CHILD OF TELEVISION

Emmy nominations

2008-07-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all the nominees

COMEDY SERIES
"Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
"The Office,"NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio"Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
"Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios

DRAMA SERIES
"Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
"Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
"Heroes," NBC, Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"House," Fox • Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

MINISERIES
“Broken Trail,” AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
"Prime Suspect: The Final Act” (Masterpiece Theatre), PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
"The Starter Wife,” USA,Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio

MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
“Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee,”HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
“Inside The Twin Towers,” Discovery Channel, A Dangerous Films Productions for BBC / RTL / France 2 and Discovery Channel in association with Blakeway Productions
“Longford,” HBO • A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
“The Ron Clark Story,” TNT, Granada America and MAGNA Global Entertainment“Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy,” Lifetime, Produced by Grossbart Kent for Lifetime Television

REALITY
"Antiques Roadshow," PBS, WGBH Educational Foundation
"Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan," National Geographic, Produced by MPH Entertainment, Inc. in association with Emery/Sumner Productions for the National Geographic Channel
"Extreme Makeover Home Edition," ABC, Endemol USA
"Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List," Bravo, Picture This Television, Bravo
"Penn & Teller: Bullshit!," Showtime, Showtime Presents in association with Penn & Teller, A Division of Buggs and Rudy Discount Corporation, Star Price Productions, The Wolper Organization

REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
"The Amazing Race," CBS, Amazing Race Productions Inc. and Touchstone Television Productions, LLC in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and WorldRace Productions, Inc.
"American Idol," Fox, FremantleMedia N.A., Inc. & 19TV Ltd.
"Dancing With The Stars," ABC, BBC Worldwide Productions, LLC
"Project Runway," Bravo, Magical Elves for The Weinstein Company/Miramax, Full Picture, Bravo
"Top Chef," Bravo, Magical Elves, Bravo

ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Ricky Gervais as Andy Millman, "Extras," HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, "Monk," USA, NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone
Steve Carell as Michael Scott, "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper, "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

ACTOR IN A DRAMA
James Spader as Alan Shore, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, "House," Fox. Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television
Denis Leary as Tommy Gavin, "Rescue Me," FX. Produced by Apostle, the Cloudland Company and DreamWorks Television in association with Sony Pictures Television
James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, "The Sopranos, HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, "24, Fox, Imagine Television & 20th Century Fox Television in association with Realtime Productions

ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Robert Duvall as Prentice "Print" Ritter, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone, "Jesse Stone: Sea Change," CBS, TWS Productions II and Brandman Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television
Jim Broadbent as Lord Longford, "Longford," HBO, A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
William H. Macy as Clyde Umney & Sam Landry, "Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From The Stories Of Stephen King - Umney’s Last Case," TNT • Ostar Productions
Matthew Perry as Ron Clark, "The Ron Clark Story," TNT, Granada America and MAGNA Global Entertainment

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell, "The New Adventures Of Old Christine," CBS, Kari’s Logo Here in association with Warner Bros. Television
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin, "Weeds," Showtime, Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Sally Field as Nora Walker, "Brothers & Sisters," ABC, ABC StudiosKyra Sedgwick as Dep. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, "The Closer: Slippin’," TNT, The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Patricia Arquette as Allison Dubois, "Medium," NBC, CBS Paramount Television, Grammnet, Picturemaker Productions
Minnie Driver as Dahlia Malloy, "The Riches," FX, FX Productions and Fox Television Studios
Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Queen Latifah as Ana, "Life Support," HBO, Foxx/King Entertainment, Flavor Unit Films, Urban Romances and Shelby Stone Productions in association with HBO Films
Helen Mirren as Jane Tennison, "Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre)," PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
Mary-Louise Parker as Zenia Arden, "The Robber Bride," Oxygen, Working Title TV and Shaftesbury Films
Debra Messing as Molly Kagan, "The Starter Wife," USA. Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Gena Rowlands as Melissa Eisenbloom, "What If God Were The Sun," Lifetime, By Fox Television Studios, JECO Productions and Old Beantown Films for Lifetime Television

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Kevin Dillon as Johnny Drama, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson, "How I Met Your Mother," CBS, Twentieth Century Fox
Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute, "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper, "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
William Shatner as Denny Crane, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
T.R. Knight as George, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Masi Oka as Hiro Nakamura, "Heroes," NBC, Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Michael Emerson as Ben, "Lost," ABC, ABC StudiosTerry O’Quinn as John Locke, "Lost," ABC, ABC Studios

