Holiday Poolies Watch- Drama

I'm a little late on my first of the month timeline for these now bi-monthly Poolies Watch posts, but as the saying goes "better late than clever." That's not it? Well either way, the 2011 Poolies Ballots are six months away, which means the season is six months over. Here we'll take a look at how the awards are stacking up so far, with who's in, who's out, and who's awful. First up are the drama awards. As always, if you think a show or character deserves more credit, or any at all, feel free to leave a comment. You don't want to end up like Mags last year, trying to illegally write in Tom Haverford for the Arthur Spooner Award. Also spit any performances you've liked at me on Twitter via @quietpool.

The Dynasty Award

The outlook on the award for best drama series hasn’t changed much since the October Watch. Friday Night Lights, the two-time winner, has begun its final season and inserted itself amongst the definites in the category. In doing so, Life Unexpected loses its spot amongst the probables. I enjoy The Defenders, but look for Hellcats as the only one on the outside to maybe grab a spot if it outshines Gossip Girl, Parenthood, or 90210 in the spring. Then again, the returns of Men of a Certain Age and Greek are on the horizon, so nobody is safe.

Definites
Friday Night Lights
Mad Men
Treme

In For Now
Jonas
Entourage
House
Glee
Parenthood
90210
Gossip Girl

Outside Looking In
Hellcats
The Defenders
Life Unexpected
One Tree Hill
Grey’s Anatomy
Brothers and Sisters
Pretty Little Liars

The Dr. Doug Ross Award

Vince and Coach Taylor

As always, working out who will end up as lead and who will be supporting, is the toughest part of this whole thing. As we take a look at the best lead characters in a drama, we have to add some Friday Night Lights dudes to the mix, namely Coach Taylor and Vince Howard. With Tim Riggins taking most of the season off, I see last year’s winner, Greg House, as the early favorite. Vinny Chase remains in the running after what I thought was a fantastic drugged and drunken season, but I fear he will lose out on a spot after being off the air for almost a year by the time ballots come out.

Definites
Greg House- House
Don Draper- Mad Men
Ari Gold- Entourage
Eric Taylor- Friday Night Lights

In For Now
Joe Lucas- Jonas
Davis McAlary- Treme
Antoine Batiste- Treme
Adam Braverman- Parenthood
Vince Howard- Friday Night Lights
Vincent Chase- Entourage

Outside Looking In
Nate Archibald- Gossip Girl
Nick Morelli- The Defenders
Liam Court- 90210
Dan Humphrey- Gossip Girl
Julian Baker- One Tree Hill
Johnny Chase- Entourage
Nick Lucas- Jonas

The Noah Hunter Award

Dr. Chase

After realizing that two-time winner Ari Gold was really more of a lead character, and moving him up accordingly, the award for best supporting character in a drama looks to be up for grabs. If Tim Riggins, Matt Saracen or someone else from Friday Night Lights comes back for a great three or four episodes down the final stretch of the season, I might like them to be a contender, but right now I have no idea what will happen come voting time. I personally think it is Roger Sterling’s category to lose, but Mad Men might not have enough pull amongst the Poolies voters. In a surprising turn, I’ve really enjoyed Dr. Chase on this season of House thus far. If I had to pick one dude from the doctor drama in this category, it would be Chase over Wilson.

Definites
Roger Sterling- Mad Men
Scott Lavin- Entourage

In For Now
Albert Lambreaux- Treme
Buddy Garrity- Friday Night Lights
Noah Puckerman- Glee
Chase Adams- One Tree Hill
Robert Chase- House
Chuck Bass- Gossip Girl
Ornette Howard- Friday Night Lights
James Wilson- House

Outside Looking In
Dan Patch- Hellcats
Crosby Braverman- Parenthood
Lane Pryce- Mad Men
Mark Sloan- Grey’s Anatomy
Oscar- 90210
Paul Jamison- The Big C
Miles Cannon- 90210

The Veronica Mars Award

Naomi Clark

Julie Taylor deservedly won this award two years ago, then last year she somehow stole it from everyone else in the category. The way she has started out in the final season of Friday Night Lights, I don’t even see her getting nominated for the best female character in a drama award. Even though there aren’t nearly enough Jonas viewers that are also Poolie voters, Macy Misa should hands down win this award. Everything in this category looks the same as the Fall Watch, other than the addition of Becky Sproles, which knocked out Sally Draper. The young Mad Men star didn’t see much action down the stretch and shouldn’t be in line for a nomination this summer. Look for the girls of Glee, 90210, and Gossip Girl to jockey for position as you never know which ones will step up in the spring.

