Emmy Nominations

The funny Kristen Chenowith and Neil Patrick Harris got up early this morning to announce the Emmy Nominations.

They also ended up being nominated themselves, which was a nice surprise to each of them, as you'll see by the clip above. They both made the normally bland reading of the nominations a bit fun for a change.

I'm very happy that several of my favorites got nominated this year. People like Kathy Griffin, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Glenn Close, Jean Smart, Cynthia Nixon, Laura Dern, Tina Fey, Tim Conway, Ellen Burstyn, Sharon Gless, Alec Baldwin, Susan Sarandon, Steve Carell, Sally Field, Mary Louis-Parker, Judi Dench, Chandra Wilson, Candice Bergen, Dianne Wiest, Alfre Woodard, Laura Linney, Michael Emerson (Ben on "Lost") and James Spader.

I'm also happy to see that "The Office", "30 Rock", "Brothers and Sisters", "Amazing Race", "Extras", "Boston Legal" and "My Life on the D-List" were all nominated shows in their catagories.

I am VERY happy to see that the horrible remake of the movie "Sybil" didn't get anything.

I do love Jessica Lange, but I hope that she was able to collect a nice paycheck and then take a LONG vacation after that fiasco.

Here is the complete list of Emmy Nominations if you'd like to take a peek.

Adios Amigos

"Hell, you'll probably outlive us all. We'll be dead and buried and you'll still be kicking, doing Priceline commericals."

Alan Shore to Denny Crane, regarding Denny's advanced age.

I have been dreading this day...

Tonight is the 2-hour series finale of "Boston Legal". I can't believe that the show will be done after tonight. I'm in denial and think it's gonna be a few weeks before it actually sinks in for me.



I've never really been a big fan of legal shows, mainly because most of them focus more on the grisly violence of crime and all of the horror surrounding it. But, "Boston Legal" was different. It focused on the Crane, Poole and Schmidt law firm that, with all of the inappropriate sexual conduct amongst the employees, could never actually exist in the real world and, that aspect, is probably one of the reasons that I got hooked.



The ridiculously regular sexual innuendos and situations would never be tolerated in the real world...but, within the context of the show, were often hilarious and rewind-worthy. The image above features Denny (the perfectly cast William Shatner) showing Shirley (Candice Bergen) the life-size sex doll of her that he had custom designed and regularly "associated" with, at times, over the years.



"Outrageous!" as Henry Gibson's (he of "Laugh In" fame) re-curring judge character was famous for shouting at Denny or Alan during their many "ridiculous" court encounters.



But, along with that was another layer of reality that, oftentimes, was profoundly real and relateable. I think I learned more about politics, morality and law from this show than any book, movie or class that I've ever taken. David E. Kelly had an amazing ability to present both sides of an argument somewhat evenly and, during closing, seemed to verbalize perfectly how I really felt about each one in almost every case.



I will definitely miss Alan Shore's colorfully dramatic and always-entertaining closing arguments each episode. As I've told friends, I would pay to have a DVD set of just those speeches. James Spader seemed to natually master every emotional nuance of a speech and was able to deliver them as if each case resonated directly with him and, along with that...the jury.

Here is a sample of one of those speeches...this one discussing the realities of Scientology...



As childish as it may seem to some, David E. Kelly was a genius at finding the right moment to use a fart to make a point (Denny Crane!) or break the show/viewer reality "wall" regularly to speak directly to the audience...and he did it numerous times and, always, to good effect.



Plus, he was able to use so many wonderful guest-stars throughout the series, like Betty White's serial killing, yet sassy sweet, character Catherine Piper.

There just hasn't been a show like it before (David E. Kelly's "Ally McBeal" was close) and, I doubt, there ever will be again.



Most of all, I will miss sitting with Denny and Alan on the balcony at the end of each show as they have their heart-to-heart sessions about their day and lives. Although both characters are straight as the day is long...their relationship was bascially an old married couple who, regardless of their differences, are always there for each other...no matter what.

