If I Had an Emmy Ballot: The Best TV of 2011 to 2012

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
No votes yet

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMATIC SERIES

Giancarlo Esposito of Breaking Bad
Giancarlo Esposito of Breaking Bad
Photo credit: AMC

The competition in this category is heartbreaking. You’re going to simply have to leave some talented actors off your ballot. There’s no way around it. You could have twelve nominees here and still keep some award-worthy men from getting that anticipated call on nomination morning.

One possible route is that the Academy could play it very safe. Nominate Josh Charles & Alan Cumming again for “The Good Wife,” Bring Peter Dinklage, last year’s winner for “Game of Thrones” back to the party. Throw in the fantastic Walton Goggins (“Justified”) and John Slattery (“Mad Men”) one more time and replace the departing Andre Braugher (his “Men of a Certain Age” was axed) with the returning Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad”). Call it a day. This would be a solid, admirable list of choices.

But it wouldn’t be the best one. Who would you miss? Let’s start with the co-stars. Slattery had a great year but why not consider the always-underrated Jared Harris for “Mad Men”? And can you really ignore what Giancarlo Esposito and Dean Norris did alongside Aaron Paul this past season on “Breaking Bad”? There are three choices that I would say are better ones than the “Good Wife” boys (although even I’m not willing to give 50% of the category to AMC’s best show…sorry Dean).

And what about new blood? Are you telling me Nick Nolte (“Luck”) and Mandy Patinkin (“Homeland”) are going to do weekly TV and get no consideration at all? For me, Patinkin is a no-brainer. You have to nominate him. (Nolte just misses the cut.)

And what of the people who have just missed out in past seasons like John Noble of “Fringe,” Brendan Sexton of “The Killing” (arguably the best performer on the show this past season), or the great Michael Cudlitz of “Southland”? Or the ENTIRE ensemble of “Boardwalk Empire” (with special citations for the three Michaels — Pitt, Shannon, and K. Williams — all worthy of a nod)?

Seriously, this category is so rich with timeless, remarkable performances that it alone destroys the argument that TV isn’t what it used to be. If you know anyone who still thinks that, they’re just not paying attention.

Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”
Giancarlo Esposito, “Breaking Bad”
Jared Harris, “Mad Men”
Mandy Patinkin, “Homeland”
Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad”
John Slattery, “Mad Men”

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMATIC SERIES

Christina Hendricks of Mad Men
Christina Hendricks of Mad Men
Photo credit: AMC

It may not be as strong a list as its male counterparts but it certainly is stronger than years past (and strong enough that we don’t need to nominate Sharon Gless for “Burn Notice” to fill it again). There are some choices here that would fall into that underrated category, the women who truly support the men who typically end up getting more attention.

Like who? Is “Breaking Bad” going to end without Anna Gunn ever getting nominated? Do you think what Bryan Cranston has done would be as effective without her? And her arc in season four as she took on more of the business aspect of Walter’s job was her best yet. Give her what she’s been due for a few years now. On a similar note, “Justified” crashed the party last year but winner Margo Martindale isn’t eligible any more. Why not consider the stellar Joelle Carter & Natalie Zea? Then there are the supporting actresses who have popped up before but never get quite the credit of their lead counterparts like Rose Byrne (“Damages”) and Jennifer Carpenter (“Dexter”) — both good choices who just miss out for me this year.

Who else deserves consideration but just misses out? It may be tempting to nominate Madeline Stowe for the breakout hit “Revenge” but there are better choices. Dame Maggie Smith seems a likely nominee for the second season of “Downton Abbey” now that it has moved from mini-series to drama but she didn’t stand out this year like she did in the first one. Emilia Clarke would be a pleasantly stunning surprise for “Game of Thrones” and I wouldn’t be too disppointed if last year’s nominee Michelle Forbes landed a spot again for “The Killing.” Of course, there’s aways Christine Baranski & Archie Panjabi but rooting for them to get nominated here is like rooting for the Yankees to make the Playoffs. It’s probably going to happen and sometimes you just want to see some new blood.

This year’s new series blood should include a seasoned veteran of the field along with a relative newcomer. Anjelica Huston is the best thing about “Smash” and while the show went drastically downhill, she delivered enough interesting moments in the first half of the season to represent the program at this year’s awards.

Gunn & Huston — still four spots left. Christina Hendricks should have won this award at least once by now for “Mad Men” and I truly think she’s the odds-on favorite to do so this year. Deservedly. Kelly Macdonald was nominated here last year and was stronger in season two and so she should be again.

It leaves two spots. If anyone in the Academy takes the time to watch the episode of “Southland” in which Regina King’s character questions whether or not she can be a police officer and a mother when she thinks she’s pregnant, I can’t see how they could NOT vote for her. Finally, I think the entire cast of “Homeland” deserves a nomination — one in each category — and so I’m not about to leave the beautiful Morena Baccarin off the list. She was often the emotional anchor of half of the best new drama on TV.

Morena Baccarin, “Homeland”
Anna Gunn, “Breaking Bad”
Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men”
Anjelica Huston, “Smash”
Regina King, “Southland”
Kelly Macdonald, “Boardwalk Empire”

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMATIC SERIES

Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad
Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad
Photo credit: AMC

Neither of the dramatic lead categories are as strong as the supporting ones in terms of overall depth but the very top of the list for Lead Actor is incredible. It’s going to be tempting to nominate Hugh Laurie for his final season of “House” and I’ve argued before that Michael C. Hall deserved to win for “Dexter.” Neither should make the cut this year although they just barely miss out. And as much as I love them in general, neither Jeremy Irons (“The Borgias”) nor William H. Macy (“Shameless”) are on shows strong enough to be Emmy-nominated.

