Emmy Nominations

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Alec Baldwin ~ 30 Rock

Hm. I've only seen this show a couple of times. I will be annoyed if he wins. I kind of don't like him even though he's funny.

Ricky Gervais ~ Extras

Oh, Ricky! I only hope they do a behind the scenes DVD extra for this awards show like they did for The Office when we got to see them all in their fancy clothes. I will love Ricky Gervais until my dying day, and I really need to check out more of this show. I've only seen it once or twice.

Tony Shalhoub ~ Monk

I think he's won this plenty enough times now.

Steve Carell ~ The Office

Well, clearly. This man delights me on all levels, and he's a large part of what brought me around to finally embracing the U.S. version of The Office with my entire heart. I like him not only because he is hilarious but because he also seems to be a genuinely good person.

Charlie Sheen ~ Two and a Half Men

Ridiculous.

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Tina Fey ~ 30 Rock

Not sure how I feel about this since I'm not that familiar with the show.

Felicity Huffman ~ Desperate Housewives

I've written before of my love for her, but I am definitely over this show.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus ~ The New Adventures of Old Christine

She beat Lisa Kudrow on The Comeback last year, and I'm still not over it. So I hope she does not win.

America Ferrera ~ Ugly Betty

How can you not love her? This show has been one of my absolute favorites this past season, and she's done great work on it.

Mary-Louise Parker ~ Weeds

I've only seen season one of this show, but I liked it a lot. Lord knows she can act ... she's won at least one Tony, I know, and a bunch of Emmys or at least Golden Globes. And she is suddenly very, very hot. When did this happen? Has it always been so? Surely not in Boys on the Side. Anyway, if America doesn't win, I guess she's my pick.

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

James Spader ~ Boston Legal

As I said a few years ago, he will be Steff to me for all time.

Kiefer Sutherland ~ 24

"What're you gonna do, shoot all of us?" "No, Ace. Just you."

Hugh Laurie ~ House

I guess I would be okay with him as the winner.

Denis Leary ~ Rescue Me

I'm not sure how I feel about this. There've been times in the past when I've really enjoyed this show. But at the same time, there's always a part of me that thinks it's a little sick and deranged. And the sex scenes with Denis Leary always make me feel like I'm going to become violently ill. But I can't deny that he's sort of captivating to watch. I don't know. I am conflicted about Denis Leary.

James Gandolfini ~ The Sopranos

He's won three times already, but in this case, I'm fine with him winning again.

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Sally Field ~ Brothers & Sisters

Betty Buckley originally played Nora, and Sally Field was brought in to replace her. It's hard for me to imagine anyone else in this role even though I am rather fond of Ms. Buckley after seeing her blow the roof off as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard on Broadway in the summer of '96. Sally Field is so good that it's sort of unbelievable. She can do anything, and she pretty much does as Nora, playing funny, angry, terrified, heartbroken, and pretty much every other emotion under the sun, sometimes miraculously all at once, on this show.

Patricia Arquette ~ Medium

I don't really have an opinion of her on this show because I don't watch it.

Mariska Hargitay ~ Law & Order: SVU

I think she seems like a cool person. Her baby is adorable, and she has a blog. But I still do not watch this show because I think it is the stuff of nightmares.

Kyra Sedgwick ~ The Closer

I tried watching this show once, but her accent grated so I turned it off. That said, I really like her. Mostly because she (along with Gena Rowlands and Robert Duvall, of course) was the only decent thing about Something to Talk About and was, in fact, hilarious in her role, and even more because of how great she is in the underrated Heart and Souls. Oh! And how can I forget Singles? I do like her. I think she might win.

Minnie Driver ~ The Riches

Wow! This nomination surprises and pleases me greatly. I've always liked her. I've mentioned before that I would really like to see again her appearance on The Rosie O'Donnell Show when they sang what appeared to be an impromptu harmonized duet of "Truly Scrumptious" from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. My mouth dropped open when I heard how well she could sing. And let me tell you, she is so dynamite on this show. It's kind of mindblowing, really.

Edie Falco ~ The Sopranos

Like Gandolfini, she's already won this three times. But who could begrudge her another?

