The Emmys: The Winners

What a weird night. That's pretty much all I can say about the Emmy Awards tonight. It felt like there was no overwhelming theme. Jane Lynch did an okay job hosting, but some of the technical aspects and skits of the show fell flat or were too clunky. The awards themselves went to a mix of expected and shocking winners, mostly deserved.

The big winner of the night has got to be Friday Night Lights which won two surprise awards in Writing and for its lead actor Kyle Chandler in its farewell season. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose indeed! Julianna Margulies, Margo Martindale, and Peter Dinklage took home the other Drama acting awards. All four winners made me smile. The supposed front-runners, Boardwalk Empire and Mad Men, had to settle for Directing (Martin Scorcese!) and Drama Series respectively.

In the Comedy side, Modern Family ruled with five wins including book-ending the show with two acting awards for TV married couple Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen at the beginning of the show and Comedy Series for the final award. Jim Parsons and Melissa McCarthy won in an upset in their lead categories with Steve Carell and Laura Linney largely expected to win. In one of the best moments of the show though Amy Poehler (who should've won) led McCarthy, Linney, and the other lead actress nominees on stage when their names were called up. Brilliant! The other winners are...

DRAMA
SERIES: Mad Men (AMC)
ACTOR: Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights (NBC)
ACTRESS: Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife (CBS)
SUPP. ACTOR: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones (HCO)
SUPP. ACTRESS: Margo Martindale, Justified (FX)
DIRECTING: Martin Scorcese, Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
WRITING: Jason Katims, Friday Night Lights (Direct TV)
GUEST ACTOR: Paul McCrane, Harry's Law (NBC)
GUEST ACTRESS: Loretta Devine, Grey's Anatomy (ABC)

COMEDY
SERIES: Modern Family (ABC)
ACTOR: Jim Parsons, Big Bang Theory (CBS)
ACTRESS: Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly (CBS)
SUPP. ACTOR: Ty Burrell, Modern Family (ABC)
SUPP. ACTRESS: Julie Bowen, Modern Family (ABC)
DIRECTING: Michael Spiller, Modern Family (ABC)
WRITING: Steve Levitan & Jeffrey Richmond, Modern Family (ABC)
GUEST ACTOR: Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
GUEST ACTRESS: Gwyneth Paltrow, Glee (FOX)

In the other side of things, Downton Abbey ruled with four wins including Best Miniseries over Mildred Pierce, which still saw two of its actor win in Guy Pearce and Kate Winslet. Winslet is now a Tony Award away from full EGOT status. The Amazing Race and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart also walked away with Emmy trophies once again.

MINISERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIALS
MINISERIES OR MOVIE: Downton Abbey (PBS)
ACTOR: Barry Pepper, The Kennedys (Starz)
ACTRESS: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce (HBO)
SUPP. ACTOR: Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce (HBO)
SUPP. ACTRESS: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey (PBS)
DIRECTING: Brian Percival, Downton Abbey (PBS)
WRITING: Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey (PBS)

VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY PROGRAM
SERIES: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
DIRECTING: Saturday Night Live (NBC)
WRITING: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)

REALITY
COMPETITION PROGRAM: The Amazing Race (CBS)
PROGRAM: Deadliest Catch (Discovery)
HOST: Jeff Probst, Survivor (CBS)

In terms of my predictions, I went a dismal 7 for 19. And really the less said about that bit of statistic, the better.

Critics' Choice Television Awards Nominees

The Broadcast Television Journalists Association have decided that we need more precursor award shows leading up to the Emmy Awards and thus presenting the Critics' Choice Television Awards! I say bring it on especially if this helps in any way Emmy voters pick more interesting and generally better nominations. And for the most part, this group definitely gave us a wonderful array of shows and actors for its inaugural award show. The nominees are below...

