The Critics' Choice Television awards aired tonight and I have to say, they nailed it for the most part. Breaking Bad won for Best Drama Series in it's final year, while Orange Is the New Black took home Best Comedy Series. Matthew McConaughey won for Best Lead Actor in a Drama for True Detective and gave a really inspiring speech as to what makes TV so great, and why actors have transitioned from film to television. 

My girl, Tatiana Maslany won for a second time for her roles on Orphan Black. Just look how adorable her reaction was. Very well deserved and I hope the Emmy voters take note. She is easily one of, if not, the best actress on television at the moment. Do not fight me on this one. My other homegirl, Jessica Lange won for Best Lead Actress in a Miniseries for American Horror Story: Coven but wasn't there to pick up her award. Bummer. But still happy to see her win! 

Bellamy Young took home Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Scandal. YES! Are people finally starting to realize the brilliance that is Mellie Grant? Because after Olivia, she is without a doubt my favorite character on that show. Allison Janney also took home not one, but two awards tonight: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Mom and Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series for Masters of Sex. 

Full List of Winners

Best Drama Series: Breaking Bad (AMC) 

Best Actor in a Drama Series: Matthew McConaughey, True Detective (HBO)

Best Actress in a Drama Series: Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black (BBC America)

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad (AMC)

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Bellamy Young, Scandal (ABC)

Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series: Allison Janney, Masters of Sex (Showtime)

Best Comedy Series: Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)

Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep (HBO)

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Tie between Allison Janney, Mom (CBS) and Kate Mulgrew, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)

Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series: Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)

Best Miniseries: Fargo (FX)

Best Movie: The Normal Heart (HBO)

Best Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: Billy Bob Thornton, Fargo (FX)

Best Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Coven (FX)

Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: Matt Bomer, The Normal Heart (HBO)

Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: Allison Tolman, Fargo (FX)

Best Animated Series: Archer (FX)

Best Reality Series: Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (FOX)

Best Reality Series Competition: Shark Tank (ABC)

Best Reality Host: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (FOX)

Best Talk Show: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC)

I'd say the only ones that I truly disagree with are Jim Parsons for Best Actor in a Comedy (should have gone to Adam Scott for Parks and Recreation) and Best Talk Show (when is Conan going to get some award love?). Overall though, I'm very happy with these choices. I can only hope the Emmys will be this good. 

Allison Janney, Tatiana Maslany, and Orange is the New Black win big at the Critics' Choice Awards

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Reading through the Emmy submission list every June is one of my favorite moments of the year. It’s fun to see which actors have the biggest egos. You know, the ones who will submit themselves for the lead categories when they are so obviously supporting.

At first it's nice to see the different types of roles being put forward, but then you come to the terrible realization that many of them are not likely to receive an actual nomination. In recent Emmy history, it’s almost always the same actors vying for the same awards every year. 

If you have an established name, you have a better chance of earning a nomination (or even a win) in a mediocre role than you would if you were an unknown in a fantastic role. Remember that time Melissa McCarthy won for Mike & Molly the same year Bridesmaids was released? Sadly it’s more about who you are than the role at hand.

The 2014 Emmy submissions can be found here. Let me run through some of my favorite parts of these ballots:

• If your show is on ABC Family, The CW, or MTV – why are you submitting for the Emmys? Why are you wasting your money on this? (Yeah, The Emmys require a submission fee if you’re not already a member of the academy). I don't mean to come off as a TV snob, but come on now. This is ridiculous. Teen Wolf, you really think you have a shot here? 

• Rapper Nelly submitted himself for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Real Husbands of Hollywood. I was not even aware this was a thing. But really, is the world ready for EMMY-AWARD WINNER Nelly?

• Rob Lowe once again submitted himself for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Chris Traeger on Parks and Recreation. Yeah, this is the same guy who left half-way through the last season yet still thinks of himself as the show’s “lead."

• Shameless is submitting themselves into the comedy categories for the first time in 4 seasons. Because season 4 was just a RIOT, yaknow? With Liam almost dying of a cocaine overdose, Fiona going to prison and having a complete meltdown, Ian’s bi-polar disorder, Frank on his deathbed – this season was just a LAUGH-A- PALOOZA. Emmy Rossum gave one of the best dramatic performances this season and I just can’t take her seriously on a Lead Actress in a Comedy ballot. Maybe that’s the joke? How meta.

• Amy Schumer submitted herself for Outstanding Supporting Actress for Inside Amy Schumer. Because that makes total sense, right? It seemed silly to me at first, but after a little research I found out there's an actual reason behind it. Apparently, actors in sketch or variety series are forbidden to submit themselves in the lead categories.

• Each submission lists the specific role for each actor – scroll down to Tatiana Maslany for Orphan Black. As Sarah, Beth, Cosima, Rachel (and more). AND MORE. I have a very good feeling that she is going to pick up a nomination this year as she has received accolades from almost every other award series so far. Her absence in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category last season was regarded as one of the biggest snubs of the year.

