My reaction to the Emmys has always
been something of a mixed bag, as they never quite seem to satisfy me. I’ve written numerous times about how Game of Thrones is arguably the most
overrated series in Emmy history, and this year’s nominations seem to prove it
in spades. Even though fans of the show
thought the last season was horrible, even though critics were generally
unsatisfied with how the last season ended, the series still got 32 nominations
this year. That’s more than CBS got.
And why? To acknowledge that it was one of the last water cooler series in
history? So was Lost, and I don’t
recall Emmy voters going into this kind of ecstasy when that show ended.
Even more frustrating are some of
the series that got ignored even though many of the more famous series that
were regulars skipped this year’s nominations. I can understand, though not
happily, why The Good Fight was
shutout by the Emmys; the voters have decided that no matter how good this
verse is, they’re never going to acknowledge it. But how could Emmy voters
ignore Homecoming? For much of the
2019 awards seasons, the series and Julia Roberts in particular were huge among
critics choices. So why was it and its able cast (particularly Julia Roberts)
were completely shutout?
And The Handmaid’s Tale didn’t premiere its third season until last
month, and its previous season already was acknowledged by the Emmys last year.
Why the hell did it get eleven nominations regardless? Admittedly, none of them
were in the major acting categories or writing, but what kind of messed up
calendar are the Emmy voters following?
I’m actually far more satisfied
with the Comedy and Limited Series choices this year (though as always, they
weren’t perfect either). I’ll go into more detail in a bit, but for now let me
deal with Best Dramas
BEST DRAMA
I am grateful the Emmys were willing
to expand the category up to eight nominees this year. Considering how many of
the big players were absents, its good to know that the Emmys can still
recognize talent when they see it. Leaving aside Game of Thrones, Better Call Saul, This is Us, Ozark, Killing Eve and
Pose have m0ore than earned the right
to be here.
It’s the fact that they chose to
nominate Bodyguard and Succession instead of Homecoming and Good Fight that I find offensive. They each got a best Drama nod,
but nothing in the acting categories, and nothing in directing or writing.
Considering that Richard Madden won a Golden Globe this is bizarre. Its like
nominated a film for Best Picture and then ignoring it in any other category. Succession is a strong series and
deserved more recognition than it got. Bodyguard
wasn’t even the second strongest Drama on Netflix this year. They couldn’t
make room for Billions?
BEST ACTOR, DRAMA
I’m actually mostly happy with this
field. Ventimiglia and Brown earned their nominations, and Jason Bateman was
particularly strong. Bob Odenkirk may have moved into the favorite position,
and Billy Porter more than deserves to be here. I really wish they would’ve
chosen Paul Giamatti over Kit Harrington, but he’s the one Game of Thrones actor I don’t mind seeing nominated. So no real
problem here.
BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA
I wanted Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer
to be here, so that’s great. Ditto Laura Linney. And I’m absolutely over the
moon that they decided to finally acknowledge Mandy Moore for her incredible
work on This is Us. I can see the
reasoning for Emilia Clarke, even if I don’t approve.
The other two nominees I have a
major difficulty with. How to Get Away
with Murder has been bleeding viewers for two seasons, and dropping in
quality for even longer. So why the hell did the Emmy voters choose to
acknowledge Viola Davis again?
But it is Robin Wright’s nomination
I find appalling. House of Cards was
toxic this year. And it didn’t end well critically or popularly. So to nominate
Wright seems to be an act of pure laziness. Julia Roberts and Christine
Baranski got shafted for her? This is
true miscarriage of justice that I really think Diane Lockhart should look
into.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA
Good stuff first. Thrilled Jonathan
Banks is back, equally gratified to see Giancarlo Esposito returning to the
Emmy podium. And if I was thrilled that Mandy Moore was recognized, I’m over
the moon that Chris Sullivan was nominated for This is Us. It’s not that he wasn’t excellent this year – he was –
but he’s so quietly brilliant, I figured he’d be overshadowed by the brighter
sun of Justin Hartley. Golden, man
Now, let’s get to the rest. I
realized Game of Thrones would
dominate this category, but we’re verging on the ridiculous. Dinklage, fine.
Coster-Waldjau, he’s been nominated before. But who the hell is Alf Allen? Did
even Game of Thrones watchers know
what character he played? I’m assuming he died. You’d couldn’t have nominated
one of the supporting actors from Homecoming?
You’re making me advocate for Bobby Canavale. Do you know weird that makes
me feel?
I am so up in the air about Michael
Kelly. I loved his work on House of
Cards. I thought it was brilliant, even when the shows quality plummeted.
But the same stink that’s on Wright is on him by association. I can’t in good
conscience approve of it.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA
Really Game of Thrones? You had to overwhelm this category. I was
expecting maybe two or three nominations, but four. I knew The West Wing, I
worshipped The West Wing, and you
ladies, are no West Wing. How dare
you occupy all the slots?
I’m glad that Julia Garner was
nominated for Ozark and Fiona Shaw
was nominated for Killing Eve. But
that’s it. Nothing for Susan Kalechi Watson, who was outstanding on This is Us? Nothing for Rhea Seehorn,
who’s been extraordinary on Better Call
Saul? Nothing for any of the great supporting leads on The Good Fight? I’d say there’s always next year, but next year, Handmaid’s Tales and Big Little Lies will overwhelm this
category, and we’re not even in July!
Shame on you, Game of Thrones.
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR/ACTRESS IN
A DRAMA
I’m a little pissed that Handmaid’s Tale is here, but I am torn
because I love Bradley Whitford and Cherry Jones. I’m also very satisfied by
the lion’s share of the other nominees. I’m glad that they finally acknowledged
Michael McKean for his great work as Chuck, even if it is in a flashback. And
I’m glad to see Ron Cephas Jones and Michael Angrano acknowledged for their
fine work on This is Us Less
satisfied about Guest Actress, but Cicely Tyson remains the one unquestionably
great thing about How To Get Away With
Murder, and I’m thrilled to see even though Watson was ignored, her TV mom,
Phylicia Rashad, was not. I’m pulling for her.
Stay tuned for my remarks about the
Comedies, where I’m actually happier.
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