As we’ve noted once or twice before, movies based on original scripts are becoming a rare breed. It’s a good guess that any movie released today is based on something: a novel, a TV series, a true story…

But what happens when a movie is the result of several incarnations? From book to TV series to musical play to movie… In this post, we’ll try to find order in the remake madness by comparing the different versions in order to decide which is best.

10.

Fame (1980) → Fame (1982) → Fame (2009)

The most recent of these movie incarnations is the current reinvention of the 1980 hit Fame.

It all began with the musical film about a bunch of teenagers at a prestigious high school of performing arts. It was surprisingly successful, earning six Academy Award nominations, two wins, and the love of critics and viewers alike.

Following hot on its heels was the TV series Fame (1982-1987). Very popular in its first seasons, it won several Emmy and Golden Globe awards. Most of the characters from the 1980 film reappeared, so there was a sense of continuity for fans.

The new 2009 version is not exactly a remake of the original movie or the TV series. The setting at a high school for performing arts remains, but the characters are entirely new. The trailer feels more like High School Musical. Think questionable mix of naïve 80s storytelling with contemporary hip music score. Hmm…

Will this movie become a cult hit like its predecessor or be remembered as a tacky remake of a teen classic? So far, as the results from the box office and critics pour in, the latter looks more likely. Over on Pop Vox, Jennie Yabroff compares it to watching American Idol on the big screen - only worse.

9.

Hairspray (1988) → Hairspray (2002 musical play) → Hairspray (2007)

The first version of Hairspray is one of John Waters‘ most well-known films. The story is more or less the same as in the newer version, only it’s not a musical. The movie was not a great success when first released, but quickly became a cult classic on VHS.

Ten years later, an idea was raised to turn the plot of the film into a stage musical. After some turmoil, the musical opened in 2002 and was an immediate success both financially and critically: Raking in Tony Awards, running for over six years and spanning several international productions.

The success of the musical did not go unnoticed by Hollywood studios, who decided to create a new film combining both the 1988 movie (keeping the campy feel and with John Travolta playing a mother!) and the stage version (a musical). The formula seemed to work: along with 4 new songs written especially for the film, Hairspray was released with great success, though it’s early to define it as a cult classic.

So which version is best? In the box office arena there is a definite winner: The 2007 version grossed over $200 million. But on the critical side, the 1988 version gets the upper hand by a little: 97% of good reviews vs. 91% for the 2007 version on RottenTomatoes.

8.

Pride and Prejudice (1813 novel) → Pride and Prejudice (1995) → Bride and Prejudice (2004)

A definite case of artistic freedom stands before us.

Pride and Prejudice is one of Jane Austen’s best novels and a timeless classic. Over the years, it’s been adapted in dozens of movies, TV series, miniseries etc.

The most notable is the BBC adaptation in 1995, which still stands as one of the greatest Austen adaptations (and raised Colin Firth to stardom).

But perhaps the most outrageous and original adaptation of the classic novel is the 2004 Bollywood-style Bride and Prejudice. In this adaptation, Lalita (the Indian parallel to Elizabeth Bennet) meets rich businessman Will Darcy and an immediate love-hate relationship is born. The classic plot is enriched with catchy songs like “No life without wife” and “My lips are waiting.” Conservative Austen fans would probably be appalled, but the Bollywood version is a funny, feel good experience, if you are willing to take a fresh look at a favorite classic.

7.

Sweeney Todd (1973 play) → Sweeney Todd (1979 musical play) → Sweeney Todd (2007)

The first mention of Sweeney Todd was in 1846 in a magazine that featured cheap, sensational fiction. In early versions of the story Todd is portrayed as a gruesome, cold-blooded killer. The first version that gave Todd a more humane side is Christopher Bond’s play from 1973, in which Todd is a wrongfully imprisoned barber who returns to London after 15 years of banishment. Todd as a vengeance-seeker was more relatable than as a killer without a cause.

The famous musical play by Stephen Sondheim is based on the 1973 play, adding an orchestral-operatic score to the story of vengeance and obsession. The original production won many awards, including 8 Tonys, and has been produced around the world many times since.