Definites
Macy Misa- Jonas
Naomi Clark- 90210
Annie- Treme
Sue Sylvester- Glee

In For Now
Peggy Olsen- Mad Men
Santana Lopez- Glee
Savannah Munroe- Hellcats
Stella Malone- Jonas
Becky Sproles- Friday Night Lights
Alex Dupre- One Tree Hill

Outside Looking In
Juliet Sharp- Gossip Girl
Ivy Sullivan- 90210
Sally Draper- Mad Men
Vanessa Abrams- Gossip Girl
Quinn Fabray- Glee
Adrianna Tate Duncan- 90210
Rachel Berry- Glee
Julie Taylor- Friday Night Lights

The Marissa Cooper Award

Serena van der Woodson

The award for the character you love to hate in a drama is always a tough group to crack. I could come up with 30 qualified contenders if I wanted to, but after the start to this season of Glee, how is Kurt Hummel not the one to beat? Sure Tanya Skagle of Hung might be more detestable, but nobody even watches that show so she’s probably out of luck. Serena is definitely back to her Marissa Coooper-like ways on this season of Gossip, which should place her among the top candidates this season. There are so many people to choose from on Glee that it ends up being a crap shoot and they will knock each other out of the running on a consistent basis.

Definites
Kurt Hummel- Glee
Tanya Skagle- Hung

In For Now
Turtle- Entourage
Will Schuester- Glee
Tami Taylor- Friday Night Lights
Serena van der Woodson- Gossip Girl
Erin Silver- 90210
Clay Evans- One Tree Hill
Artie Abrams- Glee
Dixon Wilson- 90210

Outside Looking In
Quinn James- One Tree Hill
Emma Pillsbury- Glee
Charlie Selby- 90210
Mercedes Jones- Glee
Meredith Grey- Grey’s Anatomy
Jess Merriweather- Friday Night Lights
Eric Foreman- House

The “One Wedding and a Funeral” Award
I don’t see the Mad Men or Jonas eps losing their respective spots here. Treme’s first season gem may lose its spot to a superior ep from the upcoming second season. The most recent episode of Friday Night Lights was good, but I expect much better as the final season heads down the stretch.

In For Now
Mad Men- “The Suitcase” – 407
Treme- “All on a Mardis Gras Day” – 108
Jonas- “Band of Brothers” – 213
Entourage- “Lose Yourself” – 710
Friday Night Lights- “Kingdom” – 505

The Office 710 Review- A Little Chinese

Jim- "He really does fit that old stereotype of the smug gay Mexican."

The Office continued its stellar season this week with an episode devoted to the brilliance of Michael Scott. On most occasions, I'd be referring to Michael's ability to make me laugh, but "China" actually gave us insight into how Michael's intelligence can turn the wheels of the Dunder Mifflin crew.

While reading a single fact about China in a magazine, and reporting it correctly to the office, doesn't make you a genius, Michael did make Oscar look dumb in the process. As a result, the rest of the Dunder Mifflin guys got behind their boss this week. If my favorite thing for Jim to do is prank Dwight, my second favorite is when he backs Michael.

To read the rest of my review on last night's episode of The Office, head over to TV Fanatic.

The Office 710 - "China"
Review
Recap
Quotes

30 Rock 509 Review- Staples: Yeah, We've Got That

Donald- "I got other ideas...like a micro brewery that also serves frozen yogurt. I'm a call it, Microsoft."

What can I say about "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish?" It was what it was. It was the continuation of a decent season, but it didn't pack as much of a punch as the past two episodes.

I really enjoy Michael Benjamin Washington as Tracy's fake son that is two years older than Tracy himself, but if you're going to make the effort to put Tray at the forefront of the episode, how about you actually showcase him?

To read the rest of my review on last night's 30 Rock, head over to TV Fanatic.

