The Weight of Hypocrisy

Not a month removed from Britney Spears being lambasted for having a gut at the MTV's Video Music Awards, America Ferrera, Emmy Award winning actress and star of Ugly Betty is now taking heat for losing weight.

Ferrera attributes the weight loss an attempt to get in better shape and a heavy workload, "I feel like I'm a regular person. I'm a size 10 or 12, which is totally normal. But I do feel that since I wanted to get in better shape, there has been a bit of a backlash."

It's an amazing development given that much of the praise for Ugly Betty -- and by extension Ferrera, was its accurate depiction of the "average" woman. But with the reaction to her weight loss, one's left to wonder if that was ever the case.

Instead, it appears our society has little interest in "regular" women at all. How else to explain the indictment of a mother of two for being "chubby" by the same media that has put a 23 year-old on trial for losing weight?

And when that weight loss comes with the desire to become healthier, one's left to wonder if all we actually care about is polarizing the physical expectations of women.

Keywords: Weight Loss, Ugly Betty, America Ferrera, Britney Spears, Skinny, Beauty

'Paranoia' Reigns at FX

The highly praised script from Fight Club writer Jim Uhls, tentatively titled 'Paranoid' may have found a home despite concerns the series was too dark for even cable television. The story focuses on the Patriot Act through a surveillance agent who learns that he too might be a target.

The project is currently in development at FX and although the pilot has yet to be picked up, 'Variety' reports its prospects look very good.

Keywords: FX, Paranoid, Fight Club, Jim Uhls, Pilot, Script

Daily Bullets

• David Simon reveals the script for the final scene of The Wire.

• This week's entry of Creed Thoughts. If there's a better blogger in America than Creed Bratton, I'd like to meet them.

• Watch the season two premiere of Friday Night Lights.

• AMC's critically acclaimed series Mad Men will return for second season with a 13 episode order.

• From the creator of Sex and the City comes a scripted police drama featuring a Borat-like Albanian detective.

• Who says Heroes don't have time for romance?

Keywords: Heroes, Sex and the City, Mad Men, Friday Night Lights, Streaming, Video, Season Two, Season 2, David Simon, The Wire, Season 5, Season Five

'The L-Word' Goes Logo

The MTV Gay & Lesbian themed channel Logo has picked up syndication rights for the first five seasons of Showtime's The L-Word.

The show will begin airing on Logo in next summer with season six of The L-Word set to premiere this January on Showtime.

Keywords: Logo, The L-Word, MTV, Gay, Lesbian, Showtime, Syndication

Ratings: 'Kids' Take Over, Solid Debut for 'Back To You'

In a rare and welcome performance, the 8 p.m. hour delivered strong results across the board. CBS's controversial new reality program Kid Nation took the 8 p.m. hour in the 18-49 demographic with 9.1 million viewers (3.0/9 in 18-49) despite losing the first half-hour block to Fox with the premiere of Back to You. The new multi-camera comedy starring Kelsey Grammer drew 9.4 million (3.1/10 in 18-49).

The season premiere of 'Til Death couldn't hold onto the strong lead-in, however, dropping to 7.7 million (2.7/8 in 18-49) in the 8:30 p.m. block. NBC's Deal or No Deal fared much better coming out of the gate with 9.7 million (2.5/8 in 18-49).

The premiere of CW's new teen drama Gossip Girl was a big disappointment, falling short of CW's desired 4 million mark with 3.6 million (1.7/4 in 18-49) despite a lead in of 5.1 million (2.5/8) from America's Next Top Model.

CBS took the night in overall viewers with an average of 8.9 million viewers (2.6/7 in 18-49) but only managed third place in the 18-49 demographic behind Fox's 3.0/9 (7.6 million total viewers) and NBC's 2.8/9 (8 million viewers). ABC had a paltry performance with 5.6 million (2.0/6 in 18-49) and The CW rounded out last place with 4.4 million (2.1/6 in 18-49).

'Prison Break' Review

"Never! Never use my floor as a bathroom!"
-Lechero

After season two followed Fox River's merry band of bandits as they fled across the country and uncovered conspiracies, season three brings Prison Break back to its roots. This time around, the brothers Scofield find their roles reversed with Michael incarcerated and Linc trying to free him.

