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Rod's 2007-08 TV Awards: Bonus Awards (part 1)
Hi again, Blog Buddies!
Rod's TV Awards Week continues. Monday and Tuesday gave us the traditional categories in drama shows and comedy shows. Today we get some non-traditional, bonus awards. Hope you enjoy!
As usual, please feel free to weigh in and tell me which ones you agree with and which ones you think I was off my rocker in choosing. Also, as usual, there were plenty of honorable mentions in these categories, which you can find by clicking here. That link will also give you a picture of each of the winners mentioned below if you're having trouble associating a name with a face.
Best New Show:
(Wow, this one was hard. Very hard. In addition to the 8 listed below, there are also 7(!) honorable mentions.)
• Burn Notice
• Chuck
• Damages
• Eli Stone
• In Treatment
• Mad Men
• Pushing Daisies
• Torchwood
Best Soundtrack or Music:
(Music can be one of a show's greatest strengths. Here are the shows that had the best soundtracks or musical selections in the 2007-08 season... )
• Chuck
• Cold Case
• Eli Stone
• Flight of the Conchords
• Gossip Girl
• Grey's Anatomy
• Kyle XY
• October Road
Best Villain Award:
(Actors and actresses who portray villains or bad guys tend to be overlooked by major awards shows, so I'm giving special accolades to those performers (not nominated in any of the traditional awards Monday or Tuesday) who portray the home-wreckers, bad-asses, psychos, and misunderstood deviants that we all love to hate... )
• David Anders, Heroes
• Raymond Cruz, Breaking Bad
• Joel Gretsch (as EvilTom), The 4400
• Jodi Lynn O'Keefe, Prison Break
• Harry Dean Stanton, Big Love
• D.B. Sweeney, Jericho
• Ed Westwick, Gossip Girl
• Ray Wise, Reaper
Distinguished Veterans Award (the "Over 50" Award):
(In an industry wrongly dominated by the mantra that "youth is sexy" and that anyone outside of the 18-49 demographic isn't worth advertising expenditures, it's refreshing to see that there are still some shows not afraid to give us kick-ass characters over the age of 50. Here's the best of the best from this past season -- who were not nominated in any of the individual, traditional awards Monday or Tuesday... )
• Loretta Devine, Eli Stone
• Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
• Victor Garber, Eli Stone
• Mark Harmon, NCIS
• Judith Light, Ugly Betty
• Edward James Olmos, Battlestar Galactica
• Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
• Grace Zabriskie, Big Love
Young Actors/Actresses Award (the "Under 25" Award):
(Not to be accused of reverse-age-discrimination, it's only fair to give due recognition to the crop of young actors and actresses (under 25) who lit up the small screen this season. Here's the best of the bunch -- who were not nominated in any of the individual, traditional awards earlier this week ... )
• Michael Cassidy, Hidden Palms
• Gaius Charles, Friday Night Lights
• Patrick Flueger, The 4400
• Blake Lively, Gossip Girl
• Tina Majorino, Big Love
• Emily VanCamp, Brothers & Sisters
• Mia Wasikowska, In Treatment
• Tyler James Williams, Everybody Hates Chris
Breakthrough Award:
(Awarded to the actors and actresses who had their first, big breakthrough for me this season; industry veterans and newbies alike. Here are the folks who made me sit up and take notice of them for the first time -- who were not nominated in any of the individual, traditional awards earlier this week... )
• Lauren Cohan, Supernatural
• Viola Davis, Traveler
• Pascale Hutton, Traveler
• Adhir Kalyan, Aliens in America
• Rebecca Mader, Lost
• Sarah Shahi, Life
• Yvonne Strahovski, Chuck
• Chris Vance, Prison Break
Bit Players Award (aka "Good Things Come in Small Packages"):
(Recognition for the actors and actresses who are criminally underused on their shows and who are most deserving of additional screen time... )
• Patricia Belcher, Bones
• L. Scott Caldwell, Lost
• Rex Lee, Entourage
• Ryan McPartlin, Chuck
• Valarie Rae Miller, Reaper
• Maulik Pancholy, 30 Rock
• Kevin Rankin, Friday Night Lights
• Tim Russ, Samantha Who
"I Deserve Better Than This" Award:
(This is a special award to recognize the actors and actresses who were better than the sub-par material that they were saddled with this year. It's not their fault that they were stuck on a crappy show or mired in a crappy storyline... )
• Lauren Ambrose, The Return of Jezebel James
• Penny Johnson Jerald, October Road
• Rashida Jones, Unhitched
• Nia Long, Big Shots
• Mirando Otto, Cashmere Mafia
• Parker Posey, The Return of Jezebel James
• Jimmy Smits, Cane
• Michael Vartan, Big Shots
Coming Thursday: More Bonus Awards including: Best Couple, Best Should-Be-A Couple, Hottest Chicks, Hottest Dudes (yeah, I'm going there), and more...
