I am sorry that Jane the Virgin didn’t get nominated. Great cast, acting and wonderfully written.
6
To have left out 'Stranger Things' is to have lost nomination credibility.
3
Schitt's Creek is kind, hysterical, & genius. Best comedy I have seen in years!
10
Years ago, I couldn't understand the popularity and widespread acceptance of "Pretty Woman" given its unrealistic depiction of how a relationship between a young hooker and rich guy could turn out happily ever after. Flash forward to the Epstein scandal. On the strength of this article's headline, I thought I would try out Fleabag last night. Once again, I don't get it. In the first 10 minutes of Episode 1, a young woman allows a date to experience his anal sex fantasy with her, the next scene has her masturbating in bed while watching a speech by President Obama on her laptop. That was enough for me, not my cup of tea. I watch a lot of gritty shows, but the fact that Fleabag has been nominated for so many awards definitely normalizes what it depicts.
3
Nothing for PBS' "Les Miserables"??? Really??? Nothing at all??? One of the greatest, most gripping, best written, best directed, best acted, best clothing, best sets, best everything...the absolute ridiculousness of the Emmys is proved.
Seriously, "Who Do You Think You Are?" instead of "Finding Your Roots"? Seriously???
"The Dictator's Playbook" not recognized for anything?
What about "The Durrells in Corfu"? I have laughed so hard my cheeks hurt, and have been watching that show since the beginning, and will be damned if I will ever miss an episode.
The photography in "Poldark"? How 'bout the acting in "Poldark"?
"Unforgotten" was completely forgotten.
What exactly does PBS need to do to be recognized for consistently being the best of the best for as long as it has existed?
20
I only have local TV stations, by choice. I don't rely on TV for my higher entertainment. But I'm curious - how many different subscriptions or reception devices would you need to view every nominated show?
4
Stephen Dorff in True Detective. Just a perfect performance.
11
@Someone
Wasn't he exceptional and then some?
I found his performance outstanding and extremely moving.
4
@Marge Keller
Thanks Marge.
Yes. I thought it might slip under the radar, which is why I commented. Given how much quality there is now, it would be nice to see it be somewhat less of a popularity contest.
4
Well, not only did I not see many of the programs mentioned, but I also wonder if the New York Times Style Manual now accepts writing like "(Tl;dr: clues are not characterization.)"
8
I wonder if one of the nominations for GOT was for best product placement - or maybe two.....
I wish that series nominations would be split into "full seasons" vs whatever the current length is now - or - commercial-based shows vs subscription-based shows. It's far harder to keep the quality of writing, character development and production values for a 20+ show season than a 10 show season. Yet, the shows are all lopped together for awards. The same complaint was satirized by Colbert and Kimmel when their shows lost (yet again) to Last Week Tonight - 5 shows vs 1 show per week is quite a difference in effort. Supported by commercials vs subscriptions. Not the same.
3
Never saw an episode of GOT and have no desire to do so in the foreseeable future. Don't like green screen anything. Unless I missed it Fosse/Verdon wasn't nominated. and I didn't see any noms for Michelle Williams or Sam Rockwell. They should have at least been nominated.
2
@Margo Channing You definitely missed it. Check Limited Series.
6
Jane the Virgin didn't even get one nomination and is on its fantastic last season!
5
The Emmys nominations prove peers do not necessarily make the best choice. You might be in the business and not have the talent, skill or experience to discern the good from the bad. Take writing as an example. If Nic Pizzolatto's True Detective Season 3 and the Michelle & Robert King's (along with other writers) The Good Fight are not nominated, you have no idea of what good scriptwriting is. Both are too intellectually and artistically sophisticated for the masses.
5
If Fleabag doesn't sweep the field there is something wrong with the Emmy voting process.
20
Wish the Emmys would distinguish between shows based on number of episodes in a season. Superstore, Blackish, Big Bang Theory, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Jane the Virgin, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend all broadcast in the neighborhood of 20 episodes per season and yet get overlooked every year by shows that span only 6-8 episodes.
Also, I’m weary of SNL hogging all the acting in Comedy Series categories even though they are clearly identified in Variety Series and Variety Sketch Series categories.
6
@Rod McClendon
Do you also think the Pulitzer Prizes should distinguish between books based on the number of pages?
9
THIS IS US is NOT nonsense. It is the best show on television.
No wonder no one reads critics any more, Actually if you canot recognize the excellence of THIS IS US, especially over the wildly overrated GOT, are you even a critic?
No!
4
@Mark Esposito, I’m not a critic, but I play one on tv. Just kidding, of course, but could you have come up with two more opposite shows than those mentioned? I think “This Is Us” is overwrought melodrama, and is indeed nonsense. But I don’t have a good opinion of the costume fantasy soap opera with weapons GOT, either. This is the reason the newspaper has more than one tv critic: you need a range of viewpoints.
