Emmy Nominations This Week. What Are You Betting On?
Sunday, July 14, 2013 at 9:00PM Every Emmy award discussion really ought to start with that familiar television montage trope "Previously On..." If you think about it the Emmy Awards really are like a longform television series with continuing plotlines... "Will Mad Men lose every acting nomination AGAIN? Will [insert underwatched critical favorite] finally win a Best Series nomination?", new character introductions, resurgent supporting characters, goodbyes to series regulars, and the like.
Homeland defends its title. But a lot of people didn't like Season 2.
So what did happen at least year's Emmys? A refresher: "Mad Men" was defending its Best Drama title in its fifth season and did not break the record (no show has ever won five consecutive drama series titles) losing to terrorist drama "Homeland" but the story was bleak for the SCDP everywhere since "Mad Men" struck out everywhere even MISSING a Best Costume Design nomination (it's never won) despite being the best costumed show in the history of ever; Jon Cryer "Two and a Half Men" won sympathy votes for putting up with Charlie Sheen all these years as Best Actor in a Comedy Series; Julia Louis-Dreyfus "Veep" won her third Emmy but what's more impressive is that she's won the prize for three different series now; Oscar Winners and frequent nominees were all the rage too with Julianne Moore, Kevin Costner, Jessica Lange, and Maggie Smith all picking up prizes; and the Emmys kept right on basically ignoring the beloved "Parks and Recreation" in major categories it's already deserved to win a few times. Seriously how has that show never managed a nomination for ANY of its supporting actors and actresses?
So where are we this year? I don't have my own predictions to share -- I don't claim to be an Emmy Awards expert but here are a few select ballots and a few things I'm curious about after the jump
BEST DRAMA SERIES
With all of last year's nominees ("Boardwalk Empire," "Breaking Bad," "Downton Abbey," "Game of Thrones," "Homeland" and four-time winner "Mad Men") still around the big question is whether any of the strong first season contender can muscle their way in. The current seasons of at least half of the standard nominees were considered "weak", right or wrong. The best regular ol' network bet should Emmy prove fickle would probably be the Connie Britton series Nashville which has solid ratings and the kind of reviews that justify For Your Consideration ads. But with the premium cable dominance these days, traditional network shows have had trouble making the list. We also might see whether the television industry is okay with the rise of Netflix Original Programming since House of Cards is eligible. At the very least expect Kevin Spacey (awards magnet) and Connie Britton to make noise in the lead acting categories. But who do they shove aside to place? What do you think will happen?
BEST COMEDY SERIES
"The Big Bang Theory," "Girls," and "Veep" , all nominated last year, seem likely to return and three-time champ "Modern Family" isn't going anywhere either. Which leaves only one spot up for grabs, the one usually held by "Curb Your Enthusiasm". "Arrested Development" would seem like a lock except that the fourth season was hardly a slam dunk in terms of ecstatic reception.
Parks and Recreation has never been honored for its supporting cast. This is only half of the brilliance!
So do they return to a show they've only nominated once in the top category like "Parks and Recreation", "Nurse Jackie" or "How I Met Your Mother" or go with something they've never honored for the top prize like "Louie" or "New Girl" or do they say goodbye to "The Office". Who gets the open slot?
DEPARTING SERIES
Sometimes Emmy gets all weepy about goodbyes (notice the shocking "Friday Night Lights" uptick in its last season) but other times they're just like 'don't let the door hit your ass on the way out' even if they used to love the show. This year's goodbyes are "The Office", "Weeds", "Enlightened", "Breaking Bad", "Smash" (which we followed closely despite declining quality) and "Southland". I dare not hope for some love for the excellent "Southland" on its way to tv heaven. Which departing series wins a goodbye hug?
WRITE IN VOTE
I know that ABC Family did not renew OR cancel "Bunheads" (so confusing) and, stranger still, did not submit "Bunheads" for Emmy consideration despite it being their only show with a prayer in hell of winning any Emmy attention. The show was starting to go in such interesting directions, too, evolving into its best self. So if I had a magic wand and could make one thing happen at the Emmy nominations on Thursday it would be an impossible Best Comedy & Best Actress nomination for this singular show and my beloved Sutton Foster as a way of keeping the show alive and making ABC Family take a second season more seriously. Since "Smash"'s long death-rattle finally fell silent "Bunheads" and "Nashville" are the only shows that remain for musical aficionados.
