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Lord of The Curry

The best performances of this decade

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The gauntlet has been thrown down, kids. Come ahead and rep your boy or girl. Cancelled, active, movie of the week, mid-season replacement, whateverthefuck. If it's been on TV since the year 2000 and its good, bring it. Pictures and bold lettering earns your bonus points.

 

Curry nominates........

 

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Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold, Entourage (HBO)

 

I could probably pick other actors who have put on technically better performances or even had bigger roles but fuck it, I don't think I've had more fun watching somebody on a TV show since I don't know when. Some people say that the show is about Vince and while I won't argue against it I think that it's just as much about Ari too. The combination of sarcasm, swearing and swagger that Piven brings to this role is unfuckwithable. For those who've seen Entourage it's already a known thing. Ari runs that show, hands down. When he shows up at Josh Weinsteins house in season one and proceeds to own him in front of his entire party, that's good. When he's done and takes a sip of Josh's momosa followed by "That's awful"........that's brilliant. Piven himself knows exactly how to tweak this role as he's been the bit-player in Hollywood for twenty-something years now and here he is finally playing the hot shot. I dig how he portrays Ari as barely human but when his humanity is exposed it's humbling and well done ala the scenes late in season two with Vince and Eric. In short, Piven rules it all.

 

Whatcha got?

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Amber Tamblyn on Joan of Arcadia (especially the episode Jump, the pilot, and the series finale)

 

Anthony LaPaglia on Without a Trace, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer and Steve Carell of The Office and Will Arnett on AD are some of my favourite TV actors.

 

I'll provide pictures too:

 

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I might update with a picture later for the bonus points, but here is my pick:

 

 

TONY SHALHOUB as ADRIAN MONK in "MONK" (USA NETWORK)

 

Adrian Monk is brilliantly played by Shalhoub, who gave a very good performance on "Wings" as a background character. Shalhoub brings the good acting skills, and is the main reason the show is a success. He plays the character flawlessly, showing an ever-present sadness and fear. Monk is a tortured soul, knowing that he never solved his wife's murder, as well as having to live with his phobias. He has a brilliant mind, but at the same time, his mind makes his life a living hell. Attention to detail is another plus for Shalhoub, as you can pick up on some subtleties in his performance each show that get better with repeat viewings.

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hughlaurie_narrowweb__200x272.jpg

 

Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House in HOUSE M.D (FOX)

 

House isn't an easy character to protray but Laurie has been nothing short of brilliant at it. I can't think of a more complex character on network television then Dr. Gregory House. Laurie is great actor who can do all sorts of things with this character, excellent comedic timing and combines that with the ability to nail the dramatic buttons.

 

The best of the rest

 

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Ian McShane as Al Swearengen in DEADWOOD(HBO)

 

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Denis Leary as Tommy Gavin in Rescue Me(FX)

 

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Michael Chiklis as Vic Mackey in The Shield(FX)

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JAMES SPADER as "Alan Shore" in "Boston Legal" (ABC)

 

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James Spader is a two-time Emmy award winner for his portrayal of ethically-challenged lawyer Alan Shore, first on "The Practice" and then on the spin-off "Boston Legal", and with good reason. His performances over the last 3 years are some of the best work ever produced on television. Spader has taken advantage of great writing to produce one of the most unique characters on television. Spader manages to be repulsive and charming at the same time, and unlike a lot of male dramatic leads, isn't consumed with personal demons that manifest as a brooding intensity. Instead, he's direct and uncompromising, just as likely to launch into a vitriolic tirade as he is to crack a joke or make a leud comment to a member of the opposite sex. Spader's interactions with William Shatner's character Denny Crane (who gets an honorable mention for this thread) are the highlight of every episode, and their chemistry is unmatched anywhere on TV.

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24-season5-kiefersutherland2.jpg

 

Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, the unstoppable force of nature on FOX's 24.

