TVSquad

Another day, another list of 10 semifinalists from the Emmys. This time, it's the Best Actor in a Drama.

There are a lot of the usual suspects on the list (which will be knocked down to five nominees in the next round), including actors from Dexter, Mad Men, Grey's Anatomy, Friday Night Lights, Breaking Bad, and House. One show that's not represented is Lost. I thought Matthew Fox did some great work this season, especially his drunk/screwed-up scenes.

After the jump, the list of the ten semifinalists (also check out those in contention for Best Actress - Comedy, Best Supporting Actor - Drama, Best Comedy, and Best Drama).

To many people, William Shatner is a beloved TV icon. To others, he's a shameless self-promoter, a commercial pitchman for everything from margarine to hotel rooms. Few feel neutral about Shatner, so this story may come as something of a surprise. William Shatner rarely watches himself on TV and film. Like a lot of actors, when he works, he's in the moment and doesn't go back and study what he did and why. It's been working for him. As Denny Crane on Boston Legal, he's won two Emmys in the last three years.

After more than twenty years at 20th Century Fox TV, Emmy-winning writer-producer David E. Kelley is packing his bags.

One of the longest and most succesful collaborations in television history is coming to an end as Kelley announced that he is entering into a three-year partnership with Warner Bros. TV.

(S04E20) "Shirley, it was good that we oppose." - Carl Sack leaving himself wide open.

Shatner and Spader's celebratory dance upon learning they were accepted into the Coast Guard may have been the best acting I have seen out of the two of them all season.

When I read the synopsis of the season finale I really didn't know what to think. At first glance, of course, the idea of one city seceding from the United States seems ridiculous. However, this being Boston Legal I knew there had to be more to it.

• At 8, FOX has the two hour season finale of American Idol.
• CBS has a new new Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular at 8, followed by the season finales of Criminal Minds and CSI: NY.
• TCM has the original Ocean's 11 at 9.
• At 9, TNT has the NBA Playoffs.
• At 9:15, HBO Family has The Return of Maxwell Smart.
• At 10, ABC has the season finale of Boston Legal.
• NBC has the season finale of Law and Order at 10.
• Bravo has a new Top Chef at 10.
• Also at 10: MTV has a new Real World.

Check your local TV listings for more.

(S04E19) It wasn't until I saw George Segal that I realized how much I missed seeing him on TV. It made me long for the days when he and Finch made me laugh out loud and lament the fact that David Spade hasn't done anything funny since.

While the thought of Denny Crane being President of the United States is certainly funny, the idea that he would be chosen for his electability is ludicrous. Aside from the more obvious problems, the Republicans would never nominate a single man with multiple divorces and an embarrassing arrest record. Let's be honest.

• TNT has NBA Playoffs all night.
• At 8, ABC has a new Wife Swap, followed by new episodes of Supernanny and Boston Legal.
• CBS has a new Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular at 8, then new episodes of Criminal Minds and CSI: NY.
• FOX has new episodes of 'Til Death, Back To You, and American Idol.
• NBC has a new, two hour Deal Or No Deal at 8, followed by a new Law and Order.
• The CW has a new America's Next Top Model at 8, then a new Farmer Wants A Wife.
• There's a new Secrets of the Dead on PBS at 8.
• Also at 8: TCM has Frank Sinatra movies, including The Tender Trap and Marriage on the Rocks.
• At 10, Bravo has a new Top Chef.
• At 11, TV Land has a new Big 4-0.

Check your local TV listings for more.

ABC released its 2008-09 prime-time schedule this morning during a press conference call conducted by Steve McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment. I listened in and got the rundown:

Returning: Boston Legal, Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Grey's Anatomy, Lost (Midseason), Private Practice, Pushing Daisies, Ugly Betty, According to Jim (Midseason), Samantha Who?, America's Funniest Home Videos, The Bachelor (Midseason), Dancing With The Stars, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Supernanny, Wife Swap, Saturday Night College Football, Primetime: What Would You Do?

Out: October Road, Notes from the Underbelly, Men in Trees, Big Shots, Carpoolers, Cashmere Mafia, Cavemen, Miss/Guided, Women's Murder Club, Oprah's Big Give

New: Life on Mars, The Goode Family (Midseason), Scrubs (Midseason), Opportunity Knocks, Untitled Ashton Kutcher/Tyra Banks Project (Midseason)

Last week, it was Men in Trees. Now the end has officially come for another ABC drama series. ABC has confirmed that October Road is over. The long and winding road is no more, so to speak. ABC has no room in the fall lineup, apparently, and a plan to move October Road and Men in Trees to Lifetime never panned out. So all the die-hard fans who've been writing the network and crafting petitions can give it up. No amount of peanuts or blood drives -- oh, wait, that was Jericho and Moonlight. The Roadies had a different tack; buy the DVD, donate it to a library to get more people watching and writing to ABC. Despite the sincere efforts, the network still chose to end the road and move on to a newer, different show.

