Progress can be frustratingly slow, and that’s been the case when it comes to the Primetime Emmy writing and directing categories. While there are more female writers and directors nominated for Emmys this year than 10 years ago, they are still underrepresented on the final ballot. And what’s more, their representation is not keeping pace with the overall growth of women writers and directors in the TV industry.
IndieWire tallied the number of male and female writers and directors nominated this year and in 2008, for comparison. Here’s what we found:
Combined, when all comedy, drama, limited series/TV movie, variety series, variety special, and documentary/nonfiction categories are included, there are 149 writers nominated for an Emmy in 2018. Of that group, 35 are women. That makes for 23.5 percent of the nominees.
That’s a nice lift from 2008, when 11 out of 112 nominees — or 9.8 percent — were women.
According to the Writers’ Guild of America,...
IndieWire tallied the number of male and female writers and directors nominated this year and in 2008, for comparison. Here’s what we found:
Combined, when all comedy, drama, limited series/TV movie, variety series, variety special, and documentary/nonfiction categories are included, there are 149 writers nominated for an Emmy in 2018. Of that group, 35 are women. That makes for 23.5 percent of the nominees.
That’s a nice lift from 2008, when 11 out of 112 nominees — or 9.8 percent — were women.
According to the Writers’ Guild of America,...
- 8/10/2018
- by Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
From VancouverFilm.Net, here is the Vancouver Film Production Update for October 2017 including "Skyscraper", "Siren", "Colony" and a whole lot more:
Features:
A Dogs Way Home
Local Production Company: Singularity Productions
Director: Charles Martin Smith
Producer: Gavin Polone
Oct 16/17 - Dec 15/17
Eggplant Emoji
Local Production Company: Eggplant Productions
Director: Jake Szymanski
Producer: Ross Dinerstein
Aug 21/17 - Oct 05/17
Elsewhere
Local Production Company: Elsewhere Productions
Director: Hernan Jimenez Garcia
Sep 11/17 - Oct 11/17
Nicole
Local Production Company: True Meaning Productions
Director: Marc Lawrence
Oct 23/17 - Jan 19/18
Skyscraper
Local Production Company: Main Mast Production - Can, Inc
Director: Rawson Marshall Thurter
Aug 14/17 - Nov 17/17
Untitled Robert Zemeckis Project
Local Production Company: Stiletto Cinema Partners
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Producer: Robert Zemeckis, Cherylanne Martin
Aug 11/17 - Oct 19/17
TV Series:
A Series Of Unfortunate Events ~ Season 2
Local Production Company: Olaf II Productions Inc
Director: Loni Peristere, Allan Arkush
Apr 17/17 - Apr 20/18
Arrow - Season 6
Local Production Company:...
Features:
A Dogs Way Home
Local Production Company: Singularity Productions
Director: Charles Martin Smith
Producer: Gavin Polone
Oct 16/17 - Dec 15/17
Eggplant Emoji
Local Production Company: Eggplant Productions
Director: Jake Szymanski
Producer: Ross Dinerstein
Aug 21/17 - Oct 05/17
Elsewhere
Local Production Company: Elsewhere Productions
Director: Hernan Jimenez Garcia
Sep 11/17 - Oct 11/17
Nicole
Local Production Company: True Meaning Productions
Director: Marc Lawrence
Oct 23/17 - Jan 19/18
Skyscraper
Local Production Company: Main Mast Production - Can, Inc
Director: Rawson Marshall Thurter
Aug 14/17 - Nov 17/17
Untitled Robert Zemeckis Project
Local Production Company: Stiletto Cinema Partners
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Producer: Robert Zemeckis, Cherylanne Martin
Aug 11/17 - Oct 19/17
TV Series:
A Series Of Unfortunate Events ~ Season 2
Local Production Company: Olaf II Productions Inc
Director: Loni Peristere, Allan Arkush
Apr 17/17 - Apr 20/18
Arrow - Season 6
Local Production Company:...
- 9/24/2017
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
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Need a good laugh, but only got an hour and a half? Might we recommend this little lot...
I’m of the firm belief that films work most effectively when their runtime is 90 minutes or less. It forces an economy of story and dialogue which propels the film into its best self. No bloated middle, extended ending, or wasted stories here. This goes double for comedies. They should never outstay their welcome. But they seem to be getting longer, as we recently pointed out here.
So to refresh your movie comedy palette, here are 25 films that are 90 minutes or under. I’ve tried to avoid the more obvious ones, and shine a light on those comedies which might have gone a bit unappreciated over the years, but are well worth a hour and a half of your time. This lean runtime isn’t a guarantee of greatness of course,...
google+
Need a good laugh, but only got an hour and a half? Might we recommend this little lot...
I’m of the firm belief that films work most effectively when their runtime is 90 minutes or less. It forces an economy of story and dialogue which propels the film into its best self. No bloated middle, extended ending, or wasted stories here. This goes double for comedies. They should never outstay their welcome. But they seem to be getting longer, as we recently pointed out here.
So to refresh your movie comedy palette, here are 25 films that are 90 minutes or under. I’ve tried to avoid the more obvious ones, and shine a light on those comedies which might have gone a bit unappreciated over the years, but are well worth a hour and a half of your time. This lean runtime isn’t a guarantee of greatness of course,...
- 3/2/2016
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Recently, ABC served up the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Nashville" episode 10 of season 4. The episode is entitled, "We've Got Nothing But Love To Prove," and it turns out that we're going to see some very interesting and high drama stuff go down as Colt and Luke's issues continue. Markus Keen learns he's not as ready as he thought, and more! In the new, 10th episode press release: Will Markus Keen Have A "Good Morning" On His Live Televised Concert? Find Out On ABC's "Nashville" December 9. Press release number 2: It's a big morning for Markus Keen when "Good Morning America" comes to Nashville to broadcast a live concert in support of his new album launch, but come show time, Markus will find he's anything but ready. In the meantime, Luke's relationship with Colt will continue to be strained while Luke learns of another setback to launching his brand.
