Emmy Nods 2014: Full List, First Impressions
Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 9:55AM The Emmy nominations have been announced for your viewing pleasure... unless your favorites were snubbed in which case here's the list to enrage you. Cable continues to ruthlessly dominate making things very hard for network shows - even hits like Scandal and The Good Wife. And Emmy proved again, as they often do, that they are very slow to change, largely embracing the same performers / shows they've always embraced as if they're only ever voting on the entirety of a show and not its current season.
I know people are very upset about Tatiana Maslany's ongoing snub for Orphan Black. She basically embarrasses every critic that's ever over-used the word "chameleon" to describe an actor; we should've saved the word for her. But this is not remotely surprising in any sense and I'm confused as to why so many people thought it might happen. The show is...
a) ...not on a prestigious network like HBO
b) ...a genre show and awards bodies from Oscar to Emmy only deign to honor those when they're insanely popular and never just because they're great or an actor is great on them.
c) ...filled with actors (including Tatiana) who are not well known in Hollywood.
d) ...not as good as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Battlestar Galactica and those genre shows were egregiously snubbed for YEARS despite endless enraged fanbases and critical pleas
COMEDY
Outstanding Comedy Series
"The Big Bang Theory"
"Louie"
"Modern Family"
"Orange is the New Black"
"Silicon Valley"
"Veep"
With 30 Rock no longer eligible there was room for one new series but Emmy made room for two by dumping Girls. I'm rooting for Orange which is probably the only show popular enough to take down the Modern Family behemoth which ties Frasier for most comedy series wins ever if it wins again this fall.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Lena Dunham, "Girls"
Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep"
Melissa McCarthy, "Mike & Molly"
Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation"
Taylor Schilling, "Orange is the New Black"
With Laura Dern & Tina Fey no longer eligible there were two spots free. That brought McCarthy back (after one miss) and made room for newbie Schilling (they're voting on Season 1 of OITNB). So there's actually no true movement in this category. Expect JLD to win her third Veep statue unless Emmy goes all-in for Orange across the board.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Louis C.K., "Louie"
Don Cheadle, "House of Lies"
Ricky Gervais, "Derek"
Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes"
William H. Macy, "Shameless"
Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"
With Baldwin and Bateman no longer eligible there were two spots free, which allowed Gervais and Macy to enter the lineup. But no true movement in the category... though it is mildly annoying that Gervais is there since his show was not particularly well received from my understanding.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Julie Bowen, "Modern Family"
Allison Janney, "Mom"
Kate Mulgrew, "Orange is the New Black"
Kate McKinnon, "Saturday Night Live"
Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory"
Anna Chlumsky, "Veep"
Last year this category had seven nominees (all but one of which, Jane Krakowski, were eligible again) but they were slightly less excitable this year and they're back to six with some small movement. Out went Vergara (Modern Family slightly less dominant in nominations this year) and Jane Lynch (inexplicably nominated again for Glee last year) and in went the two Kates and Allison Janney, an Emmy favorite winning two nominations for her two new shows (see also: Masters of Sex)
Who will win? It's actually quite competitive, right? Especially since this is the Emmy category that is the msot reliably surprising in terms of wins. Any guesses?
Girls fell somewhat in Emmy favor but Lena & Adam are still accounted for, bless their role-playing
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
Adam Driver, "Girls"
Ty Burrell, "Modern Family"
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, "Modern Family"
Fred Armisen, "Portlandia"
Tony Hale, "Veep"
Not much movement with most of last year's field returning though in the sketch comedy realm Bill Hader had to fall away to make room for Fred Armisen and in the sitcom realm Ed O'Neill is gone to make room for Andre Braugher in the newbie Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Nathan Lane, "Modern Family"
Steve Buscemi, "Portlandia"
Jimmy Fallon, "Saturday Night Live"
Louis C.K., "Saturday Night Live"
Bob Newhart, "Arthur"
Gary Cole, "Veep"
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Uzo Aduba, "Orange is the New Black"
Laverne Cox, "Orange is the New Black"
Natasha Lyonne, "Orange is the New Black"
Tina Fey, "Saturday Night Live"
Melissa McCarthy, "Saturday Night Live"
Joan Cusack, "Shameless"
A sure sign that they love Orange is the New Black. As well they should though the Emmy rules DESPERATELY need intervention. You should not be allowed to be a "guest" actor if you are in every episode of a series. Hi Joan Cusack! Again.
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
"Episodes" -- "Episode 305" (David Crane)
"Louise" -- "So Did The Fat Lady" (Louis C.K.)
"Orange Is the New Black" -- "I Wasn't Ready" (Jenji Kohan and Liz Friedman)
"Silicon Valley" -- "Optimal Tip-To-Tip Efficiency" (Alec Berg)
"Veep" -- "Special Relationship" (Simon Blackwell, Tony Roche and Armando Iannucci)
It's standard procedure for new shows to enter their pilots for consideration but that looks weird here since Orange is the New Black's pilot is maybe its worst episode.
