As usual there’s a lot to like, a lot to be upset about (NO NOMINATIONS FOR COMMUNITY AGAIN?!?!?!) and a lot I don’t care about, like whether The Amazing Race wins its 478th Best Reality Show award.
Here’s a quick rundown of the categories I care about, with a little commentary for each.
Best Drama
Should Win: I’d be happy with almost any of the shows picked, but I’d lean towards Mad Men. The argument could also be made for Breaking Bad.
Shouldn’t Be Here: Of these shows, Boardwalk Empire deserves it the least, but I’m not complaining.
Was Robbed: FX’s Justified had a hell of a year, and probably deserved a nod.
Best Comedy
Should Win: Of the shows nominated, I’ve got to go with Girls. I would have argued for Louie, Parks and Recreation or Community, but every one of them was inexplicably snubbed.
Shouldn’t Be Here: The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, and Curb Your Enthusiasm should have tapped out for the aforementioned three shows.
Was Robbed: Glee. (JK JK, Glee not being nominated for anything was the highlight of the nominations for me).
Best Actress, Drama
Should Win: Claire Danes for Homeland, or perhaps Elisabeth Moss for Mad Men.
Shouldn’t Be Here: Kathy Bates and Glenn Close. Legends, yes. Worthy this year? Not even close.
Was Robbed: Jessica Pare had enough screentime on Mad Men to warrant a lead actress nod, and she arguably had the meatier role than Moss this season.
Best Actor, Drama
Should Win: Another solid crop, but I’d go with Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad with a slight edge over Jon Hamm and Damian Lewis of Mad Men and Homeland, respectively.
Shouldn’t Be Here: Michael C. Hall. Dexter was nearly unwatchable this season, and while Hall always finds a way to keep the show entertaining, his time has passed.
Was Robbed: Timothy Olyphant and Kelsey Grammer for Justified and Boss.
Best Actor, Comedy
Should Win: Louis CK.
Shouldn’t Be Here: The rest of the category. Specifically Jon Cryer and Don Cheadle, whose House of Lies was one of the worst comedies not on CBS or TBS last year.
Was Robbed: No one deserves it but CK, sorry.
Best Actress, Comedy
Should Win: Lena Dunham. Poehler would also be an acceptable choice, but Dunham redefined comedy for women in 2012.
Shouldn’t Be Here: Melissa McCarthy. She’s hilarious, no doubt, but Mike & Molly is not, and neither is her performance.
Was Robbed: Laura Dern was outstanding on Enlightened, but too few people saw her performance for it to be nominated.
Best Supporting Actress, Drama
Should Win: Anna Gunn or Christina Hendricks
Shouldn’t Be Here: Christine Baranski
Was Robbed: Kelly McDonald was great on Boardwalk Empire once again.
Best Supporting Actor, Drama
Should Win: Do I have to choose? Gun to my head, I’ll go with Aaron Paul, but Giancarlo Esposito or Jared Harris would do in a pinch.
Shouldn’t Be Here: No one. This category was too good for screw-ups.
Was Robbed: At least a dozen guys. A few to highlight include John Slattery and Vincent Karthieser on Mad Men, Michael Pitt on Boardwalk Empire and Dean Norris on Breaking Bad, but the list goes on an on.
Best Supporting Actor, Comedy
Should Win: Ty Burrell, as the lone remaining standout on the suddenly pedestrian Modern Family.
Shouldn’t Be Here: The rest of the Modern Family cast. With so many deserving candidates, how can Emmy voters justify giving 4 of the 6 spots to one show?
Was Robbed: Nick Offerman, Danny Pudi, Aziz Ansari, Adam Driver, and Adam Pally could hold an even better “Best Supporting Actor Inexplicably Snubbed by the Emmys” contest. My money would be on Driver in that one.
Best Supporting Actress, Comedy
Should Win: Yikes. With so many incredible women on TV, it’s amazing that Kristen Wiig is the only woman I’d like to see win this category. (To be fair, I haven’t seen Nurse Jackie, but I hear good things about Meritt Weaver).
Shouldn’t Be Here: Kathryn Joosten, Mayim Bialik, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen.
Was Robbed: Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, Maya Rudolph, Casey Wilson, Elisa Coupe, Gillian Jacobs. (In a repeat of the Best Inexplicably Snubbed group, I’d go with Brie)
Best Animated Series
Should Win: American Dad. Or maybe Futurama. Possibly Bob’s Burgers. Meh.
Shouldn’t Be Here: That Madagascar bull.
Was Robbed: HAS NO ONE SEEN THE SHOW ARCHER? NO ONE? NOT ONE GODDAMN EMMY VOTER? JESUS.
Best Variety Series
Should Win: Colbert
Shouldn’t Be Here: Maher
Was Robbed: Conan
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So, those are my thoughts, which I’m sure most of you disagree with. Feel free to let me know if you do.
