America's Television Sweetheart

Emmy nominations will be announced on Thursday, and as usual I am filled with a mixture of excitement and dread. I used to enjoy the Emmys much more when I knew less about television and the politics of award season. How I long to go back to my childhood in Kansas when nominees and winners were actually surprises and I believed whole-heartedly that the shows and actors who won were truly the best and most deserving.

Sadly, I have eaten from the Tree of Knowledge, which means I need to constantly calm myself down over all those snubs for THE WIRE. But just because I am jaded, doesn’t mean I can’t keep hoping. I have my own Emmy nomination wish list this year. I chose one series or actor in each of the major categories that I would most like to see get a nomination on Thursday. My list is completely subjective, but then again, so are the Emmys.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton finally received nods last year for portraying the greatest television married couple ever, but FNL has yet to reap a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. Even with BREAKING BAD and LOST out of the running this year, breakout freshmen series (such as THE WALKING DEAD and BOARDWALK EMPIRE) have made the category extremely competitive. But a nomination for FNL’s fifth and final season would reassure all of us Panthers and Lions that no, we weren’t crazy for loving this show and the residents of Dillon. Texas forever.

LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Kyle Chandler, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Coach scored a nomination in 2010, but Chandler is just as deserving this year (and has been every year). It’s hard for me to put into words how I feel about Chandler and his work on FNL. He deserves all the Tostitos. ALL of them, Brent Musburger!

LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Nina Dobrev, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

I fooled you, didn’t I? You thought I was going to say Connie Britton, didn’t you? Well yes, I do wish Connie Britton an Emmy nomination, but I wanted to share the love and the put the spotlight on Nina Dobrev, the 22-year-old actress who portrays Elena Gilbert and her vampire ancestor, Katherine Pierce, on the CW’s THE VAMPIRE DIARIES. Tired of this whole vampire fad? Me too! But if you’re going to watch anything with vampires in it, make it THE VAMPIRE DIARIES. (It’s way better than TRUE BLOOD.) Playing identical characters can be challenging, but Dobrev expertly differentiates between Elena and Katherine with fascinating results.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

John Noble, FRINGE

I’m about a season and a half behind on FRINGE, but I’ve seen enough of the series to know that John Noble should have received an Emmy nomination by now. Noble loses himself in the character of Walter Bishop, a conflicted and troubled scientist who experiences a great deal of pain and guilt. He excels dramatically, but Noble is also very funny, and Walter’s lighter moments are rather welcome in such a dark and mysterious series. There is no shortage of talent among the supporting actors this year, and Noble faces especially tough competition from the men of BOARDWALK EMPIRE and THE GOOD WIFE. But I would love to see some recognition for an incredible actor from an underappreciated show.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Archie Panjabi, THE GOOD WIFE

Archie Panjabi was the surprise winner of this category last year, so I’m fairly confident she’ll receive a repeat nod this year. But I’m including her on my wish list because I feel so strongly about her performance in the second season of THE GOOD WIFE. I only recently caught up with the series, and while I think Panjabi did a wonderful job in the first season, she blew me away in the second (especially in those scenes with Julianna Margulies in the last few episodes).

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

PARKS AND RECREATION

PARKS AND RECREATION was nearly flawless this season (Think “Season Two of 30 ROCK” levels of good.) and was consistently the best comedy NBC had to offer. In a year where COMMUNITY sometimes disappointed me and 30 ROCK and THE OFFICE still weren’t back to their former glory, PARKS AND RECREATION delivered the episodes I had to re-watch at least two or three times. The comedy had already found its footing in season two, but new cast members Rob Lowe and Adam Scott helped make season three the funniest, warmest and smartest yet. But really the whole cast deserves credit. Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Jim O’Heir and Retta: Keep doing what you’re doing.

LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Steve Carell, THE OFFICE

Steve Carell’s nomination might be all but guaranteed, but I’m putting him on my wish list anyway because I so badly want to see him get the Emmy. Past winners Jim Parsons (THE BIG BANG THEORY) and Alec Baldwin (30 ROCK) are sure to be nominated again. They remain Carell’s strongest competition, but they already won the Emmy. Here’s hoping that Carell finally gets official recognition.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Martha Plimpton, RAISING HOPE

There was really only one new fall series last year that kept my attention throughout the whole television season, and that was RAISING HOPE. The comedy about a dysfunctional family raising a baby together is hilarious, warm and just the right amount of offensive. Martha Plimpton is the most deserving of recognition among the cast. She portrays a middle class woman who became a mother too young only to become a grandmother too young. If you’re a fan of the Tony-nominated actress’ guest appearances on THE GOOD WIFE, then you’ll certainly be a fan of her here. Actually, I would love to see Plimpton nab a nomination for her role on THE GOOD WIFE as well.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Nick Offerman, PARKS AND RECREATION

Nick Offerman wasn’t even on my radar until he began portraying man’s man Ron Swanson on PARKS AND RECREATION, but Offerman has forever won a place in my heart for playing the bacon-loving head of the Parks Department in Pawnee, Indiana. Offerman is at his best when interacting with Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope, but the actor excels at incredibly goofy and physical moments as well. Exhibit A:

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Busy Phillips, COUGAR TOWN

I bet you’re still not watching COUGAR TOWN. I bet you still can’t get past the title that everyone (including creator Bill Lawrence) agrees is awful. But if you haven’t tuned into COUGAR TOWN yet, you’re making a mistake, especially because you’re missing an incredible comedic performance from Busy Phillips. Yes, Kim Kelly isn’t just scary. She’s really funny too! Watch this and laugh! My favorite part is Beef & Bubbles: