My Dream Emmy Ballot

Emmy nominations will be announced very soon and if you follow the process you know that more times than not the actors or series that really deserve to be honored rarely make the cut. As is the norm with most TV critics, they make up their own lists of who they believe should be nominated. With that being said, here is my Dream Emmy Ballot:

Best Dramas:

Brothers & Sisters Cast

Supernatural – Demons, Angels, Ghosts, Monsters and two hunky brothers. This is what Thursday night should always be like.

Brothers & Sisters – They aren’t your atypical family and viewers wouldn’t have it any other way. Except perhaps for removing Ryan from the whole thing, that is.

NCIS – This procedural has a terrific cast, great storylines and superior ratings. It’s been overlooked far too long.

Best Comedy:

The Cast of Pushing Daisies

Pushing Daisies – Visually stunning, arresting witty and abnormally humorous this series deserves accolades rather than a cancellation.

Chuck – A computer geek, a gorgeous spy and a hard-boiled military man – Chuck Me!

Privileged – A delightful series that was about more than just two spoiled teens and their tutor. It had a great deal of heart, warmth and compassion.

Best Supporting Actress Comedy:

Sarah Lancaster

Kristin Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies) – She made Olive Snook one of the cutest and perkiest characters on TV without becoming overly annoying or irritating.

Sarah Lancaster (Chuck) – Ellie Bartowski is the most supportive and understanding sister of a computer geek turned unwilling spy and Sarah does a superb job in the role.

Best Supporting Actor Comedy:

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) – Only three words need to be said Neil…Patrick…Harris.  He is terrific and has made Barney the man to love.

Chi McBride (Pushing Daises) – Hell, Yes! Emerson Cod was one of the most endearing, gruff, smooth-talking private dicks ever to grace our TV sets.

Best Lead Actor Comedy:

Jim Parsons

Zachary Levi (Chuck) – He’s the coolest geek turned reluctant spy EVER. Zachary makes Chuck charming, endearing, hilarious and, gasp, even brave.

Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) – Parsons can deliver a line with more aplomb than anyone before or since and has made Sheldon Cooper the go-to funny man of the year.

Joanna Garcia

Best Actress Comedy:

Joanna Garcia (Privileged) – Megan was more than a one-dimensional character and Joanna made her smart, gregarious and multi-faceted.

Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck) –Yvonne did what many could not: she made Sarah into a compassionate woman, a true fighter and a kick-ass defender of Chuck.

Best Supporting Actress Drama:

Sofia Vassilieva

Sofia Vassilieva (Medium) – Sofia’s portrayal of Ariel is so real and believable that the viewers forget they are watching an actress in a series, but rather real life.

Pauley Perrette (NCIS) – Giving a top-notch performance every week for all these years on the show, Pauley deserves to get some recognition and Abby deserves to get a mega-size Caf-Pow.

Michael Weatherley

Best Supporting Actor Drama:

Michael Weatherley (NCIS) – Michael has made Tony DiNuzzo his own, giving him charm, charisma and intelligence while still being a smart-ass and a pain in the neck.

Matthew Rhys (Brothers & Sisters) – Kevin Walker is a complicated man living within an even more complicated family and Matthew portrays him so well.

Best Actor Drama:

Jensen Ackles

Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) –Jensen IS Dean Winchester, who has been to hell and back literally and hasn’t necessarily come back quite right, but he sure delivers a stellar performance every week.

Kiefer Sutherland (24) – Jack Bauer is the man and he proved it once again this season. Kiefer allowed Jack to show more emotion this time around due in great part to the unexpected death of friend and long-time collaborator Bill Buchanan but also in facing his own pending demise.

Evangeline Lilly

Best Actress Drama:

Calista Flockart (Brothers & Sisters) – Kitty Walker has been through the ringer this entire season. Calista made this character come to life using ever emotion flawlessly.

Evangeline Lilly (Lost) – The grief and sadness Evie conveyed as Kate gave up her “son” Aaron in order to return to the island was palpable. She made Kate come alive this season.

These all may be long shots, but it certainly would be terrific if some of these overlooked stars and series get some much-deserved acclaim.