Emmy Analysis and Future Projects

Before I dive into the winners, I would like to make a few comments about the show itself. Jimmy Fallon did a great job as host, and this is coming from someone who is not a Jimmy Fallon fan. He was funny, and kept the show moving at a brisk pace, as it managed to stay under the three-hour mark, and instead of being about useless things (like the Oscars this year) it was about the awards, and the winners. In terms of the winners, this was the most exciting list of winners, and some of the best deserved Emmys I have seen in a long time. Sure there were some old favorites, but a lot of newcomers to the party as well celebrating new and old shows as well as new and veteran actors. Now on to the winners!

Drama

While the Drama category kicked my butt this year in terms of predictions, I was pleasantly surprised, and in some cases down right thrilled by the winners. The only major category I got was the writing award for Mad Men (I know only one! so sad). I should have known that Mad Men was going to win the Best Drama Series award again, but was hoping Lost to triumph. Also, after the smug little speech that Matthew Weiner gave after winning, I hoping that voters move on to one of the many other great television dramas there are today, and let the three peat not be four. Bryan Cranston winning wasn't shocking although Michael C. Hall or Hugh Laurie finally winning would have been nice as well. But the Kyra Sedgwick win was a little surprising, and very well-deserved. After many excellent seasons on The Closer, she deserved a Emmy for her work. That category also proved that just because the SAG, GG, and TV Critics anoint the same winner (Julianna Margulies) doesn't mean that he or she will win the Emmy. Then came the supporting categories. I was thrilled by the Aaron Paul win, especially since it should be his second, and the Archie Panjabi win was the biggest surprise of the night, and the most welcomed one. The only category I thought was not well deserved was the directing one. I like Dexter, but the Lost series finale was one of the most stunning television events I have ever witnessed, and it getting completely shut out of the top awards was a travesty.

Comedy
Now this category I actually did incredibly well, missing only one major category, and it was the one I was most excited about. Modern Family was so well deserved, and so well received by everyone, that I hoping that the Emmys continue to honor great comedies, and not neccisarily the most popular (aka like they did with 30 Rock). Jane Lynch and Eric Stonestreet were expected to win, and both deserved so, and gave funny, yet warm speeches. Another thing I learned about the Emmys is that they love Edie Falco, in any shape or form, they love her, and she will win.....period. The writing and directing awards went the way that they should, but for me the real surprise was Jim Parsons, who was the person who I thought should have won. I was thrilled over his win, and hope that there are more to come for him in the near future.

The Rest

• They love Jon Stewart....get over it haters
• Temple Grandin was extremely popular, and provided for great television last night.
• The Amazing Race FINALLY lost, and to the well-deserved Top Chef...now it is a race for now on.
• George Clooney is the man.
• Finally...and most imporantly, the Emmys are unpredictable, and sometimes they get it right, and sometimes they don't. This year....they got it right.

For the next couple of weeks, I need to focus on school, but have a Best of the Decade Television Awards project underway which will get me through till TIFF in mid-September, then the Oscar season offcially begins! Thanks for tuning in to my Emmy coverage. I hope to improve it for next year, and hope that you keep reading.

Live Emmy Winners!

• Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Eric Stonestreet "Modern Family"
• Writing for a Comedy Series - Modern Family (Pilot)
• Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Jane Lynch "Glee"
• Directing in a Comedy Series - Ryan Murphy "Glee - Pilot"
• Actor in a Comedy Series - Jim Parsons "The Big Bang Theory"!!!!! (this is one time where I'm glad I was wrong)
• Actress in a Comedy Series - Edie Falco "Nurse Jackie"
• Reality Competition Program - Top Chef!!!! (Surprising and awesome win!)
• Writing in a Drama Series - Mad Men (Shut the Door. Have A Seat)
• Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Aaron Paul "Breaking Bad"!!!! (Another one where I'm happy to be wrong)
• Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Archie Panjabi "The Good Wife" (Who saw that coming? Awesome win!)
• Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Bryan Cranston "Breaking Bad" (Should have seen that one coming)
• Directing for a Drama Series - Steve Shill "Dexter" (Love Dexter, but Lost was robbed!) 
• Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Kyra Sedgwick "The Closer" (well deserved)
• Writing for a Variety Special - The 63rd Annual Tony Awards
• Directing for Variety Special - Vancouver Olympics
• Variety Series - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
• Supporting Actress Mini/Movie - Julia Ormand "Temple Grandin"
• Supporting Actor Mini/Movie - David Straithairn "Temple Grandin" (I'm feeling a sweep coming on)
• Writing for Mini/Movie - Adam Mazer "You Don't Know Jack" (apparently not)
• Lead Actress Mini/Movie - Claire Danes "Temple Grandin"
• Directing for Mini/Movie - Mick Jackson "Temple Grandin" (so acting/directing, but not writing?)
• Lead Actor in a Mini/Movie - Al Pacino "You Don't Know Jack"
• Miniseries - The Pacific
• Made for Television Movie - Temple Grandin
• Best Comedy Series - Modern Family
• Best Drama Series - Mad Men

That's all folks.....analysis coming tomorrow!

