Conversations / Live Q&A

That's a tough question because I am hoping for a seismic change on Sunday. Yes, "Mad Men" is a very good show, but enough already. Ditto "30 Rock," etc. etc....I want to see lots and lots of change, like "Modern Family" taking best comedy,  and Julianna Margulies tearing Emmy for best drama actress away from the clutches of Glenn Close, and "Glee's" Lea Michele  winning best comedy actress, and "Big Bang Theory's" Jim Parsons for best comedy actor, but mostly I want to see Eric Stonestreet get the Emmy for best supporting actor in a comedy for "Modern Family."

I am a big fan, but I have to report it as I see it. You know how bad Fallon is at doing interviews on his show (the other parts of his show are terrific but he's a nervous interviewer -- really really nervous when he debuted. Well, he's even worse when he's being interviewed about the Emmys -- it was nearly as bad as that time he interviewed Robert DeNiro. 

The "Boardwalk Empire" pilot is terrific -- and Buscemi is always worth watching. I can't believe I'm saying this but "The Defenders" on CBS is one of the big surprises and yes, it stars Jim Belushi and you know I'm no Belushi fan. But he's perfectly cast as a semi-skeevy Vegas lawyer and it is the Practically Perfect CBS show. I also like ABC's new Wednesday comedy "Better Together." NBC's new JJ series, "Undercovers" looked good in the pilot though I hear there may be come quality issues in subsequent episodes. "Raising Hope" on Fox is hilarious and I wish I could recommend the Will Arnet's new Fox comedy "Running Wilde" but the first version of the pilot, the one I saw, was not good, though they are re-doing it so maybe that will be better by airtime.  And absolutely, postively do not miss new "Hellcats" on CW which is maybe the most cheesetastic show of the new season. Here is the quick logline:   renegade cheerleader.

CW's "Hellcats" debuts Sept. 8 which is maybe the first, unless you count some of the cable stuff. It's hard to know where the season really starts any more... First show yanked is a tough call this year. Based on the pilot I saw it should be Arnett's new show,  "Running Wilde." Sorry....

It's a shame Laurie has never won an Emmy because he is the best acceptance speech giver ever and this show sure could use some of that...I too am hoping Conan wins in the late night race on Sunday because his acceptance speech will be sure to be a doozie....

I have no idea why the hidebound TV academy took so long to catch up. Oh wait, I think I just answered the question... It's happening this year out of desperation: the show had to be moved to August because it's airing on NBC and NBC has to air football games on Sunday in September. But this is also the last year of the Emmy contract with the broadcast networks so the academy wants the ratings to be as big as possible. They are actually going to air it TWICE on the West Coast -- live at 5 p.m. and rerun it at 8 for all those West Coasters who did not get the live-across-country memo.. that should help goose this year's numbers....

Just keep thinking about that theme song. It carried me through the pilot. It kept playing over and over again in my head...I like this version but it bears little resemblance to the original; it's dark, and broody, and everyone is burdened with a terribly sad back-story. One the bright side, it makes you so surprised and happy when you hear Det. Steve McGarrett actually say "Book 'em, Danno!" at the end. I'm nearly as thrilled about that as I am about resurrecting the theme song...

Arnett and Russell are two terrific actors -- they're just acting in different shows... it's weird...

See, the difference between you and me is that you are basing your winners list on who deserves to win I'm all about who will entertain me the most.

NBC says they're still hopefully of getting it recast. Since Castle and Human Target are not going to be cancelled soon, can't we find anyone else who can take the lead? I actually think the problem with the first casting wasn't the actor, Dermot Mulroney, but the writing and directing.....

Mike O'Malley is a clear case of Honor to Have Been Nominated.. Yes, he did not win for best guest actor in a comedy series but, honestly, let's not lose sight of the fact that it's Mike O'Malley and he actually got a nomination. Remember, this is the guy who starred in "Yes Dear" ..I'm still having nightmares about "Yes Dear."

She is terrific in the show but I don't think Baranski is will win -- I think it's more likely to be Elizabeth Moss from "Mad Men"...sigh

Definitely behind the Oscars and the Golden Globes, but definitely bigger crowd than the Tonys and those other's you mentioned. I think Jimmy Fallon will be just fine -- because he will neither interview anyone, nor be interviewed by anyone on Sunday's trophy show -- and those are his two big weaknesses. He's terrific on his own show except the interview bits

If the broadcast networks renew their contract with the TV academy to broadcast the Emmy show, you can bet Ferguson will host when it's CBS's turn. They went with Neil Patrick Harris last time and it's Craig's turn next...

It was awesome because of Garner AND because of  the writing and directing. The remake just needs to bear little resemblance to the original  -- like Star Trek.  I adore Garner in the original but if you can replace William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, surely you can find a way to replace Garner.

Not a prayer: He's up against "30 Rock's" perennial winner Alec Baldwin, "The Office's" Steve "I'm Leaving the Show After This Season and Won't You Miss Me" Carell, "Glee's" Matthew Morrison, and Tony Shalhoub in his very last season on "Monk."

WaPo TeamTV's Elizabeth Moss correspondent Emily Yahr informs me Ms. Moss was recently dumped by Fred Armisen, not Kattan -- Armisen who is now allegedly dating his 23-year-old SNL co-star Abby Elliott which is just cold. Anyway, I take your point. You think it would help heal Moss's broken heart. I'm all for sympathy voting, but sadly I don't think the news about her breakup happened in time to sway Emmy voters...

Thank you for saying so because that was my take too...

Oh, that's easy, so you can use the theme song and have all those scripts at your disposal. Plus, all the people who saw the original will tune in to see if it's up to snuff...

You answered your own question. Now let me put one to you:

which attracts more viewers -- a successful movie or a hit TV series

A hit TV series

Yes indeed -- wouldn't miss it! We are doing a live Emmy chat this Sunday, starting at 7 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. PT, with the always amusing red carpet. We are going to post a link to Sunday's chat at the end of today's chat... meanwhile, hope you will take the time to vote in our Emmy Glam Categories Poll which will also be linked here, if it hasn't already. This poll has been up since Emmy nominations day and so far:

Best Drama: 36 percent of you  think "Mad Men" will walk off with this Emmy again...sigh

Best Comedy: "Modern Family" is in the lead with 40 percent of the votes, meanwhile "Glee" has 30 percent. Get out the vote all you Gleeks!

and yet, it was very successful at the boxoffice and the studio was very very happy...

Do you mean Josh Holloway from "Lost" -- gak! Surely we can do better than that....

It's like chasing ones own tail, no?

Yes, that is exactly why the academy is  giving its humanitarion award during the broadcast. Except the hot girlfriend in speech part. He is not the kind of guy who would do something that stupid... and, at the risk of sounding pollyanna-ish, you may think he's smug but he convinces lots of big names to help raise money for a lot of worthy causes....

That would just be sad. He was given a lifetime achievement award by the TV Critics Association and was a no-show, BTW... I know we can cast this one, folks...

will do! seriously. great idea...

another terrific idea. I will ask her if she will join me for the red carpet bits...

Both frightening! Sorry for delay -tech issues... I'm going to bow out now while I can. ..See you Sunday..