Image Credit: Florian Schneider/NBCI was catching up on this week’s Parenthood (pretty good!), and in between being jealous of Lauren Graham’s hair and marveling at how much natural light Braverman HQ seems to get, it hit me: Dax Shepard is way under-appreciated on this show.
He’s playing a character who could be kind of a dillweed, but Shepard’s performance makes Crosby really compelling; even when he’s flailing, I really feel for the guy. Other actors on the show get more attention — and they’re all good, and they all deserve it — but Shepard deserves some praise, too.
On the comedy side of things, this has been my pathetic refrain all season, but: Ed Helms! His performance on The Office is so, so funny, and even among all the all-star weirdos at Dunder Mifflin, Helms’ high-strung but emotionally raw Andy still stands out. Plus, the dude can sing. His rendition of “I Try” was painfully earnest, but it wasn’t pathetic, which can be a hard spot for The Office to hit just right.
They can’t be the only TV stars not getting their due, though, PopWatchers. Let’s hear it. Who are your under-appreciated TV stars of 2010?
From the shows I regularly watch:
Busy Phillips (CougarTown)
Tamara Taylor (Bones)
Yvette Nicole Brown (Community)
agree with Tamara Taylor!!
Agree with Yvette Nicole Brown, I love Shirley
Agree with Busy Phillips
I do too!
I think everyone on Community. And everyone who isn’t NPH on HIMYM. Both of these shows are comedy gold and have amazing go to actors.
i really agree with the himym suggestion. i truly believe that jason segel is kind of the heart of that show. i know it’s weird to say that, since it is supposed to be ted’s love story. but marshall keeps them all together! plus, he is the only consistent (and consistently funny) character.
I agree about Jason Segel. Marshall and Lily are my favorite characters on HIMYM.
Everyone except for the guy who plays Ted. He’s the one thing I hate about that show. He comes off as a douche.
Aww really? That’s sad. I love Ted. I love all the characters but if I had to pick one who seems the most inconsistent and the least funny, I’d have to go with Robin. Like I said I love all the characters, but I don’t think she can deliver a funny line with the same comedic timing as the rest of the cast.
I agree that NPH gets way too much credit for HIMYM, and b/c of this we are subjected to Barney centered storylines and antics more so than when we were during the first 2 seasons. Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders are harshly underappreciated. Barney, Marshal and Lily feel like caricatures lately.
I agree with the comment about Community–it really is the perfect ensemble, with every character developed in such unique and interesting ways. I also feel the same about the cast of The Office. Also, Jasika Nicole is the heart and soul of Fringe, I find.
Totally agree with both comments! I think Community is the best comedy on air, and I think HIMYM has some moments of amazing comedy gold.The highlight has to be Jason Segal, although some of the interactions between him and Josh Radnor are the best. Not to mention Cobie Smulders, although I think she’s not getting enough airtime. We get too much Lily and Barney I think. The Lily and Marshall baby plot is getting pretty lame. I prefer my Marshall hanging out with his friends, not being a doormat for Lily – the most annoying character.
Totally agreed on all three!!!
I’d also add in Dan Bird (Cougar Town). That kid brings a lot of humor and heart to the show.
Dan Byrd was the first to come to my mind too. I love Travis!
Yes! Really, all of the supporting cast of Cougar Town is great.
Totally agree with Busy Phillips. She is consistently hilarious.
My goodness, JOHN NOBLE from Fringe!!He has a character that can so easily be considered a joke, but he pulls it off brilliantly. But I agree that the entire cast of Community is underrated too.
Yes!
Yes!! And Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski from Chuck as well.
Yes!! And Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski from Chuck as well.
Totally agree with Tamara Taylor! Anyone from Bones really. TJ Thyne and Michaela Conlin are phenomenal as well.
Where was an article like this when “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” was on? It is criminal that none of it’s actors ever got nominated for an Emmy, especially Sarah Michelle Gellar! Now, she’s typecast to only do horror movies in spite of her lethally bitchy performance that stood out just as much in “Cruel Intentions”. I realize I am behind the times with this declaration, but dammit it was so unjust for her to be overlooked in the course of seven seasons!
