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Twitter2008 Emmy nomination odds and ends
Having already looked at Thursday (July 17) morning's Emmy nominations on a macro level, let's examine the nods on a micro level, highlighting some of the more notable minutiae.
Emmy nominee Breckin Meyer. Cruelly denied recognition for Inside Schwartz, Meyer is listed amongst the writers of outstanding animated program nominee Robot Chicken. Good for Robot Chicken, we might add.
Emmy nominee Danny Strong. Jonathan may not have been able to stop Buffy and Doyle may be doomed to a life of hen-pecking from Paris, but it's good to see Danny Strong finding success in his second career, as the writer of HBO's Recount.
Emmy nominee Heidi Klum. If you ask us, Cat Deeley and Phil Keoghan were robbed in the reality show host category, but there's something magical about an Emmy nod for the mother of the Baby Seals.
Welcome Back, Ellen Burstyn. The Oscar winner took a lot of guff when Emmy voters gave her a nomination for a cameo in Mrs. Harris, a cameo that lasted well under a minute. The backlash was so severe that the Emmys changed the eligibility rules. But the Ellen Burstyn Rule couldn't keep Ellen Burstyn out of this year's guest actress field for her role in Big Love.
That's a category? Reality TV is practically built around clip packages, but who the heck knew there was an Emmy category for Outstanding Picture Editing Of Clip Packages For Talk, Performance, Award Or Reality Competition Programs? I sure didn't. But it's good to know that the guy who put together David Cook's American Idol trip home (Bill DeRonde) can earn awards recognition.
Category to eliminate. Need more proof that opening credit theme music is a dead art form? In the category of Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music, the choices were so thin that Canterbury's Law, Kid Nation and Pirate Master all get to call themselves Emmy nominees in perpetuity.
Category to promote more heavily. I love the Original Music and Lyrics category. Last year we got to celebrate "Dick in a Box." This year, we wish a special mazel tov to the team behind the Emmy nominated "I'm F***ing Matt Damon."
One nomination wonders. I've already talked about how how The Wire and According to Jim received the same number of nominations (or, rather, the same number of nomination). Other shows grabbing lone nominations include New Amsterdam (title design), Jericho (visual effects), Friday Night Lights (casting) and Meerkat Manor (cinematography). Moonlight didn't receive a single nomination, but that show's fans will always have their People's Choice Award.
Stop thinking you can dance. Routines by Shane Sparks, Wade Robson and Mandy Moore took three of five nominations in the outstanding choreography field, but So You Think You Can Dance only received one additional nomination, something about makeup.
Guess that's why they call it Mad *Men*. Jon Hamm, Robert Morse and John Slattery deserved their nominations. That doesn't mean Elisabeth Moss, Christina Hendricks and January Jones weren't equally (or near-equally) deserving. They just didn't get them.
Just keeping it real. In the outstanding supporting actor in a movie or miniseries category, all five nominated actors -- David Morse, Stephen Dillane, Tom Wilkinson, Denis Leary and Bob Balaban -- are playing actual historical figures. Maybe that only amuses me.
Wait. Where's Katherine Heigl?!?!? Didn't she win last year? How could she not have even been nominated this year? Something like that ought to have gotten some publicity.
And my colleague Rick Porter adds:
"Like us, the academy appears to be trying its best to put season two of Heroes out of its mind. After eight nominations last year, including one for best drama series and one for supporting actor Masi Oka, it picked up only three (art direction, editing, visual effects) this year.
Not one, but two animated Star Wars parodies are up for awards. Alas, they won't be competing directly; the aforementioned Robot Chicken is in the half-hour animation category, and Family Guy's "Blue Harvest" episode is in the hour or more category.
I get that there are different hairstyling categories for miniseries/movies and series (sort of). But why separate categories for hairstyling in a single-camera series and hairstyling in a multi-camera series or special? Does hair have to look good from more angles on a four-camera show?
As always, we look forward to the nominee reels for outstanding writing for a variety show. Conan, Letterman, Saturday Night Live, Colbert Report and Daily Show staffers, get to work on those clips.
In the 'glad to see it' realm, really happy that the Extras finale got six nominations in the made-for-TV movie categories. And especially the one for Ashley Jensen, who was heartbreakingly funny as the even-more-put-upon-than-usual Maggie."
What stood out for y'all, dear readers?
And check out Zap2it's Complete Emmy Coverage.
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I agree that Cat Deeley was robbed. I don't get it. She is so popular on that show and is truly one of the best hosts on TV. oh vel. maybe they'll get it right next year.
I also miss Chi McBride being nominated for best supporting actor in a comedy for "Pushing Daisies." I thought he would be been a shoe-in. Again, oh vel. that really is too bad.
Has anyone ever been nominated for acting for SNL? Not in my memory. Amy Poeler's nomination caught me off guard, but I haven't seen anyone talking about it.
Jason,
There has been severalo nomines for acting on snl.
Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Eddie Murphy,Dana Carvy,Jon Lovitz. I believe there are more. I am surprised to see Amy Poehler under comedy, I always thought they were nominated under variety.
Daniel,
Katherine Heigel withdrew her name from nomination. you should know that.
Scott -- It was a joke. Pretty clearly. Was I not hyperbolic enough for you? Sorry 'bout that. More exclamation points and question marks next time.
-Daniel
I got the joke, Daniel.
"I am surprised to see Amy Poehler under comedy, I always thought they were nominated under variety."
That's the point. It's a much bigger deal for her to be nominated in the Supporting Actress-Comedy category as opposed to the Variety category along with the likes of Letterman and Colbert.
Re the Amy Poehler question: This was the first year that performers from "SNL" were able to submit their names in the comedy categories. You're right - in the past they could only compete in the variety show categories.
Is there a reason why "The Big Bang Theory" theme song (performed by the Barenaked Ladies) would have been ineligible for best theme song? Because that's my favorite theme song on TV right now.