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« Rodyssey's Odyssey
Rod's 2007-08 TV Awards: Drama
Hi Blog Buddies!
The 2007-08 tv season is now officially behind us, and before the season passes from our memories and before the experts and professional critics start telling you who should be nominated for Emmys, SAG's, etc., I wanted to share my own personal picks for the best performers and shows of the tv season. Admittedly, I'm not a professional critic; but I probably watch more television than most critics, so that should count for something, right? 
Anyway, here are my picks in the drama category. I'll post my picks in the comedy category as well as some fun bonus awards in the days to come this week. (And yes, I know I picked more than 5 winners in each category; but since this is my blog and I get to make up the rules, I decided to allow myself this extra latitude. Besides, narrowing these lists down to just 5 or 6 per category was simply impossible)
DRAMA
Lead Actress:
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Rose Byrne, Damages
Glen Close, Damages
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
Angie Harmon, Women's Murder Club
Evangeline Lilly, Lost
Mary McDonnell, Battlestar Galactica
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Lead Actor:
Jensen Ackles, Supernatural
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Jeffrey Donovan, Burn Notice
Michael Emerson, Lost
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Jonny Lee Miller, Eli Stone
Supporting Actress:
Amy Brenneman, Private Practice
Tricia Helfer, Battlestar Galactica
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
January Jones, Mad Men
Yunjin Kim, Lost
Chyler Leigh, Grey's Anatomy
Elizabeth Mitchell, Lost
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
Supporting Actor:
Paul Adelstein, Private Practice
Ted Danson, Damages
Glenn Fitzgerald, Dirty Sexy Money
Zach Gilford, Friday Night Lights
Zeljko Ivanek, Damages
John Slattery, Mad Men
Jon Tenney, The Closer
Blair Underwood, In Treatment
Guest Actress:
Magda Apanowicz, Kyle XY
Anne Dudek, House
Michelle Forbes, Battlestar Galactica
Liz Mikel, Friday Night Lights
Cynthia Nixon, Law & Order: SVU
Katee Sackhoff, Bionic Woman
Maggie Siff, Mad Men
Frances Sternhagen, The Closer
Guest Actor:
Sterling K. Brown, Supernatural
Keith Carradine, Dexter
Barry Corbin, The Closer
Brian Austin Green, Terminator
Glenn Morshower, Friday Night Lights
Glynn Turman, In Treatment
Mark Valley, Law & Order: SVU
Jason Wiles, Army Wives
Ensemble Cast:
The cast of Big Love
The cast of Bones
The cast of Brothers & Sisters
The cast of Damages
The cast of Friday Night Lights
The cast of Mad Men
The cast of Law & Order: SVU
The cast of Lost
Best Drama:
The Closer
Damages
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
In Treatment
Lost
Mad Men
Supernatural
Need help remembering who some of these folks are? Want to know who just missed making the cut and had to settle for an "honorable mention" instead? Feel free to click here and find out.
Coming Tuesday: Comedy Awards
Coming Wednesday: Bonus Awards (Best New Show, Breakthrough Award, Best Villain, etc...)
Coming Thursday: Even More Bonus Awards (Best Couple, Best Dynamic Duo, Hottest Chicks, Hottest Dudes, etc...)
Please feel free to tell me which ones you think I got right and which ones you think I got wrong. (My apologies to fans of The Wire. I'm told that show is/was amazing, but it just never made it to my watch list; so if you're wondering where the nominees are for that show, you won't find them here. Sorry!)
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Jun 9, 2008 10:17 AM
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If CA got to pick the one winner from your list:
Lead Actress:Glen Close, Damages
Lead Actor: Jensen Ackles, Supernatural
Supporting Actress:Yunjin Kim, Lost
Supporting Actor:Zach Gilford, Friday Night Lights
Guest Actress:Michelle Forbes, Battlestar Galactica
Guest Actor:Brian Austin Green, Terminator (but Glen M. comes is a very close second, if not a tie!)
Ensemble Cast:The cast of Friday Night Lights
Best Drama:Friday Night Lights -- I hate this category -- because all on your list are so very worthy but I gotta go with what I think is the best overall drama on TV and that is FNL.
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Jun 9, 2008 10:25 AM
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Rod - I can't disagree with anything. Some of the shows I don't watch so I don't know. I find Lost, Dexter, House, Battlestar Galactica, Supernatural and Medium to be the most compelling shows I watched consistently this past season. I do think Matthew Fox deserves an Emmy for his portrayal of Jack on Lost this season. I think you did a great job overall. Ted Danson in damages was absolutely frighteningly brilliant. So was Michael Emerson on Lost. I'd be hard pressed to pick.
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Jun 9, 2008 10:48 AM
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Let's see, you included Bones, FNL, Closer, Burn Notice, BSG, Women's Murder Club, Kyle XY and Terminator. You hit all my favorites, Rod, so no arguments here. Can't wait to see your Comedy Award lineup!