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister
(HBO's Game of Thrones)
(Photo via Entertainment Weekly)

• I hope Lena Headey gets some Emmy-love this year. She has submitted for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Cersei Lannister on Game of Thrones, of which she plays brilliantly. I firmly believe she is television's best villain. I want to see Cersei die but then at the same time I just know I would miss her. I enjoy every scene she's in but I still hate her. Does that make sense? A character you love to hate but really just love? I guess that's a prime example of why Lena deserves a nomination. 

• Best Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series or TV Movie is comprised of almost the entire American Horror Story: Coven cast. I would bet my life that Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett both receive a nomination as well as Jessica Lane in the Lead Actress category. I would like to see Lily Rabe pick up a nomination too (#JusticeForMistyDay). While I love Sarah Paulson more than anything – she submitted herself for lead, which I think that may have been an overstep.

Official nominations will be announced live from the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre on July 10^th at 5:30AM. 

2014 Emmy Submissions are in! Will your favorite make the final ballot?

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2014 Emmy Submissions are in! Will your favorite make the final ballot?

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Tatiana Maslany accepting the Best Actress
in a Drama Series award at last year's ceremony

One of my favorite award shows is the Critic’s Choice Television Awards because unlike the Emmy awards, I almost always agree with a good majority of the nominees. I guess technically with the creation of this blog, I too am a critic – where’s my ballot, critic’s choice?! No but seriously, take a look at this year’s nominees!

BEST COMEDY SERIES

• The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
• Broad City (Comedy Central)
• Louie (FX)
• Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)
• Silicon Valley (HBO)
• Veep (HBO)

Can we, as a society, stop giving The Big Bang Theory awards? Enough is enough. How it got nominated over gems like Brooklyn Nine-Nine or Parks and Recreation, I’ll never know. Hoping Veep takes this category because who doesn’t love Julia Louis-Dreyfus?

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

• Louis CK, Louie (FX)
• Chris Messina, The Mindy Project (FOX)
• Thomas Middleditch, Silicon Valley (HBO)
• Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
• Adam Scott, Parks and Recreation (NBC)
• Robin Williams, The Crazy Ones (CBS)

Adam Scott should win this, no question – but Jim Parsons will probably take it again, which is disappointing. It is nice to see Chris Messina get a nomination though. The Mindy Project is finally starting to get the attention it deserves. 

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

• Ilana Glazer, Broad City (Comedy Central)
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep (HBO)
• Wendi McLendon-Covey, The Goldbergs (ABC)
• Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer (Comedy Central)
• Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation (NBC)
• Emmy Rossum, Shameless (Showtime)

Ooh, okay. Yeah, no. I’ve said on this blog numerous times how Emmy Rossum deserves accolades for her performance on Shameless. But for some reason– the cast has submitted themselves under the comedy categories rather than drama this year. Previously they’ve submitted themselves into the drama categories but apparently for their most dramatic season yet – they’re going with comedy. I mean just look at these COMEDIC performances!

It just doesn’t make any sense. Emmy Rossum gave one of the best dramatic performances on television this season – and it’s going unnoticed. I doubt she’ll win this. Julia Louis-Dreyfus will probably win but I’m rooting for Amy Poehler.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

• Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)
• Keith David, Enlisted (FOX)
• Tony Hale, Veep (HBO)
• Albert Tsai, Trophy Wife (ABC)
• Christopher Evan Welch, Silicon Valley (HBO)
• Jeremy Allen White, Shameless (Showtime)

See above (re: Jeremy Allen White). I’d like to see Andre Beaugher take this. It’s refreshing to see a comedy series like Brooklyn Nine-Nine shy away from stereotypes that are so easily used in the world of comedy. They don't have to rely on over-the-top stereotypical racial or gay jokes for humor. It's easily one of the best quality sitcoms on television. 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

• Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
• Laverne Cox, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)
• Kaley Cuoco, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
• Allison Janney, Mom (CBS)
• Kate Mulgrew, Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)
• Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie (Showtime)

I… I don’t even watch any of these shows. That’s probably not a good thing for a television blogger to say. I have been meaning to watch Orange Is the New Black for a while now and will probably binge it when the second season is released to Netflix in a couple weeks.

BEST DRAMA SERIES

• The Americans (FX)
• Breaking Bad (AMC)
• Game of Thrones (HBO)
• The Good Wife (CBS)
• Masters of Sex (Showtime)
• True Detective (HBO)

It’s nice to see Masters of Sex getting a lot of award love but I feel like I never hear anyone talk about it outside of award shows. I binge-watched the first season a couple months ago and liked it a lot. If you’re thinking of giving it a go – let me just give you a forewarning: the show is called Masters of Sex and it’s on Showtime. You should know what you’re getting yourself into right there. There are multiple on-screen depictions of sexual intercourse… but it’s all for ~*science*~ … or whatever, something like that.

I could see Game of Thrones, True Detective or Breaking Bad in its swan song season winning this.

