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.

Welcome Back Everybody!

Tonight was my first busy night of television since before the Strike. ABC's Thursday night line-up (Ugly Betty, Grey's, Lost) premiered tonight and NBC tried out a new time-slot for 30 Rock. Both of these tidbits were great news for me, especially on the same night. The time slot switch made it possible for me to watch all of my shows in one sitting. It was like a new lane opening up on a busy highway.

Anyone else settle in for a night of superb comedies topped off by perplexing drama (thanks LOST)? It was really nice to have so many options again. Not only that, but the episodes were really well done. I'm officially back in the swing of things...

just in time for things with SAG to heat up. I won't be able to take another strike. Hopefully it won't come to that.

I'm going to sleep well tonight.

Our Post Strike America

CBS had its first new Monday night comedy block since before the writers strike. They were competing with Fox dramas, reality heavyweights (The Bachelor and Dancing With The Stars) on ABC and a whole host of new reality on cable.

Well see the official results tomorrow but I am curious as to how these shows will stack up in a post-strike TV community. Will people welcome their "old friends" back into to their own with open arms or will there be a kind of backlash. Have we moved on? Was 100 days just long enough for you to jump on the reality bandwagon? Or even worse, turn off the TV all together?

CBS came out swinging tonight, but I am crossing my fingers that they don't strike out.

It's Over!

The Writers Strike is officially over.

The NY Times TV Blog whipped up this strike timeline in case my daily, weekly, and then not-so weekly updates weren't enough.

And if you missed the press conference announcing the deal, you can check that out too.

It's been a long 100 days. Now it's time to let the nation heal. Let's make comfort foods and vow to never watch Moment of Truth ever again.

Reason # 1,312, 789 Why...

I'm glad the Writer's Strike is almost over.

Tonight, for two hours, NBC is airing a little special called The 100 Most Outrageous Moments of All Time.

What does that even mean? Caught on tape? Moments with animals? In Black History? In Pop Culture? And who's deciding these moments? Is there a scale of outrageousness?

You'd really have to hate music with an undying passion to want to avoid the Grammy's so much as to sit through that special. Or you'd just have to have a high threshold for obnoxious clips/pain.

In my mind, the only thing that could be on a countdown of that title would be 100 clips of mega-superstar Jem, of Jem & The Holograms. As you will recall, she was truly, truly, truly outrageous.

Strike Babies!

Two of my favorites actresses recently announced that they're preggers.

Mary Lynn Rajskyb (That's Rice-Cub) of 24 fame is due at the end of the summer. I hope she has a girl and names it Terry Schematic Rajskyb. That would be a fitting tribute. Chloe is what Rajskyb is known for, but her role as the female lead in Kirk's short film on Gilmore Girls is why she'll always have a special place in my heart.



Beating Rasjskub to the punch is Angela Martin, Angela on The Office. She's due in May and if The Office is coming back this spring with a few episodes, it will be interesting to see how they cover that up. I know they did it on Seninfeld, Cosby and other programs, but Angela is really short and very thin. She's going to need to hold a really big cardboard box all the time.

There's A Deal On The Table!

This may be my Kennedy moment. Where was I when the WGA and the AMPTP came to a tentative deal? Taking a nap at my parents' house. I may have to work on my story. Anyway, the biggest struggle is over. Click here to check out the finer points of the deal.

Guild members still need to vote on the agreement, but this is looking way up. Pie in the sky up. The optimism is contagious. TV Guide even put out this handy-dandy guide of when your fav shows are coming back.

I'm waiting with baited breath because it's not over till it's over. (And I'm trying to do cool things so I can have a compelling story to tell my grandkids about this whole mess.)

What To Do When The Strike Ends

The Writers Strike is almost over. What are you going to do first when it ends?

• Watch 24!
  
• Delete all back episodes of The Office you've been hoarding on your DVR
• Start watching TV online again
• Watch the Oscars!
• Toast to the future
  
• Hopefully celebrate winning the TV Addict Strike Pool
  

It's been a long time to go without new TV. I just hope this doesn't affect The Mole coming back this summer.

Writers Strike: Weekly Update

• The Golden Globes sucked. Worse than the lack of stars at the event? Billy Bush providing commentary. Attention douchebag: You are not a media critic. No one cares if you think Californication is "so cool."
  

