If I were an Emmy voter - 2016

Happy Monday.  Emmy week is here!!  A celebration of television (that's all weeks in my house). 

I make this list in my head every year, and every once in awhile I write it down.  We're one week out, and here are my votes.  On the night of, I invite you to come share in the sarcastic, humorous commentary either live at my house, or via my Twitter feed.  

I've only noted the major categories or the ones for which I have a particular passion.   I also didn’t get into mini-series, movie, or reality here, but mostly b/c of space and I figured you were sick of me by the time we got that far down.  I’ll let you know on Sunday.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA (2015 winner: Game of Thrones)

The Americans

Better Call Saul

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

Homeland

House of Cards

Mr Robot

I gotta go The Americans on this one.  They've been shut out for so long and had an outstanding year.  Even though I don't watch all of these, based on what I know, I wouldn't be super angry at any of the wins (though I'd be more pleased with some than others)

LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA (2015 winner: Jon Hamm)

Kyle Chandler, Bloodline

Rami Malek, Mr Robot

Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul

Matthew Rhys, The Americans

Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan

Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

Look, these are all good actors, and if we can't give it to Jon Hamm again, give it to my favorite Welshman, Matthew Rhys.  Dude is spectacular. 

LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA (2015 winner: Viola Davis)

Claire Danes, Homeland

Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder

Taraji P Henson, Empire

Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black

Keri Russell, The Americans

Robin Wright, House of Cards

I think by now I’ve developed a pattern that you can figure out.  KERI RUSSELL KERI RUSSELL KERI RUSSELL.  If it can’t be her (AND WHY GOD NOT?!), then give it to Claire Danes, if for nothing else than that cry.  

GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA (2015 winner: Margo Martindale, The Americans)

Laurie Metcalf, Horace and Pete

Molly Parker, House of Cards

Ellen Burstyn, House of Cards

Allison Janney, Masters of Sex

Margo Martindale, The Americans

Carrie Preston, The Good Wife

Skipping supporting roles in drama, b/c I have little opinion (it’s mostly GOT which I don’t watch, so whatever).  But for this guest actress role, I gotta say: If there was a tie and Margo Martindale & Carrie Preston both won I’d be just thrilled.  

OUTSTANDING COMEDY (2015 winner: Veep)

black-ish

Master of None

Modern Family

Silicon Valley

Transparent

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Veep

Veep is a strong contender, but what I’d really like to see is Unbreakable.  These are all good shows, but Kimmy is a cut above.    (If I’m wishing for things though, I’d trade a few of these in for other options)

LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY (2015 winner: Julia Louis-Dreyfus)

Ellie Kemper, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Laurie Metcalfe, Getting On

Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish

Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer

Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie

How do I pick one of these ladies?  Ellie Kemper if I must.  But ANY would be deserving!  #FemalesAreStrongAsHell 

LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY (2015 winner: Jeffrey Tambor)

Anthony Anderson, black-ish

Aziz Ansari, Masters of None

Will Forte, The Last Man on Earth

William H Macy, Shameless

Thomas Middleditch, Silicon Valley

Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent

I literally have no opinion on this one.  The only show on here I’ve watched is Master, which is great, but I don’t have enough data to vote.  If I were voting based solely on what I've watched, Aziz wins by default. (he was great, so we'll let him have it.)

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY (2015 winner: Allison Janney)

Niecy Nash, Getting On

Kate McKinnon, SNL

Gaby Hoffmann, Transparent

Allison Janney, Mom

Judith Light, Transparent

Anna Chlumsky, Veep

Again – all hilariously amazing ladies… but Allison Janney is my hero so let’s see her win again.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY (2015 winner: Tony Hale)

Louie Anderson, Baskets

Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Keegan-Michael Key, Key & Peele

Ty Burrell, Modern Family

Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Tony Hale, Veep

Matt Walsh, Veep

While I had no opinion on the lead actors, I’d like ALL of these dudes to win this.  They are All. So. Good. So, ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…. Andre Braugher.  But anyone (well, maybe not Louie Anderson, he’s not my fave. But I didn’t watch Baskets so I can’t really say). 

So, join us on the 18th where we will raise a glass, enjoy some snacks, and fill the evening with sarcastic commentary.  One of my favorite days.  See you on Sunday!!! 

What's Becki Watching - Fall 2016 Edition (Part 2)

Yesterday I shared about the returning fall shows I'm most excited about.  Today - new shows.

So, here's the deal.  There aren't a ton I've done a lot of research about and I truly haven't heard much buzz.  My standard MO the last few years has been to read a lot of reviews in the first month that things are out, and if 3 or 4 weeks in they're still positive or someone tells me I MUST WATCH, I consider catching up.  Or, I randomly stumble upon something.  Here are the things I'm going to give a try right from the start, but if you hear or see something that is good - please! let me know!!

And, as always, thanks to tvline.com for the best calendar of the year!!

TV LINE FALL PREVIEW

So, while I'm unsure of what I'll actually end up watching or sticking with, these are a few that have caught my eye.

This is Us (NBC 9/20)
   First of all - Milo Ventimiglia (Jess from Gilmore Girls).  I mean, come on.  When this trailer released months ago it practically broke the internet, and I was interested from the get-go.  The writer/creator is the same guy who wrote Crazy, Stupid, Love, which is the best.  Watch the trailer.  I'm hopeful this will fill the Parenthood shaped hole in my heart.


