Emmy Spotlight: Oh, the Drama

The Emmys are coming! The Emmys are coming! This week the Nice Girls will preview some of the contenders for Emmys in a variety of categories, focusing on our faves.

Outstanding Drama Series:

Mad Men (AMC)

Though, I never find the time to talk about how this show moves me each week, it goes without saying that Mad Men has captured the attention of the critics. In the show’s sophomore season, the audience saw that while some things changed around Sterling Cooper (Peggy’s absence and later rise to more than a junior copywriter), most things stayed the same (Don’s philandering ways). In between all of that, more about the lives of the rest of the company came into focus—Pete and Trudy’s baby woes, Peggy’s family issues—all of which ended with the season looking at the Bay of Pigs confrontation. Only time will tell before we know how the critics really responded to the second season. -Louise

Also nominated: Big Love, Dexter, Breaking Bad, Lost, House, Damages

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series:

Jon Hamm – Mad Men (AMC)

Don Draper—the man men want to emulate women want to sleep with—continues  captivate the  audience. Most of the second season found Don trying to find himself, and reconcile the man he is to everyone with the man he was (Dick Whitman). Throughout the season Hamm worked with Don’s flaws, allowing the audience to empathize with a man we should all detest. -Louise

Simon Baker – The Mentalist (CBS)

In its debut year, The Mentalist scored a major Emmy nomination for its lead, Simon Baker, who was nominated for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.” The Mentalist is a television series based on a fictional California Bureau of Investigations which enlists the aid of a former fraudulent psychic, Patrick Jane (played by Baker). Jane is a valuable asset to CBI as his keen intellect and powers of observation often allow him to pinpoint the culprit of crimes quicker than through conventional crime-fighting techniques. Jane also has a personal motivation, as in quid pro quo for his unique talents, he is given the aid of CBI in tracking down the serial killer, Red John, who killed his wife and daughter. As portrayed by Baker, Jane is playful, cocky and yet endearing all at once. Watching Baker so fully embody such a rich, diverse and fun character is riveting and he has full earned the Emmy nomination. -Tiffany

Also nominated: Hugh Laurie (House), Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment)

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series:

Holly Hunter – Saving Grace (TNT)

Previously nominated in the “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series” in 2007 and 2008, this year marks the 3rd consecutive nomination for Holly Hunter, star of the TNT series Saving Grace. In Saving Grace, Hunter plays Grace Hanadarko, a police detective in Oklahoma City who balances the challenges of her grueling professional life against her hard-living and hard-loving lifestyle, while under the protection and guidance of her last chance angel, Earl. Hunter is riveting as she effortlessly slides between Grace’s free-wheeling personal life and tough-as-nails, no-holds barred professional life. One minute she is carefree and the next she has flipped the villain on his back. Hunter’s portrayal is fearless and makes her the perfect match for such a complex and intriguing character. -Tiffany

Kyra Sedgwick – The Closer (TNT)

One of the nominees in this category is Kyra Sedgwick, who stars as Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson in TNT’s acclaimed series The Closer.  As one of a handful of “older” actresses in a lead role in a prominent hit cable series, Kyra and her fellow nominees – which include Holly Hunter (Saving Grace), Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters), Glenn Close (Damages) and (youngster) Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men) – will be in a tough “battle” for the golden statuette.  It is anyone’s guess who will receive the honor of this award, but I sure wouldn’t want to be an academy voter, as this category is simply too difficult to choose just one. -Rueben

Also nominated: Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters), Glenn Close (Damages), Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men)

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series:

John Slattery – Mad Men (AMC)

Roger Sterling is an ass, but one that somehow it’s impossible to look away from as he does something stupid. In the second season, we watched as Roger had one last boys’ night with a departing member of the company before ending his twenty-plus-year marriage and wanting to marry one of the girls from the secretarial pool. -Louise

Also nominated: William Shatner (Boston Legal), Christian Clemenson (Boston Legal), William Hurt (Damages), Michael Emerson (Lost), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series:

We don’t watch any of these series, so by default our vote goes to the always wonderful Dianne Wiest (In Treatment). -Melissa

Also nominated: Cherry Jones (24), Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy), Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy), Rose Byrne (Damages), Hope Davis (In Treatment)

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series:

Mad Men – “A Night To Remember” (AMC): Robin Veith, Matthew Weiner
Mad Men – “Six Month Leave” (AMC): Andre Jacquemetton, Maria
Jacquemetton, Matthew Weiner
Mad Men – “The Jet Set” (AMC): Matthew Weiner
Mad Men – “Meditations In An Emergency” (AMC): Kater Gordon, Matthew Weiner

The writing of Mad Men weaves a series of tapestries where some small string from early in the season will pay off into the larger piece through a collection of carefully dropped lines in each episode. With the help of the rest of the writers, Matthew Weiner has managed to work the myriad storylines into a season that takes all thirteen episodes to fully understand. -Louise

NGTV Guide: Tuesday, June 16

It’s another summer premiere day! Plus the series finale of Cupid. Trevor, we hardly knew ye.

Hawthorne – TNT 9/8c – SERIES PREMIERE
“Pilot” – The life of a headstrong yet empathetic chief nursing officer named Christina Hawthorne (Jada Pinkett Smith) is charted in this hospital drama. The series opens with Hawthorne trying to prevent a cancer patient’s suicide attempt. The widowed Hawthorne also deals with her rebellious daughter (Hannah Hodson) and her former mother-in-law (Joanna Cassidy). Meanwhile, Hawthorne helps a homeless woman and her ill infant. See our spotlight on Hawthorne here.