• WGA President Patric Verrone had some insightful things to say about the strike to the Fox Business Network. The most interesting part? He wants the Oscars to go on as scheduled in February. You, me, and everyone else buddy but it's looking pretty grim. I guess my red carpet theme party is re-scheduled for '09. And I was going to make something in puff pastry. PUFF PASTRY!

• The Directors Guild of America is currently in talks of their own. The problem? They're more likely to sacrifice residuals from new media for larger payments up front. Since the DGA is negotiating first, their deal could impact the WGA and SAG. Read on at United Hollywood.
  

• In positive news, the WGA signed an agreement with Spyglass Entertainment. They make movies, but every agreement is a giant step forward. Kudos!
  

Writers Strike: Weekly Update

In Florida last week. Two signs the strike is working. Two signs it needs to end immediately.

• The Golden Globes are canceled. After NBC insisted they would go on without writers, nominees or presenters they finally heard themselves talk and canceled the telecast. Instead, the winners will be announced at a press conference that is not set to last more than an hour.
  

• Tom Cruise's company United Artists is the first large studio to sign an independent agreement with the WGA. This deal is the first thing he got right since Cocktail.
  

• Jimmy Kimmel and Jay Leno are having each other as guests on their respective shows on Thursday. The fire and brimstone are set for Friday after lunch.
  

• American Gladiators had the highest ratings for any new show on NBC this season. Again, the hellfires should roll in after lunch, around one, twoish tops.
  

Writers Strike: Weekly Update

I missed you guys on Monday. Not too much happening this week or last because of the holiday. Talks are stilled virtually stalled out. It's not looking good.

• Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart are returning to the air on January 7th, without writers.
  

• The WGA granted a waiver to the Spirit Awards. Awesome. Since the Oscars and Golden Globes will suck, hopefully people will watch the show honoring indie films and some up-and-comers will get the credit and audience they deserve.
  
• Tiffany Pollard (pictured), a.k.a. VH1's New York, got engaged to that dude that won I Love New York 2. Expect more ridiculous marriages based on shitty reality shows should the strike continue.
  

Writers Strike: Weekly Update

• NBC late-night heavyweights Jay Leno & Conan O'Brien are headed back to work on January 2nd. The press releases from both hosts sited the non-writing staff as the primary reason for the return. While it's admirable, it's also disheartening. Re-runs of late-night shows are the only evidence of the strike for some people. If they go back on the air, some may think the writers are losing the struggle, or worse, that the fight is over. 

• Letterman is coming back to the airwaves even sooner, but since he owns the rights to his show, he negotiated with the writers and they've come to an independent resolution. That's class.

• If you'd like to tell the Los Angeles City Council how you feel about the strike, here are some instructions, names, e-mail addresses and even a form letter. Now you have no excuse. 

•  Maybe an all out battle like this wouldn't be a bad idea. At least everyone would go out swinging. 

• President of the Screen Actors Guild, Alan Rosenberg, wrote a statement of solidarity to the WGA. The two guilds are working very closely on this strike, as SAG is due for contract negotiations in the spring, on most of the same terms. The partnership is also going to make for a boring awards season. The actors aren't breaking the writers picket lines at the Golden Globes and presumably The Oscars. However, the writers have agreed to attend and write for the SAG Awards. Maybe people will actually watch them this year. 

Writers Strike: Weekly Update

Trouble in wonderland. The two sides are slinging mud at each other. This is not going well people. In fact, it's only getting worse. But I don't want to be a Debbie Downer. If you want to find out the bad stuff, check out unitedhollywood. Here are the two positive things that happened this week:

• The EPs of The Riches and the United Showrunner Committee are putting together a benefit to raise money for people affected by the strike. Lewis Black, Sarah Silverman, Tenacious D and Eddie Izzard among others are scheduled to perform. The event, dubbed Write Aid (gosh they're creative) is scheduled for December 14 at UCLA.
  

• The writers and fans brought their dogs to the picket line last week.
  

Writers Strike: Weekly Update

• The late night talk show host are ponying up and paying their staff. Some are more modest about it than others.
  

• This baby was born during the strike. Her mom is a writer and her dad is a gaffer. She's adorable. Too bad her parents are temporarily out of work. (Womp, womp)

• Viacom is putting every single episode of South Park online for free. While you're laughing at a talking piece of shit, remember that the writers aren't getting paid for any online content.
  

