I’m going to be living up to part of my blog name this morning and going on a little rant. After all, this IS RantsReviewsandReels. The 2014 Emmy nominations were announced this morning, and it begs the question that rabid fans of the show Orphan Black have been shouting from their rooftops: HOW?! How was Tatiana Maslany, who just WON the Critic’s Choice Award for best actress, NOT nominated for an Emmy?! How? More importantly, why? Who was it on the Best Actress in a Drama list to bump her off? Fans of the show who have been devoted watchers from the start, or even more recent converts were SHOCKED this morning. Even Entertainment Weekly said it best: How many different characters does Tatiana Maslany have to play to score an Emmy nomination? Seriously now, how many characters does it take? She’s already been playing 5 regular clone characters since season 1, and they added more for season 2. To top it all off, ALL of them have different personalities, looks, and one of them is even a female to male transgender character all of whom are played by ONE actress. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Tatiana Maslany’s performance on Orphan Black is some of the best acting I have ever seen. Ever. And if you thought her playing different characters was a trip, try playing a character who is pretending to be someone else who is pretending to be someone else. Then, there’s the technical aspect of acting with acting doubles, tennis balls, and then nothing–literally nothing, and giving a full-out believable performance. Season 2 was quite a ride, and I can only guess which episode the Orphan Black team submitted for Emmy consideration, as it only got more complex. But seriously, given the other actresses on that list, no one can hold a candle to the work that Maslany does. She would need her own category, and about seven different Emmys to take home.
Breaking Bad (Airs on AMC, currently streaming on Netflix. Just ended. Sad.) Seriously, if you haven’t seen this show, it’s not too late to get sucked in. It’s insane and totally worth the binge-watching if you’re sick. It’s just as addictive as that blue meth they peddle on the show. Get watching!
The Wonder Years (Aired on ABC from 1988-1993; Available streaming on Netflix) If you ever wish that you could have your Mom tuck you in and feed you chicken soup again and curse being an adult, the Wonder Years is for you. Kevin Arnold can help you get through anything…from your first crush, to your cold.
30 Rock (aired on NBC, currently streaming on Netflix) Have no fear, whatever state you’re currently in with your illness, chances are, Liz Lemon has had a day that is far worse than yours. Revel in the fact that this show is so funny that you’ll laugh the whole time and get better quickly.
The West Wing (aired on NBC, currently streaming on Netflix) Until our real government re-opens, why not watch one that is actually functioning. The West Wing is perfect for that and with writing like Aaron Sorkin’s, you’ll never get bored.
The Riches (aired on FX for two seasons, currently streaming on Netflix) This only lasted two seasons, but if you are a mega-fan of Breaking Bad and are going into Walter White withdrawal, check out The Riches with Eddie Izzard as the bad guy and he’s hysterical at it. “A family of crooks assume the identity of an upper-middle-class suburban clan in the Deep South.”–IMDB
Raising Hope (currently airing on Tuesdays at 8p.m. on Fox, the first three seasons are streaming on Netflix): Theater and film vets Martha Plimpton and Cloris Leachman co-star in this hysterical series about a 20-something guy who is left to raise his daughter. Oh yeah, Martha Plimpton (you know, from the Goonies) plays the grandmother.
Psych (airs on the USA Network, streaming on Netflix): If you’re a fan of Law & Order, but wish it were, you know, funny, this is the show for you. Plus, it’s a fake detective agency and they are more often than not better than the detectives. Oh, and four words: Clue. Movie. Tribute. Episode.
The Office (aired on NBC, streaming on Netflix) Hey, when you’re out sick, at least you’re not at work. Why not take some time to vicariously laugh and prank co-workers by watching episodes of the Office? 
Malcolm in the Middle (aired on Fox, streaming on Netflix): For the lighter side of Bryan Cranston before he broke bad, pre-Heisenberg, from 2000-2006, he was just a laughable, fun-loving dad named Hal. Not to mention, Cranston got Emmy and Golden Globe nominations from this series as well.
