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CNN Live Today
Emmy Nominations: Who Made the List?
Aired July 17, 2003 - 10:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: It was a good moment if you were with us earlier, Jane Kaczmarek was on with us live. She says that when you're a presenter like that, they don't give you a clue as to whether or not you will be nominated. So she was greatly relieved to find out that she got her fourth straight nomination for "Malcolm in the Middle."
The nominations for the 55th annual Emmy Awards were announced this morning. For a look at who made the cut and who did not, we're joined by Tom O'Neil, senior editor for -- well, he does goldderby.com. If you want the scoop on who is going to get what and you want to have a prediction as strong as anybody who follows the NFL, just go to goldderby.com.
How's that for a plug?
TOM O'NEIL, GOLDDERBY.COM: Yes, I appreciate that.
Well, actually goldderby, let's explain, this a little online racetrack, where we have all the experts gathered from "Entertainment Weekly," "USA Today," Associated Press, all in one place, giving you literally the inside track.
KAGAN: And it's a competition too. You see who really can guess the best.
Let's get to these nominations. We've been running graphics all day of who was in. Let's talk about who;s not there. Who is out? Because there's actually some significant stories about who did not make it.
O'NEIL: The two biggest snubs, the two biggest jaw droppers this morning was the fact that "Law & Order" wasn't there. This is the first time in 11 years this show has not made the cut. Had it gone the 12th year, it would have set a record. But now, it's tied with "Cheers and "Mash" as the longest continuous show with nominations.
Also, where was Kelsey Grammer this morning for "Frasier?" He had been nominated nine times in a row. He's one shy of the record, which is held by his old costar from "Cheers." Help me.
KAGAN: Ted Danson?
O'NEIL: Ted Danson, thank you. So that's how long he's been in the race, so they dropped two favorites this morning.
KAGAN: They did, especially it's the last season of "Frasier," too, so you think if nothing else.
O'NEIL: Yes, and David Hyde Pierce got nominated in the supporting race, so that was very odd.
KAGAN: As Niles.
And then new shows, not a lot of new shows. Didn't they refigure how the nominations voting process takes place about a year ago to change this?
O'NEIL: Well, they changed the second round of voting so that people who used to have to sit on judging panels to watch samples of videotapes submitted by nominees can now watch those tapes at home, but they haven't changed the first round of voting, and I think that's really where they need to make changes, because especially today, we see dramatic evidence of the problem at the Emmys. They use a popular ballot that rewards popular favorites.
What's not here are those shows on the WB, like "The Gilmore Girls," which the TV Critics Association of America tells us is the best show on television. Why didn't it get any Emmy nominations?
And what about "Scrubs?" "Scrubs" is finally in the top 10. It's holding its own, critics love it, viewers love it, but Emmy voters aren't watching it, because it's too young skewing, and the geezer Emmy voters have a demographic a little north of what "Scrubs" viewers are.
KAGAN: Send your e-mail to Tom O'Neil. Let's talk about the battles that are developing out there in the drama category, "24" and "The Sopranos." "Sopranos" weren't even in the nomination process last year because of the kind of strange way that they're schedule worked out, but "The Sopranos" are back, but "24" is building, and it's a strong show.
O'NEIL: It's really hot. Last year, it had the critics on its side. This year, it's got the ratings, too. So this is the show that HBO is most worried about. So this showdown this year is going to be between "24" and "Sopranos" coming back.
Remember, "Sopranos" has never won best drama series. Last year, at the Emmys, we saw voters finally make up the fact they've never honored "Friends," so we have to wonder if they're play catch-up on the drama side this year.
KAGAN: And speaking of "Sopranos," would you say that Edie Falco is perhaps the one the slam dunk out there?
O'NEIL: Yes. If you were betting right now on any race, you can say bet five ranches and bet them all on Edie Falco, because when you're nominated for an Emmy, you pick this sample episode of the past TV season as an example of your best work. She's certainly going to submit the season finale of "The Sopranos," an episode called can "White Caps," which was her finest moment as an actress.
KAGAN: Where she basically tells Tony Soprano to get lost, that she's kind of figured him out.
O'NEIL: And she's won several times in the past, and she's a proven winner.
KAGAN: And there's a new category this year in reality television?
O'NEIL: Yes, well, they've rejiggered the categories and added this new definition that you're referring to, and they're also going to put it on the telecast for the first time ever. So TV is finally getting real at the Emmys. And what's interesting is they've grouped together reality shows that compete for a prize. So you're going to see shows like "American Idol" compete against "Survivor," and It will be interesting to see who ends up on the Emmy island.
KAGAN: Kind of like the ultimate reality television in Hollywood, though, isn't it?
O'NEIL: It is, but it's a shame we don't get to vote at home with dial-in telephones.
KAGAN: And just real quickly, we'd like to put you on the spot. If you're only to hand out Emmy, I'm going to take Edie Falco out of the running, only one Emmy, who's going to get it on September 21st.
O'NEIL: Who is definitely going to get it?
KAGAN: From you?
O'NEIL: From me, if I could bestow it. I think "Malcolm in the Middle," speaking of Jane Kaczmarek, she's never won an Emmy, and I think she's probably the greatest comedic actress on television. It's time already, so let's give that Emmy to Jane.
KAGAN: Fourth straight nominations. Perhaps she's watching.
Tom O'Neil, goldderby.com. Thanks, Tom.
O'NEIL: Thank you, Daryn.
