A Popularity Contest...

...is exactly what the Emmys have become. For reals. Years ago (the 90s), the Emmy's seemed more like an out-of-touch parent who knew what they liked (Frasier, John Lithgow, Helen Hunt) and wouldn't change for nobody! New shows (Buffy) and popular shows (Friends) were overlooked for all or the majority of their run. And now, as ratings across the board slip and the Emmys themselves become more irrelevant, they're nominating the hits, trotting out the celebrities, and making dumb ass decisions in the hopes to boost ratings. Seriously. Let's look at the nominees!


Outstanding Drama Series
Boston Legal • ABC
Grey’s Anatomy • ABC
Heroes • NBC
House • Fox
The Sopranos • HBO

The biggest problem here is that Lost was overlooked again. After the fluke that was the 2005 Emmys, where Lost's win was kinda like a retroactive apology for the shunning of all the quirky/insane dramas (Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Joss Whedon in general) that came before, the show has since been scooted off the radar. Seriously. Seriously. You can not tell me that any of the nominees, save Sopranos, are as well written or innovative as Lost. Boston Legal and Grey's Anatomy are practically comedies and House is about as procedurally as a procedural can get. And Heroes. Oh Heroes. You're a good show, you're interesting. But honestly, your acting is always middle of the road, I've rarely if ever been surprised in the episodes I've seen, and your dialogue is on the level of an advanced 8th grader who reads too many comics. You don't deserve this, and you sure don't deserve this over Lost. But America loves Heroes, Grey's and House, so here they are.


Outstanding Comedy Series
Entourage • HBO
The Office • NBC
30 Rock • NBC
Two And A Half Men • CBS
Ugly Betty • ABC

Pretty much the same as the drama category. 1 cable show, 1 oddball (Boston Legal being the oddball drama), and 3 of America's Favorites. I can't say anything about Entourage, but the Emmys have to nominate HBO in every category so, you know, fine. America's Favorites thankfully include The Office, the most refreshing and daring sitcom since Arrested Development, but they also include the horrific Two & a Half Men and Ugly Betty (more charming than funny, right?). The real surprise is the oddball 30 Rock which came into it's own early in the first season, something that rarely happens since most shows struggle to find their voice that first year. I hope 30 Rock wins, The Office has a better shot at winning, but I fear Ugly Betty is going to charm the voters.

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Desperate Housewives • ABC • Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo
The New Adventures Of Old Christine • CBS • Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell
30 Rock • NBC • Tina Fey as Liz Lemon
Ugly Betty • ABC • America Ferrera as Betty Suarez
Weeds • Showtime • Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin

Cable (Mary-Louise), oddball (Tina Fey), three America's Favorites. Predictable! But, happy that Felicity was nominated even though Housewives is slipping in quality and viewers and Tina Fey's inclusion is awesome. She always plays the straight woman, but she does it so well.


Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Extras • HBO • Ricky Gervais as Andy Millman
Monk • USA • Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk
The Office • NBC • Steve Carell as Michael Scott
30 Rock • NBC • Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy
Two And A Half Men • CBS • Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper

I swear, if Tony Shalhoub wins this category again for a show that is now loathed by critics, I just, I can't even comprehend. Other than that and the obligatory Sheen, this category is strong. Alec, Ricky and Steve are all comedic genius doing thought-provoking comedy. And really, who isn't going to give it to Alec? We all know the temper the guy has. I wonder if his daughter answered when he called to tell her he was nominated...

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Boston Legal • ABC • William Shatner as Denny Crane
Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • T.R. Knight as George
Heroes • NBC • Masi Oka as Hiro Nakamura
Lost • ABC • Michael Emerson as Ben
Lost • ABC • Terry O’Quinn as John Locke
The Sopranos • HBO • Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti

This is the best category because it's the only place that Lost is given any props. Thank you, Emmys, for not making me hate you through and through. Yes, Michael Emerson is a genius (and Emmy fave, by the way) and should win this category. That Japanese Guy From Heroes shouldn't even be on here. He's just lucky he's the only actor on the show that is distinctive and the only character with more than two traits in his personality (sorta).

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
My Name Is Earl • NBC • Jaime Pressly as Joy Turner
The Office • NBC • Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly
Two And A Half Men • CBS • Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper
Two And A Half Men • CBS • Conchata Ferrell as Berta
Ugly Betty • ABC • Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater
Weeds • Showtime • Elizabeth Perkins as Celia Hodes

They had to nominate six people, because Lord knows both of those women from Two & a Half Men deserved it! Who even knew there were women in that show? Mindy Kaling and Angela Kinsey from The Office steal every scene they're in....but Men is America's Favorite. I'm really only posting this category because Jenna Fischer was nominated. Sweet, adorable, subtly brilliant Pam Beesly! I'm so elated! I'm glad that such a nuanced and emotional performance can be recognized, as well as every female who has ever been on Two & a Half Men.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Entourage • HBO • Kevin Dillon as Johnny Drama
Entourage • HBO • Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold
How I Met Your Mother • CBS • Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson The Office • NBC • Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute
Two And A Half Men • CBS • Jon Cryer as Alan Harper

And the category that has me in smiles all day, solely because Rainn Wilson's awesomeness got him a nomination. The guy's been one of my favorite actors for years now (Arthur Martin, what what!) and I'm just, wow, overjoyed at this. He deserves this and, scarily, there's a chance he could win. A real big chance. But, uh, why does every cast member on Two & a Half Men have to be nominated? Actually, where's the half man at? He must feel like a quarter of a man.


That's about all the nominations I have the stomach to go through. Lost also got nods in the writing and directing categories for the season finale, deservedly so. But I'm sure The Sopranos will win both of those. The comedy writing category is great, 1 Extras and 2 each of The Office and 30 Rock. Also, 30 Rock's theme song and SNL's "Dick in a Box" got nominated. Just, you know, thought that was keen.