Emmys Snubs and Surprises: Emma Stone and Kate Winslet Shut Out as Idris Elba and ‘Reservation Dogs’ Land Big Nods

As a longtime fan of Seinfeld and a critic who has covered the Emmys for years, I must express my disappointment in the Academy’s decision to nominate “Unfrosted” for Best Film or Limited Series. While it’s understandable that some may view this as a nod to Seinfeld’s legacy, I cannot help but feel that this decision undermines the value of genuine artistic achievement.

As a fan, I have to admit that with fewer shows eligible for awards due to last year’s strikes and the overall contraction of TV after Peak TV, I didn’t expect many surprises from this year’s Emmy ceremony – the second one we’ve had!

Perhaps, though, awards-watchers shouldn’t have counted them out.

On Wednesday morning, the nominations announcement brought surprises as some notable contenders, like Emma Stone in “The Curse,” were left out. But it also celebrated deserving newcomers whose names hadn’t been mentioned before. Kudos to Idris Elba and Matt Berry for their well-deserved recognition!

The Emmy nominations reflect a dynamic TV industry with fewer recurring shows recognized, such as “The Bear” and “Hacks,” which are notable contenders. However, no category saw fiercer competition or more unexpected absences than in the limited series category. (Check out the complete list of nominees here.)

Limited series bloodbath, Part 1: In the overall category, no “Masters of the Air,” “Fellow Travelers” — and more shutouts!

Among this year’s categories, the limited series and their acting counterparts are by far the most fiercely contested. In contrast, drama and comedy each had eight spots to fill. Consequently, with only five openings for limited series, it was inevitable that several critically acclaimed and widely-adored shows would miss out on a nomination when the Emmys were announced.

I was thrilled to see some impressive contenders recognized in this year’s Emmy nominations. Shows like “Baby Reindeer” on Netflix, “Fargo” on FX, and HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country” all made the cut. Notably, Apple TV+’s “Lessons in Chemistry” and Netflix’s “Ripley” also earned nominations. However, there were some long-awaited series that didn’t secure a nomination in this category, such as Apple’s “Masters of the Air,” Showtime’s “Fellow Travelers,” Netflix’s “All the Light We Cannot See,” Amazon Prime Video’s “Expats,” and Netflix’s “Griselda.” It’s a tough break for these productions – the competition in this category is fierce!

Limited series bloodbath, Part 2: Kate Winslet, Nicole Kidman and David Oyelowo excluded from lead acting nominations

Five spots are up for grabs in the limited series lead actor and actress categories, resulting in challenging decisions for TV Academy voters. In the actress category, Jodie Foster from “True Detective: Night Country” and Brie Larson of “Lessons in Chemistry” – both previous Oscar winners – will compete this September. Additionally, Juno Temple (“Fargo”), Sofia Vergara (“Griselda”), and Naomi Watts (“Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”) are also contenders. Despite impressive performances from Kate Winslet in “The Regime” and Nicole Kidman in “Expats,” they were not selected for these awards.

In the acting category, Richard Gadd for “Baby Reindeer” and Jon Hamm for “Fargo,” along with Andrew Scott in “Ripley” on Netflix, were strong contenders and were rightfully nominated. Surprisingly, Matt Bomer for “Fellow Travelers” on Showtime and Tom Hollander from “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans” on FX also received nominations. However, some fan favorites such as David Oyelowo in “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” Tony Shalhoub in “Mr. Monk’s Last Case,” and Hoa Xuande in “The Sympathizer,” did not make it to the list this time around.

“Reservation Dogs” gets some farewell love

In the initial two seasons of “Reservation Dogs,” the show received only one Emmy nomination, for sound editing. However, fueled by devoted fan support and the robust FX promotional machine, the series went on to secure nods in the comedy lead actor category (for D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai) and in the comedy series category. Previously disheartened fans who had accepted that “Reservation Dogs” would join shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “The Wire” on the list of critically acclaimed but overlooked series now have reason to rejoice.