Here is a bit of dialogue that seems to sum up their relationship best....

Denny: I don't know whether you know this but not many men take the time, every day, to have a cigar, glass of scotch, to talk to their best friend. That's not something most men have.

Alan: No it isn't.

Denny: What I give to you, what I share, I do with no one else. I like to think that what you give to me you do with nobody else. Now that may sound silly to you. But here's what I think is silly, the idea that jealousy or fidelity is reserved for romance. I always suspected that there was a connection between you and that man. That you got something you didn't get from me.

Alan: I probably do. But gosh, what I get from you Denny. People walk around today calling everyone their best friend. The term doesn't have any real meaning anymore. Mere acquaintances are lavished with hugs and kisses upon a second or at most third meeting, birthday cards get passed around offices so everybody can scribble a snippet of sentimentality for a colleague they barely met, and everyone just loves everyone. As a result when you tell somebody you love them today, it isn't much heard. I love you Denny, you are my best friend. I can't imagine going through life without you as my best friend. I'm not going to kiss you however.

Priceless.

New TV season

After my trip, I came back to a DVR full of new shows, which I've spent the past week trying to catch up on.



Being a TV junkie, I've always looked forward to the new fall season. It's been like that ever since I was a kid and, as an adult, I find I still watch more television than the average Joe (not necessarily just the plumbers).

I was surprised that ER got rid of Mekhi Pfeiffer in the first episode. That was a shock and, adding to that, was the preview for the following episode which was promoted as "Abbys last day in the ER".

WTF?



Maura Tierney's Abby was the only character that has kept me watching it this long. She, above everyone else, remained the sole relateable human on the show and now, as of last week, she's gone too.

I know it's the last season, but I'm not sure if I'm going to continue watching. Bringing on an angry Angela Bassett into the mix just doesn't cut it. I don't want to watch another cranky doctor barking orders at people week after week (until we find out, in a "very special episode", about the tragedy that lurks in her past that will change the ER forever).

So, I'm gonna take it one episode at a time and see how I feel then.



On a brighter note, The New Adventures of Old Christine is still just as entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny as it was last season. They were smart to make Wanda Sykes a regular and, on top of that, have her marry Christine so she could remain in the country after her divorce.

The two of them together make for some priceless moments of hilarity that you can't help but crack a smile over.

Perhaps ER's Angela Bassett should add that to her TIVO season pass list. That character really needs to lighten up.



Brothers and Sisters is also a welcome return, although I'm starting to sense a bit more melodrama in these early episodes than were around in the past. But, I love me some Sally Field (and that house...I want her house!) and most of the other characters, so it'll remain a must-see for the near future.



Grey's Anatomy continues to teeter on the season pass removal ledge. I'm enjoying fewer and fewer of the characters (Dr. Baily better never leave!) and storylines (hey kids....why don't you try to date OUTSIDE of the hospital?).

They need to bring back Addison (just cancel the lame "Private Practice" already...another show where they only seem to date each other) and, on a "very special episode", have Grey go mute so no one has to hear her whine endlessly on about McDreary ever again.

Until that happens....it's week to week for them.

And last, but certainly not least....



Denny Crane!

I don't care how ridiculous the characters act on Boston Legal....the show is entertaining and, if nothing else, worth watching just for James Spader's captivating closing arguments as Alan Shore. I would buy a DVD collection that only featured those final speeches.

I would!

Unfortunately, this is also the last season for "Boston Legal", so I'm gonna savor ever last episode while I can.

Maybe Maura Tierney will show up at some point, now that she's "free".

That episode would definitely be worth two "Pops" and a hop on the Jerry Espenson scale!

No strings

An extended trailer for Avengers 2: Age of Ultron was released today...



It's looking good and James Spader's voice is perfectly suited for the bad guy.

I wonder if this is the first movie he's done with Robert Downey Jr. since they did Less Than Zero together almost 30 years ago (1987...dear God, how time flies!)