Director Tim Burton, who saw the original Sondheim musical as a student, dreamed of adapting it to the big screen. In 2006 his dream was fulfilled… Burton’s version is based quite rigidly on the play, with all of the songs except some background music taken directly from it.

Which version is best? It’s hard to compare the different mediums here – each version wins in its own field. Sondheim’s version is highly praised to this day, and Burton’s version is considered the best cinematic adaptation of the story and one of Burton’s finest films overall.

6.

The Producers (1968) → The Producers (2001 musical play) → The Producers (2005)

The Producers (1968), Mel Brooks‘ first attempt as a director, is a surprisingly successful staging of a musical about Hitler. The responses to this wild showbiz farce were naturally very mixed: some thought it outrageous to treat such issues in a comical way, while others felt it was extremely funny and brave. Like many works of art that were ahead of their time, the acceptance and praise of this film grew over the years until it achieved classic status.

In 2001 a musical play adaptation was produced on Broadway. Unusually, in this adaptation Brooks himself was responsible for the song lyrics and some of the music, preserving the sense of humor. The main difference between the two versions is that the 1968 movie was a much darker comedy in comparison to the more upbeat, light stage musical.

The play won no less than twelve Tonys, paving the way for a movie version of the musical. Theoretically, there was no reason why this film shouldn’t succeed. The two leading stars from the Broadway play also star in the film (Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick) along with several smaller roles and even the director of the play. Plus, it had highly successful and acclaimed origins. But theories and reality don’t always match, and The Producers (2005) turned out to be a financial flop with mixed reviews (51% positive reviews at RottenTomatoes vs. 93% for the 1968 version). However, we can’t blame the producers for trying…

5.

The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) → Little Shop of Horrors (1982 musical play) → Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

The original Little Shop of Horrors (1960) was a low-budget horror-comedy B Movie by one of the most productive B Movie directors, Roger Corman. Over the years the film developed a cult following, partly due to a small role by the young Jack Nicholson, which was heavily promoted in the VHS release of the film.

The cult following resulted in the decision to produce a Broadway musical based on the film. This version maintained the basic tone of dark humor, but with several changes: the masochistic dental patient character was eliminated, and at the end everyone gets eaten by the plant.

In 1986, the musical version was adapted back to film. It follows the plot of the play quite closely, except for bringing back the manic dental patient - if only Bill Murray’s acting was always so superb - and the ending. Unlike the grim ending of the stage musical, in the musical movie version (spoiler ahead!) Seymour saves Audrey and they live happily ever after… This change came after extremely negative reviews from test audiences, and gives the entire film gets a lighter, brighter tone.

Today both films are critically well-received and loved by audiences.

4.

Reefer Madness (1936) → Reefer Madness (1998 musical play) → Reefer Madness (2005)

Here’s a case of original material that was taken in an opposite direction in its later incarnations.

The 1936 version was a morality tale produced by a church group. It features high-school students lured to try marijuana, who subsequently descend into manslaughter, rape, suicide and other proportional deeds…

It was rediscovered in the 70s as an unintentional comedy and in 1998 was adapted as a stage musical in Los Angeles, as a humorous parody of the original. The show was later performed Off-Broadway, after going through substantial rewrites.

Despite the fact that the stage musical did not gain much attention and closed quite quickly, the cable network Showtime decided to adapt it as a straight-to-TV movie musical. The result was the extremely funny, campy and irreverent Reefer Madness (2005), which became an ironic favorite for stoners to watch while getting high. The tunes are catchy, the humor is quirky, the costumes are magnificent – it’s a true cult favorite that will make you hum “Listen to Jesus, Jimmy” for days.

3.

Mamma Mia (1975 ABBA song) → Mamma Mia! (1999 musical play) → Mamma Mia! (2008)

A jukebox musical is a risky proposition: The creators really like the songs of an artist or band, so they try to think of a story that can reasonably hold them all together. (As opposed to “regular” musicals where the plot is conceived before or alongside the music - though that’s not a guarantee it won’t be as ridiculous…)

The 1999 stage musical of Mamma Mia! really revived this genre, by performing some of the most beloved songs of the 20th century – by ABBA. And the plot? Well, it’s not that important.