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

• Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad (AMC)
• Hugh Dancy, Hannibal (NBC)
• Freddie Highmore, Bates Motel (A&E)
• Matthew McConaughey, True Detective (HBO)
• Matthew Rhys, The Americans (FX)
• Michael Sheen, Masters of Sex (Showtime)

Even though he won’t win – I like that Freddie Highmore was nominated. I can’t picture anyone else in the role of a young Norman Bates. He’s perfect for it. He completely encapsulates everything Anthony Perkins set forth with his portrayal in the films. But he most certainly will be beat by either Bryan Cranston or Matthew McConaughey in this category.

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

• Lizzy Caplan, Masters of Sex (Showtime)
• Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel (A&E)
• Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife (CBS)
• Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black (BBC America)
• Keri Russell, The Americans (FX)
• Robin Wright, House of Cards (Netflix)

TATIANA MASLANY! My god, that woman is brilliant. Not many actresses can pull off playing almost a dozen (that figure is not even much of an exaggeration) characters within one series. She won last year and I’m hoping she can pull it off again! Season 2 has been absolutely phenomenal – each episode has been better than the last. You almost forget that it’s one actress playing all these roles, she’s that good.

BEST MINI-SERIES

• American Horror Story: Coven (FX)
• Bonnie & Clyde (A&E/History/Lifetime)
• Dancing on the Edge (Starz)
• Fargo (FX)
• The Hollow Crown (PBS)
• Luther (BBC America)

While plot-wise, Coven was weaker than it's predecessors – the acting was still top notch. More specifically: Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Angela Bassett. They all nailed their roles (Lange and Bates are both nominated in the Lead and Supporting actress, respectively). I'm excited to see what these three will be doing in Freak Show.

Check out the full list of nominees here. The Critic’s Choice Television Awards will air Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 8PM on The CW.

The Critics' Have Spoken! Nominations for the 4th Annual Critics' Choice Television Award are here!

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The Critics' Have Spoken! Nominations for the 4th Annual Critics' Choice Television Award are here!

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For a show on an obscure network like BBC America, Orphan Black has garnered both critical and commercial success. The series follows a group of clones who were born via in-vitro fertilization to different parents from all across the world. Science fiction is such a hard genre because if it’s not done just right, it can easily fall apart. Orphan Black however, is setting the bar for high quality sci-fi on television. Take a look at this amazing fan-made trailer for the series:

Science Fiction shows can be difficult to summarize and review because they tend to be very intricate and detail oriented. I remember trying to explain the premise of Fringe to people and just getting weird looks in return. I think it will probably be easier to grasp if we go through every member of the Orphan Black clone club.

Beth Childs

She is one of the first clones we see and she kills herself five minutes into the pilot. But her death drives the entire series into motion and we learn quite a bit about her as the story progresses. 

Sarah Manning

The series’ protagonist. She encounters Beth just moments before she kills herself. Sarah uses this opportunity to steal Beth’s identity to escape her own troubles. But oh no! Beth is a cop and Sarah is an ex-con artist with a troubled past (they probably would have made a good Odd Couple if Beth were still alive). This leads Sarah to the other clones Beth was in contact with and Sarah eventually outs herself as… well, herself. She has a seven year old biological daughter named Kira and so far is the only clone who has been able to conceive. 

Alison Hendrix

Okay guys. Seriously now, if Alison is not your favorite clone, you are watching this show wrong. She’s a soccer mom from the suburbs who is just the right amount of crazy. She is an excellent source of comic relief for the show. 

Katja Obinger 

Like Beth, she dies early on in the season. We see her for about a good minute or so, coughing up blood (this is important!) before she is shot in the head. But by who?!

Helena

… By this one! The religious assassin clone. We all have one in our family, right? She is led to believe by her zealous cult that she is the original. They see the clones as unholy and offensive in the eyes of the lord, so they take matters into their own hands and begin killing them off. That’s right; this show has CLONE ON CLONE MURDER. Intrigued yet?

Cosima Niehaus

Cosima is a PHD student who is researching the DNA of the clones. She discovers that there is an actual patent written within their DNA. They are “intellectual property” of the organization that cloned them. So they are essentially copyrighted human beings. She also researches Katja’s illness as another clone begins showing similar symptoms. 

Rachel Duncan

We meet her only two episodes before the season one finale. We don’t know much about this one except for the fact that she works for the organization that generated the clones. Could she be the original?

All of the clones are played by one actress – Tatiana Maslany. She portrays seven completely different and complex characters, all with different accents and mannerisms. Some scenes feature two or more of the clones interacting with one another. It’s incredible to see an actress have so much on-screen chemistry with herself. A large component of acting is reacting to your scene partners and that aspect is absent in scenes like those. However, Maslany makes it work and does it even better than most actresses on television at the moment.

Suffice to say, Tatianna Malsany has received universal critical praise for her roles on Orphan Black and went on to win the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2013. She also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series. The show itself follows suit and has been showered with praise by critics – it currently holds a 92% fresh rating on RottenTomatoes.

The second season promises to be just as intense or even more-so than the first. Creator Graeme Mason told reporters at the Television Critics Association last month that they “are going to take some risks with our premise and push what we did in the first season.” This could go either way but I have faith after an amazing first season that the writers know exactly what they’re doing. 

Season 2 of Orphan Black premieres April 19th on BBC America.

Orphan Black: Welcome to the Clone Club

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