Emmys 2011: Predictions

The Primetime Emmy Awards are almost upon us, airing on Sunday, September 18th on FOX.  Jane Lynch will be hosting, and since she's usually pretty hilarious I think we can all expect a pretty good show.  And maybe, just maybe, that good show will compensate for some of the grievous snubs that have taken place this Emmy season (though I doubt it).  Here are my thoughts on who will win and who should win* in each of the big categories.

Supporting Actor, Comedy
Chris Colfer, Glee
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family*
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ed O'Neill, Modern Family
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

I think a part of me is a little resentful still at the excess of Modern Family love in this category-- don't get me wrong, all the men involved are hilarious, but they didn't all give the best performances of the year.  However, I was rooting for Ty Burrell prior to the nominations, and I really do think he's the best of the bunch here.  That said, I think the vote is going to tip in Ed O'Neill's favor, as this is his first nomination.  Either that or all the Modern Family guys will split the vote and we'll see a Chris Colfer win, which would be kind of a bummer.

Supporting Actress, Comedy
Julie Bowen, Modern Family*
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Jane Lynch, Glee
Betty White, Hot in Cleveland
Kristen Wiig, SNL*
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock

I don't think the Betty White love-fest is quite over, so I'm pretty certain she'll get this one.  But I would love to see Julie Bowen get in there, or for Kristen Wiig, this category's wild card in every sense, to take home the prize.

Supporting Actor, Drama
*I really have no opinion on this one, as I haven't seen any of the performances nominated


Supporting Actress, Drama
Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire*
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
Michelle Forbes, The Killing
Margo Martindale, Justified

Lead Actor, Comedy
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Steve Carrell, The Office*
Jim Parsons, Big Bang Theory
Louis C.K., Louie
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Johnny Galecki, Big Bang Theory

Steve Carrell is the sentimental choice, but this time around it's well-earned.  His performance as Michael Scott preparing to leave the Dunder Mifflin crew behind for good was genuinely heartfelt and hilarious, and one that, unlike the other nominees, won't have a chance at being replicated next year.

Lead Actress, Comedy
Laura Linney, The Big C
Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation*
Melissa McCarthy, Mike and Molly
Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Laura Linney is the favorite, and she is a fantastic actress, but I want Amy Poehler to win so badly that my heart hurts a little.  Leslie Knope is one of the best characters on television because of Poehler and the skill she brings, and I just want someone to recognize that, gosh darnit.

Lead Actor, Drama
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire*
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Timothy Olyphant, Justified

Lead Actress, Drama
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men*
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order SVU
Mireille Enos, The Killing
Kathy Bates, Harry's Law

Outstanding Comedy
Glee
Modern Family
The Office
Parks and Recreation*
The Big Bang Theory
30 Rock

I need a Parks win here.  I need someone besides me and a bunch of other lowly bloggers to acknowledge that this is the best comedy currently on television, hands down.  Modern Family is great, and I watch it every week and laugh along, but the second season lacked the originality and spark of the first, and it just didn't top Parks in terms of comedy this year.

Outstanding Drama
Mad Men
Boardwalk Empire
The Good Wife
Friday Night Lights
Dexter
Game of Thrones*


Boardwalk Empire seems on track to sweep all the major awards, and that's fine.  However, there is nothing I love more than an upset, which is why I'd love to see Game of Thrones (which from what I've read has quite the nerd following) walk away with the prize instead.

Movie Review: Crazy Stupid Love

We all know that I am not a fan of chick flicks (or at least, we all know now).  I make a general rule not to watch them unless coerced, and the trailers for this film looked very cheesy indeed, so I was initially hesitant.  However, Crazy Stupid Love is a pleasant surprise, as far as films of this genre go.  It has heart and some genuinely complicated characters, and a happy ending that, while trite, feels more deserved than in some other films.

The film examines several different stories, the common thread among which is Steve Carrell's character (Cal), who in the film's first scene sees his 20-some year marriage fall to pieces at his feet.  Julianne Moore is his cheating wife (her new interest is a smarmy as ever Kevin Bacon), who appears to be having the sort of suburban mid-life crisis of which I've become so fond this summer.  Understandably, Carrell's character falls into a pit of self-pity and long ramblings on the de-evolution of his relationship (but what is miserable for the character is an opportunity to see Carrell at his pathetic best).  Enter the requisite ladies' man sidekick, a vaguely douchy incarnation of Ryan Gosling (Jacob).

