Emmy Category Analysis: Drama Series

By Abe Friedtanzer 

BETTER CALL SAUL

This category feels to me like one of the most interesting since there isn’t an undeniable frontrunner -- all the nominees  offer something truly captivating. While it’s possible that Succession takes it again, which I think would be disappointing since it already swept a lot the last time it was eligible, there’s legitimate buzz to be considered for at least half the slate. Let’s take a look at the series in contention, their awards history, and the episodes they submitted (links to reviews with spoilers)… 

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"The White Lotus" and "Severance" top the HCA TV Awards

by Nathaniel R

Severance won 5 prizes

The Hollywood Critics Association has been making waves in the past couple of years inviting lots of new members (expanding beyond California, albeit with a 25% cap) and getting more press, too. Their TV awards were distributed over two star-studded nights where both celebrities and critics presented.

The most noteworthy thing is that they divvy their awards up much differently than the Emmys, by splitting them in half between "broadcast & cable" and "streaming". They even split hairs further for the top program prizes divvying it up three ways: "broadcast", "cable", and "streaming". In a way, it's a savvy Golden Globe to the Oscars kind of tactic, since they get to honor way more programs and actors by splitting things in half or by thirds. Consider for example that the Hollywood Critics Association did not have Dopesick (streaming) and The White Lotus (cable) in direct competition; they could both win prizes with ease! At the Emmys of course those two shows will go head-to-head. Two of TFE's three California-based contributors were on hand as you can see in the photo after the jump. A complete list of winners follows, too...

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Emmy Category Analysis: Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

By Abe Friedtanzer

Billy Crudup is the only actor not competing with a costar

This category feels sort of neat in terms of how it’s split: 8 slots, 4 shows. 4 returning nominees from 2 years ago, and 4 actors from new series. The only actor representing his show solo is also the only one who’s won before - Billy Crudup. There's no definitive frontrunner this time which is sort of exciting. (Diversifying the number of series represented by the nominations would surely help make it even moreso) Brief descriptions of the nominees and the analysis after the show...

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2022 Emmy Category Analysis: Drama Directing & Writing Categories

By Abe Friedtanzer

Julia Garner in the series finale of Ozark "A Hard Way To Go"

The directing and writing categories for drama this year have seven slots each and both honor the same five shows, with one additional series thrown into the writing race. It’s become increasingly rare for shows that aren’t nominated for Best Drama Series to make the cut in either category. Indeed, for the second consecutive year, none managed that feat. The only shows that managed multiple nods in either of these categories this year were Yellowjackets  with two writing nominations and Succession with 3 directing nominations. Fun trivia: Succession keeps matching its season number to its number of directing nominations (Season 1: 1 nod; Season 2: 2 nods; Season 3: 3 nods) While Succession won the directing race for season two, it has won the writing Drama Emmy for season 1 and 2 which makes it the frontrunner in each category again. But let’s look at what else is in the mix. 

Brief descriptions of the nominees below - click on the episode titles for spoiler-filled reviews…

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Team Experience Emmy Reactions Pt 1: Ode to the Emmy Snubs!

We asked members of Team Experience how they felt about the Emmy nominations (podcast coming up, too). Here's how they felt about those that were missing from the list.

PERFORMERS

ERIC: It was wonderful seeing so many actors from Severance recognized, but it would have been even lovelier if they'd have made room for lead Britt Lower, who provides a perfect tension between hope and dread, and the off-center comic stylings of Tramell Tillman, the sweet-dancing supervisor. Both actors really helped to keep the show in a dangerous zone...

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