My Alternate Emmy for Best Writing in a Drama Series Winners
by jmpatison003 | created - 18 Jan 2013 | updated - 17 Nov 2019 | PublicThis list contains my alternate choices for the Emmy Award for Best Writing in a Drama Series from 1990-2012. Some of the choices are personal favorites of mine, while others are series that time has shown to have been unfairly passed over. I also included 5 alternate nominees (in order to equate the current number of total nominees with the older number and in order to give myself greater ability to recognize ignored shows). For nominees: * indicates nominee and ** indicates winner. Some other information has also been included. Enjoy!
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1.
Twin Peaks (1990–1991)
Episode:
Northwest Passage
(1989)
Unrated | 94 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The small northwest town of Twin Peaks, Washington is shaken up when the body of the Homecoming Queen, Laura Palmer, is discovered washed up on a riverbank, wrapped in plastic.
Director: David Lynch | Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook
Votes: 16,848
Year: 1990 Episode: Pilot Writer(s): Mark Frost and David Lynch Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; No Nominees: *Twin Peaks--Rest in Pain (Harley Peyton)
2.
L.A. Law (1986–1994)
Episode:
On the Toad Again
(1991)
TV-PG | 48 min | Drama
Kelsey and Sollers represent Suzanne Hamil, an obsessive woman charged with murdering her married lover, in which both her and Sollers resort to drastic measures to get their client ... See full summary »
Director: Michael Katleman | Stars: Harry Hamlin, Susan Dey, Corbin Bernsen, Jill Eikenberry
Votes: 30
Year: 1991 Episode: On the Toad Again Writer(s): David E. Kelely Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; Yes Nominees:
3.
Northern Exposure (1990–1995)
Episode:
Seoul Mates
(1991)
TV-PG | Comedy, Drama
It's Christmas in Cicely and Maurice is approached by a Korean man who turns out to be his son.
Director: Jack Bender | Stars: Rob Morrow, Barry Corbin, Janine Turner, John Cullum
Votes: 320
Year: 1992 Episode: Seoul Mates Writer(s): Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; Yes Nominees:
4.
Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999)
Episode:
Three Men and Adena
(1993)
TV-14 | 46 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Bayliss has a new clue on his primary case and with Frank they interrogate a suspect who they believe to be the murderer of Adena
Director: Martin Campbell | Stars: Daniel Baldwin, Richard Belzer, Andre Braugher, Clark Johnson
Votes: 504
Year: 1993 Episode: Three Men and Adena Writer(s): Tom Fontana Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; Yes Nominees:
5.
NYPD Blue (1993–2005)
Episode:
Steroid Roy
(1994)
TV-14 | 49 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Lt. Fancy insists to a reluctant Larson that he take a drug test and when it comes back positive of methamphetamine use, he is fired. One of Detective Mike Roberts' informants/girlfriends ... See full summary »
Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá | Stars: David Caruso, Dennis Franz, James McDaniel, Sherry Stringfield
Votes: 227
Year: 1994 Episode: Steroid Roy Writer(s): Ann Biderman Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; Yes Nominees:
6.
ER (1994–2009)
Episode:
Love's Labor Lost
(1995)
TV-14 | 46 min | Drama, Romance
Dr. Benton has to deal with the aftermath of his mother's fall and crosses the line with the surgical attending when he insists on scrubbing in for her operation. Dr. Greene deals with Jodi... See full summary »
Director: Mimi Leder | Stars: Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Sherry Stringfield, Noah Wyle
Votes: 1,457
Year: 1995 Episode: Love's Labor Lost Writer(s): Lance A. Gentile Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; Yes Nominees:
7.
The X-Files (1993–2018)
Episode:
Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose
(1995)
TV-PG | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A grumpy old man with psychic powers that show him how someone will die assists the agents with the hunt for a crazed killer who targets psychics. He also cryptically reveals to Mulder and Scully their own ultimate fates.
Director: David Nutter | Stars: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Peter Boyle, Stuart Charno
Votes: 7,412
Year: 1996 Episode: Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose Writer(s): Darin Morgan Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; Yes Nominees:
8.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Episode:
Welcome to the Hellmouth
(1997)
TV-PG | 43 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
When teen vampire slayer Buffy tries to start a new life at Sunnydale High, she discovers that the school sits atop a demonic dimensional portal.