1
@Mark Esposito
Funny, is it still true that people have different tastes. Maybe not in this era of authoritarian critics. I found This Is Us unwatchable after 5 minutes.
7
Why is the long running reality show “ Survivor” never nominated?
2
Extra special Emmy to Phoebe Waller-Bridge for successfully breaking the 4th wall with charm and without cringe.
19
Never heard of any of these shows. Is "Seinfeld" still on TV? How about "Mash"?
5
@Markus You sound like me, I haven’t watched TV or Movies since Hollywood has gotten so political. Ran through the nominations quickly, just curious, I only knew 4 or 5 actors in all. I like comment on Seinfeld and Mash.
1
Questions/beefs: I was surprised to see no Emmy nominations for the brilliant and vital show, "The Good Fight." Likewise, "Vida" is beyond superb on every level: scriptwriting, acting, directing, cinematography, scenic design, music. And yet no nods for it, either. A shame on both counts.
Those are my beefs. Here are my questions:
First, are shows sponsored by streaming outlets like CBS All-Access (which originates "The Good Fight") and Starz (the home of "Vida") eligible for nominees? Or have the Big Two--Netflix and Amazon--become to streaming TV what the Big Three networks were back in the day: the only game in town?
Second, regarding Julia Louis-Dreyfus' command over the Best Actress-Comedy nomination and trophy-taking: Tracy Ellis Ross has offered scintillatingly funny (and insightful) performances in her lead role on "Black-ish" since the show's debut in 2014. She's been nominated 3 times for an Emmy...and never won. What gives?
Talk about media consolidation....
5
I just realized I really don’t care!
5
What about Sneaky Pete? Love that show!
4
What! No nod to Michael Sheen in “The Good Fight”?
4
I’m head over heels for Fleabag. The writing, acting, and characters were a step above from anything else on tv for a long time. I’ve watched the whole series 3 times at least. Let’s hope it walks away with the most Emmys!
37
I liked the second season of Fleabag even better then the first!
7
Fleabag was ruined by the contrived and dragged out love story between Fleabag and the priest. The first season which didn't have any priest was amazing though.
6
@Mohammad
PW-B is a special talent, but the writing of that priest was just all over the board. But the writing of the stepmother, and Colman’s performance ... brilliant.
5
@Mohammad, I disagree. I thought that priest storyline was perfect for the trajectory of the main character’s story arc. What partner is less available than a priest who has taken a vow of celibacy? But of course...he is a conflicted and imperfect priest. And the quirky idea where he notices that Fleabag breaks the fourth wall? Genius. I thought the part was well written and superbly acted. Funny while remaining tender. Loved it.
(One really standout scene was in the confessional, when Andrew Scott comes out of his cubicle and tells Fleabag to kneel. The viewer thinks one thing is going to happen — I think I actually gasped “No!” — but instead it’s something entirely different and unexpected, and funny. Perfect!)
6
Better Things....such an oversight that this series was snubbed. Perhaps Aldon’s character can use it as fuel for next season, as Hollywood is not kind to her character. There will be a next season, right? Great work, thank you to this shows cast and crew.
18
This might be too niche, but I was really hoping that Robert Sheehan would be nominated for his portrayal of the tragicomic Klaus Hargreeves on "The Umbrella Academy." He gave an amazing performance -- one of the few I saw this year that made me both laugh and cry (insert your own joke about the final season of GoT HERE) -- and raised a fun, comic-book show to something approaching genuine pathos. Maybe next year?
8
Suranne Jones from Gentleman Jack should have been nominated .
31
@acksound seems to be a lot of agreement in this comments section...me too...
Ian McShane from Deadwood was robbed.
13
game of staying awake to watch it deserves nothing
8
Sorry. Did not like “Fleabag” at all and can’t figure out the infatuation with it.
15
@Liz, I hated GOT (or as much of it as I could stand to watch) and can’t figure out the infatuation with it. It’s a wide, wide world of infinite variety.
20
@Liz I liked Fleabag. But yeah, kind of over the gushing. It's fun, it's funny. It uses the trick of breaking the fourth wall cleverly. But the story itself, I can't relate to. She's a spoiled rich girl who can mess up her life with no real consequences. I suspect it plays better in coastal elite circles.
2
I expected more for both "Homecoming" and "A Very English Scandal"
7
Is there a special award for the actor who most cruelly mocks parents whose children are killed by animals? Louis-Dreyfus has that one locked up.
@Neal, what? You lost me there. I tried looking it up and failed. What did she do?
1
@Passion for Peaches - Maybe the person you are responding to is alluding to the Seinfeld episode where Elaine says "Maybe a dingo ate your baby."
6
@susan, thanks for clearing that up. Very obscure reference!