- 12/2/2015
- by Megan
- OnTheFlix
I'll Be Home For Christmas (1998) Director: Arlene Sanford Stars: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jessica Biel, Gary Cole A fast-talking, Christmas-hating teen gets abandoned in the desert with nothing but a Santa suit and two days to make it home for holidays. Remember those three weeks in the mid-90s when Jonathan Taylor Thomas was a huge star? At one point the Home Improvement actor turned teeny bopper heartthrob attempted to transition into movies, leaving in his...
- 12/17/2014
- by Jason Adams
- JoBlo.com
It was a record-breaking night at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards, with HBO's "John Adams" establishing a new standard for most wins for a program in a single year and CBS' "The Amazing Race" and Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" posting unprecedented sixth consecutive best series wins.
Overall, there were few surprises as the three most nominated programs, "John Adams" (23 noms), NBC's "30 Rock" (17) and AMC's "Mad Men" (16) dominated the longform, comedy and drama fields.
With its best drama series trophy, "Mad Men" became the first basic cable program to win a major series category. In addition to the "30 Rock" repeat as best comedy series, its creator/star Tina Fey also won Emmys for lead comedy actress and comedy series writing, while "Mad" walked away with a drama writing Emmy for creator Matthew Weiner.
The haul for "John Adams" included wins for best miniseries, for stars Paul Giamatti,...
Overall, there were few surprises as the three most nominated programs, "John Adams" (23 noms), NBC's "30 Rock" (17) and AMC's "Mad Men" (16) dominated the longform, comedy and drama fields.
With its best drama series trophy, "Mad Men" became the first basic cable program to win a major series category. In addition to the "30 Rock" repeat as best comedy series, its creator/star Tina Fey also won Emmys for lead comedy actress and comedy series writing, while "Mad" walked away with a drama writing Emmy for creator Matthew Weiner.
The haul for "John Adams" included wins for best miniseries, for stars Paul Giamatti,...
- 9/21/2008
- by By Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cable networks shattered Emmy's glass ceiling Thursday.
After no other cable network besides HBO had ever been able to break into the best series categories, three cablers -- AMC, FX and Showtime -- made their debut among the nominees in the top fields at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards.
In doing so, they also broke their previous Emmy nom records, as did Bravo and Sci Fi Channel.
Cable's breakthrough performance also comes just as the broadcast networks are reeling from a tough season, scarred by the effects of the writers strike.
AMC's period drama "Mad Men" landed 16 nominations, including best drama series and best lead actor for star Jon Hamm.
In the drama series category, it was joined by FX's "Damages" and Showtime's "Dexter."
"Not only is this an incredible affirmation of everything we've done on the show, it's part of a shattering of the network TV monopoly," "Mad Men" creator/executive producer Matthew Weiner said.
"The TV academy and its members finally recognized cable television in an unprecedented way," "Damages" co-creator/exec producer Todd Kessler said. "What I hope it ultimately means is that more shows and more people will embrace opportunities away from network TV -- and hopefully network TV will reflect, in terms of content and storytelling, what's going on in other areas of television."
Also nominated for best drama series are ABC's "Lost," which returns to the category after a two-year absence coming off one of its strongest seasons, along with ABC's "Boston Legal" and Fox's "House."
Missing the cut were ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," whose snub is even more surprising because the category was expanded to six series this year, and NBC's critical darling "Friday Night Lights."
The Peacock's "30 Rock" led the series field with 17 noms, including best comedy series and lead acting honors for Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin.
The show's tally is the largest ever for a comedy series in a single year, surpassing the 16 for HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show" in 1997.
In the comedy series category, defending champ "30 Rock" will face 2006 winner "The Office" and HBO's "Entourage" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." CBS' "Two and a Half Men" is the lone representative of the multicamera sitcom genre in the category dominated by single-camera half-hours.
Toon "Family Guy's" quest to make history with a best comedy series nomination came up short after making the list of 10 finalists. (It still landed a nom in an animated program category.) Also absent from the comedy series category: ABC's much-lauded freshman "Pushing Daisies."
Overall, HBO miniseries "John Adams" was the most-nominated program with 23 mentions, including best miniseries and lead acting noms for Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney.
Not surprisingly, HBO bagged the most nominations among all the networks, 85, followed by ABC with 76 and CBS with 51.
As strong a presence as cable had in the best series categories, its dominance in the lead drama acting categories was even more impressive.
Four actors on cable series -- Hamm, Michael C. Hall of "Dexter," Bryan Cranston of AMC's "Breaking Bad" and Gabriel Byrne of HBO's "In Treatment" -- made the list, joined by returning contenders James Spader of "Boston Legal" and Hugh Laurie of "House."
On the distaff side, Glenn Close of "Damages," Holly Hunter of TNT's "Saving Grace" and Kyra Sedgwick of TNT's "The Closer" are facing the past two winners in the category: Sally Field of ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" and Mariska Hargitay of NBC's "Law & Order: Svu."
In the lead comedy actress category, Fey -- who won the Golden Globe in January for her starring role on "30 Rock" -- will compete against past winners Julia Louis-Dreyfus of CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and America Ferrera of ABC's "Ugly Betty," along with Mary-Louise Parker for Showtime's "Weeds" and Christina Applegate for ABC's freshman comedy "Samantha Who?"
Notably missing are the ladies of Wisteria Lane as ABC's "Desperate Housewives" was shut out of the top categories.
In the lead actor in a comedy series field, Steve Carell will have his third shot at an Emmy for his role on "The Office." He is going up against three-time winner Tony Shalhoub of USA's "Monk," Baldwin, Charlie Sheen of "Two and a Half Men" and Lee Pace of "Pushing Daisies."