BEST DRAMA SERIES
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Fringe
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Justified
The Killing
Mad Men
The Walking Dead

Not much to complain here as they included two of my favorite shows of the year, The Good Wife and Fringe. The latter is especially welcome as it doesn't get nearly enough mainstream praise that it deserves. I'm rooting for either one to win, but critics will probably opt for some on cable or premium channels. Can Mad Men hold off some of the new favorites?

BEST ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
William H. Macy, Shameless
Timothy Olyphant, Justified

Interesting to see Hugh Laurie snubbed, but since I don't watch House, I don't really care. There aren't really any bad choices here, but I think I'll root for Kyle Chandler or Michael C. Hall, the former because he's a sentimental favorite and the latter because he went through some crazy acting acrobatics this year.

BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Mireille Enos, The Killing
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy
Anna Torv, Fringe

Oh, how I wish this would be the exact same lineup at the Emmys! Look how glorious each and every character and actress listed! I'm so happy Anna Torv was recognized, because as I said before her show and everyone involved deserve all the kudos and awards thrown at them. I'd probably pick her if I was voting, but with Marguilies and Moss in the line-up, it's IMPOSSIBLE to choose. Don't even know who they'd pick to win.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES
Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
Walton Goggins, Justified
Shawn Hatosy, Southland
John Noble, Fringe
Michael Pitt, Boardwalk Empire
John Slattery, Mad Men

Good solid choices here as well and I'm especially tickled by Alan Cumming's nomination since in a cast full of insanely talented people, he really does stand out. Go John Noble, who is probably a slight favorite, but I'm not really sure!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES
Michelle Forbes, The Killing
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
Margo Martindale, Justified
Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
Chloë Sevigny, Big Love

I sound like a broken record already, but I love these nominations. I'm a bit sad that they didn't have room for Julia Stiles' amazing work on Dexter, but I wouldn't know who to kick out from this line-up. Christina Hendricks aka YoSaffBridge is a sentimental favorite, but Forbes, Sevigny, or Panjabi will probably win.

BEST COMEDY SERIES
Archer
The Big Bang Theory
Community
Glee
Louie
The Middle
Modern Family
The Office
Parks and Recreation
30 Rock

Hm. Now I know How I Met Your Mother wasn't perfect this season, but it's definitely better than the increasingly tired 30 Rock, the mess that is Glee, and the an aging The Office. Same deal with Castle. Where is it?! But with all that said, I'm not too butthurt over it, especially since Parks & Rec, Community, and Modern Family all deserve their nominations. I'm pulling for one of those shows to win (Parks & Rec!).

BEST ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Louis C.K., Louie
Charlie Day, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Joel McHale, Community
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

A list without Nathan Fillion is not a good list even though I appreciate the inclusion of McHale and Parsons. I'd probably vote for Carell to get it since he was damn good at his final season of the show and he's probably the sentimental favorite for this very reason.

BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES
Courteney Cox, Cougar Town
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Patricia Heaton, The Middle
Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Was Tina Collette not considered? Was her show not qualified? I'm generally okay with these nominations and especially happy that Courtney Cox was recognized (fuck you Emmys!). I'm rooting for Amy Poehler here, but I can see any of these ladies take home the prize to be honest.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Nick Offerman, Parks and Recreation
Ed O’Neill, Modern Family
Danny Pudi, Community
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

This category is STACKED and I'm sure they could've included a few more worhty names. Chris Colfer probably should've been included, but really I wouldn't know who to remove from the list. I'd also add Adam Scott, Danny Glover, and Jason Segal. Offerman could just steal this award from the Modern men. He definitely can.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Jane Lynch, Glee
Busy Philipps, Cougar Town
Eden Sher, The Middle
Sofía Vergara, Modern Family

Since I wasn't such a fan of Lynch's Sue this year, I'd actually wish she would be replaced by Naya Rivera or Heather Morris. Or even Alyson Hannigan or any of the ladies from Community or Big Bang Theory. But I'm generally fine of these nominees and happy to see Busy Philipps recognized. I'm sure one of the Modern ladies will win.

