The 2020 Emmy nominations will be announced on July 28. As per annual tradition, I have assembled a Wish List for as many categories as I have something to say about. There is no minimum or maximum number per category, nor is there any strict adherence to official Emmy rules. And of course, there is the necessary caveat that I have not seen everything. Even with much of the country shut down for the past few months, that’s impossible.
I’m kicking off my Emmy Wish List discussion with some Drama this year. The top shows in this field are absolutely-without-a-doubt Pose and Better Call Saul. The former was nearly my favorite show of 2019, while the latter is right up there for 2020. And you know what? I just couldn’t pick between the two of them for Outstanding Drama Series, so I’m calling a tie! Nor could I pick between Bob Odenkirk or Billy Porter for Lead Actor, so it’s another tie! (I’ll probably pull for Bob come the night of the ceremony, as he’s yet to win, while Billy is the reigning champ.)
The Albuquerque and ballroom crews are dominating most of the acting categories, especially Rhea Seehorn, who I believe was a co-lead this season though she was once again submitted as Supporting. Stunningly, she’s yet to ever be nominated; that had better change this year. Meanwhile, also on BCS, Tony Dalton made an undeniable impression as Lalo Salamanca in his first full season as a regular cast member.
Over in Supporting Actress, I’ve got the ladies of Pose all stacked in there, much as the Game of Thrones ladies were last year at the actual Emmys. And also much like the actual Emmys, my top pick is actually from another show; in this case, Carly Chaikin, who got to do her most complicated work yet in Mr. Robot‘s final season.
Other notables: Evil makes a strong impression in its first season, Rosa Salazar shows up for a rotoscoped performance, and my Guest picks come almost entirely from The Mandalorian.
KEY: Bold=My winner !( )!=I haven’t caught up to the current season of this show, but I still wanted to recognize it.
*=I have placed this nominee in a different category than the Emmy ballot.
Drama Series Better Call Saul
Evil
!(The Good Fight)!
The Mandalorian
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Mr. Robot Pose Stargirl
Undone
Here’s my rundown of who I think will win in the major categories and who I would prefer at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, happening Sunday, September 22.
Disclaimer: I have not watched all the nominated shows, although I wish I had time to.
DRAMA SERIES Prediction: Game of Thrones Preference: Pose
COMEDY SERIES Prediction: Veep Preference: Russian Doll
LIMITED SERIES Prediction: When They See Us Preference: Sharp Objects
TV MOVIE Prediction: Deadwood: The Movie Preference: ???
VARIETY TALK SERIES Prediction: Last Week Tonight Preference: Last Week Tonight
VARIETY SKETCH SERIES Prediction: Saturday Night Live Preference: Documentary Now!
COMPETITION PROGRAM Prediction: RuPaul’s Drag Race Preference: RuPaul’s Drag Race
LEAD ACTOR, DRAMA Prediction: Billy Porter Preference: Billy Porter
LEAD ACTRESS, DRAMA Prediction: Emilia Clarke Preference: Jodie Comer
SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA Prediction: Peter Dinklage Preference: Jonathan Banks
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA Prediction: Maisie Williams Preference: Fiona Shaw
LEAD ACTOR, COMEDY Prediction: Bill Hader Preference: Bill Hader
LEAD ACTRESS, COMEDY Prediction: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Preference: Natasha Lyonne
SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY Prediction: Tony Hale Preference: Anthony Carrigan or Henry Winkler
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY Prediction: Olivia Colman Preference: Sarah Goldberg
LEAD ACTOR, LIMITED SERIES Prediction: Jared Harris Preference: Sam Rockwell
LEAD ACTRESS, LIMITED SERIES Prediction: Michelle Williams Preference: Michelle Williams
SUPPORTING ACTOR, LIMITED SERIES Prediction: Michael K. Williams Preference: ???
SUPPORTING ACTRESS, LIMITED SERIES Prediction: Patricia Arquette Preference: Patricia Clarkson
The 2019 Emmy nominations will be announced on July 16, and as that annual occasion approaches, I typically put together my own list of which shows and performers I would like to see recognized. But I’ve had some mixed feelings about putting that together this year, as I’ve grappled with the fact that in the era of Peak TV, it becomes more and more impossible to capture all my favorites in one place. Ultimately I decided I wouldn’t be too formal or too precious about it. If there are ten shows I really want to see nominated, then I’ll list ten on my wish list. But if there are just two I really like in another category, then I’ll just list two.
I’ve already run through Comedy, Drama, and Limited Series, and you know what? I’ve also got some thoughts on Variety shows, as they are a steady part of my TV diet. For Variety Talk, I am delighted to say that my top choice is the revitalized CONAN, as Mr. O’Brien has rediscovered plenty of his mojo by slimming down a half-hour. And let’s not forget Norm MacDonald Has a Show, a brilliant bit of comedic chaos. As for Variety Sketch, Documentary Now! may just be my very favorite show of 2019
Nominees are listed in alphabetical order. My top choices are in bold.