The musical was an enormous success with audiences, and is currently 13th in the list of longest-running Broadway shows, right after classics like The Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Grease.

Such success could not go ignored by Hollywood, and in 2008 a cinematic version was released. The all-star cast, including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Julie Walters, sing and dance to the popular tunes. Unlike the similar Producers’ case, ABBA’s magic touch did the work. Like its stage inspiration, the movie was very profitable, if not critically acclaimed - becoming the highest grossing movie musical of all time worldwide.

The numbers are hard to ignore, and so a sequel is already planned. Will it include the same songs? Will ABBA finally reunite for the occasion?? And do we even want that to happen???

2.

Chicago (1926 play) → Chicago (1975 musical play) → Chicago (2002)

The story of Chicago began when a journalist/playwright covered two real-life murder trials. She emphasized the sensational aspects of the cases, claiming the murdering women were corrupted by men and liquor. Later she turned this report into a play, which even received a silent film version in 1927.

After her death, rights for the play were acquired by Bob Fosse, who choreographed the musical play in 1975. Songs were written to fit the Brechtian atmosphere of glamorized crimes and criminal celebrities.

The musical was not extremely successful, but in 1996 a renewed production gained much attention and covered its initial costs faster than any other musical in history. It eventually ran over five thousand times before closing down.

In 2002 a film was released, influenced by both the 1975 and 1996 musical plays, especially by the vaudeville look of the songs, which in the movie are presented as Roxie Hart’s fantasies. The film was very successful both financially and critically. It won 6 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and grossed over $300 million worldwide.

1.

8 1\2 (1963) → Nine (1982 musical play) → Nine (2009)

Everyone knows the Fellini classic 8 1\2. It is considered one of the best films in cinematic history.

But how many of us know there is a musical play based upon this film? The stage musical Nine takes the story of the famous film, adds music to it, and creates a whole new take on the story. Strange as it sounds, the musical became quite successful and received five Tonys. Several revivals of the musical have been enacted since.

This November we’ll get the cinematic version of the musical, with Rob Marshall’s Nine. Marshall has already successfully adapted material that has gone through several incarnations. Will he repeat the phenomenal success of Chicago and take over the Academy Awards ceremony? Or will it be a pretentious flop? By the look of the trailer and with an amazing all-star cast that includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren and many others, the result is sure to be glamorous…

Technorati Tags: Fame, Nine, movie, film, remake, television, Broadway,   based on books, based on play

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The Emmy winners have been announced, and I am absolutely outraged at the results.

Once again they nominated House and Hugh Laurie but gave the award to lesser nominees. Mad Men takes the Best Drama award for the second time in a row. House is the better show: everybody knows it except the Emmy award-givers. Same thing in the Best Dramatic Actor category – Bryan Cranston wins for the second year in a row and Hugh Laurie loses for the fourth time. If Laurie doesn’t get an Emmy for his performance as Doctor House, it will be the biggest mistake ever made by humankind. (And may I remind you, we’ve made some very big mistakes…).

I was also disappointed by the Best Comic Actress category – the fact that Toni Collette shape-shifted and performed many different characters in the lousy United States of Tara doesn’t mean she deserves an award. If shape-shifting and dressing up is everything, why not give the award to Dame Edna every year? Sarah Silverman should have won.

To express my disappointment with some of the picks, here are the top ten atrocities ever committed by the Emmy decision-makers:

10. Patricia Arquette and America Ferrera win; Glenn Close and Tina Fey lose

In 2005, Patricia Arquette won the Best Dramatic Actress award for her role in the very mediocre Medium! Glenn Close, who gave an amazing performance that year as Captain Monica Rawling in The Shield, was left with compliments and her mouth open in shock.

In 2007, America Ferrera won the Best Comic Actress award, while Tina Fey, who definitely made many more people laugh in her role as Liz Lemon in 30 Rock, had to wait till the following year.

