EMMY: Give Me Someone To Cheer For

I must be approaching the half century mark because I find myself yearning for yesteryear--the good old days.  A time when we only had 3 networks, no cable shows, etc.  You know what was good about that?  You actually had the chance to see almost every show nominated for an Emmy.  The Emmy’s are tonight and it is just not as exciting as it used to be (for me.).  Back in the day, there was also no summer programming. So, once May came and the TV season ended—reruns of the season would begin. This was your chance to watch other programs.  You had someone to cheer for---now I barely  have anyone to cheer for because I have not seen ½ of the shows!

Am I still going to watch? Of course I am!  However, here are a few of things that bug me about the modern day Emmy’s.  (I am sure Zeus feels the same way about the Modern Day Olympics..do you think he is really happy that Trampoline is now an Olympic sport?  I doubt it!)  Okay, okay, my list:

1). So many shows to watch, I wish I was Joel McHale and got paid to watch it all. For me, it is impossible to watch all of the shows to be excited about the nominations.  And, for those that do not know me—I log many hours watching TV.  It is a favorite pastime of mine.  I just can’t keep up.  We have shows on networks, premium channels, online sites, etc.

2) The network shows get SHAFTED. Yes they do.  Okay, some sitcoms get repeat noms (Big Bang, 30 Rock, Modern Family) but the EMMY folks seem to get stuck on certain shows. There are other great shows and performances out there. Forget a drama on network TV, unless your name is Julianne Margolis you can forget about your show or role getting a nod.  (Oh and now Kerry Washington, so glad to see another network nod).

3). A specific drama complaint:  PARENTHOOD should be nominated for best show AND Monica Potter should be nominated for an EMMY!  Particularly for her work last season!  Geez, what do you have to do to get noticed? Oh I know, kill someone, have sex in a cave or be an addict.  Actors in relatable roles needs not apply.

4 My specific comedy complaint:  personally, I would hand EDEN SHER the Best Supporting Actress statue for The Middle. Sorry, she may be the best female actress in a comedy series right now hands down. SHOW HER SOME LOVE EMMY!  WAIT! One more comedy complaint: THE MINDY PROJECT is hysterical and should have been nominated!!!

5) I am still harboring resentment because Steve Carrell never won for playing Michael Scott. WHAT?  Crazy! Oh and guess who beat him twice?  Alec Baldwin!?!!  Okay, I love 30 Rock and I like Alec in 30 Rock—but his character had the same depth season after season. He also lost to Jim Parsons.  I LOVE Sheldon and Jim, but three wins and no win for Steve?  Carrell was robbed! 

6) Why is new and edgy automatically viewed as GREAT?. I watch Silicon Valley.  I DVR Silicon Valley.  So, therefore, I do like Silicon Valley.  HOWEVER, it is not Emmy worthy for its first season.  I think in time it is going to be great, but it is not great yet.  Again, just mad because a comedy like The Middle gets overlooked. The show is hysterical. 

7.) Enough with American Horror Story being nominated in the mini series category.  I do not care if you change the words after your hyphen—YOU ARE A SERIES!!!  I actually don’t mind from the perspective that it will then clog up the drama category that is already overcrowded.

8.) In the same vein—when a series is cancelled, all of a sudden it becomes a mini series—like it was planned that way.  (FARGO).

9.) Oh, I LOVED when they added the guest star in a show category.  How great to recognize a one or two time performance.  I now HATE when they give that nod to a series regular.  Joe Morton, I LOVE you as an actor, always have.  However, you have now played Olivia Pope’s Dad for two seasons—you are not a guest star!!!!  I don’t mean to pick on him because he is not the only series regular that has won this award, but he is the latest.

10. ) I could go on and on but I won’t because what is the point?  I don’t think Mr. and Mrs. EMMY are reading this.  I have tried to brainstorm answers….like do we have a premium channel category, a streaming category?  I don’t know.  I would like that… but would the show then be 10 hours long. 

I am not sure what the answer is, but the television academy needs to think of something.  I mean, geez, this year the EMMY’s are on during the summer, before Labor Day?  I am beginning to think I not the only one whose interest is declining.

Rambling About the 2014 Oscars

2014 Oscars

I am cutting it down to the wire.  Here are my Top 10 movies of the year along with my thoughts on some of the nominees.  Note:  I did not see Wolf of Wall Street and Blue Jasmine.

Top 10 Plus (not in any order)

1.       Philomena
2.       Nebraska
3.       42
4.       The Way Way  Back
5.       Fruitvale Station
6.       Enough Said
7.       About Time
8.       Frozen
9.       12 Years A Slave
10.   Saving Mr. Banks
11.   Gavity/Her/Inside Llewyn Davis/August Osage County/Captain Phillips

 

I really enjoyed the 5 I have at 11. I think Her is one of the most original films in a long time.  I don’t think it gets enough credit for that.

 You will notice I do not have American Hustle on my list. I have to say,  I think that is one of the most OVER RATED films in a long time.  Was I entertained?  Yes. Were the performances very good?  Yes.  However, the story was not great.  In fact, it dragged for quite a bit.   Particularly, after the first 30 minutes until about the last hour.   Personally, I know many who enjoyed, but I don’t know anyone who thought it was great.   I don’t get the hype.  If it wins for anything tonight, I will be disappointed.  Well, of course if JLAW wins, her speech will be entertaining. There are far too many GREAT performances for an award to go to this movie.  Honestly, this is how I feel about American Hustle:  If Will Farrell played the Christian Bale’s character AND gave the same exact performance—people would look at this movie differently.  It was a bit of a sill story about a true incident. 