Eric Taylor (Friday Night LIghts)
ehh I’m gonna have to disagree. Not because I don’t love Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor, I think he is incredible and the heart of Friday Night lights. However, he was nominated for an emmy (that he should have won). I personally think that the actor who plays Landry is the most underappreciated. Landry has been such an influential character on FNL and has brought comedy and vulnerablitiy to the group of characters. It’s such a shame that I’m embarassed that I dont know actor’s name–but that only adds to the point of him being underappreciated.
jesse plemons
Really… the whole FNL cast is under-appreciated.
I second that. Sons and Anarchy and FNL are two under appreciated cast.
I couldn’t agree more…. FNL blows me away ever week… All of them were/are great…
I’m gonna go with John Noble from Fringe (I still can’t believe he didn’t get an Emmy nom AGAIN!!). I think Jesse Plemons and Taylor Kitsch are really underrated on FNL.
I have to agree with the author. I am not a fan of Dax Shepherd’s work in general, but I find him utterly believable, likeable, and enjoyable – even when the character mucks it up. Actually the whole Parenthood cast is underrated in general. On the comedy side, I have to say that I really think Courtney Cox and the cast of Cougar Town are vastly underrated. That show is hilarious and people just can’t get past the title or original concept.
Totally agree about the entire cast of Parenthood. I’ve thought Lauren Graham has been underrated ever since Gilmore Girls. However, I didn’t care for Dax Shepherd before Parenthood. Since he’s been on the show though, I’ve really started to like him as an actor and his character Crosby. Kudos to the show!
I have to second this (or third it, I don’t know). The whole cast of Parenthood (and the show itself) are woefully underappreciated – it’s one of the only shows left that I watch with any regularity.
Friday Night Lights and Parenthood are two of the best dramas on television, and they are both woefully underappreciated. They are also both produced by Jason Katims, who clearly writes great, well-developed characters. It’s a shame that both of these shows don’t get the real credit that they deserve…
Damn, you said exactly what I was about to… EVERY actor in Parenthood is underappreciated. That kid who plays the child with Asperger’s is amazing.
So agree about the child actor. I’m amazed each week by his performance.
Totally agree about Cougar Town!! Fantastically written and acted show but can’t seem to get viewers to tune in… ditto for Community.
Cougar Town does well. Not Modern Family well, but well.
Everyone in Cougar Town gets my vote.
Almost every actor on Parenthood is worth giving some kudos to. Though, I don’t know if I’d call Dax Shepard underappreciated in that role – he’s the one who is featured in most articles about the show (aside from Lauren Graham).
I’d say Peter Krause is the more underappreciated actor on that show: he does his thing quietly, and without a hipster hat, and delivers week after week, usually raising up the quality of every scene he’s in.
So, for me, it’s Peter Krause…and the entire cast of Community.
Yes yes yes to the wonderful acting on Parenthood! Even the kids! The material is so honest and beautifully written, and executed perfectly.
Um, I also LOVE Matt Czuchry on The Good Wife – and wasn’t a huge fan of his on Gilmore Girls. TPTB need to make Parenthood and The Good Wife on at different times.
My favorite episode of The Good Wife was when Matt Czuchry was stoned last year…He was too funny…
Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay – White Collar
I’ll add Willie Garson as Mozzie. Such an uproar over his shooting!
Agreed. I was amazed when some fans complained when Mozzie had a centric episode this season! We can’t focus on Neal & Peter every ep. I am glad there was an uproar over his shooting. The world needs more Mozzie love.
Oh yes, definitely! How could I forget. He’s such a gem on that show.
Agree with all 3 of the above but would add that the cast as a whole is outstanding – great ensemble. Tiffani Amber-Thiessen, Diahann Carroll, the two agents, especially the guy (don’t know his name)and even the resident bad guy who was using Kate. Super cast, writing, direction. Love all the characters – except the bad guy who’s in the “love-to-hate” category – he does an outstanding job
I totally agree. The entire White Collar cast is so strong and deserves more recognition. Also true of the cast of Leverage, perhaps the most under-appreciated show on television.
Good calls on White Collar and Leverage, especially Leverage.
Yes! Absolutly Leverage. The girl who plays Parker and the guy who plays Hardisen(sp?). They usually give more attention to the other charactes on the show but those two always steal any scene they are in. The show would not be as good without them.
Christian Kane – Eliot Spencer on Leverage. He’s also a musician.
I also agree about Leverage being the most under-appreciated show on the air. The cast is just great!
