Fall 2008's Class of New Shows: Winners and Losers
Hi Blog Buddies,
By my count, 25 new scripted shows premiered this fall across the broadcast networks, cable stations, and premium channels. I've sampled them all, and here's my humble opinion on which ones are worth keeping around and which ones aren't for me.
Keepers (Shows That Got Season Passes) • Crash (Starz) • Easy Money (CW) • Little Britain USA (HBO) • Privileged (CW) • Sons of Anarchy (FX) • The Mentalist (CBS) • True Blood (HBO)
On the Fence (Shows Looking More Good Than Bad) • 90210 (CW) • Gary Unmarried (CBS) • Fringe (FOX) • Life on Mars (ABC) • My Own Worst Enemy (NBC) • The Life and Times of Tim (HBO)
Flat-lining (Shows Very Close To Being Dropped) • Kath & Kim (NBC) • Sanctuary (Sci-Fi) • The Ex-List (CBS)
Dropped (Shows That Struck Out With Me) • Crusoe (NBC) • Do Not Disturb (FOX) • Eleventh Hour (CBS) • Knight Rider (NBC) • Raising the Bar (TNT) • Star Wars: The Clone Wars (CN) • Testees (FX) • Valentine (CW) • Worst Week (CBS)
Yet To Premiere • Legend of the Seeker (SYND) • Rita Rocks (Lifetime) • Surviving Suburbia (CW)
Agree? Disagree? Any shows that I've dropped that I should give a second chance?
(Note that this list doesn't include any of the shows that will premiere in the spring. This is solely the Fall class only.)
Yahoo Picks the Top 10 Shows on TV. Did They Get It Right??
Yahoo.TV, a site I visit sometimes when I'm "cheating" on TVGuide.com, has announced their picks for the Top 10 shows on TV. They've also announced their picks for the Top 10 new shows this fall.
Their picks are listed below with some additional commentary by yours truly, of course.
• Gossip Girl • Fringe • The Office • Dirty Sexy Money • Samantha Who • The Amazing Race • 30 Rock • Pushing Daisies • Friday Night Lights • Brothers & Sisters
Rod says: • I have to respect and applaud them for putting Friday Night Lights on the list, as FNL is one of the best shows on television. Ever. • On the other hand, I can't comprehend how anyone could compile a "best of" list that does not include Lost, Supernatural, or The Shield. • Also slighted: the awesomeness of Damages, Mad Men, Dexter, 24, and The Closer. • How did Fringe rate a place on the list when it hasn't even premiered yet, and critics have only seen 1 pre-screened episode? • Seeing Goosip Girl on the list make me feel a lot less guilty about watching this guilty pleasure. I don't think it's one of the top 10 programs on tv right now, but it is addictive as hell and quite enjoyable.
• The Mentalist • Opportunity Knocks • Life on Mars • Easy Money • True Blood • Sanctuary • Fringe • Sons of Anarchy • Knight Rider • 90210
Rod says: • I'm glad to see that Yahoo TV is expanding their list to cable and premium channels and not just sticking with the basic networks. • Maybe I'm the only person looking forward to Crash (on Starz) because nobody seems to be talking about it all. (Maybe that's because it's airing on Starz and not many people subscribe to that station.) • Opportunity Knocks? Seriously? • Most of the new shows that I'm highly anticipating are premiering until spring, so they weren't eligible for this list.
What do you guys think?
Look What CA Started: Here's Rod's Fall Line-up...
CA started it, and now we're all jumping in. Here's my fall schedule.
I've listed all of my returning shows as well as almost all of the new shows since I try to sample each new show (at least the pilot) to see if they're worth sticking with.
Like KellyTroy, I'm only listing my shows by night instead of by time slot since I tend to DVR everything and watch my shows commercial free later on in the evening.
So the real question then becomes: which shows will get watched the night they air so that I can talk about them the next day versus which shows will stay on the DVR a little longer? Tough choices, folks.