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Thomas Haden Church as Tom Harte, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
August Schellenberg as Sitting Bull, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Aidan Quinn as Senator Dawes, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Edward Asner as Luke Spelman, "The Christmas Card," Hallmark, RHI Entertainment presents an Alpine Medien Production in association with Larry Levinson Productions
Joe Mantegna as Lou Manahan, "The Starter Wife," USA, Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Jaime Pressly as Joy Turner. "My Name Is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly. "The Office," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper. "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Conchata Ferrell as Berta. "Two And A Half Men," CBS, Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater. "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios
Elizabeth Perkins as Celia Hodes, "Weeds," Showtime. Showtime Presents in association with Lions Gate Television and Tilted Productions

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon, "Brothers & Sisters," ABC, ABC Studios
Katherine Heigl as Isobel "Izzie" Stevens, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Bailey, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios,
Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Greta Scacchi as Nola Johns, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run Films
Anna Paquin as Elaine Goodale, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Samantha Morton as Myra Hindley, "Longford," HBO, A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films
Judy Davis as Joan McAllister, "The Starter Wife," USA, Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television Studio
Toni Collette as Kathy Graham, "Tsunami, The Aftermath," HBO, A Kudos Film and Television Production in association with the BBC and HBO Films

GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Martin Landau as Bob Ryan, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Sir Ian McKellen as Himself, "Extras, HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Stanley Tucci as David Ruskin, "Monk, "USA, NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone
Giovanni Ribisi as Ralph Mariano, "My Name Is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Beau Bridges as Carl Hickey, "My Name is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television

GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Christian Clemenson as Jerry “Hands” Espenson, "Boston Legal," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Forest Whitaker as Curtis Ames, "ER, NBC, Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
David Morse as Michael Tritter, "House, Fox, Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Tim Daly as J.T. Dolan, "The Sopranos, HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
John Goodman as Judge Robert Bebe, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
Eli Wallach as Eli Weintraub, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television

GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Dixie Carter as Gloria Hodge, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Laurie Metcalf as Carolyn Bigsby, "Desperate Housewives," ABC, ABC Studios
Elaine Stritch as Colleen Donaghy, "30 Rock," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Judith Light as Claire Meade , "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC StudiosSalma Hayek as Sofia Reyes, "Ugly Betty," ABC, ABC Studios

GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Kate Burton as Ellis Grey, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Elizabeth Reaser as Jane Doe, "Grey’s Anatomy," ABC, ABC Studios
Marcia Gay Harden as Star Morrison, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Leslie Caron as Lorraine Chalmers, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC, A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Jean Smart as Martha Logan, "24," Fox, Imagine Television & 20th Century Fox Television in association with Realtime Productions

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE IN A VARIETY OR MUSIC PROGRAM
Ellen Degeneres, "79th Annual Academy Awards," ABC, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Stephen Colbert, "The Colbert Report," Comedy Central, Central Productions with Busboy Productions and Sparina Productions
Jon Stewart, "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Comedy Central, Central Productions LLC and Hello Doggie, Inc.
David Letterman, "Late Show With David Letterman," CBS, Worldwide Pants, Inc.
Tony Bennett, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC, RPM TV Productions, Inc.

DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY
Julian Farino, "Entourage: One Day In The Valley," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, "Extras: Orlando Bloom," HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment
Ken Kwapis, "The Office: Gay Witch Hunt," NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Will Mackenzie, "Scrubs: My Musical," NBC, ABC Studios
Scott Ellis, "30 Rock: The Breakup," NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Richard Shepard, "Ugly Betty: Pilot," ABC, ABC Studios

DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA
Felix Alcala, Director "Battlestar Galactica: Exodus, Part 2," Sci Fi Channel • R+D TV in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Bill D’Elia, "Boston Legal: Son of the Defender," ABC, David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Peter Berg, "Friday Night Lights: Pilot", NBC, Imagine Television, Film 44 in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
David Semel, "Heroes: Genesis, NBC," Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television StudioJack Bender, "Lost: Through the Looking Glass," ABC, ABC Studios
Alan Taylor, "The Sopranos: Kennedy And Heidi," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Thomas Schlamme, "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip: Pilot," NBC, Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television

DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY PROGRAM
Bruce Gowers, "American Idol: The Finale, Fox, FremantleMedia N.A., Inc. & 19TV Ltd.
Jim Hoskinson, "The Colbert Report: Show #2161, Comedy Central, Central Productions with Busboy Productions and Sparina Productions
Chuck O’Neil, "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart: Show #12061, Comedy Central, Central Productions LLC and Hello Doggie, Inc.
Don Roy King, "Saturday Night Live: Host: Alec Baldwin, NBC, SNL Studios in association with NBC Studios and Broadway VideoRob Marshall, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic, NBC, RPM TV Productions, Inc.

