Earlier this week the role of guest star was in focus as part of the SAG “Conversations” series and now Variety is showcasing supporting actors. We’re in the somewhat protracted period of pre-Emmy nominations as the recent season of TV is being discussed and analysed by various sites; trade publications like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter have delivered extensive roundtable conversations and print/digital articles.
Variety has chosen three actors who play supporting characters on critically acclaimed shows; one of these shows is over (Breaking Bad), however it is still very much in contention for the Emmys this year. Aaron Paul’s current stint on TV is no more and Christina Hendricks’ is coming to an end relatively soon as they are shooting what I believe is the last episode of Mad Men. I am sure this will feature heavily in the awards discussion this time next year as we won’t get to see the final 7 until 2015.
The third cover is occupied by Girls’ Allison Williams and I expect her inclusion might be met with some eye rolls and questions of “Why her?” There are of course plenty of other supporting actors who could take her position who are more likely to receive an Emmy nomination (pretty much all of the OITNB cast), but I would also argue that Williams has been incredible on the latest season of Girls as Marnie experienced a steady stream of humiliation (YouTube videos) in her portrayal of a character who is so incredibly unaware of her many awful qualities. The comments Williams makes in the interview might not endear people any further as she mentions that Girls was the first audition she did upon arriving in Los Angeles, while both Hendricks and Paul discuss their long journey to success.
The cover themselves are pretty cool as they show a double exposure like shot of each actor – the ladies get a close up and a body shot, whereas Paul looks like he is dancing – and while the article itself focuses on how strong supporting roles can lead to greater opportunities, characters like Joan, Jesse or Marnie should not be scoffed at. Not that this article is necessarily doing this in an overt manner, but it does have a hint of movies over TV to it and by now we should be at place beyond this outdated value judgement, even if it is in the subtext.
TV Ate My Wardrobe 
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