9. Tony Shalhoub gets too much respect, Larry David and Steve Carell get none

In 2006, Tony Shalhoub already had two Best Comic Actor Emmys for his role as Adrian Monk in the TV series Monk. Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Steve Carell (The Office), also nominated that year, had none. Nevertheless, the Emmy went to Shalhoub once again. Don’t worry Steve and Larry, you’ll get your Best Comic Actor Emmy one day…

8. The West Wing gets more Emmys for Best Dramatic Series than The Sopranos

Who is the more memorable character, President Bartlet or Tony Soprano? What were the best TV moments, the President’s decision-making or Tony’s therapy sessions with Dr. Melfi? Who would you want to have as your advisor, Josh Lyman or Silvio Dante? Come on, it’s obvious: The Sopranos is a much better series, and yet The West Wing won no less than four Emmy awards for Best Drama series, while The Sopranos only ever got two.

7. Scrubs gets sick from the scorn it receives and the awards it doesn’t receive

One of the greatest TV series in the last twenty years, and yet it didn’t win any Emmy awards for Best Comedy Series, and got nominated only two times! Everybody Loves Raymond won twice and got nominated five times. You can’t tell me it’s a better show than Scrubs.

6. Larry David – a loser?

The Emmy guys should write a personal apology letter to Larry David. As an actor he was nominated three times for Curb Your Enthusiasm and won zero. For Seinfeld (which he co-wrote with Jerry Seinfeld), the best show of the nineties (more about that coming up) he won Best Comedy Series only once, and with Curb Your Enthusiasm he was nominated for Best Comedy Series five times and didn’t win even once. Is Woody Allen the only neurotic thin Jew capable of winning awards?

5. The X-Files loses four times (a conspiracy?)

Four nominations and zero wins for one of the best shows ever made. Mulder and Scully and the cases they dealt with were much more interesting than Andy Sipowicz (NYPD Blue) and Jack McCoy (Law & Order).

4. Six Feet Under gets buried

Another big mistake by the Emmy award givers. Three nominations and no wins for this original HBO hit series. Who won instead of Six Feet Under? You guessed it, once again it’s the Emmys’ favorite show: The West Wing. So what if the President in The West Wing had to manage the entire world and Nate and David only had to deal with a small funeral home?

3. Seinfeld

Seinfeld is one of the most loved TV comedies ever, yet won only once during the show’s nine seasons run. Seinfeld was nominated six more times and lost to Frasier five times and to Murphy Brown once. Frasier over Seinfeld??? It’s like preferring to spend a night with Rhea Perlman over Angelina Jolie, or the opposite example – Ron Perlman over Brad Pitt. To make a long story short, it’s like saying the Perlman family is way handsomer than the Pitt-Jolie family.

2. House

It’s amazing that this show that everybody agrees is a masterpiece hasn’t won Best Drama yet. It’s definitely the show with the best character development, the best dialogue and the best acting, especially by Hugh Laurie of course, but also by Omar Epps, Lisa Edelstein and Robert Sean Leonard. I thought hospital dramas were boring until I saw House. The Emmy judges presumably don’t watch the show, that’s the only way I can explain why they preferred giving the award to 24 and Mad Men.

1. Hugh Laurie – The Emmys’ Scorsese

Emmy people: Now you have completely lost it. The guy has a heavy British accent and in the series he sounds like he lived in the states his entire life. He brought amazing depth to Dr. House’s character and was much more impressive than any other actors, including those who won instead of him: Bryan Cranston, James Spider and Kiefer Sutherland (that year Laurie wasn’t even nominated!). Laurie is becoming the Emmy’s Scorsese. Next thing you know, he’ll win the award for a lesser role, maybe in a TV version of The Departed for example.

Think I missed an atrocity? Think this post is an atrocity?? Want Med Men to last forever? Comment and Take a stand!

Want more? Search on Jinni for: Emmy Winner * Prestigious Awards * Award Winner * Critically Acclaimed * Hit TV Series

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Each fall brings a slew of new TV shows. As Part 2 of our efforts to take an orderly, strategic approach to deciding what to watch this fall, here is our speculative pick of the top 15 TV shows premiering now.

