It's Snubs Galore and Lots of Same Old, Same Old
I have a love/hate relationship with the Emmys. I am a huge TV nerd. If you just randomly peruse my blog, you may think that I only watch TV with Housewives in the title, but that's not true. I love television and I think we are in a golden age where there is quality television wherever you choose to watch from network to basic cable to pay cable to subscription services to the internet. It's unfortnuate that the Emmys seem to have such a narrow view of what is award worthy. Just because a show had a breakout first season or stars a former movie star doesn't mean it is deserving of multiple Emmys or multiple Emmy nominations. It's almost like I (and other TV fans and critics) are gluttons for punishment. Every year this happens. Every year we rage. Every year we say we won't watch, but we do. Then, the following year rolls around and no matter how we've been hurt in the past, we are hopeful, only to have those hopes dashed again. After the jump, I'll take a look at the major categories and we'll swap some of the more undeserving nominees with someone who was criminally snubbed. It'll be fun.
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Jeff Daniels, "The Newsroom"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Woody Harrelson, "True Detective"
Matthew McConaughey, "True Detective"
Kevin Spacey, "House of Cards"
First things first, let's kick McConaughey and Harrelson out of this category altogether. I don't want to hear the Academy's bullshit rationalizations, "True Detective" is a miniseries. It told a standalone story that will in no way carry over to the following season. I'm not saying it's a bad show, or that it's leads aren't deserving, but HBO and Nic Pizzolatto should have submitted the show and it's performances for the mini-series categories. It is no different than "American Horror Story: Coven" or "Fargo."
OK, now that we have two free slots, let's follow the Emmy example and replace them with two actors from the same show: Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen from "Hannibal." Dancy and Mikkelsen's performances were nuanced and thoughtful. Mikkelsen brought grace and underlying menace to the character of Hannibal Lecter. Even though he is evil, you find yourself at times almost rooting for him. We seem to be innundated with anti-heroes on televison and Hannibal is the ultimate anti-hero. I'm just going to say it, Mikkelsen is so good, he has me saying Anthony who? Dancy is no slouch either. He goes all in and is unflinching, matching Mikkelsen. When they are onscreen together, they command your attention. I dare you to look away.
Sidenote: If you wanted to keep McConaughey and Harrelson in the drama category, we could leave them and boot Daniels (seriously, why?) and Hamm (sorry buddy, but your best "Mad Men" days are behind you.)
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Lizzy Caplan, "Masters of Sex"
Claire Danes, "Homeland"
Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey"
Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"
Kerry Washington, "Scandal"
Robin Wright, "House of Cards"
This category the snub is so glaringly obvious I feel like I don't even have to say it. Everyone should already know. Everyone should be as outraged as I am. Seriously? You're going to make me say it. Fine. TATIANA FREAKING MASLANY. Honestly. Maslany could replace all six of the actresses in the category. Maslany is the hardest working actress on television today and she makes it all look so easy. Maslany is such a gifted actress that while you're watching the show you forget that you are watching the same actress potrtay these "sisters." From fierce protective Sarah to tightly wound Allison to crazy Helena to brainy Cosima, Maslany slips into the skin of each clone with aplomb. Hell, sometimes she plays one character impersonating another character! She's played a trans clone! What more does she have to do Emmy voters? If we're being real with each other though, we all know that Maslany has little chance of ever being recognized by the Emmys because she is on the dreaded "genre" show. Sigh.
Who should we boot from this category? I'm going to go with Michelle Dockery. Michelle, I'm sure you are lovely person, but an Emmy is just not in the cards for you. I'd also accept Robin Wright. Let's be real, any blonde white woman with resting bitch face could play Claire Underwood. I'm still gobsmacked she won last year.
Supporting Actress, Drama
Anna Gunn, "Breaking Bad"
Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey"
Joanne Froggatt, "Downton Abbey"
Lena Headey, "Game of Thrones"
Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife"
Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men"
OK, here's another category where the snub is pretty obvious. BELLAMY FREAKING YOUNG. Bellamy stole this season from Kerry. Yeah, I said it. Her performance turned a character that could have come off as just some roadblock in the form of a shrew wife into a fully formed woman that you ache for. Young was given some boffo material by "Scandal" creator Shonda Rimes this season and she took it and ran with it. Those pantented Shona monologues never sounded better. Who would have guessed when the show began that you would be actively rooting for Mellie. That is Emmy worthy work and it's too bad that the Academy couldn't realize that.
Let's stay on the Shonda Rimes wagon and also add Sandra Oh from "Grey's Anatomy" to this list. This was Oh's last chance to get some Emmy love for her role of Cristina Yang. It's a travesty that Oh has never won an Emmy for her portrayal. She is consistently one of the strongest parts of the show and while I would grant this season wasn't her strongest (not her fault) she still brought her A game. How about that episode where she went to Switzerland to see Burke? You can't tell me that the final scene between the two of them wasn't Emmy worthy.
Who should we boot from this category to make room for these lovely ladies? Hmm... let's go Maggie Smith and Joanne Froggatt. Sorry, but just like Michelle, it's just never going to happen.
Supporting Actor, Drama
Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad"
Jim Carter, "Downton Abbey"
Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"
Josh Charles, "The Good Wife"
Mandy Patinkin, "Homeland"
Jon Voigt, "Ray Donovan"
I was really hoping to see "Game of Thrones'" Pedro Pascal make it into this category. Pascal took the character of Oberyn Martell, a relative throwaway character in the book and elevate him to the standout character of season four. When I read "A Storm of Swords," which much of season four is based on, I could care less about Oberyn, but when he died, I was just as devastated as the rest of America. Much like Bellamy Young, Pascal deserves to be rewarded for that.
Who should we kick from the category to make room, let's stick with the "Downton Abbey" theme here and go with Jim Carter.
