EMMY '07
*
I wasn't going to write anything on the Emmys, but then a very dear, sick friend begged me from his deathbed to weigh in, and how could I deny his dying request? So here goes...
(I deleted the ones I found boring.)
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
There are about two and a half things wrong with this list, in that one of these shows is about two and a half times less funny than anything else on TV. Including Iraq war coverage. Everything else is fine. I like Entourage but from what I've heard, Season 3 hasn't been its best, and it likely won't win because only people in LA know that it is basically a documentary. Ugly Betty is cute, fizzy fun, and could win, but I think the Emmys will go for something that feels a bit more sophisticated. 30 Rock would be (and was) my vote, because it's consistently hilarious, but The Office has been around longer and has more die-hard fans. And that's fine.
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 don't watch House, but the few episodes I have seen were good. Still, I think people are pretty much over it. I've never watched a full episode of Boston Legal because I liked it better when it was called Ally McBeal and starred a dancing baby. Or The Practice, and Dylan McDermott. Anyway. I love me some Heroes when it's good, but the end of the season was pretty lame once they decided that the indestructible cheerleader would actually be better as a snively little whiner - I mean, come on! This is the girl that drove her date-rapist into a brick wall! Here's to hoping the show has legs next season. One day soon, I hope, the nation will come to its senses and realize that Grey's Anatomy is a mediocre, poorly-written show, but until then, it just may win a damn Emmy. Our only hope is the beloved Sopranos, and with all the buzz surrounding its final few minutes, I think it could pull it off. It certainly deserves one last win for 6 (and a half?) seasons of well-crafted, bold television we can't fuhgeddabout. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)
MINISERIES
“Broken Trail,” AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
”Prime Suspect: The Final Act” (Masterpiece Theatre), PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
”The Starter Wife,” USA,Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Having pretty much all the screeners actually allowed me to watch stuff like The Starter Wife I normally wouldn't have bothered with, even via Tivo. It was fun, in a guilty-about-loving-Debra-Messing-pleasure kind of way, and even though I still need to watch the second half and was never sure if it was a show or strangely long movie, I'm rooting for it.
MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
“Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee,”HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
“Inside The Twin Towers,” Discovery Channel, A Dangerous Films Productions for BBC / RTL / France 2 and Discovery Channel in association with Blakeway Productions
“Longford,” HBO • A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
“The Ron Clark Story,” TNT, Granada America and MAGNA Global Entertainment
“Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy,” Lifetime, Produced by Grossbart Kent for Lifetime Television
I also got a screener of Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy, but strangely, never found the time to watch it. So I haven't seen any of these, but Longford is supposed to be amazing.
REALITY
"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
I've never seen any of these. But pssst...the dog whisperer has my vote. Shh!
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
I hate reality. That's all.
ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Ricky Gervais as Andy Millman, "Extras," HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, "Monk," USA, NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone
Steve Carell as Michael Scott, "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper, "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Monk? Really? With nominees this passe I'm kind of surprised Caroll O'Connor isn't on this list. I'm also kind of surprised to find Charlie Sheen on this list, instead of in prison somewhere, but that's off-topic. Ricky Gervais and Steve Carell are both funny, but unfortunately, only one of them is nominated for their work on The Office while Extras is good, but not as good, as the British version. I vote for Alec Baldwin, because he's funny on 30 Rock, and even funnier on voicemails to his piggy daughter.
ACTOR IN A DRAMA
James Spader as Alan Shore, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, "House," Fox. Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television
Denis Leary as Tommy Gavin, "Rescue Me," FX. Produced by Apostle, the Cloudland Company and DreamWorks Television in association with Sony Pictures Television
James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, "The Sopranos, HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, "24, Fox, Imagine Television & 20th Century Fox Television in association with Realtime Productions
I think this will be a nice bow out for Tony Soprano, as well it should be, or else the Academy should be whacked. But anticipate a possible upset from Denis Leary, who is the cooler, edgy, fresh choice. The other nominees have all had better buzz in earlier seasons.
ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Robert Duvall as Prentice "Print" Ritter, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone, "Jesse Stone: Sea Change," CBS, TWS Productions II and Brandman Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television
Jim Broadbent as Lord Longford, "Longford," HBO, A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
William H. Macy as Clyde Umney & Sam Landry, "Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From The Stories Of Stephen King - Umney’s Last Case," TNT • Ostar Productions
Matthew Perry as Ron Clark, "The Ron Clark Story," TNT, Granada America and MAGNA Global Entertainment
I'm placing all my acting bets on Longford.
ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell, "The New Adventures Of Old Christine," CBS, Kari’s Logo Here in association with Warner Bros. Television
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin, "Weeds," Showtime, Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions
Tricky category, pretty much anyone but Huffman from the cooled Desperate Housewives could take this. I'm guessing Fey's too green, and Ferrera has her Golden Globe but I think the Emmys will be tougher for the ingenue to crack. (They're still nominating Monk for God's sake.) Weeds doesn't have quite the cool quotient it used to so I think here, the Emmys will go with a veteran, the always-wonderful Louis-Dreyfus. Me, I'd go for Tina Fey, especially since she also writes - she's a hard-working woman, folks! But unlikely.
ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Sally Field as Nora Walker, "Brothers & Sisters," ABC, ABC Studios
Kyra Sedgwick as Dep. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, "The Closer: Slippin’," TNT, The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Patricia Arquette as Allison Dubois, "Medium," NBC, CBS Paramount Television, Grammnet, Picturemaker Productions
Minnie Driver as Dahlia Malloy, "The Riches," FX, FX Productions and Fox Television Studios
Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Carmela! Carmela! I'm pretty sure The Sopranos will take this one again, as well it should. Edie Falco was, in a way, the soul of that show, and it's hard to imagine anyone else playing opposite Gandolfini even half as well.
ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Queen Latifah as Ana, "Life Support," HBO, Foxx/King Entertainment, Flavor Unit Films, Urban Romances and Shelby Stone Productions in association with HBO Films
Helen Mirren as Jane Tennison, "Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre)," PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
Mary-Louise Parker as Zenia Arden, "The Robber Bride," Oxygen, Working Title TV and Shaftesbury Films
Debra Messing as Molly Kagan, "The Starter Wife," USA. Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Gena Rowlands as Melissa Eisenbloom, "What If God Were The Sun," Lifetime, By Fox Television Studios, JECO Productions and Old Beantown Films for Lifetime Television
Did I watch The Robber Bride screener from Oxygen one night when I didn't want to have to pay attention to what I was watching? Yes. Did I end up paying attention anyway? Pretty much. Did I kind of love it? Sure did. That said, this will probably go to Helen Mirren, because it seems sort of silly not to give the woman who just won an Oscar an Emmy, too.
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Kevin Dillon as Johnny Drama, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson, "How I Met Your Mother," CBS, Twentieth Century Fox
Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute, "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper, "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Two and a half bullets to the skull to anyone who voted for a certain somebody on this list. Rainn Wilson has a lot of love in his corner, and could take this. Piven and Dillon might split the Vincent Chase posse vote, and I think Piven's heyday has come and gone with this one. I do love me some Barney on the highly underrated How I Met Your Mother (one of only two or three must-see shows on TV for me) and he could pull it off, too. Wait for it...
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
William Shatner as Denny Crane, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
T.R. Knight as George, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Masi Oka as Hiro Nakamura, "Heroes," NBC, Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Michael Emerson as Ben, "Lost," ABC, ABC Studios
Terry O’Quinn as John Locke, "Lost," ABC, ABC Studios
Which one is Ben, again? Eh. It's all about Hiro!
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Thomas Haden Church as Tom Harte, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
August Schellenberg as Sitting Bull, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Aidan Quinn as Senator Dawes, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Edward Asner as Luke Spelman, "The Christmas Card," Hallmark, RHI Entertainment presents an Alpine Medien Production in association with Larry Levinson Productions
Joe Mantegna as Lou Manahan, "The Starter Wife," USA, Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Secret shout out for The Starter Wife. Wait, what? Did I just type that?
