I was thinking about this topic recently when I was plowing through my recent purchase of the DVDs of "My So-Called Life."

I would have loved to have seen Tom Irwin, who played Angela Chase's father, Graham, as an Emmy nominee in the year that the show aired. Irwin was a perfect balance of schlubby and sexy, and was great as a beloved but imperfect dad.

My other favorite is Barbara Garrick from 'Tales of the City,' as DeeDee. I thought that she was absolutely fantastic as the callow wife of a homosexual whose story arc went from her being flighty and silly to being trapped by her mistakes to taking real charge of her own life.

Another good example would be Grace Zabriskie as the fire-breathing mom of 'Big Love.'

So, how about you? What small performances on TV shows or TV movies in years past would you have liked to see as Emmy nominees?

I think he did get some buzz way back when, but I loved Vincent Pastore's performance as '*****' in "The Sopranos". Amazing acting.

Robert Iler on the final season of The Sopranos. his performance on "Walk like a man", and especially "Second coming" were heartbreaking.

I agree with Tallulah's cocaine about "My so called life", Tom Irwin was superb as Angela's father, as were A.J Langer and Wilson Cruz, her best friends on the series.

My So-Called Life was full of examples like these: Tom Irwin, AJ Langer, Wilson Cruz and most espeically imho, Bess Armstrong as Patty Chase, Angela's ever-suffering and always misunderstood mother.

From "Party Of Five" i thought that Paula Deviq was very worthy of Emmy-Love, espeically for the infamous wedding episode where Charlie leaves her and she has an emotional breakdown.

On the NBC series "Sisters" i always thought that Elizabeth Hoffman was emmy-worthy as Beatrice, the mother of the main characters.

Boidiva, I think that Bess Armstrong is an excellent addition to my list.

I originally left her off, because I wanted someone else to mention her, and I'm glad someone else did.

Marin Hinkle on "Once And Again". So freakin heartbreaking.

Tracy Middendorf (sp?) for her 1 episode guest stint on "Alias".

This is debatable, but I would have given an Emmy to Kate Walsh of season 3 of "Grey's Anatomy" when she didn't even have much to do. She could knock it out of the park with 2 minutes of screentime per episode.

Kevin Nealon on Weeds is hilarious, especially in seasons 1 and 2. He gives an emmy worthy performance.

Although Kelly Bishop was always the main supporting actress who was snubbed on Gilmore Girls, i thought Melissa McCarthy was quite good during the third season when her character was pregnant.

On the West Wing NiCole Robinson was fantastic as Margaret. She was a great foil to John Spencer's character and she always gave a funny performance, and handled drama really well. She was in one of those odd positions where she didn't get enough to be consdidered supporting, but was there to much to be considered a guest actress. At least Janel Moloney got recognized for her work on the show.

The men on Sex and the City were always unfairly overlooked. Chris Noth was quite good during the first and fourth seasons of the show, especially during the fourth when he was hilarious and acted as a great foil to all of carrie's dates. He was great in the episode where he made fun of her because of her "Jazz Man" and when he went to the county. John Corbett was great as aiden and really deserved a nomination in 2002, his performance in "The Good Fight" was hilarious and award worthy.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: G.Penn,

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Originally posted by GH:
Marin Hinkle on "Once And Again". So freakin heartbreaking.

Tracy Middendorf (sp?) for her 1 episode guest stint on "Alias".

This is debatable, but I would have given an Emmy to Kate Walsh of season 3 of "Grey's Anatomy" when she didn't even have much to do. She could knock it out of the park with 2 minutes of screentime per episode.

Tracy Middendorf was fantastic on Alias. I loved how her character tricked the audience (innocent women then bad girl) and how complex her character was. And even though it was obvious, her character provided a really great context for the Irina/Jack relationship. Her acting was phenomnal and she deserved a guest actress emmy nom.

I agree with you about Kate Walsh. She was epscially good during season two when she took the an easily hatable character(Satan) and made the auidience cheer and root for her. Even though the writing aided her in that, she really made it happen, i don't think just any actress could have done that. Her performance during "As we Know it" was really compelling. I totally thought she deserved a nomination in 2006. And, i still don't understand how she wasn't a nominee in 2007 when she had a fantastic tape. And she was great in six days and in all of her scenes with James Pickens Jr. On another note, i really think Private Practice has changed her character so much that she's become a bit unenjoyable.

Some of my favorites:

Charlotte Ross in "Beggars and Choosers" - She was hilarious as manipulative bitch Lori Volpone. I would have picked her over Mullaly and Roberts in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

Anthony Heald in "Boston Public" - He was great on this show, and was basically the only reason why I didn't give up watching during season 2 (when it pretty much became "The Jeri Ryan Show with Michael Rapaport").

