Now that we can stop wondering who will get the Emmy nominations, it's time to talk constantly about what those darned nominations mean. I'll leave to others the intelligent musings on the meaning of pitting 'The Sopranos' against 'Heroes' for Oustanding Drama Series (if it means anything other than "Oh man, 'Heroes' is gonna get creamed!), andI couldn't tell you who has a better shot, Denis Leary or Kiefer Sutherland (unless the answer is "Oh man, James Gandolfini is going to cream them both!")
I want to talk about the supporting actors, primarily because actors from two of my favorite shows-- 'Lost' and 'How I Met Your Mother'-- actually got nominations, which is more than can be said for most of the shows I watch (though 'Hell's Kitchen'-- no joke-- was nominated for outstanding art direction. Is the contrasting red and blue kitchen design really that impressive?)
Holding steady in the category for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series are Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson of 'Lost,' actors who were given by far the best story lines of the outstanding second half of the season. They're up against a Soprano-- well, Christopher, a.k.a. Michael Imperioli-- which is tough enough, but also T.R. "I'm The Victim In All Of This" Knight of 'Grey's Anatomy,' William "Priceline" Shatner of 'Boston Legal,' and Masi "I Really Am A Science Nerd!" Oka of 'Heroes.' Given that 'Lost' got virtually no other nominations, things aren't looking good for O'Quinn or Emerson, which makes me root for them all the more.
Emerson has been outstanding ever since he first appeared in what was supposed to be a guest role way back in the dark ages of season 2, when everyone was locked in the hatch and getting on each others' nerves. Emerging as the diabolical leader of The Others throughout season 3, Emerson brought a cagey arrogance and slipperiness to his villain's role, forcing the audience-- and his followers on the show-- to constantly question his motives and just how much he knows. In the last few episodes of the season, as his power started to slip away, he perfectly captured a man trying to put on a tough face while watching his empire collapse around him.
O'Quinn's Locke, on the other hand, has always been the most intriguing character on the show (until, perhaps, Emerson's Ben came along). In the third season Locke revealed his selfish motives, blowing up potential escape routes from the island in the interest of his own "journey." O'Quinn, who has played endless military roles in the past, made Locke much more than a steely jungle warrior, creating the series' most spiritual character who may be the key to all of the island's plaguing mysteries.
On a completely different, but equally happy note, Neil Patrick Harris was also recognized for his role as Barney on 'How I Met Your Mother,' the CBS sitcom mercifully saved from cancellation and coming back for a third season this fall. He's got formidable competition as well-- Kevin Dillon and last year's winner Jeremy Piven of 'Entourage,' Rainn Wilson of 'The Office,' and Jon Cryer of 'Two and a Half Men.' All three of those series were also nominated for the top comedy prize, which means Harris's chances are similarly slim. Still, Barney is one of 'Mother's consistent delights, bringing much-needed cynicism and wisecracks to a show that can frequently slip into treacle. Anyone who saw his cameo in Harold and Kumar go to White Castle knew he had it in him, but it's so much fun to see someone step so completely away from the TV persona that made them famous (in case you've somehow forgotten, Harris was teen doctor phenomenon Doogie Howser).
So yeah, these are longshots. But in a year when 'The Sopranos' will most likely whack the competition(I promise that isn't the first you've heard of the whack jokes), you've got to support the underdogs a little. And if any of these actors' fine work brings attention to their fine shows, then that'll be a good deed even Tony Soprano could get behind.
