The intrepid bloggers at Gold Derby continue to post the lists of the top 10 Emmy semifinalists in all the major acting categories — recently adding the contenders for nods for Best Lead Actor and Actress in a Drama. And yet while my inner Emmy addict has an insatiable appetite for such scoop, there’s a small part of me that hates myself for even looking. I mean, knowing that Battlestar Galalctica’s Mary McDonnell has made the shortlist in her category will only make it more devastating when if she doesn’t wind up on the final roll call of nominees; her President Laura Roslin is by turns brash, wise, sexy, powerful, petty, and conflicted — in other words, deliciously fleshed out. She’d be a shoo-in if she wasn’t the star of a sci-fi program. On the flip side, though, I was bummed to see that Ally Walker, so devastating in HBO’s under-the-radar Tell Me You Love Me, isn’t even up for consideration. (Doesn’t it sometimes feel like Emmy reflexively favors actors with extensive movie backgrounds/Oscar nominations over its homegrown talent?)
The contenders: Patricia Arquette (Medium); Glenn Close (Damages); Minnie Driver (The Riches); Sally Field (Brothers and Sisters); Mariska Hargitay (Law and Order: Special Victims Unit); Holly Hunter (Saving Grace); Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men); Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica); Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer); and Jeanne Tripplehorn (Big Love).
On the men’s side, I would like to express my shock and outrage about the snubbing of CSI: Miami’s David Caruso, who continues to redefine the term "acting" through the exhilaratingly nuanced repositioning of his sunglasses. (He should’ve followed my advice for a Very Special Episode.) And while I’m just beginning to check out season 1 of Friday Night Lights on DVD, I know a few of you will start a "PopWatch wave" down in the comments section at sight of Kyle Chandler’s name on the list of Best Actor contenders, especially since his counterpart Connie Britton got bupkis.
Chandler’s fellow contenders include: Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment); Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad); Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy); Michael C. Hall (Dexter); Jon Hamm (Mad Men); Eddie Izzard (The Riches); Hugh Laurie (House); Denis Leary (Rescue Me); and James Spader (Boston Legal).
Which contenders for this year’s Emmy nods have you particularly stoked? Which ones really didn’t deserve the accolades? And which omissions have you ready to punch a hole in the wall/write a strongly worded email? Let your emotions flow below!
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Eddie Izzard got shortlisted! That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. As much as I love Hugh Laurie and am very glad that there’s even a possibility that Mary McDonnell would get her due, the world’s best executive transvestite got shortlisted. Bread guns for everyone!
…I’m not an Eddie fangirl. Nooo. Not at all. But he IS actually good in The Riches, so well done to him.
Sonya Walger is the “Tell Me You Love Me” star who most deserved an Emmy. She was just incredible, and in such a tough role! I hoped her role on “Lost” might have boosted her chances, but nope. No love for Desmond; no love for Penny/Carolyn. Stupid Emmys.
Kyle Chandler!!!!!! I am so excited about seeing his name. I just finished watching Season 2 on my DVR, and it he is excellent! And the marriage they portray between Coach and Tami is the best on TV. Connie Britton was robed.
Of course I’m ridiculously stoked that Kyle Chandler is shortlisted, but just as bummed that his counterpart Connie Britton is not
But where’s the darn love for the Lost performers this year? Just when it got bloody good again?
I guess we’ll never be satisfied, but at least the Emmys are showing a hint of imagination this year…
Ecstatic that Kyle Chandler is on the short list! But I am beyond angry that, once again, Matthew Fox (Jack, LOST) has been snubbed. In a lot ways, he’s the heart and soul of that show.
I love Denis Leary and I love Mad Men but not seeing Dominic West’s name on the list makes me want to cry. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, no one, absolutely NO ONE, can top anyone on The Wire.
I don’t think there was a better example of great acting than Mary McDonnell in BSG this season. I really hope she gets the recongition she (and the show) deserves.
I’m happy that Michael Emerson was nominated, but he’d better win or I will not be happy. I’m disappointed that Yunjin Kim was not nominated, but based on what I’ve read, they didn’t see the finale of Lost – had they, I’m sure she would have gotten the nom. The Constant episode should earn Lost a best drama nom, and I’ll be very disappointed if it doesn’t make the final cut. I’ve read all the behind-the-scenes stuff at Gold Derby, and I’m concerned with the process. Why are most of the people making these short lists over 50? How are they selected? If Michael Emerson wins this year, I’ll be happy. If not, I’m going to have a lot more questions about the voting process.
Why do they keep (potentially) nominating James Spader and Shatner for Boston Legal? Note to Emmy voters: please stop!!!
I know it was a pipe dream but I was hoping they would show some love to Emily Deschenel and David Boreanaz for ‘Bones’. They are absolutely pitch perfect together. But I think that show is probably too outside-the-lines for Emmy.
Very happy to see Michael C. Hall for Dexter. Love the show and love the character.