Directors: Charles Martin Smith, Joss Whedon | Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter
Votes: 5,340
Year: 1997 Episode: Welcome to the Hellmouth (Part 1) Writer(s): Joss Whedon Nominated, and if so, Won?: No Nominees: Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Nightmares (Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt); Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Prophecy Girl (Joss Whedon)
9.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Episode:
Passion
(1998)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
Angel steps up his torment of Buffy and her friends as Jenny searches for a way to restore his soul.
Director: Michael Gershman | Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter
Votes: 4,980
Year: 1998 Episode: Passion Writer(s): Ty King Nominated, and if so, Won?: No Nominees: Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Innocence (Part 2) (Joss Whedon); Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Becoming, Parts 1 and 2 (Joss Whedon)
10.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Episode:
Amends
(1998)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
As the Christmas holiday approaches, Angel is tormented by evil apparitions who want him to eliminate Buffy.
Director: Joss Whedon | Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter
Votes: 3,849
Year: 1999 Episode: Amends Writer(s): Joss Whedon Nominated, and if so, Won?: No Nominees: Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Doppelgangland (Joss Whedon); Buffy the Vampire Slayer--The Wish (Marti Noxon)
11.
The West Wing (1999–2006)
Episode:
In Excelsis Deo
(1999)
TV-14 | 45 min | Drama
When a homeless veteran dies on the National Mall and his body remains uncollected for hours, Toby becomes fixated on getting him a proper burial.
Director: Alex Graves | Stars: Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney
Votes: 1,908
Year: 2000 Episode: In Excelsis Deo Writer(s): Aaron Sorkin and Rick Cleveland Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; Yes Nominees: *Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Hush (Joss Whedon); BUffy the Vampire Slayer--Restless (Joss Whedon); *The Sopranos--Funhouse (David Chase and Todd A. Kessler); *The Sopranos--The Knight in White Satin Armor (Mitchell Burgess and Robin Green); *The West Wing--Pilot (Aaron Sorkin)
12.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Episode:
The Body
(2001)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
Buffy, Dawn, and their friends deal with the aftermath of Joyce's death.
Director: Joss Whedon | Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Emma Caulfield Ford
Votes: 7,608
Year: 2001 Episode: The Body Writer(s): Joss Whedon Nominated, and if so, Won?: No Nominees: Buffy the Vampire Slayer--The Gift (Joss Whedon); **The Sopranos--Employee of the Month (Mitchell Burgess and Robin Green); *The Sopranos--Pine Barrens (Tim Van Patten and Terence Winter); *The West Wing--In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, Parts I and II (Aaron Sorkin); The West Wing--Two Cathedrals (Aaron Sorkin)
13.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Episode:
Once More, with Feeling
(2001)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
In this musical extravaganza, Sunnydale residents find themselves bursting into song, and flame, when a demon attempts to make Dawn his bride.
Director: Joss Whedon | Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Emma Caulfield Ford, Michelle Trachtenberg
Votes: 11,122
Year: 2002 Episode: Once More, with Feeling Writer(s): Joss Whedon Nominated, and if so, Won?: No Nominees: Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Normal Again (Diego Gutierrez); *Alias--Truth Be Told (J.J. Abrams); *The Shield--Pilot (Shawn Ryan); **24--12:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. (Robert Cochran and Joel Surnow); *The West Wing--Posse Comitatus (Aaron Sorkin)
14.
The West Wing (1999–2006)
Episode:
Twenty Five
(2003)
TV-14 | 43 min | Drama
In the wake of his daughter's kidnapping, Bartlet must make a decision between being a father and being President.
Director: Christopher Misiano | Stars: Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Joshua Malina
Votes: 1,100
Year: 2003 Episode: Twenty Five Writer(s): Aaron Sorkin Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; No Nominees: Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Chosen (Joss Whedon); Buffy the Vampire Slayer--Conversations with Dead People (Jane Espenson, Drew Goddard, Joss Whedon, and Marti Noxon); *Six Feet Under--Twilight (Craig Wright); **The Sopranos--Whitecaps (Mitchell Burgess, David Chase, and Robin Green); *The Sopranos--Whoever Did This (Mitchell Burgess and Robin Green)
15.
