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Emmy nominations 2012: the good and the bad

Emmy nominations show some deserving recipients, but other shows and actors have gotten snubbed again.

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Tyler Golden/NBC/AP
'Parks and Recreation' star Amy Poehler received an Emmy nod, but the show itself and her co-stars did not.

THE GOOD: Despite the fact that our list of “good” seems to get smaller and smaller every year thanks to a voting body that inexplicably continues to place a priority on big names versus talent (See: Uma Thurman’s Outstanding Guest Star Actress in a Drama nod for SMASH), the Academy of Television Arts & Science did get a few things right. Namely, nominations for a handful of much deserving small screen newcomers like HOMELAND’s Claire Danes and Damian Lewis, SHERLOCK’s Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman and would appear to be the entirety of Britain’s DOWNTON ABBEY (Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Brendan Coyle, Jim Carter, Maggie Smith and Joanne Froggatt) Equally exciting, recognition for the likes of Don Cheadle (HOUSE OF LIES), Lena Dunham (GIRLS), NEW GIRL’s Zooey Deschanel and Max Greenfield, Merritt Wever (NURSE JACKIE), Anna Gunn (BREAKING BAD), and Jason Ritter (PARENTHOOD).

THE BAD: With the notable exception of a guest starring nod for Joan Cusack, this morning’s SHAMELESS shut out further confirmed our suspicions that those poor Gallaghers really can’t catch a break. Sticking with the subject of no laughing matter comes MODERN FAMILY, whose dominance in the supporting acting categories (See: Nods for Ed O’Neill, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ty Burrell, Eric Stonestreet, Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara) continues to come at the expense of equally deserving ensembles on the likes of COMMUNITY (Dani Pudi! Gillian Jacobs!), PARKS AND RECREATION (Nick Offerman! Chris Pratt), HAPPY ENDINGS (Damon Wayans Jr! Casey Wilson! Eliza Coupe! Adam Pally!), 30 ROCK (Jane Krakowski!) and THE MIDDLE (Eden Sher!), among others. Meanwhile in the drama department, no Outstanding Drama Series nomination for THE GOOD WIFE means that for the first time in history none of the major four broadcasters are represented in the category, while the distinct lack of Emmy love for GAME OF THRONES, THE WALKING DEAD and FRINGE have us wondering if they might try their hand at scamming their way into the “Mini Series” category next season based on the success FX’s AMERICAN HORROR STORY saw this year.

THE UGLY: Nominations for Ashley Judd (MISSING), Uma Thurman (SMASH) and Elizabeth Banks (30 ROCK) in their respective categories do little but leave us wounding if Emmys voters actually watch television or just tick of a list of names they’re familiar with. That, and don’t’ even get me started on a Jon Cryer’s Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series nomination over an insanely large list of far funnier nominees including but not limited to Joel McHale (COMMUNITY), Matt LeBlanc (EPISDOES), Garret Dillahunt (RAISING HOPE), Adam Scott (PARKS AND RECREATION).

The TV Addict staff blogs at The TV Addict.

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