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Emmys' biggest snubs? No award for Bryan Cranston or Jon Hamm

What were the members of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences thinking when they filled out their ballot for best actor in a drama this year? No offense to unexpected winner Damian Lewis. He's worthy of major accolades for bringing Nicolas Brody to life on "Homeland," there's no denying it. But this year, he was the long shot. After all, there were two other stars who seemed be in a dead heat
Bryan Cranston and Jon Hamm.
Bryan Cranston and Jon Hamm.Getty Images / Today

What were the members of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences thinking when they filled out their ballot for best actor in a drama this year? No offense to unexpected winner Damian Lewis. He's worthy of major accolades for bringing Nicolas Brody to life on "Homeland," there's no denying it. But this year, he was the long shot. After all, there were two other stars who seemed be in a dead heat for the golden winged award.

For the past four and a half seasons, "Breaking Bad's" Bryan Cranston has shown the prime-time TV world the believable evolution of a man who's gone from a terminally ill teacher and family man to a meth-cooking kingpin ... and family man. As Walter White, he's gone dark and then some, and his performance is truly special.

It's a role that's earned him the statuette three times before -- for good reason.

Then there was Jon Hamm, who many believed was poised to take the top drama honor this year for his perfect portrayal of the tortured soul who juggles booze, business and womanizing -- "Mad Men's" Don Draper.

So why no Emmy for either one of these men this time? Especially after Cranston revealed his acting range to be broader and better than ever before, and Hamm's continued to make Draper a must-see TV character? Perhaps Cranston's drama has simply become too dark for the voters. Maybe they hope to recognize him next year, for his work on the remainder of the final of the show. And maybe the Academy just doesn't see in Hamm what "Mad Men" fans do. But the right answer could be that the dramatic-actor field was just flooded with big talent, and these men were lost in the mix.

In addition to Lewis, Cranston and Hamm, Steve Buscemi made the best actor in a drama list for his work as Nucky Thompson on "Boardwalk Empire." Michael C. Hall received a nom for his title role in "Dexter." And the man behind "Downton Abbey's" lord and master, Hugh Bonneville, was on the list, too.

No doubt the Academy members had a tough decision to make. And that might explain the evening's other snubs as well.

Such as? When "Homeland" went on to beat out "Breaking Bad," "Mad Men" (which came up nil for the night), "Game of Thrones" and even "Downton Abbey" to take the Emmy for best drama series.

Other notable oversights included Mayim Bialik of "The Big Bang Theory," who lost the supporting actress in a comedy award to "Modern Family's" Julie Bowen. And Bialik's fellow "Big Banger" Jim Parsons didn't get his due trophy for lead actor in a comedy series thanks to Jon Cryer's shocking win for his work on "Two and a Half Men." (Note: Even Cryer himself was shocked, telling the crowd, "Something has gone terribly wrong.")

While many thought the lead actress in a comedy series would surely go to Tina Fey ("30 Rock"), Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation") or Melissa McCarthy ("Mike & Molly"), in a three-way snub, it was actually "Veep's" Julia Louis-Dreyfus who snagged it.

And while it seems hard to argue with a "Daily Show" win for variety series, this time, given Stephen Colbert's consummate work as Super PAC-man over the past year, it's hard not to call that one a snub, too.

Which stars or shows do think were snubbed during Sunday night's 2012 Emmy Awards? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

 

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