2
Michael Sheen and David Tennant in Good Omens, Benedict Cumberbatch in Brexit, plus the fantastic Hot Priest Andrew Scott in the life-changing Fleabag. A year without them is a very odd one.
18
@Hazel Motes. So right but I’m not sure if Good Omens was eligible, too late in the season. As for Andrew Scott, he was the best Moriarty EVER. he stole every scene he was in. I was sorry to see that Berlin Station was ignored. Wonderful acting and kept me in suspense for every season.
9
Come on, though. Robert DeNiro gets a nomination for his sleepwalking performance as Robert Mueller on SNL?
And seven nominees for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, but only six for Supporting Actress, and Rhea Seehorn is ignored again?
12
@David D.
One thing is certain about DeNiro, can't quite do comedy and yes his "performances" on SNL were sad. He never made eye contact b/c he was reading the cue cards all the time. Not funny.
6
What about Patricia Arquette in Escape at Dannemora??? By far the best performance by a woman.
7
Fleabag and Phoebe Waller-Bridge are both absolute genius.
41
@Eliza
Very excited to see what she does with Bond.
2
“Fleabag” a newcomer? Ah, no.
1
No love for Claws? Not even best costumes?
2
I’m 100 percent behind “Fleabag” for best comedy! The writing, directing, editing, and acting were all top notch. And it all felt new and fresh. ”Schitts Creek” lost me early in because the humor was too lowbrow and sophomoric. It was plain tiresome. "Barry” was amazing the first season, but I think it lost its way this season. I had to stop watching “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” before the main character got her career going. A spoiled, self-centered woman who neglects her children is not the stuff of comedy. And the Jewish stereotypes were behind the pale.
Best drama is too difficult to decide. I’m torn between “Better Call Saul” and “Killing Eve.” I liked “Bodyguard” a lot, but I’m not sure it’s in the same league as the other two.
The only best limited series nominee I saw was “Sharp Objects.” I loved it.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge for best actress, comedy. Bill Hader for best actor, even though I was disappointed in the show’s current season.
Jodie Comer for best actress, drama. No question! Bob Odenkirk for actor.
Amy Adams for best actress, limited series. Hugh Grant for best actor (he was wonderful in that role).
There are too many in the supporting categories from shows I have not watched, so that’s a toss-up. But Olivia Coleman was great as the nutty, wicked step mother in the making in “Fleabag.” And I loved Jonathon Banks in BCS.
Zooming down the list: Big cheer for “Somebody Feed Phil.’
14
So what happens in the unlikely event that Julia Louis-Dreyfus loses? Are we to assume that she's forgotten how to play a role for which she's already loaded up on Emmy awards? Seriously, shouldn't there by a limit placed on the number of times an actor can win a given trophy for playing a given role? After one such award (or two at most) an actor should be disqualified unless and until (s)he gets cast in something else. Spread the wealth, guys!
23
Forgot to mention...”Lodge 49” was weird and wonderful. Really well written. Loved Wyatt Russell.
“Good Omens” was fun to watch while doing something else. In other words, a bit too cute in the yuck-yuck writing, but the lush look of the thing and the scene-chewing acting made it worth observing.
7
Many shows overlooked including dramas on PBS. They should expand awards to give ensemble shows recognition.
23
Forget Miss Maisel, Miss Maisie Williams was the standout on GOT last season, and therefore the standout Emmy nominee!
7
I'm relieved to see Fosse/Verdon receive it's overdue recognition for excellence. The creative team represents some of the greatest talent working on Broadway and provided authentic portrayals of theatre icons in provocative, painful and thrilling music drama. It seemed that so many critics were afraid of acknowledging this piece due to the accurate portrayals of human weaknesses. Critics never seem to have any qualms about praising TV shows full of fictitious disgusting and criminal behavior, but for so many they were afraid to say anything positive about Bob Fosse for fear of seeming to endorse his many demons, because he was a real person. I have never seen a more honest or believable portrayal of 2 recently living legends that allowed their strengths and weaknesses to be so vividly presented. I wish the creators would come back with more episodes of material from Sam Wasson's book.
24
@Steve C
It was an excellent production from start to finish. Loved Rockwell and thought his performance was top notch. Had all the mannerisms of the late, great Bob Fosse (still admire him so much).
I hope Game of Thrones does not win Best Drama. The actors/actresses, set designers, costumers, etc deserve it, but the screenwriting and directing was beyond disappointing. I have been a fan since the beginning and what they did in the last season was a tragedy.
42
@Lisa On the bright side, over a million people have now signed a Change.org petition in favor of good writing, to “Remake Game of Thrones Season 8 with competent writers.”
4
I think Late Night with Seth Myers has been very good, better than Colbert and I am a big Colbert fan.