The Sopranos (1999–2007)
Episode:
Long Term Parking
(2004)
TV-MA | 57 min | Crime, Drama
Tony makes a request to Johnny Sack on behalf of his cousin, and Adriana makes a request to the FBI, followed by one to Chris.
Director: Timothy Van Patten | Stars: James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Steven Van Zandt
Votes: 10,686
Year: 2004 Episode: Long Term Parking Writer(s): Terence Winter Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; Yes Nominees: *Deadwood--Pilot (David Milch); *The Sopranos--Irregular Around the Margins (Mitchell Burgess and Robin Green); *The Sopranos--Unidentified Black Males (Matthew Weiner and Terence Winter); *The Sopranos--Where's Johnny (Michael Caleo); The Wire--Port in a Storm (David Simon and Ed Burns)
16.
The Wire (2002–2008)
Episode:
Middle Ground
(2004)
TV-MA | 59 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
The wire begins to yield information about the Barksdale organization. Stringer and Avon reminisce on how far they have come. McNulty finds the way to a key piece of the puzzle in an ... See full summary »
Director: Joe Chappelle | Stars: Dominic West, John Doman, Idris Elba, Frankie Faison
Votes: 7,033
Year: 2005 Episode: Middle Ground Writer(s): George Pelecanos and David Simon Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; No Nominees: Battlestar Galactica--Kobol's Last Gleaming, Parts 1 and 2 (Ronald D. Moore and David Eick); Battlestar Galactica--33 (Ronald D. Moore); *Lost--Pilot (J.J. Abrams, Jeffrey Lieber, and Damon Lindelof); *Lost--Walkabout (David Fury)
17.
Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)
Episode:
Pegasus
(2005)
TV-14 | 58 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Gallactica meets Pegasus, and Adama's command is threatened when the captain of Pegasus outranks him. A joyous celebration turns sour at some of the secrets emerging out of the differences of the two crews, and Baltar meets a familiar Cylon prisoner aboard Pegasus.
Director: Michael Rymer | Stars: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber
Votes: 2,413
Year: 2006 Episode: Pegasus Writer(s): Anne Cofell Saunders Nominated, and if so, Won?: No Nominees: Battlestar Galactica--Resurrection Ship, Parts 1 and 2 (Michael Rymer, Ronald D. Moore, and Anne Cofell Saunders); *Grey's Anatomy--It's the End of the World/(As We Know It); *Six Feet Under-Everyone's Waiting (Alan Ball); **The Sopranos--Members Only (Terence Winter); The West Wing--Tomorrow (John Wells)
18.
Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)
Episode:
Occupation
(2006)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The Cylons have now been in control of New Caprica for over four months. Gaius Baltar is under their collective thumbs and essentially follows their orders. There is a resistance who set ... See full summary »
Director: Sergio Mimica-Gezzan | Stars: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber
Votes: 2,139
Note: Together with Precipice Year: 2007 Episode: Occupation/Precipice Writer(s): Ronald D. Moore Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; No Nominees: Doctor Who--Blink (Steven Moffat); Doctor Who--Gridlock (Russell T. Davies); Doctor Who--Human Nature/The Family of Blood (Paul Cornell); **The Sopranos--Made in America (David Chase); *The Sopranos--The Second Coming (Terence Winter)
19.
Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)
Episode:
Precipice
(2006)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
As a result of the most recent suicide bombings, some of the Cylons are now arguing that they need to retaliate. Laura Roslin, among others, is in custody and Gaius Baltar tries to get her ... See full summary »
Director: Sergio Mimica-Gezzan | Stars: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber
Votes: 1,935
Note: Together with Occupation Year: 2007 Episode: Occupation/Precipice Writer(s): Ronald D. Moore Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; No Nominees: Doctor Who--Blink (Steven Moffat); Doctor Who--Gridlock (Russell T. Davies); Doctor Who--Human Nature/The Family of Blood (Paul Cornell); **The Sopranos--Made in America (David Chase); *The Sopranos--The Second Coming (Terence Winter)
20.