MONDAY
Returning: • Chuck, • CSI: Miami, • Gossip Girl, • Heroes, • How I Met Your Mother, • Prison Break, • Samantha Who, • Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, • The Big Bang Theory, • The Closer, • Weeds
New: • My Own Worst Enemy, • Raising the Bar, • Worst Week
Shows that will most likely get top Monday-viewing priority: Chuck, Prison Break, Gossip Girl, and Heroes.
TUESDAY
Returning: • Eli Stone, • House, • Law & Order: SVU, • Lincoln Heights, • NCIS, • The Shield, • Without a Trace
New: • 90210, • Privileged, • The Mentalist
Shows that will most likely get top Tuesday-viewing priority: Fringe, NCIS, The Shield, and Eli Stone.
WEDNESDAY
Returning: • Bones, • Dirty Sexy Money, • Private Practice, • Pushing Daisies, • South Park
New: • Do Not Disturb, • Gary Unmarried, • Knight Rider, • Legend of the Seeker, • Sons of Anarchy
Shows that will most likely get top Wednesday-viewing priority: Bones, Dirty Sexy Money, Pushing Daisies, and Sons of Anarchy.
THURSDAY
Returning: • 30 Rock, • Burn Notice, • CSI, • ER, • Grey's Anatomy, • It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, • Smallville, • Supernatural, • The Office, • Ugly Betty
New: • Eleventh Hour, • Kath & Kim, • Life on Mars
Shows that will most likely get top Thursday-viewing priority: Supernatural, Ugly Betty, Burn Notice, The Office, and 30 Rock.
If you haven't yet seen the awesome mid-season finale episode of Battlestar Galactica, then you'll want to stop reading.
Honestly. Stop reading.
Last warning.
Still with me?
Ok, this is going to be short and simple. The theory is flying around fast and furious that the fleet landed at the ruins of the Brooklyn Bridge. I'm not so sure. Maybe, maybe not. Thanks to Galactica Sitrep who posted a side-by-side comparison shot of the ruins in the episode with a current pic of the Brooklyn Bridge.
I can see that there's a case to be made for this, but I'm not 100% convinced. I'm curious as to what other folks think. Is it intentionally ambiguous, or is it so obviously the Brooklyn Bridge that I should get my eyes checked for not seeing it???
Oh... I should also mention, just for the record, that I LOVED this episode. I can't believe that we have to wait until January 2009 to see what happens next.
Rod's 2007-08 TV Awards: Special Recognition and Wrap-Up
Hi BFZ buddies!
Rod's TV Awards Week comes to a close today, and I wanted to say a big "thank you!" to everyone who took the time to pop in and check out the awards and add their voices to the fun. I really enjoyed it, and I hope we do it again next year.
Below are my final awards: the Special Recognition Awards, which are granted to the on-screen performers and off-screen masterminds who didn't quite fit into one of the specific categories earlier this week but who are still well deserving of some attention and accolades for their work during the 2007-08 season. Basically, these are the folks who deserve to not fall through the cracks before Award Week ends...
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
(Presented in alphabetical order. If you need a reminder of who is mentioned below, pictures of all of the winners are here.
Gabrielle Anwar (Burn Notice) Even though Gabrielle Anwar got an honorable mention in both the supporting actress category and the hottest chicks category, her total awesomeness warrants a Special Recognition Award as well. As Fi, the ex-lover and current ally/partner to burned spy Michael Weston, Anwar kicks ass while effortlessly exuding grace, talent, and hotness. Her character is undoubtedly one of toughest chicks on tv -- and I don't think anyone can handle a machine gun or a pair of Molotov cocktails as skillfully, and as sexy, as she can. She's got skills; she's got heart; and she's got a body to die for.
Greg Berlanti (Brothers & Sisters; Dirty Sexy Money; Eli Stone) Greg Berlanti may be the most deserving of all of the Special Recognition Award recipients. Although he never appeared on our television screens this season, he was a behind-the-scenes genius; shepherding three (that's right: three) shows this year; all of which made my "Keeper List" and were renewed for next season: Brothers & Sisters; Dirty Sexy Money; and Eli Stone.