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Jaime Pressly as Joy Turner. "My Name Is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly. "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
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. "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater. "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
Elizabeth Perkins as Celia Hodes, "Weeds," Showtime. Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions
I would slap Holland Taylor in the face two and a half fewer times than anyone else from that show, because in spite of being on it, she's alright. This will come down to the network show vs. the premium show, it can be hard to tell, and in this case, Betty vs. Weeds. Both actresses give great comedic performances. I think Williams, as a more familiar name, has the edge over Pressly (who is the best thing about her show by far).
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon, "Brothers & Sisters," 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, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios,
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, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
I don't know which I want more: to have sex with Dr. Melfi, or for her to watch me having sex and then use her observations to unlock the mysteries of my life in a tense therapy session. In either of these scenarios, she has an Emmy. It could happen, though I fear her smallish number of scenes on the show limit her chances. But are any of these other candidates strong enough to best her? Not sure Brothers & Sisters is established enough for a Griffiths win. Heigl could do it, since she has raised her profile considerably, but I think it goes to Bracco.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Greta Scacchi as Nola Johns, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
Anna Paquin as Elaine Goodale, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Samantha Morton as Myra Hindley, "Longford," HBO, A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
Judy Davis as Joan McAllister, "The Starter Wife," USA, Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Toni Collette as Kathy Graham, "Tsunami, The Aftermath," HBO, A Kudos Film and Television Production in association with the BBC and HBO Films
Goes to Longford.
GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Martin Landau as Bob Ryan, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Sir Ian McKellen as Himself, "Extras, HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Stanley Tucci as David Ruskin, "Monk, "USA, NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone
Giovanni Ribisi as Ralph Mariano, "My Name Is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Beau Bridges as Carl Hickey, "My Name is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Never saw these, but it'll be a fight between screen veterans (aka senior citizens) Landau and McKellan.
GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Christian Clemenson as Jerry “Hands” Espenson, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Forest Whitaker as Curtis Ames, "ER, NBC, Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
David Morse as Michael Tritter, "House, Fox, Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Tim Daly as J.T. Dolan, "The Sopranos, HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
John Goodman as Judge Robert Bebe, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
Eli Wallach as Eli Weintraub, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
That episode of Studio 60 was one of the most singularly bad/embarrassing episodes of television I have ever seen, so let's hope it's not him.
GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Dixie Carter as Gloria Hodge, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Laurie Metcalf as Carolyn Bigsby, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Elaine Stritch as Colleen Donaghy, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Judith Light as Claire Meade , "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
Salma Hayek as Sofia Reyes, "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
I saw that episode of Desperate Hosuewives...fun crazy times! Elaine Stritch was also a riot but I'm kind of partial to Judith Light here. Just 'cause.
GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Kate Burton as Ellis Grey, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Elizabeth Reaser as Jane Doe, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Marcia Gay Harden as Star Morrison, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Leslie Caron as Lorraine Chalmers, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jean Smart as Martha Logan, "24," Fox, Imagine Television & 20th Century Fox Television in association with Realtime Productions
I saw exactly none of these performances.
DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY
Julian Farino, "Entourage: One Day In The Valley," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, "Extras: Orlando Bloom," HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Ken Kwapis, "The Office: Gay Witch Hunt," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Will Mackenzie, "Scrubs: My Musical," NBC, ABC Studios
Scott Ellis, "30 Rock: The Breakup," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Richard Shepard, "Ugly Betty: Pilot," ABC, ABC Studios
I would probably go with Entourage.
DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA
Felix Alcala, Director "Battlestar Galactica: Exodus, Part 2," Sci Fi Channel • R+D TV in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Bill D’Elia, "Boston Legal: Son of the Defender," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Peter Berg, "Friday Night Lights: Pilot", NBC, Imagine Television, Film 44 in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
David Semel, "Heroes: Genesis, NBC," Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jack Bender, "Lost: Through the Looking Glass," ABC, ABC Studios
Alan Taylor, "The Sopranos: Kennedy And Heidi," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Thomas Schlamme, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip: Pilot," NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
Tough. The Studio 60 pilot was really well directed, or perhaps misdirected, since it got me really excited for a show that ended up just being about people whining, not kissing, and/or whining about not kissing, with an occasional episode that preaches about World War II, giving black writers a chance, and Afghanistan, all equally terribly. The direction on The Sopranos is always first class, prompting me to think that will win. But I really have to go with Heroes, because I'm a geek like that.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
"Hannah Montana, Disney Channel," It’s a Laugh Productions; Michael Poryes Productions; Disney Channel
"Nick News With Linda Ellerbee: Private Worlds: Kids And Autism," Nickelodeon, Lucky Duck Productions in association with Nickelodeon
"The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody, Disney Channel," It’s a Laugh Productions; Disney Channel
"That’s So Raven, Disney Channel," That So Productions; Warren & Rinsler Productions, in association with Disney Channel
"When Parents Are Deployed," PBS, Sesame Workshop
I know exactly what show I want to win this category, because it actually is fun to watch in a guiltiest-of-pleasures sort of way...and if it doesn't win that would so not be raven it's not even funny.
NONFICTION SERIES
"American Masters," PBS, American Masters is produced for PBS by Thirteen/WNET New York
"Biography," A&E, Prometheus Entertainment in association with Fox Television Studios and A&E Network
"Deadliest Catch," Discovery Channel, Original Productions, Inc. in association with Discovery Channel
"Inside The Actors Studio," Bravo, A Co-Production of The Actors Studio, Bravo, In The Moment Productions
"Planet Earth: Discovery Channel," A BBC/Discovery Channel/NHK Co-Production
Earth is in the house, yo!
WRITING FOR A COMEDY
"Extras: Daniel Radcliffe," Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment,
"The Office: Gay Witch Hunt," Greg Daniels, NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio,
"The Office: The Negotiation," Michael Schur NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"30 Rock: Tracy Does Conan," Tina Fey NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio.
"30 Rock: Jack-Tor," Robert Carlock NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
The Office most likely takes this.
WRITING FOR A DRAMA
"Battlestar Galactica: Occupation/Precipice," Ronald D. Moore Sci Fi Channel • R+D TV in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"Lost: Through The Looking Glass," Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse ABC, ABC Studios
"The Sopranos: Kennedy And Heidi," Matthew Weiner, David Chase HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
"The Sopranos: The Second Coming," Terence Winter HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
"The Sopranos: Made In America," David Chase HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
The Sopranos. But which episode? (And I'm proud of Battlestar Galactica getting a few nominations. Good show...I'll watch it, someday.)
WRITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A DRAMATIC SPECIAL
"Broken Trail" Alan Geoffrion AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
"Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," Daniel Giat HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
"Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre): Parts 1 & 2," adapted by Sandy Welch PBS, A BBC/WGBH Boston Co-Production
"Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre)," Frank Deasy, PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
"The Starter Wife," Josann McGibbon, Sara Parriott, USA, Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Cowboys are boring. Stuffy, stuffy Brits...yawn. Starter Wife, anyone? No? Okay, it's just me, then.
WRITING FOR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
"American Masters - Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film," James Sanders, Ric Burns PBS, Produced by Steeplechase Films, Inc., High Line Productions, Daniel Wold, Inc. and Thirteen/WNET,
"Penn & Teller: Bullshit!: Wal-Mart," Penn Jillette, Teller, Sheryl Zohn, Jon Hotchkiss, Michael Goudeau, Star Price, Cliff Schoenberg, David Weiss Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Penn & Teller, A Division of Buggs and Rudy Discount Corporation, Star Price Productions, The Wolper Organization,
"Planet Earth: Mountains," Gary Parker Discovery Channel • A BBC/Discovery Channel/NHK Co-Production.
"Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed," Steven Smith, David Comtois, Kevin Burns The History Channel, Prometheus Entertainment for The History Channel,
"This American Life: God’s Close-Up," Nancy Updike Showtime, Showtime Presents in association with Chicago Public Radio, Killer Films, Inc., Left/Right, Inc.,
Again, I haven't seen any of these, but it makes me wonder how much better the writing of Planet Earth: Mountains could have been than all the other segments. I mean, c'mon, they're mountains. Purple mountain's majesty is about as descriptive as you can get, and even that's overdoing it, I think. And don't get me started on the fucking fruited plains.
