‘I’m More Interested in Somebody Blowing Up the Form’

After that specific date, Emmy nomination voting came to a close. Members of the Television Academy had until June 23rd to cast their votes for the season’s outstanding shows, performances, and technical achievements. On July 15th, Harvey Guillén and Brenda Song will reveal who they selected. Meanwhile, we’re left in suspense for a few weeks, trying to guess whom the Academy members voted for. Eventually, our curiosity got the better of us, so we decided to find out.

At the nomination phase, Emmy award voters are limited to casting ballots in the Program categories (such as Outstanding Comedy Series, Drama Series, Variety Program, Reality Competition, etc.), and they do so within their professional circles. Directors vote for directorial categories, writers for writing categories, and actors and actresses for performance categories. One gracious member of the TV Academy’s acting branch has offered to guide us through the decision-making process behind Emmy voting. This actor, who is a prominent figure in Hollywood, has been featured in numerous television series that have received Emmy nominations.

When I contacted Emmy-nominated actors for this article, a common sentiment arose: “I haven’t watched that many shows this year.” It seems that few believe their opinions on the Emmys are fully informed. With 228 TV series submitted for consideration, even the most dedicated viewers could only watch a small fraction. In reality, most TV Academy voters base their decisions on a limited selection of shows. This isn’t shocking; it’s a reflection of human limitations and the finite number of hours in a day. However, what makes this intriguing is how these voters distribute their votes among the shows and performers they have managed to watch within their limited viewing time.

Our voter expressed that the Emmy system is not perfect, making a comparison with the Tony Awards. They noted that the Tonys have a smaller nominating committee who have to watch everything, creating a more engaging experience as voters become part of a conversation. In contrast, they suggested that for the Emmys, people often vote based on fame or what they’ve already seen due to the less interactive nature of the voting process.

In a tactical move, our secret ballot castor deliberated their choices, aiming to acknowledge underrated productions that might have slipped under the For Your Consideration (FYC) spotlight. We didn’t delve into every contest, focusing on intriguing competitions instead. Each category offered the opportunity to pick the number of nominees (ranging from five to eight), but our voter wasn’t bound to fill all the slots. Generally, they abstained from voting for shows they hadn’t seen enough of, such as ‘Andor’, or hadn’t seen at all, like ‘Shrinking’. However, this didn’t deter them from casting votes for some of those shows’ performers, drawn by compelling narratives. Their choices ranged from offbeat selections to more mainstream series like ‘Severance’ and ‘The Last of Us’. While adhering to certain principles, they occasionally bent their own rules as needed. For instance, they expressed annoyance with category fraud in ‘The Bear’, yet ignored this issue when it came to Pedro Pascal, who submitted for Lead Actor despite being absent for a significant portion of ‘The Last of Us’ second season. This voting pattern seemed very relatable to me. I must admit, I’m tired of biopic performances winning Oscars, but if Cillian Murphy delivers one in ‘Oppenheimer’, I’d make an exception!

Below, our anonymous actor explains who they voted for and why.

Outstanding Drama Series
Severance
The Last of Us

I find Severance inventive, which is appealing, yet it’s a tad slow-paced for my taste. I’m unsure if it will prove successful. It seems like a blend of Lost and Westworld, though I felt the first season was more engaging and tightly knit. As the narrative expands, maintaining coherence becomes challenging. I’m not convinced it’s an easy win, but given the numerous intriguing elements, I’m intrigued and eager to see where it goes.

It’s intriguing how the storyline for The Last of Us has turned out to be less favored by many viewers this season. However, I appreciate that it transformed into a captivating, sapphic drama with a zombie backdrop. Despite my attempts to play the game, I found it too frightening and was unsure about the show’s events. Nonetheless, I was delightfully surprised by how engaging the series turned out to be.

I abstained from voting for “Andor” in the drama category as I haven’t watched this current season. I enjoyed a bit of the first season and found it appealing, but I’ve grown weary of the Star Wars universe lately. However, I did appreciate Diego Luna’s performance enough to vote for him in the Actor in a Drama category. As for “The White Lotus” in the Drama Series category, I felt that this season was not up to par, so I chose not to vote for it. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to watch “The Pitt,” so I can’t offer an opinion on it.

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Britt Lower in Severance
Bella Ramsey in The Last of Us

Britt is an exceptionally captivating actress who truly shone in both seasons, but particularly impressed in the second one with her even more intriguing portrayal. Her ability to evolve her character and performance style is something I find quite appealing, as she skillfully executed a demanding dual role with subtle nuances that made each performance distinct.

It seems to me that Bella is exceptionally gifted, and I’ve heard there’s a lot of criticism about them on the internet. I find this extremely disappointing because they are producing outstanding work. I appreciate their poise in interviews; they’re expressing thought-provoking thoughts about gender and the industry. Nevertheless, they have the potential to head a TV show.

In the category of Exceptional Supporting Performances in a Dramatic TV Series, here are the nominees:

– Jen Tullock in ‘Severance’
– Carrie Coon in ‘The White Lotus’
– Isabela Merced in ‘The Last of Us’

I appreciate individuals who aren’t often in the limelight. For instance, Jen Tullock, the actress portraying Adam Scott’s sister on Severance, is truly shining, yet it seems that not enough attention is being given to her talent.

I chose Carrie Coon for my vote as her performances on “The White Lotus” are exceptional, showcasing genuine, subtle depth. Additionally, I admire her personal story – her rise to fame occurred later in life, demonstrating dedication and resilience, qualities I respect and appreciate.