While new cable series were red-hot, freshmen broadcast series barely registered this go-round, with just a handful of acting nominations. Last year, three rookies -- "30 Rock," "Ugly Betty" and NBC's "Heroes" -- earned best series noms; "30 Rock" won.
But this past season, freshmen series were heavily impacted by the writers strike, and many of them, including "Pushing Daisies," didn't produce more episodes beyond their short fall runs.
The work stoppage affected all broadcast series, which produced fewer episodes, and the long winter drought of originals might have steered viewers, including TV academy members, to cable.
Louis-Dreyfus said it was a "huge relief" to get nominated because the show shot only 10 episodes because of the strike.
"I thought any chance of getting any nomination was slim for that reason," she said.
Coincidence or not, all of the broadcast series that landed in the top categories aired original episodes in the spring.
"House" almost didn't, as Fox originally opted not to order more originals after the strike. It eventually did, and one of these extra episodes yielded a nom for director Greg Yaitanes.
While there might have been some impact from the strike, the recognition for cable mostly is a reflection of its creative strides in the past few years, said "House" creator/exec producer David Shore.
"With the gains they've made, it's long overdue," he said. "The way for us to keep up is by trying to do as good television as we can."
Additionally, the tally of some cable networks, including Showtime, may have been boosted by their decisions to stream episodes or full seasons on the Web for TV academy members.
Nominees in the top categories were announced at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences by Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris and academy chairman John Shaffner.
The Emmy ceremony will be held Sept. 21 from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and broadcast on ABC.
Ray Richmond contributed to this report.
A list of nominees is on the next page.
A list of nominees follows:
Outstanding drama series
Boston Legal (ABC)
Damages (FX)
Dexter (Showtime)
House (Fox)
Lost (ABC)
Mad Men (AMC)
Outstanding comedy series
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Entourage (HBO)
The Office (NBC)
30 Rock (NBC)
Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Outstanding miniseries
The Andromeda Strain (A&E)
Cranford (PBS)
John Adams (HBO)
Tin Man (Sci Fi Channel)
Outstanding made-for-television movie
Bernard and Doris (HBO)
Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale (HBO)
The Memory Keeper's Daughter (Lifetime)
A Raisin in the Sun (ABC)
Recount (HBO)
Outstanding variety, music or comedy series
The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
Late Show With David Letterman (CBS)
Real Time With Bill Maher (HBO)
Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Lead actor in a comedy series
Tony Shalhoub, Monk (USA)
Steve Carell, The Office (NBC)
Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies (ABC)
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock (NBC)
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Lead actor in a drama series
James Spader, Boston Legal (ABC)
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad (AMC)
Michael C. Hall, Dexter (Showtime)
Hugh Laurie, House (Fox)
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment (HBO)
Jon Hamm, Mad Men (AMC)
Lead actor in a miniseries or movie
Ralph Fiennes, Bernard and Doris (HBO)
Ricky Gervais, Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale (HBO)
Paul Giamatti, John Adams (HBO)
Kevin Spacey, Recount (HBO)
Tom Wilkinson, Recount (HBO)
Lead actress in a comedy series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who? (ABC)
Tina Fey, 30 Rock (NBC)
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty (ABC)
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds (Showtime)
Lead actress in a drama series
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer (TNT)
Glenn Close, Damages (FX)
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Svu (NBC)
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace (TNT)
Lead actress in a miniseries or movie
Catherine Keener, An American Crime (Showtime)
Susan Sarandon, Bernard and Doris (HBO)
Judi Dench, Cranford (PBS)
Laura Linney, John Adams (HBO)
Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun (ABC)
Supporting actor in a comedy series
Jeremy Piven, Entourage (HBO)
Kevin Dillon, Entourage (HBO)
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
Rainn Wilson, The Office (NBC)
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Supporting actor in a drama series
William Shatner, Boston Legal (ABC)
Ted Danson, Damages (FX)
Zeljko Ivanek, Damages (FX)
Michael Emerson, Lost (ABC)
John Slattery, Mad Men (AMC)
Supporting actor in a miniseries or movie
David Morse, John Adams (HBO)
Stephen Dillane, John Adams (HBO)
Tom Wilkinson, John Adams (HBO)
Denis Leary, Recount (HBO)
Bob Balaban, Recount (HBO)
Supporting actress in a comedy series
Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies (ABC)
Jean Smart, Samantha Who? (ABC)
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty (ABC)
Supporting actress in a drama series
Candice Bergen, Boston Legal (ABC)
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment (HBO)
Supporting actress in a miniseries or movie
Eileen Atkins, Cranford (PBS)
Ashley Jensen, Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale (HBO)
Alfre Woodard, Pictures of Hollis Woods (CBS)
Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun (ABC)
Laura Dern, Recount (HBO)
Guest actor in a comedy series
Shelley Berman, Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Rip Torn, 30 Rock (NBC)
Will Arnett, 30 Rock (NBC)
Steve Buscemi, 30 Rock (NBC)
Tim Conway, 30 Rock (NBC)
Guest actor in a drama series
Stanley Tucci, ER (NBC)
Glynn Turman, In Treatment (HBO)
Robin Williams, Law & Order: Svu (NBC)
Robert Morse, Mad Men (AMC)
Oliver Platt, Nip/Tuck (FX)
Charles Durning, Rescue Me (FX)
Guest actress in a comedy series
Polly Bergen, Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Kathryn Joosten, Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Sarah Silverman, Monk (USA)
Carrie Fisher, 30 Rock (NBC)
Edie Falco, 30 Rock (NBC)
Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock (NBC)
Guest actress in a drama series
Ellen Burstyn, Big Love (HBO)
Diahann Carroll, Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Cynthia Nixon, Law & Order: Svu (NBC)
Anjelica Huston, Medium (NBC)
Sharon Gless, Nip/Tuck (FX)
Individual performance in a variety or music program
Jon Stewart, 80th Annual Academy Awards (ABC)
Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)
David Letterman, Late Show With David Letterman (CBS)
Don Rickles, Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (HBO)
Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Host for a reality or reality-competition program
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol (Fox)
Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars (ABC)
Howie Mandel, Deal or No Deal (NBC)
Heidi Klum, Project Runway (Bravo)
Jeff Probst, Survivor (CBS)
Directing for a comedy series
Entourage -- No Cannes Do; Dan Attias, director
Flight of the Conchords -- Sally Returns; James Bobin, director
The Office -- Money (Parts 1 & 2); Paul Lieberstein, director
The Office -- Goodbye, Toby; Paul Feig, director
Pushing Daisies -- Pie-Lette; Barry Sonnenfeld, director
30 Rock -- Rosemary's Baby; Michael Engler, director
Directing for a drama series
Boston Legal -- The Mighty Rogues; Arlene Sanford, director
Breaking Bad -- Pilot; Vince Gilligan, director
Damages -- Pilot; Allen Coulter, director
House -- House's Head; Greg Yaitanes, director
Mad Men -- Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Pilot); Alan Taylor, director
Outstanding animated program (less than one hour)
Creature Comforts America (CBS)
King of the Hill (Fox)
Robot Chicken (Cartoon Network)
SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon)
The Simpsons (Fox)
Outstanding animated program (one hour or more)
Blue Harvest (Fox)
Imaginationland (Comedy Central)
Justice League: The New Frontier (Warner Bros. on Demand)
Click here for a complete list of nominees.