Emmy Predictions: Recap

Here is a recap of my Emmy Predictions before tonight's ceremony:


Drama Series - Lost

Comedy Series - Modern Family

Actor in a Drama Series - Hugh Laurie "House"

Actor in a Comedy Series - Tony Shaloub "Monk"

Actress in a Drama Series - Julianna Margulies "The Good Wife"
Actress in a Comedy Series - Edie Falco "Nurse Jackie"
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Andre Braughter "Men of a Certain Age"
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Sharon Gless "Burn Notice"
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Eric Stonestreet "Modern Family"
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Jane Lynch "Glee
Directing for a Drama Series - Lost
Writing for a Drama Series - Mad Men
Directing for a Comedy Series - Glee
Writing for a Comedy Series - Modern Family

And Here are some predictions in categories that I really didn't discuss at all:

Made for Television Movie - Temple Grandin
Miniseries - The Pacific
Actor in a Movie/Mini - Al Pacino "You Don't Know Jack"
Actress in a Movie/Mini - Claire Danes "Temple Grandin"
Supporting Actor in a Movie/Mini - Patrick Stewart "Hamlet"
Supporting Actress in a Movie/Mini - Susan Sarandon "You Don't Know Jack"
Directing Movie/Mini - Tim Van Patten "The Pacific - Part 9"
Writing Movie/Mini - Temple Grandin
Reality/Competition - The Amazing Race
Variety Series - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Emmy Predictions: Drama Series

The Nominees:

1. Breaking Bad

2. Dexter

3. The Good Wife

4. Lost

5. Mad Men

6. True Blood

Should Win/Will Win: Lost

Commentary: Finally True Blood in its second season starts to get some Emmy love. Unfortuantely, the episode submissions were less than stellar, so a nomination may be all it gets this time around. The other five contenders make this predictions probably the shakiest of them all. Dexter is an incredible show,  but I think it is all about Michael C. Hall, although I am predicting he won't even win, so why should the show? Breaking Bad has its small, but enthusiastic fan base, but I don't think it will be enough to push it over the edge. The next three are the real contenders. The Good Wife, in my opinion, is the big question mark in this race, the real dark horse that could shock all of the pundits and take the prize. Then there were two. I am probably insane for not picking Mad Men to win its third straight Emmy for Drama Series, and it most likely will. But I am hoping, and putting my predicting prowless on the line this once that the Emmys reward, one last time, the most original and fantastic piece of television drama that has sustained us for a couple of years since the departing of the greats like The West Wing and The Sopranos. In its final season, Lost was never better, and maybe, just maybe, a sentimental voting body will give it one last glimpse of glory.

Emmy Predictions: Comedy Series

The Nominees:

1. Curb Your Enthusiasm

2. Glee

3. Modern Family

4. Nurse Jackie

5. The Office

6. 30 Rock

Should Win/Will Win: Modern Family

Commentary: Curb Your Enthusiasm got rewarded for its return, but since it missed out so many times before, I can't really see it winning the prize this time. The Office, I feel, may have its big year next year, especially if it is Steve Carrell's last year, plus it has already won, and really is just a nice placeholder. Nurse Jackie snuck in this year, and deservedly so, but I feel like it is all about Edie Falco, and should be happy just to be nominated. 30 Rock could easily walk away with its third straight Emmy, and it would deserve it, however, I feel that the two new hot shows are overshadowing it this year. Glee is a phenomenon, but the Emmys rarely reward such highly popular shows, so I am going with the incrediblly funny new Modern Family will take the prize, as it should.

Emmy Predictions: Best Actor in a Drama Series

The Nominees:

1. Kyle Chandler "Friday Night Lights"

2. Bryan Cranston "Breaking Bad"

3. Jon Hamm "Mad Men"

4. Michael C. Hall "Dexter"

5. Hugh Laurie "House"

Should Win: Kyle Chandler "Friday Night Lights"

Will Win: Hugh Laurie "House"

Commentary: This has proven to be one of the most difficult to predict. Kyle Chandler is fantastic in Friday Night Lights, but should be happy with a nomination. Despite Mad Men's success I think that Jon Hamm will once again be on the outside looking in. Then come the big three. Bryan Cranston has won this category two years in a row, and has a lot of passioniate supporters, but I think that he faces some stiff competition and may miss out, although his winning would not shock me one bit. Michael C. Hall has the story of survival, plus his devilish role on Dexter that I think he is the one to beat. However, Hugh Laurie's submission this year on House was his best yet, and he has yet to win an Emmy, so the overdue combination plus the best submission leads me to believe that he will finally win an Emmy for this show.

