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| I want a poster of this in my room. |
Louie! Louie! Louie! Louieeeeeee
Every year I want to say that it's "The Year of Louis C.K." Let's just say that this decade belongs to him. The comedian with many jobs continues to break more ground: this year he picked up multiple nominations. He wasn't just nominated for his show "Louie," which had its best season yet, but also for his hosting of "Saturday Night Live," and his new special "Oh My God." While "Oh My God" wasn't the best standup that the master has ever done (though it is still leagues above most of the other stuff out there today), Mr. C.K. earned every nomination that he got. It's nice to see that one of the funniest, most talented, and hardest working people in the business today is finally getting his due. And with Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine" coming to theaters next weekend, could the Oscars be next?
Veep Sweep
Armando Iannucci's latest political satire got over any speed bump from season one for an incredibly smooth ride of a second season. This season, "Veep" displayed some of the sharpest writing on television as well as a brilliant performance from Julia Louis-Dreyfus and excellent work from the rest of the cast, including fellow nominees Anna Chlumsky and Tony Hale.
There are few things that I could say about "Breaking Bad" that hasn't already been said over and over again. However, Vince Gilligan's televised masterpiece deserves all the praise in the world. The first half of season five raised the dread. In a world of predictability, I can say that I have absolutely no idea how the hell this show is going to end. And I like that. "Breaking Bad" has only two more chances to win the Best Drama award. And I can confidently say that "Breaking Bad" will win the Best Drama award at least two times.
30 Rock's Swan Song
Some great shows overstay their welcome. "30 Rock" realized that season seven would be their last and went out with an absolute bang. "30 Rock" has already won for Best Comedy three times so it wouldn't be a big travesty if it lost. But like the show itself, which seemed to be saving some of its best lines (Liz Lemon answering her phone: "This is Lemon. Make lemonade.") for the final season, the Emmys crammed in as many nominations as possible. Will Forte finally got a nomination for his turn as a Jenna Maroney impersonator, while Jenna Maroney herself, Jane Krakowski, has one last chance to walk home with a statuette. I'm not begging voters to give "30 Rock" another Emmy, but would it be so much to ask for one more win? For old times sake? After all, this is the show that changed the modern sitcom as we know it.
I dare you not to tear up at this.
Mandy Patinkin
To say "Homeland" hit some rough patches this season would be an understatement. As "Friday Night Lights" also proved, involving your teenage character in a hit-and-run murder plot never ever works. Even in an off episode, it was comforting to know that Mandy Patinkin would be there. As Saul, Patinkin always provided humor, warmth, and insight at all the right moments. Not to mention, he has a great Hebrew chant for every situation. Wait a minute, Patinkin has a big, white beard, and we can always rely on him for a joyful moment. Is he Jewish Santa Claus?
Bill Hader
This was Bill Hader's last chance to get nominated for an Emmy for "Saturday Night Live."* Luckily, voters delivered. Besides being a master impressionist, Hader also killed it with his original character. His most famous, Stefon (co-written by John Mulaney, one of my favorite comedians in the world), became an institution by the end of this season through an epic wedding send-off. Hader may have laughed through many of his sketches, but he always managed to make that the highlight. I think that will lead to great success for him in the future. I can think of another "SNL" alumni who laughed through most of his sketches, and he turned out just fine: Jimmy Fallon.
*But this may not be Hader's last chance at the Emmys: he will be a full time writer for "South Park" next season.
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