Counting down!

So I finally printed out my festival schedule, and I'm probably more happy than I really should be.

I can't help it, my greedy little inner demons are going to get to feast on some of the best horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and any combination thereof, movies that are out there to be found. There are panel discussions, and special hosts, and all sorts of goodies to be had. Advance screenengs of movies like Gilliam's Tideland and Aronofsky's The Fountain. Asian, Irish, American, and films from all over will be screened for a very enthusiastic crowd.

I will not sleep and I will spend way too much money on the awesomeness Drafthouse goodies.

It's gonna be great.

Oh, the Humanity! More Emmy noms...

We're back at the Emmy noms, so here's my look at the drama:

Outstanding Supporting Actor
William Shatner (Boston Legal), Oliver Platt (Huff), Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos), Gregory Itzen (24), Alan Alda (The West Wing)
MIA: Hmmm, this is actually a pretty good field. Aside from the overall snub of Battlestar Galactica, which I still think has some of the best writing and strongest actors on the planet, I can't really come up with any one actor missing. I know some critics have been perplexed at the lack of a Grey's Anatomy nom in this category, but I'm not. They got plenty elsewhere, and while I love T.R. Knight's portrayal of the neurotic George, I don't think it's Emmy-worthy. There's the usual West Wing absentees, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, but I can think of someone who should have been left off.
Seriously, folks, William Shatner- again? I... just don't get it. I mean, actors get this award for playing characters that add to the overall fabric of the show. That give it depth. I'll give Shatner his due, he's been carrying this show for awhile and without him it would have died a painful death and in the past that's been enough to merit award, but not anymore. Not having seen Huff, I can't comment on Platt's character, so I'll only say that based on what I've heard and what I've seen before, he's actually got a shot. The Sopranos had a really off year, if there's a mercy award to be given, this will be it. Alan Alda was amazing in his role as Sen. Vinik, hands down one of the best characters to come out of The West Wing in awhile. And my love/hate relationship with Gregory Itzen's President Logan is shared by legions of 24 fans, new and old. Even people who hate the show watched because of this guy.
Winner: Alan Alda, the elder, revered TV icon + West Wing withdrawal = Emmy gold
I ::heart:: : Gregory Itzen, watching him go from cowardly slimeball to traitorous bastard was amazing, and he sold it wholeheartedly.
WTF?!: I... reallydon't... want... to... seeShatner...win...again. Really.

Outstanding Supporting Actress
Candice Bergen (Boston Legal), Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy), Chandra Wilson (Grey's Anatomy), Blythe Danner (Huff), Jean Smart (24)
MIA: Ahhh, the West Wing snub again. Of all the shows that deserved a nom here, West Wing was topping my list. And not just because I thought Stockard Channing should have been nominated here, if anywhere. Kristen Chenoweth (always adorable) was an excellent addition to the cast and Janel Maloney had an excellent year as well with her character finally coming into her own. But that could just me my post-WW depression speaking.
On the the actual noms. If Shatner's carrying Boston Legal, Bergen's his spotter. I can't really say anything better than that. Again, I've never seen Huff, so I can't judge Danner's performance, so she goes on the "I hear good things," pile. But oh, Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson. The edge goes to Oh, as her character's had the better arc and therefore more emotional growth than Wilson and as such we've seen more of Oh's talent. Although Wilson's performance while her character was in labor while her husband was in surgery was amazing. Unfortunately two noms-one show usually means a split vote and neither can take it. In the end, I can't say enough about Jean Smart's turn on 24. While it would be great to see the stalwart Mary-Lynn Rajskub nominated here, it was Smart's performance as the unbalanced First Lady Martha Logan that took the series to the next level- and that, my friends, is what we should be looking for here.
Winner: While the knee-jerk reaction will be to the more popular Boston Legal, I think Jean Smart has a good chance. So I'm shooting for her.
I ::heart:: : See above, this could be the only place my heart gets its desire.
WTF?!: Sandra Oh, while not a long shot, she still has that split vote that will be hard to overcome.

And here we pause for a moment to reflect. I have before me the list of the various nominees for the mini-series, made-for-TV movies, and variety/comedy series. Have I watched many of these? No. So make of these what you will, and here's the drive-by version before I hit the "biggies." (And we're skipping the supporting players. I'm sorry, I love you, but no. Also- no more links- IMDb it yourself!)