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Kevin Dillon ~ Entourage

My first exposure to him was in Heaven Help Us, a film we were forbidden to watch as children but somehow did anyway. Then he was in that horrible TV movie with Shannon Doherty. And I'd never seen this show until recently. I saw a few minutes of it, plenty enough to know that I don't like it and that Kevin Dillon plays an idiot.

Jeremy Piven ~ Entourage

I cannot think of Jeremy Piven anymore without thinking about Erin. I think he's a good actor, but I keep reading that he's a real jerk in real life, and I've decided this show is so stupid that no one on it deserves to win anything.

Jon Cryer ~ Stupid Show

No. I do like Jon Cryer, but no.

Neil! Patrick! Harris! ~ How I Met Your Mother

I've said before that this is the best sitcom on television aside from The Office. And he is so, so, so good on it as Barney. This is my favorite nomination on the list, I think. Partly because I'm so happy someone on this show is getting recognized, and partly because I love him both on and off the screen. In the spring of 1997, I saw him outside of the Nederlander Theater after the matinee. This was before played Mark; Anthony Rapp was still Mark back then. (This was also when Norbert Leo Butz was in for Adam Pascal and my sister and I first beheld his wonder and glory.) Anyway, Neil Patrick Harris was with Christine Taylor, and they gave each other a quick peck on the lips on the sidewalk. I stood and gaped at them, transfixed by the adorableness. For good measure, here's a lovely interview he did with Ellen. And here's one of my favorite clips from the show. And just in case anyone hasn't seen it yet, one of my favorite things of all time, Neil Patrick Harris as Javert and Jason Segel and Jean Valjean.

Rainn Wilson ~ The Office

I am truly conflicted over this category! I cannot decide whether N!P!H! or Rainn Wilson should win. My love for them is sort of tied in my heart. I would be happy with either one. I never thought anyone could out-Gareth Gareth, but he has created his own Garethy character, Dwight, and he is so wonderfully crazy that I almost die from pleasure when watching this show. I'm not kidding. Here's some Dwightishness for your viewing pleasure.

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Jaime Pressly ~ My Name Is Earl

I no longer approve of her.

Vanessa Williams ~ Ugly Betty

She is really, really good on this show. She is the only person I would be mildly okay with beating Jenna Fischer.

Holland Taylor ~ Two & a Half Men

I will repeat what I said in 2005: Who in the hell actually watches this show? A lot of people, apparently. I remember being so annoyed years ago when she won best supporting actress in a drama for The Practice on which she was barely even a character.

Conchatta Ferrell ~ Two & a Half Men

I have always liked this actress but no way in hell is she allowed to beat Jenna Fischer.

Jenna Fischer ~ The Office

Her blog is great. She is great. She should win for this scene alone. (Don't watch it if you don't want to be spoiled for the end of season three.) I have recurring dreams about the Jim/Pam relationship. I have no idea why. Either I am competing with her for Jim's love or playing an active role in trying to conspire to get them together. It is sort of embarrassing to admit this. I am definitely rooting for her.

Elizabeth Perkins ~ Weeds

Damn! Another one I really like. I've liked her since Big, and I loved her in Moonlight & Valentino. Well, I guess I could accept her winning. But I'd really like Jenna to win. In case that's not clear.

More thoughts: Here's who I think should have been in the best supporting comedy actor/actress categories: Michael Urie and Becki Newtown, who play Mark and Amanda on Ugly Betty. In a great all-around cast, they really stand out and have managed to be really mean and really funny but also show a lot of heart in their roles. They should have been recognized, definitely. This is a long but excellent reel of clips featuring this very enjoyable duo.

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

William Shatner ~ Boston Legal

Whatever!

Michael Emerson ~ Lost

I read somewhere that Ben, Desmond, and Juliette saved Lost this past season, and I agree. It's nice to see one of them recognized. He is so creepy and good in this part, and I think he deserves this nomination.

Terry O'Quinn ~ Lost

Locke always seemed like the center of this show to me, but weirdly, I don't remember him doing all that much this season. Maybe I'm just not remembering very well. I still think he's awesome, and I'd be happy to see him win, but to me, this year the show did not belong to him like it has in the past.

