The Television Critics Association announced the nominees for their 34th annual TCA Awards yesterday, as Emmy nomination ballot deadlines loom (Monday). For those unitiated into the organization's particular mode of aggregating accolades, it may come as a bit of a surprise to see Bob Odenkirk and Sarah Paulson mentioned in the same acting category. The TCA loves a good buffet. Rather than divvy up the love by format, they scoop a big heaping of pick-and-choose onto their nominating plate; the tip-toppest acting bona fides of series, miniseries, talk shows, TV movies, and different genders all taste great so why not load them all onto the same plate?
Granted, they break up serials and self-contained shows for their Best categories but there's something thrilling about weighing Samantha Bee's achievement in fervent fact-boiling against Aya Cash's honest exploration of depression in a way that feels less competitive than it does conversation-raising. In fact, there's not a straight white male amongst the Individual Achievement in Comedy group, which is 5/6 women; its selection of nominees balks at the idea of institutional placeholders in favor of true grit. Inclusion, it appears, garners a compellingly reflective list.
Individual Achievement in Drama
- Bryan Cranston, All The Way
- Rami Malek, Mr. Robot
- Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
- Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
- Keri Russell, The Americans
- Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Individual Achievement in Comedy
- Aziz Ansari, Master of None
- Samantha Bee, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
- Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
- Aya Cash, You’re The Worst
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
- Constance Wu, Fresh Off the Boat
Outstanding New Program
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
- Marvel’s Jessica Jones
- Master of None
- Mr. Robot
- Underground
- UnREAL
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries, and Specials
- All The Way
- Fargo
- The Night Manager
- The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
- Roots
- Show Me A Hero
Outstanding Achievement in Drama
- The Americans
- Better Call Saul
- Game of Thrones
- The Leftovers
- Mr. Robot
- UnREAL
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
- black-ish
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
- Master of None
- Silicon Valley
- Veep
- You’re The Worst
Program of the Year
- The Americans
- Fargo
- Game of Thrones
- Making a Murderer
- Mr. Robot
- The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
- UnREAL
What do you make of the TCA's kitchen sink approach to their nominations? By eliminating binaries, does its all-of-the-above inclusion cut straight to the heart of the talent, or does it winnow its window of worthy contenders?