THE WALKING DEAD Season 4 Trailer Debuts at Comic-Con

In AMC’s summer intermission between the Mad Men finale and the Breaking Bad premiere, The Killing is just not cutting it for ratings. Cue last week’s San Diego Comic-Con, where the producers of The Walking Dead unveiled the trailer for the show’s fourth season. And by the looks of its production value, it looks like it should be put on the big screen. 

In the four minute, thirty-seven second trailer, we take a peek into the lives of our favorite survivors after taking in dozens of Woodbury refugees following the Governor’s temper-tantrum, in which he slaughters his own soldiers. Speaking of the Governor, there is no sign of him in the ad, which makes me question who this season’s antagonist will be.

For everyone’s sake, I hope Rick’s mid-life crisis of hearing/seeing ghosts is over, along with the days of Carl’s sheriff hat. I’m looking forward to Carol becoming a stronger, more central, as we see her teaching the next generation of zombie slayers how to wield knives.

With Andrea dead and gone (*tears*), the writers are certainly going to put more of a focus on Glenn and Maggie’s sex life, and will also start to sexualize the sixteen-year-old Beth. We see her canoodling with Daryl in the trailer, but the father/son duo of Rick and Carl both had their eyes on the farmer’s daughter.

As we saw in the third season finale, many of the Woodbury citizens are old and fragile, which makes me wonder if zombies will be the number one killer this season. Maybe the flu will spread in the close prison quarters – or the Spanish Flu (cue the highly anticipated Downton Abbey crossover episode).

The Walking Dead returns to AMC on October 13th. You can watch the Season 4 trailer here. 

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A Word on DEXTER Season 8

We’re four episodes into the eighth and final season of Showtime’s once-fan-favorite hit Dexter and I am not impressed. For starters, have the writers forgotten that the show is called “Dexter,” and not “Deb“? Because it seems to me that she has been the star of the show – taking away some precious kill time from everybody’s favorite serial killer. Or should I say, “everybody’s once-favorite serial killer,” because the show has sharply declined in its popularity and relevance. In the the show’s fourth season, The Trinity Killer had audiences on edge, climaxing with one of the greatest water cooler episodes (surpassed by Game of Thrones‘ “Red Wedding”), in which Dexter finds Rita dead in the bathtub only moments after indulging his urge with Trinity on the table.

What went wrong? Surely, the show needs to end, but at what price? By diluting the episodes with irrelevant and often repetitive Quinn and Jamie nonsense, we lose sight of how cutting-edge (pun intended) the show used to be. I guess Dexter’s just somebody that I used to know…

(props to the Tumblr community for already making this gif)

 

Netflix Pick: ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

With Netflix picking up 14 Primetime Emmy nominations on Thursday, all eyes are now on the Internet television production and streaming website – coinciding with the release of their newest episodic hit, Orange is the New Black.

The show follows Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), whose past relationship tangled her in a drug smuggling ring and caused her to self-surrender to an all-female correctional facility. Comprised of present day and flashback shots, this show brings a whole new meaning to a timeline dramedy.

The ensemble is propelled with former stars, like Laura Prepon (That 70’s Show) and Jason Biggs (American Pie), and introduces a bunch of new names – particularly, Uzo Aduba, a Medfield High School graduate, like myself. It’s nice to see a hometown girl make it big – especially with all the critical buzz around this show.

Jenji Kohan, the mastermind behind Weeds, is the showrunner for this innovative series that deals with the often-tabooed subject of the inner-workings of the prison system – specifically all-female correctional facilities.

The show has already been picked up for a second season, so it seems as though Piper will be sporting an orange jumpsuit for quite a bit longer.

Side note: the opening theme was written and performed by one of my favorite artists, Regina Spektor. Take a listen to “You’ve Got Time.” 

My Take on the 65th Emmy Award Nominations

Earlier today, Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) and Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) announced the nominations for the 65th Emmy Awards. Like I tweeted earlier, nothing irks me more than Emmy snubs. Below is my reaction to the various categories from this year’s nomination list. Enjoy and argue with me. I dare you.