The Wire (2002–2008)
Episode:
-30-
(2008)
TV-MA | 93 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Carcetti maps out a damage-control scenario with the police brass in the wake of a startling revelation from Pearlman and Daniels. Their choice: clean up the mess...or hide the dirt.
Director: Clark Johnson | Stars: Dominic West, Reg E. Cathey, John Doman, Aidan Gillen
Votes: 6,759
Year: 2008 Episode: -30- Writer(s): David Simon and Ed Burns Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; No Nominees: *Damages--Get Me a Lawyer (Glenn Kessler, Todd A. Kessler, and Daniel Zelman); Doctor Who--Midnight (Russell T. Davies); Doctor Who--Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead (Steven Moffat); **Mad Men--Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Matthew Weiner); *Mad Men--The Wheel (Robin Veith and Matthew Weiner)
21.
Mad Men (2007–2015)
Episode:
The Jet Set
(2008)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama
Don blows off the convention in Los Angeles when he meets a beautiful, exotic woman. Back at Sterling Cooper, a member of the creative staff comes out of the closet, and Duck falls off the wagon and initiates his power play.
Director: Phil Abraham | Stars: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones
Votes: 2,824
Year: 2009 Episode: The Jet Set Writer(s): Matthew Weiner Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; No Nominees: Battlestar Galactica--Revelations (Bradley Thompson and David Weddle); *Lost--The Incident (Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof); **Mad Men--Meditations in an Emergency (Kater Gordon and Matthew Weiner); *Mad Men--A Night to Remember (Robin Veith and Matthew Weiner); *Mad Men--Six Month Leave (Andre and Maria Jacquemetton and Matthew Weiner)
22.
Mad Men (2007–2015)
Episode:
Shut the Door. Have a Seat
(2009)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama
With another sale on the horizon, Sterling, Cooper, and Draper convince Lane Pryce to fire them and then join them as they start up a new advertising firm. At home, Betty follows through with her plans to divorce Don.
Director: Matthew Weiner | Stars: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones
Votes: 5,097
Year: 2010 Episode: Shut the Door. Have a Seat. Writer(s): Erin Levy and Matthew Weiner Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; Yes Nominees: Doctor Who--The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang (Steven Moffat); Doctor Who--The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone (Steven Moffat); *Friday Night Lights--The Son (Rolin Jones); *Lost--The End (Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof); *Mad Men--Guy Walks into an Advertising Agency (Robin Veith and Matthew Weiner)
23.
Mad Men (2007–2015)
Episode:
The Suitcase
(2010)
TV-14 | 48 min | Drama
Don deliberately delays returning an important call from California, because he knows it's bad news about Anna. Instead, he keeps himself occupied by forcing Peggy to miss her birthday dinner to pull an all-nighter with him for a client.
Director: Jennifer Getzinger | Stars: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones
Votes: 6,432
Year: 2011 Episode: The Suitcase Writer(s): Matthew Weiner Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; No Nominees: **Friday Night Lights--Always (Jason Katims); *Game of Thrones--Baelor (David Benioff and D.B. Weiss); Game of Thrones--Winter Is Coming (David Benioff and D.B. Weiss); *The Killing--Pilot (Veena Sud); *Mad Men--Blowing Smoke (Andre and Maria Jacquemetton)
24. Downton Abbey (2010–2015)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance
A chronicle of the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century.
Stars: Hugh Bonneville, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Brendan Coyle
Votes: 224,936
Year: 2012 Episode: Episode 7 Writer(s): Julian Fellowes Nominated, and if so, Won?: Yes; No Nominees: Doctor Who--The Doctor's Wife (Neil Gaiman); Doctor Who--The Girl Who Waited (Tom MacRae); **Homeland--Pilot (Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, and Gideon Raff); *Mad Men--Commissions and Fees (Andre and Maria Jacquemetton); *Mad Men--The Other Woman (Matthew Weiner and Semi Chellas)
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