TV Likes Older Women

I was traveling so I didn't get to comment on the Emmy nominations. I am excited to see many of my favorites on the list, but I also think it's worthy to note that older women who have disappeared from our movie screens are thriving and being acknowledged for their work on TV.

When anyone asks me why women over 40 are doing better on TV, I give them my standard answer -- advertising. TV is driven by the ads, and anyone in that business knows that women make all the consumer buying decisions. So, they target the ads at women which in turn leads to content that could drive the desired audience to those shows for the ads. Not rocket science. On the other hand, film is driven by opening weekend box office and the 12-24 demo both boys and girls and the ones who come out en masse.

Here are some of the nominees:
Best Comedy Series
One women centric show - 30 Rock starring Tina Fey

Outstanding Drama Series
One women centric show- Damages starring Glenn Close

Where the Women are Missing
Best Directing of a Comedy Series
Best Directing for a Miniseries, Movie of Dramatic Special
Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
30 Rock - Carrie Fisher as Rosemary Howard; Edie Falco as Celeste 'C.C.' Cunningham; Elaine Stritch as Colleen Donaghy
Desperate Housewives- Polly Bergen as Stella Wingfield; Kathryn Joosten as Karen McCluskey
Monk - Sarah Silverman as Marci Maven

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series
Big Love - Ellen Burstyn as Nancy Dutton
Grey's Anatomy - Diahann Carroll as Jane Burke
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Cynthia Nixon as Janis Donovan
Medium - Anjelica Huston as Cynthia Keener
Nip/Tuck - Sharon Gless as Colleen Rose

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
30 Rock - Tina Fey as Liz Lemon
Samantha Who? - Christina Applegate as Samantha Newly
The New Adventures Of Old Christine - Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell
Ugly Betty - America Ferrera as Betty Suarez
Weeds - Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Brothers & Sisters - Sally Field as Nora Holden-Walker
Damages - Glenn Close as Patty Hewes
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson
Saving Grace - Holly Hunter as Grace Hanadarko
The Closer - Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
A Raisin In The Sun - Phylicia Rashad as Lena Younger
An American Crime - Catherine Keener as Gertrude Baniszewski
Bernard And Doris - Susan Sarandon as Doris Duke
Cranford - Dame Judi Dench as Miss Matty Jenkyns
John Adams - Laura Linney as Abigail Adams

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Pushing Daisies - Kristin Chenoweth as Olive Snook
Samantha Who? - Jean Smart as Regina Newly
Saturday Night Live - Amy Poehler, Performer
Two And A Half Men - Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper
Ugly Betty - Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Boston Legal - Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt
Brothers & Sisters - Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Walker-Whedon
Grey's Anatomy - Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey; Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang
In Treatment - Dianne Wiest as Dr. Gina Toll

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
A Raisin In The Sun - Audra McDonald as Ruth Younger
Cranford (MASTERPIECE) - Dame Eileen Atkins as Miss Deborah Jenkyns
Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale - Ashley Jensen as Maggie Jacobs
Pictures Of Hollis Woods (Hallmark Hall Of Fame Presentation) - Alfre Woodard as Edna Reilly
Recount - Laura Dern as Katherine Harris

Emmy nominated women show younger isn't always better (AP via Chicago Sun-Times)