When prime-time Emmy nominations are announced live at 5:30 a.m. PST/ 8:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, Gold Derby will have lots of in-depth reaction and analysis immediately. But later in the day I plan to summon re-enforcement troops for a live chat and you are invited to participate.
The chat will be a new combination of live chat (the typed kind where you post your comments to a chat room) and video webcam dishfest featuring me and our forums moderator Chris "Boomer" Beachum. I've also invited Robert "Rob L" Licuria and Andrew Pickett for the video portion, but haven't heard back yet about their availability.
On Thursday you'll see the combo chat room embedded into this blog post. Meantime, you can visit it here.
Over the last two years, Kathy Griffin has blasphemed Jesus and dropped F-bombs while accepting awards at the Creative Arts Emmys, but she will officially preside over the event at Nokia Theatre on Sept. 12. Even though the TV academy has publicly denounced her performance at the podium as "offensive" in the past, she will host the ceremony that she frequently mocks as the "Schmemmys." The Creative Arts Emmys are a target for jokes because they honor mostly technicians, makeup artists and other crafts workers at a low-profile gala held prior to the main Emmy bash telecast on network TV.
In 2008 and 2007, while nominated at the Schmemmys, Kathy Griffin's Bravo show, "My Life on the D-List," won best reality program and probably would've skated to easy victory again this year if not for the breakout success of "Jon and Kate Plus 8," which will probably nab its first nomination this Thursday. While presiding as host, will Griffin erupt in a tirade of F-bombs is she loses? Or if she wins?
When she triumphed in 2007, Kathy Griffin's acceptance speech caused major hubbub: "A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus." Then she added: "Hell has frozen over. ... it, Jesus. This award is my god now!"
TV academy chiefs issued a statement denouncing her remarks as "offensive," and they were heavily censored when her win was shown on the edited version of the ceremony aired by E! Entertainment network.
When she won in 2008, she dropped lots of F-bombs that were also edited out of taped version of the show aired later on E!: "Well, well, well! Here we go again . . . . Here we go again!" Looking around the auditorium, she acknowledged some celebs in the audience, adding, "Hanks, Gandolfini — what the … ! I'm not going to tell anyone to ... it. I would make love to this thing if I could."
Kenneth Branagh won the Emmy for lead actor in a TV movie/mini seven years ago for starring in "Conspiracy" as Reinhard Heydrich, a Nazi official responsible for killing Jews during World War II. Now he competes for portraying a disheveled, brooding Swedish police detective in "Wallander," which won all five of its British Academy of Film and Television Arts TV nominations, including for best drama series. But, curiously, Branagh wasn't nommed for acting. Still, he has a good shot a reaping a bid at the Emmys because they'll be determined by an outright popular vote of the TV academy's acting branch. If nominated, Branagh could even win, since he has (spoiler alert!) a hokey crying scene near the end of this expanded series episode (parading as a TV movie) with his character's daughter.
Speaking of series episodes parading as TV films, expect Kiefer Sutherland to get nommed here based upon name recognition for "24: Redemption." He won the Emmy for drama series lead actor as Jack Bauer in 2006.
Winning an Emmy is just what Cuba Gooding Jr. needs to prove that he doesn't suffer from an Oscar curse. Since snagging the Academy Award for "Jerry Maguire" (1996), he's appeared in so many duds that he's become a multiple Razzie nominee ("Boat Trip," "Daddy Day Camp"). Now he's reminded us of his ace acting chops in "Gifted Hands," portraying a man who rose from poverty and insecurity to become a celebrated neurosurgeon.
Playing real-life roles is the key to winning here, as it is at most showbiz awards. That's paid off for eight of the last 10 victors in this category. Standout examples this year include Brendan Gleeson as Winston Churchill in "Into the Storm" and Kevin Bacon in "Taking Chance" as a Marine officer who escorted the body of a slain soldier from Iraq to his hometown in Wyoming. Alexander Skarsgard shines as a Marine sergeant fighting in the 2003 Iraq war in "Generation Kill."