The Good Place (NBC 9/22)
   I think the premise of this sounds a bit lame, but Kristin Bell!  Plus, it comes to us from Michael Schur (writer - the office, creator/writer Parks & Rec, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Master of None).  I trust that dude.


The Great Indoors  (CBS 10/27)
  I hope this is good, the deck is stacked with a few of my favorite things:  Joel McHale, Outdoorsy people turned indoorsy people, millennials jokes, office humor.  Please don't let me down!


Man with a Plan (CBS 10/24)
   I'm not particularly interested in the premise, and even less so since they dumped Jenna Fischer, but I might give it a try.  Because, well, Joey.


Queen Sugar (OWN - already started)
   So, this already started and I missed it, but have read some great reviews.  If Oprah gives me a way to catch up I'm certainly considering it (though haven't started researching my options yet)


Better Things (FX - already started)
   This also premiered this week, and wasn't even on my radar til I heard Pamela Adlon (writer, actor, you know her from King of the Hill or Louie) on Fresh Air this week.  (she did some writing for Louie, he's writing for this as well).  Since hearing her earlier this week I've seen some positive reviews popping up, and I have a general appreciation for FX comedy (hello, You're the Worst), so might give it a try.


Younger (TV Land)
   This is entering its 3rd season, but I never saw the first 2.  I hear it's good and love all the people in it.... so if I can find a way to watch it I might be picking this up as well.


I'll be honest, there isn't much I'm freaking out about for this year... but I hope that some good buzz changes my mind.  OR, I could pick up nothing new, and just keep rewatching old classics.

Anybody have anything they're excited about??

What's Becki Watching - Fall 2016 Edition (part 1)

Welp, here I am, back from the void.  Nothing moves me to break out a blog post quite like the return of fall tv.  I have a few more things in the works here too, we'll see if they come to fruition. 

Because some of you asked (not many, but still), and because I am nerd and I find this fun.... I bring you the brief synopsis of what's premiering, currently airing, what I'm watching, and what I've decided to ignore.
Part 1 is returners.  Part 2 will be new shows.

Shows Coming Back I'm Still Watching (and why):
   *listed by order of air date

1. The Big Bang Theory 
       say what you want about Chuck Lorre & laugh tracks, but this show makes me laugh, the characters are all uniquely hilarious, and I like Star Trek and science jokes.


2.  Brooklyn Nine-Nine 
        I was admittedly skeptical about this when it first aired (I always found Andy Samberg funny yet fairly one-dimensional on SNL), but after it won the Golden Globe and then my sage friend Tim told me to watch it, I gave it a try.  It's hilarious.  I re-watched the whole thing again this past spring (and another singular episode 2 nights ago when I just needed a laugh).  It was funny from the start, but as these actors have reached their groove of their characters I think it's even funnier. (I also hate when an actor is pregnant & a show tries to hide it, but they actually pulled it off fairly well this year.  Kudos there).  This is one that I'm most excited about it's return.

3. New Girl
        It's had its ups and downs but I'm still watching.  I'm certainly part Jess (awkward?  bell choir? in love with the totally dysfunctional guy?), and I cannot get enough Jake and Schmidt.  


4. Modern Family
       This is one I'm less excited about than I used to be, and I often let it pile up on my dvr, but then once I start watching again I inevitably am LOLing alone in my house like a crazy person. 



5.  Impastor
        A TV Land show starting Michael Rosenbaum (Lex from Smallville) that you probably aren't watching.  The premise is ridiculous, but the show is HILARIOUS.  Give it a try, you won't regret it.


6.  Jane the Virgin
       This is new to me this year - watched S 1&2 over the summer after reading much praise and receiving many recommendations.  I was skeptical for a full 2 years, but now I'm hooked.  WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN?!?!?!  SO MUCH IS UP IN THE AIR!!!!  AHHHHH

7.  Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
       Another new (to me).  Meant to watch last year but waited too long and couldn't get the first few eps.  PTL for netflix.  THIS SHOW IS THE BEST.  It is smart, funny, sarcastic, AND A MUSICAL!  I bought the soundtrack, I listen to it in my car, I CANNOT GET ENOUGH.  Here is a sample song from the first ep.  Seriously - watch it.


8.  Life in Pieces
      Favorite new show from last year.  4 short scenes each ep connecting a family.  I was doubtful that this gimmick would work, but because they don't need filler to stretch out a storyline it's just punchline after punchline. All the actors are great, and it's just 30 minutes of delightful silliness (with some heart thrown in there too).  

9.  Mom
     This isn't my favorite, but Allison Janney is a riot and I love her in this.  I honestly enjoy this more when it's focused more on the serious issues of addiction than when it's just trying to be funny.  But eh, I'll keep watching for now.

10.  The Mindy Project (Hulu) 

     If I had to use television characters to explain who I am,  I's say (mostly) Liz Lemon and small parts Jessica Day (New Girl) and Mindy Lahiri.  She's such a ridiculous hot mess, but I still claim her as my own.  Add in some EXCELLENT supporting characters - they never fail to make me laugh.  They say all the things we're all saying in our heads already. 


What did I miss?  What should I quit?   There are also some things coming back after the new year or that already aired this summer that I have omitted here.  Ask me about them later :)

PS:  It's fascinating to me that all of these shows are more or less comedies, and the only hour-long ones are on the CW.  I've lost all of my serious/heavy shows.  What's that about?  Are there any on right now I should be watching?  (at least there's always streaming for that....)