DIRECTING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
Walter Hill, "Broken Trail: Part 1 & Part 2, AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run FilmsYves Simoneau, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO Films
Susanna White, "Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre), PBS, A BBC/WGBH Boston Co-Production
Philip Martin, "Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre), PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-production
Bharat Nalluri, "Tsunami, The Aftermath: Part 1 & Part 2, HBO, A Kudos Film and Television Production in association with the BBC and HBO Films

DIRECTING FOR NONFICTION PROGRAMMING
Rory Kennedy, "Ghosts Of Abu Ghraib," HBO, Moxie Firecracker Productions in association with HBO Documentary Films and The Fledgling Fund
Kevin Burns, "Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed," The History Channel, Prometheus Entertainment for The History Channel
Lauren Greenfield, "Thin," HBO, HBO Documentary Films in association with Actual Reality
Christopher Wilcha, "This American Life: God’s Close-Up," Showtime, Showtime Presents in association with Chicago Public Radio, Killer Films, Inc., Left/Right, Inc.
Spike Lee, "When The Levees Broke: A Requiem In Four Acts," HBO, 40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks in association with HBO Documentary Films

VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES
"The Colbert Report," Comedy Central, Central Productions with Busboy Productions and Sparina Production
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,”Comedy Central, Central Productions LLC and Hello Doggie, Inc.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC, Conaco, Broadway Video, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS, Worldwide Pants, Inc.
"Real Time With Bill Maher," HBO, Kid Love Productions and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SPECIAL
"The Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner," Comedy Central, Tenth Planet in association with Comedy Central
"The Kennedy Center Honors: A National Celebration Of The Performing Arts," CBS, A George Stevens, Jr. Presentation for Kennedy Center Television Productions
"Lewis Black: Red, White & Screwed," HBO, Rickmill Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
"Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC, RPM TV Productions, Inc.
"A Tribute To James Taylor (Great Performances)," PBS, A Production of Warner Music Group in association with Thirteen/WNET New York
"Wanda Sykes: Sick And Tired," HBO, A Sykes Entertainment / Music Link Productions and Images Entertainment in association with HBO Entertainment

SPECIAL CLASS PROGRAM
"79th Annual Academy Awards," ABC, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
"The 64th Golden Globe Awards," NBC, Dick Clark Productions, Inc.
"Jerry Seinfeld - The Comedy Award," HBO, The Comedy Festival
"Prince Super Bowl XLI Halftime Show," CBS, Don Mischer Productions in association with NFL Network and White Cherry Entertainment
"The 60th Annual Tony Awards (2006)," CBS, White Cherry Entertainment in association with Tony Awards Productions

WRITING FOR A COMEDY
"Extras: Daniel Radcliffe," Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, HBO, BBC and HBO Entertainment,
"The Office: Gay Witch Hunt," Greg Daniels, NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio,
"The Office: The Negotiation," Michael Schur NBC, Deedle-Dee Productions, Reveille, LLC, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"30 Rock: Tracy Does Conan," Tina Fey NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio.
"30 Rock: Jack-Tor," Robert Carlock NBC, Broadway Video, Little Stranger, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio

WRITING FOR A DRAMA
"Battlestar Galactica: Occupation/Precipice," Ronald D. Moore Sci Fi Channel • R+D TV in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"Lost: Through The Looking Glass," Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse ABC, ABC Studios
"The Sopranos: Kennedy And Heidi," Matthew Weiner, David Chase HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
"The Sopranos: The Second Coming," Terence Winter HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
"The Sopranos: Made In America," David Chase HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

WRITING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY PROGRAM
"The Colbert Report," Stephen Colbert, Allison Silverman, Richard Dahm, Michael Brumm, Rob Dubbin, Eric Drysdale, Peter Gwinn, Jay Katsir, Laura Krafft, Frank Lesser, Comedy Central, Central Productions with Busboy Productions and Sparina Productions
"The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Rachel Axler, Kevin Bleyer, Rich Blomquist, Steve Bodow, Tim Carvell, J.R. Havlan, Scott Jacobson, David Javerbaum, Ben Karlin, Rob Kutner, Josh Lieb, Sam Means, Jason Reich, Jason Ross, Jon Stewart Comedy Central, Central Productions LLC and Hello Doggie, Inc.
"Late Night With Conan O’Brien," Mike Sweeney, Head Writer; Chris Albers, Jose Arroyo, Dan Cronin, Kevin Dorff, Daniel J. Goor, Michael Gordon, Berkley Johnson, Brian Kiley, Michael Koman, Tim Harrod, Brian McCann, Guy Nicolucci, Conan O’Brien, Andrew Weinberg, writers NBC, Conaco, Broadway Video, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
"Late Show With David Letterman," Eric Stangel, Justin Stangel, head writers; Michael Barrie, Jim Mulholland, Steve Young, Lee Ellenberg, Matt Roberts, Jeremy Weiner, Joe Grossman, Meredith Scardino, Bill Scheft, Aaron Blitzstein, Bob Borden, Frank Sebastiano, David Letterman, writers CBS, Worldwide Pants, Inc.
"Real Time With Bill Maher," Billy Martin, Head Writer; David Feldman, Matt Gunn, Brian Jacobsmeyer, Jay Jaroch, Chris Kelly, Bill Maher, Jonathan Schmock, Danny Vermont, Scott Carter, writers HBO, Kid Love Productions and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

George Carlin Class Clown-Class Act.