Coming Friday: The Special Recognition Awards, and final tallies.
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Jun 11, 2008 10:01 AM
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Hi Rod!
From your ballad here are my winners:
Best New Show:
Chuck
Best Soundtrack or Music:
Cold Case
Best Villain Award:
David Anders, Heroes or
Ed Westwick, Gossip Girl
I've just started watching the reruns of GG and he plays a great rich jerk.
Distinguished Veterans Award (the "Over 50" Award):
Judith Light, Ugly Betty
Edward James Olmos came in a very close second, but Judith commands the screen on Ugly Betty.
Young Actors/Actresses Award (the "Under 25" Award):
Gaius Charles, Friday Night Lights
Breakthrough Award:
Yvonne Strahovski, Chuck
Bit Players Award (aka "Good Things Come in Small Packages"):
Tim Russ, Samantha Who
"I Deserve Better Than This" Award: Lauren Ambrose, The Return of Jezebel James
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Jun 11, 2008 10:55 AM
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Great lists again, Rod! I've really been having fun with these and I hope you have, too. Okay, here goes my attempt to choose:
Best New Show:
• Pushing Daisies
This was tough for me between Chuck, Mad Men, and Daisies, but I though Daisies was definitely the most innovative. We are so lucky to have so many great new shows this season!
Best Soundtrack or Music:
• Cold Case--Still the best although I think Grey's does a good job, too.
Best Villain Award:
I didn't watch any of these so I'm going with Vanessa Williams on Ugly Betty.
Distinguished Veterans Award (the "Over 50" Award):
• Judith Light, Ugly Betty--She is so great here and on SVU.
Young Actors/Actresses Award (the "Under 25" Award):
• Emily VanCamp, Brothers & Sisters--I don't watch any of these shows, but I watched her on Everwood and she is great.
Breakthrough Award:
• Adhir Kalyan, Aliens in America--I liked him so much that I gave him a best actor nomination on my ballot.
Bit Players Award (aka "Good Things Come in Small Packages"):
• Patricia Belcher, Bones--Love. Her.
"I Deserve Better Than This" Award:
Haha, I didn't watch any of these either so I say that they ALL deserve better. 
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Jun 11, 2008 11:06 AM
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A commendable job Rod, and surprisingly enough I agree with pretty much everyone you nominated. I have to go across the board with all things CHUCK!
Best new show has to go to CHUCK
best soundtrack (I am humming the opening tune now, and envisioning the man plopping out of the nose) has to be CHUCK
and best breakout actor for Yvonne Strahovski.
But for best villian I have to go with Raymond Cruz of Breaking Bad, and from The Closer.
Best Veteran has to go with Mark Harmon with a close second to Victor Garber of Eli Stone.
Best Young Actor award has to go to Emily VanCamp of Brothers & Sisters
Bit Player has to go to Valarie Rae Miller of Reaper!
and the I deserve better than this award goes to Jimmy Smits!
Great work on the blog Rod - I KNOW how much work something like this is!
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Jun 11, 2008 11:36 AM
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Hello Rod!
My criteria will be which show or actor I looked forward to, or stuck with me, most consistently each week. Okay, here it goes:
Best New Show: Torchwood (Didn't we just watch the 2nd season?)
I thought it was going to be Burn Notice, but I realized I could wait a few days to watch BN, but HAD to watch Torchwood when it came on.
Best Soundtrack or Music: Grey's Anatomy - It's funny, I'm listening to Ingrid Michaelson's haunting Keep Breathing from the 3rd season. Remember it was playing at the end of the last episode when Burke left Christine at the alter?
Best Villain Award: Bones' Eric Milligan* (Zack Addy) - Because he so disarmed us with his poignant and winning portrayal of the murdering apprentice to a serial killer cannibal that many of us are still shocked and numb at this revelation.
Over 50 Award: At first I was going to say Sally Field, because it was so wonderful to see her on television again after so many years. But then you go and put Grace Zabriske on your list and I have to go with Grace. There is nothing more delightful to watch than the craziness of Grace Zabriske on Big Love.
Under 25 Award: Oh, this HAS to be Tina Majorino of Big Love. I still miss Mac and VM.
Breakthrough Award: I was SO glad you put Viola Davis on your list. She has been popping up in so many shows lately and I LOVE her. They seriously need to find a permanent show for this wonderfully talented actress.