CREDIT: TBS/YouTube
Variety Talk Series CONAN
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Norm MacDonald Has a Show
CREDIT: Allyson Riggs/IFC
Variety Sketch Series Documentary Now!
Drunk History
The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale
The 2019 Emmy nominations will be announced on July 16, and as that annual occasion approaches, I typically put together my own list of which shows and performers I would like to see recognized. But I’ve had some mixed feelings about putting that together this year, as I’ve grappled with the fact that in the era of Peak TV, it becomes more and more impossible to capture all my favorites in one place. Ultimately I decided I wouldn’t be too formal or too precious about it. If there are ten shows I really want to see nominated, then I’ll list ten on my wish list. But if there are just two I really like in another category, then I’ll just list two.
Now that I’ve gone through the regularly scheduled Comedy and Drama, I’m moving onto the categories that really have to make their case to fit themselves into my viewing schedules. Limited Series come and go, and that transience is clear in my relative lack wishes. But boy do I love those who I’m wishing for! Florence Pugh is my favorite up-and-coming actress, and I thought I would totally be pulling for her little spy routine in The Little Drummer Girl, but then Michelle Williams came along and was totally undeniable as Gwen Verdon. And it is in this field that we find my most off-the-wall wishes, as Justin Theroux was rewardingly unmoored in Maniac and Wanda Sykes got to kill it with her take as Weezy Jefferson in one of the most “who’d-a thunk it” moments of 2019.
Nominees are listed in alphabetical order. My top choices are in bold.
Limited Series
Fosse/Verdon
The Little Drummer Girl Sharp Objects
The 2019 Emmy nominations will be announced on July 16, and as that annual occasion approaches, I typically put together my own list of which shows and performers I would like to see recognized. But I’ve had some mixed feelings about putting that together this year, as I’ve grappled with the fact that in the era of Peak TV, it becomes more and more impossible to capture all my favorites in one place. Ultimately I decided I wouldn’t be too formal or too precious about it. If there are ten shows I really want to see nominated, then I’ll list ten on my wish list. But if there are just two I really like in another category, then I’ll just list two.
Yesterday I discussed Comedy, and I just couldn’t contain myself to the prescribed number of nominees per category. But now that I’m looking at Drama, I’m struggling to fully flesh them out. Partly that’s because I watch more comedy than drama, and partly it’s because some of the dramas I do watch had off-years.
But I still watched some good, juicy dramas! And tops among them was most definitely Pose, which is my #1 choice in just about every category. Billy Porter is pretty much showmanship personified, and all the main ladies are undeniably compelling. Sex Education also gets my endorsement. I initially thought it was mis-categorized, but since my drama choices are relatively sparse, I won’t complain. And let’s not sleep on The Orville, which has been consistently putting out some intellectually satisfying hard sci-fi without too much fanfare.
Nominees are listed in alphabetical order. My top choices are in bold.
Outstanding Drama
Better Call Saul
Homecoming
The Orville Pose Sex Education
The 2019 Emmy nominations will be announced on July 16, and as that annual occasion approaches, I typically put together my own list of which shows and performers I would like to see recognized. But I’ve had some mixed feelings about that this year, as I’ve grappled with the fact that in the era of Peak TV, it becomes more and more impossible to capture all my favorites in one place. Ultimately I decided I wouldn’t be too formal or too precious about it. If there are ten shows I really want to see nominated, then I’ll list ten on my wish list. But if there are just two I really like in another category, then I’ll just list two.
I’m kicking things off today with Comedy. Before I get to my selections, I’ve got some thoughts to share, mainly about the new entrants. Among freshman shows, The Other Two mixed affecting family dynamics with the silliness of fame, while What We Do in the Shadows was just so wonderfully goofy. But it’s a couple of sadly cancelled high school-set sophomore shows that have my most love: Netflix’s poopy mockumentary American Vandal and NBC’s sharp and lovable A.P. Bio.
Among the actors, Young Sheldon‘s ensemble has really been a welcome part of my weekly life, and with that in mind, it’s been a while since either the Academy or I have recognized Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory, and you know what? I’m going to recognize him for his final year. Among names that you may not recognize (yet), let’s all keep in mind What We Do in the Shadows‘ Kayvan Novak for our future comedy endeavors.
Nominees are listed in alphabetical order. My top choices are in bold.
Outstanding Comedy American Vandal A.P. Bio
Barry
GLOW
The Goldbergs
The Good Place
Jane the Virgin
The Last O.G.
