Reviewing the Drama: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Ballet, Movies, and TV Reviews

So it was a decent award show, with some surprising wins. As expected, Neil Patrick Harris was a great host, keeping the show moving at a mostly watchable pace. (You know what did slow down the broadcast? Shemar Moore's awkward backstage bumpers.) Will Ferrell coming out to present awards in his basketball shorts and with his three sons in tow was pretty funny. What did you think of the interspersed In Memoriam tributes? Some of them were particularly moving (like Rob Reiner's tribute to Jean Stapleton and Edie Falco's tribute to James Gandolfini), but were they appropriate? Why were these people singled out for tribute and not others who passed away during the year? For those who were not singled out, was it not a little like kicking someone while s/he's down? How do you think their families felt, with the message essentially being, "your beloved deceased family member isn't important enough." I thought it was inappropriate and not necessary. (When ...

Emmy nominations were announced on July 18. Herein, a list of nominees in select categories. Visit emmys.com/nominations for the full list of nominees. Tune into CBS on Sunday, September 22 at 8pm for the award presentation, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. Drama Drama Series Breaking Bad Downton Abbey Game of Thrones Homeland House of Cards Mad Men Notice that perennial entry (at least since it's been on air) Boardwalk Empire  is not included. Notice, also, that the Netflix-exclusive series, House of Cards , from Beau Willimon ( The Ides of March ), is  included. Look for Netflix to emerge as a major player in original programming within the next few years. Lead Actress Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey Claire Danes, Homeland Robin Wright, House of Cards Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men Connie Britton, Nashville Kerry Washington, Scandal There are seven nominees in this category, one more than the typical six. While Danes has won thi...