The Envelope In Print: The Emmy Nominees Issue (August 6, 2008)

August 6, 2008

EMMYS

Alec Baldwin: Over acting?

ALEC BALDWIN was rushed and soaked with sweat as he entered the Upper West Side home of a photographer for a portrait shoot and an interview. He closed himself in a tiny air-conditioned office, decided not to be photographed on account of the heat and made a long phone call. The words " Democratic Party" and "$600,000" floated out.

August 6, 2008

CONTENDER Q & A

Julia-Louis Dreyfus talks 'The New Adventures of Old Christine' and Emmy

IN EACH of the last three seasons that her sitcom "The New Adventures of Old Christine" has been on CBS, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has been nominated for an Emmy as lead actress in a comedy series; she took home the statuette in 2006. Curse? What curse?

July 30, 2008

CONTENDER Q & A

John Slattery rides to Emmy approval on 'Mad Men'

You probably remember that devilishly handsome face, and that great shock of white hair, from his role as Eva Longoria's suitor on " Desperate Housewives." Or his turn on "Sex and the City" as a kinky politician who wanted Carrie Bradshaw to, er, shower with him, sort of. But it's in his latest role as Roger Sterling, a partner at " Mad Men's" 1960s ad agency, that John Slattery really gets to shine. He and his advertising colleagues take full advantage of their place on top of the food chain, using the women under them, stabbing one another in the back, and consuming endless cocktails and cigarettes.

August 5, 2008

EMMYS

The actors leading the way

EMMY'S lead acting races for series are judged based upon a single sample episode selected by nominees as an example of their best work. Typically, about 75 fellow actors serve as judges per category, evaluating DVD screeners at home. Ballots must be returned by Aug. 29, along with a signed affidavit attesting that voters viewed everything required. Winners will be announced on Sept. 21. Here are the episodes submitted this year and our take on them:

August 6, 2008

THE CORNER OFFICE

Fox President of Entertainment Kevin Reilly talks TV's future

IT'S LIKELY there are few people thinking as much about the future of television as Kevin Reilly, president of entertainment at Fox.

August 6, 2008

EMMYS

It is good just to be nominated

LOVE YA, mean it. When it comes to Hollywood clichés, there is one that actually contains some truth -- for the Primetime Emmy Awards, at any rate.

August 6, 2008

THE WATER COOLER

Tom Wilkinson and Bob Balaban are MVPs

TOM WILKINSON had better win an Emmy this year. Me, I'd go with the leading role in a miniseries or movie nomination -- his portrayal of James Baker in HBO's "Recount" -- over the supporting one -- as Benjamin Franklin in HBO's " John Adams" -- although there's really no good reason why he couldn't win both. Playing two such disparate Americans (and Wilkinson is British for gosh sakes) should put a person in the running for some sort of congressional medal and heaven knows the man is due.