Emmy Wish List: Series

It's all been leading up to this! I complete my Emmy Wish List with this year's best shows on television. These comedies and dramas are unlike anything else on TV. They utilize fantastic actors to create unique characters with their genius writing. Every element is in the right place. These shows are the reason I love television so much.

Outstanding Comedy Series


30 Rock - Anyone who says that this was a bad year for 30 Rock clearly stopped watching about halfway through the season. "Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001," "Anna Howard Shaw Day," "Lee Marvin vs. Derek Jeter," and "The Moms" were some of the show's greatest episodes. Despite a rush of strong comedy newcomers, the series was able to maintain the level of greatness it's established the past three years.

Better Off Ted - Never heard of it? That's too bad. But it's probably because Ted was barely noticed while it was on the air. The ridiculous workplace comedy makes me laugh more than any other show on this list and features a hilarious ensemble, including Jay Harrington, Portia De Rossi, and Jonathan Slavin (who unfortunately didn't submit himself for Emmy consideration).

Glee - To be quite honest, this season's most hyped comedy almost didn't make my list. The writing is inconsistent, the characters are flat, and the continuity is nonexistent. The freshman series had a whole slew of problems with its first season that I will most likely save for another blog post. But when Glee is good, it's great. The show's best episodes deliver with strong comedy, touching drama, and fun musical numbers. No other show on television can do the same.

Modern Family - This year's best new show may also be the best comedy of the year. Many have claimed that Modern Family redefined the traditional family sitcom and brought it to the 21st century. There isn't a single weak link in the show's large ensemble cast, and sub-par episodes were few and far between.

Parks & Recreation - Parks surprised everyone by becoming one of this year's funniest shows. It surpassed The Office this season in terms of quality and comedy. As the second season progressed, the characters began to take form, and comedic stars like Nick Offerman and Aubrey Plaza were born.

Ugly Betty - The series experienced a creative resurgence during its fourth and final season. Betty has always been a little different, but that's what makes it so great. The series ended on a high note with several strong episodes that left me in tears week after week.

Honorable Mention: Party Down & The United States of Tara

Outstanding Drama Series


Breaking Bad - As I've said several times, I haven't gotten to see season three, so Breaking Bad's inclusion on my list may be a bit premature. But the first two seasons are incredible, and apparently the show just keeps getting better. Even if season three was half the quality of season two, it would still earn a spot here.

Damages - No season can match its first, but the legal thriller is still amazing. With time jumps and plot twists like nothing else on television, Damages knows how to deliver drama. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have incredible actresses like Glenn Close and Rose Byrne headlining the series with Lily Tomlin and Martin Short as guest stars.

Friday Night Lights - Only nine episodes have aired so far on NBC, but I can already tell that season four is my favorite season since the first. The move to East Dillon High was a refreshing change that the show needed. Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, and the rest of the cast continue to deliver with the intense realism they've had for three years.

Lost - The final season didn't give all of the mythological answers viewers were looking for, but the show's final two and a half hours were emotionally satisfying. The series became less about science fiction and mysteries and more about the characters and the love they experienced with one another.

Mad Men - Just when we thought the two-time Emmy-winning series couldn't get any better, season three delivered drama on a completely different level than the years before. Jon Hamm and January Jones gave their best performances of the series, and the writing (as well as everything else) was truly excellent. It's hard to imagine anything else topping that.

Parenthood - When casting Peter Krause and Lauren Graham, it's hard to go wrong. This Spring's new show gave an interesting look into family life and found an amazing actress in the young Mae Whitman. The series has the potential to do great things in the years to come.

Honorable Mention: Southland & Big Love

Coming Soon: My predictions for the 2010 Emmy nominations!

Currently watching:
Six Feet Under Season 3
Episode 9 - The Opening

Emmy Wish List: Lead Drama

These are some of the best people on TV. They are what make watching television so great. Without them we would not have extraordinary characters like Don Draper and Patty Hewes. We couldn't tell the stories of the scorned politician's wife or the vigilante serial killer. They pour their hearts into every scene and deliver every line with power. These twelve men and women are truly outstanding actors and actresses.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series


Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights - I just watched the first three seasons earlier this summer, and I am stunned that Britton has never received an Emmy nomination. She gives one of the best dramatic performances on television, and the fourth season is no exception. Apparently the end of this season is some of her best work yet, so I can't wait to watch it!

Glenn Close, Damages - There's a reason the woman already has two Emmys for her portrayal of Patty Hewes. This season Close took the character to a whole new level. Patty often screams and throws tea cups, but Close is best when she shows the emotional vulnerability that lies beneath the powerful lawyer.

