2007 Primetime Emmy Awards

Today saw the announcement of the nominations for the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards to be held on the 16th September at the Shrine Auditorium in LA.

A quick glance down the list doesn’t throw up any surprises and it seems like a fairly sane, sensible list on the whole, mixing old warhorses and new kids on the block.

Obviously, if I went through every category in detail, we’d be here until the ceremony itself, but here’s a rundown of the main players in the list…

Best Drama series

• Boston Legal
• Grey’s Anatomy
• Heroes
• House
• The Sopranos

An interesting grouping of shows here and one that’s difficult to call, although The Sopranos could be an even bet for its final year on air. Fantastic as it is, I can’t see Heroes bagging this one first time out, but this is a good nod for NBC getting something right recently. As for the other three, Boston Legal is a bit too whacky so we could have three-way race between The Sopranos, Grey’s Anatomy and House.

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

• James Spader (Boston Legal)
• Hugh Laurie (House)
• Denis Leary (Rescue Me)
• James Gandolfini (The Sopranos)
• Kiefer Sutherland (24)

Hugh Laurie is the only serious contender here to threaten James Gandolfini who I guarantee will walk away with this one. Again.

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

• Sally Field ( Brothers & Sisters)
• Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)
• Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU)
• Patricia Arquette (Medium)
• Minnie Driver (The Riches)
• Edie Falco ( The Sopranos)

Much more of an open pack, although Minnie Driver still has an ability to drive me to utter distraction (and not in a good way). As a hopeless Brothers and Sisters daftie, I’d like to see Sally Field take this, but as with the Best Actor, Edie Falco must be a safe bet to win.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

• William Shatner (Boston Legal)
• T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy)
• Masi Oka (Heroes)
• Michael Emerson (Lost)
• Terry O’Quinn (Lost)
• Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos)

I adore that we live in a world where William Shatner can still be nominated for an Emmy (not to mention a win a couple of years back). This is a list of top-notch talent, and no mistake, but I’m hoping for a first time win for Masi Oka. If ever a character defined a TV show, it’s Hiro, and Oka’s performance is simply delightful. If not, Terry O’Quinn is a worthy contender (he actually makes Lost worth watching).

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

• Rachel Griffiths (Brothers & Sisters)
• Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy)
• Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy)
• Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy)
• Aida Turturro ( The Sopranos)
• Lorraine Bracco (The Sopranos)

One problem with the modern phenomenon of large ensemble casts is that the lines between main and supporting actors has become blurred somewhat, and nowhere is this clearer than in this list. If there’s one thing Rachel Griffiths is not, it’s a supporting actress in Brothers and Sisters. She should be up in the Best Actress list alongside Sally Field. But, that’s the way it is, and this will probably come down to a fight between Griffiths and Lorraine Bracco – don’t underestimate the power of The Sopranos…

Outstanding Comedy Series

• 30 Rock
• Entourage
• The Office
• Two And A Half Men
• Ugly Betty

It’s too easy to default to Ugly Betty here, but like Heroes, I’d like to see this zippy show rewarded. Two and a Half Men aside, these are a very strong set of contenders, but if I had to call it, The Office (US version, natch), might pip the others to the post.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

• Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
• Ricky Gervais (Extras)
• Tony Shalhoub (Monk)
• Steve Carell (The Office)
• Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men)

Obviously I’ll be scratching Ricky Gervais from the list as, frankly, he isn’t any good (gasp!), and Charlie Sheen can go the same way. Steve Carell has to be favourite here – his turn in The Office is superb and one of the finest comedy talents in the US right now (Evan Almighty excepted), but Tony Shaloub is equally masterful as neurotic detective Monk. And then there’s Alec Baldwin – I’d probably give it to him for fear of getting my head kicked in.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

• Tina Fey (30 Rock)
• Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives)
• Julia Louis-Dreyfuss (The New Adventures of Old Christine)
• America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)
• Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds)

America Ferrera has already cemented a win at the Golden Globes for her breakthrough leading performance in Ugly Betty, but she’s up against some heavyweights here. Felicity Huffman will be a tough cookie to crumble – she has that Rachel Griffiths quality of making it all look so effortless, and then there’s the renaissance of Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Dreyfuss is a veteran of six Emmy nominations and two wins, so she’s been here before. Personally I’m putting my money on Mary-Louise Parker’s winning showing in Weeds.

Finally, a special mention for our very own Jim Broadbent, who grabs a nomination for his sensational titular turn in Longford. Foregone conclusion as far as I’m concerned.