Well, the thrice winning Louis C.K. had nothing to worry about so it seemed, even if he so eschewed the whole “awards thing.” Which became a hilarious meme in itself, right? Why so serious, Louis?! Yeah, we know, the Emmys. But for Amy Poehler, perhaps the night should’ve gone another way.
Last night’s Emmy’s were mostly one big, long snooze. It’s not that we expected lots of major upsets. No, we understand how these things work. Yet, what we would’ve liked to see was less wacky, joke-bombs by Jimmy Kimmel, and more variety and diversity across the board.
We can’t even illuminate how tired we are of Modern Family. And that’s not to say that it’s not a really well-crafted show. It is! It’s just, meh. Something about all the money negotiations behind the scenes that even managed to trickle down to the kids on the show, to its rapidly becoming smug acceptance of winning nearly every award in its category, makes us kind of hate it for everything happening in the show’s wake. Good gracious we sincerely wanted New Girl‘s Max Greenfield to win the Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Emmy just to stick it to the seemingly whole cast of Modern Family that was nominated. The fact that so many cast members were submitted for consideration seemed bloated and greedy — and yes, tiresome. These are the kind of things we think of when it seems more and more apparent how one show has become so overstuffed with back-patting and dancing in the end zone before the winners are even announced. Yeesh. This new season better be awesome.
But the Emmy letdown is more than just that. It’s for shutting out shows and actors that are worth more than the “Oh, just be happy you were nominated, you weren’t seriously going to win” thing they do that’s so obvious to everyone watching at home.
And that brings us to television’s biggest potential robberies. Here are a few that we’ve thought may have been overlooked. How well does their case stack up?
Best Actor in a Comedy
Winner: Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Why: Oh, geesh. This seemed like the “Putting up with Chuck Lorre’s Whims” award. Seriously, is this show still so magnanimous that Jon Cryer was the best there was? We have nothing against Cryer. We’re sure he’s a nice guy, but would we give him an award for rolling with the punches? No.
Robbed: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Why: The combination of the acting and the writing for this character is simply too prophetic and perfect for words. Sheldon Cooper is a character that is quickly becoming synonymous with the nerd comedy niche unlike any other. There are a million Jon Cryer sad sacks in television, past and present, but few who can deliver a line about physics, relationships, friendship, or OCD like “Sheldon” does virtually simultaneously.
Best Actress in a Comedy
Winner: Julia Louis Dreyfus, Veep
Why: This is one of the moves of the Emmy’s that we hated least. Julia Louis Dreyfus nails this character in Veep, and she has found an uncanny way to deliver those lines with the right amount of Sarah Palin-esque dim battery and arrogance. This is an enviable ability. But it’s Julia Louis Dreyfus, a comedy veteran. Would we expect any less?
Robbed: Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Why: Poehler has proven to be a comedy renaissance woman. She’s not just funny in one role, she’s consistently hilarious in most everything she does — even putting together a funny bit for the Emmys, which she’s done for several years running. And if that doesn’t showcase a knack for all-around comedy greatness we don’t know what else does. We’re thinking her outside-the-box thinking would sway more votes, or at least earn her a writing gig for these lame award shows.
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama
Winner: Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Why: Well, if you’re going to play a meth dealer, you better play one with the kind of fortitude that’s believable in this world and as someone working with the great Bryan Cranston. This is no namby-pamby sidekick role. This is bleak and dark and relies on the fringes to work. Paul has found a way to pull it off leading to two Emmy awards for the effort.
Robbed: Giancarlo Esposito, Breaking Bad
Why: When you cast a legendary badass you should expect nothing less, and that’s what Esposito’s “Gus” delivered. He was haunting and thrilling, and to date his portrayal is inarguably some of the best work on television. It would’ve been nice to see him walk away with the award validating what we already know.
Robbed: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Why: Simply put, even as we know what his stature is, Dinklage is a marvel who transcends the physical and all you see is the brilliant acting. Season two of Game of Thrones was the beginning of his path and it was executed flawlessly.
Best Actor in a Drama
Winner: Damian Lewis, Homeland
Why: From what we’ve heard Lewis is able to convey almost as much in what he doesn’t say as in what he does. But beyond that, he has been able to walk the tricky tightrope of protagonist and antagonist in the same series. The whole shebang is about who this man is, and if he’s able to convince you of one thing or the other, which fans and critics say he does expertly.
Robbed: Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Why: This has to be the biggest question. While Hamm has a Golden Globe, the Emmy is forever elusive, and this just feels like a crime if you’ve been with Jon on Don Draper’s journey during Mad Men‘s run. There’s been a point in nearly every season where the superstar ad man has been brought to his knees, usually by one of the enigmatic women in his life. This year it was the incomparable “Peggy.” The scenes between these two are sensational and should win an award of their own.
Best Actress in a Drama
Winner: Claire Danes, Homeland
Why: Oh, we suppose for her somewhat screechy, panicked, alarmist nature on the show. Okay, okay, fine. Lots of people believe that Danes lives and breathes this part. And we can see it despite our biases (smug actress is smug). Does it seem to fit her real life personality? More than a little. Is it enough to be utterly convincing at what she does. Definitely.
Robbed: Elizabeth Moss, Mad Men
Why: We will again refer you to this clip with Jon Hamm. It was by far some of the best acting we’ve seen in television all year. The character of “Peggy” especially when matched with “Don” pulls forth an honesty both characters don’t share with anyone else on the show, and we can imagine, with no one else in their fictional lives. To make us see and believe it, is a feat of phenomenal acting.
Here’s a bonus from Don and Peggy’s greatest hits from “The Suitcase” episode.
