obviously.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Curb Your Enthusiasm -- HBO -- HBO Entertainment
Larry David as Himself

The King Of Queens -- CBS -- Sony Pictures Television
Kevin James as Doug Heffernan

Monk -- USA -- NBC Universal Television Studios in association with Makeville Films and Touchstone Television
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk

The Office -- NBC -- Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC in association with NBC Universal Television Studios
Steve Carell as Michael Scott

Two And A Half Men -- CBS -- Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions, a Division of WB Studio Enterprises Inc.
Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper

>>Um, I love Larry David, but I'll definitely be routing for The Office's Steve Carell in this category. Kevin James for King of Queens? Are you people serious? Over Jason Lee or Jason Bateman??? Or John Krasinski?!?

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit -- NBC -- A Wolf Films production in association with NBC Universal Television
Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler

Rescue Me -- FX Network -- Apostle, The Cloudland Company and Dreamworks Television in association with Sony Pictures Television
Denis Leary as Tommy Gavin

Six Feet Under -- HBO -- Actual Size and the Greenblatt/Janollari Studios in association with HBO Entertainment
Peter Krause as Nate Fisher

24 -- FOX - Imagine Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television in association with Real Time Productions
Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer

The West Wing -- NBC -- John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
Martin Sheen as President Josiah Bartlet

>>One word: predictable.

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

The Comeback -- HBO -- Working Class and Is Or Isn't Entertainment in association with HBO Entertainment
Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish

Malcolm In The Middle -- FOX -- Regency Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jane Kaczmarek as Lois

The New Adventures Of Old Christine -- CBS - Kari's Logo Here in association with Warner Bros. Television
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell

Out Of Practice -- CBS -- CBS Paramount Network Television
Stockard Channing as Lydia Barnes

Will & Grace - NBC -- KoMut Entertainment in association with NBC Studios and Three Sisters Entertainment
Debra Messing as Grace

>>I'm thrilled to see Lisa Kudrow and Julia Louis-Dreyfus represented here for their work in The Comeback and Old Christine respectively, but Debra Messing again? And I loved Malcolm in the Middle waaay back in the day, but enough with Jane Kaczmarek already, please? Stockard Channing for Out of Practice? I had forgotten that the show had ever existed. Where are Lauren Graham or Jenna Fischer? Or Mary Louise Parker for Weeds?

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

The Closer -- TNT -- Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson

Commander In Chief -- ABC -- Touchstone Television
Geena Davis as Mackenzie Allen

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit -- NBC -- A Wolf Films production in association with NBC Universal Television
Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson

Six Feet Under -- HBO -- Actual Size and the Greenblatt/Janollari Studios in association with HBO Entertainment
Frances Conroy as Ruth Fisher

The West Wing -- NBC -- John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
Allison Janney as C.J. Cregg

>>I could have predicted these nominations in my sleep. Talk about being unoriginal. These were the five best dramatic performances of the year? Um, did anyone actually see Mary McDonnell's performance in Battlestar Galactica? Anyone? Something is rotten in the state of Denmark...

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Arrested Development -- FOX -- Imagine Television and The Hurwitz Company in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Will Arnett as Gob Bluth

Entourage -- HBO -- Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold

Malcolm In The Middle -- FOX -- Regency Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Bryan Cranston as Hal

Two And A Half Men - CBS -- Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions, a Division of WB Studio Enterprises Inc.
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper

Will & Grace -- NBC -- KoMut Entertainment in association with NBC Studios and Three Sisters Entertainment
Sean Hayes as Jack

>>I am deliriously happy that Arrested Development's Will Arnett got a nomination for his work as sleazy magician Gob Bluth and I definitely hope he walks away with a win. He's the only one of Arrested's immensely talented cast to get a nomination this year. My fingers are crossed so tightly that they're bleeding. Bryan Cranston? Hmmm. Didn't see that one coming, but there seems to be a trend shaping up here with some love being poured onto the recently departed Malcolm. (I am surprised though by his inclusion as I didn't see any of Cranston's annoying campaign ads in the trades this year.) And while Jeremy Piven is hilarious as Entourage's Ari Gold, does anyone else get the sense that he's sort of playing himself? Better question: where's Rainn Wilson?