 

Jack has a wonderful "the ends justify the means" personality. He will stop at nothing to get information, apprehend a suspect, or stop the world from ending. He has lost numerous people that he was close to, which only makes him shut himself off from everyone else even further. Sutherland plays him very well and has been acknowledged for it. Prior to being Jack Bauer, Sutherland was probably best known for...being...um...a charactor actor? Or for being ditched by that hussy Julia Roberts. Jack Bauer propelled Sutherland to stardom.

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For a comedy role (since my drama nods are covered), I gotta give it to

 

Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson on "How I met your mother"

If it wasn't for Harris, this show would be another unfunny comedy that sorta makes me chuckle but usually just makes me feel hollow and empty inside. The guy can make almost any joke he wants funny, even when it gets dragged out long than it should. The show would die a slow and painful death without him.

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cox.jpg

John C. McGinley as Dr. Perry Cox, "Scrubs" (NBC)

 

Johnny C's been quite a lot of popular movies actually, but just in small roles, usually as a two-dimensional "tough guy." Examples: Platoon, Se7en. Dr. Cox is perhaps the best display of Scrubs as both a comedy and a drama. His interaction with J.D. is top-notch, as he can function as both an antagonizing and hilarious big brother and a helpful and compassionate father figure. But when it comes to a dramatic situation, whether it's the death of his best friend or one of his decisions causing the death of three patients, no one is better at displaying the emotion than Dr. Cox. This past season showed Cox at perhaps his most vulnerable, as his aforementioned decision affected his work habits and his future decisions. I can only hope the writers continue to build and develop his character as much as they have. For just one example of his excellent acting, check out the season 5 episode "My Lunch."

 

P.S. also noteworthy is his obsession with wanting to punch Hugh Jackman.

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cox.jpg

John C. McGinley as Dr. Perry Cox, "Scrubs" (NBC)

 

Johnny C's been quite a lot of popular movies actually, but just in small roles, usually as a two-dimensional "tough guy." Examples: Platoon, Se7en. Dr. Cox is perhaps the best display of Scrubs as both a comedy and a drama. His interaction with J.D. is top-notch, as he can function as both an antagonizing and hilarious big brother and a helpful and compassionate father figure. But when it comes to a dramatic situation, whether it's the death of his best friend or one of his decisions causing the death of three patients, no one is better at displaying the emotion than Dr. Cox. This past season showed Cox at perhaps his most vulnerable, as his aforementioned decision affected his work habits and his future decisions. I can only hope the writers continue to build and develop his character as much as they have. For just one example of his excellent acting, check out the season 5 episode "My Lunch."

 

P.S. also noteworthy is his obsession with wanting to punch Hugh Jackman.

 

Is this guy related to Ted McGinley AKA Jefferson Darcy?

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spike_2008.jpg

 

James Marsters as Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel

 

Yeah yeah, some of you might be thinking "Oh God, not more Joss love" but this has nothing to do with Joss. James Marsters took a character that was only supposed to be around for half of a season as season 2's big bad but became one of the most loved characters on Buffy and Angel. When he was going crazy in season 7 of Buffy, it was the only thing that made the season anywhere near good. And he gave Angel a needed boost when he came back from the dead in final season of the show.

 

No one knows about him because he was on a "WB" show. But he deserves some credit.

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Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth in "Arrested Development

 

A career ressurecting role for former teen pin-up Bateman. As the long put-upon middle son who wants nothing to do with a family he can't get away from. Thinks he's the only one in the family with morals and on the right track when in fact he may be the most screwed up of them all. I mean no father of a son like George Michael could be acting of sound mind.

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spike_2008.jpg

 

James Marsters as Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel

 

Yeah yeah, some of you might be thinking "Oh God, not more Joss love" but this has nothing to do with Joss. James Marsters took a character that was only supposed to be around for half of a season as season 2's big bad but became one of the most loved characters on Buffy and Angel. When he was going crazy in season 7 of Buffy, it was the only thing that made the season anywhere near good. And he gave Angel a needed boost when he came back from the dead in final season of the show.

