Last week, we had a rousing discussion about which actors and shows deserved to score Emmy nominations come July 19 — with a special focus on longshot and first-time candidates. Today, I thought it might be fun for all of us to focus on one particular thespian and suggest which episode he or she ought to submit to the Emmy judging panels to increase his or her odds of scoring a statuette.
I’d like to see Medium’s Jake Weber (pictured) get rewarded for his work on the Feb. 14 episode "The One Behind the Wheel," during which his wife Allison (Emmy-winner Patricia Arquette) gets possessed by the spirit of a woman who’s been involved in a serious car accident. Not only does Weber make his character’s pain and frustration completely palpable (and darkly humorous) but he also gets a chance to trade in his resident-cynic cap and try to convince the haughty spirit inside his wife that all this psychic possession stuff isn’t completely crazy. If you missed the episode, click here and here, and you’ll get a glimpse of why Weber deserves to be in the Supporting Actor in a Drama race (for the no-longer-on-the-bubble series). Which episode best represents your favorite actor or series’ great Emmy hope? Reveal all in the comments section below.
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Connie Britton – I Think We Should Have Sex. Most specifically, the scene where she and Julie have The Talk. I actually got that weird tight feeling in my chest that I used to get when my mom yelled at me. From a woman who is not my mother. On television. Now THAT’S Emmy-worthy.
Kyle Chandler – Eyes Wide Open. Especially the scene where he visits Jason in the hospital. The entire scene is played with both men on the verge of tears and with me no longer on the verge, but full on sobbing.
Jenna Fischer – Beach Games, her speech. Quite possibly the greatest moment of the season, and a fitting end to one of the best character arc’s I’ve ever seen.
I have more, but those are my top three. And what a top three they are.
Eddie Izzard on crystal meth and Minnie Driver in about every episode of “The Riches”. They are amazing. Robert Iler for his suicide episode of “The Sopranos”. And Brett Ratner just for asking Drama if he was retarded on “Entourage”. I have often wondered the same thing.
Yay! Another Jake Weber fan! He is a huge reason I watch Medium. The husband character could be such a throwaway character, but he plays Joe so well, I like him better than Allison!
ROBERT KNEPPER – portrays T-Bag on Prison Break. The man is pure genius in any scene. He deserves our praise, an Emmy and a bow – we’re not worthy!
I don’t know if you mean specifically drama – but the episode of Scrubs “My Musical” deserves kudos in every category, especially writing!
oh, ok, it does say a specific thespian/episode – well, John C. McGinley, Dr. Cox, deserves an Emmy nod for EVERY episode. He ROCKS!!
Jenna Fischer for “Beach Games.” Her speech was heartbreaking, uplifting, and exactly what Office fans have been waiting three seasons for. Fischer’s work has been fantastic the entire season, but this was her best moment.
Steve Carell-”The Coup.” A new side of Michael Scott, and one of his best moments.
Lauren Graham totally deserves a nomination for best actress, specifically for the episode where she sings “I Will Always Love You”. That was an amazing scene.
I agree with Jenna Fischer for Beach Games. Also:
Elizabeth Mitchell on Lost for “One of Us”
Matthew Fox on Lost for the Season Finale
Jack Coleman on Heroes for “Company Man”
Chandra Wilson for every scene she steals on Grey’s Anatomy
Alec Baldwin for every episode he steals on 30 Rock
how about amanda peet in studio 60, despite the fact that i am apparently the only one watching it
kristen bell in every episode of veronica, but particularly in “spit & eggs” when she finds out that mercer is the rpist and she stabs him with a unicorn statue, and the rest of the climax of that episode. or any scene from the finale episode.
Glad to see Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton getting mentions, but I would love to see Adrianne Palicki get a nomination. She took what could have been a stock character (small town trashy girl) and fleshed out a fully realized character that truly stood out from type and from the ensemble.
Jake Weber is a great name that is rarely mentioned. Some others along those lines are Patricia Wettig in Brothers and Sisters, Adrian Pasdar in Heroes, Steven Weber in Studio 60 and Jason Segel in How I Met your Mother.
Mary Louise Parker – Mrs. Botwin’s Neighborhood. Her range here is fantastic…she goes from her sly, underplayed wit in dealing with the new, dangerous competition to her growhouse, to tears of true rage when she protects her son from his girlfriend’s father. The latter scene is incredible and one of her many highlights in the season.
Felicity Huffman, Laurie Metcalf – Bang. The best and most talked about episode of the season’ culminating scene–Huffman erratically challenging the fantastic Metcalf, while being held at gunpoint.
John C. McGinley from Scrubs and Lauren Graham from Gilmore Girls
I’ve got to throw my support behind Kristen Bell of Veronica Mars, who, despite an uneven season, consistently shined in every episode. Her best work is a toss-up between the November 28 episode “Spit and Eggs” (which was an all-around fantastic episode and should garner a Best drama nod) or “Papa’s Cabin” on February 27, when Veronica thoroughly eviscerated Tim the T.A. as Dean O’Dell’s killer. Classic VM for sure and brilliant acting by all involved parties.
As far as THE OFFICE goes “Traveling Salesmen” is really the way to go if you want Steve Carrell and Rainn Wilson both getting nominations. However I might also put in the good word for the “Grief Counseling” would probably work best in Jenna Fischer’s favor.
As far as 30 ROCK goes the later in the season the better, I feel like Tina Fey didn’t find her skin until she got back together with her ex.
A little off topic: I would love to see ‘Human Giant’ pick up the ‘Mr. Show’ slot in the comedy and variety categories, it’ll never win but the attention would be awesome.
The guy that plays Sawyer on Lost in the episode I think is called the brink, where he kills the Locke’s dad. When he kept saying “read the letter” it was so heartbreakingly pitiful. A real honest moment on a show known for gimmicks.
Walton Goggins and Michael Chiklis for the “Chasing Ghosts” episode of “The Shield.”
Watching those two in the scene where the truth about Lem’s death comes out…I’ll just say Goggins deserved an Emmy just for making me see HIS side of things.
Robert Iler in “The Second Coming” of “The Sopranos”
Michael Emerson in “The Man Behind the Curtain on “Lost”…(before Jacob talked, I thought Ben was a lunatic talking to that empty chair)
I would agree with this addition. He is wonderful on Medium, and even though the ratings aren’t through the roof, this show is always solid. I would also say he is Emmy worthy in the episode where his co-worker takes 4 people hostage. He was wonderful in that, along with the episodes following which deal with the aftermath of being traumitized by an incident like that.
Geez, Michael, you are so right about that episode of “Medium.” That made me shed more than a few tears, all thanks to Jake’s great performance. You could tell how much he loved his wife.
“The Job” was a great “Office” episode for Rainn Wilson and Ed Helms. Plus it was an hour long, so extra time for them. They were so hilarious. Painting the office black to strike fear in his subordinates. Great!
Angela Kinsey – A Benihana Christmas
Melinda Clarke – The Cold Turkey
Nicolette Sheridan – Gossip
Tina Fey – The Fighting Irish
What about Mary McDonnell and Katee Sackoff? They are the best actresses on Tv. Personally thier lack of nomanation show that the Emmy’s are nothing but a popularity contest. I think the idea that McDreamy is one of the best actors on tv is laughable. I like him and he’s good but not one of the best, especially when you stack him up agianst Edward James Olmos or even his co-star Isaiah Washington(bad person great actor). I haven’t watched The Emmy’s in years because I think their not about who truly is the best. The Daytime Emmy’s actually have more credibility in my books
Matthew Fox for the season finale of Lost. The character had become really, really annoying but that episode brought back the Jack that everyone remembered from the first season.
Jenna Fischer – Beach Games, so awesome.
Jon C. McGinley – oh hell, does it really matter what episode? As long as Braff does not get a nom (he did not deserve one this season)
Rachel Griffiths – The next to last episode of Brothers and Sisters (when she and Joe are telling the kids about their impending divorce)
Rainn Wilson – the episode when he quits Dunder Mifflin and works at Staples.
Henry Ian Cusick in the episode “flashes before your eyes”
I don’t watch Medium, and I don’t want this guy to win, because that is Michael Emerson’s category, Slezak, so step off. Kidding. Emerson should win for every time he’s on screen. Okay, little dramatic there…he should win for “The Man Behind the Curtain.” He could also be nominated for his performance in the finale.
someone probably already said this but that guy in the picture looks like a young Ben from Lost shoot.
I agree, Michael Emerson is creepily awesome! I do enjoy Jake Webber but Emerson outshines him! But as far as LOST goes, my fave show, I like Terry O’Quinn and Josh Holloway as leads for noms. Matthew Fox is so blah.
And I love Lauren Graham!
So Drama: Emerson
Comedy: McGinley
Dramedy (?): Graham
Felicity and Laurie for the supermarket shootout on Desperate Housewives is a definite.
Julia Louis Dreyfus for any episode of Old Christine. The writing sometimes sucks, but she is always great.
Also, even though Gilmour Girls suffered in its last season, a sweet parting gift would be nominations for Lauren Graham and Kelly Bishop. The best episode would be the heart attack show where the series came together at last.