T.R. Knight ~ Grey's Anatomy

Huh. He gets nominated for the season when George went from my favorite character to my least favorite character. I guess I can't blame the actor for that so much as the writers, who have all but assassinated his character in my mind, right along with Katherine Heigl's. I really don't know what in the hell happened on that set. But I definitely don't think that making George into an adulterer is doing this show or his character any favors, and I'd like it to cease effective immediately.

Michael Imperioli ~ The Sopranos

He's won once before. I didn't watch it this season, so I don't really know what kind of work he did, but I'm sure it was very good as usual. I can't pick him over Emerson, though. I think Emerson should win.

More thoughts: When thinking about how I wish Matthew Rhys had been nominated as Kevin on Brothers and Sisters, I came across this clip (also featuring Rachel Griffiths, oddly) of him performing "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun," and I died from the awesomeness.

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Sandra Oh ~ Grey's Anatomy

I've decided I don't even like Christina anymore.

Chandra Wilson ~ Grey's Anatomy

I wouldn't mind seeing her win just so we could hear another speech as good as the one she made at the SAG awards.

Katherine Heigl ~ Grey's Anatomy

A lot of people hated the Izzy/Denny storyline, but I liked it, and it was mostly because I thought that the actors really sold it. I thought she was fantastic that season. In this scene in particular. But this season ... I can't help it. My hatred for the Izzy/George relationship has colored my opinion of her. I don't want anyone on this show to win, as it turns out. The whole thing has just become too annoying.

Lorraine Bracco ~ The Sopranos

Lorraine Bracco is definitely awesome.

Aida Turturro ~ The Sopranos

I would prefer Bracco to win.

Rachel Griffiths ~ Brothers & Sisters

She's my favorite for this category. This is a fitting nomination. She is incredibly good.

Outstanding Comedy Series

30 Rock

I guess I should give this show more of a chance. I do like Tina Fey.

Entourage

I did not like what little I saw of this show. It was highly irritating.

The Office

I love the British version so much. I resisted this version for a very long time. And then I gave in, and my life is all the better for it. I think it will win, and I think it deserves to.

Two and a Half Men

I do not understand.

Ugly Betty

My love for this show is well-documented. I don't think it belongs in the comedy category even though it's definitely very, very funny, but I understand why it's here. I thought it was way too campy on first viewing, but I stuck with it, and I'm so glad I did. It's over the top and crazy sometimes, but that's sort of the point. When it's moving, it's very moving. There is really nothing I don't like about it. I think everyone should watch it because I think it will brighten your life.

More thoughts: I really wish that How I Met Your Mother were in this category.

Outstanding Drama Series

Boston Legal
Grey's Anatomy
Heroes
House
The Sopranos

I'm not going to write about these shows individually. I'm just going to say that I would kick any one of them off the list except for The Sopranos and replace it with Friday Night Lights or Brothers and Sisters (which I will simply say is a fantastic show that exceeded my every initial expectation). My other favorite drama? Battlestar Galactica? I understand, regrettably, that it doesn't have a chance in hell at an awards show like this. But Friday Night Lights is not set in outer space. It's set in a small town in Texas, and it's about real people. It's really hard for me to understand how it didn't end up in this category if this category is supposed to include the best. And it's not like I have some kind of blind love for the show. I am attached to it emotionally, but from an objective, critical viewpoint, it's just awesome television. Its lack of recognition makes me want to tell everyone involved in the television academy to sit and spin. Which I realize is not a mature reaction. But I wish it would have been nominated if only to convince a few more people to watch it. I didn't write about what actors from the show were left out of the acting categories because I didn't want to start to sound like a broken record. I wish Kyle Chandler had been nominated. I wish Connie Britton would have been nominated. And so forth. Here's a short little scene between them that's not too super spoilery in the grand scheme of things. I guess I should not let this upset me so much. I guess what it all boils down to is that when I love something I want everyone else to love it too because I want it to make them as happy as it makes me. Is that weird?

(Similar entries: 2005 and 2004.)

Stupid Emmys.