Emmy Beat -- Rachel, Sally Have Our Vote

I could start this brief post by noting that if Rachel Griffiths and Sally Field need a morale boost going into Sunday's Emmy Awards, they should look no further than the B&S softball team -- who pulled off an emotional 8-5 victory over Grey's Anatomy Saturday morning in front of an impressive crowd. 

The key player was Dave Annable, who, on his birthday, went 3-3, crushing 2 HR and driving in 5.   Undoubtedly this will be the talk of the set Monday morning.

But such inane punditry assumes the following:

1) that the Emmys are some sort of actual competition, in which nominees are asked to perform challenges and "wow" their peers the way the contestants on Top Chef wow the judges -- when in fact Rachel and Sally, along with the rest of our cast, have been wowing viewers for the last year. 

They've already done the heavy lifting -- Sunday is their night to bask in the glow of recognition.

and 2) that Rachel Griffiths and Sally Field give a wooden nickel about the fate of our team. 

Regardless, allow me to say that if the awards were decided on the Fourth Floor at Stage 6, Ms. Field and Ms. Griffiths would be shoo-ins.  The writers couldn't be happier with the life these fine actresses have breathed into Nora Walker and Sarah Whedon.

Buena suerte, ladies.
Dan

Comments

[Dee Gray]

I found your political comments so unprofessional, I loved your movies then, but no longer. I will not watch anything you are in again.

Dee and David from Oklahoma

[Margie Fornell]

Your show "Brothers and Sisters" will not be watched by our family anymore. You should have just been an actor and not an Alex Baldwin. We will not watch anymore, anything you are in again.

Margie and Ric Fornell, Oklahoma

[Mariah Partain]

I noticed only the ones who agree with you are posted. Continue to be partisan and you will lose all the folks on the right who love you.

Mariah Partian, Fort Smith, Arkansas

[ROBERT WHITAKER]

I wish to offer my sincere congratulations to Miss Field on her Emmy win, her performance each week is nothing short of amazing she has sooo many levels to play and always wows me in every one of her scenes. I love the show and all the actors & actresses on the show, I will be purchasing the DVD for season one today and after I view it intend to let my friends share in this quality well crafted program...and get'em hooked on season 2.
Kudos and God Bless Miss Field and the entire cast n' crew! Blessings, Robert 2007

[BARB GAFFNEY]

CONGRATULATIONS SALLY FIELD ON YOUR EMMY!!! I LOVE YOUR SHOW AND WAS ROOTING FOR YOU TO WIN ON SUNDAY. YOU COULD NOT HAVE PUT IT BETTER THAN "IF MOTHERS CONTROLLED THE WORLD, THERE WOULD BE NO WARS"!!! MOMS WOULD THINK LONG AND HARD BEFORE SENDING THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO FIGHT IN A WAR (BE IT RIGHT OR WRONG)AND ONCE THEY DID THINK ABOUT IT, THEY WOULD SAY NO NO NO!!!!!!! I WAS SO HAPPY TO HEAR YOU SPEAK UP AND GIVE US MOMS A VOICE!!!!!!!
BARB GAFFNEY
ARIZONA

[Dianne Powell]

Dear Sally:
Why? You couldn't make your point without using blasphemy? Did you forget how many of viewers just might be offended by your language? I'm not writing about "war" or "no war." You would have to be stupid not to think EVERYONE would like to have their family home, safe and sound. Did you really think your remarks would, in fact, line you up with the mothers who are waiting for the children to come home? Think, again. Really thought you were more sincere and smarter than that. I'll miss seeing the show.

[JoAnn]

Sally, you were an embarrassment. Good thing I don't watch the show because I would have quit after your "speach" Sunday night.