Obviously, Cal is in sore need of a mentor, and Jacob is only too happy to offer his services.  The scenes in which he teaches Cal how to be a womanizer are funny, but they mostly remind the viewer of the potential of these two actors, and the ways in which the sometimes weak writing suppresses their abilities.  I mean, between Carrell and Gosling you've got Emmy, Golden Globe, and Oscar nominations multiple times over, not to mention hours and hours of proof that each is fully capable of vanishing into a role and making even an annoying or despicable character intriguing, not to mention there is an uncanny chemistry between them.  It just seems a shame that much of their mutual potential feels wasted.  There are a few moments, however, particularly toward the film's conclusion, where both are permitted to bust out their dramatic acting chops, and in my opinion, both shine brightest in these scenes.

Emma Stone is charming as always, though you're left wishing you got a little more from her character (she seems to be built mostly on a cliche archetype that's never fully fleshed out), particularly after an unexpected twist leading into the film's third act.  Julianne Moore is similarly short-changed, and it is difficult to sympathize with her or understand her actions, something that feels like it should have been prioritized a little more.  On the whole it seems that the development of the female characters has been sacrificed so that both leading men can be more effectively transformed (but then, what else is new?).

Overall, though, this film provides an interesting study of characters in emotional flux, particularly Cal and Jacob.  It also has some truly cheesy moments that I could have done without, but I guess you can't get away with writing a cliche-free romantic comedy these days.  Gosling and Carrell are worth the ticket price, and if you adore the misery of the (upper) middle class as wholeheartedly as I do, then this is definitely a summer movie for you to check out.

Emmys 2011: Who Should Get a Nod

Amid all of the Harry Potter excitement this week, there is one other very exciting event happening tomorrow morning (at the crack of dawn, no less):  Emmy nominations will be announced for the 2010-2011 season!  Now, we all know the usual suspects will probably make it into the mix:  Boardwalk Empire, Dexter, Toni Collette, and so on and so on and now I'm bored.  Rather than try to make predictions (I don't think I watch a varying enough spectrum of television to be very accurate), I'll give my endorsements here to the individuals and shows I feel deserve Emmy recognition, and we'll find out tomorrow whether the voters agree with me.

Supporting Actress, TV Comedy:

Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation
This is the owner of the best female deadpan delivery on television, and that alone should be enough to earn her a nomination.  She was funnier than ever on Parks this season, and got an even more substantial story line to work with.

Busy Phillips, Cougar Town
Without this actress, Cougar Town would be a show where Courtney Cox's character whines all the time and Christa Miller struggles valiantly to lighten things up with her wit.  With Phillips, however, the dynamic of all three actresses is ignited, making for lots of laughs, usually at her character's expense.

Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Let's note that I'm including her in this category if and only if she isn't eligible for Lead status (I don't know how much screen time is required).  As neurotic Clare Dunphy dealing with one of the wackier families on TV, Bowen is consistently hilarious and sympathetic, and more than deserving of an Emmy nod.

Alyson Hannigan, How I Met Your Mother
Hannigan stepped up her game in season 6 of HIMYM, proving that she could not only make us laugh, but handle some pretty heavy drama as well.  If only she and on-screen husband Jason Segel could be nominated in some kind of package deal...


Supporting Actor, TV Comedy:

Nick Offerman, Parks and Recreation
This man delivers the funny, every single time.  He has the ability to steal scenes with just one line, even sometimes a single expression.

Aziz Ansari, Parks and Recreation
Ansari brought more dimension and sympathy to the character of Tom this season than I think any of us were expecting.  He consistently has some of the best one-liners on this show and on all of TV, and manages to stand out in an ensemble packed with amazing performers.

Donald Glover, Community
Another character who we knew was funny, but were hoping to see more from this season.  Glover delivered, and helped keep the show afloat during some of its more lackluster moments.

Ty Burrell, Modern Family
He's Phil Dunphy.  If you've seen the show, you know there isn't much more that needs to be said.

Charlie Day, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
No real person could get away with 99% of what he says and does on Sunny, which is probably what makes him so much fun to watch.

Jason Segel, How I Met Your Mother
Goofy side-kick no more, Segel took on Marshal's most intensive arc yet this season, and delivered it in a way that was both genuine and endearing.  The episodes in which he was heavily featured were by far some of the best HIMYM has ever done.

Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Always a safe bet for the Emmys, or any awards for that matter.  He brought Barney Stinson back from the edges of cliche-dom by tackling tougher material this season and bringing fresh nuances to an already beloved character.



Lead Actor, TV Comedy:

Steve Carrell, The Office
The Emmys love a swan song, and Steve Carell played his to perfection this season on The Office.  His final episode arc was a return to what once made the show great, and he deserves much of the credit for that.

Joel McHale, Community
Carell is the man to beat, and while I don't think McHale can or will, I'd still love to see him recognized for being as funny as he is.


Lead Actress, TV Comedy:

Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
 Like Steve Carell, I think Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope is the comedic performer to beat here.  She was absolutely pitch-perfect all season long, and an Emmy for Amy is long overdue.  (Also, if she doesn't win/isn't nominated, I will probably cry.)

Courtney Cox, Cougar Town
The show's second season was a little shaky, but even a bad Courtney Cox performance is a good performance by most people's standards.

Best TV Comedy (Ranked in Order):
Parks and Recreation
Modern Family
How I Met Your Mother
Community
The Office

TV Review: The Office's Beautiful, Understated Send-Off

Remember earlier when I said I was pretty sure this episode was going to be perfect?  I don't regret that prediction for a second.  Every little piece of the puzzle came together, and I'm not ashamed to say that I shed a few (okay, many) tears for Michael on his last day with the Dunder-Mifflin gang.

I loved Michael making the rounds to say goodbye to and leave a bit of wisdom(?) with each of his co-workers.  I loved the letter of recommendation/paintball fight with Dwight.  I loved every second of his and Jim's interaction, especially their promise to "have lunch tomorrow."  And oddly, I think I really did love Michael's fake-out over when he was leaving, because it allowed the whole experience to be quieter and a little more serious than I would have expected.  Besides, we got our musical moment last week, so I think it was fitting that this week's swan song was much more understated.

Two additional things that were great:  I loved the way that Michael broke the fourth wall, in a sense, right before he took off his mic for the last time ("Let me know if this ever airs.").  On a related note, I loved that Pam made it to the airport in time to see him off (even though Security definitely wouldn't have let her through), and that we couldn't hear what they said to each other. 

I honestly have no complaints about this episode.  I loved it, as a send-off to Michael and also as the closing of a chapter.  I'm half-debating just letting this be the conclusion of my Office watching run, just because I think this ended on the exact note I would have wanted for the series as a whole.

TV Review: The Office Tugs at the Heart Strings...Again

Goddamn, Office writers, what are you doing to me?  Two out of the last three episodes have made me cry real tears-- it's getting embarrassing.  And I already know that there's going to be something in Steve Carell's final episode that is going to repeat this awful trend.

Honestly, this was a pretty average episode up through the Dundies-- many of Michael's hijinks from the original episode were simply recycled and refurbished, but that was okay because we knew it was a throwback.  But when they all burst into song at the end there?  Every minute of this suddenly too short half hour was worth it.

So the Office team knocks another one out of the park, and there's just not much more I can say about it than that.  I can't wait for next week, because any doubts I had about the show's ability to send Carell off in style are long forgotten.

TV Discussion: Should 'The Office' Quit While It's Ahead?

I've been an Office fan from the beginning, from the days before Steve Carell's hair implants and the days when Jim and Pam could only shoot longing glances at each other from across a crowded office.  So it's with a heavy heart that I come to the conclusion that this show should really just wrap up at the end of this season, following Michael's departure. 

It would be tempting to say that the writers have simply run out of material, but based on the past few episodes that really isn't the case.  The proposal episode and now Will Ferrell's first appearance have both been truly successful installments of The Office, and this only adds strength to my conviction that to end things now would be to go out on top.  Now that they're in the process of replacing Michael, it seems almost too fitting that the rest of the show's loose ends (not that there are many remaining) should be tied up as well.  I think more than anything I'd like to see a truly heartfelt and hilarious season finale turn into a series finale, where we leave our favorite Dunder-Mifflinites behind, knowing that they'll continue to get into the hijinks we all know and love, but also that they'll be just fine without us.  I'd miss Jim and Pam and Dwight (and my weekly dose of John Krasinski, naturally), but I'd rather see them go in the fairly content states they are now then watch them flounder for another season or two before coming to a flat conclusion.

Just throwing it out there, NBC.  Don't sacrifice a great show's integrity just so you can make a bigger profit.