As an added kicker, Michael's new home, the Panamanian prison Sona, is no Fox River. After extreme rioting, the guards withdrew from the prison, leaving the inmates to their own accord and manning only the perimeter under a strict "shoot on site" policy.

Naturally, Michael must escape, bringing an unknown inmate (who eats rats) with him. The season will see him meet old friends (Bellick, T-Bag and Mahone are all in Sona too), butt heads with the Kingpin of Sona, Lecharo and foil the plans of the unknown faces that want him dead.

That he played my favorite character on The Wire notwithstanding, Robert Wisdom is awesome as the de facto boss of the guardless Panamanian prison. Operating under the belief that "Without rules we are nothing but savages," Lecharo incorporates an intricate set of guidelines to maintain order and social hierarchy in society absent all law.

From his unique method of conflict resolution (fights to the death), to his orientation sessions, to the Darwinian system of assigning jobs, Wisdom takes no more than five minutes to establish Lecharo as the most intriguing character Prison Break has ever seen.

Based on the season three premiere, Prison Break seems to have managed to stay fresh while using what's essentially the exact same premise of season one.

While the show has never been anything more than popcorn fun, with the addition of Sona and Lecharo, certain moments had me thinking that season three's storyline would make for a great series on HBO or Showtime (Think Oz with no guards -- and throw in Al Swearengen and Tony Soprano).

No doubt the acting and dialogue can be painful at times and the plot holes are too numerous to list, but in a genre dominated by CSI and 24, Prison Break remains well ahead of the pack.

Critical Reception

The Good
Variety, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Entertainment Weekly , Chicago Tribune, TV Squad, E! Online, UGO, TV Guide

The Bad
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Orlando Sentinel, Boston Herald

Keywords: Prison Break, Season 3, Season Three, Robert Wisdom

Daily Bullets

• Big scoop from the Sexy in the City movie in the form of on-the-set pictures (Spoiler Warning).

• David Chase is fuming over The Sopranos Emmy snubs. Now he knows how fans felt about the ending.

• Proof that it's never too early to start pandering to the Academy. If only FX hadn't chosen the worst series they have.

• Molly Shannon will guest-star on Pushing Daises in a multiple-episode story arc.

• Since Dale Gribble is busy on the set of King of the Hill, HBO went with Tom Hanks to produce the ten-part miniseries on the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

• The Baltimore Sun is reporting that Matthew Perry, star of Friends and the defunct Studio 60 may be starring in an NBC comedy tentatively titled Occasional Wife.

• Roger Catlin of TV Eye has some spoilers for season seven of 24. (Spoiler Warning)

• Alicia Silverstone tries to undo some of the damage done by Michael Vick.

Keywords: 24, Matthew Perry, Friends, Studio 60, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, King of the Hill, Tom Hanks, HBO, JFK, John F. Kennedy, Molly Shannon, Pushing Daisies, David Chase, The Sopranos, Emmy, Sex and the City, Spoilers, Spoiler, Sex and the City Movie

Crescent City on 'K-Ville'

With impressive overnights and a win in Monday Night's key demographic, the question of whether the country has taken to K-Ville been put to rest (until next week). As for the citizens of New Orleans about whom the show is supposed to be about? That will likely take longer to ascertain.

Times-Picayune TV columnist Dave Walker dubbed it "cliche-riddled, but not hopeless," (which is a much kinder than the critical reaction across the country).

Based on the reaction of his readers, however, the show still has a long way to go:

• "One cop on the verge of breakdown, drinking on duty, his partner a fugitive from justice. White woman trying to take the black mans land by hiring commandos. The recovery is hard enough without making us look like idiots. Who wrote this episode, FEMA?"

• "I can't believe they were even allowed to air that show. K-Ville made the New Orleans Police Department look like a bunch of fools in a uniform. The department has enough problems with crime and moral already. Cops drinking on the job, hiring a convicted felon and having his partner cover it up, shooting at cars on Bourbon Street, chasing criminals through crowded streets, etc.... That is a bunch of bull, that just does not happen like that."

• "So many events in that show were just made up, but how do you make a movie about something you know nothing about. Everyone has a lot to say about what happened after Hurricane Katrina. I was there during and after the storm, where were all of these wonderful people that enjoy writing these scripts when we needed help?"

