That's right, kittens -- The Emmy Awards are around the corner. September 18th to be exact. Award shows are both fun to watch and insufferable. You know it's true. They always run too long, most of the prepared jokes for the presenters are mediocre at best, and all awards are given out for a variety of reasons, mostly political, occasionally acknowledging real talent. HOWEVER! With all of that, I still watch them. The dresses! The speeches, some of which are truly wonderful (I'm looking at you, J.K. Simmons, Oscar winner). Did I mention the dresses?!
I am invested in this year's Emmy Awards because the nominations are great - pretty much across the board. Egregiously neglected shows, actors and writers were acknowledged this year, and that makes me happy enough to skip through the subway (which would not attract much notice, if any, as I live in New York City). Let's prepare for the ceremony together! In a series of posts between now and the 18th, I'm going to discuss the major categories and give you my picks for who should win and who actually will win. Here we go!
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - 2016
Nominees:
Taraji P. Henson - Empire
Claire Danes - Homeland
Robin Wright - House of Cards
Viola Davis - How To Get Away With Murder
Tatiana Maslany - Orphan Black
Keri Russell - The Americans
Who Should Win:
My vote goes to Keri Russell for THE AMERICANS. If you are not watching this show, I feel sorry for you. Hie thee to Amazon and get thyself caught up on the best show currently on television! Her performance as Elizabeth Jennings, a Russian spy living in America during the 1980s is exceptional. There is a potent stillness in her work that can suddenly erupt into physical or emotional violence. Her Elizabeth is steely and strongly committed to Mother Russia, but she beautifully layers in the increasing vulnerability and doubt creeping into her psyche. In actor-speak, she is deeply present in each moment and there is a generosity in the way she listens to her fellow actors. If all you know of Keri Russell is her turn as Felicity on the hit show of the same name from many years ago, treat yourself to her work on THE AMERICANS.
Who Will Win:
Viola Davis. She is a remarkable actress, one of the best around in my opinion. And she won in this category last year - the Emmy voters love a repeat winner. I won't be disappointed if she wins because Viola Davis should be in everything and win all the awards, even the Nobel Prize in Economics, as far as I'm concerned. I don't watch HTGAWM, because I don't like the shows that Shonda Rhimes produces (more on that later; essentially, I don't find Shonda to be a good storyteller). When HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER first premiered, I watched a couple of episodes, based solely on Viola Davis' presence. But not even she can get me to stay with another creation from Shondaland. Nevertheless, she is a powerhouse of an actor, willing to go to dark, scary places other actors might shy away from.
Stay tuned for my vote/prediction for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series! Coming up next.
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