Saving Grace – TNT 10/9c – SEASON PREMIERE
“We’re Already Here” – Season 3 begins with Grace investigating an antigovernment faction and trying to form an alliance with a young female drug user (Yaani King) who shares a connection with angelic Earl. But Grace’s haphazard investigation goes awry, resulting in an injury to the woman. Meanwhile, Grace and Ham get caught in an embarrassing situation; and Butch offers surprising news. See Tiffany’s report from The Paley Center event for Saving Grace here.

Cupid – ABC 10/9c – SERIES FINALE
“My Fair Masseuse” – It’s the last episode of the 2009 reboot of the 1998 dramedy as ABC burns off the series finale of Cupid tonight. In this episode, Claire hires a dialect expert to glean information about Trevor from his speech patterns. Trevor, in turn, uses the man to help refine a Queens masseuse (Kerry Butler) so that she’s a better match for her sophisticated beau. Meanwhile, Lita and Felix discover a long-overdue library book in Trevor’s room that may provide a clue about his identity.

Saving Grace At The Paley Center

Editor’s Note: We don’t talk about Saving Grace much here at NGTV, not because we dislike the show but because we just don’t have to discuss every show we watch. When Tiffany had the chance to attend the Saving Grace event at The Paley Center, we thought this would be a good opportunity to spotlight the show as it bows for a third season tonight on TNT.

As a member of the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles, I was able to attend a special screening and Q&A panel for the TV show Saving Grace last weekend.  The special guests for the evening included: Holly Hunter (who plays Detective Grace Hanadarko), Kenny Johnson (who plays Detective Ham Dewey), Bailey Chase (who plays Detective Butch Ada), Gregory Cruz (who plays Detective Bobby Stillwater), Lorraine Toussant (who plays Captain Kate Perry), Laura San Giacomo (who plays medical examiner Rhetta Rodriguez), Dylan Minnette (who plays Grace’s nephew, Clay), Yaani King (who plays a new character on the show), Nancy Miller (creator and writer for the show), and Cynthia Littleton (best known for her columns in Daily Variety, who was that evening’s moderator).

That evening we were in for a treat as they had chosen to show us the 3rd season premiere episode of Saving Grace which had not yet been broadcast – and for any fan of a TV show, there is nothing better than the opportunity to see an episode before everyone else.  The episode did not disappoint as it had everything one could wish for:  intense
drama, unexpected humor, thrilling surprises, tender moments, big revelations, and powerful lessons to be learned.

The entire premise of Saving Grace is about a ferocious and fearless Oklahoma police detective portrayed by Holly Hunter, and her character’s entanglement with a “last chance angel” by the name of Earl.  This is not the easiest of shows to watch and, as a viewer, you cannot be feint of heart.  It is in-your-face intense drama that unapologetically preaches the need for God in our lives – especially during our darkest moments.  But that being said, the show is also
unabashedly sexual, lively and filled with warm-hearted people.  It is not a show I ever expected to like and enjoy, but I do.  It is irrepressibly addictive.

So the screening was eerily quiet with awe and amazement and there was a near standing ovation as the credits rolled.  That must have made their day for the half-dozen writers from the show who had snuck in the room.  For frequently, writers of the featured show will come to sit in just to gauge the audience’s reactions to their work as it provides an unparalleled opportunity to get a fresh reaction from the fans.

Afterward, the special guests (aka: the stars) received no less a thunderous greeting as they took their seats in the front of the room for the Q&A panel.  It started off restrained enough with the proper questions from the moderator, but as the guests began to feel more comfortable in front of their fans, they would spontaneously make faces and pose coyly for the cameras in the room.  It only added to the gleeful feeling in the room for it is not very often that cable TV
shows get the chance to meet their fans in such an informal and fun setting.

I found the Q&A session particularly insightful as Nancy Miller explained the genesis of the show and the background that led to each of the cast members being brought onto the show.  I was first taken aback by Holly Hunter’s intense responses about sex discrimination in Hollywood.  But upon reflection, I realized that she is absolutely right: women so rarely get such choice and meaty roles in either television or film and the chance to play Grace Hanadarko was too rich of an opportunity for her to pass up.

At the conclusion of the panel, I was stunned to find that the cast not only stuck around to sign autographs and pose for pictures, but they continued to hang out and mingle with the fans!  Clearly, these were people who are, not only proud of their work, they are delighted to share their joy with their fans.  I applaud such enthusiasm and their approachability in sharing such an amazing show with those who cherish it as much as they do.

For anyone who feels so inclined, I highly recommend you both check out Saving Grace and make plans to attend a panel at the Paley Center in your future – it will provide memories that will last a lifetime!

Photos belong to Tiffany / NiceGirlsTV.com. The third season of Saving Grace premieres on TNT tonight at 10/9c.

TNT Takes Aim At Traditional Network Programming

TNT announced their summer schedule, and it looks like they’ve got the Big 4 networks in their sights. Beginning June 8, TNT will air two-hour blocks of original programming during primetime Monday-Wednesday. What’s so groundbreaking about that? TNT will be airing 40% as much original content as Fox, and 60% as much as the CW. The lines between “network” and “cable” are getting even blurrier.

Here’s a look at what’s on TNT’s schedule this summer:

Mondays (beginning June
9PM ET – The Closer
10PM ET – Raising the Bar

Tuesdays (beginning June 16)
9PM ET – Hawthorne (new show starring Jada Pinkett Smith)
10PM ET – Saving Grace

Wednesdays (beginning July 15)
9PM ET – Leverage
10PM ET – Dark Blue (new show about undercover LAPD officers)

USA Network will announce its summer schedule soon, and NBC is planning a full summer slate of new programming, both of which we’ll profile soon. What do you think, Nice Girls, are you ready for a full year of original programming divided between network and cable? Or do you wish you had the summers to catch up on what you missed during the traditional season?