• "If you really want to capture the reality of a post-Katrina New Orleans, don't fictionalize the city by morphing West and East banks. Come down here, study the place. Learn the difference between Cajun and Creole, between who yearns for cypress and who for live oak. Remember, Tennessee Williams didn't write Streetcar Named Desire while living in Denver...."

• "With all the real drama in New Orleans, why would writers resort to such cliched characters and preposterous plot lines? My neighbor was a cop and I could have gotten six episodes just from listening to him and his buddies talk over the course of one beans-and-rice night (boy, am I mad now that he never invited me to any gumbo parties, if only I'd known that's the big social event)."

• "One of the most quintessential aspects of New Orleans is that there is barely one degree of separation between people. There are more dramatic possibilities in such a uniquely interconnected city than in rifling through old scripts of 'CSI' and 'Miami Vice.'"

• "K-Ville is the second worst man-made disaster to hit New Orleans."

Keywords: New Orleans, Katrina, K-Ville, Reaction

From 'John' to 'Jericho'

Emily Rose, who most recently played 'Cass' in the now canceled David Milch drama John From Cincinnati, has signed on for a five episode guest spot with the CBS cult hit Jericho. Rose will play a humanitarian aid who comes to the town to help with the reconstruction effort.

The once canceled Jericho received a reprieve after the fan campaign to save the show sent over 20 tons of nuts to CBS Headquarters (the nuts were donated to charity). It will return as a mid-season replacement with an initial order of seven episodes and the possibility of more based on viewership and DVD sales.

Rose will also be joining the ABC series Brothers & Sisters for an eight episode story arc in which she'll play a friend of Rebecca's (Emily VanCamp) and ends up becoming romantically involved with Tommy (Balthazar Getty).

Keywords: Jericho, John From Cincinnati, Emily Rose, David Milch

'K-Ville' Disappoints

K-Ville is Fox's traditional take on the gritty style police drama with the added wrinkle of being set in New Orleans two years after Katrina. The series focuses on two partners (both with a sordid past and no shortage of demons) and their adventures in The Ninth Ward.

The Ninth has been slow to recover from the hurricane (to put it kindly) and with crime running rampant there's no shortage of baddies -- be they petty, violent or devious politicians looking to prosper from the city's misfortune. The aesthetic borrows heavily from The Shield (it looks great in HD) and comes equipped with the prerequisite car chases, gun fights and morally questionable police tactics.

More than any other new show this fall, K-Ville had the chance to do something special. The premise of a cop show in a post-Katrina New Orleans is ripe with potential. Unfortunately, the series shows little interest in examining the socio economical fall out or the psychological toll of Katrina in any great depth and uses the setting as a gimmick. Whether in the form of a reference to gumbo or "creative" acronyms for FEMA in the form of graffiti, expect nothing more than surface level fodder.

In spite of its shortcomings, K-Ville is still a safe bet for those looking for fun, popcorn style action. But personally, for a show that had limitless possibilities, I expected more.

Keywords: K-Ville, Katrina, New Orleans, The Shield, Review

The Skinny on Seinfeld's '30 Rock' Appearence

In mid-July it was announced that Jerry Seinfeld would be making a guest appearance in the season two premiere of the Emmy award winning comedy 30 Rock, marking his first television appearance (excluding a voice over role in Dilbert) since Seinfeld went off the air.

According to Tina Fey, the show's creator, lead writer and star; Jerry will visit the Peacock to confront Alec Baldwin's character, Jack Donaghy, after Jack begins digitally inserting footage of Jerry from old Seinfeld episodes to help poorly rated shows.

Given that the guest spot is partly an attempt to boost the critically acclaimed (and fabulous) but ratings-challenged 30 Rock; the self referential, albeit exaggerated storyline, is a good indication that the show hasn't lost any of the charm that made it one of the best comedies on television.

Keywords: Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld, 30 Rock, Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Season Premier, Season Premiere, Season 2, Season Two

Mary-Louise Parker's Family Grows by One

Mary-Louise Parker who is both the star of Weeds and my future wife, has adopted a baby girl from Africa. Though Parker did not consult me prior to the adoption, the marriage is still a go, pending her acknowledgment of my proposal.

This is the second child for Parker, who has a three-year-old son named Will, with actor Billy Cruddup. "Mary-Louise is such an incredible mom," a source close to the actress told People. "She couldn't be happier about this."