Paget Brewster in "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" - Showed perfect comic timing in one of the best, most original comedies I've ever seen.

Larry Gilliard Jr. in "The Wire" - The heart of the first season of the show, imo. Deserving of at least a nomination.

Antonio Birabent in "Epitafios" - I have no idea if the show was submitted as a drama or a miniseries, all I know is that Birabent was amazing in it. A chilling performance.

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Loved Anthony Heald in BP. Hated when Jeri Ryan joined. The original cast was better. I liked Jessalyn Gilsig (or however she spells it) and that other young male teacher. Nicky?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cougar-letter,

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Originally posted by cougar-luva:
Loved Anthony Heald in BP. Hated when Jeri Ryan joined. The original cast was better. I liked Jessalyn Gilsig (or however she spells it) and that other young male teacher. Nicky?

Nicky Katt. And yeah, the original cast was way better (Gilsig in particular). Hated the way they were just dropped like that.

I LOVE all of the "My So-Called Life" mentions!!

I am a HUGE Twin Peaks fan and I must say that I wish Miguel Ferrer got some sort of Emmy notice for his recurring role as Albert Rosenfield; along with Ray Wise and Grace Zabriskie, who were superb, esp. Wise, as Laura Palmer's parents.

Some of these aren't obscure or small performances, but they are overlooked performances that could have been recognized for awards.
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Grace Zabreskie, "Big Love"
Wilson Cruz, "My So-Called LIfe"
Robert Funaro, "The Sopranos"
Michael Weston, "Six Feet Under"
Whoopi Goldberg, "Star Trek: The Next Generation"
David Proval, "The Sopranos"
Susie Essman, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Michael Monks, "The Practice"
Laura Greenwood, "Prime Suspect 7: The Final Act"
George Dzundza, "Grey's Anatomy"
Frank Vincent, "The Sopranos"
Barbara Flynn, "Elizabeth I"
Max Perkis, "Rome"
Joe Seneca, "The Golden Girls"
Eileen Atkins, "Wit"

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quote:
Originally posted by cougar-luva:
Loved Anthony Heald in BP. Hated when Jeri Ryan joined. The original cast was better. I liked Jessalyn Gilsig (or however she spells it) and that other young male teacher. Nicky?



Nicky Katt. And yeah, the original cast was way better (Gilsig in particular). Hated the way they were just dropped like that.

I'm still P.O.'d over how Boston Public screwed itself out of living up to its potential. It was a stellarly acted show (and different from anything on tv--teachers, not lawyers!). Gilsig, McBride, and ESPECIALLY Loretta Devine were award worthy. I thought Devine was phenomenal on the show.

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Originally posted by sirkevin:

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by cougar-luva:
Loved Anthony Heald in BP. Hated when Jeri Ryan joined. The original cast was better. I liked Jessalyn Gilsig (or however she spells it) and that other young male teacher. Nicky?



Nicky Katt. And yeah, the original cast was way better (Gilsig in particular). Hated the way they were just dropped like that.

I'm still P.O.'d over how Boston Public screwed itself out of living up to its potential. It was a stellarly acted show (and different from anything on tv--teachers, not lawyers!). Gilsig, McBride, and ESPECIALLY Loretta Devine were award worthy. I thought Devine was phenomenal on the show.

I feel your pain. Do we even know the reason why the show went and switched up everything? What a boneheaded decision that was.

Loretta Devine, George Dzundza, & Monica Keena for Grey's Anatomy

Robert Iler for the final season of The Sopranos

Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins, & Christa Miller for Scrubs

Isabella Rossellini & Dean Winters for 30 Rock

William Daniels for Boy Meets World

Richard Belzer, Stephanie March, & Diane Neal for Law & Order: SVU

Margo Martindale for The Riches

The cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

James Avery for The Fresh Prince of Bell Air

This message has been edited. Last edited by: east/west,

Of late, Mary Kay Place on "Big Love", especially this season. She was simply superb in "Rock And A Hard Place", but it's that type of performance that borders Guest with Supporting Actress. She'd never make the Top 10, let alone the Top 5, but she's still turning in an Emmy worthy performance.

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William Daniels for Boy Meets World

Call me crazy, but I thought in the later years of Boy Meets World that Will Friedle was fantastic. He was simply hilarious, and one of the more enjoyable actors on television.

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Call me crazy, but I thought in the later years of Boy Meets World that Will Friedle was fantastic. He was simply hilarious, and one of the more enjoyable actors on television.

Yeah he was good

The one who played Corey's brother?