Shannon KeoughOn Sunday, Sept. 20, L.A. will be full of the biggest names in TV. The 61st annual Emmy Awards will take place that night, awarding the best and brightest of the silver screen.
Everybody from Justin Timberlake to Elaine Stritch are nominated and best supporting actor in a comedy nominee, Neil Patrick Harris, will be the host that evening.
Leading the nominations is NBC comedy “30 Rock” with an astounding 22 nominations. HBO’s TV movie “Grey Gardens” follows with 17 nominations, including nominations for stars Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. Also AMC’s “Mad Men” picks up 16 nominations, the most for a drama program.
“Family Guy,” a very popular show on any college campus, made history by being the first animated program since “The Flintstones” in 1961 to be nominated for best comedy.
Also, there are seven nominations in the category compared to the usual five or six. In the drama category, basic cable shows continue to make history. Last year, “Mad Men” and FX’s “Damages” were the first basic cable shows to be nominated for best drama (an award “Mad Men” went on to win, making further history.)
This year, not only were those shows also nominated again, but AMC’s “Breaking Bad” was too, making almost half of the nominees basic cable shows.
In all the major categories this year, the competition is tight. For example, in the category of best supporting actress in a comedy, any of the following funny ladies could walk away with the trophy.
Amy Poehler became the first individual performer from NBC staple “Saturday Night Live” to be nominated last year. She was again nominated and is joined by cast-mate Kristen Wiig, both of whom have a good shot of hearing their name called.
Also, close in the running is Broadway diva and former star of the gone-too-soon “Pushing Daisies”, Kristin Chenoweth, with her second nomination in the category.
Rounding out the category are Jane Krakowski of “30 Rock,” Elisabeth Perkins of “Weeds” and Vanessa Williams of “Ugly Betty.”
The past few years in Emmy history has been all about the newbies. “Mad Men” made a splash last year and “30 Rock” the year before with their surprise win for best comedy. Tina Fey, creator and star, thanked her “dozens and dozens of viewers.”
This year the trend may not continue because these shows are not that young anymore and also because some old favorites have had standout seasons. “House M.D.” can always depend on getting at least one nomination, but this past season has been one of the show’s strongest.
In the same boat (not literally) is “Lost” which bounced back after a weak couple of seasons to one of the best yet. This comes just in time, seeing as the show’s last season begins this January.
On the home front, Cabrini students may not eagerly await the Emmys themselves, but TV is a great escape.
Kimberly Carlson, sophomore political science major, watches TV as a fun way to hang out and relax with her friends.
“I usually watch TV at night when I’m not going out or when something’s on that my friends and I planned on watching as a group,” Carlson said.
As for the awards themselves, Carlson picked a clear winner.
“The Office! It uses a dry sense of humor which I like and the story lines are hilarious.”
On Sept. 20, you can guarantee to see your favorite stars out in droves hoping to hear their names called.
Viewers can expect to see a long, but entertaining telecast. What they cannot guarantee? Any of the winners. Tune in to CBS on Sept. 20, to find out firsthand who gets behind that podium.