The Other Two
Speechless
What We Do in the Shadows
The 2016 Emmy nominations will be announced this Thursday, June 14. My predictions and wish lists for most of the major categories are on Moviepilot this year, and I covered Outstanding Animated Program for Bubbleblabber. Links to individual categories are below:
Folks from the preceding categories who did not quite make my wish lists: Will Forte (The Man on Earth), Fred Savage (The Grinder), Billy Eichner (Difficult People), Chris Geere (You’re the Worst), Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite), Rashida Jones (Angie Tribeca), Michael Ian Black (Another Period), Fred Melamed (Lady Dynamite), Yael Grobglas (Jane the Virgin), Claudia O’Doherty (Love), Louis C.K. (Horace and Pete), Steve Buscemi (Horace and Pete), Ruth Wilson (The Affair), Craig Bierko (UnREAL), Alan Alda (Horace and Pete), Joshua Jackson (The Affair).
And here is my wish list for a selection of the remaining categories:
Limited Series The People v. OJ Simpson
Fargo
The Spoils Before Dying
TV Movie A Deadly Adoption
7 Days in Hell
Lead Actor, Limited Series or TV Movie Courtney B. Vance, The People v. OJ Simpson Patrick Wilson, Fargo Cuba Gooding, Jr., The People v. OJ Simpson
Lead Actress, Limited Series or TV Movie Sarah Paulson, The People v. OJ Simpson Kirsten Dunst, Fargo
Supporting Actor, Limited Series or TV Movie John Travolta, The People v. OJ Simpson Sterling K. Brown, The People v. OJ Simpson David Schwimmer, The People v. OJ Simpson Bokeem Woodbine, Fargo Will Ferrell, The Spoils Before Dying
Supporting Actress, Limited Series or TV Movie Jean Smart, Fargo
Guest Actor Larry David, Saturday Night Live
Guest Actress, Comedy Lennon Parham, Review
Guest Actor, Drama BD Wong, Mr. Robot
Guest Actress, Drama Carrie Preston, The Good Wife
Directing, Comedy Jonathan Krisel, “Picnic,” Baskets
-Lead Actor, Comedy is a mix of good and bad: Will Forte and Anthony Anderson made it in, but Don Cheadle and Matt LeBlanc are still hanging around. Bizarrely, no Jim Parsons. Cool that he won’t win yet again, but he was more or less still deserving of a nomination (at least more so than Don and Matt, presumably).
–Community received a nomination for Stunt Coordination (deservedly), but nothing else. Season 6 wasn’t its best, but it would have been nice to see it make a showing, considering that Yahoo! actually made an Emmy promotional push.
-Strong showing for Bloodline despite its considerable lack of buzz. The Academy’s love of Kyle Chandler is not to be underestimated, I guess.
-Mostly good choices in Variety Sketch Series’ first year as a category – would have been nice if there could have been 6 nominees, though.
-Joanne Froggatt has got to be the most bizarre multiple Emmy nominee ever. I know several people who watch Downton Abbey, and I’ve not heard any of them ever once mention her. This year, she even made it in over Maggie Smith!
-Hurray to Billy On The Street With First Lady Michelle Obama, Big Bird And Elena!!! and Katy Perry’s Super Bowl Halftime Show in Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program! But boo to no Too Many Cooks 😦
-OUR LONG NATIONAL NIGHTMARE OF TATIANA MASLANY NOT BEING NOMINATED FOR AN EMMY IS OVER!
Early Predictions:
COMEDY:
Series – Modern Family (I’d love to say Transparent – or anything else, really – but Modern Family is still Modern Family.)
Lead Actor – Will Forte
Lead Actress – Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Supporting Actor – Ty Burrell or Titus Burgess
Supporting Actress – Allison Janney
DRAMA:
Series – Mad Men
Lead Actor – Jon Hamm
Lead Actress – Her name will star with “Ta.”
Supporting Actor – Jonathan Banks
Supporting Actress – Lena Headey
For my detailed thoughts on my predictions and wishlists in the major Drama, Comedy, and Variety categories, check out these links:
–Comedy
–Drama –Variety
Guest Actor, Comedy John Hawkes, Inside Amy Schumer
Michael Rapaport, Louie
Chris Gethard, Parks and Recreation
Dwayne Johnson, Saturday Night Live
Guest Actress, Comedy Susie Essman, Broad City
Guest Actor, Drama Mel Rodriguez, Better Call Saul
Guest Actress, Drama Allison Janney, Masters of Sex Linda Lavin, The Good Wife
Directing, Comedy Rob Schrab, “Modern Espionage,” Community
Directing, Drama Adam Arkin, “The Promise,” Justified
Writing, Comedy Dan Harmon and Chris McKenna, “Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television,” Community
Writng, Drama Thomas Schnauz, “Pimento,” Better Call Saul
Animated Program Bojack Horseman – “Downer Ending” American Dad! – “Dreaming of a White Porsche Christmas” The Simpsons – “Treehouse of Horror XXV”
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