2008-07-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

When I was talking to Dave White on his radio show, Talking Television With Dave White, we discussed how I have written a large amount of obituaries lately. Sadly, once again I'm honoring a true pioneer who has left us way too soon and at a time when we still need him.
Donna and I were visiting my brother and my two nephews in Chicago. I wanted to get a picture or the Bob Newhart statue at Navy Pier (See Hi Bob). Over lunch at Bubba Gump's the older generation had to explain to the younger who Bob Newhart is. We stayed on the subject of comedy and comedians. The younger of the nephews (Alex age 16) is a big fan of political satire. We discussed his favorite comedians Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Lewis Black. I was telling him about the comedians who inspired his favorites. Obviously the conversation could not go too far without mentioning George Carlin.

I told him that George Carlin is one of the greatest comedians in American history. I told him about George Carlin's comedy routine on the "Seven Dirty Words You Can Never Say on Television".

This routine appeared on his Class Clown album. George Carlin was arrested on July 21, 1972 at Milwaukee's Summerfest and charged with violating obscenity laws after performing this routine. The case was dismissed in December of that year; the judge declared that the language was indecent, but Carlin had the freedom to say it as long as he caused no disturbance. I told my nephew that the classic routine is an excellent example of the power of comedy. Radio station WBAI (a Pacifica Radio Station in New York City) played similar routine, "Filthy Words," from George Carlin's Occupation: Foole album over the air. The broadcast was then brought to the attention of the FCC. Pacifica received a citation from the FCC, which sought to fine Pacifica for allegedly violating FCC regulations which prohibited broadcasting "obscene" material. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the FCC action, by a vote of 5 to 4, ruling that the routine was "indecent but not obscene," and the FCC had authority to prohibit such broadcasts during hours when children were likely to be among the audience. FCC v. Pacifica Foundation , 438 U.S. 726 (1978).

The following morning I was shocked to learn that George Carlin had died. Before leaving Chicago I stopped by a Borders and bought the younger Figueroa a CD of George Carlin's Class Clown and Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics. Since then we have had a couple of conversations on George Carlin and he even bought a third CD. We talked about Carlin's influence on his favorite comedians, his love of words, his way of pointing out politicians and the news media manipulates the language to change their impact. I was so touched that my young nephew is now enjoying one of my favorite comedians.

Mr. Carlin’s body of work will still be relevant to a new generation. A true testament to his talents. Whenever we loose someone of prominence there are those who will ask, "Why?" I think it is because the time has come for us to activate our own Inner-Carlin. We examine our vocabulary, analyze what we hear from our leaders, point out the absurdities in life and not settle for being main stream.

To quote George Carlin, "I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately".

Good Night Mr. Carlin and good luck.

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

Hi Bob

2008-06-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

Donna and got to visit Chicago's Navy Pier and we had to stop and check out the TV Land Landmarks' lifesized sculpture of fictional psychologist Bob Hartley (played by comedian Bob Newhart on The Bob Newhart Show 1972-1978) .

To quote Bob Newhart, "But CBS decided it wanted to concentrate more of the show on my job as a psychologist. ... I think one of the reasons for the change is that some CBS officials heard the word condominium and thought the show was about sex."

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

Tim Russert 1950 - 2008

2008-06-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and the moderator of Meet the Press, died today. He was 58.
Russert was best known as host of Meet the Press, which he took over in December 1991, and he was also a vice president of NBC News and head of its overall Washington operations. Russert joined NBC News in 1984. In April 1985, he supervised the live broadcasts of NBC’s TODAY show from Rome, negotiating and arranging an appearance by Pope John Paul II, a first for American television.

Archive of American Television Interview with Tim Russert

Journalism schools need to teach Russert 101.

1) Keep it simple and low tech.

2) Be true to your self and people will believe you and trust you.

3) Be smart, don't just talk smart.

4) Love what you do.

To quote Tim Russert, “The primary responsibility of the media is accountability of government, whether it's about lying under oath, which upset Democrats, or the mismanagement of responding to a hurricane, which happens to upset Republicans.”

TV Guide selected his use of the white dry eraser board (Florida, Florida, Florida) on Election Night 2000 as one of the “100 Most Memorable TV Moments” in history. The Washington Post credits him with coining the phrase “red state” and “blue state” to explain the nation’s political divide.

Good Night Mr. Russert. The election wont be the same with out you.