LEAD ACTOR IN A TV MOVIE / MINISERIES (Front-runners) Kevin Bacon, "Taking Chance" Kenneth Branagh, "Wallander: One Step Behind" Paddy Considine, "My Zinc Bed" Brendan Gleeson, "Into the Storm" Cuba Gooding Jr., "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" Kevin Kline, "Cyrano de Bergerac" Ian McKellen, "King Lear" Iqal Naor, "House of Saddam" Jonathan Pryce,"My Zinc Bed" Tom Selleck, "Jesse Stone: Thin Ice" Alexander Skarsgard, "Generation Kill" Kiefer Sutherland, "24: Redemption"
(Possible) Harry Connick Jr., "Living Proof" Scott Foley, "The Last Templar" Adam Kaufman, "Loving Leah" Eriq La Salle, "Relative Stranger" Alex Loynaz, "Pedro" Matthew Macfadyen, "Little Dorrit" Matthew Modine, "Sex and Lies in Sin City: The Ted Binion Scandal" Jimmy Wolk, "Front of the Class" Noah Wyle, "The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice"
In the battle between the two Edies in "Grey Gardens," Jessica Lange had the upper hand on screen as a stern, domineering mother who held the purse strings, but Drew Barrymore may have an edge in their Emmy bout. Barrymore had the more emotionally flashy role as a rebellious debutante yearning to pursue forbidden dreams to become a performer. However, Lange has two Oscars ("Blue Sky," "Tootsie") and Emmy voters are snobs. Checkmate?
There are other past Oscar champs in real-life roles competing here: Shirley MacLaine as France's flamboyant fashion designer in "Coco Chanel" and Anna Paquin as a heroic Pole who saves Jews from the Holocaust in "The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler." Past Oscar winner Mira Sorvino stars in the fictitious role of an archaeologist investigating the theft of Vatican treasures and a string of murders in "The Last Templar."
Oscar nominee Sigourney Weaver is a serious Emmy threat as a real-life mom whose son committed suicide in response to her religious zealotry in "Prayers for Bobby."
Past Emmy nominee Chandra Wilson played the kind of inspirational role that frequently gets notice in this race – as an eccentric homeless woman who confronts cancer in "Accidental Friendship."
Tammy Blanchard starred in a remake of "Sybil," which nabbed an upset victory here for Sally Field in 1976 as a mental patient with more than a dozen personalities, but this remake received lukewarm reviews and weak Nielsen TV ratings.
LEAD ACTRESS IN A TV MOVIE / MINISERIES (Front-runners) Lauren Ambrose, "Loving Leah" Kathy Baker, "Jesse Stone: Thin Ice" Drew Barrymore, "Grey Gardens" Tammy Blanchard, "Sybil" Sarah Chalke, "Maneater" Jessica Lange, "Grey Gardens" Shirley MacLaine, "Coco Chanel" Anna Paquin, "The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler" Tracy Pollan, "Natalee Holloway" Mira Sorvino, "The Last Templar" Uma Thurman, "My Zinc Bed" Sigourney Weaver, "Prayers for Bobby" Chandra Wilson, "Accidental Friendship"
Last year's champ, Alec Baldwin ("30 Rock"), will probably face off again opposite perennial nominees Steve Carell ("The Office") and Charlie Sheen ("Two and a Half Men"), who've never won, and three-time champ Tony Shalhoub ("Monk").
That means there will be room for two more nominees. If an Emmy god exists, one of the picks will be Jim Parsons ("The Big Bang Theory"). The other? Maybe David Duchovny ("Californication"), who was robbed of a bid last year. Lee Pace got nominated in 2008 but probably won't be back considering that the canceled "Pushing Daisies" has wilted.
** Nominee last year
* Top 10 semifinalist in 2008
LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES (Front-runners) Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock" ** (Winner, 2009) Zach Braff, "Scrubs" Steve Carell, "The Office" ** Kevin Connolly, "Entourage" David Duchovny, "Californication" * Johnny Galecki, "The Big Bang Theory" Brad Garrett, "Til Death" * Adrien Grenier, "Entourage" Jason Lee, "My Name Is Earl" Zachary Levi, "Chuck" Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory" Lee Pace, "Pushing Daisies" ** Tony Shalhoub, "Monk" ** Charlie Sheen, "Two and a Half Men" **
There is a spirited debate in our Emmy forum over which will be the biggest surprise when nominations for the 61st annual Emmy Awards are announced on July 16.
jbboy said, "I think people will be surprised and thrilled with Mary McDonnell getting nominated for Lead Actress, Drama Series for 'Battlestar Galactica.' "
Kams said, " 'ER' will receive nominations on the main categories."