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Jun 9, 2008 10:49 AM
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Hey Rod---I'd say you have a much more well-rounded list than the actual award shows do. And while I don't watch a lot of the same shows that you do, I can't argue with your noms.
I would make one addition, though, for best supporting actress: Jennifer Carpenter from Dexter. Her performance as Dexter's sister Deb has been one of the highlights of the show. She totally rocks out.
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Jun 9, 2008 11:14 AM
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'Morning Rod!
Wow, your blog just reminded me how difficult it will be to choose winners this year. Even going through your list, I'm having a tough time picking just ONE winner. I gave it a shot anyway. 
DRAMA
Lead Actress:
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Rose Byrne, Damages
Glen Close, Damages
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
Angie Harmon, Women's Murder Club
Evangeline Lilly, Lost
Mary McDonnell, Battlestar Galactica
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
I'll admit I don't watch all the shows listed, so that handicaps me a bit, but I'd have to say that Connie Britton would be hard to beat no matter what. I was watching an old Spin City rerun the other day and she's really grown as an actress too--and she was pretty good in SC.
Lead Actor:
Jensen Ackles, Supernatural
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Jeffrey Donovan, Burn Notice
Michael Emerson, Lost
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Jonny Lee Miller, Eli Stone
This was a tough category because I thought Kyle Chandler, Jensen Ackles, Jon Hamm, and Jonny Lee Miller were all Emmy-worthy this season. In the end I went with Ben, er, Michael Emerson, because of his character's range and utter creepiness.
Supporting Actress:
Amy Brenneman, Private Practice
Tricia Helfer, Battlestar Galactica
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
January Jones, Mad Men
Yunjin Kim, Lost
Chyler Leigh, Grey's Anatomy
Elizabeth Mitchell, Lost
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
Another tough category because both Christina Hendricks (whom I've loved since Firefly) and January Jones have been amazing. (Why didn't you include Elizabeth Moss, Rod?) But Yunjin gets it based on that episode of the finale in the helicopter. She did not hold back at all and it was heart-rending and mesmerizing at once.
Supporting Actor:
Paul Adelstein, Private Practice
Ted Danson, Damages
Glenn Fitzgerald, Dirty Sexy Money
Zach Gilford, Friday Night Lights
Zeljko Ivanek, Damages
John Slattery, Mad Men
Jon Tenney, The Closer
Blair Underwood, In Treatment
Again, I haven't seen all of these shows, but Zach gets it for the bathtub scene, hands down. What an amazing new talent.
Guest Actress:
Magda Apanowicz, Kyle XY
Anne Dudek, House
Michelle Forbes, Battlestar Galactica
Liz Mikel, Friday Night Lights
Cynthia Nixon, Law & Order: SVU
Katee Sackhoff, Bionic Woman
Maggie Siff, Mad Men
Frances Sternhagen, The Closer
I hadn't seen all of these performances, so I didn't know who to vote for. But then, Katee Sackhoff MADE Bionic Woman. I didn't even realize she wasn't a series regular. And so goes my vote.
Guest Actor:
Sterling K. Brown, Supernatural
Keith Carradine, Dexter
Barry Corbin, The Closer
Brian Austin Green, Terminator
Glenn Morshower, Friday Night Lights
Glynn Turman, In Treatment
Mark Valley, Law & Order: SVU
Jason Wiles, Army Wives
No vote here because I haven't seen most of these performances, although Glenn Morshower was pretty awesome.
Ensemble Cast:
The cast of Big Love
The cast of Bones
The cast of Brothers & Sisters
The cast of Damages
The cast of Friday Night Lights
The cast of Mad Men
The cast of Law & Order: SVU
The cast of Lost
Another tough one, particularly deciding among Bones, FNL, and Mad Men. In the end I went with Bones because the cast is so cohesive and all the actors play off the others so well. In many casts, you'll have certain pairings or groupings that work well together, but mix them up and it's not as good. That's not the case with Bones; set a squint up with Booth--it still works well. Add a new cast member (Sweet)--we would've accepted a little jerkiness or a few growing pains but there were none. Despite other problems I may have with this show, this cast is one in a million! (Which must be why we were all so upset with the finale.)
Best Drama:
The Closer
Damages
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
In Treatment
Lost
Mad Men
Supernatural
Lots of good shows here, of course. But this time, I went straight for my favorite of the lot--FNL.
Looking forward to your other blogs, Rod!
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Jun 9, 2008 11:18 AM
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Hello Kath! Hope your dad's better?
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Jun 9, 2008 11:23 AM
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Yay, Rod! I love making lists!! I actually just started working on my own "Dream Emmy Ballot" for this year this morning. You know what they say about great minds... I hope I'll get it up in the next couple days. Okay, here are my votes from your (fabulous!) choices:
Lead Actress:
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU--She was the only one of your list from a show that I watch! But I love her anyway so it all works out.
Lead Actor:
Jon Hamm, Mad Men--Also the only one on your list from a show that I watch, but he is excellent.