KAGAN: Appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 17, 2003 - 10:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: It was a good moment if you were with us earlier, Jane Kaczmarek was on with us live. She says that when you're a presenter like that, they don't give you a clue as to whether or not you will be nominated. So she was greatly relieved to find out that she got her fourth straight nomination for "Malcolm in the Middle."
The nominations for the 55th annual Emmy Awards were announced this morning. For a look at who made the cut and who did not, we're joined by Tom O'Neil, senior editor for -- well, he does goldderby.com. If you want the scoop on who is going to get what and you want to have a prediction as strong as anybody who follows the NFL, just go to goldderby.com.
How's that for a plug?
TOM O'NEIL, GOLDDERBY.COM: Yes, I appreciate that.
Well, actually goldderby, let's explain, this a little online racetrack, where we have all the experts gathered from "Entertainment Weekly," "USA Today," Associated Press, all in one place, giving you literally the inside track.
KAGAN: And it's a competition too. You see who really can guess the best.
Let's get to these nominations. We've been running graphics all day of who was in. Let's talk about who;s not there. Who is out? Because there's actually some significant stories about who did not make it.
O'NEIL: The two biggest snubs, the two biggest jaw droppers this morning was the fact that "Law & Order" wasn't there. This is the first time in 11 years this show has not made the cut. Had it gone the 12th year, it would have set a record. But now, it's tied with "Cheers and "Mash" as the longest continuous show with nominations.
Also, where was Kelsey Grammer this morning for "Frasier?" He had been nominated nine times in a row. He's one shy of the record, which is held by his old costar from "Cheers." Help me.
KAGAN: Ted Danson?
O'NEIL: Ted Danson, thank you. So that's how long he's been in the race, so they dropped two favorites this morning.
KAGAN: They did, especially it's the last season of "Frasier," too, so you think if nothing else.
O'NEIL: Yes, and David Hyde Pierce got nominated in the supporting race, so that was very odd.
KAGAN: As Niles.
And then new shows, not a lot of new shows. Didn't they refigure how the nominations voting process takes place about a year ago to change this?
O'NEIL: Well, they changed the second round of voting so that people who used to have to sit on judging panels to watch samples of videotapes submitted by nominees can now watch those tapes at home, but they haven't changed the first round of voting, and I think that's really where they need to make changes, because especially today, we see dramatic evidence of the problem at the Emmys. They use a popular ballot that rewards popular favorites.
What's not here are those shows on the WB, like "The Gilmore Girls," which the TV Critics Association of America tells us is the best show on television. Why didn't it get any Emmy nominations?
And what about "Scrubs?" "Scrubs" is finally in the top 10. It's holding its own, critics love it, viewers love it, but Emmy voters aren't watching it, because it's too young skewing, and the geezer Emmy voters have a demographic a little north of what "Scrubs" viewers are.
KAGAN: Send your e-mail to Tom O'Neil. Let's talk about the battles that are developing out there in the drama category, "24" and "The Sopranos." "Sopranos" weren't even in the nomination process last year because of the kind of strange way that they're schedule worked out, but "The Sopranos" are back, but "24" is building, and it's a strong show.
O'NEIL: It's really hot. Last year, it had the critics on its side. This year, it's got the ratings, too. So this is the show that HBO is most worried about. So this showdown this year is going to be between "24" and "Sopranos" coming back.
Remember, "Sopranos" has never won best drama series. Last year, at the Emmys, we saw voters finally make up the fact they've never honored "Friends," so we have to wonder if they're play catch-up on the drama side this year.
KAGAN: And speaking of "Sopranos," would you say that Edie Falco is perhaps the one the slam dunk out there?
O'NEIL: Yes. If you were betting right now on any race, you can say bet five ranches and bet them all on Edie Falco, because when you're nominated for an Emmy, you pick this sample episode of the past TV season as an example of your best work. She's certainly going to submit the season finale of "The Sopranos," an episode called can "White Caps," which was her finest moment as an actress.
KAGAN: Where she basically tells Tony Soprano to get lost, that she's kind of figured him out.
O'NEIL: And she's won several times in the past, and she's a proven winner.
KAGAN: And there's a new category this year in reality television?
O'NEIL: Yes, well, they've rejiggered the categories and added this new definition that you're referring to, and they're also going to put it on the telecast for the first time ever. So TV is finally getting real at the Emmys. And what's interesting is they've grouped together reality shows that compete for a prize. So you're going to see shows like "American Idol" compete against "Survivor," and It will be interesting to see who ends up on the Emmy island.
KAGAN: Kind of like the ultimate reality television in Hollywood, though, isn't it?
O'NEIL: It is, but it's a shame we don't get to vote at home with dial-in telephones.
KAGAN: And just real quickly, we'd like to put you on the spot. If you're only to hand out Emmy, I'm going to take Edie Falco out of the running, only one Emmy, who's going to get it on September 21st.
O'NEIL: Who is definitely going to get it?
KAGAN: From you?
O'NEIL: From me, if I could bestow it. I think "Malcolm in the Middle," speaking of Jane Kaczmarek, she's never won an Emmy, and I think she's probably the greatest comedic actress on television. It's time already, so let's give that Emmy to Jane.
KAGAN: Fourth straight nominations. Perhaps she's watching.
Tom O'Neil, goldderby.com. Thanks, Tom.
O'NEIL: Thank you, Daryn.
KAGAN: Appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
