2008 Emmy Awards Snap Judgments

I've already told you my thoughts on the comedy and drama nominations for the Emmys, but I'm not done quite yet. Today, I have a look at some of the more offbeat nominees and stranger categories (and there sure are plenty) for the awards:

• So the Extras Extra Special Series Finale got submitted as a TV movie, and it came out with six nominations. My favorite: Ashley Jensen for supporting actress in the miniseries/movie category. Her work is always hilarious, but she also got some of the more touching moments in the finale.
• The lead actress category for miniseries/movies has some serious acting powerhouses. Check out this list of talent: Catherine Keener, Susan Sarandon, Judi Dench, Laura Linney, Phylicia Rashad. Pretty impressive company.
• I love plumbing the more obscure Emmy categories for shows that can now refer to themselves as "Emmy-nominated." Like, for example, "The Emmy nominated Pirate Master!" Or, perhaps, "The Emmy-nominated According to Jim!"
• Chuck may have only gotten two Emmy nominations, but they're both totally appropriate: one for Outstanding Stunt Coordination, and the other for Outstanding Main Title Design.

For my thoughts on the hilarious Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics category and a few others, just read more

If the drama nominations for the Emmys were the source of some of my greatest joys and greatest frustrations, 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, but I'm too busy trying to keep my eyes open. Seriously, how boring, especially knowing who else (Krasinski! McBrayer!) made the short list.
• 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!
• 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.

More rants and raves, so read more

As usual, this year's Emmy nominations are something of a mixed bag. A bunch made me cheer. A bunch more made me boo. And several more are just baffling in their very existence. Over the next few days, I'll be sharing my first thoughts on the nominations. I'm looking first at the drama nominees, because that's where some of my favorite nominations came from — but also some of the harshest snubs.

• I know people like Boston Legal. It's a fine show. But better than Friday Night Lights or The Wire? No. I'm glad it only has one more season left in it, because I'm starting to see it as just the series that consistently takes an Emmy spot away from a more deserving show. I pretty much hate it on principle.
• At least for The Wire, I can be satisfied with the writing nomination David Simon and Ed Burns got for the series finale, "-30-." Not the case for FNL. A casting nomination? Don't insult me, Emmy.




• On the positive side, hooray for Damages and Mad Men, which are making history as the first basic cable series ever nominated in the Outstanding Drama Series category. The love for Mad Men was overwhelming (16 nominations overall!); Damages was a little more restrained, with seven nominations, but that includes three acting nods in addition to the series honor.
• But what's with the women of Mad Men getting shut out? Elisabeth Moss and Christina Hendricks were both on the semifinalist lists, but neither actually made the finals.

Some more griping — and some positive thoughts, too! — if you read more