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Boston Legal -- ABC -- David E. Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television Studios
William Shatner as Denny Crane

Huff -- Showtime -- Showtime Presents in association with Sony Pictures Television, A Bob Lowry Television Show Production, A 50 Cannon Entertainment Production
Oliver Platt as Russell Tupper

The Sopranos -- HBO -- Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti

24 -- FOX -- Imagine Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television in association with Real Time Productions
Gregory Itzin as President Charles Logan

The West Wing -- NBC -- John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
Alan Alda as Arnold Vinick

>>A lot of people I know will be thrilled by Itzin's nomination, but I was really hoping to see Edward James Olmos or Jamie Bamber up here. (Hell, continuing the BSG love, where's James Callis?)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Curb Your Enthusiasm -- HBO -- HBO Entertainment
Cheryl Hines as Cheryl David

Desperate Housewives -- ABC -- Touchstone Television
Alfre Woodard as Betty Applewhite

My Name Is Earl -- NBC -- An Amigos de Garcia production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jaime Pressly as Joy

Weeds -- Showtime -- Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions
Elizabeth Perkins as Celia Hodes

Will & Grace -- NBC -- KoMut Entertainment in association with NBC Studios and Three Sisters Entertainment
Megan Mullally as Karen

>>J'aime Jaime Pressly. If she doesn't win this, I'll eat my hat. I've made my feelings about Alfre Woodard's nomination abundantly clear already, but I am pleased to see Curb's Cheryl Hines get a nomination as Larry's poor put-upon wife. Still, I am all about Jamie Pressly.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Boston Legal -- ABC -- David E. Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television Studios
Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt

Grey's Anatomy -- ABC -- Touchstone Television
Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang

Grey's Anatomy -- ABC -- Touchstone Television
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Bailey

Huff -- Showtime -- Showtime Presents in association with Sony Pictures Television, A Bob Lowry Television Show Production, A 50 Cannon Entertainment Production
Blythe Danner as Izzy Huffstodt

24 -- FOX -- Imagine Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television in association with Real Time Productions
Jean Smart as First Lady Martha Logan

>>Unless there's an upset, I'll give the win to Sandra Oh. Sadly, it's not a category I'm remotely invested in.

Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series

Arrested Development -- "Development Arrested" -- FOX -- Imagine Television and The Hurwitz Company in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Chuck Tatham, Teleplay by
Jim Vallely, Teleplay by
Richard Day, Story by
Mitchell Hurwitz, Story by

Entourage -- "Exodus" -- HBO -- Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Doug Ellin, Written by

Extras -- "Kate Winslet" -- HBO -- BBC and HBO Entertainment
Ricky Gervais, Written by
Stephen Merchant, Written by

My Name Is Earl -- "Pilot" -- NBC -- An Amigos de Garcia production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Greg Garcia, Written by

The Office -- "Christmas Party" -- NBC -- Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC in association with NBC Universal Television Studios
Michael Schur, Written by

>>I'm actually quite happy with these nominations and pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's Extras (though wish it would have been Scrubs instead). Five of my very favorite comedies and not a King of Queens or Two and a Half Men in the bunch. I'm always happy when AD gets some recognition. Still, I'm definitely routing for The Office's Michael Schur to win this. I bloody love that episode.

Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series

Grey's Anatomy -- "It's the End Of The World, As We Know It (Part 1 & 2)" -- ABC -- Touchstone Television
Shonda Rhimes, Written by

Grey's Anatomy -- "Into You Like A Train" -- ABC -- Touchstone Television
Krista Vernoff, Written by

Lost -- "The 23rd Psalm" -- ABC -- Grass Skirt Productions, LLC in association with Touchstone Television
Carlton Cuse, Written by
Damon Lindelof, Written by

Six Feet Under -- "Everyone's Waiting" -- HBO -- Actual Size and the Greenblatt/Janollari Studios in association with HBO Entertainment
Alan Ball, Written by

The Sopranos -- "Members Only" -- HBO -- Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Terence Winter, Written by

>>For me, it's all about showing some love to Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof for their breathtaking work on Lost this season. If the show can't even get a nomination for Best Drama, the least the Academy can do is to reward the series' toiling architects.

What did you think of the nominations? Which actors and series deserved their nominations? And which ones were wrongfully left in the cold? (Ahem, Kristen Bell.)

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Big Brother 7: All-Stars (CBS); My Name is Earl/The Office (NBC); Smallville (WB); Master of Champions (ABC); That '70s Show/That '70s Show (FOX); Everybody Hates Chris/Love, Inc. (UPN)

9 pm: Rock Star: Supernova (CBS); The Office/The Office (NBC); Supernatural (WB); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); So You Think You Can Dance (FOX); Eve/Cuts (UPN)

10 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); Windfall (NBC); Grey's Anatomy (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8-9 pm: My Name is Earl/The Office.

On tonight's repeat episode ("Broke Joy's Fancy Figurine"), Earl attempts to make up for destroying Joy's beauty pageant figurine by helping Joy's former nemesis and her daughter win a beauty competition. Afterwards, it's a special re-airing of the pilot of The Office ("Pilot"), which is hands down my least favorite episode (too much similarity to the UK original for my taste).

9-10 pm: The Office/The Office.