After no other cable network besides HBO had ever been able to break into the best series categories, three cablers -- AMC, FX and Showtime -- made their debut among the nominees in the top fields at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards.
In doing so, they also broke their previous Emmy nom records, as did Bravo and Sci Fi Channel.
Cable's breakthrough performance also comes just as the broadcast networks are reeling from a tough season, scarred by the effects of the writers strike.
AMC's period drama "Mad Men" landed 16 nominations, including best drama series and best lead actor for star Jon Hamm.
In the drama series category, it was joined by FX's "Damages" and Showtime's "Dexter."
"Not only is this an incredible affirmation of everything we've done on the show, it's part of a shattering of the network TV monopoly," "Mad Men" creator/executive producer Matthew Weiner said.
"The TV academy and its members finally recognized cable television in an unprecedented way," "Damages" co-creator/exec producer Todd Kessler said. "What I hope it ultimately means is that more shows and more people will embrace opportunities away from network TV -- and hopefully network TV will reflect, in terms of content and storytelling, what's going on in other areas of television."
Also nominated for best drama series are ABC's "Lost," which returns to the category after a two-year absence coming off one of its strongest seasons, along with ABC's "Boston Legal" and Fox's "House."
Missing the cut were ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," whose snub is even more surprising because the category was expanded to six series this year, and NBC's critical darling "Friday Night Lights."
The Peacock's "30 Rock" led the series field with 17 noms, including best comedy series and lead acting honors for Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin.
The show's tally is the largest ever for a comedy series in a single year, surpassing the 16 for HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show" in 1997.
In the comedy series category, defending champ "30 Rock" will face 2006 winner "The Office" and HBO's "Entourage" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." CBS' "Two and a Half Men" is the lone representative of the multicamera sitcom genre in the category dominated by single-camera half-hours.
Toon "Family Guy's" quest to make history with a best comedy series nomination came up short after making the list of 10 finalists. (It still landed a nom in an animated program category.) Also absent from the comedy series category: ABC's much-lauded freshman "Pushing Daisies."
Overall, HBO miniseries "John Adams" was the most-nominated program with 23 mentions, including best miniseries and lead acting noms for Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney.
Not surprisingly, HBO bagged the most nominations among all the networks, 85, followed by ABC with 76 and CBS with 51.
As strong a presence as cable had in the best series categories, its dominance in the lead drama acting categories was even more impressive.
Four actors on cable series -- Hamm, Michael C. Hall of "Dexter," Bryan Cranston of AMC's "Breaking Bad" and Gabriel Byrne of HBO's "In Treatment" -- made the list, joined by returning contenders James Spader of "Boston Legal" and Hugh Laurie of "House."
On the distaff side, Glenn Close of "Damages," Holly Hunter of TNT's "Saving Grace" and Kyra Sedgwick of TNT's "The Closer" are facing the past two winners in the category: Sally Field of ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" and Mariska Hargitay of NBC's "Law & Order: Svu."
In the lead comedy actress category, Fey -- who won the Golden Globe in January for her starring role on "30 Rock" -- will compete against past winners Julia Louis-Dreyfus of CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and America Ferrera of ABC's "Ugly Betty," along with Mary-Louise Parker for Showtime's "Weeds" and Christina Applegate for ABC's freshman comedy "Samantha Who?"
Notably missing are the ladies of Wisteria Lane as ABC's "Desperate Housewives" was shut out of the top categories.
In the lead actor in a comedy series field, Steve Carell will have his third shot at an Emmy for his role on "The Office." He is going up against three-time winner Tony Shalhoub of USA's "Monk," Baldwin, Charlie Sheen of "Two and a Half Men" and Lee Pace of "Pushing Daisies."
While new cable series were red-hot, freshmen broadcast series barely registered this go-round, with just a handful of acting nominations. Last year, three rookies -- "30 Rock," "Ugly Betty" and NBC's "Heroes" -- earned best series noms; "30 Rock" won.
But this past season, freshmen series were heavily impacted by the writers strike, and many of them, including "Pushing Daisies," didn't produce more episodes beyond their short fall runs.
The work stoppage affected all broadcast series, which produced fewer episodes, and the long winter drought of originals might have steered viewers, including TV academy members, to cable.
Louis-Dreyfus said it was a "huge relief" to get nominated because the show shot only 10 episodes because of the strike.