BEST REALITY SERIES
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Hoarders
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Sister Wives
Undercover Boss

I watch a total of ZERO from this list. So... yeah good luck to all.

BEST REALITY SERIES — COMPETITION
The Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing with the Stars
Project Runway
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Top Chef

The only show I watched this season was The Amazing Race, but God knows it's no longer the most hip show out there. I wouldn't mind seeing it lose to Top Chef.

BEST REALITY SHOW HOST
Tom Bergeron, Dancing with the Stars
Cat Deeley, So You Think You Can Dance
Ty Pennington, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Mike Rowe, Dirty Jobs
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol

Cat Deeley is the best host here. There is no competition. Also where is Phil Keoghan? I demand a recount!

BEST TALK SHOW
Chelsea Lately
The Daily Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The Oprah Winfrey Show

Will they give it to Oprah since this is the last time they'll be able to do it? Or will they actually give it to a show that deserves it like The Daily Show or Ellen? We'll see.

Looking Forward To...

Paul
Release: March 18, 2011
Distributor: Universal
Director: Greg Mottola
Starring: Seth Rogen, Nick Frost, Jason Batement, Blythe Danner, Simon Pegg, Kristen Wiig, Sigourney Weaver, Jane Lynch, Bill Hader, and Jeffrey Tambor

Golden Globes: TV Nominations

Glee once again leads the way with five nominations with a couple of shows tying for second place with three nominations. It's a quirky list with more than a few oddball choices and snubs. As much grief as I give the TV Academy whenever they dole out their Emmy nominations, at least they have some cred. The HFPA? Not so much. So take that as you will.

Best Television Series, Drama

• Boardwalk Empire
• Dexter
• Good Wife
• Mad Men
• Walking Dead

Can't really disagree with the choices here, but the outright snub everywhere for LOST for its final season rubs me the wrong way. It's also odd to see Walking Dead get in over Breaking Bad. Though I'm very happy to see the low-rated Good Wife make it in.

Best Actor, Drama

• Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
• Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
• Michael C. Hall, Dexter
• Jon Hamm, Mad Men
• Hugh Laurie, House

Apart from Buscemi's nomination which was a given since HBO is so loved by the HFPA, the list is pretty standard fare. Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston actually gets his first nomination here, so good for him. Genre shows don't get any loving as Matthew Fox and John Noble aren't mentioned.

Best Actress, Drama

• Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
• Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
• Piper Perabo, Covert Affairs
• Katey Segal, Sons of Anarchy
• Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

This is actually a pretty good list until you see they've nominated Piper Perabo for a nice enough show in a nice enough role, but ugh. Are you kidding me? Over Anna Torv? Or anyone else? Props to Moss, Margulies, and Segal though. Well earned.

Best Television Series, Comedy

• 30 Rock
• Big Bang Theory
• The Big C
• Glee
• Modern Family
• Nurse Jackie

Community not being here means this list is worth shit. Also the fact that Covert Affairs is categorized as a Drama while Nurse Jackie and The Big C are categorized as Comedies hurt my brain. Great for Big Bang Theory to get its first nomination here. This is Modern Family's award to lose, sorry Glee.

Best Actor, Comedy

• Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
• Steve Carrell, The Office
• Thomas Jane, Hung
• Matt Morrison, Glee
• Jim Parsons, Big Bang Theory

Yay for Emmy-winner Jim Parsons for getting his first Globe nomination! Also good for Alec Baldwin and I suppose Steve Carrell. I still don't get why people keep nominating Matthew Morrison though. I just don't.

Best Actress, Comedy

• Toni Colette, United States of Tara
• Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
• Tina Fey, 30 Rock
• Laura Linney, The Big C
• Lea Michele, Glee

Same ol', same ol' from this group. Nothing too exciting or noteworthy to talk about. I'm not unhappy any of these are nominated, it's just the same people over and over again you know? Can't even muster up enthusiasm to root for anyone.