UPitt said, "Jill Scott (Best Lead Actress) and Anika Noni Rose (Best Supporting Actress) nominations for 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' (Best Drama Series)."
MissyGal said, "John Corbett in the lead comedy actor category for 'United States of Tara.' "
GPenn said, "Katherine Heigl making it into the supporting actress race and being the only 'Grey's' girl to do it."
Emmy-savvy HBO was smart to release the DVD set of the first season of "True Blood" just before voting commenced in June. In week five, it sold 107,115 units (1,099,995 total, nearly $38 million), according to The-Numbers.com.
"True Blood" came in second place among TV titles for the week, behind the debut of Season 7 of "Family Guy," which sold 273,627 units ($7.6 million). Why did Fox miss its big chance to grandstand with a DVD media blitz when Emmy nom voting commenced? To be consistent with how s-l-o-w its characters notoriously are? (Well, except for Stewie and that upright walking doggie.) This year, "Family Guy" ditched the Emmy race for best animated program in order to make the bold drive to be the second cartoon show ever nominated for outstanding comedy series after "The Flintstones" (1961 – it lost to "The Jack Benny Program"), so it could've used the extra push.
Drea De Matteowon an Emmy Award for her final season on "The Sopranos" and picked up Golden Globe and SAG nods as well for her work as the turncoat Adriana. After her character was whacked in 2004, De Matteo spent two seasons on the ill-fated spinoff "Joey" and did a five-episode arc on "Sons of Anarchy." Now she is set to return to prime-time in style, joining the cast of "Desperate Housewives."
As the ninth of the titular characters, Drea De Matteo is to play a woman with a landscape designer husband and a troubled son. There is no word as to whether De Matteo will be aboard for just one season or for the run of the series. Following the death of the vampy, trampy Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan) this season, the show needs a strong-willed character to stir up life in the leafy suburb.
The most recent addition to the women of Wisteria Lane was two-time Emmy winner Dana Delaney ("China Beach"), who joined the show in Season 4. Her character, Katherine Mayfair, was central to the mystery of that season, and she has remained on "Desperate Housewives" since in a pivotal role. Five years ago, Delaney was on creator Marc Cherry's wish list of actresses to play Bree, a part that eventually went to Marcia Cross.
The second season casting of four-time Emmy winner Alfre Woodardas new housewife Betty Applewhite did not go nearly as well. The mystery surrounding her family fell flat, and Woodard's character never seemed to mesh with the other women. Ironically, one-season wonder Woodard was the only one of the series regulars to earn an Emmy nod that year. She lost the supporting actress in a comedy series race to Megan Mullally ("Will & Grace").
After being written off by many TV critics, "Desperate Housewives" took a big risk this season and shifted the story ahead five years. This fast forward offered a chance for a much-needed reboot. "Desperate Housewives" ended its fifth year on a high note as the season-long mystery was solved and all seemed as well as it ever can be for the women of Wisteria Lane. In the two-hour finale, there was a wedding, an affair, a pregnancy and an adoption.
Desperate Housewives" lost its only bid for the comedy series Emmy Award to the farewell season of "Everybody Loves Raymond" back in 2005. After that first-season nod, the hourlong show has been snubbed by Emmy in that top race ever since. While it made the top 10 runoff as determined by a popular vote in both Seasons 2 and 3, it failed to win over the judging panels and earn a spot in the final round last year.
This year, the Emmy Awards nominating process has been revised to eliminate the juried runoff. Now the contenders will be determined solely by popular ballot. "Desperate Housewives" ranks No. 9 for the season with an average audience of 14.5 million. The only other comedy in the top 20 is "Two and a Half Men," which sits in 11th place with 9.8 million viewers. This switch could also help the actresses who play the housewives get back in the Emmy race.
