Emmy Nomination Advice, Part 3: Best Supporting Performances

Terry O'Quinn's portrayal of the mysterious Locke has been the most surprising and sympathetic among the many outstanding performances on "Lost."

Continuing with our columns calling attention to those performances in broadcast and cable drama series most deserving of Emmy nominations, if not awards themselves, we move now to the supporting categories.

The only sure bet in the category of Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series is a nomination (and probable win) for Terry O'Quinn of ABC's Lost. O'Quinn's portrayal of the mysterious Locke has from the start been the most surprising and most sympathetic among the many outstanding performances in this gifted ensemble. There isn't a weak link among the entire male cast of this show, but two other standouts are Dominic Monaghan as Charlie and Josh Holloway as Sawyer. Monaghan's Charlie has matured from drug addicted rock star to compassionate friend and selfless hero in the course of one season, and he was thoroughly believable from start to finish. Holloway seems to have emerged as the hunk of the group, but he has proven his acting skills by creating a character of seemingly bottomless pain, anger and frustration that masks his true feelings with cynicism, arrogance and occasional humor. (Holloway should probably get recognition of some kind simply for those scenes in which he maintains his dignity while wearing girlish glasses.)

Continue Article

Moving off the island, William Shatner, who won an Emmy last year for his guest appearances as Atty. Denny Crane on ABC's The Practice, kept Crane just as fresh, funny, formidable and flawed as a regular on Boston Legal. It's an admirable portrayal of a very difficult character. Some might say Shatner belongs in the lead actor category, but he didn't carry as much weight on the show as co-star James Spader. Over on The Shield, Walton Goggins brought his character, manic Detective Shane Vendrell, to the brink of madness and back as he got in over his head trying to bring down a ruthless gang lord. In fact, the midseason showdown between Shane and his longtime best friend Vic Mackey was one of the most harrowing sequences in any drama this season.

The five women who should be nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series are Candice Bergen of Boston Legal, Shoreh Aghdashloo of 24, Roma Maffia of Nip/Tuck, CCH Pounder of The Shield and Mary Lynn Rajskub of 24. Aghdashloo will be remembered for years as the bloodcurdling terrorist Dina Araz. In what may have been the most challenging effort in this category, Maffia as strong-willed lesbian anesthesiologist Liz Cruz provided a consistently solid emotional center amid the dire medical and personal emergencies that consumed her colleagues. Rajskub created one of the most loved characters on television in nerdy, belligerent computer whiz Chloe O'Brian (and more than rose to the challenge of kicking ass in her first-ever action sequence). As Detective Claudette Wyms, Pounder powerfully remained the much-put-upon ethical standard-bearer among her increasingly dysfunctional and corrupt colleagues on The Shield. But Bergen should get the top honor for her classy, sassy, utterly sophisticated turn as Shirley Schmidt, even if her performance was enhanced by classic comic delivery rather than true dramatic power.

Tomorrow: Emmy-Worthy Drama Series from the 2004-05 Season.