Best Mini-Series or TV Movie

• Carlos
• Pacific
• Pillars of Earth
• Temple Gardin
• You Don't Jack

I've only seen Temple Grandin and I'm guessing that's going to win since it swept at the Emmys.

Best Actor, Mini-Series or TV Movie

• Idris Elba, Luther
• Ian McShane, Pillars of the Earth
• Al Pacino, You Don't Know Jack
• Dennis Quaid, The Special Relationship
• Edgar Ramirez, Carlos

Haven't seen any of these performances, but there's a few Hollywood names up there as per usual with the HFPA. With that said, great gets for Idris Elba and Edgar Ramirez.

Best Actress, Mini-Series or TV Movie

• Hayley Atwell, Pillars of the Earth
• Claire Danes, Temple Grandin
• Judi Dench, Return to Cranford
• Romola Garai, Emma
• Jennifer Love Hewitt, The Client List

As Nathaniel points out, Judi Dench vs. Jennifer Love Hewitt? What kind of fuckery is that? Claire Danes seem to be the easy win here to go along with her Emmy win a few months back.

Best Supporting Actor

• Scott Caan, Hawaii Five-0
• Chris Colfer, Glee
• Chris Noth, The Good Wife
• Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
• David Strathairn, Temple Grandin

No Neil Patrick Harris means this list is shit. They also missed Emmy-winner Aaron Paul. With that said, however, I actually don't hate this as I initially did? I mean Caan and Noth's nominations felt forced, but the other three totally deserved it. Go Kurt!

Best Supporting Actress

• Hope Davis, The Special Relationship
• Jane Lynch, Glee
• Kelly MacDonald, Boardwalk Empire
• Julia Stiles, Dexter
• Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Jane Lynch will probably walk away with the prize, but I'm so happy to see Julia Stiles and Sofia Vergara nominated. Odd to see Emmy-winner Archie Panjabi snubbed, but she's not an established name or anything. Oh well.

Emmy Nominations and Predictions

I'm not dreading the Emmy awards as much as I tend to the past couple of years. Maybe it's because there were many good things to celebrate or maybe because a few people I like have already won an Emmy this year, but I feel oddly optimistic about this weekend, which of course means I'm ripe for a letdown, right? Oh well. Let's run down the big categories, shall we?


BEST DRAMA SERIES
Breaking Bad
Dexter
The Good Wife
Lost
Mad Men
True Blood

I honestly think that all of these shows, other than True Blood, have a very good chance at winning. Of course the front-runner, Mad Men, is still the one to beat winning the top prize few years straight now. But don't count out Lost and the possible sentimental votes it might receive to honor it for its final season. For me, I love all of the shows here that I watch (I haven't seen Breaking Bad), but I do want Lost to win.

Prediction: Mad Men

BEST ACTOR, DRAMA
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Hugh Laurie, House
Matthew Fox, Lost
Jon Hamm, Mad Men

One of three men will get this award and I will be shocked if the results were any different. Last year's champion Bryan Cranston is the odds-on favorite, but the buzz for Michael C. Hall's performance as the affable serial killer has only grown louder especially with his recent real-life bout with cancer. And yet people are shocked, SHOCKED that Jon Hamm still doesn't have an Emmy for playing Don Draper. One of these days, he will. Will it be this year?

Prediction: Michael C. Hall

BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Glenn Close, Damages
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
January Jones, Mad Men

Just give the award to Julianna Marguilies and stop pretending any of the others even have a chance. Okay, that's probably a little too hyperbolic, but she's very popular and her show has been a big hit this season. Of course Glenn Close and possibly Kyra Sedwick are still stiff competition, but the award will go to the good wife.