Agree completely re Leverage. The whole cast is super but my special favorites also are Parker and Hardison. They are far and away the funniest and their chemistry is exceptional
YES I AGREE BUT DON’T FORGET MOZZIE!
The whole cast is fantastic, including the supporting actors like Sharif Atkins. And I hope they’ll bring Hilarie Burton back next season as Sara Ellis. She really clicked with Matt onscreen.
not that he’s underrated on the show, but alex/justin chambers from grey’s anatomy never seemed to get the same attention/awards love that the others got. not that they didn’t deserve it. they were amazing too. but alex always seemed to be mentioned last.
i agree with this. he shouldve been nominated for an emmy by now.
I actually disagree. I think he’s the weakest link of the show. Not necessarily the actor, but the character is underdeveloped. It seems one-note to me.
I agree. I think the character is underdeveloped BUT I think that Justin Chambers has done an amazing job acting the character. Alex is one of my favorite and I’m always wanting him to do something other than moon over Izzie. I was so happy to hear him singing to that little girl in this weeks episode. He is such a good guy at heart.
I totally agree! Alex is my favorite character on the show, probably because he is not as fleshed out as the rest. His story has some mystery to it. Last year they brought a bit of it out but there is still more to be told and I hope they do!
I totally agree. Alex is my favorite character, too. As neglected as he is, he’s usually the only guy on the show that I like. And the actor is awesome when they let him do something. He’s extremely under-rated, and has been for six seasons now.
Ellen Pompeo is the underappreciated one among that cast!
Interestingly enough, I sort of have to agree with you. I could take or leave Meredith (Cristina, Owen, and yes, April, are my faves) but the show is called GREY’S anatomy and there hasn’t been a particularly compelling Mer plot line in a while. IMO
Totally agree. I feel as though Shonda Rhimes is so busy filling the canvas with other players in preparation for the actors’ original contracts to end (this season I believe) that she no longer writes for Meredith or Derek (prett sure Dempsey is outta there). I’ve been watching Grey’s on Lifetime lately and it was so much more interesting when we got to see about Meredith’s life. I worry it will become like ER after Clooney and Edwards left. Still on the air, still delivering average ratings, but no heart or soul
Robert Sean Leonard on House. The show couldn’t work without the dynamic between him and House. The episodes in which they were estranged were some of the
ost uncomfortable ones. He is a terrific actor and deserves some recognition for his contribution to the show.
100% with you. House is best when RSL is present!
agree on that, he deserve much!! he is so cute!!
Yes! I am still mad that he never got an Emmy nomination for Season 4′s finale.
YES!! RSL is the reason I’ve stuck with the show. Any episode with few (or NO) Wilson scenes (especially Wilson-House scenes) is a bad episode. The couple of times that I recall them getting into huge fights and essentially not speaking to each other just broke my heart. :’(
Agreed, he’s wonderful
Robert Sean Leonard is brilliant. I really don’t think House m.d. would work without him.
I completely agree! His work as Wilson is exceptional. A few others, most of whom didn’t have their best work this year, but have been rather ignored over all: Zach Braff (Scrubs; ok this was the shows worst year ever, but I feel like Braff never got the love he deserved), Daniel Dae Kim (LOST), Dominic Monhaghan (LOST, not Flashforward!) and Henry Ian Cusick (also LOST).
Agree. RSL’s performance as Wilson is the only thing I miss about that show. His face is so expressive that you could watch with the sound off and still totally understand his scenes.
Agreed. RSL and Laurie’s performances make this show so appealing, I love RSL and his acting in WH was heartwrenching. However, I still scratch my head over the Wilson/Amber attraction – which seem so trumped up. However, RSL is crucial to the series’ success. Should be getting a lot of supporting actor awards and the like.
Kaley Cuoco on The Big Bang Theory. Jim Parsons is awesome, but Penny is the show glue.
Donald Glover on Community. Troy is subtly funny, week after week.
Yes, Shirley and Troy are the best.
“Troy made god mad!”
It’s like “Grumpy Old Men” but not hilarious!
Love Kaley Cuoco. Penny is quite a difficult role, when you think about it, maintaining that balance between being the guys’ friend and being the voice of reason/commentator on their geekiness. With a less skilled actress, Penny could come off as a bitch.
I’ve been watching Community from last season on DVD. So many times I’ve replayed things Troy has said just so I can laugh again.