"I thought any chance of getting any nomination was slim for that reason," she said.
Coincidence or not, all of the broadcast series that landed in the top categories aired original episodes in the spring.
"House" almost didn't, as Fox originally opted not to order more originals after the strike. It eventually did, and one of these extra episodes yielded a nom for director Greg Yaitanes.
While there might have been some impact from the strike, the recognition for cable mostly is a reflection of its creative strides in the past few years, said "House" creator/exec producer David Shore.
"With the gains they've made, it's long overdue," he said. "The way for us to keep up is by trying to do as good television as we can."
Additionally, the tally of some cable networks, including Showtime, may have been boosted by their decisions to stream episodes or full seasons on the Web for TV academy members.
Nominees in the top categories were announced at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences by Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris and academy chairman John Shaffner.
The Emmy ceremony will be held Sept. 21 from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and broadcast on ABC.
Ray Richmond contributed to this report.
A list of nominees is on the next page.
A list of nominees follows:
Outstanding drama series
Boston Legal (ABC)
Damages (FX)
Dexter (Showtime)
House (Fox)
Lost (ABC)
Mad Men (AMC)
Outstanding comedy series
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Entourage (HBO)
The Office (NBC)
30 Rock (NBC)
Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Outstanding miniseries
The Andromeda Strain (A&E)
Cranford (PBS)
John Adams (HBO)
Tin Man (Sci Fi Channel)
Outstanding made-for-television movie
Bernard and Doris (HBO)
Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale (HBO)
The Memory Keeper's Daughter (Lifetime)
A Raisin in the Sun (ABC)
Recount (HBO)
Outstanding variety, music or comedy series
The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
Late Show With David Letterman (CBS)
Real Time With Bill Maher (HBO)
Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Lead actor in a comedy series
Tony Shalhoub, Monk (USA)
Steve Carell, The Office (NBC)
Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies (ABC)
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock (NBC)
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Lead actor in a drama series
James Spader, Boston Legal (ABC)
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad (AMC)
Michael C. Hall, Dexter (Showtime)
Hugh Laurie, House (Fox)
Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment (HBO)
Jon Hamm, Mad Men (AMC)
Lead actor in a miniseries or movie
Ralph Fiennes, Bernard and Doris (HBO)
Ricky Gervais, Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale (HBO)
Paul Giamatti, John Adams (HBO)
Kevin Spacey, Recount (HBO)
Tom Wilkinson, Recount (HBO)
Lead actress in a comedy series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who? (ABC)
Tina Fey, 30 Rock (NBC)
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty (ABC)
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds (Showtime)
Lead actress in a drama series
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer (TNT)
Glenn Close, Damages (FX)
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Svu (NBC)
Holly Hunter, Saving Grace (TNT)
Lead actress in a miniseries or movie
Catherine Keener, An American Crime (Showtime)
Susan Sarandon, Bernard and Doris (HBO)
Judi Dench, Cranford (PBS)
Laura Linney, John Adams (HBO)
Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun (ABC)
Supporting actor in a comedy series
Jeremy Piven, Entourage (HBO)
Kevin Dillon, Entourage (HBO)
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
Rainn Wilson, The Office (NBC)
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Supporting actor in a drama series
William Shatner, Boston Legal (ABC)
Ted Danson, Damages (FX)
Zeljko Ivanek, Damages (FX)
Michael Emerson, Lost (ABC)
John Slattery, Mad Men (AMC)
Supporting actor in a miniseries or movie
David Morse, John Adams (HBO)
Stephen Dillane, John Adams (HBO)
Tom Wilkinson, John Adams (HBO)
Denis Leary, Recount (HBO)
Bob Balaban, Recount (HBO)
Supporting actress in a comedy series
Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies (ABC)
Jean Smart, Samantha Who? (ABC)
Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty (ABC)
Supporting actress in a drama series
Candice Bergen, Boston Legal (ABC)
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Dianne Wiest, In Treatment (HBO)
Supporting actress in a miniseries or movie
Eileen Atkins, Cranford (PBS)
Ashley Jensen, Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale (HBO)
Alfre Woodard, Pictures of Hollis Woods (CBS)
Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun (ABC)
Laura Dern, Recount (HBO)
Guest actor in a comedy series
Shelley Berman, Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Rip Torn, 30 Rock (NBC)
Will Arnett, 30 Rock (NBC)
Steve Buscemi, 30 Rock (NBC)
Tim Conway, 30 Rock (NBC)
Guest actor in a drama series
Stanley Tucci, ER (NBC)
Glynn Turman, In Treatment (HBO)
Robin Williams, Law & Order: Svu (NBC)
Robert Morse, Mad Men (AMC)
Oliver Platt, Nip/Tuck (FX)
Charles Durning, Rescue Me (FX)
Guest actress in a comedy series
Polly Bergen, Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Kathryn Joosten, Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Sarah Silverman, Monk (USA)
Carrie Fisher, 30 Rock (NBC)
Edie Falco, 30 Rock (NBC)
Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock (NBC)
Guest actress in a drama series
Ellen Burstyn, Big Love (HBO)
Diahann Carroll, Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Cynthia Nixon, Law & Order: Svu (NBC)
Anjelica Huston, Medium (NBC)
Sharon Gless, Nip/Tuck (FX)
Individual performance in a variety or music program
Jon Stewart, 80th Annual Academy Awards (ABC)
Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)
David Letterman, Late Show With David Letterman (CBS)
Don Rickles, Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (HBO)
Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Host for a reality or reality-competition program
Ryan Seacrest, American Idol (Fox)
Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars (ABC)
Howie Mandel, Deal or No Deal (NBC)
Heidi Klum, Project Runway (Bravo)
Jeff Probst, Survivor (CBS)
Directing for a comedy series
Entourage -- No Cannes Do; Dan Attias, director
Flight of the Conchords -- Sally Returns; James Bobin, director
The Office -- Money (Parts 1 & 2); Paul Lieberstein, director
The Office -- Goodbye, Toby; Paul Feig, director
Pushing Daisies -- Pie-Lette; Barry Sonnenfeld, director
30 Rock -- Rosemary's Baby; Michael Engler, director
Directing for a drama series
Boston Legal -- The Mighty Rogues; Arlene Sanford, director
Breaking Bad -- Pilot; Vince Gilligan, director
Damages -- Pilot; Allen Coulter, director
House -- House's Head; Greg Yaitanes, director
Mad Men -- Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Pilot); Alan Taylor, director
Outstanding animated program (less than one hour)
Creature Comforts America (CBS)
King of the Hill (Fox)
Robot Chicken (Cartoon Network)
SpongeBob SquarePants (Nickelodeon)
The Simpsons (Fox)
Outstanding animated program (one hour or more)
Blue Harvest (Fox)
Imaginationland (Comedy Central)
Justice League: The New Frontier (Warner Bros. on Demand)
Click here for a complete list of nominees.
