clockwise (from top left): Paul, Emerson,
Slattery, Kwanten.
Wow--of all the categories we've done for Emmys picks so far, this may be our favorite. Loaded with talent--both old and new--it's darned near impossible to come up with a final five. When we look at our honorable mention, it's hard to imagine they didn't make the final cut.
And don't get us started on the ones that just missed being mentioned altogether (Battlestar's James Callis, Dirty Sexy Money's Glenn Fitzgerald, and Lost's Terry O'Quinn among them). But sacrifices had to be made, and we're left with the following:
John Slattery, Mad Men
Role: Roger SterlingAs the biggest womanizer and boozer in an office full of womanizing boozers, Slattery still manages to win our favor. Mad Men is a time capsule from another period, and if we didn't know better, we'd say Slattery was plucked straight from 1960s Madison Avenue.
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Role: Jesse PinkmanThe kid really came into his own this season (not that he wasn't awesome last season), with the writers opening Jesse up to raw emotion. We can still see his total breakdown at the end of season two--and it hurts. Bryan Cranston may get all the headlines for his great work, but he's also great at making those around him better. If Paul manages to get the trophy, expect a hearty thanks to Cranston.
Ryan Kwanten, True Blood
Role: Jason StackhouseYes, he has abs of steel. But the Aussie actor took the challenge of playing a character that is nothing like him in real life (sorry ladies) and convinced us that he was really a dope. The best actors don't always have to be the ones that deliver a stirring monologue or play the ultimate evil--they can also be the idiots, and Kwanten delivers.
William Hurt is no stranger to awards.
Michael Emerson, Lost
Role: Benjamin LinusTelevision actors who come from a theater background seem to make mincemeat out of their strictly small-screen co-stars; case in point, Michael Emerson. He's mastered every single emote (particularly hella-creepy) and continues to be an office favorite. Perhaps the third time is the charm for Emerson.
William Hurt, Damages
Role: Daniel PurcellIn playing Daniel Purcell, William Hurt got to show he can do everything. We felt for him, we hated him, he understood his plight. But it was in those moments where Purcell was lost--or at least acted like he was--that Hurt really shined. And those moments immediately after where he ripped our hearts out were good, too. Jerk!
Honorable Mention: Zach Gilford--Friday Night Lights, Alexander Skarsgard--Generation Kill, John Noble--Fringe, Ken Leung--Lost, Jeremy Davies--Lost
And our winner is: Aaron Paul. Maybe because it's still fresh in our minds, but we couldn't even breathe when Jesse was on the screen in the last two episodes of the season. A nomination may be a long shot (older vets usually get the honors), but we're all for change!
Our picks for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama
Our picks for Best Comedy Series
Our picks for Best Actor in a Comedy
Our picks for Best Actress in a Comedy
Our picks for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Our picks for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Comments (39)
carlos bernard was amazing he desrve won emmy
Michael Emerson of course.
James Callis should have made the list because he gives some of the most superb performances on television but because of what his show falls under, he's never even considered. Its a true shame because of all characters on BSG his character was the one who truely made the finale special (even though some die hard fans won't admit it).
where the hell is carlos bernard?
What?!? William Hurt, really? Did you even watch this season? He was by far the least appealing actor of the show. His character was giving off all kinds of mixed signals and was only remedied within the last four episodes. Sure, his acting was great, but not THAT great. The thing that held him back was the writing. Not his fault, but is a contributing factor in the decision making process. I'd rather see Tate Donovan nominated for his role as Tom Shayes. Much better in every way. I don't get why blog sites continue to nominate Hurt. Most of the fans recognize his role was one of the weakest.Here, just to make it easier, the best of the best for Damages. If you want to nominate Damages, these are the ones you should be considering:Best Actress in a Leading Role: Glenn Close - "Uh Oh, Out Come the Skeletons"Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Tate Donovan - "Look What He Dug Up This Time"Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Marcia Gay Harden - "London, Of Course" (Side note: she'll probably win, haven't seen a better performance from this category all year... that includes Elizabeth Mitchell)Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Rose Bryne - "Trust Me"Best Guest Appearance for an Actor: Michael Nouri - "Uh Oh, Out Come the Skeletons"Best Guest Appearance for an Actor: Ted Danson - ? (forget the episode name, but it was the one with his Eastern style therapy session)moreless
John Slattery is my winner.
1st Michael Emerson aka Ben Linus-Lost . 2nd Aaron Paul aka Jesse Pinkman-Breaking Bad .The guy who played Jacob in Lost season 5 should be awarded in Guest category . he was really good .