Lucky me: three back-to-back episodes of The Office tonight. On tonight's second repeat episode of The Office ("Conflict Resolution"), Michael tries to take responsibility of Dunder-Mifflin's conflict resolution away from Human Resources, causing all sorts of chaos. And then a half an hour later, it's the second season finale of The Office ("Casino Night"). You know, the one where Jim and Pam get all smoochy and I pretend I'm not crying.

Hold The Ballots: An Emmy Award Wish List

Summertime in Hollywood brings us many things: repeats, reality shows, and full-page Emmy campaign ads in the trades. But with the deadline to turn in Emmy nominating ballots rapidly approaching (um, it's at the end of today, in fact), I thought I'd take this opportunity to come up with a few awards of my own that unfortunately didn't quite make it onto this year's Emmy ballot.

And since the results of my little poll numbered only one (myself), I didn't think I needed to call in the services of accounting firm Ernst & Young to tabulate the results. Sorry, guys.

Unlike the actual Emmy Awards telecast, I've pared down the show to just the actual awards handout (no monologues, musical performances, or montages here, folks), so without further ado, the winners are...

Best TV Non-Couple Couple: The Office's John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer

While The Office is easily one of the most hysterical shows on television, the ongoing will-they-or-won't-they romantic storyline between Krasinski and Fischer's Jim and Pam has given this NBC Thursday night staple the added sting of heartbreak. Kudos to the twosome for keeping their flirtation (and friendship) going over two seasons and to the show's producers for taking the couple in a direction that the British version's Tim and Dawn only reached in the series' Christmas Special finale. Will Jim and Pam wind up a couple after their kiss? I don't know but I do know that what ever happens between their characters, Krasinski and Fischer's loaded banter will keep me coming back week after week.

Best TV President: Battlestar Galactica's Mary McDonnell

Whether she's battling cancer or fending off the political advances of power-hungry conspirators, Battlestar Galactica's President of the Twelve Colonies proves that she's a tough opponent. Mary McDonnell's portrayal of Laura Roslin deftly takes the president's steely resolve and tempers it with a sympathetic sensitivity. Roslin's nuanced transformation from naive schoolteacher to hard-edged leader is astonishing to watch, as is McDonnell's on-screen chemistry with Edward James Olmos, her military chief. Their tenderness, passion, and anger all coalesce into a beautiful portrait of middle-aged marriage, even though neither of them has realized it. And McDonnell's slight frame belies the strength of character and conviction that Roslin is forced to invoke, even when the decisions are far from easy ones to make. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather place the fate of the free world in Roslin's hands than, say, Commander in Chief's Geena Davis.

Best TV Mom (Comedy): Everybody Hates Chris' Tichina Arnold

Is there anyone else on television other than Tichina Arnold who could take the line, "I'm gonna kick her ass; hold my wig" and transform it into the battle cry of a mama bear protecting her turf? As Rochelle, Chris' "ghetto snob" mom, Arnold has crafted a devoted mother who is the very definition of tough love and an even tougher woman. Rochelle might have to slap some sense into her kids, but she's there to tuck them in at night and teach them a lesson or two along the way. (Just as long as no one steals her chocolate turtles.) While Chris' entire cast is flawless, it's Arnold's roaringly funny performance that makes each and every episode of Chris an absolute joy to watch.

Best TV Mom (Drama): Gilmore Girls' Lauren Graham

I can't quite decide why the TV Academy has never recognized Lauren Graham (or Gilmore Girls as a whole, for that matter). Is it the WB thing? The "teen" thing? Or the fact that the show was the snappiest written show on television for quite a while? Regardless, Graham has shown her acting chops, comedic timing, and flair for wonderfully random monologues. As Lorelai, caffeine-fueled mother/best friend to daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel), Graham has found the role she was born to perform. In a season marred by lackluster storylines and uneven plotting (to say the least) in which central characters Lorelai and Rory went their separate ways, it was Graham who kept Gilmore Girls going. Her Lorelai is a tangle of neuroses and insecurities but Graham infuses them with a sarcasm and intelligence that keeps her from becoming toothless, giving her a depth of character that's rarely seen in comedy or drama. So come on, Emmy, with Gilmore Girls purportedly wrapping next season, why not smile down on Graham while you still can.

Best TV Crimefighter: Veronica Mars' Kristen Bell

Whether she's solving murders or investigating mysteries of the heart, Kristen Bell's Veronica Mars is tough, focused, and determined to get the job done, even if she has to bend the law a little to do it. If I were ever framed for murder, Veronica is the crimefighter I'd want clearing my name. Bell turns in a beautifully nuanced performance of an outcast that's equal parts noir as it is snark and the theatre-trained actor has proven that she's as adept at heartbreak and drama as she is with action and comedy. Over the past two seasons, we've seen Veronica subtly transform from a girl with a massive chip on her shoulder to a self-confident, altruistic woman filled with promise. And, after leaving high school, I can't wait to see what else Veronica has up her trendy sleeve. Give this girl an Emmy and be done with it already.

