They Almost Got It Right: Reaction to this Year's Emmys Part 3

And now, as a bonus, my reactions to the Best TV Limited Series/Movie awards.

BEST LIMITED SERIES

My only real problem with this category is that for some reason, they have nominated five series when the other major categories have six.. Was there some kind of panic at the idea of nominating a David Simon series for the sixth slot?

Well, I am relieved that the Academy showed the good sense to leave 'American Horror Story: Hotel" out of consideration. They could've nominated Show Me A Hero, but I'm not going to press. Fargo, The People V. O.J. Simpson, and American Crime are among the best series on TV this year, The Night Manager was a brilliant series, and while Roots was a remake, it was a good one. No complaints.

BEST ACTOR, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

Can't really complain that much. I argued very forcefully for Bryan Cranston, Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston, and Courtney B. Vance. Cuba Gooding, Jr. was a bit of a surprise but a pleasant one. I'm a little torn by the nomination of Benedict Cumberbatch for the 'Sherlock' performance. It was a very good performance, no question, but was it at the same level of Timothy Hutton's work in 'American Crime'? It's possible more people saw Cumberbatch's than Hutton's, but still... Well, alone among the nominees, he's the one most likely to get another chance. I'm a little surprised Patrick Wilson was ignored, but not horrified. Playing the hero is not as meaty as playing the villain.

BEST ACTRESS, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

Kirstin Dunst, Sarah Paulson and Felicity Huffman were sure things, so good job. Kerry Washington was much better in Confirmation then she was on 'Scandal', so good job here. Bonus points for nominating Lili Taylor, I was sure she was going to get shafted. Audra McDonald was something of a surprise, but if they were going to honor a musical star, I'm much happier they chose her than Lady Gaga.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

Sterling K. Brown, no real problem. Hugh Laurie, utterly earned it. Bokeem Woodbine, grateful they remember.

In all honesty, I don't have any real problem with any of the other three nominees. I would've gone with Ted Danson over Jesse Plemons, but honesty both were good options, and Plemmons' did win a Broadcast Critic's Price. I liked John Travolta and David Schwimmer's work as Robert Shapiro and Robert Kardashian. The main reason I didn't list them as Emmy nominees was because there had been a certain amount of controversy about their performances. Frank Langella would've been a good choice as would either of the teenage performers from 'American Crime', but these were pretty good.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES.

Regina King, completely crushed, and I wouldn't object to much if she repeated. Jean Smart, equally brilliant, totally deserved her nomination. Sarah Paulson double-dipping? Well, she deserved as much as anyone. They remembered Olivia Colman? That was the one I was certain they'd pass over. Melissa Leo is a good choice, and always deserves to be recognized.

I'm on the fence when it comes to Kathy Bates for 'American Horror Story' - there were other, subtler candidates who deserved nominations, but considering that the series was basically ignored for almost everywhere else, I can live with it.

Stay tuned for future entries.