There are a few other notable runner-ups who I would place just outside the top six. Two are obvious — Hugh Bonneville should be considered for “Downton Abbey” and Kelsey Grammer is the best thing about Starz’s “Boss.” The show still needs some work so I’d like Grammer to sit out the first season and he can get a nod next year if the show, as I expect, improves. Then there’s the beloved Nathan Fillion, an actor who takes a role on “Castle” that’s much harder than it looks and totally rocks it. He’s terminally underrated. He should be a household name. And, finally, a wave and a thanks to Jason Isaacs, who was consistently interesting on “Awake,” even if the show never took off with viewers.

Grammer, Fillion, Hall, Laurie, Isaacs — all great choices, but not in the top six. Who is? Well, the Academy will have to be investigated for a payola scandal if Steve Buscemi (“Boardwalk Empire”), Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”), and Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) don’t make the list. They deserve to as they’re giving three of the most interesting performances of the last decade. Expect them to be nominated every year that their shows are on the air.

The other three choices are less obvious but clear if you really think about it. As much as it saddens me that “Luck” will not return, it’s impossible to deny how magnetic Dustin Hoffman was on that show. He should get a nod. Damian Lewis is a part of the aforementioned “four actors, four categories” dynamic I’d really like to see for “Homeland”. And that leaves the awesome Timothy Olyphant, an actor who gets more and more confident with every season of the great “Justified.”

Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Dustin Hoffman, “Luck”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Damian Lewis, “Homeland”
Timothy Olyphant, “Justified”

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMATIC SERIES

Damien Lewis and Claire Danes of Homeland
Damien Lewis and Claire Danes of Homeland
Photo credit: Showtime

The hardest category to fill for years remains a tough ballot. I really like Mariska Hargitay (“Law & Order: SVU”) as an actress and Kathy Bates (“Harry’s Law”), Kerry Washington (“Scandal”), and Ashley Judd (“Missing”) are better than their shows but I think there are smarter choices for 2012. Hargitay and Bates shouldn’t repeat and Connie Britton is gone as “Friday Night Lights” has ended. That leaves three spots open to match up with obvious choices Mireille Enos (arguably better in season two of “The Killing” than she was in season one), Juliana Margulies (“The Good Wife”), and Elisabeth Moss (“Mad Men”).

Enos, Margulies, and Moss. Who joins them? Debra Messing might seem like a choice for “Smash” but part of the decline in that show’s quality was in her labored infidelity arc. Stana Katic is underrated for “Castle” and Kyra Sedgwick isn’t a bad choice for “The Closer” (although I expect she’s more likely next year for her final season). And then there’s the always-mesmerizing Katey Sagal on “Sons of Anarchy.” She’d be my 7th choice if there was an extra nominee.

So who are the lucky three? AMC has reportedly entered Jessica Pare in lead for “Mad Men” and that would be a truly inspired choice. Megan was one of the most fascinating characters of the year and maybe she’ll sing “Zou Bisou Bisou” at the ceremony. “Damages” may have returned a step down from what it used to be on FX but that’s got nothing to do with what the great Glenn Close brought to the show. She very likely will and should get be the only “Damages” nominee this year. And then there’s the clear winner, in my opinion, the best performance in any category on any show — Claire Danes in “Homeland.” If she’s not nominated, I won’t be watching.

Glenn Close, “Damages”
Claire Danes, “Homeland”
Mireille Enos, “The Killing”
Juliana Margulies, “The Good Wife”
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”
Jessica Pare, “Mad Men”

OUTSTANDING DRAMATIC SERIES

Mad Men
Mad Men
Photo credit: AMC

We’re going to do our final category in reverse since there are four shows that are such clear-cut, no-denial, absolute nominees that we’re really only talking about four spots. If “Breaking Bad,” “Game of Thrones,” “Homeland,” and “Mad Men” aren’t nominated, every TV journalist who writes a “biggest snubs” piece will have their headline. The most interesting question is which one of that amazing quartet is going to win?

It leaves two spots. Last year, “The Good Wife” and “Dexter” made the cut and they very well could again but there are better choices. AMC’s “The Killing” was down enough and socially poisonous enough that I don’t think it’s getting a nod. The tide turned on “Smash” as well. Votes for those two shows are probably wasted. As is a vote for “Luck,” a show that arguably deserves a nod but that people will probably want to avoid after bad publicity (except for the Hoffman nod). I would love to see the best cop show on TV — “Southland” — sneak in but it’s very unlikely. More likely choices are the final seasons of “House” or the transplanted “Downton Abbey.” I’d be OK with either.

But they’re not as good as FX’s “Justified” or HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.” I think the third season of the FX show was down a tick from two but it’s still some of the most riveting television on the medium and it should be recognized as such. I have some issues with the writing of “Boardwalk” but EVERY other element — the ensemble, the production design, the cinematography — is stellar. It’s a deserving sixth nominee in a very tight year.

“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Breaking Bad” (AMC)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Homeland” (Showtime)
“Justified” (FX)
“Mad Men” (AMC)

Who are your favorites? Who did we forget? Stay tuned all summer for Emmy coverage, including nominations on July 19th, 2012.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

KD's picture

In my opinion, Pudi is the

In my opinion, Pudi is the strongest member of the Community cast. If anyone’s going to be recognized, it should be him.

Jimmy's picture

Community

How could you not nominate any of the supporting cast of Community. Especially Gillian Jacobs and Jim Rash.

Leonie1988's picture

Anna Chlumsky

Anna Chlumsky has been amazing on “Veep”, she should really get at least a nomination in my opinion :)

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
tracker