Well, it's been over twelve hours since Emmy nominations were announced (forgive me, it's been a busy day!), and my emotions are still boiling over. The shocks! The snubs! The unusual love for Glee and Episodes?! I dive into it all, so let's get started.
Best Comedy Series
30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Girls
Louie
Modern Family
Veep
Of course, the big shock here is no nomination for Arrested Development, although it's not too shocking when you learn that the much-heralded return of the Emmy favorite only earned three nominations this year (and only one in a major category). That's a low blow, since I think the show deserved much better, and as someone who watched all three original seasons and this new season, I would say Season 4 was better than at least Season 3, and that one got nominated here. So it's a bit puzzling it's not here, but not too surprising either. If you're a fan of AD, you know that the format this year was crazily plotted so story lines and jokes crossed over multiple episodes. Maybe Emmy voters just didn't get it, because if they did, I don't see how this season wasn't nominated all over the board. That's a shame, but all that's left to do is complain about it until this Emmy season is over. And I'll probably do just that. Beyond the AD snub, this lineup is pretty expected. I had AD in my predicted lineup, so I went 5/6. As far as a possible winner, this is one category that'll be hotly debated. Most of that debate will revolve around the decreased quality of MF this season, although it is still clearly an Emmy darling. 30 Rock picked up some major nominations this year and has the "last chance" factor in its favor. TBBT is the biggest comedy on television right now, at a creative and viewing peak, and might mirror the win of another popular comedy that won for it's biggest season, Friends. I want to say Girls probably won't get the win here, it just doesn't have the momentum. Emmy voters love Louie, but I don't think this is the kind of show that wins Best Comedy Series. Veep also picked up some important nominations, but I'm not sure it'll go all the way. My very early pick is 30 Rock, but that is bound to change before September.
Best Drama Series
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
House of Cards
Mad Men
Again, I went 5 for 6 here, predicting The Good Wife in the House of Cards slot. Speaking of the former, it is a darn shame to see this show snubbed for the second year in a row, especially after a strong season after a bit of a rocky start (Kalinda's crazy husband, anyone?). That makes it the second year in a row that the Drama Series category has no broadcast network nominees (that would be shows broadcast on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox...I'm assuming The CW won't be touching this category any time in the next decade at the very least). However, what is interesting is that without TGW, we get a history-making nomination for House of Cards, which becomes the first online television series to earn a major Emmy nomination (more where that came from, see below!) and is Netflix's big ticket to Hollywood's biggest night. The rest of the nominees are pretty serviceable and expected. Who will win? Again, it's too soon to call, but I'm envisioning a rough and tough battle between Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones and Homeland. Breaking Bad is one of the most popular dramas on TV, and it has all the right nominations to point toward victory. Game of Thrones might be BB in the popularity contest, as GoT comes off its best season yet with huge buzz surrounding The Red Wedding, not to mention that it leads the nomination count for all drama series. But Homeland is the defending champ, it was "the show to watch" last fall, it has nominations in 8 of the 9 big categories, and it's just a great show that Emmy voters will appreciate (it certainly fits the bill better than a show about drugs and a fantasy drama). I'm sticking with Homeland for now.
Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock
Jason Bateman for Arrested Development
Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory
Matt LeBlanc for Episodes
Don Cheadle for House of Lies
Louis CK for Louie
I went 4 for 6 here, and I'm entirely bored by this category. I definitely expected Baldwin, Parsons, and CK to make it. Happy to see Bateman make it as the only major nomination for his show (outrage, say I!). But the final two nominees just go to show that Emmy voters are lazy and unoriginal. Matt LeBlanc?! Don Cheadle?! Has anyone heard anything about those performances this year? To be honest, I haven't seen LeBlanc's show, but I watched Cheadle's submission tape when he was nominated for this show last year and I didn't like it at all. Not one bit. So I'm not happy to see him back, especially when you consider who that eclipsed. I predicted Jon Cryer for Two and a Half Men to make it back, which would make sense as he is the defending champ, but let's just say that I'm not crying about that snub. I may shed a tear, however, over the snub of Jake Johnson for New Girl. In a move that would've bought many cheers for Emmy voters, they refused to go against the current and vote for Johnson, who easily became the best thing about New Girl this season. That was disappointing. So who's winning? It's probably a race between Baldwin, Parsons, and CK, and while part of me thinks Baldwin will take it for the final season as a "thanks for everything," I know that Emmy loves CK and might reward him here (even though he is probably more deserving elsewhere). And of course, there is Parsons, a two-time winner who might benefit from the giant popularity boost his show tacked on this year. Of course, once tapes are released, we'll have a better idea, but early advantage to Parsons.
