The April 11 episode of Lost ...
Question: The April 11 episode of
Lost was so good it actually made me upset because
Elizabeth Mitchell's phenomenal performance might just take the Emmy away from
Connie Britton of
Friday Night Lights. Connie would be lead actress, of course, so wouldn't it be perfect if Mitchell were nominated for supporting actress so both these outstanding ladies could get the awards they deserve? Who actually makes the decision about which category an actor is eligible in? Is it the producers of the show, the networks, the agents? And do you think they take into consideration the possible competition when they make that decision?
Answer: My understanding is that it's the actor's call to submit their own name, in consultation with the studio, the network and no doubt their management. It's not uncommon for strategy to play a part: How else to explain how Jon Cryer finds himself nominated in a supporting category for
Two and a Half Men when Charlie Sheen, the other "man" in the title, is nominated for lead actor? You're right that Mitchell's role in
Lost would almost certainly be deemed "supporting," unlike Britton as
Friday Night Lights' co-adult lead. As much as
I admire what Mitchell is doing on
Lost, I still think it's going to be a long shot for that show to get its due this season, given the perception (much of it shortsighted) of its fall from grace.