22
Well, I doubt there will be any other comments as esoteric as my pet peeve.
" Better Call Saul " wasn't nominated for cinematography. I think it is visually stunning, as was " Breaking Bad ."
I seem to be a minority of one regarding " Fleabag ". I think it's just OK.
16
Fleabag is genius from start to finish.
But I do wholeheartedly agree re: the brilliant cinematography of Better Call Saul. And the cinematography of Breaking Bad heavily influenced my son, who graduated from film school 2 yrs ago and is now a cinematographer. BB is exceptional.
22
@Matt, I agree that the cinematography was remarkable in BCS. And I mean big-screen-release quality. I sometimes backed up the recording of episodes to watch scenes again with the sound off.
“Fleabag” is a woman’s take on the world. Created, written, directed, acted by wonderful, powerful women. The male roles were secondary to the female (although Andrew Scott owned the screen when he was on). Perhaps you didn’t warm to it because you are Matt. A man.
10
@Matt -- make that two.
The terrific trans actresses from POSE deserve a nod.
14
Now that Schitt's Creek got some love (higher profile on Netflix I guess, but I've been watching since day one on Pop), my favorite show with no nominations is What We Do in the Shadows. Better Things should have received nominations as well.
16
They should just give all the awards to Fleabag. It's the best thing I've seen in a long long time. If not Fleabag then Schitt's Creek for . . . sweetness. There's not enough of that going around.
52
@Rupert Maybe I should try "Schitt's Creek." I tend to steer clear of shows with punny titles, but we could all use a little sweetness!
9
@Raye
I didn’t watch it because the title wasn’t appealing. It’s great — totally sweet and weird. And no one gets killed.
4
For once I would love to see an Emmy Award show full of surprise winners instead of the usual repeats which seem to dominate year after year:
"Game of Thrones" and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Let's hear it for "Ozark", “Chernobyl,” "Better Call Saul" and Fiona Shaw in "Killing Eve" !!!!
25
I disagree with Lyons about the Bodygaurd. It’s good TV. I agree with the critic that it didnt pull of the plot or ending but the drama was quite good. It works as a thriller. And it did something that many shows today wont go near: intimacy. The only other showrunner who is doing that is Phoebe Waller Bridge. It deserves a nod.
10
D'arcy Carden deserves a nomination; “Janets” was a tour de force on “The Good Place.” I'm also surprised Michael Sheen and David Tennant weren’t nominated for “Good Omens.”
39
@Missa M. I wish I could recommend your comment twice: once for Janet(s), and once for the best angel-demon team in town!
11
Why only 32 nominations for GOT? I figured HBO was spreading the money around more than *that*--a measly 32 nominations? What is up with their academy outreach?
Who knew there were even 32 categories? (Frankly, I've never watched the Emmys, but just go with this.)
Was there one for Best Gratuitous Rape Scene? Best Micturition? Best CGI Dragon Flyover of a Croatian Set? Best Knockoff of Tolkien That Just Can't Quite Live Up To The Original? (A lot of entrants in that category.) Best Drag It Out Past The Novels, Even, Cuz, Hey, A Billion Dollars Is A Billion Dollars?
Yes, I am purposely goading devoted GOT fans, mostly because I had a tooth pulled this morning. Don't worry: my wife loves GOT.
Tolkien ruined me for any other high fantasy. I tried, I tried. I'm ruined for life. :)
18
@Doug Tarnopol
try Wagner's Ring on DVD or live$$$$
1
Seems a LOT over the top in terms of nominations for Game Of Thrones.
30
@Steven Many of the acting noms make sense but I'm legitimately shocked they got any directing noms, let alone 3!
9
Finally, Schitt’s Creek is recognized!
37
@Left Coast: If it had been titled "Smith's Creek" would anyone have watched? It's really the lamest title of any work of popular entertainment since "Meet the Fockers."
5
Fleabag was amazing and original and entertaining - loved it.
57
I loved Barry. Just a beautifully paced comedy. It should win something, maybe Art Director?
7
Is Barry a comedy though?
1
@Abeke, it is a very dark comedy. But yes, it’s definitely funny.
3
Both Mrs. Maisel and GOT are dominating even though both shows dipped in writing standards. I feel like rip van winkle or did the Emmy become the oscars overnight?
8
Finally, somebody mentions "My Brilliant Friend"! I thought this was the best limited series of the past year, but it showed up on no forecast lists. Were people put off by the subtitles? They didn't seem to be bothered by Valerian. Also, D'Arcy Carden and Alison Brie should have been nominated for their shows.
27
@JP, I adored “My Brilliant Friend.” Maybe it didn’t fit into the right mold for a nomination.
6
@JP yes!....it was, well, brilliant...hope more people get to watch it at some point...
1
@Passion for Peaches No green screens or rape scenes for the nominating committee.
2