Lost Emmy Snub: The Death of Imagination
It is hard to both praise a show for its success, and alternately trash the platform it has succeeded on. Unfortunately, that is what needs to happen with the Emmys.
I’m not into the diatribe about the politics of Emmy nominating, voting rules, and all that trivia. What I see is a total lack of imagination, and a sad inability for a panel that should be comprised of the experts of judging good craft to recognize craft on a level that is not just “Outstanding” but “Extraordinary.”
Somewhere, in the comments down below, I made the preemptive statement that I wasn’t sure there was an award prestigious enough to celebrate what Lost has accomplished. This morning proved at least one award is not up to the task.
Lost has successfully suspended the disbelief of a wide eyed audience in ways that no episodic drama ever could. The amount of creative energy from the cast and crew is on an unparalleled scale. Yet, when it comes time to recognize the individuals who are pushing the boundaries of story telling, our trusted panel goes with time honored, easy to digest archetypes: thugs, doctors, lawyers, and superheroes.
So yes, while we applaud the achievements that Lost made this year with its Emmy nominations, lets remember that this is an organization that may have an eye for talent, but a very limited imagination when it comes to the big picture.
I think what hurt Lost was that the beginning of the season was somewhat uneven (even though I think the season as a whole was great). I’m not too upset about lost not getting an Emmy nod, as the other shows are all good too. I’m just really happy to see Michael Emerson got nominated for Best Supporting Actor - he was particularly amazing last year. I would have substituted Dom Monaghan for Terry O’Quinn though; his performances since the “You’re gonna die, Charlie” statement were all nuanced and well done. Terry O’Quinn did a great job too though. I would have liked to see Matthew Fox get a nod over Kiefer Sutherland for Best Actor; the Jack Bauer role is a bit played at this point and Matthew Fox was great all season and especially in Through the Looking Glass (better than his performance in A Tale of Two Cities).
Comment by Airk — July 19, 2007 @ 7:40 am
The emmys lost all credibility when Heroes got nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. If such a poorly written, poorly acted show can get an emmy nod, then there is no limits for the stupidty of these awards.
Comment by Sergio — July 19, 2007 @ 8:07 am
I think it was the year that “Gladiator” (or maybe “A Beautiful Mind”) won best picture at the academy awards, I learned that awards shows are completely bogus–like most film reviewers and Rolling Stone record reviewers, rather than reward ingenuity, they–more often than not–reward safe, mediocre texts that a lot of people like, but let’s face it, alot of people are easy to please and don’t have very good taste.
My favorite examples are the Grammys. Most of music’s most enduring, and exciting artists would never have come close to a Grammy at any point in their careers. And sure, an occasional great album gets nominated (and let’s face it, JT is a talented, talented dude), but when bands like Linkin Park, Maroon 5, and crappy-faux-emo-band of the week get nominated year after year for maintaining the status quo, it’s hard to treat the Grammys with any sort of respect at all. Granted, the Grammys are more closely linked to sales figures than other awards, but still, most of the time, award winners are, in my eyes, things to stay away from because they’re safe and boring, poor simulations of our finest classics, rather than new classics themselves that take risks, change the rules of the game, and become peoples’ favorites. Do you think “A Beautiful Mind” will be anyone’s favorite movie 30 years from now? It’s already overflowing out of used bins at the DVD store–like many big award winners, it won because it was safe and comfortable.
Comment by wedestroymyths — July 19, 2007 @ 8:29 am
An award like this only recognizes that someone’s work is outstanding. However, these awards do not make a comment about everyone else’s work. If another body of was is NOT nominated for an award, it does not mean that is is sub-par. It may mean that it is misunderstood. It may mean that it does not fit the mold of what is accepted.
When someone creates art, it may not garner the attention of the critics. It may not win an award. If connects and resonates with others, then it is a success. When it is being emulated by others, it is a resounding success, because it means that the mold of what is acceptable is being re-made.
There is no doubt that we are witnessing something new in tv. Heroes came close to something really good, but then compromised in the end. Lost has stayed steady and has even won one the biggest television battles, to end the way it wants.
The Emmy’s are not an accurate judge of the excellence of this series. I am. You are. Our passion for this show matters far more than a high brow award.
Comment by TabulaRasa — July 19, 2007 @ 9:19 am
I feel that the “death of imagination” charge should be levied against LOST, not the Emmys for failing to nominate it for Best TV Drama. Let’s face it folks . . . Season 3 sucked.
Comment by rosiepowell — July 19, 2007 @ 10:41 am
Doc, this is nitpicky, but it’s a mistake I’ve seen you make before (and others make often). You wrote, “…a panel that should be comprised of the experts of judging good craft…” The world “comprised” should be “composed”. They are pretty much inverses of each other, not synonyms.
The 50 states compose the Union.
The Union comprises 50 states.
The Union is composed of 50 states.
There is no correct passive form of “comprise”. Oh, and I don’t think we need to jump on the Emmy nominating crew so much… except their nominations for Heroes.
Comment by hexonxonx — July 19, 2007 @ 11:04 am
Did Heroes really get nominated? Okay, that just proves me assertion that the Emmy’s are bullcrap. Did they not include the season finale into this decision? It was quite possibly one of the lamest, most anti-climactic endings I have ever seen. I heard a couple of people at the beginning of Heroes’ run saying it was better than Lost, and I chalked it up to tastes and agreed to disagree. But when the finales for both shows aired, there is no doubt which is the better show, and by no means are they anywhere on the same level. I’ll still watch Heroes hoping it can redeem itself because it had some good characters, and it’s still better than the majority of garbage on the air these days.
Anyway, I think that pretty much just proves my previous point about giving awards for art. It just doesn’t make any sense, there’s no objective way to measure it, so it just ends up coming down to political nonsense.
Comment by Jared — July 19, 2007 @ 11:32 am
Ok, yes, Heroes was nominated, but for some vindication, it wasn’t nominated for a writing award. That’s all I really care about. At least “Through the Looking Glass” was honored. That being said, who cares about the Emmys? They’re doing three more seasons of Lost and if people don’t watch, it’s their own damn fault for missing out on history. Lost is above the large majority of the crap that’s out there, and I don’t need the Emmy voters to prove that.
Comment by autochthonous — July 19, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
just to play devil’s advocate, heroes definitely had episodes which far exceeded Lost episodes this season. Great moments in a Lost episode doesn’t make for a great episode, in my opinion. Company Man was better than Tricia Tanaka is Dead, which aired the same week, and Five Years Gone was another great heroes episode. I don’t believe that Heroes should’ve gotten the nod over Lost, because Lost is doing something that has never been done before, but its nowhere near the worst thing on television, and I hope it beats out the other shows nominated for Drama, even if the finale was underwhelming. You can’t judge a whole season on its finale. Remember, I’m just trying to save Heroes from the brunt of the post emmy nod hate, there were far worse shows nominated. It is in no way, shape, or form better than Lost.
Comment by jimmy — July 19, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
I just laugh at Heroes being nominated for “Outstanding Drama Series” and not Lost. Especially when “Genesis” was the worst episode of the series, in my opinion. Heroes wouldn’t even exist if Lost didn’t, it has no originality, the producers just wanted to make a Lost 2.0 with a different story and characters. I do follow it because it’s amusing, but it’s not half as good as Lost.
Comment by Bulut — July 19, 2007 @ 1:08 pm
The fact is that Lost is the best show on television. It is better than any movie that has come out in recent years. The acting, writing, and direction is better than all of the rest. I never thought anything would be better than Twin Peaks but I was proven wrong. I am really surprised that ABC hasn’t canceled the show since thats usually what happens to the great shows. Forget all of the other awards; for Lost not to even be nominated for Best drama is an injustice. It just proves that no one that makes these decisions even watches the shows that they vote for. They pick up EW or TV Guide, read what the hot stories are (i.e. Grays) and thats who they vote for. Yes, Heroes is good, as was Studio 60, and even Traveler. But their best episodes don’t even touch the worst episode of Lost. As a wise man once said, “You’ll miss me when I’m gone.”
Comment by Gary — July 19, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
Award shows are just a lying sack of bullshit…Come on Heroes drama? Ugly Betty?not to be a spoil sport but come on….Lost may suffer from the “too good 4 ya own good” syndrom. Too much 2 handle, digest, understand etc…maybe the show’s too good for its own good….That’s why I luv it & to hell wit ‘em awards..make no sense…
Comment by JDSalinga — July 19, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
Yeah jimmy, Company Man was better than Tricia Tanaka Is Dead, but I would argue that even Stranger in a Strange Land was better than the Heroes finale, and most of the two episodes before it.