Outstanding Lead Actress in Mini-series or Movie
Kathy Bates (Ambulance Girl), Gillian Anderson (Bleak House), Helen Mirren (Elizabeth I), Judy Davis (A Little Thing Called Murder), Annette Benning (Mrs. Harris)
Nice field, and nice to see that almost the entire field is "women of a certain age."
Winner: coin toss between Benning and Mirren, both are excellence actresses and I hear both were excellent roles. I'll give the edge to Mirren, though. She did play the Queen.
Longshot: Gillian Anderson- the role won her rave reviews, but do we really think the academy will be able to see past the little green men?

Outstanding Lead Actor in Mini-series or Movie
Charles Dance (Bleak House), Donald Sutherland (Human Trafficking), Ben Kingsley (Mrs. Harris), Jon Voight (Pope John Paul II), Andre Braugher (Thief)
Winner: Here's where I really wish I'd actually seen Bleak House or Mrs. Harris, because I've seen Human Trafficking, most of Thief, and parts of Pope John Paul II, and based on that I'm leaning toward Sutherland, maybe Braugher (Thief wasn't good, but he was kinda awesome). So, what the heck, Donald Sutherland. I'll be wrong, but at least I've seen the performance.
Longshot: Voight- there were two major network biopics and neither of them were any good. This was an obligatory nom- they had to pick one of them.

Outstanding Made-for-TV Movie
Flight 93 (A&E), The Flight That Fought Back (Discovery Channel), The Girl in the Cafe (HBO), Mrs. Harris (HBO), Yesterday (HBO)
Winner: It's going to HBO, and I'd say it's between The Girl In The Cafe and Mrs. Harris. Edge to Cafe for social responsibility and political relevance.
Longshot: Flight 93, while having two movies about the same thing usually spells doom, A&E's presentation was the better (or at least better marketed) of the two. And right now most things 9-11 are getting knee-jerk support, whether merited or not.

Outstanding Mini-series
Bleak House (PBS), Elizabeth I (HBO), Into the West (TNT), Sleeper Cell (Showtime)
Winner: Sleeper Cell- social relevance, solid casting/acting, and hits the hot-buttons. Out of all the minis and movies I missed this is the only one that ended up on my Netflix queue.
Longshot: Into the West. This was only nominated because its one of those sweeping epics that are important only insomuch as they got made. I've seen better acting and I've seen the same plots done better in half the time.

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series
The Colbert Report (Comedy Central), The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central), Late Night With Conan O'Brien (NBC), Late Show With David Letterman (CBS), Real Time With Bill Maher (HBO)
Winner: Ouch, the split vote returns. I still say The Daily Show takes it.
Longshot: Real Time, here's where being on a premium cable network will kill ya, and, well, the Daily Show writers are better...

Whew! Home stretch....

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer), Geena Davis (Commander in Chief), Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU), Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under), Allison Janney (The West Wing)
MIA: Again, where's the love for Battlestar Galactica? I'd put Mary McConnell up here in a heartbeat. And possibly a nod to Patricia Arquette in Medium would have been nice.
I don't get this field of nominees. Was this really the best we had this year? I love Allison Janney, don't get me wrong, and The West Wing will be missed. But Janney's had better seasons and just because she's been nominated every year doesn't mean she needed to be nominated this year.... Same goes for Frances Conroy, too. I guess this is how we say, "Thanks for the memories," and "We'll see you when you guest star on other shows!" And while no one was happier for Mariska for finally grabbing her gold, her work this year fell off as the writers had to pull her back for her pending maternity leave. Another habit nomination? The only two here who earned it were Davis and Sedgwick. But Davis was crippled by the freakshow rollercoaster the series took before being put out if its misery, and while Sedgwick sells it every week, the rest of the cast can't quite keep pace with her manic energy, nor can the writers who are competing with all the other procedurals.
Winner: Allison Janney- Again, the West Wing withdrawal Syndrome strikes.
I ::heart:: : Kyra Sedgwick
WTF?!: Frances Conroy- She's never really gotten the recognition she may have deserved for this role she just keeps getting overshadowed by the others....

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Denis Leary (Rescue Me), Peter Krause (Six Feet Under), Kiefer Sutherland (24), Martin Sheen (The West Wing), Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: SVU)
MIA: The show is Battlestar Galactica- how many times to I have to tell you people this? Sheesh! And I'm actually shocked that there are no automatic Sopranos contestants here, nor any love for Deadwood... And The Shield is still on, right? Paging Dr. House....
This is an OK field, after all, it's been slim pickins in the acting dept all 'round this year, except- Sheen, again? Really? He was in last season? Funny, I can't really remember him being there, but I'm sure he was and he is truly a gifted actor, so... Peter Krause, your character died and it was the most interesting thing he'd done in awhile. Still, you're a solid actor and we're glad to have you. Thank you, whoever put Mr. Meloni up this year! All the angst and anger really paid off, and it was wonderful seeing Meloni take his character over the edge, I just wish his nom had come before this 'cause he ain't got a chance in hell. Ahh, Mr. Sutherland, you must be getting pretty comfy in this category, and just as comfortable watching someone else walk away with the prize. Still it's been a REALLY good year for 24. And love him or hate him (or both, I'm not that picky), Denis Leary deserves this, in fact:
Winner: Leary. Really. The fact that there are still people watching this show is a testament to the talent on-screen. This show has been amazing and has surpassed everyone's expectations. We like our leading anti-heroes.
I ::heart:: : You have to ask? Kiefer, of course.
WTF?!: Meloni, I'm sorry but this was his best year, but probably the worst one for him to be nominated.

