TV critics weigh in on Emmy picks

By Ray Richmond

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - With their livelihoods threatened by downsizing and layoffs and bloggers equipped to impersonate them, it's easy to understand why television critics might not feel they receive all the respect they deserve these days.

Even so, their views remain key to building buzz that can result in TV series gaining viewers and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences taking notice at Emmy time.

We asked a group of critics, in advance of Thursday's Emmy Awards nominations announcement and with all due respect, to reveal their nominee choices in a half-dozen high-profile categories.

ROBERT BIANCO, USA TODAY

Drama Series: "When people say there's nothing good on television, you really have to wonder what they're watching. Because when it comes to dramas this year, the problem isn't expanding the list from five; it's cutting the candidates down to six. What to include? Start with network TV's two best hours, (ABC's) 'Lost' and (Fox's) '24.' Then throw in (FX's) 'Rescue Me,' absolutely brilliant this season with Michael J. Fox adding great support, and 'Mad Men,' which proved its first-year triumph was no fluke. That still leaves room for HBO's 'No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency' and 'True Blood.' "

Comedy Series: "In its second season, (CBS') 'The Big Bang Theory' has grown into TV's best sitcom by adhering to old sitcom virtues: A great cast playing characters you like and believe, who can be hilarious without being heartless and consistent without being formulaic. From there, the list should also include the witty if tortuously inconsistent '30 Rock' (NBC), the perfectly cast 'The New Adventures of Old Christine' (CBS), and the very-near perfect 'Pushing Daisies' (ABC) -- a show that flopped in the ratings but soared as art."

Lead Actor, Drama: "It's a testament to how tough this category is that Hugh Laurie ("House"), Michael C. Hall ("Dexter") and Denis Leary ("Rescue Me") don't already have Emmy victories to their credit, despite turning in the kind of work each and every season that cries out to be rewarded. But this is a TV series award, and there's something to be said for recognizing the kind of performance that turns a new series into that genuine TV rarity, a smash hit. And that's the case to be made for Simon Baker and his CBS drama 'The Mentalist.'"

Lead Actress, Drama: "Glenn Close (FX's "Damages") made her outsized lawyer seem more human and real (while) Kyra Sedgwick (TNT's "The Closer") turns her show into a weekly lesson in entertaining acting. January Jones (AMC's "Mad Men") and Evangeline Lilly (ABC's "Lost") both had showcase stories and used them to their best advantage. It's a very tough race to call because there's so much talent here."

Lead Actor, Comedy: "Every year, there's at least one actor whose omission would make the nominations meaningless. This year, it's Jim Parsons (CBS' "The Big Bang Theory"). How can you help but appreciate the skill and talent it takes to turn a character who could have been a one-note nerd into a fully formed comic creation, at once likable, annoying and touching? That's Parsons. Also, when Alec Baldwin (NBC's "30 Rock") is onscreen, you can't look away, and you don't want to."

Lead Actress, Comedy: "Slowly but surely, this category is getting more crowded. I have to start with the fact that Toni Collette (Showtime's "United States of Tara") is remarkable. Her show feels like a stunt; her multilayered performance never does. She could be a contender in the drama field as well if she so chose. Tina Fey ("30 Rock'" had a star-rocketing year. Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Christine") and Mary-Louise Parker (Showtime's "Weeds") continue to shine on two of the few sitcoms actually built around a woman."

Supporting Actor/Actress: "John Scurti ("Rescue Me") is one of the year's true breakout performers, which should make him one of the year's safest bets. And while Katherine Heigl (ABC's "Grey's Anatomy") and the Emmys always seem to cause trouble, and as silly as her story sometimes was this year, she made it work because she is so adept at playing off the rhythms of her castmates."

JOANNE OSTROW, THE DENVER POST

Drama Series: "I'm hoping to see 'Lost' make it this time. It continues to capture the public's imagination on so many levels. I find myself surfing online to find out more every week and heard people consistently buzzing about it between episodes. Also, I love (HBO's) 'In Treatment.' It's a fantastic show that really digs below the surface to examine that world of therapy in a way few TV shows ever have."

Comedy Series: " '30 Rock' is just so consistently great -- inside, and yet accessible, and blessed with some of the most clever writing for a comedy ever."

Lead Actor, Drama: "I'm just so hoping that Laurie finally wins this thing. I've been saying this same thing for years. He's so good with his accent you'd never guess he wasn't really American."