Parker, who was nominated for an Emmy last Sunday, appears in Brad Pitt's new film The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford, opening Friday.

Keywords: Mary-Louise Parker, Nadum's Future Wife, Adoption

Chris Albrecht Joins IMG

In what marks a huge loss to the creative world of television, Chris Albrecht, the mastermind who spearheaded the emergence of HBO and redefined the role of television in America has signed a deal with talent agency International Media Group (IMG).

Albrecht will be working as the global head of marketing for IMG, the world's largest marketing and management firm. Among IMG most notable clients are Major League Baseball, Tiger Woods, the Grammy Awards, Wimbledon and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

While it's good to see Albrecht find work, the fact that he never made his way back to HBO and didn't land at another cable network is unfortunate.

Keywords: HBO, Chris Albrecht, IMG, International Media Group

'Prison' Breaks Down, 'K-Ville' Starts Strong

Concerns over whether Prison Break could sustain its ratings success as the show strayed from its original premise (a wrongfully accused pair of brothers attempt to escape from prison) proved prophetic as last night's season three premiere (Monday, 8 p.m.) recorded a disappointing 4.9/8 (rating/share), a significant drop from last year's debut of 6.3/10.

Even more disconcerting for FOX is the drop occurred despite the absence of any competition. With next week marking the debut of one of NBC's most talked about new series Chuck, the return of CBS' comedy How I Met Your Mother and the season premiere of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, Monday will quickly become one of the most competitive nights of the week. It'll be interesting to see how Prison Break fares until it gets relief in the form of 24 (which won't come until Spring).

In a bit of good news, FOX's new drama K-Ville, the police drama set in a post-Katrina New Orleans performed admirably pulling in a 6.2/9. In spite of the performance, unless K-Ville manages to get a stronger lead-in from Prison Break, it won't survive the season as starting next week it goes up against juggernauts Heroes (NBC) and Two and a Half Men (CBS) in the 9 p.m. slot.

Keywords: Nielsen Ratings, Heroes, Prison Break, K-Ville, New Orleans, Katrina, Dancing with the Stars, How I Met Your Mother, CBS, NBC, Two and a Half Men, 24, Chuck, Season Premiere, Season Premier

Daily Bullets

• The Wire vs. The Sopranos: Salon.com attempts to determine the best TV show of all time. They could have saved themselves the time. It's The Wire by a long shot.

• Could the Gandolfini/Edie Falco snubs been the product of a New York/Los Angeles feud?

• If so, don't expect Tracy Morgan and Jimmy Fallon to mediate.

• Kristen Bell sheds some light on her Heroes character Elle, the chances of her staying on with the show permanently and the rumors about her joining the cast of Lost. If Heroes can figure out a way to keep Bell on full time, that'll be one hell of a get considering she'd most likely bring along a lot of Veronica Mars cult fan base.

• The residents of Scranton, the rural Pennsylvania town in which The Office is set (they don't shoot on location) is hosting their first annual 'Office Convention'. An added bonus? Producer Greg Daniels is trying to get NBC to fly him and the writers out for a Q&A panel.

Keywords: Greg Daniels, NBC, The Office, Office Convention, Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars, Heroes, Lost, Tracy Morgan, Tracy Jordan, 30 Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Edie Falco, James Gandolfini, David Chase, The Sopranos, HBO, The Wire, Greatest Series of All Time

Season 3 is Extra 'Sunny'

The season three premiere of FX's sensational comedy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia recorded 2.3 million viewers, shattering the show's previous high of 1.7 million (the premiere of season two).

An encore presentation on Thursday added 1.9 million viewers, raising the +7 rating to an incredible 4.2 million (3.2 million in 18-49 and 2.3 million in 18-34).

The ratings spike was likely aided by the recent release of the long awaited increase of seasons one and two on DVD.

Keywords: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Always Sunny in Philadelphia, FX, Nielsen, Ratings, DVD, Season 1, Season One, Season 2, Season Two, Season 3, Season Three, Release, Premiere, Premier

HBO Picks Off Will Ferrell

HBO has picked up a pilot from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's Gary Sanchez Productions. The comedy, based on a former baseball player who becomes a substitute Gym teacher, received a six episode order from the net.