- 7/18/2008
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
DGA announces TV noms
ABC grabbed nominations in three categories of the comedy series category Thursday, while HBO drew two noms for nighttime dramatic series.
The alphabet's nominations came for episodes of "Grey's Anatomy", directed by Seth Mann; "Boston Legal", directed by Arlene Sanford; and "Ugly Betty", directed by Richard Shepard.
Other category nominees included Adam Bernstein for "30 Rock" (NBC) and Julian Farino for "Entourage" (HBO).
HBO's drama noms came for two episodes of "The Sopranos" -- one directed by David Nutter and one by Thomas Schlamme -- who also figured among the drama noms.
Nighttime drama noms also went to Jon Cassar for "24" (Fox); Peter Horton, "Grey"'s (ABC); and Schlamme for "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (NBC).
"Grey"'s figuring in both comedy and drama categories reflects a long history of the DGA's allowing directors to decide on submission categories for individual episodes.
"The director's role in creating compelling television has never been greater and will continue to grow in importance as TV gets more competitive and audiences more demanding," DGA president Michael Apted said. "The nominees for the DGA Television Awards are the vanguard of this movement, setting ever-higher standards of quality and taking on the challenge to deliver excellence in all genres week after week."
Feature film and TV movie noms were released previously. Winners in all categories will be announced Feb. 3, when the DGA holds its 59th annual awards gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City.
A complete list of the latest TV nominations follows:
DRAMATIC SERIES NIGHT
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
JON CASSAR
24 "7:00AM - 8:00AM"
FOX
Unit Production Manager: Michael Klick
First Assistant Director: Nicole Burke
Second Assistant Director: Mark Rabinowitz
Second Second Assistant Directors: Rebecca Gaither, Scott Remick
This is Mr. Cassar's second nomination. He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2003 for 24 ("7:00 AM-8:00 AM").
PETER HORTON
GREY'S ANATOMY "IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD (AS WE KNOW IT)"
ABC
Unit Production Manager: Carla Corwin
First Assistant Director: Chris Hayden
Second Assistant Director: Shawn Hanley
Second Second Assistant Director: Laura Petticord
Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Daniella Eisman
DGA Trainee: Kate Boyle
This is Mr. Horton's second nomination. He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2005 for GREY'S ANATOMY ("A HARD DAY'S NIGHT").
DAVID NUTTER
THE SOPRANOS "JOIN THE CLUB"
HBO
Unit Production Manager: Henry Bronchtein
First Assistant Director: Mark McGann
Second Assistant Director: Noreen Cheleden
Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Gordon
DGA Trainee: Marcy Patterson
This is Mr. Nutter's first nomination.
THOMAS SCHLAMME
STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP "PILOT"
NBC
Unit Production Manager: Suzanne Geiger
First Assistant Director: William Connor
Second Assistant Director: Kristen Ploucha
Second Second Assistant Director: Paul Schmitz
Additional Second Second Director: John Nolan
This is Mr. Schlamme's eighth nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2000 for THE WEST WING ("NOEL"), and the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 1999 for SPORTS NIGHT ("SMALL TOWN") and in 1998 for SPORTS NIGHT (PILOT). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2001 for THE WEST WING ("TWO CATHEDRALS") and in 1999 for THE WEST WING (PILOT). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 1997 for TRACEY TAKES ON ("TRACEY TAKES ON * 1976") and in 1996 for TRACEY TAKES ON ("TRACEY TAKES ON * ROMANCE")
TIM VAN PATTEN
THE SOPRANOS "MEMBERS ONLY"
HBO
Unit Production Manager: Scott Hornbacher
First Assistant Director: Jeff Bernstein
Second Assistant Director: Nancy Herrmann
Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Gordon
DGA Trainee: Marcy Patterson
This is Mr. Van Patten's fifth nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 2004 for SEX AND THE CITY ("AN AMERICAN GIRL IN PARIS: PART DEUX") and in 2003 for SEX AND THE CITY ("BOY INTERRUPTED"). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2004 for THE SOPRANOS ("LONG TERM PARKING") and in 2002 for THE SOPRANOS ("WHOEVER DID THIS").
COMEDY SERIES
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
ADAM BERNSTEIN
30 ROCK "PILOT"
NBC
Unit Production Manager: Neri Tannenbaum
First Assistant Director: Stephen Lee Davis
Second Assistant Director: Betsy Jo Friedman-Palmieri
Second Second Assistant Director: Jane Chase Wells
This is Mr.
The alphabet's nominations came for episodes of "Grey's Anatomy", directed by Seth Mann; "Boston Legal", directed by Arlene Sanford; and "Ugly Betty", directed by Richard Shepard.
Other category nominees included Adam Bernstein for "30 Rock" (NBC) and Julian Farino for "Entourage" (HBO).
