Once again, what’s most surprising about the2017 Emmy nominationsis how unsurprising they really are — in both good and bad ways. In aGame of ThronesandDownton Abbey-less world (due to its schedule,Game of Thronesis ineligible for the Emmys this year), the drama field was wide-open for some new blood, and we got it. There was even some light inspiration among the comedy nominations, though notnearlyas much as there should have been. As for limited series, well, it wasn’t hard to guess who would get the nods there (almost all of which aligned with myWish List).
My thoughts on the nominations are below, but let us know in the comments what inclusions or omissions made you happy, sad, angry, etc.
The Surprises
Let’s talk about the good stuff first, though they may not all be specifically surprises. FX’s weirdo comedies all were recognized:Zach GalifianakisandLouie AndersonforBaskets,Pamela AdlonforBetter Things, and a slew of awards forDonald Glover’sAtlanta(though there were some snubs there — I’ll come back to it), showing that innovation is still valued at some level at the Emmys.
With the acting noms, it’s always great to see actors who really give a lot to a role getting awards-related attention for it, even if the material sometimes let them down. This year, that led to a few quasi-surprise noms likeEllie KemperforUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and all of the greatWestworldfolks likeThandie Newton,Evan Rachel Wood, andJeffrey Wright(No one is surprised byAnthony Hopkins). And though we knewSterling K. Brownwas a shoo-in forThis Is Us, I’m happy to seeMilo VentimigliaandChrissy Metzget nods as well. If we’re going to all board theThis Is Ustrain, we might as well note that it’s a pretty great ensemble as well.
The biggest surprise in the best of ways wasBD WongforMr. Robot. I love it, it’s inspired, but it also reminds me thatMr. Robotgotzilchfor the rest of Season 2. The mighty have certainly fallen! It’s a shame, becauseRami Malekwas still great, andGrace Gummerwas a particular stand-out, but sometimes auteur’s need oversight … and the actors paid the price for that mistake this year.
There was some creative categorization this year as well, withAlexis Bledelbeing named as a guest actor rather than supporting onThe Handmaid’s Tale(Corrected from earlier:Samira Wileywas nominated as in the Supporting category, rightfully!)Both were fantastic, and Hulu must have thought it had a better chance there for Bledel (and they probably do). But I’m also very happy to seeAlison Wrightrecognized forThe Americansas a (surprise) guest on this last season. Those women made a significant impact on the shows they’re nominated for, which is what the guest category should be about (whereasShannon Purseras Barb is more controversial). Lord knows I loveBen Mendelsohn, but being nominated forBloodline(again) this year was a joke. We get it, you guys missed the boat on him being incredible in Season 1 but … give up the ghost. Literally.
There’s also the little oddity ofBlack Mirror’s “San Junipero” being nominated in the “TV Movie” category, which was split off from Limited Series this year (since limited series are now a big thing again). So that, evidently, is how we’re dealing with episodic anthologies. However, I’m not mad — “San Junipero” was better than a lot of theatrical releases last year, not to mention traditional TV movies.
Quick note on other people I’m happy to see nominated: EverythingAmericans,Hugh Laurie(Veep),David Harbor(Stranger Things),John Lithgow(The Crown),Millie Bobby Brown(Stranger Things),David Thewlis(Fargo), everyone fromFeud: Bette and JoanandBig Little Lies.
Miscellaneous nominations that I’m ok with:Tom Hanksfor David S. Pumpkins, essentially.Matthew RhysforGirls(he was very good!), butRiz AhmedforGirlsis definitely a stretch. Also, congrats to NatGeo for its Emmy-baitGeniusseries which I thought was just ok, but did what it was designed to do.
Ok :cracks knuckles: now it’s time to rage. I’ll start with comedy and withFleabag. Not only one of the best comedies, but one of the best series of last year, with a star (Phoebe Waller-Coates) who was hilarious and devastating and in need of a nomination for Lead Actress. Then there isZazie Beetz, who absolutely deserved to be in Supporting Actress category for her relatable performance onAtlanta. The women ofSNLare great, but arguably not as great as Beetz andJane Krakowski, who stole the third season ofUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidtwith some of her best and funniest work since30 Rock. I’m also mad thatBrian Tyree Henrydidn’t get a Supporting Actor nod forAtlanta, though I’m slightly appeased that he got a random nomination forThis Is Usas a Guest Actor. Sure, fine. And while I love everyVeepactor,Timothy Simonshas been killing it these last two seasons, yes maybe even more thanMatt WalshwhichI hate to say, but I guess we can’t have a list full ofVeepstars. Or can we?
Now onto drama. NoMichael McKeanfor Best Supporting Actor? The episode “Chicanery” gets nominated, but nothing for McKean? That episode doesn’t doesn’t exist without him. McKean was stunning this season as a man at war not only with his brother but with himself, which led to a show-stopping finale. Huge miss on that one. And I knowVera Farmigamostly played her own corpse onBates Motel, but by golly she was fabulous doing it. That series really came into its own in these last two seasons, especially forFreddie Highmore. Nothing for them?
We now come to TheCarrie CoonIssue, whereLeftoversfans are going to be screaming about her lack of a nomination (or any nominations for that show). She was good inFargo, and probably better inThe Leftovers, but two nominations in major acting categories was probably too much to hope for. The choice was made forFargo, but the truth is that there’s no way she wins it — the limited series category for Lead Actress is exceptionally stacked with better roles.
Speaking of full shutouts likeThe Leftovers,Rectifydidn’t see anything either. One of the most finely wrought and best-acted dramas on television that has never gotten its proper due, I was hoping that in its final season it might get some Emmy love. Nope. Nothing major for the visually stunningLegion, either, which was anchored by great performances. And nada for the also overlookedWhite Princessminiseries on Starz, which deserved to be recognized in every limited series category.
Miscellaneous thought: I also just want to say that I feel a little bad for Mandy Moore. It’s tough year for the Lead Actress category, and I won’t go so far as to say she wassnubbed(because I think a lot ofThis Is Us— the first broadcast show to be nominated in many, many years, got way too much play in these Emmys), but the fact that literally every other major actor on that show was given something and she got nothing is unfortunate for her, because she was certainly on par with their performances.
The Snoozes
IsSilicon Valleybecoming the newModern Family? Speaking of, enough withModern Family. There were so many great, bold, inspired comedies this year that deserved more recognition, butModern FamilyandSilicon Valleywere not two of them. Yes they are consistently ok, but this isn’t a category that was jonesin’ for good nominees (Baskets,Detroiters,Man Seeking Woman,Speechless,Catastrophe,Fleabag, andSearch Partyto name but afew).
And then there’sHouse of Cards, which just faced down its own uninspired season, taking on the mantle ofDownton Abbeyor other “legacy” dramas that Emmy voters feel like they should vote for, but probably don’t still really watch or care about. I mean noLegion, really?And I’ll grant this wasn’t the best season ofThe Americans, butThis Is Usinstead? I get that you want to rewards broadcast dramas for actually being decent, but I don’t forget how you shutHannibalout for so many years. The drama category this year feels like “well, I hear people like it!” And if you’re going to go that route, maybe actually consider a superhero show or two — there were some good opportunities withLegionandLuke Cage(the latter of which had some great actors even if the material wasn’t great).
Also,Sherlock… come on.Benedict CumberbatchI get and I’m on board with, but this was one of the worst and most poorly plotted (and executed) seasons of that show.The White Princessdemands a recount.
The Emmy Awards air live on CBS on September 17th, withStephen Colberthosting.