[will]

Many, many posters have written negative comments about "Brothers & Sisters" throughout this past year. Usually it is in reaction to the gay relationships depicted ("Vile!"..."Repulsive"..."will never watch again!"..."Sodom & Gommorah!"..."God made Adam & Eve, not Adam & Steve"... that kind of thing), but ocassionally the same "I will never watch again" stuff resurfaces in reaction to the politics. Kitty Walker created a quasi-"controversy" on these threads last year when she came out against the Iraq war. I believe this was around the same time Kevin picked up a beefy soldier at an "army bar" - & had a one-night-stand - on three of the sibs "road trip". So many anti-gay pro-Iraq posts came in that week you'd have thought a plague of locusts - or angry bees - had descended on our humble site (not you JoAnn, you're the exception).

At any rate, I think it is safe to assume that all the "I will never watch again!" posters that posted above are not actual B&S viewers in the first place....& will leave no dent at all in the Neilson ratings. If anything, Sally has introduced the show to a whole teeming number of americans (the majority) who share her view of this ill-conceived unwinnable conflict. JoAnn, we are obviously on different sides of this issue, but I still respect your opinion.

[Paloma]

THANK YOU SALLY FIELD!!!! I've been a fan since Gidget, still going strong especially after your acceptance speech at the Emmy's. Congrats!!! Its absurd how Fox censors Free Speech...... I'm sure God agrees with you, we should not be sending our troops to get killed for a senseless war. Keep up your exceptional craft as a lady, mother, and actor. U Rock!

[will]

In fact, here's a marketing ploy:

As a promo, show Sally accepting her Emmy & cut to the sentence which got her bleeped....then show a few quick, impassioned responses from the angry right (Sean Hannity, a Rush Limbaugh voice-over). IMMEDIATELY cut to Kevin locking lips with some dude from last year (or this year, if something's available). Maybe the scene where Kevin torridly kisses the senator's brother in the pantry. Next, use the scene with Rachel Griffiths sexily gyrating with a pool cue for the soldiers in that army bar. Find every damned trashy, teasy, funny "controversial" image that rouses people's prurient interests. No dialogue. "Prince"-y bump-and-grind music.

Then, simply, at the bottom third of the screen: "Brothers and Sisters. September 30th. A New Kind of American Family" - Ending with that wonderful shot of the whole family in the swimming pool from last year's finale.

If I weren't already a viewer, this would definately peak my interest.

[JoAnne]

the post 0n 9/18 at 2:09 P.M. by JoAnn....is not me
Just want to clarify that

I an JoAnne with an "E" at the end.

Will, I don't know if you are referring to me in your last post.

[Joseph Reed - Kentucky]

I don't need someone to tell me how to think or who to support (I have my government to do that). You should just do your job and act, Sally, just like we should just do *our* jobs and support our country and our president in this completely righteous war. Since you can't keep your opinions silent, then I have no choice but to voice mine and never watch your show again (even though I never watched it to begin with). We're not in the 60's anymore. Protesting solves nothing.

[Tasha]

Go Sally!
I loved that she won! She's great, wonderful actress.

She should feel free to say what she likes, it was her moment after all. If others wanted to say something in support of the war they could have, that would have been their right. As long as people aren't being hateful or hurting one another we should respect their right to speak up.

[CeCe]

Who is AleX Baldwin? Hee!

Oh, my...the outrage. Look. Agree or disagree with Sally, the fact of the matter is...celebrities often use their place in the public eye to "use their voice." It is a fact, and it has been going on forEVER. I think if I were famous, I would probably do the same. I mean...if you have that platform, and you don't try to use it to promote what you believe is "good" once in a while, then what's the point? Not all the time, no. And of course not everyone will agree with you. I'm guessing Sally didn't for one minute think everyone was going to agree with her. But SHE believed in what she said, and I freaking love her for having the balls to put it out there! I am confident there were plenty of people hooting and cheering when she was up there, and if she touched even one person...that's a good thing, IMO.

It was her moment. She can use it however she likes. It is not up to you or me or anyone to dictate that for her. My MIL, who is polar opposite from me, called me immediately (and I KNEW she would) to say, "Sally Field is ON MY LIST! She should just keep her mouth shut!" OK, I'm fairly certain that *I* am also on her "list", ever since I added my "Is it 2008 yet?" bumper sticker, so whatEVER. But I can guarantee that if Sally had used her moment to say something like, "All the mothers of the world need to get behind this brilliant war!" instead, then 1) I would think she had totally lost her mind ;-), and 2) my MIL (and some of y'all) would be singing a very different tune.