HBO's drama noms came for two episodes of "The Sopranos" -- one directed by David Nutter and one by Thomas Schlamme -- who also figured among the drama noms.
Nighttime drama noms also went to Jon Cassar for "24" (Fox); Peter Horton, "Grey"'s (ABC); and Schlamme for "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (NBC).
"Grey"'s figuring in both comedy and drama categories reflects a long history of the DGA's allowing directors to decide on submission categories for individual episodes.
"The director's role in creating compelling television has never been greater and will continue to grow in importance as TV gets more competitive and audiences more demanding," DGA president Michael Apted said. "The nominees for the DGA Television Awards are the vanguard of this movement, setting ever-higher standards of quality and taking on the challenge to deliver excellence in all genres week after week."
Feature film and TV movie noms were released previously. Winners in all categories will be announced Feb. 3, when the DGA holds its 59th annual awards gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City.
A complete list of the latest TV nominations follows:
DRAMATIC SERIES NIGHT
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
JON CASSAR
24 "7:00AM - 8:00AM"
FOX
Unit Production Manager: Michael Klick
First Assistant Director: Nicole Burke
Second Assistant Director: Mark Rabinowitz
Second Second Assistant Directors: Rebecca Gaither, Scott Remick
This is Mr. Cassar's second nomination. He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2003 for 24 ("7:00 AM-8:00 AM").
PETER HORTON
GREY'S ANATOMY "IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD (AS WE KNOW IT)"
ABC
Unit Production Manager: Carla Corwin
First Assistant Director: Chris Hayden
Second Assistant Director: Shawn Hanley
Second Second Assistant Director: Laura Petticord
Additional Second Second Assistant Director: Daniella Eisman
DGA Trainee: Kate Boyle
This is Mr. Horton's second nomination. He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2005 for GREY'S ANATOMY ("A HARD DAY'S NIGHT").
DAVID NUTTER
THE SOPRANOS "JOIN THE CLUB"
HBO
Unit Production Manager: Henry Bronchtein
First Assistant Director: Mark McGann
Second Assistant Director: Noreen Cheleden
Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Gordon
DGA Trainee: Marcy Patterson
This is Mr. Nutter's first nomination.
THOMAS SCHLAMME
STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP "PILOT"
NBC
Unit Production Manager: Suzanne Geiger
First Assistant Director: William Connor
Second Assistant Director: Kristen Ploucha
Second Second Assistant Director: Paul Schmitz
Additional Second Second Director: John Nolan
This is Mr. Schlamme's eighth nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2000 for THE WEST WING ("NOEL"), and the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 1999 for SPORTS NIGHT ("SMALL TOWN") and in 1998 for SPORTS NIGHT (PILOT). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2001 for THE WEST WING ("TWO CATHEDRALS") and in 1999 for THE WEST WING (PILOT). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 1997 for TRACEY TAKES ON ("TRACEY TAKES ON * 1976") and in 1996 for TRACEY TAKES ON ("TRACEY TAKES ON * ROMANCE")
TIM VAN PATTEN
THE SOPRANOS "MEMBERS ONLY"
HBO
Unit Production Manager: Scott Hornbacher
First Assistant Director: Jeff Bernstein
Second Assistant Director: Nancy Herrmann
Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Gordon
DGA Trainee: Marcy Patterson
This is Mr. Van Patten's fifth nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 2004 for SEX AND THE CITY ("AN AMERICAN GIRL IN PARIS: PART DEUX") and in 2003 for SEX AND THE CITY ("BOY INTERRUPTED"). He was nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series Night in 2004 for THE SOPRANOS ("LONG TERM PARKING") and in 2002 for THE SOPRANOS ("WHOEVER DID THIS").
COMEDY SERIES
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for 2006 are (in alphabetical order):
ADAM BERNSTEIN
30 ROCK "PILOT"
NBC
Unit Production Manager: Neri Tannenbaum
First Assistant Director: Stephen Lee Davis
Second Assistant Director: Betsy Jo Friedman-Palmieri
Second Second Assistant Director: Jane Chase Wells
This is Mr.
- 1/11/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC taps two to helm comedies
Charles Shyer has signed on to direct ABC's comedy pilot Him and Us, while Arlene Sanford has been tapped to helm Fox's comedy pilot More, Patience and is close to signing on to direct ABC's comedy pilot Women of a Certain Age. In casting news, Jessica Lucas, who is currently onscreen opposite Amanda Bynes in the feature film She's the Man, and Alona Tal (UPN's Veronica Mars) have been tapped for roles in the CW's drama pilot Split Decision. Additionally, Karen LeBlanc has joined the cast of the CW's Runaway, and John Ducey and Colby Paul have been cast in Fox's comedy pilot Union Jackass. Him and Us, a single-camera comedy from Touchstone Television, centers on a gay British rock star (Anthony Stewart Head) and his relationship with his longtime manager (Kim Cattrall).
- 3/22/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC taps two to helm comedies
Charles Shyer has signed on to direct ABC's comedy pilot Him and Us, while Arlene Sanford has been tapped to helm Fox's comedy pilot More, Patience and is close to signing on to direct ABC's comedy pilot Women of a Certain Age. In casting news, Jessica Lucas, who is currently onscreen opposite Amanda Bynes in the feature film She's the Man, and Alona Tal (UPN's Veronica Mars) have been tapped for roles in the CW's drama pilot Split Decision. Additionally, Karen LeBlanc has joined the cast of the CW's Runaway, and John Ducey and Colby Paul have been cast in Fox's comedy pilot Union Jackass. Him and Us, a single-camera comedy from Touchstone Television, centers on a gay British rock star (Anthony Stewart Head) and his relationship with his longtime manager (Kim Cattrall).