15. Eastwick (starting September 23)

In the seaside village of Eastwick, three very different women are about to discover some bewitching talents they never knew they had. And once they get together - watch out. Something wicked is coming their way. An adaptation of The Witches of Eastwick, sans Jack Nicholson. I hope this will live up to the movie.

14. Accidentally On Purpose (starting September 21)

Billie, a single woman who finds herself “accidentally” pregnant after a one-night stand with a much younger guy, decides to keep the baby. And the guy. The plot reminds me of the movie Knocked Up, and I only hope it will be half as good. The lovely Jenna Elfman stars.

13. The Good Wife (starting September 22)

This drama stars Emmy award-winner Julianna Margulies as a wife and mother who must assume full responsibility for her family and re-enter the workforce after her husband’s very public sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail. Looks a bit like The Practice.

12. Trauma (starting September 28)

This series deals with a group of paramedics in San Francisco, California. It’s a combination of fast-paced action and medical drama. House meets Jack Bauer?

11. Hank (starting September 30)

Forced out of a job when his company downsizes, a former corporate tycoon must get use to spending more time with his family. Kelsey Grammer is the star of this fish-out-of-water comedy. It’s not Trading Places, but it has a laugh track and a riches-to-rags situation.

10. Cougar Town (starting September 23)

Starring Courteney Cox, this takes place in a small Florida town where the center of high society is the Cougar’s high school football team… which is wildly appropriate since this town is a natural habitat for over-tanned, under-dressed divorcées prowling for younger men. With such a title and leading actress, ratings for the first episode at least seem guaranteed.

9. The Middle (starting September 30)

This series starring Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton uses a mother’s point-of-view to shed light on the lives of a middle-class family in the Midwest. Might sound familiar, but looks promising.

8. Community (starting September 17)

This Stripes-inspired comedy is about a group of misfits attending the Greendale Community College. The focus group of the Community is led by a lawyer with a revoked degree, played by Joel McHale - there’s a good interview with him over on the A.V. Club.

7. Parenthood (starting September 23)

This new and semi-serious version of 1989’s Parenthood will reprise the antics of the Boardmans as they try to cope with the pressures of family life. Billed to star are familiar small-screen faces such as Peter Krause (Six Feet Under, Dirty Sexy Money), Maura Tierney (ER), Mae Whitman (Arrested Development’s Ann – “you know Ann”) and Mr Incredible himself, Craig T. Nelson.

6. Human Target (starting January 17th 2010)

A unique bodyguard/private detective interferes with murder attempts by impersonating the intended victims to draw the killers’ fire. It is based on a series from DC Comics and looks fast-paced and action-packed.

5. The Cleveland Show (starting September 27)

First Seth Macfarlane had Family Guy, then he had Family Guy and American Dad!, and now he’s got three shows of his own to do outrageous things in. From the trailer we can learn two things: Cleveland’s next door neighbors are (Jewish?) bears and in one of the episodes he gets into a fistfight with a cow.

4. Bored To Death (starting September 20)

When a Raymond Chandler-loving Brooklyn writer suffers a painful breakup, he decides to reinvent himself as an inexperienced private eye in this HBO comedy series. The show has an incredible cast that includes Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson, Zack Galifianakis, Oliver Platt and Parker Posey!

3. V (starting November 3)

When UFOs place themselves over major cities around the world and claim they are here to help humans, different characters become suspicious of the V’s (visitors) real intentions. They try to investigate what is really going on before it is too late. Based on the original 1980s miniseries about alien lizards visiting Earth, this ABC sci-fi project is the brainchild of The 4400 co-creator/exec producer Scott Peters. It sounds like The 4400 only with real aliens. But from the trailer it looks like a combination of War of the Worlds and District 9.

2. Flash Forward (starting September 24)

When an unexplained, cataclysmic global event causes everyone to black out simultaneously for two minutes and 17 seconds, everyone will see a glimpse of their own future. Then they will wake up to chaos, and everyone is left wondering if what they saw will actually happen. A newcomer to the growing foreknowledge theme (Early Edition, Next, Knowing, Déjà Vu), will it (hopefully) better them? The trailer sure looks interesting.

