When James Spader won his third Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama Series for "Boston Legal" (which, let's face it, was really a comedy) over James Gandolfini for his excellent work on the last season of "The Sopranos," I swore I was done.
Emmy voters have a bad habit of not spreading the wealth for these awards - picking their favorites and giving it to them every year. More recently, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Bryan Cranston, and "Mad Men" have been the repeat winners.
But this year I'm particularly impressed with the list of nominees. Last year, I called on voters to recognize two terrific shows - "Louie" and "Justified," both on FX. Apparently, I was heard.
Comedian Louie C.K.'s excellent comedy series - don't call it a sitcom - is one of the most quirky and deeply funny series this side of "Modern Family." I love "Modern Family," but Louie C.K.'s trials as a single dad feel more real, and the laughs are better for it. Louie is also nominated for Best Actor, which was a wonderful surprise and well-deserved, but I think Steve Carrell will get the swan song win for his last season on "The Office."
"Justified" is a terrific drama series, but it's the performances that put it over the top for me. That's why I was thrilled to see Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins both recognized, along with Margo Martindale and Jeremy Davies for their superb work in season two.
The big question this year will be whether the Emmys should award three-time-in-a-row winner "Mad Men" for what was arguably its best season yet, or spread the wealth to an outstanding newcomer in "Boardwalk Empire."
If I had a vote, I'd give Best Actor in a Drama to Jon Hamm for his best work so far as Don Draper (Bryan Cranston can't be the spoiler because "Breaking Bad" took too long a break between seasons to be eligible). But I would award "Boardwalk" for a stellar freshman season.
The way things are going so far this season on "Breaking Bad," though, I'd be prepared to award it next year.