The show stars Danny McBride, Katy Mixon, John Hawkes (of Deadwood fame) and Andrew Daly. Ferrell will work as an executive producer on the project.

Keywords: Deadwood, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Gary Sanchez Productions, HBO, Danny McBride, Katy Mixon, John Hawkes, Andrew Daly, Pilot, Pick Up, Original Series, New

Emmy Ratings, Reactions and Odds & Ends

I called this when it was first announced that Seacrest would be hosting the awards and indeed, the Emmys were a disaster.

Ratings
Last night's Emmys suffered the second lowest ratings ever for the award show, averaging 13.1 million viewers. By contrast, last year's telecast averaged 16.2 million and CBS pulled in 18.7 million viewers two years ago.

The 18-49 demographic was even worse, as the Emmys' 4.3/11 (rating/share) was demolished by NBC's Sunday Night Football (San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots) which drew a 6.7/17.

Reaction
As if the ratings weren't enough, the telecast took it on the chin in the media today, with even its supporters providing nothing more than backhanded compliments.

Robert Bianco of the USA Today absolutely kills the broadcast, taking Ryan Seacrest to task, "Actually, 'amateurish' doesn't begin to describe Ryan Seacrest, who, thanks to his obnoxious performance on E!'s pre-show, became the first host to wear out his welcome before he came in. Had he been content to simply keep the show moving, he might have been bearable. Instead, he worked the crowd like he was back at American Idol, making more of a nuisance of himself with each appearance, apparently not realizing that the occasion called for a classier act."

Alan Sepinwall of the New Jersey Star-Ledger is equally upset, not so much at the presentation but by the winners. Tim Goodman echoes his sentiment, "No Falco, no Gandolfini. Does anyone have a TV at the Emmy dumbassification of America factory? And can the TV industry stop this anger at HBO? Really, this isn't galling anymore, it's just sad and wrong."

The NY Times was more moderate in its analysis, but didn't exactly give Seacrest a glowing review. "Not that Mr. Seacrest... is unpleasant, but his presence didn’t exactly bring the evening up a notch." The Hollywood Reporter also took the middle ground, "Whatever shortcomings Seacrest or the telecast exhibited, the show did have some memorable moments, a modicum of humor and a lot of surprises."

There's no denying that FOX took a risk. Unfortunately for them, it appears that it backfired.

More from: Televisionary, Chicago Tribune, Detroit Free Press, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe

Odds & Ends

• Stewie and Brian of Family Guy break into song with a parody of the current television landscape.

• Sally Field's uncensored Emmy acceptance speech. Can't tell if she's flustered, excited, exhausted or on drugs.

• Steve Carell, who reprises Ricky Gervais' role from the original version of The Office, realizes more than most that stealing from Gervais is a pretty good career move.

• Kanye West and Rainn Wilson duke it out. Kanye's take on the battle? "I never win."

• There's no video available yet, but Ray Romano's bleeped out sentence was "Frasier's ****ing my wife," a reference to his former Everybody Loves Raymond co-star Patricia Heaton. Heaton, who played Romano's wife on Raymond will appear alongside Kelsey Grammer in the new FOX series Back to You.

Keywords: Emmys, Emmy, Ratings, Nielsen, Ray Romano, Censored, Video, Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton, Sally Field, Ray Romano, Kanye West, Rainn Wilson, Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, Family Guy

Emmy Winners

HBO, NBC and ABC lead the pack with 6 victories each, CBS walked away with only one and FOX, the host of the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards, walked away with absolutely none.

Outstanding Made for TV Movie
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (HBO)

Outstanding Writer (Comedy)
Greg Daniels (The Office) - 'Gay Witch Hunt'

Outstanding Writer (Drama)
David Chase (The Sopranos) - 'Made in America'

Outstanding Director (Comedy)
Richard Shepard (Ugly Betty) - Pilot

Outstanding Director (Drama)
Alan Taylor (The Sopranos) - 'Kennedy and Heidi'

Outstanding Supporting Actor (Comedy)
Jeremy Piven (Entourage)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (Comedy)
Jaime Pressly (My Name is Earl)

Outstanding Supporting Actor (Drama)
Terry O'Quinn (Lost)

Outstanding Supporting Actress (Drama)
Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy)

Outstanding Actor (Comedy)
Ricky Gervais (Extras)