- 3/22/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Film review: 'I'll Be Home for Christmas'
Disney's "I'll Be Home for Christmas", a routine seat-filler with no breakout potential and not fated to be in many theaters a month from now, is another sugary-sweet and family-safe yuletide comedy that tramples credibility and eschews coherent storytelling. As early presents sometimes go, it'll soon be discarded and forgotten.
Destined for a more enthusiastic reception on television and video, director Arlene Sanford's road movie goes nowhere fast, with the performers largely spinning their wheels. While Jonathan Taylor Thomas has the requisite boyish charms and mannish good looks, his teen scam-artist Jake is mild-mannered but selfish, not a jock but arrogant nonetheless. We've met his kind many times before, and Thomas is nothing special in the role.
Chipping away at the smug self-confidence that enwraps his better nature is the purpose of this exercise in episodic dumbness, starting with the setup. In a Pacific Palisades college that looks much like high school -- lockers and dorm rooms in the same institution? -- New Yorker Jake has a lucrative business helping jocks pass history tests but pays the piper when his customers are dissatisfied.
Jake's mature girlfriend and classmate Allie (Jessica Biel) is also a friend of the family, though she's not too enthusiastic when he cashes in his plane ticket home for two tickets to Mexico. She wants to go home for the holidays but has no plan to do so until Jake has a change of heart. Along with the ludicrous notion that his father (Gary Cole) would hand him a lovingly restored 1957 Porsche only if he makes it home by 6 p.m. Christmas Eve, Jake re-recycles his plane fare into two tickets home.
But this untidy resolution to the problem is forgotten when Jake is kidnapped and rendered unconscious by disgruntled business associates and left in the middle of the desert dressed in a Santa Claus suit with hat and beard glued to his face. Left waiting and understandably pissed off, Allie decides to hitch a ride with Jake's jerky rival Eddie (Adam LaVorgna), a sexist pig in the making, though she knows how to handle him.
From jokes about buzzards -- the real kind, as well as four female Tom Jones fans whom Jake rides with briefly -- to lovelorn cops and a 5K race for Santas only, "I'll Be Home" struggles to the finish line. Making the effort, though, gets Jake the car and the girl, and he even decides to be nice to his nervous new stepmom (Eve Gordon).
To keep things moving and help gloss over the many plot holes and jokes that don't fly, the filmmakers cram the soundtrack with seasonal tunes ("Blue Christmas", "Run Rudolph Run", etc.).
I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Buena Vista
Walt Disney Pictures presents
A Mandeville Films production
Director: Arlene Sanford
Screenwriters: Tom Nursall, Harris Goldberg
Producers: David Hoberman, Tracey Trench
Executive producer: Robin French
Director of photography: Hiro Narita
Production designer: Cynthia Charette
Editor: Anita Brandt-Burgoyne
Costume designer: Maya Mani
Music: John Debney
Casting: Roger Mussenden, Karen Church
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jake: Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Allie: Jessica Biel
Eddie: Adam LaVorgna
Jake's Dad: Gary Cole
Carolyn: Eve Gordon
Tracey: Lauren Maltby
Nolan: Andrew Lauer
Max: Sean O'Bryan
Running time -- 86 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Destined for a more enthusiastic reception on television and video, director Arlene Sanford's road movie goes nowhere fast, with the performers largely spinning their wheels. While Jonathan Taylor Thomas has the requisite boyish charms and mannish good looks, his teen scam-artist Jake is mild-mannered but selfish, not a jock but arrogant nonetheless. We've met his kind many times before, and Thomas is nothing special in the role.
Chipping away at the smug self-confidence that enwraps his better nature is the purpose of this exercise in episodic dumbness, starting with the setup. In a Pacific Palisades college that looks much like high school -- lockers and dorm rooms in the same institution? -- New Yorker Jake has a lucrative business helping jocks pass history tests but pays the piper when his customers are dissatisfied.
Jake's mature girlfriend and classmate Allie (Jessica Biel) is also a friend of the family, though she's not too enthusiastic when he cashes in his plane ticket home for two tickets to Mexico. She wants to go home for the holidays but has no plan to do so until Jake has a change of heart. Along with the ludicrous notion that his father (Gary Cole) would hand him a lovingly restored 1957 Porsche only if he makes it home by 6 p.m. Christmas Eve, Jake re-recycles his plane fare into two tickets home.
But this untidy resolution to the problem is forgotten when Jake is kidnapped and rendered unconscious by disgruntled business associates and left in the middle of the desert dressed in a Santa Claus suit with hat and beard glued to his face. Left waiting and understandably pissed off, Allie decides to hitch a ride with Jake's jerky rival Eddie (Adam LaVorgna), a sexist pig in the making, though she knows how to handle him.
From jokes about buzzards -- the real kind, as well as four female Tom Jones fans whom Jake rides with briefly -- to lovelorn cops and a 5K race for Santas only, "I'll Be Home" struggles to the finish line. Making the effort, though, gets Jake the car and the girl, and he even decides to be nice to his nervous new stepmom (Eve Gordon).
To keep things moving and help gloss over the many plot holes and jokes that don't fly, the filmmakers cram the soundtrack with seasonal tunes ("Blue Christmas", "Run Rudolph Run", etc.).
I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Buena Vista
Walt Disney Pictures presents
A Mandeville Films production
Director: Arlene Sanford
Screenwriters: Tom Nursall, Harris Goldberg
Producers: David Hoberman, Tracey Trench
Executive producer: Robin French
Director of photography: Hiro Narita
Production designer: Cynthia Charette
Editor: Anita Brandt-Burgoyne
Costume designer: Maya Mani
Music: John Debney
Casting: Roger Mussenden, Karen Church
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jake: Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Allie: Jessica Biel
Eddie: Adam LaVorgna
Jake's Dad: Gary Cole
Carolyn: Eve Gordon
Tracey: Lauren Maltby
Nolan: Andrew Lauer
Max: Sean O'Bryan
Running time -- 86 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 11/13/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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