Friday, June 12, 2026

Emmy Watch 2026 Phase 3 Continued: My Reactions to the 2026 TCA Award Nominations

 

One of the oldest critics organizations to give awards for TV is the Television Critics Association (TCA). Meeting in the weeks after the end of every season they have regularly given nominations for the most significant TV shows of the year just past.

Earlier today they gave their official nominations that may very well give the clearest indication yet what the Emmys may do in the next month, though even here we see some outliers. The biggest is the recognition for the Canadian drama Heated Rivalry which has become an international phenomena but is ineligible to compete in the Emmys. With that in mind, here are the nominations.

Program of the Year

In addition to Heated Rivalry Stephen Colbert's nomination is by far the most blatant recognition of politics more than anything.

In comedy we see the usual suspects: Hacks and Shrinking along with The Comeback and the new sensation Widow's Bay which may well contend for nominations given how much of a phenomena it has become. In drama we see Pluribus, The Pitt and Industry.  The latter show has been a grower among critics and fans for years but it still faces an uphill battle to sneak in for Best Drama

 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY

As you'd expect The Comeback, Hacks, Shrinking and Widow's Bay. Also present is perennial contender Abbott Elementary and new face Margo's Got Money Troubles.

The most fascinating newcomers are two freshman sensations that have achieved critical acclaim but less recognition in awards shows: The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins and The Lowdown.  The Bear has fallen completely off the grid and honestly either of the shows listed would be good choices.

 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA

Aside from Heated Rivalry almost every nominee has an argument to contend. The Pitt and Pluribus, as you'd expect, are here, as is Industry. The Gilded Age, Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Paradise and Task are all formidable contenders for nominations in a few weeks' time with only Industry being the least certain.

 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINI SERIES OR SPECIAL

As you'd expect all of the major contenders are present. All Her Fault, The Beast in Me, Beef, Death by Lightning, DTF St. Louis, Half Man and Love Story. Only Lord of the Flies seems unlikely to contend.

 

OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM

For comedy's previous faces like Reggie Dinkins, Lowdown, Margo's Got Money Troubles and Widow's Bay. For drama, Heated Rivalry, A Knight of the 7 kingdoms and Pluribus. The new face is Alien: Earth which we've seen at multiple award shows over the last several months. I'll be honest, I think it has a better chance of being nominated for Best Drama then Industry

 

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA

As a reminder this includes limited series and doesn't differentiate between lead and supporting.

Industry makes its biggest noise with Marisa Abela, Myha'la and Ken Leung. Both of Heated Rivalry's nominees are ineligible. Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa will be there for The Pitt as will Rhea Seehorn for Pluribus and Sterling K. Brown for Paradise. David Harbour's chances of an Emmy nomination if not an award for DTF: St. Louis keep getting better.

 

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY

Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart will be there for the final season of Hacks. Elle Fanning is a lock for Margo's Got Money Troubles; ditto Harrison Ford for Shrinking. Lisa Kudrow is nearly certain for The Comeback.

Matthew Rhys is guaranteed to be there for The Beast in Me, could he possibly double dip with a nomination for Widow's Bay? Kate O'Flynn is interesting. Tim Robinson's chances for The Chair Company remain remote.

 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN VARIETY, TALK OR SKETCH

All the usual suspects are here along with The Muppet Show special. Is this the biggest sign that it may finally be revived?

 

In addition we have some new categories which I'm going to go over.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN Animation

The usual suspects: The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers and South Park are here. But we also have the revival of King of the Hill, Invincible and Long Story Short.  Also present are Haunted Hotel on Netflix and Women Wearing Shoulder Pads on Adult Swim

 

OUTSTANIDING INTERNATIONAL SERIES

We see the final season of Squid Game and Amazon's adaptation of House of The Spirits. Netflix dominated with The Boyfriend, Crime Scene Zero and Last Samurai Standing. Apple TV has Drops of God

The rest of the series are irrelevant to me except for Outstanding Achievement in Family and Children's Programming. I'm glad to see Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball and Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical and First Snow of Fraggle Rock in the latter and Phineas & Ferb and Wizards Beyond Waverly Place back as revivals in the former. Oh and Stranger Things: Tales from '85. The TCA thinks its worthy.

 

As an update according to Gold Derby both Widow's Bay and Industry are beginning to rise of very high in Emmy Predictions across the board. Widow's Bay currently ranks ninth in Best Comedy just behind a falling Nobody Wants This  and The Bear. Matthew Rhys is knocking on the door for the Best Actor nominees just behind Steve Martin.

Industry's odds remain long in any major category as do Reggie Dinkins and The Lowdown.

Well, we're just about here. On Monday I start breaking down my contenders for this year's Emmy nominations. How much do I agree with my peers and what are my own hopes? You'll find out starting next week.

 

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