Heroes reached its peak with Five Years Gone and was totally blown out of the water two days later with The Brig.
Comment by JLetrom — July 19, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
you guys are all totally right, Lost had way more better episodes than Heroes this season, but I was arguing that Heroes doesn’t deserve to be called the worst show on television, as I know Lost fans have called it. In my opinion, Lost is the best show in the history of television, but it takes a LOT of work to enjoy fully. Heroes is just another serialized television show, but its a pretty good one. Is it fair that the Emmy committee made it so that it was either Lost or Heroes? No. Out of those 2, Lost definitely deserves the nomination, But I like Heroes more than any other show that was nominated for Best Drama so I’ll be rooting for it. That doesn’t mean I’m rooting for Masi Oka over Michael Emerson, but I’d rather see him win than somebody other than Emerson or O’Quinn. What I’m trying to say is, why wasn’t Prison Break nominated for anything?
Comment by jimmy — July 19, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
I was sad to see Lost snubbed for an Emmy nod. But, at the same time, I was SO glad to see Terry and Michael nominated for supporting actor. I really, really, really hope one of them wins. At least it kinda makes up for getting the snub.
Comment by Melissa — July 19, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
I was most disappointed in the Emmy nominations. Heroes started out great, but after awhile, it began to feel like the mutant of the week with the constant introduction of new mutants with new powers, not much different than Mutant-X or X-Men. I watched the whole season, but it does not come close to Lost. The other nominees are reasonable, but none of them have the complexity, drama, innovation or edginess of Lost. Greys in particular is one of the most, if not THE most, overrated show on television. I cannot, for the life of me, see why it is so popular.
The acting nominations were disappointing as well. I am happy that Michael E. and Terry OQ made the cut (and deservedly so), but was disappointed that Josh Holloway did not. If any year was his year, this was it. Masi Oka was fun to watch this year, but he cannot compare with Holloway or Andrews. I enjoy William Shatner as well, but his character is pretty much one note. Of course to replace one of the other nominees with Holloway would have made 3 nominations in the same category for Lost, so you could not have that. But wait, is not that exactly what happened in the supporting actress category? - 3 actresses from Greys Anatomy. I guess the difference is that Greys is a traditional show, not to mention one of the most popular on TV. So sorry Josh and sorry Elizabeth. (She was so great this year.) It does not matter how terrific and deserving you are.
Perhaps part of the problem is that Lost is filmed in Hawaii and the cast does not hang out with the Hollywood crowd. It is hard to kiss butt a thousand miles away. Still Lost did get some recognition this year and if Michael or Terry wins in their category that would be great. Here is hoping Lost also gets some love in writing, directing and other categories as well.
Comment by Dana — July 19, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
Trust me guys, by 2010, Lost will sweep all major categories in the Emmys. Just look at the finale of Sopranos. They literally got nominated in all major categories this year.
As for Heroes … errr …no comments.
Comment by Madally Wurlpiz — July 20, 2007 @ 7:40 am
Tim Kring created Heroes with a limited concept. He saw all the comic book based movies that were slaying at the box office and noticed most of them had something in common…origin stories. He so loved this idea that he created a television based on these origin stories and when that show failed to deliver the consistent buzz he first had he created a spin off appropriately titled Heroes: Origins. Now the problem lies in the fact that he has created this series, nominated for an Emmy, and has to find a way to get beyond the “He has super powers and wants to be a good guy” storyline. He has to move passed two dimensional characters like Peter Petrelli (which is maybe why he blew up in the last episode), a hospice nurse with empathic powers. What was his inner conflict? Anyone? Me neither.
Lost on the other hand should be taught at UCLA in their Masters in Screenwriting courses. Take anyone character from that show, the little used Claire for instance, and you’ve got onion layers of characterization…FROM SEASON ONE. She’s an independent woman, a bit of a free spirit, who struggles with abandonment and the impending responsibility of parenthood.
See, this is where I disagree with Doc. Sure, in the finale Heroes needs to go bigger budget, that I concede, but during the entire season, and Heroes was heading down hill long before the finale (”Days of Future Past” rip-off to be precise), they never fleshed any character out beyond their two dimensions (this is what they do and this is their power). Hell, even Nikki/Jessica never grew beyond her struggle between being Nikki or Jessica. They throw in her father to explain why Jessica is the way she is, great, but Jessica seemed fine with it and not remotely conflicted over dealing with her father. 2D all the way.
