Grid Effect

Well, my head is spinning with the multitude of oversights this year, but I don’t know what else to expect from an award show that is clearly being compromised by someone or something. Either that or they are simply lazy. I hate to be so cynical but there is really no other explanation.

Note: This article will contain some spoilers, so if you’re waiting for some series’ to be released on DVD or whatever else, this post will upset you immensely if you continue to read.

For starters, lets give credit where credit is due: fifteen nominations for The Sopranos! Yowza! Obviously for best drama and both lead acting categories, then three supporting acting nominations (Imperioli, Bracco and Turturro) then three nominations in the best writing category for “Kennedy and Heidi” (The episode Chris died), “The Second Coming” (AJ’s suicide attempt) and the series finale, “Made In America”. All this in addition to a directing nomination for Alan Taylor for “Kennedy and Heidi” (I Get It!) and five other nominations in minor categories.

There were some other various highlights with the dramatic series nominations, including Dennis Leary getting a best actor nomination (which is a lost cause, I’m pretty sure based on the overwhelming recognition that The Sopranos very well might end up sweeping), Friday Night Lights, though clearly underappreciated did pick up a best directing and best casting (which is like an award for best ensemble), its minimal, but at least it is something.

The Wire, on the other hand, was completely snubbed. In this blogs humble opinion, this oversight completely diminishes all credibility The Emmys may have built up. This series is so nuanced, so well characterized and structured, its intriguing, insightful, entertaining and probably the only series that I can say with any cerititude that is actually important; and for it to get zero nominations is a fucking embarrassment. The only plausible explanation is either they aren’t watching it (most likely), its not popular so it goes unrecognized because there won’t be any mainstream outrage (quite possible), or race is actually an issue (never would have thought this to be the case as I am hesitant to play this card, but now I’m not so sure). It has to be one of these three, because if one watches the series in total, and isn’t subjective in any way, then there is no rationale for this series to not have a nomination in every major and minor category. It is that good.

Thing is, this really shouldn’t come as any shock. The Wire is virtually snubbed every year it should be in contention to clean house. I really shouldn’t take it so personally but the series deserves better. The Emmys are essentially the only mainstream outlet that acknowledges excellence in television, and for The Wire to go unrepresented is a sham. If The Emmys would give this show its due, then maybe it could build up the audience it deserves. But ultimately, those who watch The Emmys are not interested in a slew of no-names collecting awards, and that might be what this is attributed to. Most would rather see Kiefer Sutherland or one of the twenty-five year old smoking hot doctors from Grey’s Anatomy stockpile hardware. Not a gritty, realistic portrayal or institutional and urban decay and corruption. And that is no disrespect to 24 or the hospital drama, but give me a fucking break.

Like stated before, The Sopranos very well may sweep on Emmy night and that is all well and good. But it should really be rivaled by its artistic and narrative counterpart in The Wire, otherwise everything David Chase & Co. wins is borderline fraudulent. For a sports analogy, its would be like winning a Superbowl because the other team died in a plane crash. Technically, someone is awarded the Lombardi trophy, but did they really earn it? Or feel good about it?

Back later with some approving editorial on the comedy nominations (sans a few nitpicks), other miscellaneous categories and some more on Friday Night Lights, right now I need to karate chop some bricks so I don’t chuck my monitor across my office.