The Emmy nominations were announced last week and while I am elated to see certain names that received nods this year, a further review of the list of the main categories made me realize something. Either this has not been a good year for new shows in network television or the only new show the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences watched this year was ‘Heroes.’ I also have a couple of other remarks and grievances for this year’s list that I’d like to share.
As for the new dramas and comedies this year, new shows usually have to be around for more than a season in order for them to be worthy of one of the greatest awards in the television industry. I’m not saying this is actually an Academy rule or anything but it does seem to be an unwritten guideline. That said, I can’t help but feel like when the Academy reviews the list of eligible contenders for these awards, they pour over last years program to get an idea of which actors and shows they should nominate again. Here’s the list of all of the main categories.
This year’s list of Outstanding Dramas was somewhat similar to last year’s. ‘Grey’s Anatomy, ‘House’ and ‘The Sopranos’ all remained while ‘The West Wing’ was replaced this year by ‘Boston Legal,’ and Heroes took 24’s spot on the list (which is fitting because Heroes also took a good chunk of 24’s viewers.)
At what point is the Academy going to recognize some of the cable network’s original programming? Sure, a few of the stars of these shows (Denis Leary, Minnie Driver, Tony Shalhoub, etc) will manage to make the list but will drama series like ‘Rescue Me,’ ‘The Shield,’ and pretty much every other original program that FX airs ever manage to make the Outstanding Drama Series list? This year they could’ve easily snubbed ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ because season three was a mess and by no means, Emmy worthy.
And ‘Two and a Half Men’ for best comedy? Are they serious? Rafe said it all last week so if you’re interested in a rant about that show making the list, CLICK HERE.
On a positive note, I am very happy to see Neil Patrick Harris, Rainn Wilson and Kevin Dillon all recognized in the Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category. The only problem there is that I can’t decide which of them I want to win more. Dillon is the warm chewy center of ‘Entourage,’ Harris delivers some amazingly funny lines in ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ and Rainn Wilson’s Dwight is definitely one of the reasons we all love ‘The Office.’ My only fear is that all three will lose out to Cryer.
Also, kudos to Sandra Oh, Terry O’Quinn, Michael Emerson, William Shatner, Alec Baldwin, Ricky Gervais and a few others for well deserved nominations.
All in all, though I have fairly lukewarm feelings about this year’s list of nominees. There is never enough diversity on the list, which makes me feel like the Academy isn’t being exposed to a broad enough spectrum of TV shows. With everything that’s on these days, we can hardly expect every great show to be recognized but it would be nice to be surprised by the list once in a while.
Big Brother (CBS) 8:00 pm
(New!) Dick won Head of Household on last weeks live show. In this episode we’ll see who he nominated for eviction. Will he go after Kail as he said he would?
Entourage (HBO) 10:00 pm
The WeHo Ho - (New!) Billy and Eric try to let bygones be bygones. Also, Lloyd gets a bit more screen time in this episode. Yay!
’Hell’s Kitchen’ (Fox) 9:00 pm
(New!) – Ramsey combines the teams. The challenge involves the final five cooking for a bunch of high school kids.
’Greek’ (ABC Family) 9:00 pm
The Rusty Nail (New!) – I really love this show! It’s surprisingly funny. In this episode, Casey is concerned for her brother when Cappie sets him up with a girl.
’America’s Got Talent’ (NBC) 8:00 pm
Performance Episode (part 2) - (new!) – The finalists perform again
’Big Brother 8’ (CBS) 9:00 pm
(new!) – The two nominees (feed-watchers know who they are!) have the chance to play for the Veto (we already know who won) and decide if they’ll use to take themselves or someone else off the block (they probably will).
’Damages’ (FX) 10:00 pm
Pilot (New!) – FX’s new legal thriller about a young attorney who gets a job working as an associate for an extremely successful (and very intimidating) lawyer. Check out the review here!
So You Think You Can Dance(FOX) 8:00 pm
(New!) – The final 10 dancers perform. It’s time to see how well the dancers perform with new partners!
Last Comic Standing(NBC) 9:00 pm
(New!) – This is the last round of the semifinals. Tom Arnold is a guest scout.
’Big Brother 8’ (CBS) 8:00 pm
Live Episode (new!) – One of the houseguests is evicted and a new Head of Household is crowned.
’So You Think You Can Dance’ (FOX) 9:00 pm
Results (new!) – Mika performs and two dancers are eliminated.
Monk(USA) 9:00 pm
Mr. Monk and the Naked Man (New!) – Monk is surrounded by nakedness when he investigates a murder at a nudist beach. Yikes.
Psych(USA) 10:00 pm
Psy vs. Psy (New!) – Federal agents bring in a “real” psychic, giving Shawn a run for his money.
Wonderful World of Disney: The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (ABC) 8:00 pm
If I were to consider The Princess Diaries one of my many girl-movie guilty pleasures than the sequel is definitely an even guiltier pleasure. In the first movie, Mia finds out she’s a princess. In this one, she moves to Genovia and learns that in order to claim the thrown, she needs to get married. I wouldn’t recommend this for guys because it’s a total chick flick but if you’re a female looking for a good clean romantic-comedy, this’ll do.
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