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

Talking Television With Dave White: Laugh In (Click here for podcast)

2008-06-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

Rowan & Martin's Laugh In will be the featured program this week on Talking Television With Dave White. Child Of Television writer Tony Figueroa will be the guest from 7:30-9PM Pacific time (10:30-midnight Eastern) Tuesday, June 3 on http://www.ksav.org/ . Who was your favorite Laugh In comic and what was your favorite sketch from this imaginative and original program? Listeners can participate by phone (800)407-KSAV(5728) or e-mail talk@ksav.org. For program details visit http://www.talkingtelevision.org/ .
Dave White; Host
Talking Television With Dave White
http://www.ksav.org/ http://www.talkingtelevision.org/

Harvey Korman

2008-05-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

I am truly shocked. Earlier this week we lost Dick Martin and now I just learned about the death of Harvey Korman. He was 81. Harvey Korman was a truly special talent. He could be the comic relief on an episode of The Munsters and the play straight man to Carol Burnett and Tim Conway on the The Carol Burnett Show (He was both comic relief and straight man as Hedley Lamarr in the in the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles).

As a Child of Television, every Saturday night (Before SNL) ended with The Carol Burnett Show. Mr. Korman was a great utility man. He played the husband, the boss the father and the buddy. As an audience we loved to watch Tom Conway crack Mr. Korman up.

Of course I have to mention that Mr. Korman was also the voice of The Great Gazoo on The Flintstones.

Mr. Korman discusses his life and career in a series of interviews for the Archive of American Television.

To Quote Harvey Korman, "You asked what is the secret of a really good sketch. And it is a sketch is a small play. It's got a beginning, and a middle and an end. It should have a plot; it should have the characters, conflict. It is a little play. And in it, will be funny stuff".

Good Night Mr. Korman and thank you for all those funny Saturday nights.

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

Dick Martin

2008-05-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

This is going to sound very strange. A few days ago I was in contact with Dave White (Talking Television With Dave White) and we were talking about me being on his June 3rd show to discuss Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.

Laugh In is was one of my earliest television memories and I am sure the shows fast pace was so appealing to my young attention and nonexistent span.

Last night I was doing some research on the show and was especially enjoying the following interview for the Archive of American Television Archive of American Television: Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls -- "Laugh-In" is forty!

You can imagine my shock and surprise when I wake up this morning to learn that Dick Martin died last night. He was an amazing comedian, actor, writer and director. I will be talking about Mr. Martin very soon, but for right now it is just comforting to know that Dan & Dick are back together again.

Dan Rowan: "Say good night, Dick."

Dick Martin: "Good night, Dick!"

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

Stanley Kamel 1943 - 2008

2008-04-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

Never underestimate the value of a good supporting actor. This week we lost Stanley Kamel. He was 65.
Stanley Kamel was best known for playing Adrian Monk's psychiatrist on Monk. Kamel also played roles on Beverly Hills 90210, Murder One, Days of Our Lives, and Melrose Place."

We Sympathized with Dr. Kroger as he patiently imparted advise and set personal boundaries during his weekly therapy sessions with Monk (Tony Shalhoub).

Good Night Stanley Kamel our session is over.

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

Ivan Dixon

2008-03-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week we lost actor, writer, director and producer Ivan Dixon. He was 76. All of us children of television knew him best as Sgt. James "Kinch" Kinchloe on the classic TV sitcom Hogan's Heroes, and for the two Twilight Zone episodes The Big Tall Wish ( featuring an all black cast) & I Am the Night—Color Me Black. ( I always loved Rod Serling's Closing Narration, "A sickness known as hate; not a virus, not a microbe, not a germ, but a sickness nonetheless; highly contagious, deadly in its effects. Don't look for it in the Twilight Zone. Look for it in a mirror. Look for it before the light goes out altogether.) Mr. Dixon was most proud of roles in A Raisin in the Sun and Nothing But a Man, but he had no problem about being recognized as Kinchloe.

Sgt. Kinchloe deserves a special place in Television history. He came at a time when there were not many blacks on TV and of the few blacks that were on a network television series, most were in subservient roles. Sgt. Kinchloe was never seen as a buffoon and was truly Col. Hogan's right hand man and confidant. Mr Dixon did have problems with the role causing him to leave the series after five seasons, but the role did launch him into directing television shows like The Waltons, The Rockford Files, Magnum, P.I. and In the Heat of the Night.

Dixon was active in efforts to get better parts for blacks in movies and television. This quote is from an interview he gave The New York Times in 1967: "Sponsors haven't wanted anything negative connected with their products. We must convince them that the Negro is not negative."

I realise that Mr. Dixon's body of work is so vast and I have barely scratched the surface here.

Good Night Mr. Dixon and feel free to turn off the coffee pot.

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa

WGA Members Vote to End Strike

2008-02-12T19:49:00.000-08:00

Tonight (Tuesday, February 12th 2008) the members of the Writers Guilds East and West voted by a 92.5% margin to lift the restraining order that was invoked on November 5th.

