With the Emmys just a couple of weeks away (Sunday September 21st, 8/7c on ABC), I thought I'd offer my thoughts on each of the big races. This week: the contenders for drama. Who will win, who should win, and who was overlooked?
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA
William Shatner, Boston Legal
Ted Danson, Damages
Zeljko Ivanek, Damages
Michael Emerson, Lost
John Slattery, Mad Men
This is one of the closer races of the night. Danson and Ivanek were both big stand-outs this year for their critically-acclaimed roles on Damages, but many would argue that a win for Emerson has been long overdue considering his dependably spine-chilling work as Benjamin Linus on Lost. Then again, John Slattery could ride to victory in a potential avalanche of Mad Men wins, and don’t ever rule out William Shatner, who’s been an Emmy darling ever since reviving his career as Denny Crane on Boston Legal.
Who will win: As much as it pains me to say it, I’m going with the Shat. This wouldn’t be the first time he’s beaten out a more deserving field, and the fact that the category is so crowded with talent means that there’s no clear front-runner to challenge him.
Who should win: There’s a strong case for any of the other four, but my vote would go to Ted Danson, who went toe to toe with Glenn Close in some of the most gripping television of the year.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA
Candice Bergen, Boston Legal
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
Chandra Wilson, Grey’s Anatomy
Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
Two-time Oscar winner Dianne Wiest is the only “new” nominee here, as Bergen, Griffiths, Wilson, and Oh are all repeat nominees from the last few years. None of the four of them have won, mind you, at least not for these performances (Bergen won five Emmys for Murphy Brown, but has lost twice for Boston Legal). Notably absent: last year’s winner Katherine Heigl of Grey’s Anatomy, who officially pulled herself out of Emmy consideration, publicly citing a lack of good material, a rather ungrateful “fuck you” to the very same writers who helped her get her Emmy in the first place.
Who will win: My pick is Dianne Wiest, the only one of the bunch who hasn’t lost an Emmy race for the role she’s nominated for. None of the other four had a strong enough year to break their Emmy cold streaks.
Who should win: Julie Benz of Dexter, who wasn’t even nominated. Her work as a serial killer’s unsuspecting yet underestimated girlfriend is subtle and brilliant but constantly overlooked.
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS, DRAMA
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Glenn Close, Damages
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Last year’s winner Sally Field gave us another consistent year as the lovably meddling matron of the Walker clan on Brothers & Sisters, but an unconvincing attempt to revitalize her character’s love life with guest stars like Danny Glover and Chevy Chase will probably hurt her chances of a repeat. Hargitay has proven she can triumph, but is probably a long shot for a second win, while Holly Hunter’s award is probably the nomination itself. The Closer’s Kyra Sedgwick has been a familiar face in this category but has never been able to, um, close the deal.
Who will win: Glenn Close. She was absolutely electrifying on Damages, and without much stiff competition, should have a clear path to Emmy victory.
Who should win: No one else came close to Glenn this year.
OUTSTANDING ACTOR, DRAMA
James Spader, Boston Legal
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Hugh Laurie, House
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Take perennial spoiler James Spader out of there, and this is a dream category. Don’t get me wrong - his work on Boston Legal is guilty fun, but the other five are in an entirely different league. Cranston reinvented himself with the wonderfully addicting Breaking Bad, Hall was murder as serial killer/good guy Dexter, Laurie was his fantastic self on House despite a bobbled cast shake-up, Gabriel Byrne was brooding, understated perfection on In Treatment, and Jon Hamm came out of nowhere to breathe life into one of the most interesting characters on television right now, Mad Men’s Don Draper.
Who will win: Jon Hamm. Not even Spader can prevent the Emmy voters from getting this one right – Hamm was simply too good to ignore, ushering in the next great American drama.
Who should win: Jon Hamm. It’s a true testament to how good he is on Mad Men to say that he has a clear path to the Emmy over the likes of the overdue Laurie, the breathtaking Hall, and the ever-surprising Cranston.
OUTSTANDING SERIES, DRAMA
Boston Legal
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost
Mad Men
Glad to see Lost nominated after returning to form with a stellar fourth season. Likewise for Dexter, which accomplished something in its second season that I didn’t think it could: topping the quality of the first season (here’s to hoping they can pull a hat trick with season three, starting up in a few weeks). I’m also happy to see that Damages made the cut, but incredibly bummed (although not surprised) that Boston Legal and House both made it in over The Wire's final season.
What will win: Unless Lost pulls a surprise upset, this should be Mad Men’s night. It’s the only show this year that stepped up to the plate and showed that it could fill the void left by The Sopranos, and Emmy voters will be eager to say thanks.
Agree? Disagree? Pissed that Friday Night Lights was shut out? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned next week for my take on the comedy match-ups.
For a complete list of 2008 Emmy nominees, click here.
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