As someone who’s been immersed in the world of television for over three decades, I can confidently say that “The Penguin” is not just another bird in Gotham City’s polluted pond. With its gripping storyline, stellar cast, and the allure of DC Comics, this series has already made a significant splash.
In Gotham City, things are looking quite grim. Crime is rampant, a new drug has surfaced, and mob violence is making headlines. However, this situation seems to be benefiting HBO, as The Penguin’s series is proving to be a significant success for the network and its streaming platform, Max. With the first season nearing its end, let’s discuss potential implications for next year’s Emmys. Could HBO replicate what Disney has achieved by stuffing branded comic-book content into the awards race?
Due to its status as an HBO drama that attracts a large audience, The Penguin will likely be included in the discussion for awards. While not every HBO production has been recognized by the Emmys (see Industry as evidence), The Penguin stands out significantly. This series boasts a well-known Hollywood actor, Colin Farrell, and is associated with a significant entertainment brand, DC comics. Given that David Zaslav and Warner Bros. Discovery are focusing on the success of James Gunn’s revamped DC universe, the impact of The Penguin‘s performance could be substantial.
The question isn’t whether HBO will campaign The Penguin for Emmys but whether Emmy voters will respond to it. This is new territory for HBO; for as much as The Penguin tries to transform itself from a comic-book-villain story into an organized-crime drama, it’s still called The Penguin and features Farrell under a metric ton of makeup and prosthetics. The effect isn’t exactly as cartoonish as Danny DeVito’s bird in Batman Returns, but it’s not stark realism, either.
While we’re no longer in the era of “The Sopranos,” it’s clear that television genres have firmly established themselves within mainstream audiences. The Emmys have mirrored this shift for nearly a decade now. Shows like “Game of Thrones” broke down barriers for fantasy, while “Westworld” did the same for sci-fi. The acclaimed “Watchmen” series, boasting 26 nominations and 11 wins including Outstanding Limited Series, was warmly welcomed as elevated superhero fare. Even provocative shows such as “The Boys,” known for its graphic violence and nihilism, have earned eight Emmy nods throughout its run, with a 2021 Best Drama Series nomination to its credit.
2020 marked the entry of franchise spin-offs from the Star Wars and Marvel universes across various genres. Shows like “The Mandalorian,” “Andor,” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi” received Outstanding Series nominations, with the first two falling under Drama and the last in Limited Series. Meanwhile, “WandaVision” from Marvel garnered a total of 23 nominations in 2021, including acting recognition for Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Kathryn Hahn. Until now, the DC universe’s television presence has been fragmented across networks and streaming platforms, ranging from the Greg Berlanti–produced CW shows within the Arrowverse to Fox’s “Gotham” and Max’s animated “Harley Quinn” series. However, they have mostly been overlooked in TV award discussions. The upcoming show, “The Penguin,” is an attempt to bring DC comics to prestige television. We’ll see if the Emmy voters take the bait.
It’s hard not to zero in on Cristin Milioti as antagonist and antiheroine Sofia Gigante (née Falcone) as a hook for voter focus. The character is technically in opposition to Farrell’s Oz Cobb, but thanks in large part to Milioti’s ferocious performance, I can’t imagine anyone watching this show not rooting for Sofia to come out on top. Milioti, who got a Tony nomination in 2012 for her performance in the musical Once, has been largely under-recognized for her screen accomplishments. On TV, she’s best known for Black Mirror, Fargo, The Resort, and most famously the “Mother” on How I Met Your Mother, but outside of the Critics Choice or the MTV Movie and TV Awards, awards groups have ignored her. This year, she’s making that awfully difficult.
If Farrell deserves his flowers too, it’s because of the challenge in portraying Oz’s complex, wounded-bully persona under all that makeup. Having two strong acting contenders could elevate “The Penguin”, but the deciding factor might be the categories it will be competing in. As per HBO’s own promotional materials, “The Penguin” is a limited series concluding with this Sunday’s finale. However, Matt Reeves, director of “The Batman” and executive producer on “The Penguin”, hinted at more seasons within the same superhero universe. Whether we’ll see more of “The Penguin” specifically could influence whether the show competes as a Drama Series or a Limited Series.
It’s worth noting that how we classify “Penguin” could significantly impact its Emmy prospects, especially if HBO’s top drama contenders are in the mix for this year’s Emmys. Shows like “The Last of Us” and “The White Lotus,” which will likely air before the Emmys deadline next year, have been strong Emmy players following their recent seasons, so they could do so again when they return. Interestingly, Disney’s “Agatha All Along” has declared it will compete in the Comedy Series category, hinting at a possible second season. This means that “The Penguin” would face one fewer comic-book series as a Limited Series.
Instead of vying in the Drama category where it might struggle against heavyweight HBO series, such as The Last of Us, The White Lotus, and House of the Dragon, The Penguin Limited Series would benefit more from standing out in a separate Limited Series category. This move would increase its chances of recognition for talents like Milioti, Farrell, and Dierdre O’Connell, who gives an outstanding performance as Oz’s mother, and potentially secure more attention and acclaim.
If you enjoyed “The Penguin”, then you’re sure to be captivated by Cristin Milioti at the Vulture Festival, happening on November 16-17 in Los Angeles. Secure your tickets quickly before they run out! [Get tickets here]
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2024-11-08 21:54