That’s one way of putting it

Joss Whedon on his recent Emmy nomination for Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog:

Yes, it seems the only way I can get in through the door, … to get into the party, is by way of the dumbwaiter. Not even the back door. I’m thinking the dumbwaiter.

I’m actually of two minds about the nomination. While it’s wonderful to see quality work like Dr. Horrible recognized with a nomination, the whole “Outstanding Special Class” category that it’s in seems a little confused about just what it’s supposed to be. Of the five nominees, only the Bruce Springsteen Super Bowl Halftime Show actually appeared on television — which is technically what the Emmys exist to honor — while the other three (webisodes or added content from 30 Rock, Battlestar Galactica and The Daily Show) are extensions of existing television shows. The category is more like “Stuff We Couldn’t Fit Elsewhere…Plus Hey! We’re Cool and Like Stuff on the Web!”

Still, as Whedon says, there’s room for hope:

You know, it absolutely is a step. And it absolutely means a great deal that the Academy went … and recognized that some of the … entertainment that they’re focused on is happening outside of conventional television. And it’s my hope that more people, … that the next time these nominations come up, there will be more than one company listed that is independent.