I'll leave you with MY ACTRESSBALLOTS for what it's worth.
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
If I could handpick the nominees it'd be: Connie Britton "Nashville", Claire Danes "Homeland", Michelle Dockery "Downton Abbey", Regina King "Southland", Elizabeth Moss "Mad Men", and Emmy Rossum "Shameless"...
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
If I could handpick the nominees it'd be: Laura Dern "Enlightened", Edie Falco "Nurse Jackie", Tina Fey "30 Rock", Sutton Foster "Bunheads", Julia Louis-Dreyfus "Veep", Amy Poehler "Parks & Recreation"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
my dream ballot would include: Joanna Froggett and Sophie McShera from "Downton Abbey" and both Christina Hendricks "Mad Men" and January Jones "Mad Men", the latter finally having a strong season again. And maybe Deborah Ann Woll from "True Blood". I'm open to discussion on the fifth and sixth slot.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
all i want is: the impossible dream of Jane Krakowski finally winning for "30 Rock" since she's deserved it several times and only been nominated sporadically. I'd also vote for Merrit Wever on "Nurse Jackie" a true original and indispensable actually to the comedic portions of that show.
Who gets your write-in vote if you could make one thing happen?
Reader Comments (77)
For Downton, I think Robert James Collier has done a lot to deserve a nomination as Thomas. I'm worried Mad Men will get even less nominations... which is a shame since we saw many great performances from regulars like January, Alison Brie, Vincent K., and newbies James Wolk and Linda Cardellini.
I"ld move Edie Falco to Best Actress Drama (Nurse Jackie is NOT a comedy, its a half hour drama.
Best supporting drama--Merrit Weaver-Nurse Jackie, Joan Cusack-Shameless or Archie Panjabi-Good Wife.
Really glad to see you mention Regina King. Terrific work in every season of that show.
And I forgot Emma Kenney-Shameless supporting drama (she if the younger sister to Fiona). Depth of work far beyond her age.
Ignoring Parks and Rec is ridiculous.
Let me address your supporting Actress drama category - SO much more room without the BSG ladies still here :(
Off the top of my head, I think your fifth and sixth slots should go to a couple of absolutely fantastic juicy villan performances
- Margo Martindale in The Americans and especially
- Melinda Clarke in Nikita (all the women in this cast (pretty much 80% of the major players!) do great work)
You can also always consider Anna Gun in Breaking Bad and Gillian Anderson in Hannibal
Oh, and although I no longer watch - why the h would I do that to myself?
I'm sure Deb from Dexter deserves to be at least in the conversation (in either Lead or Supporting).
You forgot 30 ROCK as one of the Departing Series.
Here's a couple of random facts though... only one actor from TEEN WOLF submitted himself for Emmy consideration: Dylan O'Brien. And the actors playing Hannibal and Norman Bates in their respective TV shows are running for Supporting instead of Lead.
I would say Madeleine Stowe, "Revenge" only because she was egregiously snubbed last season. However, she wasn't as terrific this second season (though still quite fascinating to watch).
So my vote would be Jon Hamm for a Best Actor WIN.
I'm always up for a Mad Men actor to win an Emmy; Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss are always great, among others. Unfortunately, I don't want Christina Hendricks to win Best Supporting Actress (Drama); in my mind, that award should be given to the incomparable Anna Gunn.
I can't remember your feelings about Breaking Bad, Nathaniel, but Skyler White is an actressexual's dream role: she's evolved from a put-upon wife into a woman who's both a victim of and complicit in her husband's crimes. If she has the sense to submit the episode with the already infamous pool scene, she may just win.
Nathaniel, they nominate six comedies and dramas, so there are two spots up for grabs in best comedy, supposing your mentioned four make it. 30 Rock and AD get the spots.
If I could make one nomination guaranteed, it would be Tatiana Maslawny for Orphan Black. She has been nothing less than exceptional on a surprisingly strong show. I was glad to hear that she won one of the critics awards already.