But who cares. It was a moment. It is over. And Nora Walker is going to be on my TV screen in about a week and a half, along with her nutcase family (including my hot gay boyfriend Kevin) and I am SO looking forward to it! Bring it on!!!

[will]

JoAnne (with an "e"):

My mistake. I got the 2 confused. I do respect you even if we occasionally disagree (which is SOOO OK with me).

For instance: You say you'd be happy to see an awards show where there's no "personal opinions" involved on the war or the president. But I LIVE for that sh*t! I was raised on debate. I APPRECIATE lively discussion (particularly venturing into those "forbidden" topics: religion, politics, etc - they seem to be the only conversations with any depth...& debating art & music & science & even television shows, of course!). I like people with differing opinions, even political opinions, from mine (to me, my opinions are boring. I LIVE with them!) I LIKE the art of mixing it up & dissent & nonconformity. I fondly remember those late-night coffeehouse conversations I've had debating the merits of the latest Almodovar film, or the 2004 election or whether "God" existed or not... fully taking advantage of the underlying implications of "DEMOCRACY". I feel more fully alive when the country's engaged....& talking IDEAS....& voicing opinions. Sally, to me, is an emblem of being able to pratice freedom of speech, free of governmental interference. It's a right we all share.

[Scott]

Ah, and so begins the barrage of "I'm never going to watch your show again, even though I never watched it to begin with" comments.

You would think they would at least try to pretend they are regular viewers. (Though, admittedly, it makes for a good laugh.)

Because it can't be said enough, congrats again Sally! Both for your deserved win and for your candor. You have a fan for life.

[will]

Goddamnit, I love you CeCe. Too bad you are a woman! Otherwise, I'd be wining & dining you. Beautiful articulate post.

And P.S. Don't censor me, B&S. If Sally can say goddamn, so can I!

[will]

MORE VIEWER MAIL
(posted at various times during season 1):

"The gay ordeals are getting a little overdone. We know the son is gay... then kissing, then dancing. WAY TOO MUCH FOR ME. Other than that, the show is GREAT. I depends which will overtake the other for me to continue to watch".....BARB

"Oh & please tell Sally Field to stop doing that shaky freak-out "I'm calm... I'm freaking... I'm calm... I'm freaking" thing. She does it in everything she's in. It's getting old".....STEPHANIE

"One complaint. Could wardrobe please not dress Ron Rifkin in the same gray sweater every week?".....CARRIE

"Looks like ABC is a dinosaur & headed for the pits".....MARY

(Somebody posted this about Kitty):
"So if she walks like a liberal, talks like a liberal, ain't she really a liberal? Why not have her become a Democrat & make your fantasy complete?".....BETRAYED

"This is some liberal, limousine, Greenpeace, climbing a tree hippie, druggie, abortion & sex-craved idea of entertainment".....ADRIANNA

"Thank you for showing Julia in panties at the end of the show".....TRAVIS

"Is it me or does anyone else have the sneaky suspicion that Uncle Saul is really operating a rogue international food supply company? And Sarah & Tommy think it is legit? Run, Kitty, run! Your mother is really a double agent!".....SKOOTER JONES

[ilovemylife]

Hi, everyone!

Things haven’t changed. Some of us are fine with Free Speech and some of us aren’t.

I caught Sally’s words on Youtube. What is all the flurry about some words that Sally said from her heart? We’re here to live out loud. Sally said what she feels and her words didn’t kill anyone. In spite of the Patriot Act, some of us “refuse to lose” our First Amendment’s Rights.

Congratulations to Sally and to the entire cast and crew. Sally’s win reflects on everyone’s work on the Brothers and Sisters.

