Well, we are three weeks away (thereabouts) until the end of the television season, which means it's time to hold the 6th Annual Excellence in Television Awards (aka The KJ Television Awards). The concept is as simple as always: nominate some of your favorite shows in various categories, vote for a winner in each category, and I'll announce the winners on a date to be determined later on.

But, it's still very early. So, I'm going to open the thread for discussion. Last year, we all seemed to agree (or maybe I just set a list of categories) on which categories we would use, but if there are any changes you'd like to make to the categories, now's the time to do it. To refresh your memories, here is the list:

Excellence in a Single Episode, Comedy  
Excellence in a Single Episode, Drama  
Excellence in an Opening Sequence  
Excellence in Gameplay, Reality/Game Show Contestant    
Excellence in a Special Episode, Series or Season Finale
Excellence in a Talk Show
Excellence in a Guest Star, Drama or Comedy
Excellence in a Reality/Game Show   Excellence in An Animated Series  
Excellence in a Supporting Role, Actor in a Comedy  
Excellence in a Supporting Role, Actor in a Drama
Excellence in a Supporting Role, Actress in a Comedy
Excellence in a Supporting Role, Actress in a Drama
Excellence in Classic Television: The Excellence in TV Awards Hall of Fame Inductees
Excellence in a Lead Role, Actress in a Comedy
Excellence in a Lead Role, Actress in a Drama
Excellence in a Lead Role, Actor in a Comedy
Excellence in a Lead Role, Actor in a Drama
Excellence in a Dramatic Series
Excellence in a Comedy Series

Last year, I went with 6-to-8 nominees per category, but I think I'll try to make sure it's 6 per category this year, with 7 or 8 for possible ties.

Plus, there's the "Hall of Fame" category, where you nominate shows that have been off the air since, at the latest, May 2006. I'll post the past winners for all categories in the near future.

Until then, feel free to discuss!

I think those 20 categories are pitch perfect. No more, no less!

I really can't wait. To tell you the (dorky) truth... I'm more excited about these awards than the Emmys.

Well, if history is any indication, you have plenty of reasons to like these awards moreso than the Emmys.

The underdogs I'm gonna take upon myself to get nominated and win this year are...

Elizabeth Perkins for Supporting Actress in Weeds (any competition?? Amanda from Betty maybe?)

Rachel Griffiths and the woman who plays Holly on Brothers and Sisters from Supporting Actress in a Drama

No. Make it 5.

Yeah, I kinda agree. 5. And then maybe, if necessary because of ties, 6 or 7.

I feel like 6-8 in every category is a little much.

I don't know, though. Whatever you guys want.

I think a good idea would be having 5 nominees, and then (since some categories are really really stacked, like Best Supporting Actress in a Drama) you could have some sort of "non-category" listing the two or three other people who didn't quite make the top 5, to make everyone happy.

I agree with 5 nominees/category, and you could also do a sort of "Most Overlooked", to be picked after the nominations, of the shows that didn't get anything.

I think you definitely need a best ensemble for both comedy and drama.

I think that's a great idea.

I kind of liked the 6 nominees but I guess 5 is what everyone seems to think is better!

5 sounds good to me! 5 it is.

What about Tony's suggestion for "Best Ensemble"? You guys want it, or do you feel the acting categories and "Best Comedy/Drama" cover everything?

No I like Best Ensemble

Like, I would nominate Heroes for Best Ensemble, even though there's probably only one or two actors I would throw individual noms to.

Yay! The only awards show that really matters!

Yeah... I guess no one would really mind the ensemble idea. I think the Emmys actually have an ensemble cast award too... or maybe that's best ensemble casting (?)

Yay!

Mr. X, I'm going to vote this time, and I'll help promote the awards too

Scrubs for all categories.

I don't think they do. Golden Globes does.

I think it's the Screen Actor's Guild.

So, should I do Best Ensemble for Comedy and Drama combined, or individually? And, should I eliminate two other awards to make it an even 20, or are you guys and girls fine with 22?

Ah, yes, you are correct.

I think they should be combined. And if you want to keep it at 20, get rid of reality show contestant.

I think they should definitely be combined. It would be too hard to think of many for them individually. And I second getting rid of the reality show contestants category.

Thirded

The Emmys have Outstanding Casting for Drama and Outstanding Casting for a Comedy.

They honor the casting agents.

I just checked a pdf of the full list of nominees last year...

There are categories called: Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series

the nominees in 2006 were... (winners in bold)

Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series
The Comeback
Curb your Enthusiasm
Entourage
Desperate Housewives
Weeds
My Name is Earl

Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series
Big Love
Boston Legal
Grey's Anatomy
House
Lost

I don't exactly understand what that category means though. It's not for acting, so is it for how well the chosen actors look in the show?

Pretty much. It's the casting agents' award.

Reality show contestant does seem useless nowadays. The contestants hardly generate any major popularity anymore.

I was hoping you guys would go for combined Best Ensemble.

So... in a nutshell:

-Excellence in Gameplay (Reality/Game Show Contestant) is out.

-Excellence in an Ensemble (Drama/Comedy) is in.

Sound good? Any more suggestions? You guys can also start pimping out your faves whenever you like. Voting won't start till close to the end of May.