quote:

Originally posted by EmmyNominee:
I don't understand why Eva doesn't or didn't speak up and give herself a chance to win some gold.

To be honest, because of her ego. But in fairness to her, she's a lead and that's where she deserves to be campaigned.

I actually though Danson chose a good tape; granted, it's not as good as "Sort Of Like A Family", but I initaly remember pegging him for a nomination after watching "Jesus, Mary, and Joe ****er". I'm hoping that between the Golden Globe nod and his prior Emmy record, he'll manage at least a nod.

As for the rest, the "Pilot" is a strong tape for both Close and the Series. It's also great to see Zeljko Ivanek submitting "I Hate These People"; he's absolutly brilliant in it, and if there is any justice in the world, he'll get the nod.

And on Bryne: I think she's got a strong shot of getting in. Is it catagory fraud? Yes, but she's submitted a great tape and with the Golden Globe nod behind her, I think she should be a easy nominee.

G'Day,
I just watched Danson's 2 best tapes and have done a comparrion:

"Jesus, Mary and Joe ****er"
Scene 1 (2:17):
He's sitting with his wife talking about the effect the case is having on his family
Scene 2 (2:22):
He's with Ray talking about the potential fallout if his wife leaves him and if Katie testifies
Scene 3 (2:20):
Talks with man about ordering a hit on Katie, he decides not to as "there's no going back"
Scene 4 (0:32):
Playing with and watching his kids by the pool
Scene 5 (1:08):
Having sex with a hooker and doing coke. He then calls to guy to have Katie killed.
Scene 6 (0:29):
Frantically calling the guy back to cancel his hit on Katie. He gets angry.
Scene 7 (2:02):
Meets with Katie at her Resturant and thanks her for signing an agreement.
Scene 8 (0:39):
Having family BBQ.

In this episode Danson displays nice range, his perfoeamce has impact and poinincy and edited together this will be a good tape where the audience can follow a strugle between his demons and better angels.
Total screentime of all his scenes: 11:49

Sort of Like a Family:
Scene 1 (1:09):
Happily farewelling family.
Scene 2 (0:49):
talking with Ray.
Scene 3 (1:18):
on TV being watched by Patty and Ellen. Giving press conference.
Scene 4 (1:57):
Getting ready for deposition, thanks Ray for standing by him.
Scene 5 (2:29):
1st day of deposition. Answers question calm and collected, with charm.
Scene 6 (0:42):
On phone with wife.
Scene 7 (2:59):
2nd day of deposition. Again calm and collected, when he finds out about gregory's death he looks a bit shocked.
Scene 8 (1:22):
Talking with Ray and partners.
Scene 9 (5:05)
Finds out that his wife is filing for divorce. 3rd day of deposition. Is grilled by Patty which results in him throwing a temper tantrum and storming out.
Scene 10 (1:32):
Confronts wife back at home, smashes her car and is left all alone, he calls Ray.

Danson has so much range and impact in this episode it isn't funny. More is going on, but edited together his scenes will just show how many serious acting chops the guy has.
Total screentime of all his scenes: 19:22

Final Verdict:
Both are very strong tapes, possibly each good enough to win (depending on competition). Although Jesus has more sypathy Family is the better option that has more screentime, range and impact. Probably to late to change the tape but I would strongly advise Danson to do so.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Noble,

I'm going to nitpick for a minute.

It's Danson and not Dansen, Byrne and not Burns. Sorry those things bug me to no end.

In terms of tapes, Ted's got a fantastic tape as does Anastasia. Kind of surprised she entered into supporting, but I'm wondering if because of the storyline she had they couldn't justify putting her into Guest actress instead.

I'd love to see both Danson and Ivanek get in because either one thoroughly deserves a spot.

Close is definitely the only cast member at the moment that you can write in pen though, she'll be on the Top 10 list and will make it onto the list of final nominees with a great submission, because it means the voter doesn't need to know anything previously with the Pilot.

Around here last year, I recall people figured Sally Field didn't have the tapes/DVDs to win her the drama lead-actress Emmy for the 2006-07 debut season of Brothers & Sisters.

Two years ago, there were plenty who figured Kiefer Sutherland didn't have the tapes to win the 2005-06 drama lead-actor Emmy for 24.

quote:

Originally posted by Nadine:
I'm going to nitpick for a minute.

It's Danson and not Dansen, Byrne and not Burns. Sorry those things bug me to no end.

Sorry, was tired when I typed it, I've now fixed it. You would think I would know how to spell the name of a tv icon such as Dansen!

quote:

Originally posted by DS0816:
Two years ago, there were plenty who figured Kiefer Sutherland didn't have the tapes to win the 2005-06 drama lead-actor Emmy for 24.

Good point. And it is worth remembering that tapes are not always the deciding factor - Sutherland had at best the 3rd or 4th best tape that year.
Luckily supporting actor drama has pretty much awarded the best tapes the last 10 years but that dosn't mean the same will be done this year ,as there will be a new group of voters.

I started watching Damages when it premiered, but stopped watching after two episodes because I didn't want to keep up each week. Sorry I did that. I decided to give the show another chance and wow - what a show! I finished the season in about a week. I was hooked after the first episode even though I had already seen it before. I'm also glad I wasn't spoiled by reading anything about the show after the it ended its season. I was hooked, thrown for loops, twisted and turned with each episode.