30 Rock 509 - "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish"
Review
Recap
Quotes

Survivor Week 11- Two Words

In no way do I feel like talking about this episode of Survivor. Two contestants quit without any sense that they were having a difficult time in the elements. Complete garbage.

Pete Bell- "There's two words I didn't think'd ever come out of my mouth. I didn't think I'd ever be able to say 'em. (a long pause as he regains his composure) I quit."

Fantasy Scores

Brigade Grenades

Sash- W11 (56)= 56
Chase- W11 (56), Reward (4)= 60
Dan- W11 (56)= 56
Jill
Jane- W11 (56)= 56
Week 11= 228 Total= 1135

Studio Flow CEO

Shannon
Fabio- W11 (56)= 56
Kelly P- = 0
Jimmy T
NaOnka- Reward (4)= 4
Week 11= 60 Total= 683

The Full Schilling

Jimmy J
Benry- W11 (56), Reward (4)= 60
Kelly B
Alina
Holly- W11 (56), Reward (4)= 60
Week 11= 120 Total= 617

Power Bottoms

Brenda
Marty
Tyrone
Yve
Wendy
Total= 188

Sons of Anarchy 313 Review- The Short Con

Jax (to Gemma)- "I'd never turn on my club, or my family. I'm not my father."

While it in no way makes up for the struggles of the first two-thirds of the season, the final stretch of Sons of Anarchy has been absolutely fantastic. The third season finale, "NS," had excitement, drama, surprises, and left me asking questions about what would happen next.

For the final 30 minutes I was on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, as well as any other cliche you'd like to use to explain how riveting the final chapter of this season was.

To read the rest of my review on last night's season finale of Sons of Anarchy, head over to TV Fanatic.

Sons of Anarchy 313 - "NS"
Review
Recap
Quotes

One Tree Hill 810 Review- Grillin' and Killin'

Dan- "What can I help you with?"

Quinn- "Murder."

Was it a coincidence that my favorite episode of this season of One Tree Hill happened to coincide with the return of Dan Scott? I think not. Although he didn't play a huge role in "List, Plans," his presence more than made up for the few moments of utter nonsense from son Nathan.

Dan Scott truly is my favorite character on this series. When he turned around after asking Quinn "What can I help you with?" my face lit up. He may be one of the most evil men on the planet, but Dan Scott just makes things so darn interesting. He was so intriguing, as he explained to Quinn all of the things she would need to complete her murder, that I almost passed right over how terrible Quinn was in every scene this week.

To read the rest of my review of last night's episode of One Tree Hill, head over to TV Fanatic.

One Tree Hill 810 - "Lists, Plans"
Review
Recap
Quotes

Chuck 410 Review- Kids Love Volkoff!

Morgan- "I'm not just gonna sit here on all fours and watch those two die."

For an episode so rich with long-running storylines, including the return of from Timothy Dalton, "Chuck Versus the Leftovers" didn't impress me as much as it should have. It felt like just another stepping stone en route to a great episode.

If I were to compare it to last week's installment, which was much more of a stand-alone episode, I'd take Sarah and the crew fighting through Southeast Asia any day of the week. That is not to say that I didn't enjoy the the most recent hour, and that Dalton didn't continue to impress as Alexei Volkoff.

To read the rest of my review of last night's Chuck, head over to TV Fanatic.

Chuck 410 - "Chuck Versus the Leftovers"
Review
Round Table
Recap
Quotes

Sons of Anarchy 312 Review- Stop Stahl-ing!

Clay- "Jacob Hale becomes mayor...Charming turns into suburban Disneyland."

What are two things that the second season finale of Sons of Anarchy and this week's penultimate episode of season three have in common? Well, both "Na Triobloidi" and "June Wedding" were fantastic hours of television, and not coincidentally they both featured Agent June Stahl going absolutely crazy.

After a wild and crazy journey to Ireland, the Sons returned to Charming this week, and things felt a little more familiar. The first half of the episode progressed slowly as most were getting their bearings on what was currently happening in the States.

To read the rest of my review of last night's episode of Sons of Anarchy, head over to TV Fanatic.

Sons of Anarchy 312 - "June Wedding"
Review
Recap
Quotes