Emmy Nominations! Finally!

So there's a lot to say about the Emmy nominees and I may not be able to get it all in this post.

First, if you take a quick look at the list (which is impossible by the way, there are a lot of categories) you'll discover a few shows/actors/etc that were really surprising. Best Week Ever took a look at some of the shocking inclusions but I made a list of my own.

-Take a look at this list of Emmy nominees: Canterbury's Law, Disney Phineas And Ferb, Kid Nation, Pirate Master, Saving Grace. Please note that the list includes Pirate Master and one of my favorite shows of all time, Kid Nation. Can you guess what category this is? Outstanding shows no one watched? Worst shows ever according to the NY Times Arts section/the rest of society? Nope? Outstanding Original Main Title Music. I know! Who knew? If Kid Nation wins an Emmy...in anything, it will be the best day ever.

-John Adams smoked every single mini-series category. The HBO miniseries earned a mind boggling 23 noms. 23. Expect to hear their patriotic theme a million times on show night.

-Tina Fey and the rest of the 30 Rock gang scored 17 nominations, granted four of those are in one category (Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series). This show still doesn't get enough love. I think the only way people will watch it is if it can sweep the comedy, actress in a comedy series, and actor in a comedy series. The thing is, I think it can and will.

-Bryan Cranston got nominated for his superb work on Breaking Bad. My roommates hated this show and to them I say, " I told you so."

Other than Two and a Half nomination (seriously?) the list is pretty much exactly as I'd hoped. You can read the whole thing right here. Despite the strike, it looks like it's going to be an excellent awards season.

TCA Nominations Are Out! Thoughts?

The nominations for the Television Critics Awards came out today. Unlike the Emmy's, the TV critics tend to know what they're talking about and it's always interesting to check out which shows they think are a cut above the rest.

You can see the full list here but here are some stats worth mentioning.

- HBO miniseries John Adams earned three nominations. That may not sound like too many but there are only 9 categories. The show may not win for program of the year but Paul Giamatti will probably walk away with the award for Individual Achievement in Drama.

- Christina Applegate earned a nom for Individual Achievement in Comedy for her work on Samantha Who. Applegate outshines this show. Without her, it probably wouldn't have made it past the Writer's Strike.

- Breaking Bad is off to a great start, with a nomination for Outstanding New Program. I hope this praise means Emmy will shine on this gem of a show as well. Bryan Cranston was superb as a dying teacher and Meth-maker.

-Flight of the Conchords earned a few nominations as well. The boys may walk away with an Emmy this year and I can't wait to hear their acceptance speech.

Sunday Night Round-Up

I missed the 9 PM John Adams so I have to wait for the West Coast feed at 11. So far, its been a very long wait. The worst part? I will probably fall asleep before the 90 minute installment ends. What better to occupy my time than writing to all of you?

• If you loved the return of Comedy Night Done Right (I'm personally still tied to Must See TV) then why not take home the merchandise? Now you can own your very own Serenity By Jan candles (including a Bottled Water scent) or a MILF Island t-shirt. Better question? Why haven't they started selling a Michael Scott edition of the George Foreman Grill
  

• Viva Hollywood, a reality show about Latino actors competing for a starring role on a telenovela, premiered today. I saw an airing this afternoon and while it's not as fun to watch if you don't know telenovela conventions or stars, the drama is still there. Plus one of the wannabes drinks a lot, one isn't there to make friends and the rest of the girls are slutty. It's pretty much just like every other reality show.
  

• Desperate Housewives returned to the air tonight. The show was awful last season and was in the middle of a fantastic comeback before the Strike. Hopefully the break didn't slow their roll and the ladies will be funnier than ever. My secret hope? They take risks without being crazy.
  

• There's a new sitcom premiering on My Network TV tomorrow. It's about an ex-con who moves into his uptight brother's house. It's called Under One Roof. It stars Flava Flav and I will watch it so you don't have to. It's the least I can do for you.
  

Hump Day Update

There's no good on tonight so here's whats happening in TV news.

• Anderson Cooper had a cancerous mole removed from underneath his eye. Apparently the cancer hadn't spread anywhere else and he's doing just fine. I bet his hospital gown was Prada and gorgeous. That is one sharped dressed man.
  

• John Adams brought huge numbers for HBO. Apparently it's the best miniseries debut for the network since 2004. I watched the first and second segments and it really is fantastic, plus one of Adams' speeches to the Continental Congress felt very relevant for 2008.
  

• TV Land is re-branding itself as the network for 40-ish crowd. Their moving away from re-runs and running some originals targeted at this highly coveted demographic. None of them sound very good though.
  

I'd Rather Have A Sam Adams

John Adams, the seven-part miniseries on the life our second president, starts tonight on HBO.

I plan on watching at least the first installment because I want to see what all the fuss is about but it will have to be pretty gripping to keep me coming back six more times.

If anyone can make it interesting, it will be HBO. They've done wonders for funeral homes, carnies and even vapid celebrities so I am optimistic that at least tonight's segment will be worth my time. Plus I am curious as to how they can doctor up Paul Giamatti to make him look a little less (for lack of a better term) schlubby. He's kind of doughy, matty hair, desperate eyes. Not ugly by any means, just schlubby. Like he'd rather in pajamas. Not exactly what comes to mind when you think of John Adams. (Though most of the time when I think of John Adams my mind quickly switches to Sam Adams. ) But make-up, an accent and great costume design can probably cure what ails him.

If anyone else is tuning in, let me know so we can dish tomorrow.