By Tom Rose
Fancast.com
The Primetime Emmys were announced this morning and, as usual, they were just as noteworthy for who made the fold as they were for who's out in the cold. But there are some real head scratchers this time. Here are the worst offences:
Upstart "Pushing Daisies" scored an impressive number of technical awards (makeup, costume, art direction, etc) and got some well deserved recognition for Writing, Directing, Lead Actor (Lee Pace) and Supporting Actress (Kristen Chenoweth). But the daringly original series about a baker with the power to kill by touch alone came up short on the Comedy Series nod. Somehow though, "Two and a Half Men" slipped through the doggy door. Ned the Pie Baker, shake hands with Charlie Sheen. Please.
"Lost" has found its way again, scoring Outstanding Drama Series and Supporting Actor (Michael Emerson) nominations. But it's conspicuously absent from the Writing list. Could it have anything to do with the admission by J.J. Abrams that not even he knows what the hell is going on? The craze this year is for a new crop of island inhabitants: the bygone, soulless Manhattanites populating "Mad Men" (2 nominations.)
Since "The Wire" has ended its run, you would think a little sentimentality may have crept into the voter's hearts. Sorry. A lonely Writing nomination is all this explosively gritty series was able to field. Based in Baltimore, the show explored the depths of that hamlet's soul whether it be the staples of dramatic television (corruption, apathy, tawdry romance) or the actualities of the American life. You know – greed, passion and tawdry romance. Apparently the voters were not wired in. Too bad.
Dishonorable Mention:
Friday Night Lights
