When it comes to acting nominations, sitcom stalwart Everybody Loves Raymond seems a shoo-in these days: Several cast members have collections of statues cluttering their respective mantles, and each of the major players has been nominated more than once. In its early days, however, Raymond was barely recognized; it wasn't until the show's third season that it started receiving major nominations for acting.
   At first glance this may seem a case of the performances developing over time until they're ready to be recognized in the big leagues. The truth is, the acting on CBS' Raymond and many other current awards-show favorites were solid from the get-go; sometimes it just takes a little longer for awards voters to catch on. After all, plenty of actors on established shows are still turning in top-notch performances. Adding to the challenge of being an actor on a new series in a competitive field: The Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Golden Globes nominate performances based on a calendar year's worth of work, rather than on a complete television season, which typically runs from September through May of the next year. This means actors are judged for the end of one television season and the beginning of another. Actors on shows that debut in the fall have only a few months to impress voters, and sometimes that's not enough. The Emmy nominations are based on a full television season, but sometimes it still takes a bit longer for a performance to land that elusive nomination....
   ...While a number of factors are at work here--timing, categories already crowded with high-profile performances--it would be a shame if this year's crop of newbies were overlooked. Several freshman series boast some of the best, most involving performances of the year....
   ...Another innovative new drama, Lost, has garnered top ratings and plenty of attention for its twisty, mystery-laden plot, but the series also serves as a showcase for its excellent ensemble cast. The show focuses on a diverse group of plane-crash survivors marooned on a desolate island, each with a fascinating personal back story. As recovering junkie rock star Charlie, Lord of the Rings hobbit Dominic Monaghan is note-perfect; the actor skillfully hints at Charlie's darker depths without sacrificing the character's natural charm. Equally impressive is Naveen Andrews as Sayid, a former member of the Iraqi Republican Guard; the actor captures the character's psychological torment with compelling grace.
   But perhaps the two most astounding performances on the show are from an actor who hasn't even had much in the way of dialogue yet and a respected character performer who's finally getting his day in the sun. Yunjin Kim's Sun, like many of the other characters, was a cipher when the series first started--all we knew was that she is a seemingly submissive Korean wife. Still, Kim made her instantly likeable. Further revelations have come via pre-crash flashbacks, in which we see Sun attempting to leave controlling husband Jin (Daniel Dae Kim). Kim hardly has any lines in this particular scene, but every possible emotion is etched on her face in the space of only a few minutes: sadness, longing, hope. In the eyes of TV viewers, this was the moment that marked Kim as an actor to watch. Rounding out this quartet of standout performances is veteran character actor Terry O'Quinn's turn as would-be adventurer Locke, a man with a tragic past who seems to have adapted to life on the island with a little too much ease. In previous TV roles, O'Quinn has often been the charismatic guy scuttling around in the background; you know he's fascinating, you just don't know why. Here the actor has a meaty, possibly career-defining role that just keeps getting better. As far as getting recognized with nominations, Lost's chances are better than Veronica's: It's one of the most water-cooler discussion-worthy shows of the season. Still, given that it's an ensemble show with a buzz-generating setup and no Jennifer Garner-style breakout stars--at least not yet--Lost is more likely to get recognized in the Best Drama and writing categories; its deserving actors may have to wait another season.... Read the full story here. Permanent Link | 6:26 AM