Like someone else said - in a perfect world this would be nominated for Drama Series. And, hopefully, because of the strike it gets a strong chance of actually getting in because of the fact that it was afforded the early scheduling to finish a well rounded seasons worth of story. The pilot is obviously an excellent tape for beginners to the show.

I also think that Rose Byrne had the perfect balance of naivety and aloofness at the beginning of the season and a great turning point into a cold, manipulative Patty-esque character.

It was also great to see Ted Danson playing against type as a three dimensional dramatic character.

Glenn Close is amazing and it helps that the writing gave her the opportunity to play such a whirlwind of a character. The viewer doesn't know if she is being a friend or a foe at any point in time.

Zeljko Ivanek is a strong actor and definitely held his own against Close and Danson (agreed to those that think he deserves a nomination over Danson). His penultimate episode is probably my favorite of the season and one of the bigger shocks I got.

Can't wait to see where they go with the second season.

Drama Series
Actress
Supporting Actress
Supporting Actor x 2
Directing (Pilot)
Writing (Pilot)
Casting
Cinematography
Editing

This news is too big to be buried in that dead casting thread.
----------------------------------------------
William Hurt Joins FX's "Damages"
Actor reunites with "Big Chill" co-star Close
by MICHAEL SCHNEIDER
Variety

William Hurt has signed on to join the cast of FX's "Damages," reuniting him with "The Big Chill" co-star Glenn Close.

Casting reps the first time Hurt and Close have shared the screen since that movie was released 25 years ago. "Damages" also reps Hurt's first-ever series TV role.

Hurt hops on to the show as "Damages" starts shooting its second season next week in New York. Hurt will play a client of Close's character, tough-as-nails attorney Patty Hewes. Hurt's character and Hewes also have a past that's more than just professional.

FX original programming exec VP Nick Grad announced the casting on Monday.

"We believe 'Damages' has one of the finest ensemble casts anywhere on television and the fact that an actor the caliber of William Hurt has joined the cast speaks to the quality of the series," Grad said.

Sony Pictures TV and FX Prods. produce "Damages," which will return in early 2009. Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman created and exec produce the series.

Hurt, who's currently in the feature "The Incredible Hulk," has been nommed for four Academy Awards; he won the best actor kudo for his role in "Kiss of the Spider Woman." His credits also include "Broadcast News" and "Children of a Lesser God."

"To be able to welcome the brilliant William Hurt to our remarkable cast is as good as it gets," said Sony Pictures TV's Jeanie Bradley, exec VP of current programming.

Besides Close, Rose Byrne and Tate Donovan are also set to return for season two. FX had previously picked up two more seasons of "Damages."

^^As I said in the casting thread, WOAH! Well, I guess we know who is gonna get nominated win the emmy next year!

Glenn Close was on the View this morning and she spoke of working with Ted Danson in the past tense. I wonder if he's not coming back for season 2? Is Frobisher dead?

I think he is. He was in the middle of nowhere bleeding to death. I doubt anyone found him in enough time to save his life.

quote:

Originally posted by JoeD:
I think he is. He was in the middle of nowhere bleeding to death. I doubt anyone found him in enough time to save his life.

But I think they would have shown a more definitive death had he actually be dead.

OK, seriously who's next?! I'm betting Ellen Burstyn.

(FROM VARIETY) — Academy Award-winning actor William Hurt has agreed to join the cast of the FX crime drama Damages, reuniting him with Glenn Close, his costar in the 1983 Best Picture nominee The Big Chill. It will be Hurt's first regular gig on a TV series. Damages starts shooting its second season in New York next week. Hurt is slated to play a client of Close's tough attorney character, with whom she was once possibly romantically involved. ''As we created the role, we were thinking about who might be the right fit,'' exec producer Todd Kessler told Variety. ''William was at the top of the list. Once you see this season, you'll see why it makes so much sense.'' (Variety)


Should be great.

WOW! I can't wait to see William Hurt on the show!

According to this press release on the Futon Critic website:

Academy Award winning actress MARCIA GAY HARDEN will be joining new cast members WILLIAM HURT and TIMOTHY OLYPHANT as additions to the cast of DAMAGES for its second season which premieres in January of 2009.

TED DANSON will return to the cast of DAMAGES for several episodes this season in his role as Arthur Frobisher.

Are you kidding me???! This is seriously becoming the best cast on television and the second season hasn't even aired yet! Imagine the awards attention this show will get next year, baring it maintains the first season's quality.

Glenn Close, Ted Danson, William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Timothy Olyphant, Tate Donovan, and Rose Byrne. Holy crap!

Oh, and some trivia: William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden played Christopher's parents in "Into the Wild".

This message has been edited. Last edited by: taloson,

Marcia Gay Harden? Wow, that's incredible casting news. Can't wait to see what she does in this setting.

I remember hearing that they were going to get a 40 something female attorney to be the opposing counsel in one of patty's new cases. I wonder if she is it?

I hope this season lives up to all the hype, because i am definitely on the edge of my seat waiting to see it. FX shows usually don't have a sophomore slump(in fact their second seasons are usually better), so hopefully the same applies to damages. I expect them to do really well at the golden globes next year ala The Shield and Nip/Tuck.

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

You are right G.Penn. According to TV Guide: "Marcia Gay Harden will face off with Glenn Close on Damages as an attorney for a shadowy, high-powered corporation."