Obama -- Emmy, Emmy -- Obama

Barack -- Hollywood feels your pain.

That's right, the Ivy League-educated Man Who Would Be President isn't the only one being called elitist. In chats and coverage about yesterday's Emmy nominations, words like affluent, high-brow and niche keep coming up. (Only the blogs have gone with the more descriptive "stick up the butt.")

Less than a million people watched "Mad Men" during its first season, and yet it racked up 16 nominations, more than any other drama on TV. Most people not in the industry and those living in the so-called flyover states have never heard of "Breaking Bad" or "Damages" and don't watch "30 Rock" or "The Office."

Lots of the Emmy nominees are an acquired taste, like "Dexter" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

To which we say -- is that a bad thing? And didn't we all have this discussion at Oscar time, when indie movies that made no money dominated the night?

In that aftermath, accompanied by historic low ratings for the thrown-together post-strike show, even the industry bible Entertainment Weekly suggested that vaunted but stodgy Oscar go more populist. Let in a few summer blockbusters, it said, and maybe people would actually watch.

But is that really what it's all about?

Same with the Emmys. Is it a measure of art and excellence, or an affirmation of the viewing habits of the most eyeballs? Those two used to combine in shows like "Cheers" and "Seinfeld," but they rarely do now.

More mainstream nominees would goose the Emmy ratings, sure, but we're glad that didn't seem to influence the voters. (Or maybe it did -- how can anyone really love "Boston Legal" that much?)

A race that includes Gabriel Byrne for the addictive "In Treatment," Mary-Louise Parker for wacky and wonderful "Weeds," Holly Hunter, Rainn Wilson, Ashley Jensen, "Intervention" and the writing on "The Wire?" That's the way it should be.

Now, go ahead and root for "Two and a Half Men." We won't pelt you with (designer) rocks and (organic) garbage. Not while you're looking anyway.

Related note: for an interesting read on how the affluent, niche-loving AMC went from zero to hero in the awards world -- 20 Emmy nominations, more than any other basic cable net -- go here.

Comments

[Mickey Slevin, ModernMoviegoer]

I agree with you T in your applauding of these nominations. Who cares if most people don't watch Mad Men or Dexter, they're the best on TV and should be recognized as such.

[Jamian]

I disagree bigtime with the last post. Mad Men and Dexter aren't the best shows on tv. It was The Wire, and its ashmed it never got its due. The Wire will go down years from now as a acheivement in television that unfortunately was too good for the Emmy's