Best Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad
Hugh Bonneville for Downton Abbey
Damian Lewis for Homeland
Kevin Spacey for House of Cards
Jon Hamm for Mad Men
Jeff Daniels for The Newsroom
This category is interesting. I went 4 for 6, missing Bonneville and Daniels. I can understand the nomination for the latter: veteran actor, an Aaron Sorkin HBO show, the stars definitely aligned here, and I just didn't catch on. I don't get Bonneville's nomination here. This is his second time here, but he still doesn't really belong, especially when the early buzz is that he didn't have much to do this season. So who got snubbed? I'd picked Steve Buscemi for Boardwalk Empire, but that show's buzz has definitely gone downhill, and Matthew Rhys for The Americans, a show that, in general, didn't get as much love as it should have. But I think this is another tight race. Cranston is an early favorite because he's already a three-time winner. Lewis is the reigning champion, and while he won for a great first season, I (and many others) think he had an even better second season. Spacey is the anchor of HoC and if Emmy voters really like the show, that could help Spacey. Hamm supposedly had a good season, but it always feels like "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" with him. Daniels could get in as the aged star of a new show, although general lack of interest in The Newsroom won't do him any favors. I'm going with Lewis again, for now.
Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Tina Fey for 30 Rock
Laura Dern for Enlightened
Lena Dunham for Girls
Edie Falco for Nurse Jackie
Amy Poehler for Parks and Recreation
Julia Louis-Dreyfus for Veep
4 for 6 here, and disappointed once again. Last year, this category had 7 nominees, and this year, we gained a new nominee and lost two previous ones. Of the snubbed, Melissa McCarthy for Mike and Molly was a previous winner, but understandably left out, but I'm surprised by the exclusion of Zooey Deschanel, the bright voice of New Girl, which just ended up being left to be shot in the backyard this year, sad given that the second season was much better than the multiple-nominations first season. The new face is Dern, whose show has been cancelled, but has gotten cavalcades of fans coming out of cracks on the sidewalk. I don't quite get it. There was no buzz for Dern or her show before it was cancelled, and now I think this overexposure has led to a nom here for the main actress. Falco being here again is also kind of pesky, but not totally awful. The final four ladies can probably duke it out for the award. It depends on how voters feel about Fey and Dunham, and whether they choose to award them anywhere else (both ladies have multiple nominations elsewhere). Poehler's best shot at winning was last year, and while a win this year would be like a "Sorry about that" win, it's certainly possible. But I'm sticking with Louis-Dreyfus, the defending champ, who only got better this year.
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Vera Farmiga for Bates Motel
Michelle Dockery for Downton Abbey
Claire Danes for Homeland
Robin Wright for House of Cards
Elisabeth Moss for Mad Men
Connie Britton for Nashville
Kerry Washington for Scandal
Despite 7 nominees, I only went 3 for 7. This category is equally exciting and infuriating. I predicted Dockery, Danes, and Washington. I was ecstatic to see Farmiga, who I didn't pick because I wasn't sure enough voters would care to check out the show. Also, I was very happy to see Wright, as I really enjoyed her work, but didn't consider her a big contender here. But then the positives kind of stop there. Dockery is another boring nom for DA, and Moss is starting to feel stale here for MM. Britton was a shock, but not necessarily in the good way (if the Emmys were going to nominate a Nashville lady, I wish it'd have been Hayden Panettiere in the Supporting Actress race). But let's talk about the snubs, because my oh my, they were abundant. Keri Russell was snubbed for The Americans, and as I stated earlier, it's not surprising given the lack of love for the show. Julianna Margulies was unforgivably skipped over here for The Good Wife. She was the closest thing to a lock, and had a marvelous season, so how she was dropped and actresses like Dockery and Moss weren't is just shocking to me. But the saddest snub (but probably not as surprising as Margulies') is Tatiana Maslany for Orphan Black. Even though she played seven (yes, seen) different characters, the Emmys distaste for sci-fi continues. What a shame. Maslany was so deserving, as were Margulies and Russell. I think this is still Danes' award to lose, unless Farmiga or Washington build some serious buzz in these next few weeks.
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Adam Driver for Girls
Jesse Tyler Ferguson for Modern Family
Ed O'Neill for Modern Family
Ty Burrell for Modern Family
Bill Hader for Saturday Night Live
Tony Hale for Veep
A putrid 2 for 6 here, but this category was crazy. First off, let's address the elephant in the room. Only 3 of 4 MF actors make the cut. So who missed? Eric Stonestreet, two-time winner. Talk about shocking! The only reasoning I have is that Emmy voters decided to leave Stonestreet out to benefit the rest of the MF crew. It doesn't do them many favors. O'Neill really doesn't deserve to be here, and Ferguson had a better year last season. Burrell is easily the more likely to win of the three MF men. His contenders? Driver scored a first-time nod in a well-deserved change of pace from all love for Girls going straight to Lena Dunham. Hader returns after a first nomination last year, and he has the farewell factor on his side. Hale was a huge surprise for Veep, but his role as Buster on Arrested Development may get him some extra votes. Among the snubs here: Simon Helberg for The Big Bang Theory (thought he would ride the wave of support) Max Greenfield for New Girl (what?!) and Will Arnett for Arrested Development (WHAT?!) Still going with Burrell to win his second, though.
