Mt. Emmy
MT. EMMY: To scale the heights of the Emmys, wrap yourself in raves and pack lots of buzz. This week’s altitude readings are by Maria Elena Fernandez, Elena Howe, Meg James, Rene Lynch, Tom O’Neil.
PEAKING
A SNEAK PEEK: If the Television Critics Assn. nominees are any guide to the Emmy’s, here’s what we can expect to see honored: “Modern Family,” “Glee,” “Breaking Bad,” “Sons of Anarchy,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Party Down” and “The Good Wife.” But where’s “30 Rock”?
CLIMBING
IT’S A LOCKE: Welcome back to the race, Terry O’Quinn! But forget supporting actor. After playing good and evil (sometimes without knowing which was which), you need to step up to the lead category — for those facial expressions alone.
CORONATION STREET: Oprah, the queen of the airwaves, winds down her show next year. So, will voters ignore her this year and save it up for her final season? Or will the accolades start now and never stop?
AT BASE CAMP
SOMETHING TELLS ME: The award for the sweetest — and unlikeliest — use of a kitschy British Invasion tune on television goes to … Craig T. Nelson and his ukulele rendition of the Herman’s Hermits hit “I’m Into Something Good” on “Parenthood.”
EMMY LOVES RAYMOND? “Ray Romano” and “drama” seem odd in the same sentence, but his portrayal of Joe, a man dealing with midlife misery in TNT’s “Men of a Certain Age,” knocks his old sitcom persona clean away.
LOOKING FOR A SHERPA
LET’S HEAR IT …: “Ugly Betty” may have lost its way, but it found its heart in the story of Justin Suarez discovering and accepting he is gay. Kudos to the young Mark Indelicato for his courageous and heart-warming portrayal.
FOR THE BOYS: For his impeccable delivery of “Do I have time for a steam?” and “I’m just a boy trying to bring style back to travel,” little Rico Rodriguez from “Modern Family” deserves some Emmy love. What were you doing when you were 11?
SHOW SWITCH: Katherine Heigl was briefly a Desperate Housewife. The Emmy ballots that went out Friday had the “Grey’s Anatomy” star attached to the wrong show after an apparent last-minute scramble to get her name on it at all. Early looks had her nowhere to be found.