An unexpectedly large number of nods for science fiction and fantasy television -- 49 in total -- grace the 2007-2008 Emmy nominations, announced July 17 (a full list of nominees can be found here). Will this translate into actual wins? There's reason to hope in some cases, but grounds for skepticism in others.
We have a couple months to wait and speculate. On Sunday, September 21, 2008, at 8:00 pm (ET/PT) the telecast awarding 60th Annual Primetime Emmys in 29 categories will be presented by ABC.
The unusual surge is typified by a total of 16 nominations for the Sci Fi Channel itself, both for original series like Battlestar Galactica and Stargate Atlantis and other programming like the miniseries Tin Man.
Most noticeable among regular series is a pile of nominations for the innovative and critically acclaimed Pushing Daisies. Daisies is up against another favorite, 30 Rock, in many of its categories, but the scent of pure freshness that's been tied to the show should give it an edge.
Most endearing is recognition for shows that got very little notice when they were actually on: Jericho and New Amsterdam, both short-run midseason replacements that are now canceled, made the list, as did another brief midseason effort, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, which survived to see another season.
In one area there's been a regression: Battlestar Galactica was nominated for direction last year, but not this year. In fact there's a general lack of recognition for directing, with the exception of Daisies.
And certain problems remain. Again apart from Daisies, the acting in genre shows continues to be ruthlessly ignored; in the case of Battlestar in particular this is downright mystifying. It's certainly peculiar that the miniseries Tin Man and Andromeda Strain should each get a raft of nominations, including outstanding miniseries in both cases, but not a sausage for acting -- despite top-flight talent involved in both productions. Doesn't that strike anyone as odd? Does the Academy think sci-fi/fantasy is just supposed to be pretty to look at?
The Breakdown
Here's the breakdown for sci-fi and fantasy programming:
Pushing Daisies got nominated for lead actor (Lee Pace), supporting actor (Kristin Chenoweth), writing, directing, casting, costuming, art direction, editing, hairstyling, makeup (non-prosthetic), makeup (prosthetic), and original score. Total nominations: 12.
Sci Fi's retelling of the Wizard of Oz story, Tin Man, got 9 nominations in miniseries categories: makeup, art direction, costumes, editing, hairstyling, sound editing, sound mixing, special visual effects, and outstanding miniseries.
The refilming of Michael Crichton's great hardboiled sci-fi novel, The Andromeda Strain, resulted in a not-as-great miniseries on A&E which nonetheless garnered 7 miniseries nominations: art direction, cinematography, editing, makeup, sound editing, sound mixing, and outstanding miniseries.
Battlestar Galactica earned notice for its amazing special pre-season movie, Razor, with nods for cinematography and sound mixing. Regular episodes of Battlestar were nominated for writing ("Six of One") and editing and special visual effects ("He that Believeth in Me"). A Razor featurette on scifi.com was also nominated in a special category for online short-format entertainment. Total nominations: 6.
Heroes had a troubled and truncated sophomore year; even though it got three nominations, I suspect they're weakened by the disappointment with the season overall. The nods are for special visual effects (for "Four Months Ago"), art direction, and editing.
Terminator: The Sarah Connnor Chronicles got three well-deserved nominations: special visual effects (for the eventful pilot episode), editing, and stunt coordination.
Chuck got 2 nods: main title design and stunt coordination, both well-earned.
Jericho was nominated for special visual effects for the splashy finale episode "Patriots and Tyrants" (2x07).
New Amsterdam, lamented by me but already forgotten by most, got nominated for the lush main titles design.
Smallville and Supernatural, interestingly enough, both got nominated for sound editing. The sound on Supernatural has been consistently excellent since its inception, so I'm rooting for them.
Stargate Atlantis was nominated for special visual effects for the season premiere, "Adrift."
Medium got a nomination too, for outstanding guest actress (Anjelica Huston).
Finally, last year's four-episode anthology Masters of Science Fiction was nominated for original score for the episode "Jerry Was a Man."
