A Los Angeles doctor stranded on a mysterious island. A struggling New Zealand singer-songwriter trying to get his break in New York. An eight-toed U.S. Army deserter. What do these people have in common?
They all might have a bone to pick with the Emmys.
Well, at least the stellar actors who play them might. And, considering the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences nominated Ellen Burstyn in 2006 for a role featuring less than 15 seconds of screen time (HBO’s Mrs. Harris), it is of little surprise that the Emmys, airing Sunday, Sept. 21 on ABC, produced some misfires again this year.
Unlike the Oscars, where voters watch every film and give a truly validated opinion, Emmy nominations are awarded based on a screening of a single, out-of-context episode from each candidate. Thanks to this fundamentally flawed system, it doesn’t seem likely the Emmys will cut down its puzzling blunders in the foreseeable future.
For example, take Weeds. Sure, the crude Showtime comedy’s third season never matched the quality of its first two, but the same cannot be said of its performances.
Since quirky character Andy Botwin (Justin Kirk) showed up to crash with pot-dealing soccer mom Nancy Botwin (Mary Louise Parker) and then never left, Kirk has stolen scene after scene. Yet he continues to receive no love from the Emmys. Also left out was Page Kennedy, who somehow made you both continue to fear and grow to love him as the intimidating drug kingpin, U-Turn.
Speaking of snubbed supporters, what more does the severely underappreciated John Krasinski, who plays prankster Jim Halpert on NBC’s The Office, need to do for a nod? He may not have the outrageous material that castmates Steve Carrell (who plays Michael Scott) and Rainn Wilson (who plays Dwight Schrute) turn into comic gold, but he is a master of subtlety.
NBC’s 30 Rock is one show that did receive plenty of recognition, leading the way with a whopping nine acting nominations. All the respect, though, makes it far too easy to forget about Jack McBrayer and his pitch-perfect turn as Kenneth, the soft-spoken page.
Aside from Lauren Graham’s (who played Lorelai) seven straight snubs for Gilmore Girls, there has been no more egregious annual oversight in recent years than that of John C. McGinley. Even in the downward spiral that has been Scrubs’ (first on NBC and now switching to ABC) last two seasons, the 49-year-old continues to bring biting sarcasm and snappy wit to Dr. Perry Cox, the surly mentor at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Of all the comedies, the one with the most legitimate gripe is HBO’s Flight of the Conchords. The dry musical seamlessly weaves its amusing songs into skillfully crafted storylines, leading one to wonder who possibly decided to once again nominate the underwhelming Two and a Half Men (CBS) instead. To make matters worse, the voters also spurned Jemaine Clement, who hilariously played a fictionalized version of himself on Flight of the Conchords.
When it comes to the drama categories, Michael Emerson (who plays Ben Linus) looks poised to give ABC’s Lost its second straight supporting actor statue. So isn’t it about time for the face of the show to get some credit, too? Matthew Fox (who plays Jack Shepherd) has carried Lost’s talented ensemble with poise and charisma since day one of the program’s thrilling four-year run, but he has never been a nominee for television’s most prestigious prize.
Even though this past season of NBC’s Heroes was a major step back from the series’ promising first campaign, don’t blame Jack Coleman or Cristine Rose – the soothing presences of their secretive characters, Noah Bennett and Angela Petrelli, at least warranted consideration for supporting nods. Yet, the academy did not name either actor to the semi-final list, let alone invite them to the Nokia Theatre for the ceremony.
Most disappointing of all the omissions, however, is the latest dismissal of David Simon’s The Wire (HBO). Hailed by critics as one of this era’s greatest shows, the gritty drama was bewilderingly overlooked year-in and year-out, including its fifth and final season. Filmed in Simon’s home town of Baltimore, it would seem The Wire regrettably flew under the radar because it was based in a decidedly non-Hollywood town.
So, sorry Jack, Jemaine and Andy; it really is a shame.
tfloyd1@umd.edu
