Are the Emmys out of touch with the reality of TV?
By fred | July 19, 2007
It was highly predictable even before the nominations were revealed, that people would yell and scream at the Emmys for all their mistakes. And exactly that happened, people who actually watches TV are, indeed, pissed. Because they nominated shows that should never have made the list (Boston Legal), and completely snubbed others that should have won the awards (Lost) !
And that goes not only for dramas, or shows.
But why is that? Why are the Emmys so wrong? Well, they simply lost touch with the reality of what TV is nowaday. They forgot the awards should recognize quality, and settled down for popularity instead.
There are - sadly - a lot of example to illustrate this fact, and it isn’t new. Take Lost for instance, while its absence last year could have been seen as a sign of the Emmy reflecting the general idea which was that it was not as good a season as its predecessor, the fact that they completely snubbed the show again this year, after the astonishing season it delivered, makes no sense.
Moreover, despite being nominated in a few categories this year, the show actually received less nominations than it did before ! Which is extremely significant as it express that, while this season of Lost was both critically acclaimed and succeeded in regaining love from even the most harshest fans who were highly disappointed by the show’s second season and vigorously criticized it, as far as the Emmy goes, the third season did not even do as good as the previous one !!
Perfect illustration of a large problem that goes on with the Emmys : they are out of touch with the reality of TV shows. They were so focused and extremely busy hiding and then yelling at those who revealed some lists of pre-nominations that they forgot to take good care in selecting their nominees.
The problem is that the Emmy are now basing their selecting not only on quality, but on popularity !! They’re turning what should be an award ceremony made by people who actually watched the shows and appreciate (or not) what they see, into yet another “reality-show” or like.
For instance, the top 10 dramas for the nominations were selected by popular vote, which will obviously favor shows that with a large audience, shows supported by their big network. This is why you see Boston Legal on the list, but The Wire and The Shield didn’t stand a chance. Because before it even started it was doomed!
The worst part is, the narrowing down to 5 - and possibly even votes - is done by people who do NOT watch the shows, only one episode. Actually, maybe even just a few minutes of it. Which result in Ellen Bursty, being nominated for a 14-second performance !
Shatner for best drama — are they kidding? He’s the comic relief and I’d hardly call it acting.
It’s criminal that Shatner gets a nomination but Bradley Whitford (Studio 60), who knocked it out of the park every week, got nothing. And for Hiro on Heroes to get nominated but Michael Hogan from BSG (who turned in one of the most gut-wrenching performances this past year) get ignored is disgusting.
Do the academy judges truly have no taste?
You’re right, both Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry did a great job on Studio60, at least one of them should have been nominated!
It’s not (only) they have no taste, it’s that they don’t even watch the shows!
Really, how would any one feel if food critics never went & ate at the restaurant they judge? Would you take them seriously?
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