Will the Emmys look like this this year? (CREDIT: FX/Screenshot)

Good afternoon.

Good evening, and good morning.

It’s time for that annual tradition that all of us who are perpetually glued to the Boob Tube know and love: making an Emmy Wish List!!!!!

In years past, I’ve listed multiple favorites in all the major categories, but lately, I’ve preferred a more pared-down approach. So with this year’s edition, I’ve focused on spotlighting some selections that aren’t already getting the Emmy love. Maybe on July 17, I’ll be surprised to discover that my top picks actually are nominated. But no matter what happens, I’ll love them just the same.

Animation: There was some speculation among Emmy prognosticators that X-Men ’97 might end up in the Drama category, although ultimately it was submitted in the Animation field. But that push highlights the tricky spot that animated shows perpetually find themselves in. I’d love to see triumphs like Beavis and Butt-Head or Scott Pilgrim Takes Off submitted as Comedies, but it’s also nice to appreciate them as the toons that they are. Maybe the Animation category could be presented on the main telecast instead of the Creative Arts Emmys?

Comedy: The Big Bang Theory got plenty of Emmy love, but that hasn’t translated at all to its prequel series. And yet Young Sheldon is totally worthy of the love! How about nominations for the entire main cast?!
I liked the Frasier revival a lot more than basically everyone else, but the original already got plenty of Emmy adoration back in the day. So how about instead of Kelsey Grammer winning his millionth trophy, we instead recognize one of the newbies like Toks Olagundoye or Nicholas Lindhurst?

Commercials: I love really weird ads that feel like they’ve emerged from another dimension, especially the iPhone 15 “Don’t Let Me Down” spot.

Drama: Elsbeth feels like the sort of show that would’ve been Emmy catnip 15 years ago, but now I’m not sure if the TV Academy is still aware that network TV even exists anymore. Maybe Carrie Preston will prove to be likable enough to overcome that mental block. If nothing else, this show absolutely deserves recognition for Daniel Lawson‘s fabulous costume design.

Game Shows: The Floor was one of my favorite new shows of the past year, and Rob Lowe was a perfectly cromulent host (despite some weird ADR editing).

Limited Series: Against all odds, the fifth season of Fargo was somehow probably my favorite of the anthology series. I suspect that Jon Hamm, Juno Temple, and Jennifer Jason Leigh all have a decent shot at a nomination, but let’s not forget less marquee names like Richa Moorjani, David Rysdahl, Sam Spruell, and little Sienna King.

Talk/Variety: It’s been too long since the last time that I’ve been able to place Conan O’Brien on my Emmy Wish List, but now, Conan O’Brien Must Go.