“The Election”: The Best Reality TV Show Ever?

Casting My Vote for Best Reality TV Show: “The Election”
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We’re just days away from the end of “The Election.” I, for one, will be sorry to see it go.

“The Election” will be forever remembered in history as one of the most entertaining “must-see” reality TV events ever. Who knows how many millions of people will watch the final episode on November 8?

One thing is sure: The Donald (Executive Producer) knows how to put on a show.

I’ll be absolutely dumbfounded if “The Election” doesn’t sweep the Emmys this coming year. It has to be the hands down favorite for “Outstanding Reality – Competition Program.” Doesn’t matter who the other nominees turn out to be.

Donald Trump almost certainly wins for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series,” for his tormented portrayal of a quasi-bigoted, narcissistic yet thin-skinned opportunist still desperate for his father’s love and approval. Donald finally gets his Emmy, which only he believes he should have received in 2004 for The Apprentice. (I predict Trump will also pick up a second Emmy this time around for Hairstyling for a Limited Series.)

Hillary Clinton barely loses out as Outstanding Lead Actress nod for her role as an extraordinarily qualified, but flawed candidate trying to overcome 30,000 deleted emails, chronic pneumonia, and public perceptions of dishonesty dating back to her days in rural Arkansas.

After that, the competitions for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress are absolutely wide open. Here’s a look at the nominees in these two highly competitive categories. Feel free to share your predictions with me at Twitter/davidmpaine.

Best Supporting Actor

What can you say about this field? Nearly impossible to pick a winner here. Early front runners, Speaker Paul Ryan, Governor Chris Christie (my initial favorite), and CNN’s Jeffrey Lord, (could he have been any more irritating?), have given way to a toss-up between FBI Director Comey, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Billy Bush (the fan favorite), and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Even last minute nominee Anthony Weiner could surprise.

Notable Snubs: Ted Cruz, Bernie Sanders, Mike Pence, and Ken Bone.

Best Supporting Actress

This category is also chocked full of outstanding performances. Nominee Ivanka Trump was the early favorite, drawing rave reviews for her performance as a loving, good-hearted, and fiercely loyal daughter of a tyrannical billionaire father. But a last minute Hollywood-led boycott against her fashion line is costing her votes with the Television Academy. Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly is also nominated for her surprising role as a defender of women’s rights, and target of Trump’s now infamous line, “Blood coming out of her, wherever,“ that brilliantly foreshadowed problems Trump would later have with women in general throughout the show.

“The Ten (Now Eleven, Actually 12) Women Groped by Donald Trump” represents the first time a group of performers have been nominated together. They deserve very serious consideration.

Then there’s First Lady Michelle Obama, who absolutely stole the show at various moments during the season.

Others that might win: Huma Abedin, who surprised everyone with how big a role she actually played, and of course CNN’s Kayleigh McEnany, for her bizarre and baffling defense of Donald Trump no matter what the candidate said or did.

Notable Snubs: Melania Trump, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Looking back on everything that’s happened, all I can say is, “What a season!”

I can’t wait for “The Congress.” I’m streaming it.

Putin? Best supporting actor?

Putin? Best supporting actor?

USA Today, 2016

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