Prediction: Julianna Marguilies

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Martin Short, Damages
Terry O'Quinn, Lost
Michael Emerson, Lost
John Slattery, Mad Men
Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age

I've only seen about three of the performances here so I'm not really sure who is the front-runner and whatnot. If I had to guess, this is where the Academy will see fit to award Lost's final season and the slight edge is probably to Terry O'Quinn who had to juggle different versions of Locke. And yet, I'm just not sure. I hear buzz for Aaron Paul certainly, but just have a gut feeling for O'Quinn.

Prediction: Terry O'Quinn

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA
Sharon Gless, Burn Notice
Rose Byrne, Damages
Archie Panjani, The Good Wife
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men

The ladies of Mad Men will fight for the prize here. If you'd ask me a couple of weeks ago, I'd said Elisabeth Moss had this in the bag, but recently there's just been SO MUCH attention for Christina Hendricks that she may squeak out the win. Of course this is no slam-dunk especially with two Emmy veterans, Sharon Gless and Christine Baranksi, in the mix.

Prediction: Christina Hendricks


BEST COMEDY SERIES
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Glee
Modern Family
Nurse Jackie
The Office
30 Rock

Will 30 Rock finally be knocked off its thrown? This year, with these nominees, I think that's a safe bet. Everyone will be looking for the new breakout hits of the season, Glee and Modern Family. I will be shocked (and honestly confused) if neither one wins this award. I'd give the slight edge to Modern Family, but Glee is the "cool kid" on the block that everyone's talking about so... we'll see.

Prediction: Modern Family

BEST ACTOR, COMEDY
Jim Parsons, Big Bang Theory
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Matthew Morrison, Glee
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Steve Carell, The Office
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

While there may be some sentimental votes for Tony Shaloub, I think the rest is between Alec Baldwin and Jim Parsons. I said the same thing last year and I don't see any difference. Last year, Baldwin won, but I think Parsons may take it this year. Granted his show is not exactly loved by the Emmys as much as 30 Rock, but they must be tired giving it to Baldwin by now, right?

Prediction: Jim Parsons

BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY
Lea Michele, Glee
Julia-Louis Dreyfus, New Adventures of Old Christine
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Toni Collette, United States of Tara

Last year Toni Collette won and she could very well repeat, but this is a tough field this year. For one, Emmy favorite Edie Falco is on the ballot as well as former-SNL funny ladies Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. Also don't underestimate the "cool new sexy kid on the block" aka Lea Michele.

Prediction: Edie Falco

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY
Chris Colfer, Glee
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

This is what you call a STACKED category. Other than Jon Cryer, I find it extremely distressing picking amongst the men nominated. Last year, I thought Neil Patrick Harris had the award locked up and he still ended up losing. This year, I don't believe he'll win, which is fine since he won his first two Emmy awards last week anyways. No, it will be between Chris Colfer and the men of Modern Family or more specifically Eric Stonestreet. If they want drama and headlines, they'll pick Colfer, but if they deem him too "new and young" Stonestreet. Of course if they do end up picking Cryer, it wouldn't surprise me one bit also. Lame ass voters.

Prediction: Eric Stonestreet

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY
Jane Lynch, Glee
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Kristin Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Jane Krakowsky, 30 Rock
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men

Is there really a more locked winner this year in any category, because even if you don't watch Glee, you know Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester is probably THE breakout character of the past season. It would be a HUGE SHOCKER if she doesn't end the night with the trophy.

Prediction: Jane Lynch

I don't really follow the lead-up to the Emmys as closely as I do the Academy Awards so these predictions have very little to do with much of anything except for what I said above. For all I know I could go 0 for 10 not I wouldn't bat an eye. Okay, maybe I'll be a little shocked since Jane Lynch is golden... GOLDEN (hope I didn't just jinx her!). And of course I'm sure the one year I don't predict Neil Patrick Harris, he'll certainly go 3 for 3 this year. Well, the best part is anticipation. One more day left until these predictions are either confirmed or denied.