Second the Jane Krakowski win, can we start some sort of fan petition or something. Total genius in that role.
And can we get a mother-daughter nomination with January Jones and Kiernan Shipka?
if vera farmiga doesn't get an emmy for bates motel, i'm gonna chisel one for her myself.
FYI, Breaking Bad is currently airing its last season, so it will be back next year.
heymarki -- i stopped watching Bates Motel after the first 4 episodes but i thought Vera just couldn't decide how to play that character. Impossibly written role. it's like who is that woman? at least in the first few episodes it's just a mess.
bryan -- i dont watch breaking bad. i tried for awhile in the first season but i think i might have tried at the wrong time or tv is too samey samey for me now - think i've had my share of criminal and violent shows. i just need something less morbid in my tv diet.
The Actress categories have become so much stronger than the Actor categories over the last few years, with a much deeper pool of potential nominees. I honestly believe they should just eliminate Best Lead Actor in a Comedy and expand Best Lead Actress in a Comedy. Laura Dern, Lena Dunham, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tina Fey, Edie Falco, Amy Poehler, Mindy Kahling, Emily Deschanel, Sutton Foster, Martha Plimpton, Christina Applegate, Dakota Johnson - how are you suppose to narrow it down to just six!
Also, yes to Emmy Rossum who's so brilliant on Shameless, proving the point that being a TV star is completely different than being a movie star.
Peter Dinklage does not get the Game of Thrones acting nomination. It will be somebody else, hopefully Nikolaj Coster-Waldau but I think Dockery is the show's nomination.
I think Nashville and The Good Wife are the only hopes for network shows in the major drama categories.
I think Homeland still gets its acting nominations, that may include Mandy Patankin getting included, but will not get any writing nods. It can still get recognized in direction but holy crap, the writing for Homeland Season 2 was like network notes that 24 would have thrown aside because it was too ridiculous.
Spector will get a lot of nominations that will baffle everybody.
30 Rock will not get a lot of nominations even if many people thought the final season was strong. Baldwin and Fey and writing. That said, I take Jane Krakowski's work both this season and through the entire series of 30 Rock over anybody in that category- except Merrit Weaver who is lovely on Nurse Jackie.
Vincent Kartheiser finally gets a nomination for Mad Men. Christina Hendricks will get one based on being reliable but I agree with Jones having much strong work comparatively. I think Mad Men will probably not get 3 writing nominations in the category again which frankly works for the better because honestly, losing to Homeland's pilot looks even more foolish than it did in hindsight. Don't want to cancel itself out. I think the finale should be its writing nod even if I think the polarizing drug episode, "The Crash", was brilliant.
I honestly would not put Aaron Paul as a nominee given how little he was in the first 8 episodes last season and the strength of the category but ignoring a multiple-winner would be a shocking move.
Girls dominates the non-acting categories in comedy- particularly direction and writing. Internet loses mind. Dream would be Adam Driver getting recognized but I just see Lena getting an acting nomination for the show.
Dern and Todd Haynes for his direction get nominated for Enlightened. Honestly, Enlightened and Girls are the only shows that I want competing in the comedy writing categories. I'd throw some love to Veep but the highs of both of those series are real works of art.
We finally see a Modern Family drop-off in nominations. No longer are everybody but the kids in the ensemble get nominated.
John Cryer is NOT nominated. I beg for this.
Top of the Lake does solid but American Horror Story: Asylum is going to dominate the mini-series/TV movie category.
Emmy Rossum finally gets recognized in Shameless.
Fincher is a lock for directing category for House of Cards but I think aside from acting and technical stuff, the Emmys will be a little cold to the series.
Arrested Development will also not do nearly as well but I think any of the actors in the ensemble are going to be spoilers in their category.