Personally, the movie I am pulling for the win doesn’t have a chance.  I think my favorite movie was Philomena.  It was a great story and the director told the story in a compelling way.  I think in the end, I like a story with people/characters that you can respect and root for.

 I think the performances in Enough Said were fantastic. For me, I am drawn to acting when there are no costumes, wigs, accents or gimmicks involved.  Julia Louis Dreyfuss and James Gandolfino played people we know.  Perhaps, people we are sometimes.  I think that is the hardest role to play and make it believable.  She made me forget she was Elaine, The New Christine or The Veep and of course  he made me forget he was Tony Soprano.

I think it is a shame 42 came out so early.  A fantastic movie with great performances.  Parents, have your children see 42.
 
Overall, a very good year for movies and better year for acting performances.   But for me, not a lot of standouts. My picks for tonight:

 Best Picture:  Philomena (I think 12 Years a Slave will win—I am happy with any win except Wolf of Wall Street and American Hustle.)

Best Actor:  Bruce Dern (I think it will go to Matthew or Chiewetel—all three deserve  it. I also believe Joaquin should be in this category instead of Bale. For that matter, so should Hanks for Captain Phillips)

Best Actress:  A tie for me with Sandra, Judi and Meryl. All great.

Best Supporting Actor:  Jared Lehto.  I will be surprised if he doesn’t win.  However, if Barkhad took it—what a cool win that would be!

Best Supporting Actress:  Lupita Nyong’, although would be very happy if June Squibb won.

Original Screenplay:  Her—if Her does not win this—it is a crime.

 

Enjoy the Oscars!

 

 

 

 

The Wacky AZ Bill

Okay, I wish I was inspired to write when I am not fired up.  I am fired up.  This may be the stupidest piece of legislation in the last 40 years.  This law opens the door to people to discriminate based on the false premise of religious freedom. If these “people” jonesing for their religious freedom would actually follow the teachings of the Savior they so adore—they would NOT CARE about the way others lead their life.  I am not saying we shouldn’t care about others—we should when referencing the true definition of “care” that includes words like “compassion.”  I hope that does not come off as mocking our Savior…I too am a believer. However, when I think of WWJD? I think, he wouldn’t pass this law.

Everyone is focusing on how this law  impacts the LGBT community, rightfully so—the genesis of this law involves someone who did not want serve a gay couple.  However, this law actually impacts EVERYONE!  I referred to Christians above, but there are 1,000’s of religions.  Heck, I can start one tomorrow.  Also, let’s get back to Christians.  (Again, not picking on Christians—I am one.)  If I was a single, divorced mom looking for a home—a realtor could choose not to take me on as a client because their religion forbids divorce.  Also, if I was part of a young, heterosexual couple living in sin, someone could refuse to sell us furniture for our house because their religion does not support intimate relations before marriage.  Do you see where I am going with this?  Remember our friends from the Westoboro Church?  Well, if one of their members owned a local hardware store, they could refuse a U.S. Marine because they believe our military is the root of all religious evil. Do you see where I am going with this?  These laws are very ambiguous and open the door for all sorts of discrimination.  No one is safe—even those who want this law.  Your local bar owner may deny a Christian  service because he does not believe Jesus is the Savior—he doesn’t believe in God at all.  Do you see where I am going with this? 

I will never understand why your religious beliefs have anything to do with mine.  I recognize they do for some reason—that is why there will always be conflict in the Middle East and now just about everywhere.  Why can’t we all believe in our own beliefs and not worry about our neighbor's?  As long as my neighbor is not harming, me, anyone else or even themselves, I am good with whatever they believe.  I do not have to be their friend.  However, it would be ridiculous if I couldn’t wave hello based on beliefs.

You know, back to my religion.  I have some beliefs—maybe I will start a religion.  I do not believe people should wear nylons with open toed shoes.  However, if I see someone sporting this look, I just cringe to myself.  The most important thing is I AM NOT WEARING IT, SO WHY SHOULD IT BOTHER ME THAT HE/SHE IS???  If I owned my dream bakery, I would still definitely sell this person a cupcake!( I highly recommend my Oreo Surprise!) Do you see where I am going with this?

Many supporters of this bill have brought up the Constitution. People like to hide behind the Constitution just as they like to hide behind religion.  The Constitution protects the FREEDOM and RIGHTs of all U.S. Citizens—so how does this bill do that?  Seems like you are protecting one and discriminating against the other? 

Another point shopkeeper who will not serve me,  how do I really know you are religious?  Now, I heard someone say should a Catholic priest be forced to marry a gay couple?  I would say NO.  At least we know he has devoted his life to his beliefs. (For the record, I am 100% for gay marriage).  How do I know that Sally the waitress has done the same?  She could be an atheist who does not like LGBT’s or people who are divorced, or people with tattoos-she could claim religious beliefs for all of these prejudices.

That is where these lines get crossed.  I also believe the wedding photographer should not have to sign the gay couple as clients.  Again, tricky. This profession includes art.  I do not why a gay couple would want an anti-gay photographer—I suspect he will not try his hardest to capture your special day. However, maybe the photographer could just say they were booked or washing their hair that day???  I haven’t figured all of this out yet.  I am just a mom after all.

To quote my friend Michelle on this topic:  If someone is truly religious then it would seem to me that no one would need to be discriminated against as we would just love all people and do unto others as we would have done to us.

Amen to that sister!