Outstanding Comedy Series

The Big Bang Theory

Girls

Louie

Modern Family

30 Rock

Veep

The nominations this year are exactly what I pictured. While I’m pulling for a Veep sweep, the voters made a huge mistake in passing on the three most talked about comedies of the year: New Girl, Parks and Recreation, and the Netflix Semi-Original Series, Arrested Development. All of these shows are CONSISTENTLY funny, where as the sloe of nominees have been spotty in their respective past seasons.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Laura Dern, Enlightened

Lena Dunham, Girls

Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie

Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

While Lena Dunham is coming off her Golden Globe win, I think the prize will once again be rewarded to last year’s winner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, as a part of the Veep sweep. Dreyfus made history this morning by scoring her thirteenth nod, surpassing Lucielle Ball’s record of twelve, making her the most-nominated comedic actress at the Emmys. Although I’m content with this year’s crop of nominees, I would have liked to see a little loving for the FOX Tuesday girls, Mindy Kaling and Zooey Deschenel. Both of their shows WEREN’T canceled *cough* Laura Dern *cough* and they were both hysterical.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Jason Bateman, Arrested Development

Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Matt LeBlanc, Episodes

Don Cheadle, House of Lies

Louis C.K., Louie

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

With the many snubs Arrested Development suffered this year, I’m pulling for Jason Bateman. Other than that, no real surprises or snubs here.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory

Jane Lynch, Glee

Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Julie Bowen, Modern Family

Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie

Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock

Anna Chlumsky, Veep

My jaw literally dropped when I saw that both Jane Krawkowski and Anna Chlumsky were nominated, but, once again, I’m pulling for the Veep sweep. But where is The Office star Jenna Fischer? She did some of her greatest acting and really held the show together in its final season. And that monologue she had that closed the series? Beautiful, and nominated in the writing category. Also, what happened to everyone’s thought that Jessica Walter would for sure take the prize for Arrested Development?

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Adam Driver, Girls

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family

Ed O’Neill, Modern Family

Ty Burrell, Modern Family

Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live

Tony Hale, Veep

Is it really necessary to have all these Modern Family guys here? I think not. Again, I’m loving Tony Hale and I’m pulling for the Veep sweep. But it would be shocking and painfully awkward if the award went to Adam Driver, whose controversial sex scenes caused many to question the validity of Girls as a television comedy. The guys from New Girl, Jake Johnson and Max Greenfield, deserve some recognition for their roles, especially after the “TinFinity” episode. Also, where’s Will Arnett from Arrested Development?

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, Episodes

Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon, Louie

Greg Daniels, The Office

Jack Burditt and Robert Carlock, 30 Rock

Tina Fey and Tracey Wigfield, 30 Rock

I was shocked to see that Lena Dunham did not get the trifecta of nominations here, as she scored acting and directing nods as well. I’m pulling for The Office here – specifically for the final testimonials of the show. Grab a few tissues and watch the ending.

Outstanding Drama Series

Breaking Bad

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

Homeland

House of Cards

Mad Men

This is the first time I have seen all the nominated dramas in their entirety. I’m not sure if I’m proud of that or not, but, alas, I would have to say that Homeland will have a very tough time reclaiming their title. I’m thinking Game of Thrones may steal the crown. But what about The Newsroom and The Americans? There’s just too much good television, I guess.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

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

Why did I just read Vera Farmiga’s and Connie Britton’s names on this list? Pissed. Anyway, it’s looking like another victory for Danes is slim and Robin Wright just might be the one to snag it from her. Regardless, I’m still rooting for Danes here.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

Hugh Bonneville, Downtown Abbey

Damian Lewis, Homeland

Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom

Jon Hamm FINALLY deserves a turn to take the prize, and if you don’t believe me just watch this clip.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad

Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

Emilia Clarke, Game of Throne
s

Christine Baranski, The Good Wife

Morena Baccarin, Homeland

Christina Hendricks, Mad Men

I am ecstatic about Anna Gunn, Maggie Smith, and Emilia Clarke, but the other three need some replacing. The talented Michelle Fairley led the water cooler episode of the year, Game of Thrones’ “Rains of Castamere,” and her snub was just not “fair.” Also, Kate Mara’s eye-opening performance as a corrupt reporter in House of Cards definitely deserves some recognition.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Bobby Cannavale, Boardwalk Empire

Jonathan Banks, Breaking Bad

Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad

Jim Carter, Downtown Abbey

Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

Mandy Patinkin, Homeland

Last year, Downton Abbey dominated this category and I am kind of upset that they didn’t do it again, given the amazing performances by Rob-James Collier and Alan Leech. Also, where are the Mad Men? John Slattery deserves better than this.

