I'm So Angry I'm Going To Google My Problem!

The Emmys and their godforsaken nominations that were announced yesterday make no sense to me. Now I know the same could be said for the Academy Awards, because in both instances I am grateful for some that are nominated and spiteful of others, but it seems to me like television would be the much easier gamble to make. While hundreds upon hundreds of films are released from January to December, there's only so many programs on during any given year, and especially only so many dramas vs. comedies vs. reality shows vs. variety shows (all of which have their own category, unlike the Oscars, where they're all just "pictures"), making it even easier for the shows that I love the most to get a good amount of recognition. Especially when the show that completely changed your perception of what TV should and could be was on the air for four seasons prior with nary a notice (a writing nomination in 2005 was its lone accomplishment), but upon its fifth and final season gained incredible momentum in digital and print media coverage, with more than a handful of critics calling it the best television show not just of the past year, but of all time, right? Wrong. The Wire was still largely ignored in every category, only earning a writing nomination. Enraged and Google-happy, I searched for how Emmy nominations are decided and I read up.

And even though I didn't learn much - it's basically the same process as the Oscars, I did understand during my brief review session. Essentially, for anyone who doesn't know, actors vote for other actors, directors for directors, producers for producers (who are the ones that by inexplicable default get the "Best Drama" or "Best Comedy" awards), etc. With this in mind, I can't help but want to enforce the stereotype (or is it just a general truth?) that writers are the only smart ones in Hollywood. Thinking less cut and dry and in broad terms, I cannot seem to uncover how many episodes a voter must watch of the eligible TV shows in order to cast their vote, but I would not be surprised if there was no requirement. If this is the case, even if the majority of Emmy voters watched just one random episode of The Wire from a press kit or on their own (which already seems highly unlikely unless they were TV junkies like us and other media critic losers rather than working out in Hollywood constantly with wads of cash and coke in their Corvette's glovebox), they might have been curious, but ultimately confused about who these characters were, what they were talking about, or why it was culturally/socially important. And I wouldn't blame them - it's a show that needs to either be seen from the beginning or you must have friends constantly explaining to you what's going on for at least 3-4 episodes before you can get properly immersed in it. So, really, in the end, it (arguably like Battlestar Galactica, another insanely satisfying show given the shaft except for writing and some technical awards) is simply too smart, complex, and nuanced to be recognized by the Emmys. How ludicrous.

Still, we must look at the bright side, if it even exists (holds back tears). Nobody's talking about reality/competition shows getting rightfully nominated or snubbed, which alone makes me heart flutter and hope for a future where not only do people not care about this nonsense anymore, but they disappear, allowing room for more narrative programming. Ah who am I kidding, I watched the majority of Last Comic Standing...willingly. I'm a part of the problem too. As for actual nominations, there are good things there too among the disconcerting rubble of Boston Procedural and Two And A Half Manboys. The still practically flawless 30 Rock hits several categories, minus the Tracy Morgan nod that needs to lead to an eventual win and what will sure to be an entertaining acceptance speech somewhere in a (possibly nonexistent) future. I love Alec, but Tracy gets me to slap my knee harder than any other character on that show. Yet somehow the obnoxious Entourage, the middling The Office, and that aforementioned unmentionable Charlie Sheen vehicle all beat out the masterwork that is the first (hopefully of many) season of Flight Of The Conchords. Hopefully they'll get their just desserts another year (or at least one of the statues for one of their nominated musical numbers this year). Also surprising and refreshing on the comedic front is Amy Poehler's supporting nom for SNL, which hasn't been allowed to happen until now, and she's definitely the show's top performer in my opinion (just slightly edging out Bill Hader).

As far as drama goes, I'm ecstatic that Bryan Cranston was nominated for Breaking Bad. I've only seen two episodes of the show thus far and I never cared for the too-wacky-like-taffy Malcolm in the Middle, but his performance in those two episodes far exceeded any performance in a drama I've ever seen (save for that show I spent the first two paragraph blathering about, of course). Everyone needs to see that show, which expertly combines hare-brained Nip/Tuck-esque melodramatic scenarios with richly dark and subversive undertones. I keep hearing good things about Holly Hunter's (one of my favorite actresses, just behind Jodie) turn in Saving Grace, so I need to get around to seeing that, but I would not complain if she got up to accept in a pretty dress even without my official blessing. Six shows nominated in the Best Comedy Series category seems unnecessary, especially with the overwrought and overrated Dexter occupying a spot that could have gone to...oh I already talked about that. But now that I'm a Lost fanatic with the rest of the herd, I can go to bed moderately satisfied if that wins, or even Damages or Mad Men (the latter of which many are predicting will ultimately take the prize), two shows I want to see badly and have high hopes for. Really what I need to do is watch more TV rather than complain about The Wire over and over again. Watching more TV is always the answer, I should have known that!

Oh and that John Adams dealy got a lot of something something too...yawn dramatic camera angle spouting angrily but never really going anywhere yawn. Sorry, I guess I just don't love America. [Update -- it's 4:04 a.m. and I just got back from The Dark Knight. I don't wanna say anything more unless anyone else ventured out for the Midnight screening...]

This entry was posted by chris, on Thursday, July 17, 2008. You can leave your response.