Sex, Sharks, And 'Girls': 10 Emmy-Worthy Performances Too Good To Ignore
The 2013 Emmy Award nominations will be announced bright and early tomorrow morning, which means we'll soon have the pleasure of knowing who to root for come September and what to immediately start complaining about on Twitter. Assuming some of the performances we've been most fond of won't be recognized by the Academy, here are a few of our favorite moments from the past year on the tube worthy of both industry hardware and your undying love.
Best Kiss: Nick and Jess (New Girl)
This series could very well get recognized for its strong second season--is Max Greenfield (a.k.a Schmidt) truly "crushing it" in real life, too?--but the slow build of sexual tension between roommates and sometimes-adversaries, Jess and Nick, is deserving of an award all its own. Watching this one still gives me goosebumps.
(Note: From Strip True American to a Taylor Swift cameo, NG has plenty of deserving material, and I'm still in love with the fact that the loft bathroom is THE best place to have a heart to heart on this show--so long as you understand the towel rules.)
Best Party Entertainment For Hire: Boyz II Menorah (Happy Endings)
If we're forced to move on from the shenanigans of this obsessive Chicago clique, at least we can schedule our next group hang around Max and Brad's bar and bat mitzvah schedule. And now let's take a moment to mourn the loss of Happy Endings.
Best Collection of Guest Stars: The Mindy Project
Between BJ Novak, Seth Rogen, Ed Helms, and Allison Williams--not to mention recurring guest stars Mark Duplass, Chloe Sevigny, and Anders Holm--Dr. Lahiri has established some high-quality suitors, friends, and rivals over the last 10 months. Or, Mindy Kaling has achieved enough industry power that she can call up everyone in her contacts list and ask them to come hang out on set. Either way, I dig it.
Best Use of Icona Pop’s “I Love It”: Girls
Many shows have attempted to infuse their scenes with the Swedish duo's infectious break-out hit, but Lena Dunham and Co. still hold the crown. Euphoric, sweaty dancing is still exactly what I want to do when I hear this song--although Hannah's use of illegal substances is completely justified because it was "for work," right? (Drugs are bad, kids.) Also, can we find a way to get Andrew Rannells back on this show?
Most Troublesome Workplace For Any HR Employee: TelAmeriCorp (Workaholics)
Adam, Blake, and Ders don't really care about The Job, but that doesn't mean they don't recognize a highly messed up situation when they see one. Their minds are typically altered, but maybe their basic California telemarketing office really is being haunted by the dead? (How else do you explain Montez's tendency to overshare about his wife's sexytimes?)
Best Dressed: MacKenzie McHale (The Newsroom)
According to VH1's Lacey Seidman said, "her pencil skirt and blouse game is TOP NOTCH."
Best Case For Abolishing The Monarchy: Princesses Of Long Island
We kid, we kid (love you Kate & Wills!), but these young women on a continuous hunt to lock down a husband and relive decade-old high school grudges are mind-numbing and infuriating. And yet... I can't look away? Quick, someone pass me a drink hanky so I can wipe off these tears of shame.
Most Expected (Yet Still Heartwarming) Return: Michael Scott (The Office)
Dwight Schrute's wedding day wouldn't be complete without a "That's what she said" joke, and no one does it better than the original Regional Manager.
Biggest Untapped Resource: The Parrot (Pretty Little Liars)
Have you been keeping up? The parrot knows everything!
Strangest Weather And/Or Natural Phenomenon: Under The Dome, Sharknado, The Weather Channel's #TornadoWeek (Three-Way Tie)
That would be two last-minute entries and one confusing publicity stunt. It's hard enough trying to wrap my brain around what's to be thought of a giant dome, as well as a homicidal ocean creature flying in the sky, but herding hired help into a room with winds up to 200 mph has go to be the strangest kind of "work experience" one can expect to list on his or her resume. Congrats, TWC! You set a new bar for intern horror stories.
Do you have thoughts on Emmy-worthy television? (Or, do you simply wanna talk about the steamy Nick and Jess smooch or Sharknado some more?) Share 'em, in the comments section below.
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]