I talk to Brothers and Sisters fans in England, Holland, etc at http://ioanzone.19.forumer.com/ under “Not Ioans” and then under “Matthew Rhys” there.

http://ilovemylifebrothersandsisters.blogspot.com/
GENOCIDE STOPS WITH US – FIND A DREAM FOR DARFUR event in your area:
www.savedarfur.org
www.dreamfordarfur.org

Sandra
Portsmouth, Rhode Island, USA

[JoAnna Belshe..Kansas]

Sally Field…You go girl...You know I hate the war...but even saying that I can still support the troops...I think you are right. If moms were in control there would be no war...

[Mark]

Bobp - Responding to your post about seeing the latest issue of OUT. Yes, I have seen it, and didn't know much about John Barrowman until I read that issue. That would have been hot!

Mark :)

[will]

I wish "Brothers and Sisters" would be more fearless. TAKE A STAND. Be about something more. For a show with a gay character, a strong, independant mom, dealing with the Iraq war, topical issues, etc. etc. - it sure can be warm & toothless. YES, we all love the romantic triangles & general drama....BUT FIND & CREATE A SPACE THAT'S ALL YOUR OWN. Too many B&S episodes (in general) have the consistency of oatmeal. I want this show to SING & reverberate & push a few boundaries, expand the definition of night-time drama.

On youtube I have been following the storyline of John Paul & Craig from the british show "Hollyoaks". It's a romantic triangle....Sarah was in love with Craig, there was even a wedding date....Craig has been secretly in love with John Paul....but nevermind all that. The creative team on this show consistently gives these 2 young actors incredible, INTENSE & very recognizably human scenes to play. Sometimes long scenes, that keep you transfixed with their accumulative emotional power. I think it is safe to say their is not really an equivalent to this on american television.

Season One of B&S was entertaining. But I always look back on it as "scratching the surface", opportunities missed. You guys have the best freaking cast I have EVER SEEN assembled & I honestly hope you can put them to better use....and give them the creative scripts & more fluid sibling inter-play....just ALLOW them the opportunity to realize their personal potentials as actors. I want to see episodes I can fully embrace as the ZENITH, the vortex, the sublimity of contemporary american television art.

OK. I feel better now. Got that out of my system.

[Vaughanster]

Congratulations to Sally Field!

I recorded the festivities (including E!'s coverage of the red carpet arrivals and the after party) hoping to catch a glimpse of Calista (am I too pathetic?), but I hadn't heard Sally's speech until after hearing, on the news the next morning, that it was censored. I also heard that she'd said there wouldn't be any wars if it were up to women, and I was a little offended, 'cause I think women are as evil, self-serving and vicious as men, and that if it were up to women, we'd be fighting even more wars, but over pettier issues, like breast size, hair dye and fashion statements!

Then I listened to Sally's speech, and discovered that it hadn't been censored on my recording, and that she said "mothers". I was touched. I agree with her, that if wars were only up to the mothers who knew it would mean sending their own children to fight them, there wouldn't be any God damn wars!

Unfortunately, wars aren't up to mothers like Sally; they're up to morons like Osama Bin Laden.

As a soldier who, like Justin, served with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, I'd like to thank all of you at "Brothers and Sisters" for boosting my morale. Thank you very much!

BTW, if any of you would like to read Sally's PLAYBOY Interview, and see the picture of her in a PLAYBOY Bunny uniform that appeared on the cover of that issue, there's a copy here:

http://www.theofficialcalistaflockhartfanclub.com/PLAYBOY_Interview-198603-Sally_Field.htm

[will]

Goddamn, do I love articulate posters! I think the reason I find it so disspiriting to go onto OTHER "message boards" is that the commenters & participants can barely string a few sentences together.

Lucid prose is so goddamn cool! (Saying "goddamn" is also cool right now, since Sally made it so....vogue). Articulate, clean lucid prose....is the new "SEXY".
That's right, SEXY! Thank you, B&S posters.

[CeCe]

Goddamnit, Will! The feeling is mutual!!

And "Articulate, clean lucid prose" is not just the NEW sexy...it is the old, the new, and the forever sexy! And you wear it well!