I chose Isabela Merced for my vote as she impressively balanced her performance in “The Last of Us” and pop music. She was an actress I wasn’t overly familiar with, but her talent sparked my interest. It’s about potential – she’s a skilled performer who will undoubtedly improve. This reminds me of the comparison between Mikey Madison and Demi Moore; while many could have excelled in “Anora,” it’s impossible not to be impressed by Madison’s exceptional performance. If a promising young talent like Isabela Merced is receiving this award, I won’t be disappointed at all.

In the category of Exceptional Supporting Performances in Dramatic Television Series, Tramell Tillman shines in “Severance”, while Jason Isaacs impresses in “The White Lotus”.

Tramell struck me as someone whose identity left me questioning, “Just who is this individual?” He certainly stands out. The series “Severance” is remarkably peculiar, taking many daring leaps, and I believe it successfully delivers on its promise by the culmination of this season.

Jason Isaacs is hands down my favorite actor in The White Lotus. It might be that I’m drawn to compelling stories. He’s an actor who’s had a long career, and while we were familiar with him, he wasn’t quite as well-known. But now everyone seems to know him. While many seem to favor Walton Goggins, I have a soft spot for Jason, especially his role in Fallout. I think he’s incredibly talented, no question there. Sam Rockwell, on the other hand, was a guest actor, and that’s where I get a bit irked about categorization because I feel like he should have been considered a series regular instead.

Outstanding Comedy Series
Fantasmas
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Julio Torres in Fantasmas

In my opinion, I cast my vote for “Fantasmas” as it offered the most captivating comedic performances this season. Julio’s unconventional charm was evident when he accepted the award for Best Actor at the Gothams, midway through his speech, he recognized his mistake in assuming he was being honored for creating the show instead of acting. He humorously expressed, “Oh, hold on, I seem to have been given this for acting, why am I…?” It was a comical moment that left us questioning, “What on earth is going on here?” Yet, it was refreshing and authentic to Julio’s unique style.

As a film enthusiast, I found “Fantasmas” invigorating and groundbreaking – a breath of fresh air that’s been missing from my screen time lately. Unfortunately, shows like “The Bear” or “Only Murders in the Building” seem to fall short by comparison. To put it straightforwardly, I find “Only Murders” lacking in quality. It feels stagnant because it follows a familiar formula. Instead, I yearn for creators who dare to disrupt and revolutionize the norms of storytelling – someone ready to blow up the mold.

I chose not to vote for “Hacks” based on the assumption that other voters will handle it. However, “Hacks” is currently my favorite comedy, despite the occasional frustration with its narrative as Deborah and Ava’s relationship feels stagnant when we know they aren’t true adversaries. The psychological aspects don’t always align, but the one-liners are excellent, with Jean Smart delivering a standout performance. I find the supporting cast to be ordinary, yet I enjoy the show overall. The same sentiment applies to “The Studio”. I assumed it would gather votes on its own merit, so I wanted to add some diversity to the mix rather than voting for shows that were expected to succeed.

The following actors are nominated for the Best Supporting Role in a Comedy TV Series:

1. Nathan Lee Graham, starring in Mid-Century Modern
2. Chris Perfetti, appearing in Abbott Elementary
3. Michael Urie, featured in Shrinking

After watching Nathan Lee Graham’s performances for quite some time now, I must say he’s not only a fantastic individual but also a captivating figure on stage. It seems the production is finally highlighting him more. Couldn’t we mix things up a bit and incorporate him into the cast instead?

To put it simply, I must confess that I haven’t seen “Shrinking.” However, I hold Michael Urie in high regard as an individual. In my opinion, he is someone who deserves recognition, though the exact meaning behind that might be unclear. He is a talented actor with extensive experience, both on stage and screen. Sometimes, performers receive nominations based on their overall body of work rather than a single performance. Michael Urie has been consistently delivering performances for quite some time now. Given his track record and the buzz surrounding him, he appears to have a strong chance of being nominated. I wanted to express my sentiment in this way.

Chris Perfetti might be considered an unsung hero among the cast of “Abbott“. Furthermore, I’m a firm believer in distributing opportunities evenly. I don’t think one person’s success diminishes another’s chance. Adopting a mindset of scarcity isn’t enjoyable and doesn’t promote a fulfilling life.

Outstanding Limited Series
Adolescence
The Penguin

The Penguin series is quite impressive, reminiscent of a younger Sopranos. I also voted for Adolescence, despite not completing it. I found it to be groundbreaking cinematography, although I didn’t fully grasp the necessity of one continuous shot. However, I believe I will return to finish it. Watching it left me in an unusual state.

Initially, I began watching “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” but soon found myself disliking it immensely, so I chose to stop. I felt it was dull and excessive, and my curiosity in that Ryan Murphy universe has waned. Since I didn’t catch “Dying for Sex,” I wasn’t able to cast a vote for it.

In the limited series “The Penguin,” Cristin Milioti earned recognition as the Outstanding Lead Actress, while Deirdre O’Connell was honored for her supporting role with the title of Outstanding Supporting Actress.

Cristin’s exceptional nature never ceases to amaze, and she’s consistently been extraordinary. It’s wonderful that she had the opportunity to shine in the fourth episode. Deirdre O’Connell was fantastic; her portrayal is reminiscent of Gena Rowlands, with a vibrancy and electricity that’s rarely witnessed. And it’s quite unusual to encounter such vitality in a DC superhero crime drama.

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2025-06-27 18:56