In My (J)Opinion, The Emmy Goes To…

Rather than attempt to predict the winners in the major categories (because these are the same people who infuriatingly reward Spader & Shatner year after year, and have now adopted Sheen & Cryer), I’ve selected those shows and individuals who I believe deserve the Emmy this year.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
30 Rock
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Entourage
The Office
Two and a Half Men

I don’t think there has been a  more entertaining series or cast since Arrested Development.

LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies
Steve Carell, The Office
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

Comedic timing is everything. A victory for Pace would be just as sweet.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Rainn Wilson, The Office
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

I do not watch How I Met Your Mother (but I should and I will), and wasn’t that impressed with the nominees in this category. Dillon is underrated in the shadow of Piven.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Mary Louise-Parker, Weeds

What an amazing category; every one of these women should win. I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy Applegate in this role; I see more nominations in her future. I would have chosen the consistently stellar Parker, but Weeds is more a comedy of errors than a traditional comedy.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies
Jean Smart, Samantha Who
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty

Another tough choice; Poehler is the saving grace of SNL, but Smart could pull an upset victory. She makes me laugh out loud and deserves her own series.

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
30 Rock (2 episodes)
Flight of the Conchords
Pushing Daisies
The Office

Wow. FotC may steal this one away from 30 Rock.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Boston Legal
Damages
Dexter
House
Lost
Mad Men

I am not just choosing Lost because it’s my favorite show; I believe that Season 4 was extremely strong across the board (acting, writing, direction, cinematography, etc.), from start to finish. Second choice would be Dexter. I love Mad Men but feel that the current second season is far superior to the first. And I will simply never understand the allure of Boston Legal.

LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
James Spader, Boston Legal
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Hugh Laurie, House
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Jon Hamm, Mad Men

The buzz is for Cranston, but I am absolutely mesmerized by Hall week after week. To be honest, I thought that this was Matthew Fox’s year for Lost; what an omission! Not to mention Kyle Chandler for Friday Night Lights…

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
William Shatner, Boston Legal
Ted Danson, Damages
Zeljko Ivanek, Damages
Michael Emerson, Lost
John Slattery, Mad Men

If it weren’t for Emerson’s eye-bugging, jaw-dropping role on Lost, my vote would have been for Danson in a heartbeat; his performance was the surprise revelation of the season.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Sallie Field, Brothers & Sisters
Glenn Close, Damages
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

No question. Glenn Close knocks it out of the park, and she scares me. But where’s the recognition for Connie Britton on FNL?

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Candice Bergen, Boston Legal
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
Chandra Wilson, Grey’s Anatomy
Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment

Dr. Bailey is the heart and soul of Grey’s, but frankly I’m surprised by Oh’s nod; she wasn’t given much to work with this season.

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Battlestar Galactica
Damages
Mad Men (2 episodes)
The Wire

Again, where is a nod for Lost? I really tried to get into The Wire, because some critics feel it is one of the best shows of all time, but I lost interest.

OUTSTANDING REALITY-COMPETITION PROGRAM
American Idol
Dancing With The Stars
Project Runway
The Amazing Race
Top Chef

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Thoughts?