The strike is over.
Read the official WGA announcement to striking writers on Deadline Hollywood Daily.

To Quote Alan Brady (Carl Reiner on The Dick Van Dyke Show episode Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth), "Oh, happy days are here again!"

And I can go back to signing off with "Stay Tuned"

Tony Figueroa

Roy Scheider 1932-2008

2008-02-11T19:17:00.000-08:00

I wanted to write something in honor of Roy Scheider because he starred in the TV shows SeaQuest DSV and Third Watch but by the time I was able to get to my computer there were so many tributes to the man from all over the world. Since so much has already been said about this talented actor, I decided to pour myself a drink, raise my glass and sing,

Show me the way to go home
I'm tired and I want to go to bed
I had a little drink about an hour ago
And it got right to my head
Where ever I may roam
On land or sea or foam
You will always hear me singing this song
Show me the way to go home

Good Night Mr. Scheider. You are now home.

In Solidarity

Tony Figueroa

New Media and the Old Episode (CLICK PODCAST)

2008-02-01T18:09:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the links mentioned in Tony's podcast.

Shop Doc
Take Out Stories
GUESS WHO'S COMING TO... BLOG
Story Salon
Verge of the Fringe
Handwritten Theatre

YouTube - Charlotte Ross in Shower
'NYPD' Buttocks May Cost $1.4 Million.
FCC order

I have some questions about Charlotte Ross’ 1.4 Million-Dollar buttocks.

2008-01-30T18:00:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I came home and turned my computer looking for South Carolina primary updates and found an article titled 'NYPD' Buttocks May Cost $1.4 Million. My curiosity peaked I clicked on the link and saw a picture of the actress Charlotte Ross who starred in NYPD Blue from 1998-2004. I read, "The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a $1.4 million fine against 52 ABC Television Network stations over a 2003 broadcast of cop drama NYPD Blue". But wait. That episode aired about five years ago.

Sometime around late February or early March of 2003 my wife and I were at a party and the subject of Charlotte Ross’ nude scene on NYPD Blue came up in conversation. I mentioned that we had missed the episode, as did several others at the party. The lady of the house was so impressed with Charlotte Ross in that now infamous scene that she had her husband pop the episode in the VCR so we could all watch.

The consensus of the women in the room was that it was great to see a woman with a real body on TV. Words like "Brave" and "Bold" were used to describe Charlotte Ross’ choice to do that scene. Not wanting to sound like total pigs, the guys in the room discussed the camera work and the editing. The Man of the house paused the scene (approximately 34 seconds on the YouTube video) and pointed out that the boy’s head was perfectly positioned so we could not see Charlotte Ross’ nipples. When the scene is paused it is obvious that this was a composite shot and the boy was filmed separately and added in later. Personally I thought the scene had the innocence of the label on a bottle of Coppertone.

Why is this scene just now being addresseed now by the FCC? Other controversial issues like the profanity (The F-word is used 21 times) used in ABC's, broadcast of Saving Private Ryan on Veterans Day in 2004. Or earlier that year when Janet Jackson had her "wardrobe malfunction" during the Super Bowl halftime show. Both issues took much less time to resolve. If you are keeping score at home:

Janet Jackson’s breast: $550,000.

Charlotte Ross’ buttocks: $1.4 million.
($27.500 x 52 ABC central & Mountain Time zone stations)

The F-word 21 times: Priceless.
(The FCC later cleared the film, nothing that "Contextual considerations are critical in making indecency determinations.")

In my research I can’t find an answer to my timing question. I just seem to have more questions. I also could not find any logical or even a reasonable reason as to why the FCC would want to go after a show that has been off the air for almost three years. Talk about beating a dead horse. Most importantly why does the FCC in their order refer to the buttock as a sex organ when it is not an organ, but a muscle. The FCC report described Charlotte Ross’ naked buttocks as titillating. That assessment seems subjective since butts may vary. If Charlotte Ross’ naked buttocks is titillating, then is not the mind is also a sex organ? If someone gives you a "come hither" look or "bedroom eyes" then are not eyeballs sex organs? I can go on with more examples but why go down that road?

Logically I think that the FCC is pandering to social conservatives and their watch dog groups. Many would complain about the subject matter in the scene even if there were no nudity in it at all. These same groups just insured that ABC will make their 1.4 million dollars back from increased DVD sales thanks to all the press this story is getting. Does this make the FCC the true... buttock here? Finally, is the FCC is insisting that the buttock is a sex organ because of what they plan to do to ABC.

I’d love to quote Sgt. Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) here but instead I’ll keep it clean and quote William Shatner on SNL, "GET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just a TV show!"