Outstanding Lead Actress (Comedy)
America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)

Outstanding Lead Actor (Drama)
James Spader (Boston Legal)

Outstanding Lead Actress (Drama)
Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters)

Outstanding Comedy Series
30 Rock (NBC)

Outstanding Drama Series
The Sopranos (HBO)

Keywords: Emmy, Emmys, Winner, Winners, The Sopranos, 30 Rock, Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters, James Spader, Boston Legal, America Ferrera, Ugly Betty, Ricky Gervais, Extras, Katherine Heigl, Grey's Anatomy, Terry O'Quinn, Lost, Jaime Pressly, My Name is Earl, Jeremy Piven, Entourage

Daily Bullets

• For anyone planning to bet on the Emmys, The Hollywood Reporter has a solid analysis of the nominees and their chances.

• For those who would rather vent about the Emmys, Jossip has you covered.

• For those who only care about the parties, the battle's still raging over who's throwing the biggest post-Emmy banger.

• Britney Spears might be making an apology at the Emmys: "According to an Emmy Awards show source, who tells Usmagazine.com that Fox network brass were 'in negotiations' with Brit's camp as of Thursday afternoon to get her on this Sunday night's annual telecast. The source adds that while her appearance has not yet been confirmed, "the idea is to have her come on and apologize for the VMAs."

I've got all the compassion in the world for Britney Spears. She undergoes more media scrutiny than the president of the United States. But what does this have to do with the Emmys? Shouldn't she be apologizing on Oprah or something?

• It's hard to imagine there are too many intelligent discussions about TMZ content, but Matthew Gilbert of the Boston Globe does a nice job of analyzing TMZ TV..

The only thing I'd point out is that these "talentless socialites" are very young. If the average person was born into money and followed from bar to bar by paparazzi during their partying years, how many would be as crazy as Lohan or Britney? 30 percent? 40 percent? Just look at how people act for the five months they're on The Real World.

• Enjoy her while you can, because Kathy Griffin ust pissed off Jesus.

• It's already been established that Jericho fans are nuts. Now CBS is getting in on the action.

Keywords: Jericho, Kathy Griffin, TMZ, Britney Spears, Lohan, Emmys

Outstanding Drama

The Emmys' most important category suffers an unfortunate fate this year as the Academy completely ignored the great dramas this past season had to offer. And while the category is likely to be dominated by the fanfare surrounding the final season of The Sopranos, the biggest story should be the absence of HBO’s critical masterpiece, The Wire as well as other well-written, well-acted dramas (see omissions below).

Handicapping courtesy of BoDog Sports Book as of September 14th, 2007.

Boston Legal (ABC) – 13:2 - Did the kids from Boston Public grow up to become lawyers or something?

Grey's Anatomy (ABC) – 7:1 - Seriously? How a soap opera gets nominated for Outstanding Drama Series is beyond me.

Heroes (NBC) – 3:1 - If not for the dreadful season finale, I'd be all for Heroes and even argue that it should win based on the nominations.

House (FOX) – 9:2 - Hugh Laurie carried the medical drama to a nomination. Ironic given his character’s trademark limp.

The Sopranos (HBO) – 1:6 - I think I could make a strong argument that The Sopranos didn't deserve a nomination against this year's ridiculously strong crop of dramas.

Who Will Win
The Sopranos
The curtain call for one of television’s most influential series is a lock.

Who Should Win
The Wire
It's the greatest story ever told. Is there anything else to say?

Snubs
Battlestar Galactica, Brotherhood, Deadwood, Dexter, Dirt, Friday Night Lights, Hustle, Rescue Me, The Riches, Rome, The Shield, The Wire.

Keywords: The Sopranos, House, Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, Battlestar Galactica, Brotherhood, Deadwood, Dexter, Dirt, Friday Night Lights, Hustle, Rescue Me, The Riches, Rome, The Shield, The Wire, Drama, Emmys, Emmy, Awards

Outstanding Comedy

Generally one of the hardest categories to predict, of this year’s nominees, NBC is a surefire bet to take home the Emmy with 30 Rock and The Office, two of the best comedies on television. No way should Ugly Betty or Two and a Half Men make it over any of the snubs, but at least we'll get a worthy winner.

Handicapping courtesy of BoDog Sports Book as of September 14th, 2007.