Selena Gomez finally makes it in as an actress

I’m genuinely thrilled for Selena Gomez’s recent career accomplishments! As a long-time fan of her work, it’s been a joy to witness her shine in various roles. The recognition she received at Cannes for “Emilia Perez” was well-deserved, and her comedic timing in “Only Murders in the Building” never fails to make me laugh. It’s heartwarming to see her hard work pay off with an Emmy nomination as an actor. After following her career growth for years, it feels like a personal victory for me too!

Emma Stone’s Oscar win didn’t come with an Emmy halo

After winning her second Best Actress award at the Oscars for “Poor Things,” Emma Stone was expected to continue her successful streak at the Emmys. Although her role in “The Curse,” where she portrayed a home-renovation influencer whose life is disrupted by strange and supernatural mishaps, seemed too unusual to secure her an Emmy victory, a nomination appeared probable, especially during a less competitive year. However, neither the show nor Stone’s performance received any recognition; instead, they became examples of her readiness to embrace peculiar roles in compelling stories. Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr., who earned an Oscar nod for his supporting role in “The Sympathizer,” and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, recognized for her guest appearance on “Only Murders in the Building,” were among this year’s Oscar winners who received Emmy nominations. Lily Gladstone, Stone’s main competitor at the Oscars, was also nominated for “Under the Bridge.”

Idris Elba hijacks the drama actor race

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve recently discovered “Hijack” on Apple TV+ which is quite the thrilling ride. The series is known for its intensity and captivating storyline, with a large viewership according to Apple. However, it wasn’t immediately clear if this show would be a contender for Emmy awards. That being said, Idris Elba’s exceptional performance as a negotiator trying to end an aircraft hijacking while on board the plane himself, earned him his sixth career Emmy nomination.

Matt Berry nominated for “What We Do in the Shadows” — plus, a comedy nomination too!

Despite being recognized for two comedy series nominations in 2020 and 2022, the talented cast of “What We Do in the Shadows” had never received individual acknowledgement before. That oversight has been corrected today as Matt Berry earned a nomination in the comedy lead actor category for his hilarious portrayal of Laszlo Cravensworth, the sex-driven and witty Staten Island vampire. Plus, the show received another nomination to add to its final season. It’s about time this deserving series and actor receive their due recognition!

Bradley Jackson and Alex Levy finally share nominations

As a film enthusiast, I could rephrase this passage as follows:

Shows with hazy futures nominated in the drama category

As a longtime television critic with a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling, I must admit that this year’s drama category at the Emmys has left me utterly baffled and intrigued in equal measure. With unexpected twists and turns, it seems that fate and circumstance have conspired to create an incredibly unpredictable lineup.

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve grown fond of the twists and turns in the world of television. And let me tell you, things get intriguing with shows like “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” In May, Amazon announced that they were renewing it for another season. But here’s where it gets a bit puzzling. Will this new season follow two different spy couples, as some speculate, or will Donald Glover and Maya Erskine reprise their roles from the first season? The answer, dear reader, remains elusive. I wonder if they’ll even make another season!

Later on, “3 Body Problem” by Netflix, which received much praise, was given a green light for more episodes in May. Initially, these were referred to as just “additional episodes,” supposedly wrapping up the series. However, recent reports from Netflix’s own publication, Tudum, suggest that there will be two more seasons.

Paul W. Downs’ first acting nomination

Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder were strong contenders for their nominations, but Paul W. Downs, a creator of “Hacks,” was an unexpected addition. In the first two seasons of the show, Downs played Jimmy LuSaque, a talent manager who remained calm amidst the drama caused by comedians. However, in the third season, he became more involved in the action and his interactions with assistant Kayla (Megan Stalter) added to the entertainment value. The creatively strongest season of “Hacks” was its third, and Downs, along with co-creators Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, wrote the best material for himself as well.

Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses” and “Loot” storm the Emmys with first-time nominations

As a longtime fan of gripping spy thrillers, I’m absolutely thrilled to share my excitement about Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses.” At first, the series premiered quietly in April 2022 with minimal fanfare. But as someone who appreciates well-crafted stories that unfold at their own pace, I’ve been captivated by this show.