Nestor Carbonell (Lost) In a show full of complex mysteries, time-shifting subplots, and cryptic characters, Nestor Carbonell's seemingly ageless Richard Alpert may be the most mysterious of all -- or at least the most intriguing. Carbonell plays this character and all of his layered ambiguities to perfection. I know I wasn't the only one hoping that Cane would fail just so we could get Nestor back on Lost. Team Darlton would do well -- very well -- to promote Carbonell to a series regular.
Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl) Towards the beginning of Gossip Girl's embarrassingly addictive freshmen season, I wrote Chace Crawford's character (Nate) off as a boring rich kid with no compelling storyline who only wasted space on screen. But what a difference a writers strike makes! Post-strike, Crawford really made his otherwise sub-par material work wonders; not only did I like the character, but I was actually ok with the notion of him possibly stealing Serena away from Dan at the end of the season. (I know, blasphemy!)
Summer Glau (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) We loved her in Firefly, and we loved her in The 4400. Now, finally, Summer Glau has gotten her chance to shine in a mainstream, network hit. Playing the super sexy and kick-ass android protector to the future champion of mankind, Summer is showing the world what we Browncoats and 4400 fans have known all along: that she is freakin' awesome.
Josh Gomez (Chuck) This may sound odd, but I believe fans of the show will understand what I'm saying: Morgan Grimes, although he has no knowledge of his best friend's secret life nor of the life-and-death stakes that surround him on a daily basis, completes Chuck Bartowski and completes Chuck the show. Know what I mean?
Burn Gorman (Torchwood) If there were an award for "most improved" character from season to season, without a doubt Burn Gorman would win that award by a mile. Owen (the character) started the season like he ended last season: as kind of a prick that we liked only because he was part of the Torchwood team and not much for anything else. Well, everything changed in that powerful three-episode arc midseason when Owen died and was brought back against his will, especially in the episode in which Owen bonded with the potential suicide victim on the rooftop. Gorman worked wonders with that material, and viewers became instant fans of the new Owen. Then our hearts were ripped out as he and Tosh made the ultimate sacrifice in the season finale. Excellent television, and an excellent season-long performance. Well done, Gorman. Hopefully this isn't the last that US viewers will see of you.
Anastasia Griffith (Damages) With most of the female acting accolades for the excellent Damages going to Glen Close and Rose Byrne, I wanted to make sure that we also gave props to Anastasia Griffith for playing Katie, the conflicted character who was a catalyst for so much of the serialized storyline this year. Not only did Griffith show us that she had tremendous range with this role, but she also held her own in all of her scenes with acting powerhouses like Glen Close and Ted Danson.
Eric Kripke (Supernatural) Eric Kripke, that most magnificent of all magnificent bastards, actually had the balls to send Dean Winchester to hell at the end of the season 3 finale. Awesome ending. Awesome season. Awesome series. Awesome show-runner. I can't wait to see what Kripke has in store for next year.
Robert Sean Leonard (House) Robert Sean Leonard gets Special Recognition for his knock-out performance in the season finale of House. I only watched the last six episodes of House, so I missed the opportunity to follow this character all season; but in that final hour, as Wilson fought against all odds to save Amber and ultimately, heartbreakingly failed to do so and then had to say goodbye to her forever, Robert Sean Leonard was, in a word, fantastic, in that performance.
Amy Madigan (Grey's Anatomy) Amy Madigan, capable of greatness (see: Field of Dreams), had a minor recurring arc this season on Grey's Anatomy. Although she didn't get much screen time, she could go down in the Grey's history books as the character who brought about what might be the show's greatest revolution: the de-bitching and de-whining of Meredith Grey. Amy Madigan's therapist character was the catalyst that pushed Meredith to finally (finally!!) shut up and get over herself. Please, tv gods, let this change stick and let the days of Moping MereBitch be long behind us.
Naoko Mori (Torchwood) Along with Burn Gorman (mentioned above), Naoko Mori was part of the most powerful and emotional dual-deaths we witnessed all season. We rooted for Tosh all season long: to find love; to find happiness; to find confidence; to find herself with Owen; etc. Mori took us all on quite a journey this season, and as it ended tragically and heroically in the season finale, our hearts were broken just as much as the hearts of Jack, Gwen, and Ianto. Tosh's final message to the team on the hidden videotape was some seriously great television.