In Solidarity

Tony Figueroa

Daily Show and Colbert Writers - Mock Debate in DC

2008-01-24T17:17:00.000-08:00

Suzanne Pleshette 1937 - 2008

2008-01-20T07:29:00.000-08:00

I just heard on the morning news that veteran actress Suzanne Pleshette has died of cancer. She may be best known as Emily Hartley in the sitcom The Bob Newhart Show. The role of Emily brought in two Emmy nominations. Ms. Pleshette got two other Emmy nominations after guest starring as Julie Lawler in the drama series Dr. Kildare and a Golden Globe nomination for the title role in the TV drama Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean . Pleshette was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. In August 2006, she underwent chemotherapy at the Los Angeles’ Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. Click here to access Suzanne Pleshette's Archive of American Television interview.

To quote Ms. Pleshette in a 1999 interview on that being an actress was more important than being a star, "I'm an actress, and that's why I'm still here. Anybody who has the illusion that you can have a career as long as I have and be a star is kidding themselves."

Good Night Ms. Pleshette

In Solidarity

Tony Figueroa

Allan Melvin 1922-2008

2008-01-19T11:51:00.000-08:00

To us children of television Allan Melvin was best known for playing Sam the Butcher on The The Brady Bunch , Barney Hefner All in the Family and later Archie Bunker's Place and the voice of Magilla Gorilla. Mr. Melvin died of cancer Thursday at his home in the Brentwood, he was 84.

Melein's favorate role was as Cpl. Henshaw on the The Phil Silvers Show.The above video is from a stage production of Phil Silver's classic sitcom.

Good Night Mr. Melvin

In Solidarity

Tony Figueroa

Changes (CLICK PODCAST)

2008-01-18T21:30:00.000-08:00

Here are some links to sites that were mentioned on Tony's unscripted podcast.
Take Out Stories
Shop Doc

United Hollywood
Deadline Hollywood Daily.
Comedy Callback - the Show (Nov. 2007) part 2

Screen Actors Guild
Directors Guild of America
Writers Guild of America
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes

YouTube - In solidarity
YouTube - Why We Fight

In Solidarity

Tony Figueroa

65th Golden Globe Award Winners

2008-01-13T23:02:00.000-08:00

I, like I'm sure most of you, watched Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and looked up the 65th Golden Globe Award Winners online later.

Congratulations to the winners.

Hollywood Foreign Press Association 2008 Golden Globe Awards for the year ended December 31, 2007 HFPA - Nominations and Winners

In Solidarity

Tony Figueroa

Cornucopia

2008-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Cornucopia, An Hour of Storytelling and Other Delights for adults, features live music by String Planet with Novi & Larry, and terrific stories from D'Lo, Amy Stiller, Lupe Fernandez, Leo Baggerly, Tony & Donna Figueroa, and your host Ellen Switkes. Sunday Jan. 13, 2008 at 3:30 pm. Actors Workout Studio, 4735 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood 91602. Tickets are $8. Reservations encouraged 818.506.3903. Not for kids .
MySpace.com - Cornucopia

Back Home.

2008-01-08T20:52:00.000-08:00

Over Christmas, New Years and Three Kings Day we had a wonderful time visiting my family in Florida and my wife Donna's family in Ohio, but my thoughts were never far from home. Every day I would read the trades on my PDA thanks to places with free WiFi. I corresponded with friends back home who were keeping me up to date on strike news and I even fired off E-mails to couple of media organizations and one to a Republican presidential candidate who, although is seeking union endorsement, decided to cross a picket line.

Looking back it was amazing to see how many of our conversions, over dinner or drinks, with friends and family were about the strike. This totally disproves the notion that Middle America does not care about striking writers and not once did I hear writers being refereed to as "Spoiled Millionaires". It was obvious that the neither the local papers or the local TV & radio news provided sufficient coverage on the story. They were surprised to learn that we in Los Angeles had the same problem (I wrote to David Hiller, Claudiae Eller and Richard Verrier at the Los Angeles Times about their lack of fair and balanced coverage of the strike in thier article titled Writers union feeling the heat). Donna and I would to the best of our ability explain the situation about residuals for DVDs and new media. I also directed people to web sites like United Hollywood and Nikki Fink's Deadline Hollywood Daily.

The bulk of the strike talk involved the late night talk shows or the lack of late night talk show monologues. By this time it was announced that the network talk shows would be returning on January 2nd but David Letterman's company Worldwide Pants had not yet finalized their deal with the WGA. The monologues were sorely missed especially since we going full speed into Election 08 news coverage. We discussed what the hosts can and can not do. I basically stated that unless you have an interim agreement, you can't do struck work. Deadline Hollywood Daily: WGA Reminds Returning Jay And Conan: No Monologues. Then on January 2nd we watched the return of the network talk shows. I enjoyed seeing everyone back but was surprised to see Jay doing a monologue. Jay is an honorable man. He has supported the WGA in this strike and he supported SAG during the 2000 commercial strike but when it comes to writing his own monologues I want to ask him what he asked Hugh Grant, " What the hell were you thinking?"