"The Mentalist" could turn out to be a major Emmy contender for several reasons. It's the biggest breakout hit among new series debuting over the last TV season, drawing 10 million-plus viewers per episode. It gets raves from TV critics. (Entertainment Weekly cheers star Simon Baker's "mesmerizing little act.") And as for Baker, he's a veteran of the award scene, having been nominated for best TV drama actor at the Golden Globes in 2002 for "The Guardian." (He lost to "24" star Kiefer Sutherland, but so did "Sopranos" star James Gandolfini and "West Wing" Commander in Chief Martin Sheen.)
In its review of "The Mentalist" last fall, the L.A. Times noted that Baker portrays Patrick Jane, "a former phony TV psychic who perpetually amazes and infuriates his skeptical colleagues at the California Bureau of Investigation with his ability to accumulate the odds and ends of human behavior and use them to formulate incredible truths that catch criminals. Played by the virtually irresistible Baker, Jane also gets to make wiseacre comments like 'He irks me; he's irksome,' which only add to his already considerable charm."
Times writer Mary McNamara also hailed "Baker's killer smile and the nothing-left-to-lose recklessness required of today's broken hero." Instead of broken, though, Baker actually describes his character as "tortured" in our webcam chat, which he conducted with Gold Derby on Thursday while in Oklahoma filming "The Killer Inside Me," a thriller directed by Michael Winterbottom ("A Mighty Heart"). While Baker's character seems to be able to solve everyone else's mysteries with ease, Jane is frustrated and haunted by his pursuit of a diabolical serial killer named Red John, who murdered Jane's family after being taunted by Jane on TV.
"Will he ever really love again? I don't think so," Baker reflects on Jane. "It would be an enormous leap for that character to give and care about someone and overcome his own selfish fear of losing that again and the pain he would go through. It's a lot of fun being the charming, sort of raffish character. That's fun on the surface, but what I think makes the character really exciting for me to play is the balance of that with the tragedy that is his past and the true, hollow feeling he caries around with him every day."
Attention, Emmy voters: Baker would not only appreciate your vote, but he promises, in our webcam chat, that he'll deliver a case of scotch to your door personally, if you'd like. Below, Simon Baker proves that he possesses much of Patrick Jane's celebrated cheeky charm.
The Golden Globe-nominated drama series "True Blood" earned a slew of good reviews and socko ratings for its second season premiere last Sunday. And last month it picked up a nod from the TV critics association for best new program. However, to earn an Emmy nod, "True Blood" will have to overcome the TV academy's bias against shows about the supernatural. Remember how that critical darling "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" had a stake driven through her heart for seven successive seasons.
"True Blood" could benefit from the canny scheduling strategy that has reaped Emmy rewards for HBO in the past. While voters considered the merits of previous seasons of HBO series such as "Sex and the City" and "Entourage," new episodes were running on the paycaster. That could well help "True Blood" register in the popular vote of academy members.
"True Blood" stars Oscar winner Anna Paquin ("The Piano") as a telepathic waitress who falls for a vampire (Stephen Moyer). Oscar-winning scripter Alan Ball ("American Beauty") adapted a bestselling series of books by Charlaine Harris to create the show.
The last time Ball handled a series for HBO, the result was "Six Feet Under," which ran for five seasons and was a three-time Emmy nominee for best drama series. While that show was universally admired from the outset, this one divided opinions at first.
At Meta Critic, the aggregate score from 27 reviews of the first season was only 62. However, that result was skewed downward by several very harsh notices. Many prominent critics loved the first season, which is the one under Emmy consideration. Matt Roush of TV Guide thought the show "graphically sexy and scary, and often wildly funny," and judged it to be "a broadly entertaining, deliciously twisted slice of modern Southern Gothic." Misha Davenport of the Chicago Sun-Times found it to be "bloody, sexy and violent," and said, "The show is also both occasionally funny and frightening." And Robert Bianco of USA Today saw it as "part mystery, part fantasy, part comedy, and all wildly imaginative exaggeration," and thought it "proves that there's still vibrant life or death left in the 'star-crossed lovers' paradigm."
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