Off-screen Narrators Although they have never show their faces on-screen, unseen narrators brightened up many of this season's better shows, making it impossible to imagine these show without their instantly recognizable voice-over characters: Jim Dale (Pushing Daisies), Kristen Bell (Gossip Girl), Chris Rock (Everybody Hates Chris), and Bob Saget (How I Met Your Mother).
Jeremy Northam (The Tudors) Anyone familiar with a history book on the subject of Tudor England knew that Jeremy Northam's character (the noble Sir Thomas More) would not survive the season as he was destined to meet his death on the head-chopping block of Henry VIII -- one of the most tragic victims of the English Reformation. Knowing that More's days were numbered did nothing to detract from the drama and emotion that Northam brought to the screen in his final episodes. His final death scene was truly memorable, and Northam gets major kudos for his performance. His presence, both physical and intangible, is sorely missed on the show.
Jared Padalecki (Supernatural) The acting categories were filled with so many great performers this year, that I unfortunately had to diss Jared and leave him off of the "best of" list for lead actor or supporting actor. However, Jared is still deserving of our praise and he gets a Special Recognition Award because he had a truly terrific third season (quite possibly his best work on the show to date), and there would be no Supernatural without Jared P. As Sammy Winchester, the younger-brother-turned-guardian-and-hopeful-savior, Jared was one half of one of the best shows on television this season.
Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) Who would have ever guessed that fans of this show (ok, maybe just me) might one day fully accept that Ted/Robin will never be and actually -- dare I say it? -- root for Robin to be with someone else. And sexaholic Barney at that! Color me shocked, but the show made me a believer. I'm all aboard the Robin/Barney bandwagon now, courtesy of one miss Cobie Smulders. Sometimes relegated to fifth-wheel status on this show, Cobie is still one of this show's best assets. Oh, and let's not forget about the triumphant return of Robin Sparkles this season too.
Lauren Stamile (Grey's Anatomy) Lauren, dear sweet Lauren, we hardly knew ye; but what little we knew of ye, we truly loved. It's not your fault that your potentially awesome relationship with McDreamy was cut short by the writers strike and by Shonda Rhimes's sudden desire to reunite Dr. Grey with Dr. Shepherd and close the MerDer fairytale on a happy note -- at your expense. You could have been so much more on this show, but your character was tragically cut down in her prime. We'll miss you and Nurse Rose (but I won't miss writing in this faux-obituary style!)
Shoshannah Stern (Jericho) Shoshannah Stern was unfortunately downgraded to recurring/guest status from series regular status this season on Jericho (a casualty of that show's reduced season-order). However, despite her reduced screen time, she truly shined when she did appear. Stern had one of the most memorable, moving, and deeply impacting deaths of any character this season (hell, this decade) as she channeled her inner she-warrior and single-handedly took out four Ravenwood mercenaries with her shotgun while defending her home and her sister-in-law before being felled by the murderous Goetz (D.B. Sweeney) and going on to be reunited with her parents in the great beyond. It was truly unforgettable television. Stern couldn't have asked for a better exit, and viewers couldn't have asked for a better performance.
Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galactica) Of the four hidden cylons revealed in last season's finale that we have been following this year, I find Sam Anders (played by Trucco) to be, by far, the most compelling and the one that I root for the most. While the other revealed cylons are dealing with the revelation in their own ways (frakking cylon prisoners; having meltdowns; or becoming a whore and murdering Cally), Sam's journey of self discovery, especially amidst his complicated relationship with Starbuck, has been the most engaging and the one Colonial Cylon storyline most enjoyable to watch. (Granted, I didn't like when he shot Gaeta's leg off; but ignoring that, I'm still rooting for him to somehow get a happy ending and not be shoved out of an airlock by his trigger-happy ex-wife.)