2010 TCA Awards

Over the weekend, the Television Critics Association (TCA) gave out their annual awards in the middle of the Summer Press Tour making sure their collective voices are heard while voters are still mulling over their Emmy ballots. The winners are:

Program of the year: Glee
Outstanding new program: Glee
Outstanding achievement in drama: Lost and Breaking Bad
Outstanding achievement in comedy: Modern Family
Individual achievement in drama: Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Individual achievement in comedy: Jane Lynch, Glee
Outstanding acheievement in movies and miniseries: The Pacific
Outstanding achievement in news and information: Life
Outstanding achievement in youth programming: Yo Gabba Gabba
Career achievement: James Garner
Heritage Award: M*A*S*H*

The big story here is the success of Glee winning three awards including shockingly taking the top prize of Program of the Year. While one might think this would boost its Emmy chances, TCA aren't really in the business of predicting Emmy winners. In fact last year, Battlestar Galactica won Program of the Year. That plus Modern Family, Glee's main rival for Best Comedy Series at the Emmys, won that award's counterpart at the TCA Awards.

In the Drama race, Breaking Bad and Lost shared the award knocking down Mad Men, which won the past two years. It looks to be a tight race at the Emmys among these three very strong contenders. In its final year, however, Lost, was unable to nab Program of the Year like Battlestar Galactica did last year nor get the Heritage Award like The Sopranos for their last season. M*A*S*H* took this prize beating out two other shows ending this year, 24 and Law & Order.

Finally, Jane Lynch and Julianna Margulies solidified their front-runner status for the Emmys by coming out on top of the creme de la creme of acting from last year. They beat out fellow Emmy nominees Ty Burrell, Jim Parsons, Eric Stonestreet, Aaron Paul, Bryan Cranston, and John Lithgow as well as Emmy-snubbed Nick Offerman and Katey Sagal. I'll be shocked to see either one walking away empty-handed at the Emmys.

Birthday Girl: Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow, my favorite Friends alum, celebrates her 47th birthday today. Like Meryl Streep, she graduated from my alma mater and I actually spoke to her once. She came out of a meeting. I was in a computer lab close to her and could tell she was frustrated at her phone. I went up to her and told her the reception sucked here. She snickered at that and I then blurted out how much of a fan I was of her. Then she had to go. Epic meeting of minds, I know.

In any case, despite that awkward exchange, I still think she's fabulous. Since Friends, she's been doing bit roles in TV and movies, but I'm looking forward to her next big project that would bring her to the screens more regularly.

Kudrow is currently headlining a web series, Web Therapy, that she started with her long-time friend Don Roos (director of The Opposite of Sex and Happy Endings). I discovered the series earlier this month via A Blog Next Door and I actually just finished watching the third and most recent season a few minutes ago.


Each season contains 15 episodes with the episodes each lasting only about 5-15 minutes. Kudrow plays a therapist who one day decided that a 3-minute therapy sessions over the internet are vastly better and preferable over the standard 50-minute in-office session. It's hilarious! Just dark comedy gold!

Never mind that Kudrow's Fiona Wallice is a hoot in her delusional obliviousness, but the guest stars are just perfection. I mean look at some of the names of those who have appeared on the series so far: Jane Lynch, Courtney Cox, Victor Garber, Alan Cumming, Dan Bucatinsky, Molly Shannon, Tim Bagley, Mike McDonald, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and a few more. Whew! So go check it out!

Birthday Hotties: Jane Lynch & Matthew Fox

Still one hour left to the day. Plenty of time left to wish a happy happy birthday to two recently first-time Emmy nominees, Jane Lynch and Matthew Fox.

Other than being Emmy nominees and starring in great one-word four-letter shows that caught fire in its first season (Glee and Lost respectively), these two have more in common than you think...

1. They look good in white.

2. They like wearing funky hats.

3. They make GREAT coaches.

4. They know how to get lei'd.

Happy Birthday Jane and Matthew! Can't wait to see them on the red carpet at the Emmy Awards.