Bit Players Award: Okay, I can't pick one here. It's a tie between Patricia Belcher of Bones and Tim Russ of Samantha who. They both command every scene they are in, even if they don't say a thing.
I Deserve Better Than This Award: Michael Vartan on Big Shots. He needs another Alias-type show. I would have said Ann Dudek for Big Love, because she was seriously underused as one of Alby Grant's many wives, but she definitely strutted her stuff in House this year.
*Zack was not on your list.
Okay, next?
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Jun 11, 2008 11:59 AM
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Best New Show:
• Eli Stone
• Mad Men
• Pushing Daisies
It's impossible for me to choose even three, since I love every show on your list. But I've narrowed it down to these three. Eli Stone for its inspirational storylines. Mad Men for its brilliance in portraying a long bygone era that I well remember, right down to the IBM typewriters that I typed on and the shirtwaist dresses and flip hairstyles I wore. (And yes, the incessant smoking--people really did smoke that much, whenever and wherever they pleased). Pushing Daisies for sheer enchantment and originality.
Best Soundtrack or Music:
• Eli Stone
George Michael anyone? In past years, I would have chosen Cold Case (Bruce, Dylan), but many of the cases last season were set in more recent times with music I wasn't familiar with.
Best Villain Award:
• Ray Wise, Reaper
No contest. Wise's charming and deliciously evil devil is the best thing about this show. Just when he seems to be giving poor Sam a break, he pulls the rug right out from under him.
Distinguished Veterans Award (the "Over 50" Award):
• Loretta Devine, Eli Stone
• Victor Garber, Eli Stone
• Judith Light, Ugly Betty
First of all, thanks for recognizing us old folks and scolding the industry for underusing us. My choices came down to three, and I couldn't choose among them. Loretta for her feistiness; Victor for his subtle steeliness; and Judith for her relentlessness.
Young Actors/Actresses Award (the "Under 25" Award):
• Mia Wasikowska, In Treatment
Mia's performance as the teenage gymnast in therapy was mesmerizing. One minute I was so aggravated with her, I wanted to slap her; the next minute I was aching for her. This young woman has a great future ahead of her.
Breakthrough Award:
• Viola Davis, Traveler
• Sarah Shahi, Life
Again, I couldn't choose just one. I had seen Viola in the Jesse Stone movies with Tom Sellick, but hadn't really noticed her until her terrific performance in Traveler. Now I notice her name in cast lists and sometimes will watch a program because she's in it. I had never heard of Sarah before Life, but her sly, exasperated performance as Crews' partner is a highlight of the show. No one can roll their eyes like she can.
Bit Players Award (aka "Good Things Come in Small Packages"):
• Patricia Belcher, Bones
No contest. No episode of Bones is complete anymore without an appearance by Patricia's curmudgeonly (but underneath-it-all, warm-hearted) Caroline.
"I Deserve Better Than This" Award:
• Lauren Ambrose, The Return of Jezebel James
• Penny Johnson Jerald, October Road
I haven't seen any of the shows on this list or on your honorable mentions list. I'll just say that I watched Lauren Ambrose in Six Feet Under and Penny Johnson Jerald in 24, and it's a shame they were on crappy shows. They both indeed deserve better.
Thanks, Rod. You're doing a great job.
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Jun 11, 2008 12:42 PM
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*sneaking in at work again*
Best New Show:
Chuck
You're right, this was hard but I've got to go with the show that gives me the greatest of all warm fuzzies when I watch. And you know why.
Best Soundtrack or Music:
Cold Case
My IPOD has many a song from this show.
Best Villain Award:
• David Anders, Heroes
Another hard catagory...D.B. Sweeny comes in a close second!
Distinguished Veterans Award (the "Over 50" Award):
• Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
One of the few times the Emmy's got it right!
Young Actors/Actresses Award (the "Under 25" Award):
• Gaius Charles, Friday Night Lights
Breakthrough Award:
• Yvonne Strahovski, Chuck
Bit Players Award (aka "Good Things Come in Small Packages"):
• Ryan McPartlin, Chuck
Awesome!
"I Deserve Better Than This" Award:
• Lauren Ambrose, The Return of Jezebel James
• Penny Johnson Jerald, October Road
• Rashida Jones, Unhitched
• Nia Long, Big Shots
• Mirando Otto, Cashmere Mafia
• Parker Posey, The Return of Jezebel James
• Jimmy Smits, Cane
• Michael Vartan, Big Shots
ALL OF THEM!!
