As it should be

Emmy Nominations as they should be, according to me.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Mad Men

The Walking Dead

I have nothing against Dexter really, I just never got into it personally. However, one of my absolute favorite shows of the year was AMC"s The Walking Dead. They make a zombie apocalypse seem less fantastical and more probable.

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)
Kathy Bates (Harry’s Law)Mariska Hargitay (Law and Order: SVU)
Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights)
Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)
Mireille Enos (The Killing)

Anna Torv (Fringe)

Anna Torv, arguably the weakest of the trio of leads on Fringe, still had an incredibly strong year playing two sides of a parallel universe.  And although Kathy Bates is an accomplished and respected actress, Harry's Law is just silly.

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights)
Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire)
Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
Hugh Laurie (House)Timothy Olyphant (Justified)
John Noble (Fringe)

It is CRIMINAL that John Noble has not been acknowledged by the Emmy's for his work on Fringe. His portrayal of Walter's bumbling brilliance and, alternately, Walternate's steely reserve and vengeance make him an obvious choice. Well, to those that know good tv. 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
John Slattery (Mad Men)
Josh Charles (The Good Wife)
Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age)
Walton Goggins (Justified)
Alan Cumming (The Good Wife)
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)

I have no beef with any of these men and think this category is a strong one. I will say, however, that Peter Dinklage was absolutely hysterical, brilliant, and endearing in Game of Thrones, and as a long time fan (The Station Agent anyone?) I will be rooting for him.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Christina Hendricks (Mad Men)
Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife)
Christine Baranski (The Good Wife)
Margo Martindale (Justified)
Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire)
Michelle Forbes (The Killing)

Again, I have no strong feelings in this category except for the fact that Archie Panjabi MUST WIN again, if only for this scene (do yourself a favor and turn up the volume. To 11.):

OUTSTANDING COMEDY
The Big Bang Theory
The OfficeParks and Recreation
Modern Family
Glee30 Rock

Community

Archer

How I Met Your Mother

Oooookay. Here is where the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and I part ways, become adversaries, get into a food fights, etc. etc. etc. I have a lovely place in my heart for The Office, and although it is still a quality show, there are others that are now doing it better. I know that it is shocking to see Glee crossed out my list, of all people, but it was a weak year for a show that started off strongly. They still do many things well, but building a seasonal arc is not one of them, something I consider somewhat essential to the type of show Glee has set itself up to be.

Community is simply one of the funniest shows on tv. Period. If you actually watch it there is no way you will argue with me. 

I recently discovered Archer and have only watched the first season, which was so outrageously inappropriate and hysterical. It's streaming instantly on Netflix so watch it while you can for free! (Don't get me started - that's a whole other blog post)

And I'll admit that How I Met Your Mother is a sentimental pick for me because I just love it. They've had stronger seasons than this last one, but I admire the steps they're taking to grow the characters and add a little depth to an entertaining show.

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly)
Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Martha Plimpton (Raising Hope)
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)
Laura Linney (The C Word)

LOVE Melissa McCarthy. Loved her as Sookie in Gilmore Girls, loved her playing so against type in Bridesmaids that it blew my mind, but do not love this show. Beyond finding it somewhat insulting to larger people, it's just not funny.

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Louis C.K. (Louie)
Steve Carell (The Office)
Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory)Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
Matt LeBlanc (Episodes)

Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation)

Garrett Dillahunt (Raising Hope)

Joel McHale (Community)

I know, trust me, I know. Steve Carrell created one of the most noxious, yet lovable characters in The Office's Michael Scott, but I think this nomination is for the run of the series, not the past year. Sentimental fools!

I have nothing against Johnny Galecki or Matt LeBlanc, I just don't think they're as good as my other picks. 

Joel McHale anchors the  cast of Community with a wry smile and effortless style. And Garrett Dillahunt is a pleasant surprise as the slightly dim, yet gentle Burt.

And then there's Nick Offerman aka RON FUCKING SWANSON. He can do no wrong. There aren't words to describe him, just this:

Oh, and this:

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Chris Colfer (Glee)
Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men)Eric Stronestreet (Modern Family)
Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
Ed O’Neil (Modern Family)
Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation)

Danny Pudi (Community)

I promise no more Parks and Rec videos after this one. 

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Jane Lynch (Glee)
Betty White (Hot in Cleveland)
Jane Krakowski (30 Rock)Julie Bowen (Modern Family)
Sofia Vergara (Modern Family)
Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live)
Judy Greer (Archer)

Busy Phillips (Cougar Town)

 I realize that Betty White is a national treasure and all, but really? Hot in Cleveland?

I know many of you are wondering who the hell is Judy Greer? You know her. You just don't know that you know her. Blogworld, meet Judy Greer:

Right? I know, she's been in everything, including voicing one of the characters on Archer. Her delivery is HYSTERICAL. The entire show is hysterical, but she's my favorite.

 

And Busy Phillips on the seriously underrated show Cougar Town is just a vision of air-headed bubblegum. Her clothes alone deserve an award.

OUTSTANDING REALITY SHOW COMPETITION
Project Runway
American Idol
The Amazing Race
So You Think You Can Dance
Dancing with the Stars

Yay So You Think You Can Dance! Booo Dancing with the Stars. And can we please just put American Idol out of it's misery?

OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Conan
Real Time with Bill Maher
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

No Letterman, No Leno and instead Conan and Jimmy Fallon?! Yes Emmy's, YES! You got something right. Thank God.