'Live From TV Land' Chat: All Things Emmy

Hello, Jon (and all you ships at sea). Ready to talk All Things Emmy?

Hello, Emmy. Maybe we should talk all things Ellen.

Nothing to see here....

Do you think that the recent Emmy nominations will cause some last-minute reshuffling of network schedules? I'm especially concerned for my favorite new show, Friday Night Lights, which was shockingly underrepresented.

Emmys would have been nice for FNL, which can use all the goodwill and publicity it can get. I'd been worried about the changes at the top of NBC, too, but for the moment, Ben Silverman *seems* supportive. And they've decided to play it at 9 p.m., instead of 8, on Friday nights, after Deal or No Deal (which apparently a lot of people watch).

Sometimes the Emmy voters used to pick a worth show that wasn't getting any viewers and give it a bunch of prizes to help save it. No such luck this time for Friday Night Lights.

a worthy show, that is

I have this theory -- which I didn't originate -- that shows that are filmed out of town are always at a disadvantage. Lights is filmed in Austin, Lost in Hawaii and The Wire (another extremely worthy show) in Baltimore. Just saying.

Interesting. The fact that The Wire got ZERO nominations is an unfunny joke. It's probably the best show on TV.

Last season, for the time it was on, it was definitely the best show on TV. But beyond Baltimore, there's the serialization thing. It's not a show you can see one episode of and automatically understand everything. And Emmy voters don't usually watch full seasons of things.

Let's not forget all the shows filmed in Philadelphia. Except for Hack, they seem to have a run of about 12 minutes and you never see them in syndication.

Well, except for Trading Spaces and Hack, I don't think there ever were any shows shot in Philadelphia. But, generally, (thirtysomething is an exception) even if you mention Philadelphia, you go down the tubes fast.

Speaking of Hack, David Morse (who lives in Philadelphia but no longer works there) was nominated for his arc on House. Where he was pretty darn scary. And a wonderful person to send up against Hugh Laurie.

And they nominated Hugh himself this time, instead of just his show!

I thought the drama actor noms were somewhat suspect: Kiefer Sutherland was lousy last year, and even though I personally adore Boston Legal, James Spader was not a top actor on TV. Where was Michael C. Hall from Showtime's Dexter, who was the best of all?

"Emmy voters tap serial killer" -- there's a headline for you. But yes, Hall's terrific.

And not actually a serial killer in his real life. As far as I know.

What about the comedy actors? Alec Baldwin and Ricky Gervais made the cut.

Weirder still, Gervais is up against Steve Carell, who's essentially playing the part Gervais created in The Office. Though Carell has, as they say, "made it his own."

I like that Mary Louise Parker, who is S-o-o-o cute, got named as best actress in a comedy and best actress in a movie/mini.

I've always loved Parker, but I'm afraid in Weeds, she's been limited to two expressions. And while they're not the same two expressions Kiefer was nominated for, they're not quite screaming Emmy to me this year. (I should add that I'm in a distinct minority in this hotel full of Weeds-loving TV critics. And yes, I said Weeds, not weed.)

Oh dear. Now you've forced me to call you an ignorant slut. But you can get me back. I think Boston Legal is wonderful, and I'm glad it got nommed for best drama.

You don't think it's strong point is comedy?

Well, there is that....

And preaching left-wing hooey.

Left-wing hooey is very popular in this town.

Anyway, I think it's time to draw a distinction between shows we enjoy watching and good shows. I watch all sorts of stuff, but have you seen me pushing One Tree Hill (horrible but hard to turn away from) for an Emmy, or even a Television Critics Association award? No, you have not. I'm not even sure House should be in the best drama category, though I have no problem with Laurie's nomination. But an actor doesn't always make a show Emmy-worthy.

Oh, no! One Tree Hill!

I'm not defending it...

And, once again, you're wrong. I think the shows I enjoy are also the best shows. I was devastated that October Road got no nominations. But at least According to Jim got one.

I'm on record (on the Mayor of Television's blog, at least) as calling October Road the Sanjaya Malakar of TV dramas. But Sanjaya, at least, eventually went home.

The Mayor of Television? I hope he's better than Milton Street.

Were you surprised that 24 didn't get an Emmy nomination?

Not surprised, but relieved that it wasn't nominated for drama. I mean, it was the worst season ever of a much-overrated show. They ran out of plot 17 hours in, and yet the poor actors had to keep showing up. Which is the real reason Kiefer might deserve that nomination, two expressions or no. Work ethic counts.

Now I agree with you. My head is spinning. 24 had a terrible year. Did Kiefer actually have two expressions? PUT THE GUN NOW!I have officially given up on it.

PUT THE GUN DOWN NOW!

I guess I won't get nominated for an Emmy.

I can't even remember my lines.

And 24, by the way, actually got six nominations, though some were for things like stunt coordination (and I'm not prepared to argue that its stunts are uncoordinated). And still none for The Wire. Am also wondering if Jericho fans will start shipping peanuts (which, by the way, are not technically nuts) to the Academy, since Jericho was also shut out.

I think the Jericho fans are nuts, which is why they sent the peanuts. There's another pun in there, but I'll pass on it. Must also pass on Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg's **** in a Box, which was nominated for best original song, which, of course it is. What will they do if it wins?

That would be the Best Emmys Show Ever. And since it's playing on Fox this year, it might just happen.

And what if Justin came and sang it live? They might actually get some viewers to the show, which has been tailing off mightily in the ratings.

I, by the way, thought CBS was crazy to ax Jericho in the first place. But after getting the same ton of e-mails that all the other critics got, I'm re-evaluating my position on my fellow fans.

I think the whole thing was staged. I don't think there are that many fans. CBS just made it all up to get publicity.

And give a nice boost to the company that sells nuts online? I don't think so.

Were you surprised that "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" got 17 nominations?

Sort of didn't see that one coming, but then again, I shouldn't be surprised. It's a noble-sounding project, based on a fantastic book. But it was kind of a disappointment when Dick Wolf's company got through it -- though not as bad as some people said, it hardly deserved 17 nominations.

I think there was definitely a knee-jerk reaction to the material in "Knee." Probably a lot of the voters didn't even watch it. Or maybe they were drunk. After all, they nominated Kathy Griffin for best reality show.

She's a hard-working girl. I just wish watching her didn't feel like such hard work.

I'll give that Emmy to the Dog Whisperer. It's a perfect fit, since so many of the Emmy noms are dogs...

I think we should leave on that note. The CW awaits.

Ah, yes. Television for teenagers. My favorite. Thanks a lot for tuning in here. See you all next Wednesday. And I'll see you, Ellen, every day.

We're here all week. Please don't forget to tip your waitress.