For fans of politics, tonight's Emmy Awards offer a feast of nominated shows. Whether you like drama or comedy, regular series, miniseries or made for TV movies, there are political shows nominated for nearly all categories up for awards tonight. Follow over the jump for my observations about the politically themed nominees this year, along with my comments about fantasy, science fiction, and horror shows against which the political shows are competing.
Drama Series
Among the nominated drama series, the only two series I've watched this season have been "Game of Thrones" and "House of Cards." Of the two, my wife and I preferred "House of Cards." The sex and violence in "Game of Thrones" becomes excessive at times. Then again, it's HBO; sex and violence is what they do best. There is one more political series among the nominees, "Homeland," but I doubt it's better than "House of Cards." I suspect neither of the shows we've watched will beat "Breaking Bad," which should edge out "Downton Abbey" and "Mad Men."
The political shows starred actors and actresses who were nominated for leading roles in dramas; "Game of Thrones" had no leading roles in these categories. "House of Cards" featured both Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. Both Damian Lewis and Claire Danes earned nominations for their work in "Homeland." Jeff Daniels was the lone lead nominated from "The Newsroom," while Kerry Washington balanced out the sexes among political series for "Scandal." Of all the above, I preferred Kevin Spacey, while my wife preferred Jeff Daniels. I think Spacey did a better job of acting, while Daniels protrayed the much more sympathetic character. That written, I doubt it will matter, as I'd put money on Bryan Cranston of "Breaking Bad." As for the actresses, I have my doubts about Wright winning. She wasn't even the most compelling actress in the series; Kate Mara who played Zoe Barnes was, and she wasn't even nominated for a supporting role. As for who will win, honestly I don't know; my intuition says Elisabeth Moss of "Mad Men," but I'm not invested in that prediction in the slightest.
The supporting acting nominations were much more balanced in their representation of fantasy and politics, as both "Game of Thrones" and "Homeland" had two nominations each. Of Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister and Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, I think Dinklage has the better shot. After all, he has won for that role before, while I think Clarke and her role still have their best days ahead of them. Mandy Patinkin and Morena Baccarin got the nods for "Homeland." Patinkin is the better known actor, but I still think he'll lose out to Dinklage. On the other hand, I'd put money on Maggie Smith for her role in "Downton Abbey."
Guest acting nominations also show less balance between fantasy and politics, with Diana Rigg nominated for a guest role in "Game of Thrones," while Jane Fonda and Margo Lessendale round out the nominees for guest roles in "The Newsroom" and "The Americans." On the men's side, it's all politics, with Bobby Cannavale in "Boardwalk Empire," Rupert Friend in "Homeland," Dan Bucatinsky in "Scandal." I'm rooting for Diana Rigg just because she's Diana Rigg, but I'd also be happy with Fonda. On the men's side, I like Nathan Lane in "The Good Wife," but he's primarily a comic actor, so I don't know if he's that good in a drama.
"Game of Thrones" and "Homeland" both earned nominations for writing, but I'd favor one of the two "Breaking Bad" episodes instead. The political shows nearly swept the directing nominations, with Tim Van Patten for "Boardwalk Empire", Lesli Linka Glatter for "Homeland," and David Fincher for"House of Cards" all earning nods. Fincher is a ringer, but as far as I'm concerned, he should win in a walk. Whether he will is another matter.
Looking at the drama nominations, I may be rooting for "House of Cards," but I'm impressed by how strong "Homeland" is, with nominees in eight of nine categories, more categories than any other series, including "Breaking Bad." It may just be the best show on this season that my wife and I are not watching. That may change.
Comedy Series
While there is at least one critically acclaimed comedy about politicians in "Veep," there is no equivalent fantasy. Instead, there is fiction about scientists and science fiction, "The Big Bang Theory." The latter will have to do.
Both shows are up for best comedy series. I think both will lose to "30 Rock." Next year.
"Veep" and "The Big Bang Theory" each have three acting nominations, although they're competing against each other in only one category, Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Role, where Mayim Bialik, who plays Amy Farrah Fowler in "The Big Bang Theory," is facing Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer on "Veep." Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tony Hale of "Veep" is up for female comedy lead and male supporting role, while Jim Parsons and Bob Newhart are contending for male comedy lead, and comedy male guest role for "The Big Bang Theory." My wife and I are watching "Veep," so we're rooting for that show. Neither of us are watching "The Big Bang Theory," even though we're both scientists. Maybe that should change. That written, I don't think either of those shows will outperform "Girls," which my wife and I have watched and don't think is particularly funny. Too bad.
Neither of these shows earned a single nomination for writing or directing, which probably shows how strong the acting is in both of them.
Miniseries and TV Movies
There are two political shows and one horror show, which will have to stand in for fantasy and science fiction, among the nominees for this group of categories.
The most nominated political show is Political Animals, which is up for Best Miniseries and has two of its actresses, Sigourney Weaver and Ellen Burstyn, nominated for best female lead and best female supporting role. I haven't seen it. Too bad, as my wife and I would like it better than "American Horror Story: Asylum." We watched it and couldn't finish it. That means were probably won't be rooting for it, despite its many nominations, including Best Miniseries, Best Actress in a Leading role (Jessica Lange), Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role (Sarah Paulson), and two nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (both of whom, Bart Cromwell and Zachary Quinto, have played roles in Star Trek movies). Neither series has any nominations for writing or directing.
The other political miniseries is "The Hour," a BBC America show up for Best Writing.
As for what I think will win, I'm betting on "Behind the Candelabra" to win the most awards among miniseries. It has nominees in all categories except those involving actresses. Given the subject matter, that should come as no surprise.
Variety Shows
This category also shows that politics and politicians are funny, with "Real Time with Bill Maher," "The Colbert Report," and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" nominated for awards. All three are up for Best Variety Show and Best Writing for a Variety Show, and "The Colbert Report" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" are up for Best Directing in the category. My wife and I watch all three shows and love them all. Of them, my favorite is "Real Time with Bill Maher." May the atheist stoner's show win.
Originally posted at Crazy Eddie's Motie News.