Best Drama
"Breaking Bad"
"Downton Abbey"
"Game of Thrones"
"House of Cards"
"Mad Men"
"True Detective"
Hold up. Lemme get this straight. "The Good Wife" puts on it's best season of television in it's five years on the air and it's get no love. No recognition. I appreciate the nominations for the show's stars, but the lack of a drama series nomination is causing me to throw you some serious side eye. It's so bad, I'm worried that my eyes may get stuck like this. Also, remember how I extolled the virtues of Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy earlier? Well, the same can be said for "Hannibal." It is the best show on NBC and one of the best shows on television period. It's dark and messy, but so is life.
Who should get the boot? Well, if we are keeping up this farce that "True Detective" is not a mini-series, then let's first get rid of "Downton Abbey." You knew that was coming and "House of Cards" can follow it right out the door. I've had time to reflect on season two, and listen, it just wasn't that good.
Moving on to the comedy categories...
Lead Actor, Comedy
Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"
Ricky Gervais, "Derek"
Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes"
Don Cheadle, "House of Lies"
Louis C.K., "Louie"
William H. Macy, "Shameless"
The big snub for me is Golden Globe winner, Andy Samberg for "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." It had a really solid freshman year and a lot of the shows success is because of Samberg's goofy, lovable charm. A lot of people only know Samberg from his digital shorts on SNL, but the show has really allowed him to flex his comedic muscles. A nod should also have gone to Nick Offerman from "Parks and Recreation." For six years, Offerman has brought meat loving, woodworking, big government hating Ron Swanson to life and each year the Academy has failed to recognize him. It seems like Emmy thinks that "Parks and Recreation" is a one woman show.
Who could these guys replace? Hmmm... Any of them besides Louis C.K. Matt LeBlanc? I didn't even realize "Episodes" was still on TV. I love Ricky Gervais, but have you even watched "Derek?" I could barely get through an episode and a half.
Lead Actress, Comedy
Lena Dunham, "Girls"
Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"
Julia Louis Dreyfus, "Veep"
Melissa McCarthy, "Mike & Molly"
Amy Poehler, "Parks & Recreation"
Taylor Schilling, "Orange is the New Black"
Emmy can be cruel. You have Mindy Kaling get up to read nominations at 5:30 in the morning and then you don't nominate her?! Are you kidding me? If I were her, I would have walked out. "The Mindy Project" is one of the best comedies on network television and the majority of the credit for that goes to Kaling. Kaling infuses her sitcom counterpart with a charm and effervesence that has your rooting for her like you would the heroine in your favorite rom com. Sticking with the funny ladies of FOX, Zooey Deschanel from "New Girl" should be on this list. When the show first began, people were worried and they had a right to be. Jess could have veered into wide eyed caricature, but Deschanel masterfully walks the line between broad comedy and intricate work.
Who should we boot from this category. Sorry Melissa McCarthy. I know that Emmy loves to recognize actors and actresses who make the leap to movies, but still slum on TV, but "Mike & Molly" is horrible. We can get rid of Edie Falco, too. If it hasn't happened now, it's not going to happen.
Supporting Actor, Comedy
Andre Braugher, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
Adam Driver, "Girls"
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, "Modern Family"
Ty Burrell, "Modern Family"
Fred Armisen, "Portlandia"
There are a few shows on television led by phenomenal femal actors and the male actors who support and lift them up deserve some recognition. In that vein, I would say that Max Greenfield and Jake Johnson from "New Girl" should have been nominated. Johnson, especially, has made the young, but curmodgeonly Nick Miller one of the best characters on TV. We could also throw Chris Messina from "The Mindy Project" into this category as well. I wasn't a huge fan of Danny in the first season, but he has really grown on me this past season and I'm shipping Danny and Mindy hard.
Who could we get rid of? JTF and Ty can take a walk. "Modern Family"s time has passed. I could also probably show Adam Driver the door, too.
Supporting Actress, Comedy
Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory"
Julie Bowen, "Modern Family"
Allison Janney, "Mom"
Kate Mulgrew, "Orange is the New Black"
Kate McKinnon, "Saturday Night Live"
Anna Chlumsky, "Veep"
I like that Kate McKinnon scored a nom, but why stop with just her? Let's get Cecily Strong on there, too. Both of these funny ladies show that SNL still has some life left in it. I'm also stoked to see Kate Mulgrew's name on the list, but why not Michelle Hurst? Miss Claudette's story during OITNB's first season was uplifting and heartbreaking and it would have been nice to see her get some Emmy love.
Who could we boot? Mayim and Julie. You're out. Get to steppin'.
Best Comedy Series
"The Big Bang Theory"
"Louie"
"Modern Family"
"Orange is the New Black"
"Silicon Valley"
"Veep"
I'm going to say it. It's time to retire "Modern Family." There is no way that it deserves to win a fifth consecutive Emmy for Best Comedy, a win that would tie it with "Frasier," the only other series to win five consecutive statuettes for Best Comedy. Seriously Emmy? Where's "Parks and Recreation?" "The Mindy Project?" "Girls?" Any of those could replace "Modern Family," "The Big Bang Theory," or "Silicon Valley" (which kind of came out of nowhere.)
I know I've ranted a lot, but there are some things to be excited about. It's great to see the actors from "The Good Wife"recognized for their stellar work even if the show itself was snubbed. It's nice to see "Orange is the New Black" getting some well deserved Emmy love. Let's have a slow clap for Natasha Lyonne, Uzo Aduba and Laverne Cox getting recognized in the guest actress category. Laverne Cox becomes the first trans woman of color to get any sort of recognition, so cheers to that.
Will next year be any better? Will any of these snubs be rectified? Probably not, but hope springs eternal.
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