I know, the whole cast on Community is pretty amazing, but I love Troy.
This season when Abed drew a cartoon of himself on the wall and hid behind a garbage can tried to convince Troy (who was walking by) that it was really him and he’d ‘crossed over to the animated side and Troy should come with’ was gold! The look on Troy’s face as he was about to walk into the wall and again when he realized it was a joke! So awesome… I’m going to go to Hulu and watch that again!
Agreed about Kaley Cuoco. She’s delighful and so funny.
I agree.
I can’t believe I didn’t think of Kaley! She’s phenomenal. I loved her on 8 Simple Rules, but she absolutely shines on BBT. She brings such great subtleties to the role that other actresses wouldn’t.
With all of u on Kaley she is awsome as Penny. The Sheldon and Penny relationship is such a high note of every episode.
Agree on the White Collar duo, but that falls into a different category.
On track with the author, Dax usually comes off as a huge loser. Even the EW Bullseye had something like “Him? Really?” when he got engaged to Kristen Bell. But in this show, he totally works. Perfect for the character.
The entire cast of Parks and Rec, obviously.
Runner-up: Vincent Kartheiser aka “B!tchface” Pete Campbell on Mad Men. His performances will likely always be overshadowed by his co-stars, but I think he’s a stellar actor.
I agree. He manages that fine line of being a complete douche but still somewhat honorable. It’s a tough role to carry off.
Vincent Kartheiser: agreed. He does the most with every line, every movement he’s given.
I used to hate him because of Angel, but he has become awesome in Madmen. They really didn’t use him a lot this last season, which is a crying shame.
Yes, he was totally misused in Angel, but since then I’ve come to realize that he’s a very solid actor,with a lot of screen presence.
Vincent Kartheiser was awesome on Angel a million years ago and I love him even more on Mad Men. He is such an intense actor but it’s so good.
I’ve only seen the first 4 episodes of Mad Men (I know, I know), but Pete was the one character that really stood out to me. Vincent Kartheiser made me loathe and sympathize with Pete, sometimes all at once.
P&R is the funniest show on television. Nick Offerman should be everyone’s choice as the most under-appreciated person on tv.
Totally agree about the Parks and Rec cast, especially Nick Offerman (Ron f***ing Swanson) and Aubrey Plaza (April).
Ron and April are the best!
I think people are starting to forget about PArks & REc. It’s been gone so long. I’ve been watchign the last season on NetFlix and it’s STILL awesome!
Yes! Parks and Rec has the best comedic ensemble. @Chele; agreed! Ron and April are just made of awesome.
Agreed on Vincent Kartheiser. I hope Matthew Weiner and company give him more story lines next year. The whole Peggy secret has GOT to come out sometime!
Sarah Ramos also on Parenthood, Mae Whitman get’s more attention because of the meatier story lines but Sarah Ramos’s typical teenage girl Hattie is always dead on.
I want to throw pretty much the entire cast of community in here as well but if I had to chose 1 or 2 from that show it would be Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley) and Chevy Chase.
I agree about Sarah Ramos. Especially since she mirrors the subtle mannerisms and speech patterns of Monica Potter to seem more like her daughter. Especially when either character is having a freak out of some sort. Watch her carefully–it’s eerie.
I noticed this too!! You can actually see her being MP’s daughter!! I think this is the best show on TV right now! I love it!
I completely agree. But then I’ve loved Sarah since she was Patty Pryor on American Dreams. She portrayed a bratty little sister who secretly idolizes her big sis perfectly. I kept waiting for Sarah to come back to TV on something just as awesome. And add my praise and love for Parenthood. Has been the one drama I make appointment TV!
Monica Potter is kind of amazing on Parenthood! I was familiar with her before, but never thought of her as “Great.” But her portrayal of Christina is so realistic, heartfelt and funny. I see where the writer is coming from about Dax Shepherd, I am slowly warming to him.
I agree. The entire cast is wonderful. It’s my only ‘must watch’ show every week. Both of the teenage girls are excellent.
I started watching for Lorelei, stayed for the cast and the realistic family dynamic. Well done!
donald glover from community! troy is my favorite and he’s only been getting better this season, though i wish they’d show him more.
He won me over when they chloroformed the janitor and he screamed, “My whole brain is crying!” and he did this shaky thing as he started to cry like a toddler. Genius!