X.
I wasn't going to write anything on the Emmys, but then a very dear, sick friend begged me from his deathbed to weigh in, and how could I deny his dying request? So here goes...
(I deleted the ones I found boring.)
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
There are about two and a half things wrong with this list, in that one of these shows is about two and a half times less funny than anything else on TV. Including Iraq war coverage. Everything else is fine. I like Entourage but from what I've heard, Season 3 hasn't been its best, and it likely won't win because only people in LA know that it is basically a documentary. Ugly Betty is cute, fizzy fun, and could win, but I think the Emmys will go for something that feels a bit more sophisticated. 30 Rock would be (and was) my vote, because it's consistently hilarious, but The Office has been around longer and has more die-hard fans. And that's fine.
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 don't watch House, but the few episodes I have seen were good. Still, I think people are pretty much over it. I've never watched a full episode of Boston Legal because I liked it better when it was called Ally McBeal and starred a dancing baby. Or The Practice, and Dylan McDermott. Anyway. I love me some Heroes when it's good, but the end of the season was pretty lame once they decided that the indestructible cheerleader would actually be better as a snively little whiner - I mean, come on! This is the girl that drove her date-rapist into a brick wall! Here's to hoping the show has legs next season. One day soon, I hope, the nation will come to its senses and realize that Grey's Anatomy is a mediocre, poorly-written show, but until then, it just may win a damn Emmy. Our only hope is the beloved Sopranos, and with all the buzz surrounding its final few minutes, I think it could pull it off. It certainly deserves one last win for 6 (and a half?) seasons of well-crafted, bold television we can't fuhgeddabout. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)
MINISERIES
“Broken Trail,” AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
”Prime Suspect: The Final Act” (Masterpiece Theatre), PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
”The Starter Wife,” USA,Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Having pretty much all the screeners actually allowed me to watch stuff like The Starter Wife I normally wouldn't have bothered with, even via Tivo. It was fun, in a guilty-about-loving-Debra-Messing-pleasure kind of way, and even though I still need to watch the second half and was never sure if it was a show or strangely long movie, I'm rooting for it.
MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
“Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee,”HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
“Inside The Twin Towers,” Discovery Channel, A Dangerous Films Productions for BBC / RTL / France 2 and Discovery Channel in association with Blakeway Productions
“Longford,” HBO • A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
“The Ron Clark Story,” TNT, Granada America and MAGNA Global Entertainment
“Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy,” Lifetime, Produced by Grossbart Kent for Lifetime Television
I also got a screener of Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy, but strangely, never found the time to watch it. So I haven't seen any of these, but Longford is supposed to be amazing.
REALITY
"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
I've never seen any of these. But pssst...the dog whisperer has my vote. Shh!
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
I hate reality. That's all.
ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Ricky Gervais as Andy Millman, "Extras," HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, "Monk," USA, NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone
Steve Carell as Michael Scott, "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper, "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Monk? Really? With nominees this passe I'm kind of surprised Caroll O'Connor isn't on this list. I'm also kind of surprised to find Charlie Sheen on this list, instead of in prison somewhere, but that's off-topic. Ricky Gervais and Steve Carell are both funny, but unfortunately, only one of them is nominated for their work on The Office while Extras is good, but not as good, as the British version. I vote for Alec Baldwin, because he's funny on 30 Rock, and even funnier on voicemails to his piggy daughter.
ACTOR IN A DRAMA
James Spader as Alan Shore, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, "House," Fox. Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television
Denis Leary as Tommy Gavin, "Rescue Me," FX. Produced by Apostle, the Cloudland Company and DreamWorks Television in association with Sony Pictures Television
James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, "The Sopranos, HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, "24, Fox, Imagine Television & 20th Century Fox Television in association with Realtime Productions
I think this will be a nice bow out for Tony Soprano, as well it should be, or else the Academy should be whacked. But anticipate a possible upset from Denis Leary, who is the cooler, edgy, fresh choice. The other nominees have all had better buzz in earlier seasons.
ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Robert Duvall as Prentice "Print" Ritter, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone, "Jesse Stone: Sea Change," CBS, TWS Productions II and Brandman Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television
Jim Broadbent as Lord Longford, "Longford," HBO, A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
William H. Macy as Clyde Umney & Sam Landry, "Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From The Stories Of Stephen King - Umney’s Last Case," TNT • Ostar Productions
Matthew Perry as Ron Clark, "The Ron Clark Story," TNT, Granada America and MAGNA Global Entertainment
I'm placing all my acting bets on Longford.
ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell, "The New Adventures Of Old Christine," CBS, Kari’s Logo Here in association with Warner Bros. Television
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin, "Weeds," Showtime, Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions
Tricky category, pretty much anyone but Huffman from the cooled Desperate Housewives could take this. I'm guessing Fey's too green, and Ferrera has her Golden Globe but I think the Emmys will be tougher for the ingenue to crack. (They're still nominating Monk for God's sake.) Weeds doesn't have quite the cool quotient it used to so I think here, the Emmys will go with a veteran, the always-wonderful Louis-Dreyfus. Me, I'd go for Tina Fey, especially since she also writes - she's a hard-working woman, folks! But unlikely.
ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Sally Field as Nora Walker, "Brothers & Sisters," ABC, ABC Studios
Kyra Sedgwick as Dep. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, "The Closer: Slippin’," TNT, The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Patricia Arquette as Allison Dubois, "Medium," NBC, CBS Paramount Television, Grammnet, Picturemaker Productions
Minnie Driver as Dahlia Malloy, "The Riches," FX, FX Productions and Fox Television Studios
Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Carmela! Carmela! I'm pretty sure The Sopranos will take this one again, as well it should. Edie Falco was, in a way, the soul of that show, and it's hard to imagine anyone else playing opposite Gandolfini even half as well.
ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Queen Latifah as Ana, "Life Support," HBO, Foxx/King Entertainment, Flavor Unit Films, Urban Romances and Shelby Stone Productions in association with HBO Films
Helen Mirren as Jane Tennison, "Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre)," PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
Mary-Louise Parker as Zenia Arden, "The Robber Bride," Oxygen, Working Title TV and Shaftesbury Films
Debra Messing as Molly Kagan, "The Starter Wife," USA. Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Gena Rowlands as Melissa Eisenbloom, "What If God Were The Sun," Lifetime, By Fox Television Studios, JECO Productions and Old Beantown Films for Lifetime Television
Did I watch The Robber Bride screener from Oxygen one night when I didn't want to have to pay attention to what I was watching? Yes. Did I end up paying attention anyway? Pretty much. Did I kind of love it? Sure did. That said, this will probably go to Helen Mirren, because it seems sort of silly not to give the woman who just won an Oscar an Emmy, too.
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Kevin Dillon as Johnny Drama, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson, "How I Met Your Mother," CBS, Twentieth Century Fox
Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute, "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper, "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Two and a half bullets to the skull to anyone who voted for a certain somebody on this list. Rainn Wilson has a lot of love in his corner, and could take this. Piven and Dillon might split the Vincent Chase posse vote, and I think Piven's heyday has come and gone with this one. I do love me some Barney on the highly underrated How I Met Your Mother (one of only two or three must-see shows on TV for me) and he could pull it off, too. Wait for it...
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
William Shatner as Denny Crane, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
T.R. Knight as George, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Masi Oka as Hiro Nakamura, "Heroes," NBC, Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Michael Emerson as Ben, "Lost," ABC, ABC Studios
Terry O’Quinn as John Locke, "Lost," ABC, ABC Studios
Which one is Ben, again? Eh. It's all about Hiro!
SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Thomas Haden Church as Tom Harte, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
August Schellenberg as Sitting Bull, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Aidan Quinn as Senator Dawes, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Edward Asner as Luke Spelman, "The Christmas Card," Hallmark, RHI Entertainment presents an Alpine Medien Production in association with Larry Levinson Productions
Joe Mantegna as Lou Manahan, "The Starter Wife," USA, Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Secret shout out for The Starter Wife. Wait, what? Did I just type that?