Anyway, one more reason not to watch the Emmy’s this year.
Comment by MerlboroMan — July 20, 2007 @ 9:31 am
I think this is a fair assessment - Lost was credited where it was due. O’Quinn and Emerson earned every bit of their nominations, and the shame here is that only one can win. If both weren’t so good at their craft, I suspect neither would have been nominated. TtLG is another good nomination.
But Outstanding Drama is an award for an entire years worth of outstanding work, and although I’ll be in the minority when I say this - Season 3 was a largely inconsistent composition. I enjoyed the mini-season for what it was, but Lost came back from that break uneven and largely unbearable. I’d love to know what was happening behind the scenes that created the “perfect storm” of sub-par television leading up to Man from Tallahassee. That’s the point when Season 3 managed to get its footing.
This is contrast to (apparently everyone’s favorite show to hate) Heroes, where the show gained momentum as the season went on, and only stumbled at the very end. If you can’t understand how Heroes got a nod, I’m not sure you’re capable of defending your position that Lost deserved one.
Comment by icy_one — July 20, 2007 @ 10:44 am
Arzt,
Who cares about what Lost wins in the Emmys? You think the best music always gets played on MTV or wins Grammys? Do you think the best movies always win the Oscars?
They don’t, but it doesn’t matter and is a waste of yours and everyone else’s time to worry about how our favorite show does in some lame ass awards ceremony where a panel of snobby judges wipe the asses of their snobby counterpart directors and lobbies.
Who cares?
Comment by Roger — July 20, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
I totally agree doc about the 4400. Its actually going somewhere now and its pretty exciting. Summer shows never get nominated though.
Comment by jimmy — July 20, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
I watch more T.V. than I care to admit. Lost, I was hooked on right from the pilot episode then it did wane for a few episodes leaving me unsure of my enjoyment. I’ve been with it all the way though and even as it is my favorite show, I cannot deny it has uneven storytelling. They seem to play catch-up alot. Heroes couldn’t hook me, “at first” , but my wife’s insistence on her enjoyment of it got my attention. Heroes built slower and and steadier. They had some great twists and swerves. It is very X-men and comic derivative and wouldn’t be surprised at future lawsuits. I’ve read X-men and many others since their inception (early 60’s).
The heroes season finale was epic. It was beautiful in content like a great movie. There was love, sacrifice, reunion, defeat of an enemy, the coming together of like-minded heroes, and the hint of a new villain, and a time travel adventure for Hiro. The Lost season finale was plain cool. Charlie stood tall and was martyred, Hurley, after being dissed, manned up and turned the tables on the others in a cavalry fashion, Patchy was a mega jerk, also Ben, Terry O’Quinn rises again and has another quirky mission. The Losties all acted together in concert for a change. And a new time jump forward with Jackie boy wanting back to neverland where he left his marbles. New things were shown but none explained. The coffin, the cabin with Casper, rescuers, zoo island and why even go there, Cindy being alright with watching, The hatch destructed effect, Michael/Walt, the sealed hatch tunnels and map, Penny, .
We basically learned in a whole season that the mean others were a mean group who wiped out Dharma, and use mean coercion and force to understand the reproduction problem they have and kidnapping children and a doctor for their needs. Self-serving only! There was sacrifice, the love stories were muddied, a hint of a new group, and a time travel adventure for Jack/Kate/and ?. Heroes completed a story arc. Lost is morphing like soap operas do. Lost is still my favorite show!
I also get into 4400, Battlestar, Dr Who, The Shield, Survivor, Amazing Race, all 3 CSI’s, Closer, John from Cincinatti, Meadowlands,
Comment by Big Rich — July 25, 2007 @ 11:09 am
It really doesn’t matter if Heroes win an Emmy or not, thanks to the lawsuit filed against nbc and tim kring by two nyc artists, nbc will have to give the emmy back if the show wins.
this lawsuit is going to shock the world when all the details come out.
i had a chance to view this lawsuit online and tim kring is a thief and a hack writer, he should go to jail.
a lot of people are going to get badly burned because of tim kring.
what a loser.
Comment by Jane — July 27, 2007 @ 12:36 pm