Every Emmy award discussion really ought to start with that familiar television montage trope "Previously On..." If you think about it the Emmy Awards really are like a longform television series with continuing plotlines... "Will Mad Men lose every acting nomination AGAIN? Will [insert underwatched critical favorite] finally win a Best Series nomination?", new character introductions, resurgent supporting characters, goodbyes to series regulars, and the like.
Homeland defends its title. But a lot of people didn't like Season 2.
So what did happen at least year's Emmys? A refresher: "Mad Men" was defending its Best Drama title in its fifth season and did not break the record (no show has ever won five consecutive drama series titles) losing to terrorist drama "Homeland" but the story was bleak for the SCDP everywhere since "Mad Men" struck out everywhere even MISSING a Best Costume Design nomination (it's never won) despite being the best costumed show in the history of ever; Jon Cryer "Two and a Half Men" won sympathy votes for putting up with Charlie Sheen all these years as Best Actor in a Comedy Series; Julia Louis-Dreyfus "Veep" won her third Emmy but what's more impressive is that she's won the prize for three different series now; Oscar Winners and frequent nominees were all the rage too with Julianne Moore, Kevin Costner, Jessica Lange, and Maggie Smith all picking up prizes; and the Emmys kept right on basically ignoring the beloved "Parks and Recreation" in major categories it's already deserved to win a few times. Seriously how has that show never managed a nomination for ANY of its supporting actors and actresses?
So where are we this year? I don't have my own predictions to share -- I don't claim to be an Emmy Awards expert but here are a few select ballots and a few things I'm curious about after the jump
BEST DRAMA SERIES
With all of last year's nominees ("Boardwalk Empire," "Breaking Bad," "Downton Abbey," "Game of Thrones," "Homeland" and four-time winner "Mad Men") still around the big question is whether any of the strong first season contender can muscle their way in. The current seasons of at least half of the standard nominees were considered "weak", right or wrong. The best regular ol' network bet should Emmy prove fickle would probably be the Connie Britton series Nashville which has solid ratings and the kind of reviews that justify For Your Consideration ads. But with the premium cable dominance these days, traditional network shows have had trouble making the list. We also might see whether the television industry is okay with the rise of Netflix Original Programming since House of Cards is eligible. At the very least expect Kevin Spacey (awards magnet) and Connie Britton to make noise in the lead acting categories. But who do they shove aside to place? What do you think will happen?
BEST COMEDY SERIES
"The Big Bang Theory," "Girls," and "Veep" , all nominated last year, seem likely to return and three-time champ "Modern Family" isn't going anywhere either. Which leaves only one spot up for grabs, the one usually held by "Curb Your Enthusiasm". "Arrested Development" would seem like a lock except that the fourth season was hardly a slam dunk in terms of ecstatic reception.
Parks and Recreation has never been honored for its supporting cast. This is only half of the brilliance!
So do they return to a show they've only nominated once in the top category like "Parks and Recreation", "Nurse Jackie" or "How I Met Your Mother" or go with something they've never honored for the top prize like "Louie" or "New Girl" or do they say goodbye to "The Office". Who gets the open slot?
DEPARTING SERIES
Sometimes Emmy gets all weepy about goodbyes (notice the shocking "Friday Night Lights" uptick in its last season) but other times they're just like 'don't let the door hit your ass on the way out' even if they used to love the show. This year's goodbyes are "The Office", "Weeds", "Enlightened", "Breaking Bad", "Smash" (which we followed closely despite declining quality) and "Southland". I dare not hope for some love for the excellent "Southland" on its way to tv heaven. Which departing series wins a goodbye hug?
WRITE IN VOTE
I know that ABC Family did not renew OR cancel "Bunheads" (so confusing) and, stranger still, did not submit "Bunheads" for Emmy consideration despite it being their only show with a prayer in hell of winning any Emmy attention. The show was starting to go in such interesting directions, too, evolving into its best self. So if I had a magic wand and could make one thing happen at the Emmy nominations on Thursday it would be an impossible Best Comedy & Best Actress nomination for this singular show and my beloved Sutton Foster as a way of keeping the show alive and making ABC Family take a second season more seriously. Since "Smash"'s long death-rattle finally fell silent "Bunheads" and "Nashville" are the only shows that remain for musical aficionados.
I'll leave you with MY ACTRESSBALLOTS for what it's worth.
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
If I could handpick the nominees it'd be: Connie Britton "Nashville", Claire Danes "Homeland", Michelle Dockery "Downton Abbey", Regina King "Southland", Elizabeth Moss "Mad Men", and Emmy Rossum "Shameless"...
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
If I could handpick the nominees it'd be: Laura Dern "Enlightened", Edie Falco "Nurse Jackie", Tina Fey "30 Rock", Sutton Foster "Bunheads", Julia Louis-Dreyfus "Veep", Amy Poehler "Parks & Recreation"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
my dream ballot would include: Joanna Froggett and Sophie McShera from "Downton Abbey" and both Christina Hendricks "Mad Men" and January Jones "Mad Men", the latter finally having a strong season again. And maybe Deborah Ann Woll from "True Blood". I'm open to discussion on the fifth and sixth slot.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
all i want is: the impossible dream of Jane Krakowski finally winning for "30 Rock" since she's deserved it several times and only been nominated sporadically. I'd also vote for Merrit Wever on "Nurse Jackie" a true original and indispensable actually to the comedic portions of that show.
Who gets your write-in vote if you could make one thing happen?