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Jaime Pressly as Joy Turner. "My Name Is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly. "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
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. "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater. "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
Elizabeth Perkins as Celia Hodes, "Weeds," Showtime. Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions
I would slap Holland Taylor in the face two and a half fewer times than anyone else from that show, because in spite of being on it, she's alright. This will come down to the network show vs. the premium show, it can be hard to tell, and in this case, Betty vs. Weeds. Both actresses give great comedic performances. I think Williams, as a more familiar name, has the edge over Pressly (who is the best thing about her show by far).
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon, "Brothers & Sisters," 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, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios,
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, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
I don't know which I want more: to have sex with Dr. Melfi, or for her to watch me having sex and then use her observations to unlock the mysteries of my life in a tense therapy session. In either of these scenarios, she has an Emmy. It could happen, though I fear her smallish number of scenes on the show limit her chances. But are any of these other candidates strong enough to best her? Not sure Brothers & Sisters is established enough for a Griffiths win. Heigl could do it, since she has raised her profile considerably, but I think it goes to Bracco.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Greta Scacchi as Nola Johns, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
Anna Paquin as Elaine Goodale, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Samantha Morton as Myra Hindley, "Longford," HBO, A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
Judy Davis as Joan McAllister, "The Starter Wife," USA, Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Toni Collette as Kathy Graham, "Tsunami, The Aftermath," HBO, A Kudos Film and Television Production in association with the BBC and HBO Films
Goes to Longford.
GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Martin Landau as Bob Ryan, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Sir Ian McKellen as Himself, "Extras, HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Stanley Tucci as David Ruskin, "Monk, "USA, NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone
Giovanni Ribisi as Ralph Mariano, "My Name Is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Beau Bridges as Carl Hickey, "My Name is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Never saw these, but it'll be a fight between screen veterans (aka senior citizens) Landau and McKellan.
GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Christian Clemenson as Jerry “Hands” Espenson, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Forest Whitaker as Curtis Ames, "ER, NBC, Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
David Morse as Michael Tritter, "House, Fox, Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Tim Daly as J.T. Dolan, "The Sopranos, HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
John Goodman as Judge Robert Bebe, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
Eli Wallach as Eli Weintraub, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
That episode of Studio 60 was one of the most singularly bad/embarrassing episodes of television I have ever seen, so let's hope it's not him.
GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Dixie Carter as Gloria Hodge, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Laurie Metcalf as Carolyn Bigsby, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Elaine Stritch as Colleen Donaghy, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Judith Light as Claire Meade , "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
Salma Hayek as Sofia Reyes, "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
I saw that episode of Desperate Hosuewives...fun crazy times! Elaine Stritch was also a riot but I'm kind of partial to Judith Light here. Just 'cause.
GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Kate Burton as Ellis Grey, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Elizabeth Reaser as Jane Doe, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Marcia Gay Harden as Star Morrison, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Leslie Caron as Lorraine Chalmers, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jean Smart as Martha Logan, "24," Fox, Imagine Television & 20th Century Fox Television in association with Realtime Productions
I saw exactly none of these performances.
DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY
Julian Farino, "Entourage: One Day In The Valley," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, "Extras: Orlando Bloom," HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Ken Kwapis, "The Office: Gay Witch Hunt," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Will Mackenzie, "Scrubs: My Musical," NBC, ABC Studios
Scott Ellis, "30 Rock: The Breakup," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Richard Shepard, "Ugly Betty: Pilot," ABC, ABC Studios
I would probably go with Entourage.
DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA
Felix Alcala, Director "Battlestar Galactica: Exodus, Part 2," Sci Fi Channel • R+D TV in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Bill D’Elia, "Boston Legal: Son of the Defender," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Peter Berg, "Friday Night Lights: Pilot", NBC, Imagine Television, Film 44 in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
David Semel, "Heroes: Genesis, NBC," Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jack Bender, "Lost: Through the Looking Glass," ABC, ABC Studios
Alan Taylor, "The Sopranos: Kennedy And Heidi," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Thomas Schlamme, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip: Pilot," NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
Tough. The Studio 60 pilot was really well directed, or perhaps misdirected, since it got me really excited for a show that ended up just being about people whining, not kissing, and/or whining about not kissing, with an occasional episode that preaches about World War II, giving black writers a chance, and Afghanistan, all equally terribly. The direction on The Sopranos is always first class, prompting me to think that will win. But I really have to go with Heroes, because I'm a geek like that.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
"Hannah Montana, Disney Channel," It’s a Laugh Productions; Michael Poryes Productions; Disney Channel
"Nick News With Linda Ellerbee: Private Worlds: Kids And Autism," Nickelodeon, Lucky Duck Productions in association with Nickelodeon
"The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody, Disney Channel," It’s a Laugh Productions; Disney Channel
"That’s So Raven, Disney Channel," That So Productions; Warren & Rinsler Productions, in association with Disney Channel
"When Parents Are Deployed," PBS, Sesame Workshop
I know exactly what show I want to win this category, because it actually is fun to watch in a guiltiest-of-pleasures sort of way...and if it doesn't win that would so not be raven it's not even funny.
NONFICTION SERIES
"American Masters," PBS, American Masters is produced for PBS by Thirteen/WNET New York
"Biography," A&E, Prometheus Entertainment in association with Fox Television Studios and A&E Network
"Deadliest Catch," Discovery Channel, Original Productions, Inc. in association with Discovery Channel
"Inside The Actors Studio," Bravo, A Co-Production of The Actors Studio, Bravo, In The Moment Productions
"Planet Earth: Discovery Channel," A BBC/Discovery Channel/NHK Co-Production
Earth is in the house, yo!
WRITING FOR A COMEDY
"Extras: Daniel Radcliffe," Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment,
"The Office: Gay Witch Hunt," Greg Daniels, NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio,
"The Office: The Negotiation," Michael Schur NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"30 Rock: Tracy Does Conan," Tina Fey NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio.
"30 Rock: Jack-Tor," Robert Carlock NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
The Office most likely takes this.
WRITING FOR A DRAMA
"Battlestar Galactica: Occupation/Precipice," Ronald D. Moore Sci Fi Channel • R+D TV in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"Lost: Through The Looking Glass," Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse ABC, ABC Studios
"The Sopranos: Kennedy And Heidi," Matthew Weiner, David Chase HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
"The Sopranos: The Second Coming," Terence Winter HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
"The Sopranos: Made In America," David Chase HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
The Sopranos. But which episode? (And I'm proud of Battlestar Galactica getting a few nominations. Good show...I'll watch it, someday.)
WRITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A DRAMATIC SPECIAL
"Broken Trail" Alan Geoffrion AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
"Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," Daniel Giat HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
"Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre): Parts 1 & 2," adapted by Sandy Welch PBS, A BBC/WGBH Boston Co-Production
"Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre)," Frank Deasy, PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
"The Starter Wife," Josann McGibbon, Sara Parriott, USA, Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Cowboys are boring. Stuffy, stuffy Brits...yawn. Starter Wife, anyone? No? Okay, it's just me, then.
WRITING FOR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
"American Masters - Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film," James Sanders, Ric Burns PBS, Produced by Steeplechase Films, Inc., High Line Productions, Daniel Wold, Inc. and Thirteen/WNET,
"Penn & Teller: Bullshit!: Wal-Mart," Penn Jillette, Teller, Sheryl Zohn, Jon Hotchkiss, Michael Goudeau, Star Price, Cliff Schoenberg, David Weiss Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Penn & Teller, A Division of Buggs and Rudy Discount Corporation, Star Price Productions, The Wolper Organization,
"Planet Earth: Mountains," Gary Parker Discovery Channel • A BBC/Discovery Channel/NHK Co-Production.
"Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed," Steven Smith, David Comtois, Kevin Burns The History Channel, Prometheus Entertainment for The History Channel,
"This American Life: God’s Close-Up," Nancy Updike Showtime, Showtime Presents in association with Chicago Public Radio, Killer Films, Inc., Left/Right, Inc.,
Again, I haven't seen any of these, but it makes me wonder how much better the writing of Planet Earth: Mountains could have been than all the other segments. I mean, c'mon, they're mountains. Purple mountain's majesty is about as descriptive as you can get, and even that's overdoing it, I think. And don't get me started on the fucking fruited plains.
X.