Tracey Ullman (State of the Union) Although Tracey Ullman's new sketch comedy series on Showtime didn't seem to get much publicity, it was well-worth watching and Tracey Ullman is well-deserving of some accolades. Not always a laugh riot (some skits in sketch comedy shows just aren't funny, no matter how talented the writers and actors; it's just the nature of the beast), Tracey nevertheless brought the funny more often than not. Playing a wide range of characters (from Midwestern farmers to New York executives, to real-life celebrities like Arianna Huffington and David Beckham, to an Indian pharmacist prone to breaking out into Bollywood-like production numbers in front of her customers), Tracey's versatility is truly remarkable and unmatched.
WRAP-UP TALLIES
And now, only for the inner numbers nerd inside many of us, here is a final tally of all of the awards given out during Rod's Award Week, broken down by network:
*Best="Best of the Best" awards *HM="Honorable Mention" awards *SR="Special Recognition" awards
I had a ton of fun this week with all of this. Thanks, everyone!
Rod's 2007-08 TV Awards: Bonus Awards (part 2)
Hello once again, Blog Buddies! The awards week continues, with part 2 of our bonus awards.
As usual, the number of winners is kept to 8; but you can see all of the honorable mentions for these categories by clicking here.
Also, as usual, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the award winners listed below. Which ones did I get right, and which ones did I get wrong?
Best Couple: (The couples that I most loved and for this year... ) • Brenda & Fritz (The Closer) • Eric & Tami (Friday Night Lights) • Sun & Jin (Lost) • Stanley & Mimi (Jericho) • Trevor & Roxy (Army Wives) • Penny & Desmond (Lost) • Josh & Andy (Kyle XY) • Dan & Serena (Gossip Girl)
Best Should-Be Couple: (These were the on-screen, character pairings that were not long-term, romantic couples this past season but whom I very much wanted to be; and I'll keep hoping that these couples get together in seasons to come -- if their show is still on the air, of course... ) • Abby & McGee (NCIS) • Martin & Sam (Without a Trace) • Eric & Calleigh (CSI: Miami) • Shawn & Jules (Psych) • Grace & Butch (Saving Grace) • PJ & Bobby (My Boys) • Sam & Todd (Samantha Who) • Jake & Heather (Jericho)
Dynamic Duos: (The small screen's greatest non-romantic dynamic duos: i.e., siblings, partners, co-workers, bff's, buddies, bromances, enemies, ex-lovers, dysfunctional spouses, etc... ) • Marc & Amanda (Ugly Betty) • Sam & Dean (Supernatural) • Jake & Amy (In Treatment) • Shawn & Gus (Psych) • Dean & Bela (Supernatural) • Booth & Bones (Bones) • Chuck & Morgan (Chuck) • Bret & Jemaine (Flight of the Conchords)
Hottest Chicks on TV: (A list of the hottest chicks who graced our small screen this past season; wow, talk about a difficult category to narrow down!... ) • Erica Durance (Smallville) • Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage) • Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) • Brooke Langton (Life) • Sara Ramirez (Grey's Anatomy) • Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck) • Kate Walsh (Private Practice) • Odette Yustman (October Road)
Dudes I'd Do (... If I Swung That Way): (This category really requires no elaboration, other than mentioning that it wasn't fair to have a "hottest chicks" category and not have an equivalent category for the opposite sex; so, here it is... ) • Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) • Ben Browder (Stargate Atlantis) • Henry Cavil (The Tudors) • Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights) • Eddie Cibrian (Ugly Betty) • Bradley Cooper (Nip Tuck) • Matthew Fox (Lost) • Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother)
Sorry that there were fewer categories today. I was going to post the Special Recognition Awards today as well, but I think I'll wait and post those tomorrow, along with the final tally wrap-up.
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.
Rod's 2007-08 TV Awards: Comedy
Hello again, blog buddies! Yesterday was the drama awards. Today we get the comedy awards.
Here are my picks for the best performers and shows in the comedy category for the 2007-08 tv season.