Emmy Nominations: The Good, The Bad, & The Whatever

THE GOOD

- LOST nabs 12 nominations for its final season including nominations for series, directing, writing, and four of its actors (Matthew Fox, Terry O'Quinn, Michael Emerson, and Elizabeth Mitchell). Most happy for Fox and Mitchell getting their first (and well-deserved) Emmy nominations.

- Breakout comedy hits Glee and Modern Family score lots of love including much deserved acting nominations for Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Jane Lynch, Sofia Vergara, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, and Julie Bowen.

- The Good Wife gets 9 nominations including nominations for Julianna Margulies, Christine Baranski, and Archie Panjabi. I'm most happy for the latter's surprise first Emmy nomination!

- These fantastic actors getting double nominated: Jane Lynch, Neil Patrick Harris, Christine Baranski, Jon Hamm, and Tina Fey.

- Emmy voters going mad over the ladies of Mad Men as January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, and Christina Hendricks all get nominations. YoSaffBridge is an Emmy nominee, y'all!

- Even though I don't watch the show, special shout out to Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler for getting the first acting nominations of their infamously-ignored show, Friday Night Lights.

- Betty White is nominated for Guest Actress in a Comedy Series along side funny women Tina Fey, Jane Lynch, Christine Baranski, Elaine Stritch, and Kathryn Joosten. What an awesome category.

- Film regulars Jeff Bridges, Anne Hathaway, Alan Cumming, Dennis Quaid, Michael Sheen, and David Strathairn get their first Emmy nominations!

- Conan O'Brien and his team on The Tonight Show got some love. Suck on that Leno!

- The creators of How I Met Your Mother were nominated for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the musical episode. Hee!

- Last year 30 Rock and Mad Men got 8 out of 10 writing nominations, which I dubbed as absolutely ridiculous. Thankfully, things are a bit more spread out this year. They both only got two nominations each.

THE BAD

- Some of my favorite shows that got inexplicably shut out of ANY nominations: Community, Dollhouse, Party Down, and Ugly Betty. While Gary Unmarried gets one.

- Some of my favorite shows that managed to get only 1-2 nominations: Chuck, Fringe, Caprica, and V.

- Courtney Cox, already the ONLY Friends cast member to not get nominated for an Emmy, comes up empty once again.

- Too many nominations for Glee! I think I would've been fine with it all if they just didn't give a default nomination to Matthew Morrison. Seriously? Speaking of, all that Glee love and they didn't nominate Joss Whedon for directing? DIAF.

- Married with Children co-stars Ed O'Neill and Katey Segal unable to get their FIRST Emmy nominations for Modern Family and Sons of Anarchy respectively.

- Default nominations for Tony Shaloub, Larry David, Jon Cryer, and Mariska Hargitay. How BORING and PREDICTABLE!

- I know I already mentioned it, but I'm SO disappointed/angry that Community got ZERO nominations, especially with a relatively weak season of The Office getting some love.

- Yay for Neil Patrick Harris and Jim Parson for their nominations, but man I do wish that How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory would get more Emmy love. Alyson Hannigan? Kaley Cuoco? Wake up Emmy!

- John Noble (Fringe), Keir Gilchrist (United States of Tara), Nathan Fillion (Castle), and Enver Gjokaj (Dollhouse) were all criminally overlooked.

- I know Torchwood: Children of Earth wasn't submitted, but the lack of miniseries nominated is making me sad thinking about how this could've garnered a good chunk of nominations.

- Cat Deeley still not getting any love for Outstanding Host. BOO!

THE WHATEVER

- Past Emmy favorites Heroes, Desperate Housewives, and Grey's Anatomy IN TOTAL got only four nominations. FOUR. That must hurt.