1. The Pacific (starting March 2010)

Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg did Saving Private Ryan together, then they did Band of Brothers, and on March 2010 they have another war epic coming out: The Pacific. No big names this time (though the budget was allegedly $100 million), but after the success of the former franchises, I’m pretty sure they know what they’re doing when it comes to war dramas.

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Fall is the best season for television. With so many new and promising shows, not to mention new seasons for old favorites all hoping to ride on Emmy wins or nominations, it’s time to take an orderly, strategic approach to deciding what to watch. Here is my list of the best 25 ongoing TV series ending with my Emmy bets. We’ll follow up in a few days with our picks of the best new shows, so check back. Now place your bets and make your choices!

25. Castle (2009, 2nd season starting September 21)
Nice show about misfit partners – a female police detective and a male writer of mystery novels, who solve murder cases together.

24. American Dad! (2005, 5th season starting September 27)
Not as funny as Family Guy, but Seth Macfarlane’s American Dad is funny nonetheless. If you’re not into gay extraterrestrials and Germans stuck in a fish’s body, then it might not be the show for you.

23. Lie To Me (2009, 2nd season starting September 28)
Tim Roth is excellent as usual, this time as an expert in reading facial expressions (or a deception expert if you like) who assists the police with cases only he can solve.

22. Weeds (2005, 5th season ended recently, season 6 will air sometime in 2010)
A recently widowed mother of two now has financial troubles. What else can she do but become a local drug dealer?

21. Southland (2009, 2nd season starting October 23)
A good, realistic police drama, with a great theme song and an even greater Michael Cudlitz (you might remember him as Bull from Band of Brothers).

20. Eastbound and Down (2009, 2nd season starting January 2010)
With Danny McBride as the lead, Jody Hill as the director and Will Ferrell and Adam McKay as executive producers, I expected more laughs. That said, the last episode of Season One was amazing.

19. Heroes (2006, 4th season starting September 21)
The first season was good, the 2nd and 3rd not so much. (An amusing look on Pop Candy at Does Heroes still matter?) But Sylar makes the show worth watching. Save the cheerleader, save the world!

18. Fringe (2008, 2nd season starting September 17)
It’s not The X-Files and it’s not Lost, but it’s a good sci-fi show with some scary and bizarrely memorable moments.

17. Nurse Jackie (2009, 2nd season sometime in 2010)
A show set in a hospital with a lead character who has a pill popping addiction. She’s a nurse, not a doctor. And is played by Edie Falco, not Hugh Laurie. Not as good as House, but not bad at all.

16. Burn Notice (2007, the 2nd part of the 3rd season will air in a few months)
With plenty of action, cool editing, and beautiful women, Burn Notice is light, fast-paced fun.

15. Hung (2009, 2nd season sometime in 2010)
An HBO series that looks the way an HBO series should: clever, funny and very very sexual. (It’s too much for the Jonas Brothers, per Agent Bedhead)

14. Psych (2006, 4th season now in progress)
A hotshot, narcissistic hero who outsmarts everyone, plenty of verbal byplay, innumerable references to 80s movies - and of course, a friendship like no other. Sounds fun, and it is.

13. Scrubs (2001, 9th season coming soon)
The last two seasons weren’t as good as the previous ones. But as long as Doctor Cox and the janitor are there, it’s still a great show.

12. Damages (2007, 3rd season sometime in 2010)
These are some of the actors that appeared in the two seasons the series had so far: Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, Ted Danson, Timothy Olyphant, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt and Mario Van Peebles. This show has quality written all over it.

11. The Simpsons (1989, 21st! season starting September 27)
Its 21 season-run so far says everything: Homer, Bart and the rest of the family are a cultural icon, no less than Coca Cola, Google and McDonalds.

10. Family Guy (1999. 8th season starting September 27)
Sorry Simpsons, this must hurt, but Family Guy is so funny, godless, biting and insulting in so many ways to so many people, that it’s one place ahead of you on the list.

9. True Blood (2007, 3rd season will air in summer 2010)
In True Blood you’ll find sex, nudity, blood, vampires and a lot of clever subtexts. Alexander Skarsgard, great as a calm and cool sergeant in Generation Kill, is equally great here as a vampire. He excels in roles that include blood, I guess.

8. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000, 7th season starting September 20)
After almost a two-year break, the most neurotic character on television returns. It’s been a tough two years, without watching Larry getting himself into all kinds of embarrassing and hilarious misunderstandings.

7. The Sarah Silverman Program (2007, 3rd season starting early 2010)
No topic or outlandish idea is out of range for Silverman, who has made a name for herself with her stunning brand of shocking but undeniably honest stand-up routines. This is raw, cutting-edge comedy at its best, and each episode is another chance for Silverman to push the limits of a television show that might be offensive if it weren’t so damn funny.

6. Breaking Bad (2008, 3rd season starting March 2010)
The premise is not much different from Weeds, but it’s tenser, gloomier, more suspenseful and a bit cleverer. Bryan Cranston is a worthy candidate for a best dramatic actor Emmy award. It’s a shame he’s running against Hugh Laurie.

5. 30 Rock (2006, 4th season staring October 15)
This show is comic brilliance: Alec Baldwin blooms as Jack Donaghy, Tracy Morgan is hilarious as Tracy Jordan, and Tina Fey, the #1 woman of comedy, is one of the biggest names in the industry today, mainly because of 30 Rock.

4. The Office (2005, 6th season starting September 17)
Funniest show on TV. So many great characters: Jim and Pam should get their own show, and so should Creed, Dwight, Toby and Meredith of course (her show will be NC-17).

3. Dexter (2006, 4th season starting September 27th)
Season one was very good, season two was great, and season three with Jimmy Smits was absolutely amazing. Is it even possible that season four will be better? With Dexter married with children, it seems that he won’t have any time to kill…

2. House M.D. (2004, 5th season staring September 21)
A true masterpiece, definitely the show with the best character development, the best dialogue and the best acting, especially by Hugh Laurie of course, but also by Omar Epps, Lisa Edelstein and Robert Sean Leonard. I thought hospital dramas were boring until I saw House…

1. Lost (2004, 6th season starting January 2010)
Sixth and last season coming up this January, and the entire world is asking: How the hell are they going to end this series? Are they going to answer any of the innumerable questions that were raised during the series so far? If the show ends and I still have questions, what will I do? Live in doubt and uncertainty? Live without ever knowing? Will it be any clearer than the finale of The Sopranos?

Here are my bets for the Emmy awards:

Best Drama Series: House, Lost and Dexter all had incredible seasons. I really hope one of them wins and not Mad Men. Lost already won the Emmy once, House and Dexter didn’t. I’m going with House on this one. It’s amazing that this show that everybody agrees is a masterpiece hasn’t won Best Drama yet.

Best Comedy Series: 30 Rock’s award cabinet is too full for another one. It’s a great thing that Family Guy gets nominated - it’s a shame it happens after the series’ worst season. That leaves me with my two favorites in this category: The Office, which keeps getting better and better every season, and Flight of The Conchords – an unexpected nomination by the Emmy decision makers. Since it ended, I’m in favor of it: this hilarious show is not that well known – an Emmy award will give it the recognition it deserves.

Best Dramatic Actor: It’s time Hugh Laurie gets his well-deserved Emmy. After four seasons in which he deserved the award each time, Laurie is becoming the Emmy’s Scorsese. Next thing you know, he’ll win the award for a lesser role, maybe in a TV version of The Departed for example.

Best Comic Actor: Tony Shalhoub, who won three Emmys in four years (2003-2006), is nominated this year also, but it seems that Alec Baldwin, after his win last year, is heading into his Emmy award winnings era. I’m rooting for Steve Carell who gets nominated for the fourth time for his role as the world’s most obnoxious boss, and deserves his first win.

Best Dramatic Actress: Glenn Close for Damages. No competition.

Best Comic Actress: Tina Fey is the obvious favorite for her role as Liz Lemon in 30 Rock, but I cross my fingers for Sarah Silverman who broke every rule in her show and made me laugh more than any of the other nominees in this category. Here are some of the things she did in her show: Slept with god and then dumped him, tasted her dog’s ass, faked AIDS to cure boredom, and became homeless by choice.

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