Outstanding Drama Series
Grey's Anatomy (ABC), House (Fox), The Sopranos (HBO), 24 (Fox), The West Wing (NBC)
MIA: Why doesn't anyone watch Sci-Fi? Why? And FX ain't just sittin' there, ya know!
OK, the only thing we're missing is a Crime Procedural and the aforementioned Sci-Fi and we've hit all the biggies. Action. Medical Drama. Political Intrigue. Campy Soap. Mafia Mania. Angst. Anger. We've got it all. Grey's Anatomy really came into its own, no longer relying on the Housewives carry-over that saved it form early cancellation. But Emmy-worthy? And House, while still gripping and fast paced, has begun to repeat itself.. a lot. And what happened to The Sopranos? No one really seems to know, but while everyone's scratching their heads, they're still watching so something must still be going right. But why not Deadwood? 24 was as unstoppable this season as its leading character, but despite some of the tightest pacing and the best casting in years, it's always been the longshot in this category. Hi, West Wing! How are we supposed to miss you if you won't go away?
Winner: Since everyone's coming back next year, I'll lean to The West Wing. Of all the mercy/pity noms TWW is getting, this is the win that's deserved. They went out with real style and decency, and they coped with the death of star John Spenser with the grace of poetry.
I ::heart:: : 24, 24, 24, 24...
WTF!?: Grey's Anatomy is a Desperate Housewife-away from being a comedy and a few hours-off of being a soap opera.

Well, I think that's it. See you August 27th to see how I did. Not that I think anyone cares....

Pssst! It's the Emmy noms, pass it along...

OK, I swear I'll be getting back to my look at the new fall shows, but my personal life got a bit in my way. In the meantime...

PRIMETIME EMMY SEASON!!!!!!

And, wow, 24, you go, guys! Normally you expect an Emmy darling like The Sopranos, Will and Grace, or The West Wing to come out on top of the series noms list, but this year 24 takes the top spot as the most nominated series. Apparently the nom process changed up a bit to spread out what/who was eligible, so the noms got spread out a bit. But just a little bit. (But, still sorry, Gilmore fans and Veronica Martians, you're still shut out.)

And here's my personal handicap sheet for the "major awards." (Plus a few.) Watch me get them all wrong come August.

Oh, yeah- we're splitting into multiple posts here- this is Reality/Comedy. Can you tell the difference?

Outstanding Reality Competition Program
The Amazing Race, American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, Project Runway, and Survivor.
Missing in Action: Top Chef, I thought it was highly underrated and took actual skill to compete, something I harp on a bit if you know my tastes in reality TV.
The last three year's it's been The Amazing Race's award to lose, and they haven't. I really don't see that changing. The thing about these reality shows is that they're static. There's no room to grow because you have to start fresh every season so if your premise isn't award-winning to start with, then you're kinda outta luck. And of all these shows, only The Amazing Race and Project Runway have set-ups that are novel enough to keep the Academy's interest. TAR gets to travel around the world and PR requires actual SKILL to win. The difference here is that TAR is on network and PR is cable.
Winner: The Amazing Race
My heart wants: Project Runway (Mainly 'cause I still giggle when I go past the Red Lobster and I can still hear the wail of "Where THE HELL is my chiffon?!"
WTF! The Upset: Dancing with the Stars, 'cause we got to see those without skill actually acquire it and it was kinda nifty, in an embarrassing VH1/Surreal Life-y kinda way. And occasionally the academy likes to throw a bone at the new kid, if only to make them go away.