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Bobby Cannavale for Boardwalk Empire
Jonathan Banks for Breaking Bad
Aaron Paul for Breaking Bad
Jim Carter for Downton Abbey
Peter Dinklage for Game of Thrones
Mandy Pantinkin for Homeland
4 for 6, and some odd choices here. Cannavale is a double nominee this year (Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Nurse Jackie), so I guess we should have a new motto for him and Connie Britton: "If they're eligible, they're getting nominated." Beyond that, I did hear some good things about his season on BE, and while he was on no one's radar, it's a welcome surprise. Less welcome is another nod for DA and Jim Carter. I understand he did nothing special this season, so it's a bit annoying to see him take up a spot on the list, especially with a deserving snub like Corey Stoll for House of Cards, who was the best part of the show, but lost out on a nom, while Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright get their own nominations. Interesting. In a not so good way. My final note is that I really think Nickolaj Coster-Waldau for Game of Thrones deserved a nomination here, even if he replaced his co-star Dinklage. As for a winner, never discount Aaron Paul, but absolutely keep an eye out on Mandy Pantinkin, who comes back after a snub last year. Tapes will decide this race, but my early pick is Pantinkin.
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Jane Krakowski for 30 Rock
Mayim Bialik for The Big Bang Theory
Jane Lynch for Glee
Sofia Vergara for Modern Family
Julie Bowen for Modern Family
Merritt Wever for Nurse Jackie
Anna Chlumsky for Veep
With seven nominees, I went 4 for 7. I predicted Jessica Walter for Arrested Development (and we've already covered the lack of love for that show) and Allison Williams for Girls (momentum just wasn't strong enough to get Williams or one of her co-stars, Jemima Kirke or Zosia Mamet, a nom). It's not surprising to see Wever, even though I was predicting it. She's a returning nominee. It was shocking to see Lynch back after being snubbed last year. She is a previous winner, but that was a time when her character and Glee itself were on top of the world. Since then, Glee has kind of become a love/hate show, and Lynch's character has been pushed to the background. As someone who watches the show every week, even I don't understand the love. But another pleasant surprise for Veep lies with Chlumsky's unexpected nod. The race for the title is probably between Krakowski, Bialik, and Bowen. Personally, I'd love to see Krakowski take it because Bialik has time to win this award and Bowen already has won twice, so Krakowski winning in her final eligible season would be the icing on top of a sweet cake for her over-the-top character. We'll have to see what tapes the actresses go with, but I'll say Krakowski for now.
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Anna Gunn for Breaking Bad
Maggie Smith for Downton Abbey
Emilia Clarke for Game of Thrones
Christine Baranski for The Good Wife
Morena Baccarin for Homeland
Christina Hendricks for Mad Men
5 for 6 here, missing Clarke, although I'm happy to see her here as Daenerys is my favorite GoT character. But this category is not complete because of one snub that I'm dubbing the Snub of the Year: Monica Potter for Parenthood. It's just jaw-dropping that Potter's beautiful, magnificient, and career-defining portrayal of a mother of three fighting breast cancer did not even warrant an Emmy nomination, let alone what should have been an easy win. That just makes me so angry, especially when I hear people say Hendricks did nothing on MM this season, and Smith is nominated with a large credit due to the fact that she is Maggie Smith, goddammit! Support for Gunn is strong, and even though I'm not a BB viewer, I hear she's becoming more and more integral to the show. You go girl! Baccarin is a worthy nominee, but I'm guessing the love for Homeland in general didn't hurt her. And Baranski is the lone TGW nominee here, after one-time winner Archie Panjabi is snubbed for the first time ever. Who might the winner be? Hard to say with one-time frontrunner Potter out, but Smith is not to be counted against. I will hold judgment for tapes, but I think buzz and support for Gunn is strong and she might pull out the win.
Of course, there are plenty of categories left to discuss (Guest Acting, Writing, and Directing), but I'll save that for the tape breakdown coming in a few weeks. This is enough to digest for now. Strap on your seatbelts because the wild ride is just getting started. In the next few weeks, as actors pick tapes for Emmy voters to watch for consideration, I'll be watching the episodes and giving my two cents before picking who I think will win the races. Make sure you stayed tuned for plenty of Emmy coverage before the big night this September!
Evan
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