 

No one knows about him because he was on a "WB" show. But he deserves some credit.

 

sasha_spike.jpg

 

Best pic I had on short notice

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Too lazy to dig up pictures.

 

Walton Goggins AKA Shane Vendrell from The Shield.

 

Julian McMahon AKA Christian Troy from Nip/Tuck.

 

Both of these guys have a couple things in common. One is that they don't simply play themselves. Second is that they simply ARE their character onscreen, all the time. Nip/Tuck is just an OK show but Julian McMahon really stands out head and shoulders above the rest of the cast.

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Guest Vitamin X

I'm seconding James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano on The Sopranos, Terry Quinn as John Locke on LOST, and John C. McGinley as Dr. Perry Cox on Scrubs.

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spike_2008.jpg

 

James Marsters as Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel

 

Yeah yeah, some of you might be thinking "Oh God, not more Joss love" but this has nothing to do with Joss. James Marsters took a character that was only supposed to be around for half of a season as season 2's big bad but became one of the most loved characters on Buffy and Angel. When he was going crazy in season 7 of Buffy, it was the only thing that made the season anywhere near good. And he gave Angel a needed boost when he came back from the dead in final season of the show.

 

No one knows about him because he was on a "WB" show. But he deserves some credit.

agreed (odd to think Spike would become one of the most loved, but yea he was), along with Alexis D. as Wesley(his transformation from geeky happy go lucky guy, to dark, disturbed sad Wes after the connor thing was a thing to behold Id say, plus his performance in the last season was excellent)

 

 

along with Laurie as Dr House(my fav show right now).

 

sopranos actors mentioned too, but I would pick Tony Sirrico (sp?) as Paulie on Sopranos for my personal fav of that show. and Junior too. These two lighten up every scene by just opening their mouths.

 

 

Yknow I have always wanted to watch entourage by never really have, and I have HBO too.

 

in that channels vein, a shout out to Larry David for his performance on Curb Your Ethusiasm, which is a surprisngly funyn and enjoyable show.

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Yknow I have always wanted to watch entourage by never really have, and I have HBO too.

 

you really REALLY should...I missed the first season but caught it all on On Demand before season 2 aired, it is a great show!

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Yknow I have always wanted to watch entourage by never really have, and I have HBO too.

 

you really REALLY should...I missed the first season but caught it all on On Demand before season 2 aired, it is a great show!

too bad HBO on demand costs extra here in NY , should have watched itback in CALI when I had it for free.

 

 

theres always dvd I guess

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Good noms.

 

Pretty much the entire cast of Oz, but particularly: Schillinger, Adebisi, Kareem Said, Beecher, Ryan O'Reilly and maybe most of all that sick fuck Keller. It truly is an amazing show.

 

New nom: Jason Dohring as Logan on Veronica Mars

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It takes a lot of charisma to totally change the course of a show. Kristen Bell is great, but Jason Dohring, IMO is the best actor on the show. He went from a one-note "obligatory psychotic jackass" to one of the most complex, troubled, characters on TV. His character's evolution in the first season is masterful.

 

The thing that makes the character great is he's still a complete jackass on the surface. His comedic timing is impeccable, and his dramatic acting is just as good.

 

From his first appearance, where he's just supposed to be a prick, his performance still gives you the idea, very subtly, that there's something under the surface.

 

 

Best comedice perfomance? Will Arnett and Micahel Cera from Arrested Development, though it's hard to pick and choose from that perfect cast.

 

God I'm still so motherfucking pissed that they cancelled AD.

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It was above and beyond its time.

 

Mike Cera lives about a half-hour away from me and my brother apparently knows one of his friends. I keep telling him the next time we find out that GMB is going to be out and about somewhere that we need to go stalk him.

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