*sneaking back to work*
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Jun 11, 2008 1:07 PM
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Rod - again I was glad to see Dirty Sexy Money in your honorable mention categories. I love that show. I just hope it stays true to the political/business/intrigue in the second season and doesn't get too drown on the soapy side of the show. I hope to see a lot more of Blair Underwood too. I sound like John Stone with Teryl Rothery, I know. But who knew Blair was this versatile?
Eric Winter broke out for me in Days of our Lives. I think he is the most gorgeous young man. So gorgeous he should be a long lost Winchester.
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Jun 11, 2008 2:22 PM
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Oh, I should have said - Scrubs has the best soundtracks always IMO. Also, Judith Light deserves every acting award known to man. She is incredible. To think, I've watched her since she was Karen Wolek on One Life to Live.
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Jun 11, 2008 2:23 PM
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But who knew Blair was this versatile?
Cindy - I've never watched Dirty Sexy Money, but anyone who saw Blair as charming Mr. Harris on The New Adventures of Old Christine and the tormented Alex on In Treatment knows how versatile he is.
I remember Judith Light as Karen Wolek too. I'm delighted to be able to watch her again on Ugly Betty and SVU. (I never watched her sitcom with Tony Danza.)
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Jun 11, 2008 3:01 PM
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Hi everybody! Thanks for coming back to check the bonus awards.
April...I've just started watching the reruns of GG and he plays a great rich jerk.
Welcome to the club of adults who admit that they watch and enjoy Gossip Girl! We are small, but growing.
Megan, my list buddy... We are so lucky to have so many great new shows this season!
You said it, sister! I added so many new shows to my "keeper list" this year, it's unreal: Army Wives, The Big Bang Theory, Breaking Bad, Burn Notice, Californication, Chuck, Damages, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Flight of the Conchords, Gossip Girl, In Treatment, Life, Mad Men, Private Practice, Pushing Daisies, Reaper, Samantha Who, Saving Grace, The Starter Wife, State of the Union, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles). The best part: they're all coming back for season 2!!
Thanks, Ranger! I like your pics, and I'm still amazed that folks are able to narrow it down to just one or two winners. Kudos to you. And thanks for validating the Raymond Cruz pick! I hope we get a lot more of his character on Breaking Bad next season. What a completely different character than the one he plays on The Closer.
Kath... Excellent point about poor Zack on Bones needing to be nominated for the "I deserve better" award. Like a lot of other Bones fans, I hated this twist and the character assassination of one of our formerly-favorite squints.
Marci... Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing my sentiments on Mia Wasikowska, Viola Davis, and Patricia Belcher. I could not agree more with your comments on them.
I'll just say that I watched Lauren Ambrose in Six Feet Under...
I didn't know you were a Six Feet Under fan back when it was on. I really liked that show, quirks and all. As a weird coincidince, I happened to come across the beautiful-while-heartbreaking closing montage of the series on youtube last night. You know the one I mean, right? It made me miss the show all over again. (sigh).
CA... got to go with the show that gives me the greatest of all warm fuzzies when I watch. And you know why
I know you have a thing for Big Mike and for Harry Tang. It's ok.
(Oh! did you mean, Matthew Bomer???)
CindyA... I sound like John Stone with Teryl Rothery, I know
Hey, as long as you're not posting pics of him half-dressed all over my blog, you're ok with me.
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Jun 11, 2008 5:26 PM
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Hi Kath... I meant to add: Both seasons of Torchwood aired in America during the 07-08 season, so I counted it as both a "new" show and a "returning" show.
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Jun 11, 2008 5:27 PM
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Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing my sentiments on Mia Wasikowska, Viola Davis, and Patricia Belcher. I could not agree more with your comments on them.
Well, you know what they say about great minds, Rob. And ours often seem to be in synch.
It's too bad we didn't know each other was watching Six Feet Under--I loved it too. The montage at the end of the series finale was fabulous. Thanks so much for posting the link. I'm going to bookmark it.
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Jun 11, 2008 5:52 PM
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"I Deserve Better Than This" Award:
• Nia Long, Big Shots
and
• Michael Vartan, Big Shots
Interesting category. 
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Jun 11, 2008 8:33 PM
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Great poll!
Best New Show: Burn Notice
Best Soundtrack: Chuck
Best Villain: Ray Wise, Reaper
Distinguished Veteran: Sally Field
Young Actor/Actress: Tyler James Williams
Breakthrough: Yvonne Strahovski, Chuck
I Deserve Better: Michael Vartan & Nia Long (although I never would've put them together, I liked them both before Big Shots and thought they were good together)
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Jun 11, 2008 9:52 PM
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