As a longtime fan of comedy shows, I have seen my fair share of promising series that failed to deliver in their later seasons. However, I’m thrilled to report that “Loot,” led by the hilarious Maya Rudolph, is not one of them. In its second season, this Apple TV+ production generated a lot of buzz and goodwill, leaving me eagerly anticipating each new episode.

In total, Apple TV+ had an impressive morning with 70 nominations, ranking just behind Netflix, FX, and HBO/Max. These nominations are significant and so is the notable success of “Palm Royale,” starring Kristen Wiig, in the comedy categories.

Imelda Staunton in for “The Crown”

In the fifth instalment of “The Crown” on Netflix, Imelda Staunton made history by not receiving an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II. Previously, both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman, who played the role before her, had been recognized with Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Despite mixed reviews for the sixth and final season, Staunton, an acclaimed actress and Oscar nominee for “Vera Drake,” received a nomination as a farewell nod. However, the most promising chance for the show to win an Emmy lies with Elizabeth Debicki’s performance as Princess Diana in the supporting actress category.

“Unfrosted” gets a TV movie nomination

As a film enthusiast, I’ve got to admit that I was quite disappointed with Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix film “Unfrosted.” The movie, which tells the fictional and farcical story of the creation of Pop-Tarts, received a lot of criticism upon its release. According to Rotten Tomatoes, it only managed a 42% approval rating from critics. However, this number might not fully capture the intensity of the negative feedback. Seinfeld’s media tour for the film was less than enjoyable, with him focusing more on complaining about the current state of comedy instead of actually being funny himself. Despite all this, “Unfrosted” somehow made it into the race for recognition. It’s either a testament to Seinfeld’s enduring popularity from his ’90s comedy heyday, a reflection of the limited number of eligible films, or an indication that the critics were just off base. Regardless, let’s hope that this news brings a little cheer to Seinfeld!

Bowen Yang re-establishes the Emmys’ “SNL” actor streak

In the recent Emmys competition, no actors from the esteemed sketch program were recognized for the first time since 2008. Although Pedro Pascal and Quinta Brunson received guest-acting nominations for their hosting duties, the regular cast, which includes past nominees Bowen Yang and Kenan Thompson, was overlooked. The current selection process appears more varied, as last year’s supporting acting nominees originated from shows such as “Barry,” “Jury Duty,” and “Ted Lasso,” all ineligible for this round. However, returning acting nominee Yang can rejoice, along with executive producer Lorne Michaels, who begins the show’s 50th season with the assurance that “Saturday Night Live” hasn’t experienced a continuous Emmy drought.

Kristen Kish nominated for reality host

As a big fan of “Top Chef” and someone who has followed the show since its early seasons, I must admit that I was taken aback when I heard that Kristen Kish, the current host of the show, had been nominated for an Emmy Award. Don’t get me wrong; I think Kish is fantastic in her role as emcee, bringing a fresh energy and charisma to the show. But her predecessor, Padma Lakshmi, was such a beloved and decorated figure in the “Top Chef” universe that it feels like an unexpected turn.

“The Idol” is an Emmy nominee?!

HBO can take pride in the fact that their most criticized series in recent times, “The Idol,” received recognition despite its flaws. This problematic show, featuring The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp as they engaged in mind games to turn her into a revolutionary pop star, was nominated for its exceptional choreography. With this nomination, “The Idol” joins the ranks of “Physical,” along with two other highly nominated shows, “Only Murders in the Building” and “Palm Royale.” For those who enjoy the unpredictability of chaos (and undoubtedly those who watched every episode of “The Idol”), the prospect of this controversial series winning an Emmy is an intriguing possibility.

“Hot Ones” frozen out by TV Academy

The Emmy nomination hopes for “Hot Ones,” the popular YouTube show where celebrities eat progressively spicier chicken wings while being interviewed by Sean Evans, came to an end. Despite their application to be considered in the Emmys’ talk series category, they surprisingly missed out on a nomination. This is certainly unexpected and unjust!

Next year, “Hot Ones” may need to bring out the Da Bomb Beyond Insanity as a threat. Jennifer Lawrence could potentially take the stand on behalf of the prosecution.

2024-07-17 20:18