Breaking Down the Emmy Noms

Published on Thursday, July 08 2010

Written by Katie Marzullo

Early this morning, the hilarious Joel McHale and the so-gorgeous-it’s-not-fair Sofia Vergara announced the nominees for the 62^nd annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Let’s break it down, shall we?

THE NEWCOMERS

“Glee”: 19 noms

- Not exactly unexpected. This show is the undeniable hit of the year, and its nods to Matthew Morrison (Lead Actor), Lea Michele (Lead Actress), Chris Colfer (Supporting Actor), Jane Lynch (Supporting Actress), and Neil Patrick Harris (Guest Actor) are being touted as indisputable shoe-ins. It will be interesting to see if Lea Michele can challenge the likes of Amy Poehler, Edie Falco, Toni Collette, and the one-woman wrecking ball known as Tina Fey. Ditto for the other noms, but Jane Lynch probably does have this one in the gym bag.

“Modern Family”: 14 noms

- I was thrilled to see that this show has been recognized. The format is a little awkward (a documentary-style set-up similar to “The Office”), but the writing and performances are superb. Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Julie Bowen, and Sofia Vergara were all recognized for their performances in the Supporting categories! Those are great odds!

“Nurse Jackie”: 8 noms

- Perhaps this show would be more appropriate in the Surprises category (below); surprising because it was listed as a Comedy. In any case, Lead Actress nominee, Edie Falco, has been nominated seven times in the past (six noms for her work on “The Sopranos”) and has yet to take home the prize. Unfortunately, she might have to keep waiting as long as Lea Michele is still around belting out solos…

“The Good Wife”: 9 noms

- Juliana Margulies hasn’t been to the Big Dance in 10 years, back when she was wearing the white coat on “ER.” The last time she actually won was 15 years ago. Can this be her big comeback? She’ll have to throw some elbows at the likes of Mariska Hargitay and Glenn Close to do it.

THE FAN FAVES

“Lost”: 12 noms

- The last time this show was up for Outstanding Drama Series, it was only a year old. Five crazy seasons later, the now-concluded epic is again being recognized with the best of the best. Their chances are good too – remember when The Lord of the Rings didn’t win the Oscar for Best Picture until it’s final installment? This could be another case of rewarding a body of work as a whole instead of one part alone. At least, that’s my completely biased hope! Matthew Fox is also up for his first-ever nomination as the skeptical Dr. Jack Shephard, and both Terry O’Quinn and Michael Emerson (who each have one Emmy for this show under their belts already) are squaring off for the Supporting Actor prize, which I do believe one of them will nab. (Team Linus!)

“Saturday Night Live”: 12 noms

- This makes 126 total nominations for the 35-year-old show altogether, the most in Emmy history. Apart from the obligatory writing and directing nods, recognition was also handed out to series regular Kristen Wiig and to Betty White for her infamous hosting gig. Betty’s last two Emmys were in 1996 and 1986… I have a feeling she will be getting the hat trick!

“Parks and Recreation”: 2 noms

- One of those 2 nominations is to the brilliant Amy Poehler. She’s going up against her old “SNL” chum, Tina Fey. I say they wrassle for it, Baby Mama-style!

“Dexter”: 8 noms

- This show continues to turn it out season after season, thus it’s deserved noms for Michael C. Hall (Lead Actor) and Outstanding Drama. John Lithgow also received a nod in the Guest Actor category for his chilling turn as Arthur Mitchell.

THE OLD CHAMPS

“30 Rock”: 15 noms

- This show has won Outstanding Comedy Series 3 years in a row, Alec Baldwin has nabbed the Lead Actor Emmy the last 2 years, and Tina Fey got her statue for Lead Actress in 2008. Will they continue their seemingly unstoppable streak, or will someone else get a shot this year?

“Mad Men”: 17 noms

The perennial favorite is at it again, with nods going once again to Jon Hamm (who has two previous nominations for this show), January Jones (her first nom), John Slattery (Supporting Actor), Christina Hendricks (Supporting Actress), Elisabeth Moss (Supporting Actress), and of course Outstanding Drama Series, which it has claimed the last two years. Can it hold on to its title against likely sentimental favorite, “Lost”?

“The Office”: 4 noms

- I don’t think this show still has the fire power to nab the Big Prize this time around. This upcoming season will be the last for star Steve Carell, so although he’s nominated this year, look for the sentimental win to come next year instead.

“Breaking Bad”: 7 noms

- Bryan Cranston has owned the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category since this show’s inception. Does he still have it, or will it be a major upset this year? Because I like variety, I’m going to vote for the latter!

THE DARK HORSES & SUPRISES

“The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”: 4 noms

- This show received the biggest reaction at the announcement ceremony this morning, and it’s little wonder. The wounds still run deep over the “Tonight Show” debacle earlier this year, and it seems clear that Emmy voters are Team Coco…

“True Blood”: 5 noms

- Vamp-philes everywhere, rejoice!!! The cult HBO fave was probably the surprise nom of the day. A show which would probably be headlining the CW’s prime time line-up if not for the all gratuitous sex is a highly unusual choice for Madam Emmy. But, maybe she’s just really, really into Vampire Bill’s pecs too…

“Big Bang Theory”: 5 noms

- Jim Parsons nabbed himself a Lead Actor nod, which is no doubt well-deserved. But will it be enough to take down the likes of Baldwin, Carell, David, Shalhoub, and Morrison?

THE SNUBS

Ed O’Neill:

It seems just about the entire cast of “Modern Family” was nominated, but somehow the show’s patriarch was passed over. Can it be the industry still harbors some bitterness over how he squandered his considerable talents for 11 years on “Married with Children”? Don’t hold it against him, Emmy voters! Mr. O’Neill is one of the most gifted actors in the biz today.

David Letterman:

Dave’s “Late Show” is a perennial nominee in the Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series category, but he is noticeably absent this year. Perhaps some lingering fallout from his blackmail scandal earlier this year? Surely the TV Academy isn’t that petty!

“Community”:

This show was another breakout hit this year, but it was completely shut out from the major categories. No love for Chevy Chase, Joel McHale, or higher education??

“Chuck”:

Another popular and critical favorite absent from the ballot.

“Heroes”:

How the mighty have fallen…

The Emmy Awards air on August 29 at 8:00PM on NBC.

What did you think of the Emmy noms? Share with us!

- Katie Marzullo, YH Staff Editor

katie@younghollywood.com