Outstanding Reality Program
Antiques Roadshow, The Dog Whisperer, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, Penn and Teller: Bullshit
MIA: Intervention and The Deadliest Catch- they aren't competitions, but if you lose on these shows- you lose BIG. Like, your life, big.
Um, wow. This is so all over the board I don't even know where to begin. I mean, Antiques Roadshow vs. Penn and Teller? The Dog Whisperer vs. Kathy Griffin? (Wait a sec, those as shows wouldn't be so bad, hmmm...) Aw, hell- let's just call it.
Winner: Extreme Makeover- widest audience, cutesiest premise, and I'll take being stuck in an elevator with Ty Pennington and his, um, bullhorn, over Kathy Griffin and her issues any day.
I ::heart:: : Penn and Teller: Bullshit. 'Cause they bring the snark, and are one of the reasons I bemoan my lack of expanded cable.
WTF!: Antiques Roadshow, 'cause, kidding, right? Antiques Roadshow!?! (Although fans of that show are really hard-core about it I hear...)

Supporting Actor, Comedy
Will Arnett (Arrested Development), Jeremy Piven (Entourage), Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle), Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men), Sean Hayes (Will and Grace)
MIA: Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) C'mon- Insert your own Doogie Howser, M.D. joke if you must, but NPH is one of the best things about this show and you know it!
You know, I'm really glad W&G finally got axed. Not because it went on about two, three seasons too long (it did), it reduced stunt casting to a quivering, overblown cliche (it did), or because it ran out of shameless gay jokes and after about three seasons (it really, really did), but because it will finally remove Sean Hayes from my television screen for awhile. I liked W&G, and Sean seems fine in interviews and whatnot, but after a few years and a few thousand ass/breast/penis jokes, my poor eyes (and not to mention my ears) need a break from the flamboyant Jack. He was a one-note character that went way out of tune, once too often. As for the others, Piven gets great press, but the non-network comedies always have an uphill battle in any category, and I feel the same way about Bryan that I do about his, co-star Jane, but I wrote her up first, so you can scroll down. I still don't get the love for TaHM, but I'll give Cryer his due, anyone that can go this long with Charlie Sheen's reputation dogging (and maybe dragging?) the show has to be one heck of an actor.
Winner: Will Arnett- this show is to critics, what Firefly is to its fanatic fanbase. It's gone, but they're going to be in mourning forever. Pity Emmy.
I ::heart:: : Jeremy Piven. I have never seen the show and I want this guy to win, that's how spectacular the reviews have been of his portrayal.
WTF!: Bryan Cranston, I honestly thing nominating the Malcom folks has become as much a reflex for the committee as The West Wing noms are.

Lead Actor, Comedy
Steve Carell (The Office), Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Kevin James (King of Queens), Tony Shaloub (Monk), and Charlie Sheen (Two and Half Men)
MIA: Eric McCormack (Will and Grace) What, no Pity Emmy? Everyone else was nominated. Harsh, man, really harsh. Terry Crews (Everybody Hates Chris), why is he MIA? Three little letters: U.P.N.- when the entire network goes down, I don't care how good you are...
My, what a difference a lack of Friends and Everybody Loves Raymond makes. Steve Carell has earned his nom, but I swear I didn't even know King of Queens was still on and 2 1/2? Oi! Please don't get me started. So the only ones to count are Tony, Larry and Steve. And sorry, Larry, you're quirky, but not in a warm and fuzzy, Dilbert's pointy-haired boss kinda way. Or a OCD, nervous-nelly kinda way. Or in any way, really. So, sorry.
Winner: Steve Carell- the guy's the bee's knees this year- everyone loves him!
My ::heart:: : Tony Shaloub- just 'cause I've loved him since Wings. Yes, I watched Wings- wanna make something of it?
WTF!: Charlie Sheen- the guy's a pariah this year- everyone wants to hate him! But wierder things have happened and the people seem to still genuinely like TaHM.

Supporting Actress, Comedy
Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives), Jamie Pressley (My Name is Earl), Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds), Megan Mullally (Will and Grace)
MIA: Jessica Walter (Arrested Development) I don't really need a reason, do I?
You know, I think the committee was just afraid the Housewives were going to come after them, 'cause I really don't see Alfre's performance as Emmy worthy. Sophomore slump doesn't even begin to cover what happened. And remember my earlier rant at poor Sean Hayes above? It applies here, too. Sorry, Megan, I wish you best of luck on that talk-show thing you've got going for you, but please keep Karen far, far, away from us... Weeds was a very good show, I hear, but apparently people only heard of it, 'cause I'm having a bit of trouble finding friends who actually watched it. And while that hasn't stopped the Academy before, (seen Arrested's trophy case lately?) I don't hear the raves from critics that usually compensate for lack of audience.
Winner: Cheryl Hines, I hear shes the glue that keeps that cast together- that's usually good enough for the Academy. And I really think these might be Curb's only real chance.
I ::heart:: : Jamie Pressley- she is just too fun to watch. I alternately want to give her a hug and smack her upside the head, occasionally both at the same time.
WTF!: Alfre Woodard might take it, but only because she's Alfre-freaking-Woddard, not because the character was decent of the plotline she was in made any kind of sense.