I have to disaggre. Any list which doesn't include Jhon Noble is wrong. Sorry but... did you see Walter on Fringe? He was the best of the serie for me. And the best characther of any serie this season (excluding Jacob and Locke of Lost xD)
Here is my list. Winner - Robert Knepper/Prison Break. Runner Up - John Noble/Fringe. 3rd place - Aaron Paul/Breaking Bad. 4th Place - Walton Goggins/The Sheild. 5th Place - Bruce Campbell/Burn Notice
Oh oh oh and I have to add an equal special mention for Bruce Campbell too, because nobody steals a moving picture screen, or adds a laugh at the most unlikely moment, like BC - and he just adds that je ne sais quoi to Burn Notice that makes it damn perfect.
Aaron Paul absolutely stole his scenes this year - BB is SO slick and he surely added a whole damn lot so I fully support that choice. For me I am torn though as Walt Goggins has plugged away like a freakin angel on the Shield for years doing totally amazing supporting work and getting slid under the Chickster all the way. This last final season I think he just deserves it more because it just couldnt have been the same without him - like The Wire could never have been the same without Michael K. Williams "Omar Commin". My special goes to Glenn Fitzgerald - he aced every moment on Dirty - and showed so many sides to that one character in such a short time on air - huge talent that deserves so much more recognition.moreless
Why doest he shield get shafted year after year? michael chiklis isn't nominated for lead actor after his brilliant performance or walton goggins? did shawn ryan piss off the wrong people?
Yeap, even though I love Breaking Bad, and have to agree his performance this latest season was brilliant. And its nice to see new actors doing so well. But Im not quite sure if he can win it. Michael Emerson has been consistantly great for such a long time and deserves it I think.
Michael Emerson for sure!
JOHN NOBLE. Totally. Hands down, no question...
Why not Michael Imperioli?
Aaron Paul wasn't that great in my opinion. He was better this season but not the best. Maybe it's just me, but he always annoys me. I think it should be either William Hurt for "Damages" or Walter Goggins for "The Shield". I can't believe you left him out! He got me on his side even when he killed his family.
Michael Emerson, Lost betta win that the best shown on tv..... the only show that keep it rating avove 9.0......niceee go lost cant wait for the final season 6.
I hope someone from LOST wins it.
Walter Goggins from The Shield. How he hasn't managed to reel in an Emmy, let alone an Emmy nomination is ridiculous, and he really brought the intensity this past season. And the fact he's not even on the honorable mention when Ken Leung from Lost is?! What?! Miles was a good character, but nowhere near the caliber that any of the Shield supporting cast was.
I agree with your pick
Jeremy Davies and Josh Holloway were the best of the Lost bunch this year!
Aaron Paul. Amazing performance. Jeremy Davies was great also.
Tortured_Mike: So true. I would've liked Desmond to have appeared more though.
Sawyer, Locke & Ben really carried LOST this year.
The other boring characters (Jack, Jin, Sun, Hurley etc) were hardly even it it! :D
As long as someone from Lost is nommed I'll be happy. But not O'Quinn, lol.
carlos bernard and john noble deserve to be on that list. but i will go with emerson from those who are on the list
i do agree that terry o'quinn was brilliant this year, and james callis was utterly brilliant on battlestar, he should have been nominated for season two at least. i didn't think season four was his best, but i may be biased by my utter hate for that season.In terms of who should win, i have been rooting for ben/ michael emerson for all these years and see no reason to change my mind now. Seriously, just his final scene in the finale is enough. Although i haven't actually seen season two of breaking bad, since its not out in australia yet, but i did think aaron paul was brilliant in season one.
John Noble on Fringe is freakin good too, so wierd and funny Walter Bishop
Michael Emerson deserves it come on, not just for this year but his character Ben has been pivotal to Lost, great villian
NOT Ryan Kwanten. Kill him with fire.
This year's Emmy has to go to Aaron Paul, yo. His performance bested even that of Michael Emerson. He knew this kid has such talent...
I would love for Aaron Paul to be nominated. Also, hopefully this means Josh Holloway will be a Dramatic Lead this year.
Josh Holloway (Sawyer) was AMAZING this year on LOST. I think he should be nominated but Michael as Ben should win. Jeremy as Daniel should be given a guest emmy nom.
Im for Walter from In Treatment! John Mohony was great.
John Noble of FRINGE doesn't deserve an honorable mention, he deserves the EMMY!
Carlos Bernard from 24 was outstanding this season.
Michael Emerson is an outstanding actor and he did his role as Ben Linus perfectly , he deserve to win the Emmy more than the other candidates .Jeremy Davis from Lost should be a nominee too ,His role as Daniel Faraday was amazing in season 5 . Even tho if Jeremy Davis was nominee I believe Michael Emerson should won , he is amazing .I think Terry O'Quinn should be nominee in leading role .
Michael Emerson needs to win. Without him and Terry O'Quinn, LOST would be nothing.