Seriously, I hope Maggie Smith is not nominated. It almost guarantees a victory that she will not show up to accept and frankly, I am still pissed about the fact she won when Anna Gunn and Christina Hendricks did such great work last year. Speaking of which, Anna Gunn should win this year. Skyler was last season's MVP (forget those Skyler haters). Walter got so gross and teeth-grinding kind of evil that became a little unbearable, especially when there were still Walt defenders on the interwebs. Her as the complex, trapped, normal person in a not normal situation and secretly hatching an escape plan with the money was so satisfying (especially given how sloppy Walt was last season).
all your love for parks and recreation but you leave amy poehler off your actress ballot??
par-- WHOOPS. not intentionally! editing now
VEEP for everything, please. Would love to see Anna Chlumsky land a well-deserved nod in the Best Supporting Actress category. That show is the funniest thing on TV, and it's kind of embarrassing that it will be mentioned in the company of the likes of The Big Bang Theory and (god forbid) Two and a Half Men.
I honestly don't understand how Modern Family has managed to win three in a row. Praying for anything to overtake it this year, but especially 30 ROCK or VEEP.
Slightly off-topic, yet still on-topic. Do you ever watch the Good Wife, Nathaniel? While it's had it's bumps every now and then, it's still in my opinion one of the best drama TV shows out there (certainly the best on network television). Plus it's kind of an actressexual's wet dream, with some of the most well-crafted female characters out there. The holy trinity of Julianna Margulies, Archie Panjabi, and Christine Baranski are the driving force of the show, and all deserve nominations for the fourth consecutive year. If all that wasn't enough, it has one of the best rosters of guest stars out there.
WHAT ABOUT KERRY WASHINGTON?!?!
Damian - as a long time Kerry fan (from movies) i have to say... i don't get the enthusiasm for that show. maybe i watched the wrong episode (i've only seen one) but i thought it was straight up terrible and that she wasn't any good in it.
but everyone keeps saying it's good so maybe i just chanced upon a really really atypical episode?
Rose -- people always suggest that show to me bbut i hated the pilot. But mostly my resistance is just to the legal drama. like cop dramas i can only ever stomach them at random simply because i have seen far too many for any one lifetime. and considering i still have to watch both genres at the movies sometime I take breaks however i can :)
Understandable. To be fair, the show initially started off 60% legal drama, 40% character-driven plot and switched about halfway through season one to focusing more on the characters than the courtroom. Buuuuuut if you ever have positively nothing else to watch (and I know how plausible that is...), you should give it another shot. Archie Panjabi's Kalinda is sex on legs, and I want to be Christine Baranski's Diane. Also, I find Josh Charles to be unreasonably attractive.
GAH! I meant Michelle Fairley and put Michelle Dockery in Game of Thrones! BTW, I would pay to see that casting.
Sufe Bradshaw for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Veep, her submission episode [I] Hostages[/i], robust.
30 Rock was a great season and it's getting nominated. As a farewell and as a fantastic season overall.
The fact that Nick Offerman still doesn't have an Emmy nomination for Parks & Rec blows my mind. And that one shouldn't even be a reach. A breakout character on a popular and critical hit show that has been nominated for Best Series and whose lead has been consistently nominated. Ron Swanson is quickly becoming one of the most iconic characters of modern television. I have to keep assuming that he's been coming in 7th.
My wish list is Parks and Rec. For every award. But I'd settle for The Newsroom getting snubbed in every category except Jane Fonda in Guest Actress.
And I'm with you Rose. The Good Wife is where it's at. I can understand why you'd be turned off Nat: it's not really the kind of show that is best represented by any single episode. It's brilliant because it's a show that has totally mastered the network drama format. Seasons are well built, subtle yet emotional, and the character's relationships reveal themselves over the full course of a season. Episodes are intentionally built to be easy to throw away, so new viewers can come in at any point and understand just about everything, but long stretches of the show are as complex as anything cable has to offer. Not to mention it has the three most complex, feminist portrayals of women on TV, and a whole roster of supporting and guest actresses to back them up. Deal with it Mad Men!
"Breaking Bad" says goodbye NEXT year (at least in terms of eligibility - it can be nominated once again in 2014 - for the second half of the 5th season). And am I mistaken or there are six TV series nominated every year in best comedy series category (it's the same as in the best drama, isn't it?). I ask because you write as there were five slots.