COMEDY
Lead Actress: Christina Applegate, Samantha Who Tichina Arnold, Everybody Hates Chris America Ferrera, Ugly Betty Tina Fey, 30 Rock Anna Friel, Pushing Daisies Debra Messing, The Starter Wife Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds Amy Pietz, Aliens in America
Lead Actor: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock Steve Carell, The Office David Duchovny, Californication Ricky Gervais, Extras Zachary Levi, Chuck Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory James Roday, Psych
Supporting Actress: Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies Judy Davis, The Starter Wife Angela Kinsey, The Office Becki Newton, Ugly Betty Ana Ortiz, Ugly Betty Kristen Schaal, The Flight of the Conchords Jean Smart, Samantha Who Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty
Supporting Actor: Adam Baldwin, Chuck Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother Simon Helberg, The Big Bang Theory Tyler Labine, Reaper Chi McBride, Pushing Daisies Chris Parnell, Miss Guided Jeremy Piven, Entourage Michael Urie, Ugly Betty
Guest Actress: Sarah Chalke, How I Met Your Mother Sara Gilbert, The Big Bang Theory Sharon Lawrence, Monk Amy Ryan, The Office Molly Shannon, Pushing Daisies Sherri Shepherd, 30 Rock Brooke Smith, Weeds Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock
Guest Actor: John Amos, Psych Will Arnett, 30 Rock Tim Bagley, Monk Matthew Bomer, Chuck Wayne Brady, Everybody Hates Chris Rhys Coiro, Entourage Stanley Kamel, Monk Freddy Rodriguez, Ugly Betty
Ensemble Cast: The cast of 30 Rock The cast of The Flight of the Conchords The cast of How I Met Your Mother The cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia The cast of My Boys The cast of The Office The cast of Pushing Daisies The cast of Ugly Betty
Best Comedy: 30 Rock Chuck Extras The Flight of the Conchords The Office Pushing Daisies Ugly Betty Weeds
Don't know who some of these names are? Want to know who came so close to making the list and got an "honorable mention" instead? Click here to find out.
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...)
Thanks for reading! Please feel free to let me know which ones you think I got right and which ones you think I got wrong. (Just for the record: I don't watch Scrubs, Earl, or Christine, so that's why you won't find any winners from those shows here.)
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!)
Passing Along Good News: Justin Hartley Will Be a Smallville Series Regular
Hello fellow Smallville fans!
Kristen over at E! is reporting some awesome news: Justin Hartley (Oliver/Green Arrow) will be a series regular next season on Smallville.
Whoo-hoo!
The Fake Correspondent Has Been Zapped. Thanks, David!!
For those of you who saw, and commented, on the blog that was posted by the fake news correspondent this afternoon, it looks like that false blog has now vanished.
Thank you, David!!
(I'm assuming that David zapped it because the person was blatantly trying to impersonate a real TV Guide reporter.)
Rod's Living Room Interview On the Lost Finale
Following the finale of Lost, which Rod watched very late last night courtesy of a hectic evening and his faithful DVR, Rod's good friend Jack Daniels came over to re-watch the finale with him and ask him some questions about the episode. Here is a transcript of that interview:
**beginning of interview transcript**
JD: Rod, thanks for taking the time out of your couch potato existence busy schedule tonight to answer some questions. Rod: Yeah, no problem. I think it's pretty clear by now that you, friend Jack, are in control of my agenda tonight. So fire away.
JD: First things first. What did you think about the finale of Lost tonight? Rod: I thought it was freakin' awesome. I loved it. It was a terrific ending to a truly fantastic season.
JD: What were your favorite parts of the finale? Rod: Favorite parts? There were too many to list.
JD: Agreed. But if you had to pick just one or two of the best moments, what would they be? Rod: If I had to pick just a few favorite moments, I think they would be: seeing how the Oceanic 6 really did get off the island; the heartbreaking final moments between Sun and Jin; the flashback to the moments immediately following the end of season 3 (fantastic continuity there!); and the whole island moving sequence. Oh, and Penny and Desmond's reunion too!
