The Glass Teat, TV Reviews and Commentaries

August 2000

And now, for some commentary on the 2000 Emmy nominations, which were announced July 20.

The one area where I was a bit disappointed was in some of the acting awards. Both Laura Innes and Noah Wyle have turned in stellar work this year, but got passed over.

I can't really talk about ER's season without commenting on Laura Innes. Like many viewers, I really didn't like Kerry Weaver when she first appeared. I kept muttering things like "Great, it's the medical equivalent of Rosalyn Shays (from LA Law)." Over time, though, Weaver started to grow on me. Even though in many respects the character was initially developed as a nemesis of sorts to Doug Ross, the character quickly grew beyond those bounds, and this season gave Innes a chance to shine. In "All in the Family," the episode in which Carter's and Lucy's lives hang in the balance, we see all the full package--Weaver the take-charge person who keeps things moving, but also Kerry, who, unable to handle it any longer, rushes outside to vomit from the horror she has seen. In the final episode of the season, after listening to Carter's vehement denials, she just sighs, "Mark, he's lying." Simple words, incredible delivery. While her work this season hasn't been as flashy as the other characters, Innes' work was as deserving of Emmy consideration as was Wyle's.