SPOILERS FOR MAD MEN AND TOP OF THE LAKE
I want Elisabeth Moss to win both best actress prize she's eligible to. I love the way Peggy is still evolving even when she seems not have a lot to do. All the shit she got last season from those men, some of the best reaction shots ever, the way her face looked when Abe broke up with her or that face looking at Don during the Rosemary's baby pitch. Oh boy. Terrific minimalistic acting.
I loved Top of the Lake too, except for the silly ending (they're siblings, they're not - that was bad soap opera), but Moss was perfect perfect perfect. A hell of a performance, and maybe the best performance in a Jane Campion movie/tv show ever after Holly Hunter in The Piano. Incredible performance. I hope she goes the arthouse way after Mad Men, with a lot of auteur lust.
You like Daisy from Downton Abbey?! Oh gosh, that character gets on my nerves SO BADLY. I like Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore, and Penelope Wilton is always a welcome presence.
In comedy I want Enlightened and The Thick of It (it's eligible! you can watch it on hulu) to win everything and in drama Mad Men and Justified. Funnily, this year my two comedy picks are masters of tragedy and my drama picks are laugh-out-loud hilarious. Tragically, out of these, I think Mad Men is the only one that has much of a chance and I even have a bad feeling about that.
Also I think Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy should receive special King and Queen of Mentally-Unstable Acting Awards.
SVG -- they could but those awards would be called by the simpler title of Emmy ;) such baity mannerisms from both!
I also have a bad feeling about Mad Men's nominations this year. Last year being the tipping point in terms of awards (which contrary to popular belief were never robust enough beyond "best series" considering how good that show is in every department.
CAL -- if i'd covered miniseries i woulda said Top of the Lake for everything. loved it and Moss was fab. (and thankfuly very different than Peggy)
SOMEONE -- i think they're going to need to look at that eventually, eligibility wise. It seems weird in the new world of 12-13 episode seasons (when all shows used to have to do 20+) for the same season to be eligible in 2 different years. Having six episodes or whatever eligible for best series confuses the meaning of miniseries doesn't it?
TYLER -- the character of Daisy gets on my nerves too but i like her performance and thought she got good stuff this season. But really that's all about acknowledging that everyone on Downton is fab and they ought to be looking at it season by season rather than just nominating the same people each time. and speaking of...
BIA -- co-sign on Robert James Collier from Downton Abbey but that will never happen. Too good looking. and makes it look too easy both of which are death knells for men with non-showy roles.
Nathaniel, you're right about the Danes and Dancy mannerisms. I did a double-bill of Homeland and Hannibal Saturday and my eyes were twitching afterwards. And even though he's uber-baity (and imo deserving of a nomination) I don't think Dancy will get in. Instead I think the also baity Damian Lewis will beat my faves Hamm and Olyphant. As long as Jeff Daniels or Kevin Spacey don't win I'm not going to be too annoyed.
Tatiana Maslany gave the best performance of the year, hands down, but hasn't got a prayer of getting in. Similarly, Rectify was one of the best shows this year (only edged out by Mad Men for me), but won't be recognised. But if there's one nomination I'd like to see more than any other, it's Monica Potter for her exceptional work on this season of Parenthood. She made what could have been a cheap bid for tears (a cancer arc) into something else entirely.
If there's one nomination I'd like to see happen, it's for Vincent Kartheiser, who was given plenty to do this year and really stepped up to the plate. I think Anna Gunn has a good chance at winning. 'Fifty-One' is one hell of a submission episode.
I would actually be surprised if Kerry didn't go all the way... this feels like her moment, but of course, she may not even be nominated.
I also forgot to namecheck Hayden Panettiere, who has surprisingly been very watchable on Nashville... sometimes, she even eclipses Connie Britton. I wouldn't be mad at her making it in.
If Peter Mullen doesn't get in for TOP OF THE LAKE, there is no justice on this earth.
Also, am I the only one who thinks Kiernana Shipka is the most deserving of the Mad Mens supporting players this season?
And Corey Stoll so deserves to be in the running for House of Cards.
Jordan -- i think Kiernan's problem is that she never has enough to do. occasionally she'll get a big moment in an episode but its rarely sustained like the arcs of the adult characters.
"Also, am I the only one who thinks Kiernan Shipka is the most deserving of the Mad Men's supporting players this season?"
