Oh, Emmy...You've Changed!

If you've already read Mr. Cooper's blog today, then you are well aware of the travesty that is the 2006 Emmy nominations. If not, allow me to explain.

Thanks to voting policy changes (I'm not exactly clear, but it has something to do with decisions involving panels of voters rather than individual voters) it was expected that the Emmy nominations may steer a little more towards the smaller, critically acclaimed shows and performances rather than the typical, more mainstream shows and performances. And there, ladies and gentlemen is the UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE CENTURY! Actually, to be fair, it's the misstatement of the century, because something is definitely different this year and it has less to do with 'critic's taste v. general public appeal' and more to do with 'bad television v. good television'.

I'll let the post-Emmy nominations analysis speak for itself...

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'Drama Series'

The Good News: '24' definitely deserved to be here with such an amazing season.

The Bad News: I'm sorry...did you say 'Lost' did not get a nomination...that would be one of the biggest upsets, considering it's easily the most creative show on television currently, while 'House' and 'Grey's Anatomy' serve as two more entries into the cookie-cutter medical drama category...I don't believe you...you're serious?!...I hate you, Emmy!

'Lead Actor, Drama Series'

The Good News: 'Kiefer Sutherland', much like the show, deserved this big time, and even though Mr. Cooper tells me he was hardly in the show this past season, it's nice to see 'Martin Sheen' get the nomination.

The Bad News: 'Christopher Meloni' from 'Law & Order: SVU'...huhhhhh?!

'Lead Actress, Drama Series'

The Good News: I guess 'Allison Janney' is good news, but this category has one of the biggest upsets in Emmy history...'Edie Falco' from 'The Sopranos' was not predicted to be a nominee in this category...she was GUARANTEED to be the WINNER! I'm not sure if the Emmy voters understand that she's not going to be able to win without the damn nomination! My mind is blown...

The Bad News: 'Geena Davis'...your show was cancelled; 'Kyra Sedgwick'...10 people watch your show on TNT; and 'Mariska Hargitay'...double huhhhhhh?!...oh, and did you hear about 'Edie Falco'!?!?

'Supporting Actor, Drama Series'

The Good News: So very glad that 'Gregory Itzin' from '24' got the nomination...President Logan was just an amazing character.

The Bad News: Somebody from 'Lost' should have been here...'Terry O'Quinn', 'Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje', anybody! But, instead, we have yet another nomination for the great 'William Shatner'..."shat" indeed!

'Supporting Actress, Drama Series’

The Good News: The same excitement goes to 'Jean Smart' as the First Lady on '24', very deserving.

The Bad News: Nobody listened to me about 'Sandra Oh'...she's a really annoying actress, people!

'Comedy Series'

The Good News: 'The Office' and 'Scrubs'...awesome! Also, 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' and 'Arrested Development' are great too...wait a minute...'Desperate Housewives' is missing.....YEAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

The Bad News: With all the good news, how could there be anything bad in this....oh....ohhh boy....oh no...is that 'Two and A Half Men'...back to depression-land.

'Lead Actor, Comedy Series'

The Good News: 'Steve Carell' deserves this nomination, and quite easily the win.

The Bad News: Oh my god, it's so bad I can't even think about it. 'Zach Braff' and 'Jason Bateman' have been screwed, big time...apparently hell has frozen over, and we have 'Charlie Sheen' and 'Kevin James' to thank.

'Lead Actress, Comedy Series'

The Good News: 'Jane Kaczmarek' has always been the real talent of 'Malcolm in the Middle', and it's nice to see 'Julia Louis-Dreyfus' get recognition for her post-Seinfeld talents. And, I would now like to admit that I was too harsh on 'Lisa Kudrow' (the change of heart is thanks to a talk with my girlfriend about how I have indeed laughed at Phoebe, and a talk with Mr. Cooper about 'The Comeback' being pretty good).

The Bad News: Well, it seems 'Stockard Channing's show 'Out of Practice' was cancelled, so that's just uncomfortable.

'Supporting Actor, Comedy Series'

The Good News: 'Jeremy Piven', 'Will Arnett', 'Bryan Cranston', 'Sean Hayes'...all deserving. Well, I guess that means this category was pretty good and...

The Bad News:...'Jon Cryer' from 'Two and a Half Men'...COME ON!!! Not 'John C. McGinley', not 'Jeffrey Tambor', not 'Donald Faison', not 'John Krasinski'...'Jon Cryer'?!...wow, who the hell are these voters?!

'Supporting Actress, Comedy Series'

The Good News: 'Jaime Pressly' and 'Megan Mullally' were my two picks, so that's nice. And, I forgot about 'Cheryl Hines' from 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', who is really great.

The Bad News: 'Desperate Housewives' snuck in a nomination here with 'Alfre Woodard'...damn!

'Variety Music or Comedy Series'

The Good News: This is THE best category of the entire 2006 Emmy Awards, and potentially of all Emmy history...'The Colbert Report', 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart', 'Late Night with Conan O' Brien', 'Late Show with David Letterman', and 'Real Time with Bill Maher'...I'll sleep good tonight.

The Bad News: None whatsoever.

'Reality Competition Program'

The Good News: 'Survivor', my all-time favorite reality show, made the cut.

The Bad News: Anything 'American Idol' is bad in my book.

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