Emmy Wish List: Supporting Categories - Drama
Talk about a wealth of choices! When it comes to the Primetime Emmys in the supporting actor and actress categories for drama, there are a plethora of worthy candidates. Some shows, like Mad Men or Lost, for instance, have multiple choices in the supporting ranks, especially since these ensembles seem to have a hard time determining who's really the lead. Earlier, I shared my wish list for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama nominations, and I mentioned that Chloe Sevigny from Big Love would be a deserving selection. A TV Squad reader let me know that Chloe has actually been submitted in the supporting category. Good to know, and with that in mind, I'll start my wish list by talking about that category. (Remember, there are six nominees per category.)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
What a category! There are too many choices, too many fantastic actresses to trim the list to just six. For starters, Chloe Sevigny of Big Love has to be included, especially now that I know she's in this category. Both Rachel Griffiths and Calista Flockhart were great on Brothers & Sisters. But the Mad Men duo of Christina Hendricks and Elisabeth Moss were perhaps even better. As the beleaguered President Allison Taylor on 24, Cherry Jones, is likely to be included, and last year's winner in this category, Dianne Wiest for In Treatment, is a given.
That said, my wish list for nominations starts with Anna Gunn of Breaking Bad. She was simply amazing opposite Bryan Cranston. Another wild card choice -- but not to me -- is Anne Dudek as Amber in House. Rounding out the nominees, Chloe Sevigny, Big Love; Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men; Rose Byrne for Damages; Calista Flockhart, Brothers & Sisters.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
The five actors nominated last year, including winner Zeljko Ivanek from Damages, are all practically sure things for getting nods again. That includes William Shatner for Boston Legal, John Hurt instead of Ted Danson for Damages, John Slattery for Mad Men and Michael Emerson for Lost. They are all worthy and a couple are on my wish list.
The name that has to be included this year is Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul. His performance was shattering and heartbreaking at the same time. In a similar way, so was Walton Goggins on The Shield. And for sheer villainy -- although was he really a bad guy after all? -- Carlos Bernard was brilliant on 24.
My wish list? Aaron Paul, Carlos Bernard, John Slattery, Michael Emerson ... and two surprises. Robert Sean Leonard for House, and Josh Holloway for Lost. For Leonard, he's long overdue for a nomination as Hugh Laurie's straight man. As for Josh, he really upped the ante with his performance on Lost this past year and deserves to be honored.
Those are my overall supporting Emmy nominations; what are yours? Share your thoughts in the comments, TV Squad readers!

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