Making Emmyories

What defines a great television show? Does the true gift of talent rest with the writers that break through the imaginary and dangle us across the strings of mystery, playing us against the chords to the heart, and wrapping us in endless stories? Is it the actors that step into the shoes of unforgettable heroes, pulling us into their conflicted psyche, and gripping us with the trials that must be overcome, crimes begging for justice, and surviving the bitter edged sword of villains bent on taking them down? Does the true television show that we love for season after season until the final end ignite through the vision of those that succeeded in delivering new worlds, new lives for our viewer pleasure? How many times can we thank the networks for the great escape, diving into the land of the LOST, discovering the extraordinary of Heroes, slipping along dangerous curves of 24, igniting with the intensity of drama in Rescue Me, struggling with the spotlight of The Good Wife, enjoying being bad to the bone of True Blood, or dancing to the brilliant but sad melody of Doctor House?

1. Best Actor in a Drama Series

Television is in no short supply of leading actors this year. The competition is biting, and new blood is awaiting their Emmy nod. USA's hot commodities, characters always wanted may ignite with drama, but would their flames cool under the intensity of Gary Sinise of CSI: NY or eloquent Mr. David Caruso of CSI: Miami? We say good-bye to great characters forever remembered and delivered by the heart and soul of actors such as Kiefer Sutherland, Matthew Fox, Danny Pino, Dylan Walsh, Julian McMahon, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar? How do we decide the one to be chosen? Is it them Breaking Bad, bringing down the House, or wreaking havoc in the Supernatural? Television's leading men is indeed in no short supply this year, and the competition may have to have a Royal Rumble to determine its winner. But my choice for Best Actor in a Drama Series goes to Denis Leary for introducing us to a man never to be forgotten, Tommy Gavin, who takes us into his struggle of self-destruction, rising to heroic heights, and falling into the flaws that make us human.

2. Best Actress in a Drama Series

Glen Close is the beacon of definition, the heart and soul of drama, and the dedication to the strength and power of women now recognized and honored. No more do we find the white knights in shining armor coming to our rescue but heroines taking flight into the face of danger, risking their lives for ours. Their conflict, their tears pull at the fabric of our being, and their determination, their passion ignites through characters never to be forgotten. And these women storm through this world, answering our cries for justice, porcelain angels made out of stone, and shining their light across the darkness, and inspiration is the air beneath their wings. And we are held captive to their beauty, their persona, and their definition, and women such as Glenn Close, Mariska Hargitay, Amanda Tapping, Mary McCormack, Roma Maffia, and Kathryn Morris pave the way for more heroines to rise and to meet the world. But my choice for Best Actress in a Drama Series goes to Julianna Margulies of The Good Wife for introducing us to a woman, Alicia Florrick, who takes us past the spotlight, through the controversy, and into the struggle of one trying to hold ground, rebuild foundation that was shattered, and through the trials that she must face, we are captivated by the defining lines of her character.

3. Best Drama Series

Over the years, we have been brought into series after series that has gripped us, bled tears from our heart, and made us thirst for more. Characters drawn across the page now stand alive through talent, and the swift stroke of the pen steals our hours away. Seconds count down, and suspense is the gavel that strikes home. Lives wrap around us, pulling us further into their world, their soul, and villains rise to take the heroes down. And we sit, dangling over the edge over our seat, and our minds savor every lasting moment. And when the axe falls or if it is time to fade to black, we are forced to say good-bye, maybe even run into the arms of fan fiction for closure, but the television set remains dark. And we set out again to find that series that will find home in our heart, but there were so many great series out there to choose from such as LOST, Supernatural, Sanctuary, The Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Prison Break, House, Cold Case, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, CSI: NY, CSI: Miami, and so on and so on. But my choice for Best Drama Series goes to 24. Never would we ever forget you, Jack Bauer. Time was never on his side, and we screamed as the screen counted down to its last second. And every week, we returned, wanting to know more, to be thrown across the curveballs that made our mouths gape wide open, and to hope that the hero would finally find peace, but there is no rest for the now renegade. But maybe closure waits across the silver screen, another chapter of 24 to be ignited, but its absence will be felt every Monday night on FOX during the fall and spring season. And we will miss those well-delivered lines, "We're running out of time," and we will miss you, Jack Bauer. Thank you, Kiefer Sutherland for delivering this hero to our television set.

4. Best Memorable Kiss

It is the dawn of the immortal kiss. The thirst for humanity sinks into our heart, but we are bitten with the intensity of passion, undying love. Their angelic faces, porcelain fangs, and deep, penetrating eyes capture our soul, and we are theirs forever, dangling across the heartbeat of Twilight, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries. But the throb of a broken heart stirs the absence felt, and we breathe a sigh of relief as the lips of House meet Cuddy's. But then we cry a bitter farewell for Jack and Kate. Vengeance burns a heart now scorned, and hell hath no fury as Jack Bauer. And we fall head over foot for the love birds of CSI: NY and Miami, but will their love soar across the season to come? But my choice for Best Memorable Kiss goes to Julianna Margulies and Josh Charles of The Good Wife, but will their love survive the controversy that begs to break them apart?

5. Best Heat Seeking Chemistry

What defines a great television show? Is it the vision of directors and producers that melt into the passion of writers? Is it the selection of actors that give birth to memorable characters? It is, and it isn't. What defines a great television show is the chemistry found behind and on screen, and when someone leaves that show, its fire threatens to dwindle down into flames. But that is not always the case, and the best shows continue to stand and to deliver, television shows such as Cold, Case, Without A Trace, Moonlight, Jericho, Prison Break, House, 24, Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, LOST, Flash Forward, Stargate: SG1, Atlantis, and Universe, and so on and so on. The blend of conflict and drama ignites with the chemistry of those we watch and those that bring us into their world, and there are so many great shows out there to be remembered. But will more great shows rise up in their absence? My choice for Best Heat Seeking Chemistry is a tough one to make, but it goes to the cast and crew of Law and Order: SVU.