Why have I got the feeling a lot of people are just going to run in here and mention their favourite without any explanation?
Anyways, here's my view:
Las Vegas:
I love every single series regular, I think they are all wonderful characters and great actors in their own right.
Billy Petersen definately deserves an award. He's made Grissom such a wonderful, unique character, something that you don't see much of any more on TV. He is a joy to watch every week. I think maybe he's taken for granted by the people who judge these type of things. I think it'll be one of those instances where people don't start getting their praise until the show is nearing its end. CSI is probably still the biggest show in the world, and awards panels seem to like to go against the grain. So whilst CSI is still in the major spotlight, I don't think he'll get what he deserves until the series starts winding down towards the end. It's stupid, but I think that's just how it'll be.
Marg Helgenberger is wonderful. Her character is not as enigmatic as the likes of Grissom, but she has definately made herself just as endearing and interesting. Luckily for Marg, she's been given quite a few episodes centered around her character, and she nailed each and every single on of them. She should have recieved some major recognition by now.
Jorja Fox,
Gary Dourdan and
Eric Szmanda are superb actors in their own right, but they've yet to have a defining episode that merits an award. Sure, they are great and consistent week in and week out, but when you aren't the main focus of the show every week, you need to hope for that one storyline that'll give you the opportunity to really shine. It's not their fault that they haven't quite had it yet, they've all shown great skills in the episodes that were a little more heavily biased towards their characters (Fannysmackin', Ellie, Invisible Evidence, Committed etc. all spring to mind). It's just a case of right script, right time for these guys.
George Eads would fall into the same boat, if it wasn't for 'Grave Danger'. The boy was phenomenal in that. I don't know much about the awards bar what I see on TV, but I can't remember hearing that CBS even submitted the episode for nomination. For the life of me I can't figure out why! George definately earnt at least a nomination for that performance.
Louise Lombard is also a seemingly quality actress, but it's far too early into her tenure on the show to be winning anything. Still, she showed flashes of great potential in 'A Bullet Runs Through It' etc. Hopefully she'll get a little more spotlight in the future.
And last but definately not least,
Paul Guilfoyle. This guy is so underrated. If Grissom is the heart of the show, then he is its backbone. He lights up the screen every week with his snarky, sarcastic sense of humor, and always brightens up some of the darker episodes. But when it comes to the drama, that's where he really shines. He's delivered some heart-wrenching performances in the likes of 'Ellie' and 'Hollywood Brass' when it came to his daughter, and nearly had me in tears in 'A Bullet Runs Through It'. I can't sing this guys praises enough. He already deserves an award in my eyes, but give him another episode and he'll prove without a shadow of a doubt how much he should own a statue.
Miami:
I love, love, love
Emily Procter with all my heart and soul, but as of right now, I don't think the girl could possibly win an award. Nothing to do with her acting ability, I've always thought she was a phenomenally gifted actress from the moment I first laid eyes on her on The West Wing. Just like I said with Jorja and co, she hasn't had that defining episode, and it's the writers fault. She is more than talented enough to carry an episode, in fact probably the whole show, but the writers seem to have a big issue from bringing anybody out from under Caruso's shadow. Quite frankly, it pisses me off, especially when you compare the amount of screentime and storylines to those of her opposite numbers on Miami's sister shows. Marg, and even Melina have probably had more storylines in one season than Emily's had over five. If it were up to me, Emily would have a case of awards already, but of course it it were up to me, she'd have had much more focus than she's recieved so far. From an awards panel's view, I can't see any reason they could possibly pick her to win, in fact, I don't even think CBS would have adeqate footage to submit. Stop wasting her dammit! Give us a couple of Calliegh-centric episodes and watch her kick the crap out of them. The Emmy folk should be lining up to give her a trophy after that.
And if you don't believe that she's a wonderful actress from what you've seen on this show, go and pick up the second season on The West Wing and just bask in her awesomeness.
Simply put,
Khandi Alexander rocks. She's awesome, and she whenever Miami has put the spotlight on her she's shined immensely. I still can't get over how great she was in 'Addicted' and the episode where she confronted that incompetent surgeon. Write more material for her, now! She is one of the best elements about the show, so use her to her full potential.
As for the others, I have a lot of love for
Rex Linn, but bar the land mine scare, he hasn't been giving much to work with that would warrant an award.
Adam Rodriguez is also a treat, but his only time in the spotlight was rudely stolen by Horatio.
Jon Togo is alright, but whilst he does get a more than significant portion of screentime, he hasn't really done anything with it. I find his character development to have been pretty poor. The writers are at fault there. So far, I'd have to say
Eva La Rue is nothing to write home about.
New York: (this one will be short and sweet)
This cast has so much potential.
Gary Sinese is, and always has been great. I expect him to continue to anchor the show just like Billy Petersen does. He's had some great episodes already. The show is just really starting to hit it's stride, so he should really be in the forefront of these awards judges minds.
I adore
Melina Kanakaredes. Another phenomenal actress. She has been consistantly brilliant since the start of the show, and even more wonderful when she was in the spotlight in episodes like 'All Access'. If they keep Stella in the forefront of some good storylines, Melina should start getting some attention in the way of awards.
Breif mention to a few the others.
Hill Harper and
Eddie Cahill are stellar performers with a wealth of potential, but neither has really had a chance to shine as of yet. That's only to be expected, NY is still a show in it's early days, and now is about the time that the lead characters are established enough for them to start writing storylines for the other regulars.
Carmine Giovinazzo is wonderful, and has been blessed with a few good scripts. The guy was fantastic in 'Run Silent, Run Deep'. Keep giving him that kind of material, and he'll get some credit soon enough (if not, his fangirls make sure he gets some anyway. The man definately some, er, 'dedicated' fans. :lol:
Heh, I think I'm done. Sorry I rambled for so long, I'm surprised about how passionate I feel about this. The main thing I think about this is that all the CSI actors are very, very underrated! Are you not watching the same thing I am, Hollywood?