Lauren Graham, Parenthood - The best moments of this new show are between Graham and her on-screen daughter, Mae Whitman. She perfected her role as the flawed mother who can't always keep it together.

January Jones, Mad Men - Saturday Night Live hosting aside, Jones is a phenomenal actress. For some reason her performance is divisive among Mad Men fans, some of whom claim she's wooden and can't act. That's something I cannot comprehend. Please watch "The Gypsy and the Hobo" and see Betty Draper break down as she exposes her husband as the liar he really is.

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife - I gave up The Good Wife about halfway through the season because I didn't have time for it. That was a mistake (which I plan to amend very soon, thanks to summer reruns). From what I saw, Margulies is deserving of all the buzz. She headlines the hit drama with strength and intensity that's already earned her a Golden Globe and a SAG award.

Jeanne Tripplehorn, Big Love - You can't blame an actress for poor writing. This season of Big Love was certainly much worse than those before, but it takes an exceptionally talented actress to remain strong throughout a weak year. I probably hated Barb for most of the fourth season, but I still loved Tripplehorn.

Honorable Mention: Regina King, Southland & Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series


Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights - Coach Taylor cracks me up. Seriously. Maybe it's because I'm from Texas, but I find myself laughing at him because he reminds me so much of the coaches at my high school. And he has a little bit of my dad in him too. Chandler's portrayal of the East Texas football coach is truly flawless.

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad - Like I've said before, since I just recently got into Breaking Bad, I haven't gotten to see season three yet (which is primarily why Anna Gunn didn't make my top six in the previous category). But now I definitely understand why Cranston has won in this category the past two years. Even the man's coughs are Emmy worthy (he plays a man with terminal lung cancer).

Michael C. Hall, Dexter - So far I've only gotten to see season one. Season four is Emmy eligible this year. Clearly I'm a little behind on Dexter. Still, I included Hall on my list because his work on the first season is so brilliant, and I've heard it only gets better.

Jon Hamm, Mad Men - This year Don Draper's home life and work life fell apart, and I loved every second of it. Hamm probably did his best work this season, which is saying a lot.

Ben McKenzie, Southland - The rookie cop did a lot of growing up this season. The gritty cop show is underrated, as is McKenzie's performance.

Timothy Olyphant, Justified - Justified is another show that I couldn't find the time to keep watching, so I had to give it up after a few episodes. But it only took me those few episodes to decide that Olyphant's performance is Emmy worthy.

Honorable Mention: Peter Krause, Parenthood & Matthew Fox, Lost

Coming Soon: My picks for the best comedy and drama series of the year

Currently watching:
Six Feet Under Season 3
Episode 6 - Making Love Work

2010 Premieres - Get Excited!

It's the start of a new year, and that means it's just about time for midseason premieres! Hiatus is over, and my shows are coming back! Plus, networks are rolling out brand new series and new seasons of old favorites.

I'll be watching:

5. The Deep End

Grey's Anatomy in a law firm? Count me in!

4. Big Love - Season 4

The good news? It's tomorrow! The bad news? I have yet to see season three. Once I finish my epic re-watching of Lost seasons one through five, Big Love is next on my list. The HBO story about a man with three wives may not sound normal, but the domestic drama examines issues experienced in any home, polygamist or not, and that is what makes it so great. The show keeps improving with each season, so I can't wait to see where seasons three and four take the Henrickson clan.

3. Parenthood

I never really got into Gilmore Girls, but thanks to my roommate's midday marathons, I've been exposed to quite a few episodes. Lauren Graham quickly caught my eye. After Maura Tierney pulled out of the Parenthood pilot due to breast cancer, Graham, her replacement, seems to be what everyone is talking about. Plus, I'll watch Peter Krause in just about anything. Oh, and did I mention Ron Howard?

2. Damages - Season 3

Another show I need to catch up with. The first season is one of my favorite seasons of dramatic television I've ever seen. When the (apparently not as amazing) second season hits the shelves on the 19th, I'll be first in line, ready to plow my way through those thirteen episodes and prepare for season three. Glenn Close and Rose Byrne are some of the most talented women on television. Believe me, that's saying something.

1. Lost - The Sixth and Final Season

Do I really need to say anything? I mean... it's Lost! The mysteries will finally be revealed, the loose ends finally tied up, and the stories will finally be complete. It's the final season and anything can happen! Is time going to restart? Is everyone going to die? What is the Island? Questions will finally be answered!

Honorable Mention:

Life Unexpected - A new CW series about a young girl in foster care who seeks out her birth parents. Initially, I wasn't too interested in watching it, but the critics won't stop raving about it.

Currently watching:

Lost Season 5

Episode 5 - This Place is Death