(S04E19) "No more soda pop!" - Judge Clark Brown

Remember last week, when Alan and Denny made the joke about moving to Wednesdays? Remember how much I loved it? Well, I feel exactly the opposite about this week's version. Last week, the joke was so quick , it could have easily been missed. This week it was about as subtle as Denny Crane himself, Plus, it had the added bonus of already being done.

I don't know what was more underwhelming, the guest appearance of Christine Ebersole or her lame cloned meat case. For a show that has had awesome guest actresses like Missi Pyle, Gail O' Grady and Betty White, the star of Rachel Gunn RN is not an impressive get.

(S04E17) I don't want to seem like I'm not happy for Jerry but did we really need to know so much about him losing his virginity and by "so much" I mean anything at all? More importantly, I have to call BS on Jerry's glowing review of his opening night performance. In my many years of "intimacy," some experiences have certainly been better than others but none of them have ever made me nostalgic for my first time. Not that I don't remember it fondly, it's just not something I would brag about and I really doubt that anyone involved would describe me as caring, respectful or wonderful.

I must admit, Mr. Kelley had me at "THE United States Supreme Court." This was a real test for Alan. On one hand, how does he justify defending a man convicted of raping a child? On the other hand, how will his huge ego be able to pass up the opportunity to argue in front of the highest court in the country?

• At 8, ABC has a new According To Jim.
• CBS has a new NCIS at 8, then a new Big Brother.
• FOX has new episodes of American Idol and Hell's Kitchen.
• The CW has a new Beauty and the Geek at 8, followed by a new Reaper.
• There's a new Nova on PBS at 8.
• At 9, ABC has a new Dancing with the Stars, then a new Boston Legal.
• Discovery has a new Deadliest Catch at 9.
• Lifetime has the new movie Queen Sized at 9.
• Bravo has a new Real Housewives of New York City at 9, followed by the season premiere of Work Out.
• Sundance has Big Ideas For A Small Planet at 9.
• MTV has the season premiere of Tila Tequila: A Shot At Love 2 at 9.
• Also at 9: BBC America has a new Last Restaurant Standing.
• At 10, NBC has a new Law and Order: SVU.
• FX has a new episode of The Riches at 10.

Check your local TV listings for more.

Last month, Anna told you which shows were on the bubble, the shows that were might not be coming back. Now TV Guide's Michael Ausiello has an updated list of which shows are in trouble. He gives a 1-10 rating for each show, 10 meaning the show is definitely coming back and 0 meaning the stars should start looking for work right now.

(S04E16) "During the strike, I fell in love." Jerry Espenson

I think I have finally figured out how Crane, Poole & Schmidt can justify keeping so many nutcases on staff. It's because there isn't one sane person on the entire payroll. In fact, it seems that the higher you rise in the firm, the nuttier you become. Think about it, one named partner is legally insane and another is famous for his dementia. I don't know why Carl Sack hasn't figured this out yet.

In Shirley's case, I suppose she still has a few things keeping her grounded. Although having a father who is losing his battle with Alzheimer's is certainly enough to send anyone over the edge.

• At 8, ABC has a new According To Jim.
• CBS has a new NCIS at 8, followed by new episodes of Big Brother and 48 Hours Mystery.
• NBC has the two hour season finale of The Biggest Loser at 8, then a new Law and Order: SVU.
• FOX has new episodes of American Idol and Hell's Kitchen.
• There's a new Beauty and the Geek at 8 on The CW.
• TCM has the premiere of Role Model at 8, with Alec Baldwin interviewing Gene Wilder. It's followed by The Producers.
• Discovery has a Best Of Deadliest Catch Season 3 special at 8, followed by two new episodes.
• At 9, ABC has a new Dancing with the Stars, then a new Boston Legal.
• PBS has a new Frontline at 9.
• BBC America has a new Last Restaurant Standing at 9.
• At 10, FX has a new episode of The Riches.
• Bravo has a new Real Housewives of New York City at 10.
• HBO has a new Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel at 10.
• Also at 10: Sci-Fi has a new ECW.
• At 10:30, A&E has a new Gene Simmons' Family Jewels.

Check your local TV listings for more.