- Speaking of, I'm not a big fan of Grey's Anatomy, but I'm shocked that its harrowing season finale didn't garner more nominations for the show and the cast.

- Shocked that True Blood got nominated for Best Drama Series. Nothing else to say... just... shocked. Plus none for its cast? Weird.

- Other than LOST, shows ending didn't get much love including a shut out for Ugly Betty and Law & Order and a measly 5 nominations (not including Best Actor or Best Series) to 24. Feeling a bit sad for previous winners America Ferrera and Kiefer Sutherland here.

- The CW got a total of ZERO nominations.

- Family Guy (nominated last year for Best Comedy Series) and other Seth McFarlane productions were largely ignored.

- So You Think You Can Dance only managed to get two Outstanding Choreography nominations, but two of the other three nominations went to a former contestant (Chelsie Hightower) and a current judge (Adam Shankman) of the show.

- The sucktastic season of Project Runway got nominated over an apparently thrilling season of Survivor.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF EMMY NOMINATIONS

Academy Adds New Members

It's been a busy week for the Academy of Motion Pictures of Arts and Sciences more commonly known as AMPAS to us Oscar freaks. The AMPAS released a few press releases this week highlighting changes to its Academy Awards. They started with a bang, choosing to increase the Best Picture nominee list from 5 to 10. They followed that up by limiting the Best Original Song category and relegating special honorees to their own black-tie dinner.

I am not a fan of any of these decisions and I don't pretend to know why they even made them. I can hypothesize that the exclusion of critical and audience-favorites WALL•E and The Dark Knight last year coupled with decreasing ratings might have something to do with the decision to increase the Best Picture nominees. And it seems pretty evident that the other two decisions were made to shorten the infamously bloated ceremony. Then again I'm one of the few that wishes it were actually longer. Despite what a lot of people think, the length of a show is immaterial. It's all about entertainment. Two hours of crap is worse than five hours of awesome entertainment.

But neither here nor there. I actually made this entry to comment on the latest release from AMPAS. Today the Academy welcomed 134 new members. They will now have the power to vote for the Academy Awards. I'm jealous. You can view the complete list by clicking on that link to the full press release, but I wanted to comment on a couple of names.

Before I get talking about the actors, I just wanted to say how refreshingly known all of the actors are to me. Usually there would be a name (or a dozen) of someone who I've never seen or even heard of, but this year I know their filmography quite well.

Thank you for hosting: Hugh Jackman. They loved his hosting so much they welcomed him in. Couldn't say I disagree with them.

First time nominees from last year: Viola Davis, Anne Hathaway, Taraji P. Henson, Melissa Leo, and Michael Shannon. Very good choices here though I do hope they all get nominated again sometime soon.

Former nominees: Casey Afleck, Amy Ryan, and Michelle Williams. What took them so long? Oh well, at least they are members now. I'm especially happy with Michelle's inclusion. Looking forward to her second nomination whenever it comes.

Really should've nominated by now: Emily Blunt, James Franco, Emile Hirsch, and James McAvoy. I can name a film (sometimes two) for which these actors should've been nominated, but they're all still young (and scorchingly hot) so methinks it's only a matter of time.

Really REALLY should've been nominated by now: Brendan Gleeson, Jeffrey Wright, and Jane Lynch. How they've never been nominated is astounding. I'm especially tickled that Jane Lynch is now a member. She's fantastic.

Really funny in a WTF kind of way: Michael Cera, Seth Rogen, and Paul Rudd. Along with Jane Lynch, comedy made a big showing. But while I agree with Lynch and even Rudd's invitation, Rogen? Really? But even then I get it. But Michael Cera?! I can't even wrap my mind around that one.

And while they are not actors...

They still love Slumdog Millionaire: Anthony Dod Mantle, Danny Boyle, Chris Dickens, A.R. Rahman, and Christian Colson. Winning Best Picture catapulted these filmmakers to an invitation. But no room for Latika? I'm half-kidding.