If the drama nominations for the Emmys [1] were the source of some of my greatest joys and greatest frustrations [2], then my reaction to the comedy categories could be summed up with one word: "Meh." Sure, there were a few nominations that had me leaping to my feet with joy, but so many more had me raising my eyebrows and saying "That again?" So, without further ado:
- OK, the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy category is exactly the same as last year. I would celebrate how easy it will be to write that Emmy Breakdown [3], but I'm too busy trying to keep my eyes open. Seriously, how boring, especially knowing who else (Krasinski! McBrayer!) made the short list [4].
- Speaking of keeping my eyes open: I turned on the Emmy nominations broadcast in the wee hours of the morning on Thursday just in time to hear Lee Pace's name read for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy. I was still in bed at the time, and I swear to you, I threw the covers back, thrust my fists in the air, and squealed a little. And that's still probably only a fraction of how happy I was for him. Also, if you haven't seen Kristin Chenoweth's surprised face when she learned of her own nomination, look at this picture [5]!
- In fact, Pushing Daisies getting a dozen nominations overall is the single brightest spot of the nominations for me.
- Can I get a "Huzzah!" for Amy Poehler? She was the only Saturday Night Live cast member to break through and score an acting nomination in the first year they were eligible in the regular comedy categories. And I bet NBC is thrilled to be able to say they have an Emmy nominee in talks to lead a new show [6].
More rants and raves, so .
- I'm really frustrated with the Outstanding Comedy Series nominees. I didn't even realize Curb Your Enthusiasm was eligible this year; Entourage had a less-than-wonderful year; and Two and a Half Men is . . . Two and a Half Men. But I think there might be a bigger problem at the root of that, which is a lack of really good TV comedy. I've been hearing a lot about that at TCA [7] this week. Will that be another place where cable steps up?
- That said, I'd be happier with that category if Pushing Daisies, Ugly Betty, Weeds, or Flight of the Conchords had been nominated. And that's just talking about the ones on the short list. What about Desperate Housewives? How I Met Your Mother? Maybe the Emmys just have a blind spot here.
- Another breakdown that will be pretty easy to write: Lead Actor in a Comedy [8]. Just substitute Lee Pace for Ricky Gervais (their names even rhyme, sort of). Again, yawn. I do respect Tony Shalhoub's performance on Monk, but it's kind of the same thing every time. Even he must be feeling embarrassed by now, right?
- If you want to get a guest acting nod at the Emmys, just go on 30 Rock. Four of the five guest comedy actor nominees and three of the six guest comedy actress nominees came from that show. And the argument could probably be made that Matthew Broderick deserved a nomination in the guest actor category, too, which would have made it a clean sweep.
- So happy that one of the Office episodes nominated for a directing Emmy was "Goodbye, Toby," [9] directed by Paul Feig of Freaks and Geeks [10]. And the other was directed by Paul Lieberstein, aka Toby himself!
- Much as I wish Flight of the Conchords [11] had been nominated in a series or acting category, I'm at least glad to see it get a writing nod — not to mention its two nominations for songs.
Source [12] and NBC [13]