The nominees for this year’s Emmy Awards are in, and while those who didn’t make the cut are licking their wounds through forced smiles, the people who’ll now move on to the Big Game are gushing with appreciation.
Of course, it’s always an honor just to be nominated. But it’s also a thrill. And yet somehow also humbling. In short, a potpourri of goose bump-inducing emotions.
But just how honored, thankful, grateful, thrilled and humbled are the nominees? Read on for a cavalcade of gratitude.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Comedy Series and others for “Veep”:
“As President, my staff and I are too busy doing the people’s business to watch television. Nonetheless, we are thrilled to be a part of this celebration of creativity. (Go Jon Hamm!)”
Ricky Gervais, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie, “Derek:”
“It will be an honour to lose to someone other than Jim Parsons for a change.”
Michael Kelly, Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, “House of Cards” told TheWrap the moment he found out about the nomination:
“It’s the greatest thing, we’re on season 4, and I was in a scene with Kevin [Spacey], and Kevin was like, ‘They’re announcing!’ so we went to his trailer and we were just high-fiving when Kevin and Robin [Wright] got a nomination. […] We were about to start filming the scene again and the show’s writer’s came in and just said, ‘Congratulations to everyone — the show is nominated, Kevin was nominated, Robin was nominated, and YOU!’ And he just turned to me. I couldn’t believe it, I just feel so blessed to share that moment with them. There’s no way that this is possible without them. It was a special moment and I’ll never forget it.”
Jimmy Fallon, Outstanding Variety Series Talk and Outstanding Interactive Program, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”:
“So honored to be nominated for an Emmy. I love being part of the American tradition of late night comedy … that people watch the next day on their phone after a brief yogurt commercial.”
Tituss Burgess, Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” told TheWrap his immediate reaction:
“I sobbed uncontrollably because I never thought I’d be nominated, because the Emmys are so important. This is amazing. I mean, I don’t win anything. I don’t get nominated for things. It just blew my mind.”
Heidi Klum, Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program, Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, “Project Runway”:
“We are thrilled to be nominated for ‘Project Runway’ as we kick off our 14th season of the show! Thank you to all of our Project Runway fans!”
Beau Willimon, multiple nominations for “House of Cards”:
“Everyone at ‘House of Cards’ is thrilled by our nominations. Kevin, Robin and Michael were all on set when we found out. That triumvirate poured themselves into Season 3, along with all the folks behind the camera who make this show what it is. I’m especially happy for Michael Kelly. This is his first nomination and so well deserved. It’s always an honor to be recognized by our peers. It motivates us to keep making the show better. And congrats to Netflix for all its other nominations. We’re proud to be part of the Netflix family.”
Viola Davis, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, “How to Get Away With Murder”:
“This is an incredible honor and I am extraordinarily grateful.”
Tim Gunn, Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program, “Project Runway”:
“I’m ecstatic about our nominations. It’s always a thrill to hear your name, and show, mentioned in such stellar company.”
Sarah Paulson, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or A Movie, “American Horror Story: Freak Show” shared her immediate reaction with TheWrap:
“I screamed. I always tend to scream a little bit. I can’t help it. I’m like a five year old. I sort of yelped with joy, and then it was very quickly followed by the excitement about how many nominations the show got… Sometimes not everyone gets in, so it was just so wonderful to see how much love the show got. I felt very proud to be a part of it.”
Jane Lynch, Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program, “Hollywood Game Night”:
“I couldn’t be more honored with this nomination or more grateful to all the celebrities and regular folk who show up every week game to play! And almost certainly make a fool out of themselves.”
Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, “The Last Man on Earth”:
“We are so happy for our dear friend Will Forte. His genius is to make us laugh and think and care all at the same time. We feel really lucky to receive this directing nomination, but even luckier to work with such a talented group of actors, writers, editors and filmmakers as we did on Last Man, including our fellow nominee editor Stacey Schroeder. They made us look really good, and they made it one of the most enjoyable filmmaking experiences of our lives. We’re filling up the margarita pool to celebrate.”
Gareth Neame, Outstanding Drama Series, “Downton Abbey”:
“We’re very proud of the most recent season of ‘Downton Abbey’ and are so appreciative that the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has chosen to honor the Downton team in this way. On behalf of all those who bring to life the saga of the Crawley family and those who serve them, thank you for recognizing our show for a fifth consecutive season.”
