Emmys 2024: Variety Critics Celebrate ‘Reservation Dogs,’ Disagree About ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ and Cackle Over ‘The Morning Show’

As a seasoned television critic with a background in media studies and a lifelong love for the small screen, I’ve seen it all – from the golden age of network TV to the streaming revolution. And let me tell you, this year’s Emmy nominations have left me with a mixture of elation and disappointment.

As an admirer, I’d express it this way: Each year, the Emmy nominations from the Television Academy recognize a multitude of talented individuals and shows, generating an abundance of intriguing topics for discussion. Sifting through all the accolades can be overwhelming. That’s why I look forward to Alison Herman and Aramide Tinubu’s insightful perspectives as esteemed TV critics. They provide a comprehensive analysis of the nominations, covering emerging shows and broader trends that shape the industry.

Alison Herman pointed out that this Emmy season was bound to be unusual due to the recent Emmys taking place only six months prior. The January ceremony was postponed because of Hollywood’s historic strikes, which excluded some regular award-winning shows from this year’s eligibility. Consequently, “The White Lotus” will have to wait until 2025 for recognition. Additionally, with “Succession” wrapping up its series, there is a noticeable void in the Academy’s favorite picks. As a result, having fewer established favorites presents an intriguing opportunity.

Do you think Emmy voters took adequate advantage of their chance to shake things up?

As a movie reviewer, I’ve got to admit that there were a few shows I was rooting for that didn’t make the cut this Emmy season. However, with a smaller pool of contenders, I believe the voters were able to recognize some exceptional performances that might have gone unnoticed in a more crowded year.

Herman: I’m proud to say that “Scavengers Reign” has been selected for the animated series, an impressive achievement given its visually stunning quality. (Max might be missing out, but this could mean great things for you, Netflix!) I know it was just a joke, but the animation genre has really stepped up its game lately. Not only are shows like “Blue Eye Samurai” and “X-Men ’97” deserving of recognition, but long-time favorites such as “The Simpsons” and “Bob’s Burgers” continue to impress.

I cannot hide my delight in the unexpected Emmy triumph of “The Morning Show,” which gained an astonishing 16 nominations for its unconventional Season 3. Apple TV+ has seized the moment and received numerous accolades, including for the meticulously crafted spy series “Slow Horses” and the extravagantly nostalgic “Palm Royale.” Bravo to Tim Cook and his team, but my warmest congratulations go out to the Academy for recognizing FX’s “Reservation Dogs” in its final season. D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, alongside Gladstone and Kali Reis of “True Detective: Night Country,” makes this a remarkable year for Native American representation. However, “Reservation Dogs” is an impressive feat regardless of records broken.

As a big fan of your critique, I too was taken aback by “The Morning Show” dominating the nominations. It seems Apple TV+ is making a strong entrance into awards season. I found Kristin Wigg’s performance in “Palm Royale” to be captivating, although it seemed I was the only one with that opinion. I’m thrilled the Television Academy recognized her talent. However, I can’t help but notice the oversight of recognizing “Criminal Records,” an intense crime drama by Apple TV+.

It’s great that you’ve brought up the important topic of Indigenous representation in the entertainment industry. I was truly elated to learn that Gladstone and Reis made history as the first Native women to be nominated for acting awards. This year has been particularly noteworthy for women of color in television, with Selena Gomez receiving her first Emmys nomination for “Only Murders in the Building,” and Anna Sawai and Nava Mau earning nominations for their work in “Shōgun” and “Baby Reindeer,” respectively.

I was surprised yet impressed by Idris Elba’s nomination for “Hijack” on Apple TV+. Obviously, this demonstrates that the platform is delivering content that resonates with its audience.

Herman: …and “The Bear” holds this title with an impressive 23 comedy nominations in a single year, breaking the record. This is bound to provoke more complaints about category manipulation. I believe we could address this issue by simply renaming drama and comedy categories as hour-long and half-hour productions. Although FX still faces the challenge of dealing with “Shōgun,” which was switched from limited series to drama due to a potential second season. We’ve already made distinctions for cinematography and production design, so why not extend this to genres as well? Despite some subpar performances in Season 3, it seems voters remain enthusiastic. However, I’m not alone in my confusion over certain nominations. What nods left you puzzled?

Tinubu acknowledges your point and agrees that certain category adjustments are essential. For instance, “Palm Royale” initially seemed like a limited series, but it has been renewed for another season. Regarding Hater Island, Tinubu hasn’t been drawn to “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” despite its 16 Prime Video nominations. Although Michaela Coel was deserving of her guest actor nod. Tinubu is taken aback that “Expats” by Lulu Wang received no recognition, considering Nicole Kidman’s exceptional portrayal of a mourning mother. Lastly, Tinubu was optimistic about “Diarra From Detroit,” a captivating whodunit from BET, but will wait for future seasons to see it recognized (hopefully).

Herman: I’m disappointed about some snubs in this year’s awards, particularly the absence of John Mulaney’s “Everybody’s in L.A.” from the talk category. It was a breath of fresh air, deviating from the usual dominance of aging network franchises. The Academy has plenty of time to celebrate established shows; why not recognize innovation while they can? I had high hopes for “Tokyo Vice,” but it didn’t make it as a dark horse for Season 3. On a brighter note, Park Chan-Wook’s adaptation of “The Sympathizer” on HBO did receive a nomination, though only for Robert Downey Jr.’s performance. It’s ironic that a series intended to shed light on the Vietnamese experience during U.S. intervention overlooked its Vietnamese cast in favor of its renowned star. Hopefully, both Park and Downey will find this twist amusing.

There — I’ve vented my spleen. Let’s go out on a brighter note, shall we?

Tinubu: It’s definitely been an unusual year for television, with its fair share of challenges. Despite the strikes causing hardships for everyone involved, these nominations indicate some changes in TV production. While there is still work to be done, there’s been a noticeable increase in recognition for women’s voices and underrepresented stories. I can only hope that moving forward, networks and streaming services will keep supporting diverse shows, and the TV Academy will no longer be limited to recognizing first-time achievements.

2024-07-18 23:47

Emmys 2024: Variety Critics Celebrate ‘Reservation Dogs,’ Disagree About ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ and Cackle Over ‘The Morning Show’

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