• 30 Rock (NBC) – 9:5 - Definitely one of the best new shows of the season. Given its poor ratings I hope it takes home the crown.
  

• Entourage (HBO) – 3:1 -Don’t count on ‘Aquaman’ making much of a splash.

• The Office (NBC) – 5:6 - The gang at Dunder Mifflin look to repeat last year’s Outstanding Comedy victory.

• Two And A Half Men (CBS) – 13:2 - I guess the highest rated comedy on television has to be included, which is a shame considering it's not even one of the best ten comedies on television.
  

• Ugly Betty (ABC) – 5:2 - This has to be one of the most overrated comedies on TV. Thankfully, it shouldn't be able to muster up much of a fight against 30 Rock or The Office.
  

Who Will Win
30 Rock
While it’s a two pony race, The Office is a show about people who work for a paper company. 30 Rock is a show about people who work in the television industry. Not hard to see how this plays out.

Who Should Win
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Both The Office and 30 Rock are smart, witty and beautifully acted. Weeds and Extras are both fantastic. But in the end, no show was funnier than It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Snubs
Everybody Hates Chris, Extras, How I Met Your Mother, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, My Name is Earl, Scrubs, Sons & Daughters, Weeds.

Keywords: Entourage, The Office, 30 Rock, Two and a Half Men, Ugly Betty, Everybody Hates Chris, Extras, How I Met Your Mother, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, My Name is Earl, Scrubs, Sons & Daughters, Weeds, Outstanding Drama, Emmy, Emmy's, Awards

Outstanding Lead Actor - Drama

Nevermind the host of snubs in this category. Ian McShane’s performance in season three of Deadwood was the best ever seen on TV or in film. His omission is a miscarriage of justice and one of the most unseemly acts in television history.

Handicapping courtesy of BoDog Sports Book as of September 14th, 2007.

• Kiefer Sutherland (24) – 6:1 - Jack Bauer doesn’t win Emmys, he takes them. Which is good, because Kiefer Sutherland stinks.
  

• James Spader (Boston Legal) – 13:2 - This nomination comes as no surprise. Doesn't make it any easier to swallow.

• Hugh Laurie (House) – 4:1 - It's a shame McShane's snub renders the entire category moot, because Laurie probably deserved to get nominated.

• Denis Leary (Rescue Me) – 9:2 - The nicest surprise of the bunch although I think the odds makers are being wildly optimistic.
  

• James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) – 1:5 - The Sopranos dipped in quality as the years went by but Gandolfini stayed strong.

Who Will Win
James Gandolfini (The Sopranos)
It should be another victory for The Sopranos .

Who Should Win
Ian McShane (Deadwood)
Ian McShane was better than James Gandolfini, Deadwood was a better show than The Sopranos and Al Swearengen is the best character in television history. Other than an endless stream of cursing, I'm at a loss for words.

Omissions
Jason Clarke (Brotherhood), Ian McShane (Deadwood), Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights), James Purefoy (Rome), Michael Chiklis (The Shield), The Entire Cast of The Wire.

Keywords: Ian McShane, Deadwood, James Gandolfini, The Sopranos, Denis Leary, Rescue Me, Kiefer Sutherland, 24, James Spader, Boston Legal, Hugh Laurie, House, Emmy's, Emmy, Awards, Outstanding Lead Actor, Drama, Male

Outstanding Lead Actress - Drama

I was thrilled with the inclusion of Minnie Driver and the nominations of Kyra Sedgwick and Edie Falco were a lock. Patricia Arquette and Mariska Hargitay are laughable and I'm not particular keen on Sally Field either. I had hoped the much maligned and underrated Dirt would get some love in the form of a Courtney Cox nomination.

Handicapping courtesy of BoDog Sports Book as of September 14th, 2007.

• Sally Field (Brothers and Sisters) – 9:5 - Yet another famous actress moves to the world of television. And gets nominated for her name alone.

• Mariska Hargitay (Law and Order: SVU) – 8:1 - On the bright side, Hargitay doesn’t have much of a chance of repeating last year’s victory.

• Patricia Arquette (Medium) – 7:1 - I loved her in True Romance but this nomination is blasphemous.

• Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) – 2:1 - It’ll be close between her and Falco, but The Sopranos factor should leave Sedgwick in the cold.