JD: How did you feel about the final reveal that John Locke (aka Jeremy Bentham) was the body in the coffin? Rod: I felt conflicted. On one hand, I was very sorry that it was Locke who was dead; but on the other hand I was extremely glad and relieved that it was not Desmond or Ben or Richard Aplert (all of whom I thought were candidates to be the mysterious "Jeremy Bentham" at some point or other in the finale).
JD: What did you think about the plot twist of Locke becoming the new leader of the Others? Rod: I found it to be very fitting and a cool story development. It was a great moment for Locke.
JD: Ben had some great moments last night too. Rod: Is that a question?
JD: Ben had some great moments last night too, didn't he? Rod: Yeah he did. Just when you think that you may have him figured out or just when you think that maybe he's not a bad guy after all, they show you that he really can be a devil... like not giving a damn about everyone on the boat dying.
JD: He's certainly still a force to be reckoned with, no? Whether he's on or off the island. Rod: No doubt. I'm verry worried for Penny now that Ben's mission is to find her and kill her. Run, Penny, run!
JD: I know you're a very big and outspoken fan of Penny/Desmond. How did you feel about their long-awaited reunion? Rod: Well, to channel my inner teenage girl, I would have to say: "OMG! OMG! OMFG!" To channel my more mature (and masculine self), I would say that I absolutely loved their reunion, and I am not ashamed to admit that I prayed aloud to the tv gods at the sign of the rescue boat "please be Penny, please by Penny, please be Penny." When Penny and Desmond finally made their way towards each other, I actually got chills. I was so freakin' happy that their love for one another literally transcended time and space and brought them back together.
JD: You realize that you sounded like a total chick with that last answer, don't you? Rod: Bite me. Next question.
JD: I've checked your transcripts and I know that you have flip-flopped on the issue of Kate/Jack vs. Kate/Sawyer in the past. Where do you fall now? Rod: Well, first off, I'm not sure I like your tone. I'm a fan, not a politician, so flip-flopping is allowed. Secondly, to answer your question, I would have to say that I think my true allegiance lies with Jack/Kate, but there is no denying that Kate and Sawyer have a truly dynamic connection with each other. When Sawyer whispered sweet somethings in her ear, kissed her, then leapt off the helicopter, I think even I was back on the Kate/Sawyer bandwagon for a few minutes.
JD: Ahem, once again, you realize that you sound very feminine with all of this chick-flick nonsense, don't you? Rod: Hey, you asked, pal. What did you expect?
JD: Well, I expected a little more manliness, that's all. You are the self-declared leader of the testosterone section, aren't you? Rod: Don't get sassy, JD. You want some testosterone? Ok. Let's talk about how awesome the scene was when Sayid and Kate channeled their inner Jack Bauer's to rescue Ben, or how absolutely hot Evangeline Lilly is when she's all cleaned up. Ditto for Yunjin Kim.
JD: That's better. Speaking of Sun (Yunjin Kim), who do you think is the second person that Sun blames for Jin's death? Rod: For a brief second, I thought it might be Kate (since Kate said she would go and rescue Jin, but then Jack stopped her). I also thought briefly that it might by Jack whom Sun blames, but at the end of the night I was pretty convinced that Sun blames Ben... and that's why she wants to team up with Charles Widmore. I think their "common interest" that she alluded to is the death of Ben. Although, now that I think about it, I suppose it's possible that their "common interest" is to find the island... meaning that Widmore could still be the second person that she blames and she is trapping him into working with her so she can steal his secrets and then kill him... Or maybe it really is Jack (and not Ben or Widmore) that she blames, since Sun didn't go to support Jack at his father's long-overdue funeral like the other survivors. Plus, Jack did mention to Ben that Sun blames him, so maybe...
JD: Getting back on track, how do feel about Jin's death? Rod: I refuse to believe that he is actually dead until I see more proof. It's possible that he jumped from the ship before the explosion and no one on the helicopter saw it, right? Right?
JD: Uh, I'm not so sure. Rod: Until definitively proven otherwise, I'm postulating that Jin survived the explosion and somehow made it back to the island (or at least to Daniel's zip raft) before the island moved.