Supporting Actress:
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy--Yikes! Tough call. All the ladies of Mad Men are fantastic, and Amy Brenneman and Paul Adelstein were, by far, the best things about Private Practice, but Chandra still brings it home for me.
Supporting Actor:
Paul Adelstein, Private Practice--Best thing about Private Practice.
Guest Actress:
Anne Dudek, House--I'm still a little teary-eyed from the finale.
Guest Actor:
Mark Valley, Law & Order: SVU--The only one I watched.
Ensemble Cast:
The cast of Bones--There were a lot of good ones here, but you know who I love most.
Best Drama:
Mad Men--The only one I watched, again, but it deserves it.
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Jun 9, 2008 11:47 AM
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Hi Rod,
Very impressive blog. Thanks for all of the time and effort you put into it.
There are about a half-dozen shows you listed that I don't watch, but you pretty much covered my favorites:
I was especially pleased to see Glynn Turman on your Guest Actor list for his performance on In Treatment, since it's unlikely he will get any official recognition. He has been a much under-used and under-appreciated actor for years.
Blair Underwood's supporting performance on In Treatment was also outstanding. I had never seen him in such a challenging role and he really pulled it off.
I hated to see Jared Padalecki from Supernatural left off the Best Actor list, but I don't know who on your list I would replace him with. I've seen the shows of all of those actors, and they are all worthy.
I don't watch Big Love or Brothers & Sisters, so I'll replace the cast of one of those with the CSI (Las Vegas) Ensemble Cast.
Outstanding job, Rod.
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Jun 9, 2008 12:08 PM
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No Gabrielle Anwar of [Burn Notice?
She deserves at least a vote for supporting and she should win for "Most hot and fit woman over 38 years old!
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Jun 9, 2008 12:20 PM
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Dad's much better, Famin. Until next time, right? Thanks for asking. 
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Jun 9, 2008 12:24 PM
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Hi all! Thanks so much for coming in and commenting.
Hi CA!... I hate this category -- because all on your list are so very worthy but I gotta go with what I think is the best overall drama on TV and that is FNL
No argument there. I think all of these shows are truly remarkable, but even with its few mis-steps this past season, FNL is still arguably the best show on television. (If only more people would watch it.)
CindyA... I do think Matthew Fox deserves an Emmy for his portrayal of Jack on Lost this season
Leaving Foxy off the list was tough. Very tough. (But he did get an "honorable mention" in the category.) I still believe that he was robbed out of the emmy last year (S3), when he turned in his best work, in my opinion.
Kath...Can't wait to see your Comedy Award lineup!
They'll be up tomorrow morning!
Lori... I would make one addition, though, for best supporting actress: Jennifer Carpenter from Dexter.
I have to admit that I'm one of those Dexter fans who finds Deb to be more annoying than not. Ditto with Chloe Sevigny on Big Love. That's unfortunate because those actresses are talented, but the annoyingness of their characters makes me overlook them when I'm compiling these lists. (It's unfair. I admit it.)
Famin...
Wow, we watch so many of the same shows, I don't know how you were able to pick just one winner for each category. You make some excellent observations though. The bathtub scene alone (FNL) and Ben's emotional range and creepiness (Lost) is compelling enough to hand Gilford and Emerson the Emmy trophies right now. (Too bad the Emmy voters don't vote they way we would.)
And on Elisabeth Moss... I guess she was just too overshadowed by the other talent on that show for me.
Megan...
I am with you 110% on Private Practice: Paul Adelstein and Amy Brenneman are hands down the best things about that show.
Marci...
In Treatment was such a great show. I wish more people had watched it. Thanks for validating my picks for that show! Blair Underwood was simply incredible; anyone who watched that show can't possibly deny that or else they're loco. Out of so many powerful half-hours this show produced, the episode with Glynn Turman may have been the most outstanding (or at least in the top 5).
Leaving Jared P. off the list was tough; but, like you said, I just couldn't justify bumping anyone off the list for him.
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Jun 9, 2008 12:32 PM
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She deserves at least a vote for supporting and she should win for "Most hot and fit woman over 38 years old!
I don't know, Ranger. After the House finale I'd have to say that Lisa Edelstein could give her a run for her money in that category.
I'm glad your dad is doing better, Kath!
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Jun 9, 2008 12:35 PM
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Hi Ranger,
Gabrielle Anwar got an "honorable mention" in the category, which means she just barely missed making the "best of" list.
She'll also get some recognition in the bonus awards when I post them. You'll see.
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Jun 9, 2008 12:35 PM
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And on Elisabeth Moss... I guess she was just too overshadowed by the other talent on that show for me.
I thought you were going to say the implausibility of her pregnancy storyline is what made you leave her off the list. I hope Gilford and Emerson get some sort of recognition during awards season, even if they don't get the Emmys they deserve.
Kath, I'm so glad he's better!
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Jun 9, 2008 12:51 PM
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