Emmy Predictions: Best Actress in a Drama Series

The Nominees:

1. Kyra Sedgwick "The Closer"

2. Glenn Close "Damages"

3. Connie Britton "Friday Night Lights"

4. Julianna Margulies "The Good Wife"

5. Mariska Hargitay "Law & Order: SVU"

6. Januray Jones "Mad Men"

Should Win: Connie Britton "Friday Night Lights"

Will Win: Julianna Margulies "The Good Wife"

Commentary: Connie Britton deserves so much credit for her work on FNL, but her episode submission this year put the nail in the coffin, hell i'm just happy she got nominated. Mariska Hargitay is good, but her show has declined and quality, and really she is just filling space. I was thrilled with the January Jones nods, but I feel that she lacks the starpower of her fellow nominees, and should just be happy for a nomination. Then come the big three. Glenn Close could easily win her third straight Emmy, but her episode was weak, and she has much stiffer competition that she has had in the past. Kyra Sedgwick could finally win for her incredible episode submission, and I think that she is a dark horse who could pull off an upset pretty easily. But I stuck with the majority of pundits and went with the consensus pick of the wonderful Julianna Margulies. Especially with all the support the show as a whole got, this seems like the perfect conselation prize.

Emmy Predictions: Directing in a Comedy Series

The Nominees:

1. Glee - Pilot

2. Glee - Wheels
3. Modern Family - Pilot
4. Nurse Jackie - Pilot

5. 30 Rock - I Do Do

Should Win/Will Win - Glee - Pilot

Commentary: If Modern Family is a writer's paradise, then Glee is a director's paradise, flashy, big numbers, and an even bigger production require a skilled director to put together, aka Ryan Murphy for Glee's wonderful Pilot. I was glad that the Wheels episode also got nominated, and hope that it doesn't steal votes away. I was also thrilled with all of the Nurse Jackie love,  but I think that it may have to settle for the Best Actress award. Finally, the 30 Rock episode was funny, and if the Emmys still love the show, it may steal a win, but my guess is that the 30 Rock train will be derailed by either Glee or Modern Family come Sunday night.

Emmy Predictions: Writing in a Comedy Series

The Nominees:

1. Glee - Pilot

2. Modern Family - Pilot

3. The Office - Niagara

4. 30 Rock - Lee Marvin vs. Derek Jeter

5. 30 Rock  - Anna Howard Shaw Day

Should Win/Will Win: Modern Family - Pilot

Commentary: I think that the writing/directing awards will split this year as I think they will in the drama categories. Glee is a TV phenomenon, but is more of a directors/actors show (hint!), than a well-written show, although through pure popularity it could win the prize. The Office submitted a decent episode, but simply pales in comparison to the rest of the nominees. 30 Rock has done well in this category, and although it seems to be losing steam to Glee and Modern Family, I would not count out one of its episodes winning yet again. However, I think that the strongest point of the great Modern Family is its incredible writing, and my gut tells me that the Academy agrees.

Review: The Switch

When Cassie (Jennifer Aniston) decides she wants to have a baby through artificial insemination, her best friend Wally, in his normal neurotic way is against it. When Cassie goes ahead and has a party to go through the act, apparently with a turkey baster, Wally gets slizzard and accidently spills out the sperm of Cassie's donor (Patrick Wilson), he decides to replace it with his own. Flash to seven years later, and Cassie has returned to New York with her kid Sebastian and after spending time with him, Wally begins to piece together the events of that fateful night only to discover that Sebastian is in fact his son, and that he must tell Cassie before she marries Roland (the donor), and he loses his son and the love of his life forever.

The Switch, starring Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston follows many of the standard rom-com parts of the formula, but still manages to be a delightful little movie that is both warm and funny. What helps it rise above the normal romantic chatter is its actors who handle a less-than-stellar script with ease, allowing for it to acutally blossom, and for us to actually care about what we are watching. The little boy who plays Sebastian, Thomas Robinson, is absolutely adorable, and really has some incredible chemistry with Bateman and Aniston. Jeff Goldblum and Juliette Lewis are hilarious and scene-stealers as the two sidekicks, but also do a great job at not being too corny. Jennifer Aniston does a pretty good job, showing both great comedic timing and emotional depth, while maintaining a certain level of class in every scene. But the real force that carries the weight of the movie is the always fantastic Jason Bateman, whose hilarious, neurotic Wally is a wonderfully flawed character, whose personality is both annoying, yet sort of lovable at the same time. 

Where the movie falls flat is in its stories, the writers did nothing great to help their characters develop chemistry, which is a testament to the ability of these actors that we actually felt something between them. More importantly, the premise of the whole story is just too contrived, too shaky, and too unrealistic, because although we are laughing at the insemination party, we all are also thinking in the back of our minds at how truly ridiculous all of this is. The best romantic movies are the ones that are not forced, and this one is definitely forced on to us in a way that can sometimes feel stiff. 

Despite its flaws, The Switch is a warm and funny movie that shows us the difficulties of parenthood, the twists and turns of modern-day science and medicine, and the bond that develops between people who finally realize their true feelings. While its no modern masterpiece, The Switch is a nice end-of-summer movie that makes you feel good, allows you to sit back and relax and enjoy some nice performances. 

Oscar Potential: Absolutely none. Bateman might get some Golden Globe love if the competition is weak, but other than that it should just enjoy some hopefully decent box office. 

Review: B