JD: Well, if you believe that, then do you believe that Michael may have also survived the explosion? Rod: No. I think Michael is dead and gone. When the island appeared to Michel in the form of Christian Shephard and told Michael "you can go now" I think he was referring to leaving the world and not leaving the boat. Michael wanted to die earlier this season, but the island stopped him from committing suicide. I think the island now allowed him to die and pay for his sins against Ana Lucia, Libby, and the other 815 survivors.
JD: What did you think of Jack's revelation that Locke came to him and said that some very bad things happened on the island as a result of Jack leaving? Rod: My initial reaction was to hope that those very bad things (whatever they may be) have nothing to do with Jin, Sawyer, Juliet, Rose, Bernard or Claire.
JD: Where is Claire? What do you think happened to her? Rod: I have absolutely no idea.
JD: Do you think she's dead? Rod: Unfortunately, yes. Given that most (although not all) of the ghosts/visions that appear to people are usually in the form of someone who has already died, I'm suspecting that Claire is dead because she has now appeared ghostlike to both Locke and Kate. However, I could be wrong. I've been wrong before about this show.
JD: I know you have, like when you thought that Ben had actually orchestrated the murder of Danielle and Karl, all in an attempt to get Alex back? Rod: Thanks for rubbing salt in that wound. I was obviously very wrong on that one.
JD: Do you have any complaints about the finale? Rod: My only gripes would be that we didn't get to see how Rose, Bernard, Vincent, Charlotte, and Miles reacted to the island moving. Are Rose and Bernard still on the island? We never saw them get on the boat, but we didn't see them on the island post-freighter-explosion either.
JD: That's a good point. You are very observant and intelligent. Rod: And handsome too. Want to see my abs?
JD: No that's ok, let's just stick to the interview. Rod: Whatever. Your loss.
JD: What are your hopes and wishes for season 5 of Lost? Rod: Here are some of the biggies: • For Rose and Bernard to be alive; • For Vincent to be alive; • For Jin to be alive; • For Juliet and Jack to explore some jungle lovin' with each other; (Whoa!! Was that Rod or JD talking?? Where did that come from?) • For deeper backstories on Miles, Charlotte, and Faraday -- especially Charlotte and her mysterious past with the island; • For more screen time for Richard Alpert (played so awesomely by Nestor Carbonel); • For Michelle Forbes to make more appearances (although that might be a long shot given her character's part in the story seems to be over); • For the show to continue to explore the complete awesomeness that is post-island Sun Kwon; • For a fuller explanation of what happened/ what is happening to Claire; • For Penny and Desmond to get their happily ever after; • For Jack to find some peace, somehow, somewhere; • For more definitive answers about Jacob, the lists, and the now-forgotten Cindy and the kids.
JD: So is Lost the best show on television right now? The best show ever? Rod: Let's not get too carried away, Jack. Lost is awesome; truly awesome. But the best shows currently on tv are still Friday Night Lights and Supernatural (just for the record).
JD: I thought One Tree Hill and Pussycat Dolls were the best shows on tv. Ever. Rod: Why am I not surprised that you would think that?
JD: Now whose getting sassy? Rod: Sorry. Hey, do you want to see my abs?
JD: Please put your shirt back on. Last question: why is this whole blog in an interview format instead of a first-person narrative? Rod: Well, er, it seemed like a clever notion at the time. I'm blaming you, Daniels... you're the one who told me it was a good idea. I think I may have had way too much of you tonight for my own good.
JD: Fair enough, now let's start calling your old girlfriends and hanging up on them. Rod: Cool! Who should we call first? How about...
Congratulations to David Cook! (And Congratulations to America)
Whoo-hoo!
You all know that I've got nothing against David Archuleta. I think he's insanely talented with an amazing voice; plus my sympathies go out to him because of his overbearing stage father. However, that said, I think David Cook completely rocks and I am thrilled -- absolutely and shockingly thrilled -- that America voted David Cook the winner.
The 'tween girl text-messaging army was crushed defeated last night, and I'm happy to say that some of those votes for the victorious David C. came from my house. Congrats David Cook!! And America!!
Stay tuned for the more detailed blogs by Vickie and Darclyte...