In Solidarity

In Solidarity

Tony Figueroa

Your moment of Zen

2008-01-07T23:47:00.000-08:00

In Solidarity

Tony Figueroa

THIS JUST IN: NBC And Hollywood Foreign Press Cancel Televised Golden Globes

2008-01-07T12:31:00.000-08:00

Every time I try to write about what is going on in the world of Television the stories keep updating.

This story broke when I was listening to today's edition of United Hollywood Live.

The story is from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily Blog.

UPDATE: NBC And Hollywood Foreign Press Cancel Televised Golden Globes Hoopla; Big Show Scrapped In Favor Of Stripped Down News Telecast (Keep refreshing for latest news)...

The Hollywood writers strike can now claim its first awards show casualty. I'm hearing from my sources that NBC will not be broadcasting a big Golden Globes show as planned for January 13th. Nor will a much ballyhooed unbroadcasted event be held, either. Instead, a stripped down announcements telecast will be aired by NBC News. It will consist of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association handing out Golden Globes to the winners, who will then pick up the awards and pass through a press room for photos and interviews. "It'll now be a news event where the actors can still get all glammed up," a source told I've not yet received any official confirmation of any of this. But insiders tell me that NBC Universal topper Jeff Zucker and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association which bestows the Golden Globes made the decision together to scale everything back.

HOT VALLEY WRITERS

2008-01-04T16:03:00.000-08:00

My story Abandonment Issues is in the Winter 2008 issue of Hot Valley Writers.

www.HotValleyWriters.com

In Solidarity

Tony Figueroa

Happy 2008

2008-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

I have been spending Christmas and New Years with Family in Florida and Ohio (Two Red States).

I am not one for New Year’s resolutions. In the fourth grade I resolved that I would not get into anymore fights, but after having to read my resolution in front of the whole class my classmates made sure that I was in a fight everyday till Valentines Day. This year seems different. As always they’re the standard things I say every year.

I resolve to do more reading. I read a lot as it is but this year I have a great desire to read more of the classics and more plays.

I resolve to take a greater interest in current events outside the entertainment industry especially since 2008 is an election year. I am already a news junkie but there never seem to be enough news or is it that there never seems to be enough news of substance.

It would be ridiculous of me to say that I resolve to watch less television. If I wind up watching less TV it is not because of any self discipline on my part, it is only because of the writers strike.

I resolve to do more blogging and podcasting. Last month Donna and I launched our new story telling podcast Take Out Stories. This Month Donna will launch her new style blog and podcast Shop Doc. As for the Child of Television Blog and Podcast it will still reflect my love of television. COTV’s perspective has been greatly influenced be the writers strike because I in good conscience can’t be critical of the creative talents while they are on the picket line and because the mainstream media is not giving the strike the coverage it deserves.

I resolve to spend more time on the picket line because as a Screen Actors Guild member their fight is our fight.

To quote Dave Garroway, “Peace”

In Solidarity

Tony Figueroa

Peace On Earth, Good Will To Men.

2007-12-25T00:00:00.001-08:00

A few years ago I discovered the MGM cartoon Peace on Earth while watching an episode of the Cartoon Network's Toon Heads. Since then it has been one of my favorite holiday cartoons. This 1939 cartoon was written by Jack Cosgriff, Charles McGirl and Khat Harman and directed by Hugh Harman and is the only cartoon ever nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Before reading any further I want you to watch the cartoon.

This cartoon was created prior to America's involvement in the Second World War by people who served in the First World War. This amazing story takes you on a journey:

From Cute and Fuzzy,
To Man's inhumanity to man.
To a climax.
To a resolution.
And back to Cute and Fuzzy.

The cartoon was remade by William Hanna & Joseph Barbera in 1955 as Good Will to Men and was also nominated for the Best Short Subjects Oscar.

While the remake is set in a post atomic bomb era the message stays the same and sadly that message has not been learned. One of my favorite moments in Peace On Earth is towards the end when the audience collectively realizes that the animal’s houses were made from the men's helmets and the lamppost was made from a sword. Then you sober up when Mama Squirrel sings, "Sleep in heavenly peace". On a final note I want you to think about this:

The story that was told.
Those moments that touched you.
The buttons that were pushed.
The feelings felt.
The lessons learned (and not learned by some).

The writer started this journey with an idea, and then it was translated:

To words.
To voice, music and Foley.
To ink & paint.
To the big (and later small) screen.
And the audience translated the sight and sounds back into the writer's original idea.

Something to think about when you are enjoying those holiday specials.

To quote Tiny Tim, "God bless us, everyone!"

Merry Christmas

Tony & Donna Figueroa