• Minnie Driver (The Riches) – 3:1 -Her very deserving nomination was an unexpected treat.

• Edie Falco (The Sopranos) – 2:1 - Falco was the rock that kept The Sopranos domestic storyline going through the entire series.

Who Should Win
Edie Falco (The Sopranos)
Edie Falco put in yet another stunning performance in the final season of The Sopranos and I can't imagine a scenario where she doesn't win.

Who Will Win
Edie Falco (The Sopranos)
Falco's victory should wrap up The Sopranos sweep of the major categories.

Snubbed
Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica), Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica), Annabeth Gish (Brotherhood), Molly Parker (Deadwood), Courtney Cox (Dirt), Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), Ali Larter (Heroes), Andrea Roth (Rescue Me)

Keywords: Edie Falco, The Sopranos, Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters, Minnie Driver, The Riches, Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer, Patricia Arquette, Medium, Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU, Emmy's, Emmy, Awards, Outstanding Lead Actress, Drama, Female

Outstanding Lead Actor - Comedy

Although it's tough to stomach the inclusion of Shalhoub (who I've never cared for) and Charlie Sheen over Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris), Zach Braff (Scrubs) and Jason Lee (My Name is Earl) this category is probably a battle between Alec Baldwin and Steve Carell anyway.

Handicapping courtesy of BoDog Sports Book as of September 14th, 2007.

• Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) – 11:10 -Baldwin delights as the high powered, slightly insane network executive on 30 Rock.

• Ricky Gervais (Extras) – 7:2 - Gervais only ever shows up in small doses (Extras called it quits at 12 episodes, although there will be a special to wrap things up) so anytime he does, it’s a treat.

• Tony Shalhoub (Monk) – 9:1 - The manic Monk shows up to defend last year’s crown.

• Steve Carell (The Office) – 20:21 - Carell doesn’t slow down at all in season three of The Office, helping lower the standards for employees all across America.

• Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men) – 6:1 - See: Spader, James. Laurie, Hugh.

Who Will Win
Steve Carell (The Office)
Carell is masterful in the role of Michael Scott and should finally lock up a much deserved Emmy.

Who Should Win
Ricky Gervais (Extras)
As long as it goes to Baldwin, Carrell or Gervais I can’t complain. I give the nod to Gervais because while 30 Rock and The Office will be around for years to come (hopefully), this is Extras only shot for an Emmy.

Snubbed
Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris), Danny DeVito (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Jason Lee (My Name is Earl), Zach Braff (Scrubs)

Keywords: Ricky Gervais, Extras, Steve Carell, The Office, Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock, Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men, Tony Shalhoub, Monk, Emmy's, Emmy, Awards, Outstanding Lead Actor, Comedy, Male

Outstanding Lead Actress - Comedy

This is the one category where I don’t disagree with a single nominee. Quite simply, these are the five best actresses in comedy right now.

Handicapping courtesy of BoDog Sports Book as of September 14th, 2007.

• Tina Fey (30 Rock) – 5:2 - As much as Alec Baldwin is credited for 30 Rock’s success, Fey is equally important in her role as Liz Lemon.

• Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives) – 7:1 -Despite the fact that critics have cooled on the women of Wysteria Lane, Huffman remains at the top of the pack.

• Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine) – 5:1 - Despite winning last year against a relatively weak group of nominees, don’t expect Elaine (she’ll always be Elaine to me) to repeat.

• America Ferrera (Ugly Betty) – 2:5 -Ferrera was clearly the break out star of the season and Betty’s buzz makes her the likely victory.

• Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) – 3:1 - Mary-Louise is not only breathtaking and my future wife, but she’s downright magnificent in Weeds.

Who Will Win
America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)
Ferrera is great and I’m confident she’ll take the award over Fey and the future Mrs. Nadum (Parker), but of all the categories, I think she’s most vulnerable to an upset.

Who Should Win

Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds)
She’s my future wife. Who did you expect me to pick?

Snubbed
Tichina Arnold (Everybody Hates Chris), Kaitlin Olson (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Show)

Keywords: Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds, America Ferrera, Ugly Betty, Tina Fey, 30 Rock, Felicity Huffman, Desperate Housewives, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Emmy's, Emmy, Awards, Outstanding Lead Actress, Comedy, Female