Cory’s Dream/Goofy Emmy Ballot: Lead Actor, Drama Series

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With only the final four (and probably most important) categories remaining and tomorrow being the day that real voters pass down their opinions, I’m on a tight schedule. So look for a rapid-fire release of these posts starting right now. Let’s get to it, with Lead Actor in a Drama Series.Jon Hamm, MAD MEN

No question here. Jon Hamm’s Don Draper is one stoic, conflicted, intelligent son of a bitch, and one of the most interesting main characters in recent memory. I love how Hamm can show little to no emotion in scenes with his on-screen wife January Jones and we can still feel it coming from him. And let us not forget how solid he was during his guest-turn on 30 ROCK as Liz Lemon’s new boyfriend.

Hugh Laurie, HOUSE

As I’ve said previously, this season of HOUSE was a bit rough. However, Hugh Laurie was awesome as ever this year, especially at the beginning and end of the season. Having to deal with Wilson’s departure and his father’s death early in the season gave Hugh Laurie great material, and even when the material was only so-so later on with the “it’s all in his head” gimmick used again, Laurie made us care about House and Cuddy and House and Wilson.

Kyle Chandler, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Kyle Chandler’s performance as Coach Taylor is just so damn good. He reminds me of my dad, my former coaches, and other adult men from my younger days. Coach Taylor is more than character, he’s so true-to-life. And as I mentioned before, the relationship between Coach and Tami is the most realistic marriage I’ve seen on television in recent memory. I could watch them have a conversation about what’s for dinner for all 45 minutes.

Nathan Fillion, CASTLE

Though I am not a fan (just because I have not seen it) of FIREFLY, I have always liked Nathan Fillion. I loved him in the ill-fated DRIVE and obviously DR. HORRIBLE, but he really shined in CASTLE. The show should just be a simplistic, somewhat boring procedural that riffs on MOONLIGHT, and it is, but Fillion takes the show to a new level. Sure, he’s really funny and gets to be a goofball whenever he wants, but the scenes with his daughter and mother at home are very, very solid as well.

Edward James Olmos, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

It’s about damn time that the Emmy voters gave BSG some love, and if Tricia Helfer isn’t where it begins, then nominated Edward James Olmos for all his fantastic work would be alright with me too. EJO has been light, but strong, tender, but stoic throughout the series and kind of held down the fort when all the cylon and religion nonsense was happening around them.

Jensen Ackles, SUPERNATURAL

I don’t want to start a Winchester war here, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Jensen Ackles’ Dean is simply the man. Dean is one of the most interesting and complicated characters on network television, even though he might just look like a smartass dick on the surface. And that’s a testiment to Ackles for keeping Dean level, whether he’s dealing with asshole angels or just trying to convince his little brother to not make a bad decision or two.

So there you have it. I know that folks like Bryan Cranston, Michael C. Hall and others will be up there instead and they certainly deserve it. But since I don’t watch their shows, I can’t comment that much aside to say that they’re awesome. But I like my dream choices too. Thoughts?

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