Emmy nomination morning is always chaotic, and this year was no different. The shocks, the snubs, the heartbreak, the triumphs make this my favorite day of the year! This year proved some big shocks and surprises and my takes of those are below, along with some facts and figures about this years nominations.
Snubs
No Elisabeth Moss, Nicole Kidman or Viola Davis in Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. All of these women are past winners in for their characters they were nominated for on The Handmaid’s Tale, Big Little Lies and How To Get Away With Murder, respectively. All three turned in amazing performances and I wholeheartedly predicted all three. While Moss will be eligible in future competitions, this was the last time the Academy would be able to recognize Kidman and Davis. This is one of the biggest upsets of the day.
Kaitlyn Dever and Merritt Wever were both snubbed for their work in Unbelievable in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie category – but Toni Collette was nominated in the supporting category, and the series itself was nominated for Outstanding Limited Series. I don’t understand how that makes sense.
No Tom Pelphrey for Ozark?!
Dave getting completely shut out, which is quite shocking to me due to its breakout first season and its similarities to Emmy-winner Atlanta. It was even more of a heartbreak to see Gata wasn’t nominated in Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. That was going to be one of the bright spots of my day.
No Ramy in Outstanding Comedy Series – but Ramy Youssef did earn a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, as well as Directing nomination!
I predicted emotionally with these three actresses, Hiam Abbass (Ramy), J. Smith-Cameron (Succession) and Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek) and disappointment hovers over me this morning.
Resse Witherspoon did not have a good morning. Out of the 6 nominations she was eligible for between acting and producing, she only earned one for her producing credit for Little Fires Everywhere. She missed acting nominations for Big Little Lies, The Morning Show and Little Fires Everywhere – I didn’t predict her in any of these categories.
Aside from Billy Porter, Pose was completely shut out of the Emmys this year. MJ Rodriguez and Angelica Ross deserved nominations in the lead and supporting actress in a drama series categories. Says a lot about inclusiveness within the Academy
This Is Us missed out on Outstanding Drama Series for the first time. It only earned 5 nominations, its lowest amount in 4 years. I had a feeling this would happen.
Despite missing out on Outstanding Limited Series, Hollywood earned 12 nominations in total today, making it the second most nominated Limited Series after Watchmen. In addition to missing Limited Series, Joe Mantello missed a nomination for Dylan McDermott in Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie. Holland Taylor earned a nomination over Patti Lupone for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie. The insanity!
Surprises
With Moss, Kidman and Davis snubbed in the lead actress in a drama series category, that paved the way for one of the most shocking (but deserved) nominations of the morning, Zendaya being nominated for Euphoria. I must admit, I didn’t think this would happen, and I’m a big enough person to admit when I’m wrong.
I’m thrilled Schitt’s Creek is getting the Emmys swan song like it deserves, and how I expected! Emmy nominations in 4 acting categories for Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Daniel Levy and Annie Murphy, along with Outstanding Comedy Series. Schitt’s Creek is the only comedy to earn nominations in all 5 top categories this year!
Paul Mescal getting in for Normal People was a complete shock. I loved the show, but thought voters would completely overlook it.
The Good Place had an extremely strong showing today, it’s best ever at the Emmys. In addition to its Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series nomination for Ted Danson, The Good Place also managed supporting nominations for D’Arcy Carden and William Jackson Harper and Maya Rudolph for guest actress! Unfortunately though, no nomination for its star Kristen Bell. The Emmys are truly sending The Good Place off with some love.
I’m quite surprised The Morning Show didn’t crack the Outstanding Drama Series race, despite the fact it got four acting nominations for Steve Carell and Jennifer Aniston in Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress in a Drama Series, and Billy Crudup and Mark Duplass both making it into Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
What We Do In The Shadows got its first Outstanding Comedy Series, edging out other FX series Dave and Better Things.
Where the hell did The Mandalorian come from? 15 nominations overall, including Outstanding Drama Series. Truly one of the biggest shocks for me today!
It was truly a delight seeing Tracee Ellis Ross being nominated for black-ish after being snubbed last year. Quite honestly, I didn’t predict her (or Anthony Anderson – who managed a nomination), so it’s great to see them still getting Emmy love.
Andre Braugher getting a Brooklyn Nine-Nine nomination – I’m quite sure nobody saw that coming!
I knew Succession would be a big hit and earn numerous nominations like Outstanding Drama Series, and Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong both earning nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, but I had no clue all three supporting actors, Nicholas Braun, Matthew Macfayden and Kieran Culkin, would be nominated. I only predicted Culkin!
It was a joy to see Insecure earn 8 nominations today, tying it with What We Do In The Shadows for the 3rd most nominated comedy overall. I’m particularity thrilled to see it got its first Outstanding Comedy Series nomination, and Yvonne Orji earned her first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
#EmmysBlackAF! Black people earned their nominations today! I counted a whopping 37 Black actors and actresses nominated across all acting and hosting nominations. Emmys got that right this year!
Unorthodox made an unexpected splash at the Emmys, and I’m 100% all right with that! In addition to its Outstanding Limited Series nomination, Shira Haas deserving got a nomination for lead actress. I loved Unorthodox, but I didn’t expect it to be nominated! Welcomed surprises are always the best!
I didn’t see Octavia Spencer earning a nomination for Self Made: Inspired By The Life of Madam C.J. Walker. I did initially have her as a frontrunner in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV movie category– until I watched Unbelievable, thinking Kailtyn Dever and Merritt Wever were locks.
I’m shocked Defending Jacob (Apple TV+) didn’t show up in nominations anywhere. Maybe I liked it way too much?
Facts and Figures
- Watchmen earned the most nominations today with 26 nominations.
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is again the most nominated comedy with 20 nominations
- Ozark and Succession tied with 18 nominations apiece, making them both the most nominated drama series
- The Good Place is broadcast TV’s highest nominated show with 6 nominations. This Is Us and Will & Grace right behind it at 5 apiece
- Netflix overtook HBO as the most nominated platform this year, earning 160 nominations over HBO’s 107. Last year, HBO lead 137 vs. 118.
- NBC is the most nominated broadcast network with 47 nominations, down from 58 nominations last year – those This Is Us snubs really hurt their numbers.
- In the war of new streaming services between Apple TV+, Disney+ and Quibi, Disney + just edged out Apple TV+ by one Emmy nomination (19 vs. 18). Quibi managed 10.
TV Talk With JWalk 