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
"Episodes" -- "Episode 309" (Iain B. MacDonald)
"Glee" -- "100" (Paris Barclay)
"Louis" -- "Elevator, Part 6" (Louis C.K.)
"Modern Family" -- "Vegas" (Gail Mancuso)
"Orange Is the New Black" -- "Lesbian Request Denied" (Jodie Foster)
"Silicon Valley" -- Minimum Viable Product" (Mike Judge)
Why is Glee still getting nominations? Who even watches that anymore? And also...
Just noticed JODIE FOSTER won her first nom for Directing. And for an ep. titled "Lesbian Request Denied" Sometimes life is perfect.
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) July 10, 2014
DRAMA
Outstanding Drama Series
"Breaking Bad"
"Downton Abbey"
"Game of Thrones"
"House of Cards"
"Mad Men"
"True Detective"
Very little movement despite most pundits believing that we had a major shake-up coming due to the long in the tooth nature of most of the shows and True Detective's gambit to compete here instead of Miniseries. That paid off. It's the only new nominee. The rest of the list repeats from last year with only Homeland falling away for that third season which really cratered with fans and critics.
Who will win? I'm genuinely torn between Breaking Bad one last time, True Detective or even Game of Thrones in a surprise since True Detective and Breaking Bad seem to court the exact same tastes. Though in truth the show I think deserved to win wasn't nominated (Masters of Sex)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Lizzy Caplan, "Masters of Sex"
Claire Danes, "Homeland"
Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey"
Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"
Kerry Washington, "Scandal"
Robin Wright, "House of Cards"
The only thing I cared about here was seeing Lizzy Caplan and there she is. I'm fine. I get your Maslany pain but Emmy/Oscar just don't do great genre performances.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Jeff Daniels, "The Newsroom"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Woody Harrelson, "True Detective"
Matthew McConaughey, "True Detective"
Kevin Spacey, "House of Cards"
This race was always going to be shaken up with the double True Detective nod (and I'm glad they're both nominated since Harrelson was marvelous and is was unjustly shut out of a lot of the early conversations because of The Year of McConaughey. To make room for both of them we lost Hugh Bonneville from Downton Abbey and former winner Damian Lewis from Homeland.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Anna Gunn, "Breaking Bad"
Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey"
Joanne Froggatt, "Downton Abbey"
Lena Headey, "Game of Thrones"
Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife"
Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men"
The Usual Suspects. They've all been here before with the sole exception of Lena Headey who wins her first nomination in her fourth season on Game of Thrones; It pays to not be killed off!
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jim Carter, "Downton Abbey"
Josh Charles, "The Good Wife"
Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"
Mandy Patinkin, "Homeland"
Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad"
Jon Voight, "Ray Donovan"
The only newcomer is Oscar winner Jon Voight but he's not new to Emmy. He has been nominated twice before in miniseries categories. Otherwise the only movement is Josh Charles returning for his second nomination for The Good Wife after a couple of years away from the shortlist.
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Dylan Baker, "The Good Wife"
Reg E. Cathey, "House of Cards"
Paul Giamatti, "Downton Abbey"
Robert Morse, "Mad Men"
Beau Bridges, "Masters of Sex"
Joe Morton, "Scandal"
If Robert Morse doesn't win this award I am going to be... no, I can't even think about it. It's too painful to think about however likely a loss is since Emmy has a policy of voting against Mad Men actors.
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Kate Burton, "Scandal"
Jane Fonda, "The Newsroom"
Allison Janney, "Masters of Sex"
Kate Mara, "House of Cards"
Margo Martindale, "The Americans"
Diane Rigg, "Game of Thrones"
Alison Janney is a true marvel on Masters of Sex, layered, soulful, sad, sexy, confused... but again... Emmy really needs to look at rules about what constitutes "Guest" versus "Supporting" since she's one of the show's major categories.
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
"Breaking Bad" -- "Ozymandias" (Moira Walley-Beckett)
"Breaking Bad" -- Felina" (Vince Gilligan)
"Game of Thrones" -- "The Children" (David Benioff and D.B. Weiss)
"House of Cards" -- "Chapter 14" (Beau Willimon)
"True Detective" -- "The Secret Fate of All Life" (Nic Pizzolatto)
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
"Boardwalk Empire" -- Farewell Daddy Blues" (Tim Van Patten)
"Breaking Bad' -- "Felina" (Vince Gilligan)
"Downton Abbey" -- "Episode 1" (David Evans)
"Game Of Thrones" -- "The Watchers on the Wall" (Neil Marshall)
"House Of Cards" -- "Chapter 14" (Carl Franklin)
"True Detective" -- "Who Goes There" (Cary Joji Fukunaga)
The absence of Mad Men in the writing/directing categories does not bode well for its Emmy futures as it nears its end. Yes yes it won the drama series prize repeatedly at first but otherwise and quite strangely Emmy mistreated it.