Lead Actress, Comedy
Stockard Channing (Out of Practice), Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle), Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine), Debra Messing (Will and Grace)
MIA: Tichina Arnold (Everybody Hates Chris), but we know why, see above...
Let's take this from the top, shall we? Stockard was arguably the best thing about OoP. (Add a "s" to the end of that acronym and you have my overall opinion of the series.) But was her performance Emmy-worthy? Or is she here because we couldn't shoehorn her into the Drama category for The West Wing which is where she really belongs? Jane- (Jane, Jane, Jane) I'm sorry, I love you, but no. You've done a superb job with a character at the same time irritable and maternal, but I think you're going 8-0 in this category as nothing you did this year really stood out from everything we've seen you do before. Lisa, the spate of "reality" sitcoms that are appearing nowadays is disturbing, but you've got a shot- after all, a lot of people really miss Friends. Julia, have we broken the curse of the Seinfeld alums (Larry David non-withstanding)? Maybe, but Chistine is just a slightly less annoying version of Elaine, and I REALLY hated Elaine. Debra- go see Jane (only drop the maternal and substitute, um, goofy?).
Winner: Debra Messing- Let the Will and Grace funeral awards begin... (or continue, or end, 'cause I never do these things in order ya know?)
I ::heart:: : Stockard Channing- she really should be over in Drama, but if she has to win something...
WTF!: Lisa Kudrow or Jane Kaczmarek- toss a coin. Both shows are gone, so it's a pity prize in either case, althogh I'll give an edge to Lisa for a better show concept...

Outstanding Series, Comedy
Arrested Develpoment, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, Scrubs, Two and a Half Men
MIA: My Name is Earl, but that's OK, maybe that karma thing'll kick in next year.
I could continue my diatribe on the inexplicable appeal of Two and a Half Men, but I think it's getting old. I could add a few more word about Pity Emmys in relation to Arrested Development, but I won't. I could sing for the wonders of Scrubs and how I hate that it won't win 'cause all the other shows have actor noms to boost their support and Scrubs doesn't, but, um, I just kinda did, didn't I? Only without the actual singing part? I just don't think the Academy gets Curb, and The Office, while justly deserving of it's hype, is, well, pretty well hyped. So to call it...
Winner: Arrested Development, 'cause any show that mocks its own downfall as well and with as much grace as they did deserves this.
I ::heart:: : Scrubs- like AD, it just doesn't have the audience it deserves, but unlike AD, it doesn't have the pretty statues to keep it company.
WTF!: Two and a Half Men- do I have to say it again? I didn't think so.

Ahhh! Must go Faster!

Keri Russell turned 30!
Robot Chicken is coming out on DVD- YOU MUST SEE THIS!
The Unit and Evidence don't suck! And Heist really does, despite the lead hottie.
Issac Hayes left South Park and yeah, they went there.

Off to the races

CBS got a jump on the '06-'07 scheduling wars by revealing most of next season's pick-ups. There are few surprises, although it is keeping most of its sitcoms on the fence until later. CBS is keeping How I Met Your Mother, Charlie Sheen's deal with the devil remains in place as Two and a Half Men gets a reprieve for another year. Poor sitcoms, we've been singing their death for years, and the tune isn't changing.

Not surprising, all three CSI's, the Amazing Race, Survivor, and 60 Minutes are still around. Criminal Minds gets another season, but I get the feeling that season two is going to sell the series for the long haul or kill it for good. While it draws respectable ratings against Lost, you could make the case that it's due more to dissatisfied Lost fans jumping raft, than to any real strong writing/acting/production. The episodes I've seen have been mostly meh. NCIS and Numb3ers are moving on, owing mostly to their great casts and loyal followings. Cold Case and Without a Trace will round out the procedurals that are the linchpin (only pins?) of the CBS-verse.

Of the mid-season replacements coming aboard, only The Unit is getting any real attention, but that's mostly due to the casting and creative team. Come on, David Mamet, Robert (T1000) Patrick, Dennis (President Palmer) Haysbert and Scott (that guy from Felicity) Foley! We're talking entertainment there.

(ed. 3-11-06)
Of course, I've missed the series premier twice now, so we could be talking hand of the Executive Programmer, here. Still gonna give it a shot, though. (Although I've heard from other 24 fans that seeing Haysbert channeling his inner action hero is a little jarring at first.)