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

George Mastras, Breaking Bad

Thomas Schnauz, Breaking Bad

Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Game of Thrones

Henry Bromell, Homeland

Much like The Office writing nod redeemed Jenna Fischer’s snub, the Game of Thrones writing nod redeemed Michelle Fairley’s snub. If the words “Rains of Castamere” or “Red Wedding” mean nothing to you, you should reevaluate your life by starting here. But Julian Fellows may take the prize for also killing off an important character… No spoilers, of course.

Outstanding Miniseries or Movie

American Horror Story: Asylum

Behind The Candelabra

The Bible

Phil Spector

Political Animals

Top of the Lake

Holler at AHS for collecting seventeen nominations, topping the list of nominated shows this year. Kind of upset that Parade’s End didn’t make the cut, but it is well represented elsewhere.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie

Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Asylum

Laura Linney, The Big C: Hereafter

Helen Mirren, Phil Spector

Sigourney Weaver, Political Animals

Elisabeth Moss, Top Of The Lake

This nomination should read, “Jessica Lange for The Jessica Lange Show,” because she truly stole the small screen as Sister Jude in American Horror Story: Asylum. Elisabeth Moss, a double nominee, took the prize from her at the Critics’ Choice Awards, so anything is possible.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie

Michael Douglas, Behind The Candelabra

Matt Damon, Behind The Candelabra

Toby Jones, The Girl

Benedict Cumberbatch, Parade’s End

Al Pacino, Phil Spector

The Internet’s Favorite Son, Benedict Cumberbatch is nominated once again, but has traded his get-up as a modern Sherlock Holmes for a World War I uniform in Parade’s End. He won’t win, but he should.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie

Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Asylum

Imelda Staunton, The Girl

Ellen Burstyn, Political Animals

Charlotte Rampling, Restless

Alfre Woodard, Steel Magnolias

Sarah Paulson must win.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie

James Cromwell, American Horror Story: Asylum

Zachary Quinto, American Horror Story: Asylum

Scott Bakula, Behind The Candelabra

John Benjamin Hickey, The Big C: Hereafter

Peter Mullan, Top of the Lake

Likewise, Zachary Quinto must win. Also the men of Top of the Lake took over the Critics’ Choice nominations, but only the Emmy voters only invited Peter Mullan to their show.

The 65th Emmy Awards: Nominations

Here are this year’s Emmy nominations. My reaction to come.

Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory
Girls
Louie
Modern Family
30 Rock
Veep

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Laura Dern, Enlightened
Lena Dunham, Girls
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Jason Bateman, Arrested Development
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Louis C.K., Louie
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory
Jane Lynch, Glee
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Anna Chlumsky, Veep

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Adam Driver, Girls
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ed O’Neill, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live
Tony Hale, Veep

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Bob Newhart, The Big Bang Theory
Nathan Lane, Modern Family
Bobby Cannavale, Nurse Jackie
Louis C.K., Saturday Night Live
Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live
Will Forte, 30 Rock

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Molly Shannon, Enlightened
Dot-Marie Jones, Glee
Melissa Leo, Louie
Melissa McCarthy, Saturday Night Live
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, Episodes
Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon, Louie
Greg Daniels, The Office
Jack Burditt and Robert Carlock, 30 Rock
Tina Fey and Tracey Wigfield, 30 Rock

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
Lena Dunham, Girls
Paris Barclay, Glee
Louis C.K., Louie
Gail Macuso, Modern Family
Beth McCarthy-Miller, 30 Rock

Outstanding Drama Series
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
House of Cards
Mad Men

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
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