Christina Hendricks, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama, “Man Men” told TheWrap sixth time might be the charm:
“You always have hope. I want to win, sure, of course. It’s my last year on the show. I’d love for my work and the character to be acknowledged.”
Robert Herjavec, Outstanding Structured Reality Program, ‘Shark Tank’:
“I am thrilled that ‘Shark Tank’ was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Structured Reality Program. We take such pride in promoting entrepreneurship and it’s incredible to see this show support the growth of small business in America. Congratulations to my fellow Sharks- Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary and Barbara Corcoran, the brilliant crew and production teams!”
Finn Wittrock, Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or A Movie, “American Horror Story: Freak Show” told TheWrap his immediate reaction:
“I was like, ‘no way!’ I don’t know, I think I’ll talk to some press and then I’ll go to dinner with my wife. She told me that I got it — this morning, I was kind of like, ‘I don’t want to know.’ I was making scrambled eggs and there was a long pause, and she sort of screamed, ‘you got it!’ It’s been good morning.”
Lori Greiner, Outstanding Structured Reality Program, “Shark Tank”:
“I am so excited that ‘Shark Tank’ was nominated today … The strength and entrepreneurial expertise of my colleagues — Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Kevin O’Leary and Barbara Corcoran — along with our incredible teams at ABC and Sony Pictures Television and the amazing Mark Burnett and Clay Newbill, make it one of the smartest reality shows in television today. The constantly increasing popularity of the show proves to me that entrepreneurship and the pursuit of the of the American Dream are thriving, more than ever.”
Matt LeBlanc, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, “Episodes”:
“I’m really honored to be considered again and I’m especially proud of our writers Jeffrey Klarik and David Crane for their well-deserved nomination. We are all flattered that the voters have kept ‘Episodes’ in mind since we were on so early in the year. A heartfelt thank you to Showtime for all their support these past four seasons.”
Timothy Hutton, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series, “American Crime” told TheWrap how he’ll celebrate:
“I don’t know yet. A couple of friends called, and there might be a dinner in the works later on. For the afternoon, I’m probably doing to take my son and his friend fishing. And on a day like this, it doesn’t matter if we get skunked.”
Lisa Kudrow, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, “The Comeback”
“It was just, ‘Yay! That’s good! That’s extra!’ To celebrate — I don’t know, I might go out with some people from ‘The Comeback’ tonight. Maybe. Or stay home. [Laughs]”
Michael McDonald, Outstanding Limited Series, “American Crime”:
“When John and I started on this journey, we wanted to present a show that spoke the truth about race and faith in America today. We are beyond honored that the Academy members recognized our amazing cast and crew who shared their own personal truths to make this project happen. We cannot thank ABC and Paul Lee enough for being so brave to bring these stories to broadcast television.”
Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna, Outstanding Music Composition for a Series and Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music, “Tyrant”:
“We are thrilled with our double nomination for this very timely and epic middle eastern drama. Unlike the brothers in ‘Tyrant,’ neither of us is presently (*spoiler alert*) planning fratricide and a power-grab. It’s a blast working with Howard Gordon, Glenn Caron and Chris Keyser, in creating the world of ‘Tyrant.’”
Don Cheadle, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, “House of Lies”:
“7 nominees? Clearly men in comedy is SO much more weighty and important than any other sex or category. You’re welcome, America.”
David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, “Episodes”: “When Matt [LeBlanc] called to congratulate us this morning, we assumed it was to thank us for his nomination. It took us a few seconds to register that he was actually talking about us! It really caught us both off guard. Now that it’s begun to sink in, I’m feeling kind of nauseous and as happy as the Zoloft allows me to be. David is very happy, excited and proud – as well as slightly concerned at how disconnected I am from my feelings. I guess for me the best part of all this is that the nomination comes from our fellow writers. Because only they can appreciate what a grinding, frustrating, mostly joyless, self-loathing process comedy writing can be.”
Lesli Linka Glatter, Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, “Homeland”:
“I’m just stunned and thrilled by this nomination and delighted for the show!”