I always thought that if Robert Morse could get in the guest-role Emmy that Shipka could do the same. It's strange. She is main cast but is never always as intricate to the story-line as the others (since a lot of it is work place drama), but she has really been hitting it out of the park since Season 3.
"Not to mention it has the three most complex, feminist portrayals of women on TV, and a whole roster of supporting and guest actresses to back them up. Deal with it Mad Men!"
Betty Draper by herself is a case-study to behold in complexity. Oddly the one female character on the show that I think the writers are kind of not so fully committed to writing on is Joan (who actually survived from being an ancillary character that easily could have been disposed after the first episode on the strength of Christina Hendricks' charm). I think Matthew Weiner once spoke exasperatingly on the fact that fans who seem to complain of certain characters taking other character's screen-time are almost always pushing for more Joan story-lines.
In my dream world, Scandal and The Americans would both make it in Best Drama Series. Only The Americans has a shot in hell because, pedigree, but... Scandal was just so SO delicious this season. Pulling for Supporting noms for Jeff Perry (one-half of the best presentation of a middle-aged gay couple on TV) and Bellamy Young (who is absolutely fucking fantastic as the President's Machiavellian wife). The Americans was just hands-down the best show on TV this year. Until Hannibal, which also stands not a single chance in hell, although I would love to see a nomination for Gillian Anderson and for cinematography. Seriously the most gorgeous-looking show of the year.
I say this every year, but Cat Deeley is the best host on TV and needs to win, not just get nominated.
The Bunheads situation is frustrating although after reading a few articles I kind of understand it now. But not submitting it for Emmy consideration is just stupid. Foster, Bishop, and each of the four teenagers would have stood a chance at acting nominations, even if the show itself probably wouldn't with all the bigger, more attention-grabbing shows hogging the top categories. Nominations would have renewed interest in the program for whenever ABC Family does decide to air it again, and at this point, Season 2 would start well over a year after it began, and a long wait between seasons can lead to a precipitous ratings drop-off. It worries me, but if they wanted to be done with the show, they would be.
I hope New Girl represents well. It's well-written, funny, and they've done an incredibly good job writing the incredibly difficult task of friends-possibly-becoming-more-while-living-together storyline. Seriously, it could have gone off the rails at any moment but they mostly navigated those tricky waters quite well. Plus Deschanel and Jake Johnson were great (can we please stop nominating all the Modern Family men so other supporting actors in comedies can have a chance?).
And can Jon Hamm finally win please?
MEGAN HILTY for Smash. That girl deserves all the awards. She was always a star on that show. A nom would probably never happen but I would legit burst into tears if it did.
The Best Actress - Drama nominees should be Vera Farmiga, Vera Farmiga, Vera Farmiga, Vera Farmiga, Vera Farmiga and Vera Farmiga.
Yes to Tatiana Maslany for Orphan Black. However, it's the kind of tour-de-force performance that would be showered with awards if it were on Showtime or AMC, but may have a hard row to hoe on BBC America.
Jessica!
And yes to The Americans. It should be getting four (if not five) acting nominations alone.
DJDeeJay- Jake Johnson submitted for Lead this year which I actually think is not only smart given that category is getting increasingly shabby in recent years due to ensemble comedies all stuffing the supporting category (even Johnny Galecki doing his Grown-Up David schtick gets nominated for Lead) but accurate given how many Nick story-lines we got this season. Max Greenfield is great too but he was a pleasant surprise in supporting last Emmys and should still be there. It also deserves kudos for good direction and really tight editing that the show really hinges on its charms being the comedic timing and back and forth among the cast.
Also, I used to think Jon Hamm's ultimate submission episode was 'The Suitcase', 'In Care Of' this year was just another power-house performance that offered a humane, human, imperfect distillation of Don Draper . Even his silent gestures in that episode made me tear up.
CMG - thanks for the info and Johnson. How do you know that? Is there a site for that kind of stuff?
@DrDeeJay - You can view the Emmy ballots here. You can see exactly which actors submitted themselves for Emmy consideration and in which category:
http://www.emmys.tv/ballots/2013