Best TV Trailer Trash: My Name is Earl's Jaime Pressly

While I love NBC's My Name is Earl, Jaime Pressly's Joy has got to be the very best part of the show for me. Earl's ex-wife Joy is manipulative, trashy, and painfully honest and Pressly looks like she's having a field day playing her. It's due to Pressly's skills as an actor that Joy, while absolutely hilarious, never becomes cartoonish. Instead, Pressly has created a character that's deeply flawed but who revels in those very flaws before your eyes. Besides, who else but Pressly could imbue a catchphrase like "Oh, Snap!" with such malice and glee and still be so completely and utterly lovable?

Scariest TV Bad Guy: Big Love's Harry Dean Stanton

Big Love's Harry Dean Stanton is a scary, scary man. As cult leader Roman Grant, Stanton exudes a terrifying aura of power gone wrong, wielding his authority over the compound and the Henrickson family with a perverse pleasure. Stanton has appeared in dozens of films, but in Roman he's found his ideal character: morally corrupt and emotionally bankrupt, he's a sly old fox who refuses to give up the power that he fought (and possibly killed) for. His performance appears so effortless and so eerily controlled that it's impossible to take your eyes off of him, even for a second. After all, that's all the time it would take for him to rip out your throat.

Scariest TV Good Guy: Lost's Terry O'Quinn

I'm not quite sure what I'd say to Terry O'Quinn if I ever saw him in the flesh. After all, Locke scares me. And he's supposed to be a good guy. For O'Quinn, an actor used to getting stuck playing FBI types, it seems like he's had a blast portraying Lost's resident visionary, John Locke, whose quest for enlightenment on Lost's haunted island purgatory has propelled quite a lot of the series' otherworldly plots. For an actor used to sitting off on the sidelines, Locke is a meaty role filled with contradictions. Desperate to believe in something larger than himself, Locke has been teetering on a knife's edge between altruistic heroism and obsessive villainy. The look on his face in the season finale when he realized that he was right to keep pushing the button was a mixture of joy and abject horror. Will he make it out of the hatch alive? I'm sure of it but I think we've only breached the surface of Locke's character and I can't wait to see where O'Quinn takes him next.

Best Cancelled TV Show: Arrested Development

Need I say more? Rest in peace, my beloved Bluths.

Best TV Show About Polygamists: Big Love

Okay, it's the only television show about polygamists, but Big Love takes the prickly issue of plural marriage and transforms it into a gripping drama about a rather, um, extended family that might not be as different from yours or mine as one might think. In Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny, and Ginnifer Goodman, Big Love has given us a deeply complex portrait of the compromises of marriage, the bonds of sisterhood, and the wiles of women. And I am absolutely hooked. While "Mormons" might not seem as immediately interesting as mobsters or morticians, Big Love has proven that there's drama aplenty to be mined there.

Best TV Show No One's Watching: Scrubs

Year after year, creator Bill Lawrence, Zach Braff, and the Scrubs crew continue to deliver a brilliant, witty, and fanciful comedy that's tinged with the pervasive specters of heartbreak, loss, and failure, set in what might just be the world's very worst hospital. And yet somehow no one's watching, a fact that makes me want to bang my head against the wall... if only to let the doctors at Sacred Heart patch me up. Rarely has a sitcom been this funny and this touching at the same time.

While I can only dream about the above actors and series receiving recognition from the TV Academy, the actual Emmy nominations will be announced by Old Christine's Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Brad Garrett on July 6th.

If you live in LA, prepare to wake up at the crack of dawn (5:39 am to be precise) to catch the nominations... or sleep in and check back here for details.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: NCIS (CBS); Fear Factor (NBC); Gilmore Girls (WB); NBA Basketball (ABC); House (FOX); America's Next Top Model (UPN)

9 pm: The Unit (CBS); Last Comic Standing (NBC); Pepper Dennis (WB); House (FOX); Veronica Mars (UPN)

10 pm: Tuesday Night Book Club (CBS); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: The Thick of It on BBC America (11 pm EST).

If you missed the sixth (and final) episode of this scathingly funny British political satire, here's your last chance tonight to catch it. On tonight's episode, the Department of Social Affairs is merged with that of Citizenship, Hugh doesn't like his new offices, and poor Terri (finally back after the death of her father) is forced to take the fall for a scandal. It doesn't get any more wicked or wickedly funny than this.