• The writers on strike clinched the coveted title of iWantMedia's Media Person of the Year. They beat out Perez Hilton, Rosie O'Donnell, Don Imus and others. Maybe they will carry this momentum with them when they resume negotiations tomorrow.
  

Show I'm Going To Miss The Most...

if the Writers Strike doesn't end soon:

30 Rock.

Tonight's episode made that pretty much official. There's nothing I enjoy more than shows about awkward women dating hot guys, studio heads running baseball teams, allusions to the Iraq war, and Vili Fualaau jokes. I usually don't watch 30 Rock on its first-run because I'm a converted Ugly Betty fan. But thanks to a re-run, I got reacquainted with all of my favorites.

Frank (Judah Friedlander) was exceptionally "on" tonight. I don't usually find his character too funny, but his challenge to traditional sex roles was hilarious. Why can't two straight dudes enjoy each other's bodies? Quote of the night.

Cross your fingers these deals are working. The WGA comes back to the table next week. In a perfect world, 30 Rock wouldn't be interrupted. I'm just hoping the void doesn't last too long.

Writers Strike: Weekly Update

• Writers and friends resumed picketing today after a short break for Thanksgiving.
  
• The WGA and the studios are formally meeting today for the first time since the strike started. Some sources are saying a deal may be in the works, even finalized. I'll believe it when I see it.
  
• United Hollywood is doing an innovative live broadcast online today. You can keep up with all of the goings-on straight from the best sources.
  
• These Speechless ads are a great show of solidarity. Three cheers to the A-list actors for sticking by the people who make them appear effortlessly witty, smart, or vile. The series of videos are running on Deadline Hollywood Daily. My favorite one features Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm).
  

That's all she wrote...for now. See you next Monday for the week five update. Let's hope this whole thing is coming to a close by then.

TV-Giving

Before I sit down to my favorite meal of the year, here's what I'm thankful for, at least where TV is concerned.

• Returns to normalcy for Desperate Housewives & Prison Break. Thanks for finding your niche and settling in again. I'm glad I held out hope.
  

• The Writers Strike is a blessing in disguise. It's high time the writers get what they deserve, plus it clears the schedule for some ridiculous reality shows that I can rant and laugh at for years to come. Stay tuned for my diatribe on Clash of the Choirs.
  

• Again, I'm thankful for my DVR and iTunes for ensuring I never miss a moment despite late night meetings, boring banquets and priceless moments with friends.
  

• To Showtime & HBO for always raising the bar. The Sopranos finale made people believers again. New shows on HBO (Flight of the Conchords, Tell Me You Love Me) and dark hits on Showtime (Weeds, Dexter) are carrying the torch. They owe it to the Sopranos to continue to develop intelligent beautiful television...and they are.
  

• And before I forget, I'm thankful for all of the great blogs I ran into this year, mostly while writing for this one. Scanner, and Reality Blurred to United Hollywood and Best Week Ever. I learn and laugh my way through work everyday. Thanks for bringing up to date pop culture news to the masses.
  

A Very Happy Thanksgiving to all five of our readers, wherever they are. Here's to lots of turkey, awkward family moments, the best naps of the holiday season and great sales on TV on DVD.

Writers Strike: Days 13 & 14

Well I feel guilty, but I won't back down. The blog, Get Back In That Room, is compiling a list of people who have lost their job thanks to the strike. Remember, these aren't writers who are not working out of principle. These are casualties of that strike. It's a long list that probably grows everyday.

It's a sad side effect but ultimately it just needs to happen. If not now, when? I trust that these people will get their jobs back when the shows begin, however, they still have to make it through the holiday season.

Let's just hope this meeting on the 26th goes well.

Writers Strike: Day 12

The WGA and the studios agreed to return to the table for negotiations.

This is big! It probably won't end anything, but talking is a great start. The meeting is set for November 26.

What a great day. Let's hope for the best.

Writers Strike: Day 11

Adorably awkward, Michael Cera, is hosting SNL this weekend. You may be thinking, "Won't there be a rerun?" Nope. The New York Post is reporting the show will go on...stage that is.

The casts of SNL and 30 Rock will perform stage versions of their shows at a small theater in New York City.

Tickets are only $20 and the proceeds go to the WGA strike fund.

That show is going to be wonderful. I am officially jealous that I will be missing it. This is one of the only good things to come out of the strike so far, at least where fans are concerned.