Random Musings of a TV Addict

The older I get, the more I procrastinate. I guess to get myself back in the swing of writing, I'm just going to put down some random thoughts about television in the new year.

"House" is coming to an end after eight seasons. It's the only show that I can remember hitting it's prime in season 6. I'm a little behind due to Monday night traffic on my DVR, but I hear last week's ep was one of the series' best. As of right now, my opinion is that the season 6 premiere where House is in the mental hospital is the best episode of the entire series. How often can you say that? With the departure of key cast members, it feels right that it ends. Just hope they make it satisfying. 

Idris Elba wins the Golden Globe! These two seasons of "Luther" have been some of the best hours television ever. No, I'm not exaggerating. If you haven't seen Elba's performance, find a ruler or stick like object and smack your hand. You deserved that.

I wasn't sure about "New Girl"after watching the pilot, last fall. It was funny, but there was too much quirk. The writers have since toned it down and focused on the interaction of these four Los Angeles roommates. Result - once a week (when there aren't reruns) I nearly pee my pants and/or hyperventilate from laughing so hard. If you are 17ish - 35 I highly recommend it. It's a bit too hip and young for the old folks.

"Justified" is back. Once again, I hope this will be the year that Walton Goggins is recognized for his amazing talent. Figured it would be hard to top last year's banner season with Margo Martindale but season 3 is well on it's way. One thing I can count on besides great guest stars like Neil McDonough, Jere Burns, Todd Stashwick, and James Le Gros is that I will always be surprised.

"NCIS" just celebrated 200 episodes. Quite a feat. I've been asked by non watchers how the hell a run of the mill procedural has stayed on the air so long. My answer - the wonderfully dysfunctional family dynamic unlike any other on television. No one watches "NCIS" for the weekly case, it's the characters and their interaction. Oh, and Mark Harmon's hair.

"The Fades" airing on BBC America's Supernatural Saturdays is my new favorite other worldly series. They've got a new take on ghosts - body regeneration. With a complex mythology unlike any I've come across before "The Fades" has me hooked. Only problem is that there are only six eps in the first season and it's uncertain whether there will be a second. Think "Skins" meets "Supernatural".

MTV is back on my radar (for the first time since I was 14). I raved about "Awkward" last summer and now another dirty scripted comedy has caught my eye. Based on the novel of the same name "I Just Want My Pants Back" follows a group of twentysomethings in NYC being very naughty and looking for something more. I'm not sure raunchy is the best descriptor, but MTV sure doesn't pull any punches on this one. Only seen the first 2 eps, but I'll be back for more.

The other reason I haven't been blogging lately is because I joined Twitter a few months back. It's so much easier to tweet random thoughts than to wait until I've got enough to say to fill a blog post. If you're already on there, follow me @TVMaven and if you aren't but love television as much as I do, join. It's so great to follow my favorite show runners, actors and other bloggers. I find articles, interviews and a ton of other random links that I wouldn't have on my own. This is a great age for fans. Take advantage.

Guess Who's Never Won an Emmy ...................(But Totally Should!!!!!)

Gold Derby wrote an article noting the 12 actors they feel are overdue for an Emmy. Here's the link, go check it out...I'll wait......

http://www.goldderby.com/television/photos/90/12-tv-stars-shockingly-overdue-for-emmys.html

If you were too lazy to copy/paste because Blogger's hyperlink function doesn't seem to work, here's who they listed:

Steve Carell - "The Office"
Hugh Laurie - "House"
Katey Sagal - "Sons of Anarchy"
Ed O'Neill - "Modern Family"
Courteney Cox - "Cougar Town"
Kyle Chandler - "Friday Night Lights"
Lauren Graham - "Parenthood"
Michelle Forbes - "The Killing"
Khandi Alexander - "Treme"
Timothy Olyphant - "Justified"
"The Colbert Report"
The Cast of "Mad Men"

I more or less agree with them, but of course I have a few more names to add to that list.

Walton Goggins - "Justified"
No surprise here. I'm one of his biggest fans. Despite his breathtaking work on both "The Shield" and "Justified", Goggins has never even been nominated for an Emmy or a Golden Globe. If you ask me, it's a crime. His performance as the complex Boyd Crowder is more than worthy of accolades as was his work on "The Shield".

Brent Sexton - "The Killing"
Sexton is one of those quiet actors whose face you recognize because he's been acting for so long in supporting role on shows like "Deadwood" and "Life", but it was his performance in "The Killing" that really put him on the map. Sexton's portrayal of a grieving father wanting revenge infused the series with an undoubted intensity. Let's hope the folks over at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences feel the same.

Charlie Hunnam - "Sons of Anarchy"
This is the role that Hunnam has become most well known for, but I've been a fan since the days of Nicholas Nickelby, "Undeclared" and the wonderfully rebellious Green Street Hooligans. As tortured biker Jax Teller, Charlie has brought a sincere vulnerability to a character that must show strength at all times.

Amy Poehler - "Parks and Recreation"
If you don't know this woman is funny, you've been living under a rock for the last
ten years. She has been nominated for two Daytime Emmys for her work on "The Mighty B", two Primetime Emmys for "Saturday Night Live" and one for "Parks and Recreation", but she's not yet won. I'm more of a drama girl, but this lady makes me laugh.

H. John Benjamin - "Archer"
Last year Benjamin was nominated for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance, but didn't win. Guess who he lost to...Anne fricken Hathaway. This man makes his living as a voice over artist and she does a guest spot on "The Simpsons" and takes home Emmy. With his unique voice and ridiculously brilliant delivery, Benjamin has my vote (useless as it may be).

"Raising Hope"
My rule of thumb is that if a show makes you laugh til your face hurts and you nearly pee yourself, it should win an Outstanding Comedy Emmy. My guess is that Hope will be nominated, but it's a shame if it's not. Garret Dillahunt also deserves his own nom. I look forward to Tuesday nights this fall and needing a spare pair of panties.

"Southland"
This show keeps getting better and better. The writing is an actor's dream to perform. If you haven't seen last season, you're missing out. Next to "The Shield", this is the best and grittiest cop show I've ever seen. It's a surprise to me that they haven't seen writing, directing and acting nominations.

"Supernatural"
You may have noticed that it's an unofficial rule to never nominate WB/CW series for major awards. Sure, "Supernatural" can dominate the science fiction awards and now and then get a technical nomination, but it has never been taken seriously in the major categories. This is one of the most well written series on the air. I'd also like to see Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins get some recognition for their outstanding performances. Unfortunately, I've resigned myself to the fact that it will never happen especially now that we are nearing the end.

Did I miss anyone? Who do you think has been deprived of an Emmy for far too long?