It’s about frakkin’ time Mary McDonnell got some possible Emmy love for BSG. I agree that it will be a shame when she is snubbed because she’s on a sci-fi show. Patricia Arquette annoys me to death, and Mariska Hargitay seems to have a permanent nomination. I think that Patrick Dempsey and James Spader should have been left off the list for leading actor, but I’m happy with the rest of the men.
*wave* Kyle Chandler!!!!
James Spader. There is a reason why he keeps winning, his peers are voting and they recognize phenomenal talent.
Everyone acts as if he voted for himself- take a breath and give it a rest.
…MARY MCDONNELL!!!!
so beautiful, so talented, so deserving of a win!!!
patricia arquette? james spader….really? i must confess, i don’t understand their appeal, and i’m pretty sick of spader’s “i’m quirky!” BL schtick. on the other hand, the “academy” did have an incomprehensible love for ally mcbeal, the show whose only plot was “i’m quirky!”.
i think michael c. hall should take the emmy. i hate “dexter”; i think it’s perverse and irresponsible the way the writers keep pushing the emphasis that “we’re just like dexter!”, what with their obsession on every supporting character having a serious secret to hide, and the ingrained concept that dexter only kills “bad people”, thus really isn’t so bad himself (well, until he killed the cop who got too hot on his tail). that being said, michael c. hall is, in every way, extraordinary. i think he’s the most deserving winner.
“And the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in A drama series goes to…” Rips envelope. Stutters. Cries. Curls into fetal position. Stands again. Dabs tears. Reads. “MARY MCDONNELL!”
The Academy really have something against Matthew Fox, don’t they? I know they have something against Lost in general but come on! The man has consistently delivered one the most amazing performances on TV for the past 4 years as Jack, a wonderfully layered and complex character who’s so much more than a hero. Shame on you, ATAS, for not recognizing such a beautiful talent.
Michael C. Hall! His portrayl of Dexter, and the show itself, needs to be recognized as the fantastic drama it is. Can’t wait for September 28!
I am sad for the Ally Walker hate- but also Sonya Walger who is the hardest working woman on t.v. with 3 shows in 1 season!
I will be rooting for Glenn, Kyra, Holly or Jeanne. Anyone of these women would be worthy of the award. I love Mariska too but SVU had it’s worst season ever. Even her “emmy episode” was eye-rolling bad in my opinion. As for the men, I will go with Jon Hamm. It’s the only show on this list that I watch. Plus he is excellent in the role.
MARY MCDONALD! hello! Finally, finally a chance that BSG will get some love from somewhere! please, please, please, let her get a real life nomination. I’ve been good all year!
Can we have a tie please between Jon Hamm and Hugh Laurie? Two very different and amazing performances from the two hottest men – ever. Oh, maybe they could have a tuxedo/brood off to decide the real winner.
When Michael K. Williams didn’t get on the supporting actor shortlist for The Wire, I held out a slim hope that maybe HBO had submitted his name for Best Actor instead. But no, the Emmy voters are still idiots. Bleh!
That Mary McDonnell and Kyle Chandler–stars of two of TVs both very best and criminally underwatched shows–were nominated is absolutely refreshing and on-the-ball. That Slezak happened to write about them–the only two that I care about on both lists–is neither surprising nor unexpected: yet ANOTHER “coincidence”/proof that we’re either related or meant to be, Slezak (that’s “friends”, by the way; we’re meant to be “friends”…)!
Er, I DO realize they haven’t yet been nominated, just short-listed…my bad.
What is up with all the James Spader hating??? Boston Legal is one of the funniest shows around, and the portrayal of the friendship between James Spader and William Shatner’s charactors is priceless and worth the Emmy in my opinion. Just remember, to each his own. (And I do agree with other posters comments: What does the nominating group have against Lost????)
Antoinette-
I don’t have any problem with Spader (or Shatner for that matter). They’re both very talented and they’re unbelievable together. The problem (for me at least) is that “Boston Legal” is CLEARLY a comedy and not a drama. As a result, Spader and Shatner often take up slots in ultra-competitive dramatic acting categories that could go to more deserving performers.
For example, I’d take out Shatner’s name is the Supporting Actor in a Drama race and replace him with almost anyone from “Lost” or “The Wire” (specifically Clark Johnson).
As for Spader, I still think he should be in the comedic race, but I don’t have as much of a problem being listed as I do with Patrick Dempsey. Since when did being wishy washy, having great hair and hanging out in elevators equal Emmy-worthy acting? I’d rather see Bill Paxton (Big Love) or Tim DeKay (Tell Me You Love Me) or Jack Coleman, the best actor on “Heroes” (though he might be Supporting).
MARY !!!!!!!! she is awesome !!!!!! GO MARY !!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU !!!!!!
I’m overjoyed to see Elizabeth Moss on there! She handled Peggy’s story arch so well. The season finale showed that this girl should be a star.
Hugh Laurie. Amazing, brilliant, compelling, fearless, subtle, outrageous, consistent, revelatory, human, humane: absolutely the best performance on tv.
I so happy that BSG is finally getting some love from the Emmy’s. I just wish more of the actors along with the writers got nominated too.