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Hugh Bonneville, Downtown Abbey
Damian Lewis, Homeland
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Emilia Clarke, Game of Throne
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Morena Baccarin, Homeland
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Bobby Cannavale, Boardwalk Empire
Jonathan Banks, Breaking Bad
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Jim Carter, Downtown Abbey
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Nathan Lane, The Good Wife
Michael J. Fox, The Good Wife
Rupert Friend, Homeland
Robert Morse, Mad Men
Harry Hamlin, Mad Men
Dan Bucatinsky, Scandal

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Margo Martindale, The Americans
Diana Rigg, Game of Thrones
Carrie Preston, The Good Wife
Linda Cardellini, Mad Men
Jane Fonda, The Newsroom
Joan Cusack, Shameless

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
George Mastras, Breaking Bad
Thomas Schnauz, Breaking Bad
Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey
David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Game of Thrones
Henry Bromell, Homeland

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
Tim Van Patten, Boardwalk Empire
Michelle MacLaren, Breaking Bad
Jeremy Webb, Downton Abbey
Lesli Linka Glatter, Homeland
David Fincher, House of Cards

Outstanding Miniseries or Movie

American Horror Story: Asylum

Behind The Candelabra

The Bible
Phil Spector
Political Animals
Top of the Lake

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Asylum
Laura Linney, The Big C: Hereafter
Helen Mirren, Phil Spector
Sigourney Weaver, Political Animals
Elisabeth Moss, Top Of The Lake

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Michael Douglas, Behind The Candelabra
Matt Damon, Behind The Candelabra
Toby Jones, The Girl
Benedict Cumberbatch, Parade’s End
Al Pacino, Phil Spector

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Asylum
Imelda Staunton, The Girl
Ellen Burstyn, Political Animals
Charlotte Rampling, Restless
Alfre Woodard, Steel Magnolias

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
James Cromwell, American Horror Story: Asylum
Zachary Quinto, American Horror Story: Asylum
Scott Bakula, Behind The Candelabra
John Benjamin Hickey, The Big C: Hereafter
Peter Mullan, Top of the Lake

Expanding My Repertoire

I’m going to take a quick break from television to fill you in on some freelance work I’ve been doing so far this summer. Through the Boston-based portfolio sharing website, Skyword, I have been connected to the editors of Textbooks.com and have been accepted into their writing program. The process is simple: I choose from a list of prompts, submit a rough draft, my editor returns it with notes, I revise and resubmit, and hope it becomes published on their site (and the $50/article doesn’t hurt).

You can check out my first published post here.

Rekindling My Love for LOST

Yesterday, G4 played a marathon of the first six Lost episodes. Needless to say, I was occupied for those six hours, reliving the show that thrilled audiences like no other during its run from 2004 to 2010.

Regardless of whether you liked the ending (or the time-travel twists starting in Season 4) or not, there is something to be said about the show’s beautiful cinematography and lurid characters. Each of them provides an interesting vantage point on their past lives and on the moment of the plane’s fated crash.

Many shows and films in the post-9/11 world became very sensitive to race and religion, but Lost tackled the cultural barriers head on. From Sawyer accusing Sayid of being a terrorist to Jin commanding Sun to cover up in the presence of the other survivors – particularly Michael, a black man. (Also, I love the scene in Season 2 when Rose is reunited with Bernard and everyone is shocked that he’s an old, white guy).

The series also reinvented the “musical montage,” as the most powerful moments of the show were free of dialogue and acted brilliantly by the characters’ movements and facial expressions. In the show’s third episode, “Tabula Rasa,” the castaways finally take a breather after a few days of panic and chaos following the crash as Hurley listens to “Wash Away” by Joe Purdy on his walkman. Another great montage opens Season 2 and follows a mysterious man, who we learn to be Desmond, as he works out to the musical stylings of Mama Cass’ “Make Your Own Kind of Music.” The last notable montage opens the third season, and again it follows a mysterious character, who we learn to be Juliet, as she prepares for her book club while listening to Petula Clare’s “Downtown.” 

Again, I don’t care if you liked the ending or not (I personally loved it), but there is no denying that the Seasons 1-3 are some of the greatest achievements in television. Period. If you’ve yet to witness this amazing show, be sure to check out all six seasons on Netflix or the occasional G4 marathons!