Critics Choice Nominations, Part 3: Limited Series

Best Limited Series

Fargo, Big Little Lies, and Feud: Bette & Joan were among the best productions of this past year. Its the other three nominees, I have real problems with. I can see the logic of The Long Road Home, it received excellent reviews. Godless was well received as well. But American Vandal? Seriously, American Vandal? It wasn't even the best series on Netflix last year. They couldn't have meant to nominate American Crime by mistake? And where in the world is Showtime? Twin Peaks was completely shut out? Hell, Top of the Lake would be a better choice

Best Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series

This is a decidedly mixed bag.  Ewan McGregor should be the heavy favorite of this bunch. Robert De Niro was among the main contenders last year. Jeff Daniels and Jack O'Connell for Godless, there's a certain logic there. I can even see some of the reassoning behind Bill Pullman for The Sinner..

But Evan Peters for American Horror Story: Cult? Even the most devoted fans of the series thought this was  a weak season. And Jimmy Tatro for American Vandal? They couldn't have nominated Timothy Hutton or Benedict Cumberbatch or Kyle Macalahan, all of whom were light years beyond this. Oh, well. .

Best Actress, TV Movies or Limited Series

Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon more than deserve to be here. So does Carrie Coon for Fargo. So does Jessica Lange. But where's her co-lead Susan Sarandon? Or Felicity Huffman? I can understand some of the logic behind Jessica Biel's nomination for The Sinner, even if it s an odd choice, but Alana Boden for I Am Elizabeth Smart? I don't understand why this otherwise fine organization feels fit to honor the pedestrian, cookie cutter Lifetime movies. It just doesn't add up.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

This is much better. Alexander Skarsgard more than earned his place here. So did David Thewlis for Fargo. So have Stanley Tucci and Alfred Molina for their fine work on Feud. And I'm thrilled to see Benito Martinez get an overdue nomination for his fine work on American Crime. It's a little odd to see Johnny Flynn nominated for Genius when Geoffrey Rush was ignored, but I'm willing to let it go.

Best Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series

The first category I have no real complaints about. Davis, Hoffman, Dern, Pfeiffer, and King more than earned their spot at the table, and I'm glad to see the critics make up for the Emmys snub by nominating Mary Elizabeth Winstead for her superb work on Fargo. It would've been nice to have a spot for Shailene Woodley, but you can't have everything.

Stay tuned to this blog for my opinions on the Golden Globes nominations, coming next week.