Oh and props for that scene also go to Allison Brie. She has mastered the physical comedy of her character so much, I had to watch that scene over and over to study the way she held her body when she said, “Okay, this is the worst idea ever. Can we just run away now?”
Jensen Ackles & Jared Padalecki on Supernatural… those guys are epic and awesome bringing both the funny and the tears. So under-rated- Boooo.
Yes. I like that they are always consistently excellent. Their performances get better every year. I have always felt they were wasted on CW.
Could not agree more, especially Jensen
I see your Jensen and Jared (LOVE them!) and raise you a Nathan Fillion on “Castle”
Oh, I think Nathan is appreciated – at least at my house!
If you mean that he doesn’t get awards love, then I understand where you are coming from. But I don’t watch Castle, and Nathan Fillion is all over my TV, I think everyone knows he is the main draw for Castle.
My thoughts exactly!! Jensen and Jared are nothing short of amazing.
Agreed. Jensen and Jared are really amazing.
YES! Jensen and Jared always impress me.
100% Agree!!! Jensen can show so much emotion in just his eyes it is impressive and Jared has played so many facets of Sam’s personality completely spot on. They are both very underappreciated
Agreed! Jensen and Jared are amazing!
I knew someone would bring up Supernatural! I love the character transitions with Cass, he really adds to the show. Most CW shows don’t get much love in the Emmy world, but honestly, Supernatural wouldn’t be nearly as awesome, edgy, dark if it were on one of the other networks. It would have been cancelled.
Finally some Supernatural luuurve! Yes, the Winchester boys (as played by Jensen and Jared) deliver the goods all the time! Add Castiel (Misha, my love!) to the mix and Supernatural is one of the best shows on TV!
@Jackie: I also heart Nathan Fillion! He’s always spot on!
Can we add to that Misha Collins? Not just any actor could pull off the deadpan delivery that makes Castiel’s lines into memorable one-liners while still making the character sympathetic.
Backing this times eleventy. Plus Misha Collins and Jim Beaver.
Yes, yes, yes, and yes. And I’ll add this season’s major supporting actors, Mitch Pilleggi as Samuel and Mark Sheppard as Crowley.
The whole cast is AMAZING. I keep wanting to say “especially Jen,” or “especially Jared,” or “especially Misha,” but then I realized I want to say that about ALL of them. The acting has just been STELLAR this season.
I agree! This show has never been appreciated to the extent it should be! The actors are wonderful every week. They deal with so many more emotional things every season that it puts other shows to shame! I think it is about time someone honored this cast for all their hard work! Example: Give them a cover story!!!:)
absolutely agree! I love, love, love this show!
OMG YES!!!! A THOUSAND times YES!! I didn’t get into this show until I started catching reruns on TNT and in the space of a few days I was totally hooked. The Episode where Sam is killed and Dean is sitting next to his body explaining why he can’t go on, why he’s about to trade his SOUL to bring him back, was worth an Emmy all by itself. There have been SO many moments of deep emotion, love, anger, despair, hope….these two make this brotherly relationship totally believable.
At the end of last season, where Sam was possessed by Lucifer and beating the cr## out of Dean, and Dean just kept saying “I’m here, Sammy, I’m not going to leave you…” over and over, just broke me. I was bawling like a baby, not something I EVER do over TV/movies. And yes I agree that Misha Collins and Jim Beaver are wonderful in support too. They should ALL have at least Emmy nominations by now!
We should organize something!!
Um I sobbed through the whole episode- like SOBBED. It was outta control and all because of those two being awesome as Sam and Dean (and Cas and Bobby too)
Totally agree on Jensen. People write of Supernatural because it’s scifi, but the guy brings his A Game all the time. He has great range and really makes a difference in the quality of the storytelling.
the entire casts of Cougar Town and Community
Second, especially Ian Gomez as Andy!
Rutina Wesley – Tara, True Blood. Rutina is great on the show, pure energy and fire. She, and Nelsan Ellis (Layfette), steal every scene they are in.
Agreed. Most people dont like Tara, but I love her
I like Tara, but I really don’t like what they have done with her character. I liked her better in season one
Matt Czuchry on The Good Wife.
Yes, except is it wierd that I found him more likable as a defense atty?
“That’s M-A-T-T. Czuchry spelled the usual way.”
Freaking hilarious!
Agree agree