The Silver Lining I'm hoping for if Mad Men comes up empty is that Breaking Bad also comes up empty somehow and TV learns to stop splitting seasons in half. It is O-B-N-O-X-I-U-S and anti-viewer.
MOVIE/MINISERIES
Outstanding Miniseries
"American Horror Story: Coven"
"Bonnie & Clyde"
"Fargo"
"Luther"
"The White Queen"
"Treme"
Outstanding Television Movie
"Killing Kennedy"
"Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight"
"The Normal Heart"
"Sherlock: His Last Vow"
"The Trip to Bountiful"
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story: Coven"
Sarah Paulson, "American Horror Story: Coven"
Helena Bonham Carter "Burton and Taylor"
Minnie Driver "Return to Zero"
Kristen Wiig, "The Spoils of Babylon"
Cicely Tyson, "The Trip to Bountiful"
As TFE readers know I am a huge Sarah Paulson fan. That said I think her nomination for Coven is very strange since its the first time the show's giving her a lame duck character who had very little dramatic oomph.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Chiwetel Ejifor, "Dancing on the Edge"
Martin Freeman, "Fargo"
Billy Bob Thornton, "Fargo"
Idris Elba, "Luther"
Benedict Cumberbatch, "Sherlock"
Mark Ruffalo, "Normal Heart"
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Angela Bassett, "AHS: Coven"
Kathy Bates, "AHS: Coven"
Frances Conroy, "AHS: Coven"
Ellen Burstyn, "Flowers in the Attic"
Julia Roberts, "The Normal Heart"
Alison Tolman, "Fargo"
Coven party in the house. Thrilled to see those nominations and it's also hilarious that Emmy keeps nominated Burstyn even after that 6 second fiasco nomination some years back in which they proved they don't actually watch the shows they're voting on.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Colin Hanks, "Fargo"
Martin Freeman, "Sherlock: His Last Vow"
Jim Parsons, "The Normal Heart"
Joe Mantello, "The Normal Heart"
Alfred Molina, "The Normal Heart"
Matt Bomer, "The Normal Heart"
They should probably rename this category "Outstanding Anyone but Taylor Kitsch" Or, as I tweeted...
Is there no end to Taylor Kitsch's penance for "Battleship". First "John Carter" and now ONLY "Normal Heart" cast member snubbed?
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) July 10, 2014
To be fair Jonathan Groff was also not nominated but he died super fast after that telltale cough in the opening scene and Emmy does not (YET) have a category for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Miniseries or Movie. His role was basically to cough and die and while that would be more than enough to get Ellen Burstyn nominated for something Jonathan Groff is not yet in that Great Lady realm of performers who just have to show up. But I sincerely hope he was singing Funny Girl numbers between takes...
♪ Now, can't you see to look at me
That I'm a natural Camille?
As Camille I just feel
I've so much to offer.
Listen kid, I know I'd be divine because
I'm a natural cougher.
[Coughs]
Some ain't got it-not a lump,
I'm a great big clump of talent! ♫
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
"American Horror Story: Coven" (Ryan Murphy & Brad Falchuk)
"Fargo" (Noah Hawley)
"Luther" (Neil Cross)
"Sherlock: His Last Vow" (Steven Moffat)
"The Normal Heart" (Larry Kramer)
"Treme" (David Simon & Eric Overmyer)
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
"American Horror Story: Coven" (Alfonso Gomez-Rejon)
"Fargo" (Adam Bernstein)
"Fargo" (Colin Bucksey)
"Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight" (Stephen Frears)
"The Normal Heart" (Ryan Murphy)
"Sherlock: His Last Vow" (Nick Hurran)
VARIETY
Outstanding Variety Series
"Jimmy Kimmel Live"
"Real Time With Bill Maher"
"Saturday Night Live"
"The Colbert Report"
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"
"The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon"
Outstanding Variety Special
"AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Mel Brooks"
"The Beatles: The Night That Changed America"
"Best Of Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Primetime Special"
"Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays"
"The Kennedy Center Honors"
"Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles"
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
"Inside Amy Schumer" (several)
"Key & Peele" (several)
"Portlandia" (several)
"The Colbert Report" (several)
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (several)
"The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" (several)
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
"67th Tony Awards" (Dave Boone & Paul Greenberg)
"Beatles: Night That Changed America" (Ken Ehrlich & David Wild)
"Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays" (Billy Crystal)
"Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles" (Sarah Silverman)
"71st Golden Globe Awards (several)
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series
"Portlandia" (Jonathan Krisel)
"Saturday Night Live" (Don Roy King)
"The Colbert Report" (James Hoskinson)
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (Chuck O'Neil)
"The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" (David Diomedi)
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
"67th Tony Awards" (Glenn Weiss)
"Beatles: Night That Changed America" (Gregg Gelfand)
"Six by Sondheim" (James Lapine)
"The Kennedy Center Honors" (Louis J Horvitz)
"The Oscars" (Hamis Hamilton)
"The Sound of Music Live!" (Beth McCarthy Miller & Rob Ashford)
REALITY
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
"The Amazing Race"
"Dancing with the Stars"
"Project Runway"
"So You Think You Can Dance"
"Top Chef"
"The Voice"
Outstanding Structured Reality Program
"Antiques Roadshow"
"Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives"
"MythBusters"
"Shark Tank"
"Undercover Boss"
"Who Do You Think You Are?"
Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program
"Alaska: The Last Frontier"
"Deadliest Catch"
"Flipping Out"
"Million Dollar Listing New York"
"Wahlburgers"
"Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan"
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program
Betty White, "Betty White's Off Their Rockers"
Tom Bergeron, "Dancing With The Stars"
Jane Lynch, "Hollywood Game Night"
Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn, "Project Runway"
Cat Deeley, "So You Think You Can Dance"
Anthony Bourdain, "The Taste"
I know RuPaul aint got time for that (and easily outclasses the competition) but think of how awesome his gown would be if they nominated him?
MISCELLANIA
The Emmys actually make it quite difficult to get a full copy and paste list (they're very Grammy like in that way and also for the sheer amount of categories) so if you'd like to see all their nominees the easiest way is not easy... it's kind of a click through situation at their website... They have it all in word and pdf format (supposedly) but I've been having downloading trouble with their site. There are approximately 67 more technical categories including multiples of many of the tech categories (for example, Cinematography gets 5 different competitive fields) but the important thing to note here is that Mad Men is back where it belongs in Outstanding Costume Design. Impossibly and unfortunately and tragically and annoyingly television's best costumed show (Janie Bryant is a genius, full stop) does not win nominations every year in this category and it has yet to win the Emmy here.
Reader Comments (59)
on paper Masters of Sex is something i should LOVE, but i watched the first two episodes and was not drawn in at all. should i give it another shot?
@denny The Good Wife did not submit "Hitting the Fan". They submitted "The Last Call" instead and it did not pay off.
Good nomination list overall. Glad to see Silicon Valley, Matt Bomer, and Woody Harrelson. Sad to see snubs for Elisabeth Moss, Dean Norris, and Andy Samberg.
Really happy for all the Kate first time nominees! Mara, McKinnon, and Mulgrew!!
Man it just hurts so much (the maslanysnub). I mean I know WHY she wasn't nominated, and I'd like to give the voters the benfit of the doubt and say that they just haven't seen her work yet, but it doesn't make it hurt less. The show may not be as good as Buffy and BSG (I dissagree about that but thats irrelevant) but when it comes to performance there in no comparison.
I mean I love some of the nominations...Yay Caplan, Yay Laverne Cox and Natasha Lyonne, yay Tolman, Yay Adam Driver....but its hard to be that happy with them on the whole. And is it just me or what catagory fraud even worse than usual this year? Since when is Sherlock a TV movie?
Ultimately they had the chance to reward a performance that is unlike anything I've ever seen, unlike anything thats ever been on TV. Not only is she giving, IMO the best performance on TV currently (and some may not agree, I think most people who have seen the show would say that she is at least top 6 in her category) she's probably the hardest working actor on TV, doing probably the most technically difficult performance out there. And nailing it. AND she's on a show that needs the recognition more than any other show there. The stuff they pull off on such a small budget is amazing An emmy for the show would have been such a great reward, and I can't think of a more deserving person..
So yea, this one will hurt for a while. And fair enough if they don't want to watch the shpw, sci fio isn't for everyone, but hell even just watching a few YT clips would tell someone that she was worth a closer look. Plus now there's the awkward sitiation of the fact that E! has done a better job naming best actress than the Emmys lol.
At least the show was renewed. And the OB twitter responded hilariously.
Most years I just watch the Emmys so I can see Amy Poehler and Jon Hamm lose. This year I'm looking forward to watching Kate Mulgrew and Robert Morse lose as well. Yay to all my favorite Emmy losers!
BTW, I'm marathoning The Americans now, and I really wish Keri Russell had been nominated. She would have gotten my vote for Best Actress.
Suzanne -- xoxoxo
Also Fred Armisen going supporting actor for Portlandia is just as idiotic as the idea that enough people actually voted for him in that category to get him nominated.
Nathamiel.. iT'S ELLEN BURSTYN'S 6 second fiasco WIN!!!! But I Love la Burstyn, anyway...