Barring the possibility that a SAG-AFTRA strike (running concurrently with the writers’ strike) could very literally sling the Emmys as far into the future as January 2024 (creating an Emmys/Oscars head-on collision that will throw awards seasons into a tizzy), this year did not disappoint in creating some last-fume buzz for some of the most-beloved shows in TV history, as well as room for some vibrant new blood.
TheWrap takes a look at some of the biggest ooohs, ahhhs and wows from the July 12 Emmy nominations reveal, running down snubs and surprises from the inclusion of the Freevee series “Jury Duty” to the exclusion of Harrison Ford and Rachel Weisz. See the complete nominees list here.
Tune in to the 75th annual ceremony on Sept. 18, when it will air live coast-to-coast at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Fox.
SURPRISE: “Jury Duty”
That sound of jaws dropping you heard on Emmy nominations morning was the inclusion of teeny little Amazon Freevee’s much-acclaimed docu-comedy making the cut for Best Comedy Series. It is the first-ever Emmy nod for the newbie network and prime proof that the buzzy word-of-mouth paid off for the rookie series.
SNUB: Harrison Ford
After the underperformance of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and now a double Emmy rejection for both “1923” and “Shrinking” (where he was the front-runner to possibly even win an Emmy), the Hollywood legend will just have to settle for being a superstar and basically the greatest-looking 80 year-old alive.
SURPRISE: Dominique Fishback
Fishback was on a lot of lists to be sure, and she’s utterly outstanding, but darkly comic gore vibes aren’t always Emmys’ thing (see the very next entry). Kudos to nominators for recognizing a to-be-reckoned-with genre entry, but boos to…
SNUB: Rachel Weisz
Weisz gave two incredibly nuanced and impressive performances in Amazon’s “Dead Ringers” (which sadly only scored one craft nomination for cinematography), and she promoted the hell out of this blissfully out-there series. What does she have to do to get nominated? Three leading performances?
SURPRISE: “Welcome to Chippendales” Scores
Shrewd predictors had anticipated Murray Bartlett getting in, but the entire principal cast (including Kumail Nanjiani, Annaleigh Ashford and Juliette Lewis, the latter head-scratchingly not recognized for “Yellowjackets”) was nominated, as well as the limited series itself despite somewhat middling reviews.
SNUB: “Black Bird” for Limited Series
Despite three major acting nominations (including the late Ray Liotta, pictured), this hugely acclaimed miniseries failed to get nominated for the first time in the TV awards realm. This one seemed like a no-brainer given the less frenetic limited/anthology landscape this year, but “Black Bird” got caged.
SURPRISE: Queen Elizabeth II’s reign is over temporarily
Following Emmy wins by predecessors Claire Foy and Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II, poor Imelda Staunton couldn’t even rate a nomination for her latter-day royal. But don’t fret, she’s got another shot next year when the blockbuster Netflix series returns in the fall.
SNUB: The cast of “House of the Dragon”
Quite unlike the litany of acting noms for HBO’s “Game of Thrones” over the years, the follow-up prequel series failed to score a single acting nomination despite getting into the crowded Best Drama Series category. Guess they’ll need to send out the White Walkers.
SNUB: Selena Gomez and Steve Martin
Not only was Gomez left out of the comedic actress race for the second year in a row, but co-star Martin also did not make the cut for either acting or writing, leaving Martin Short to hold the “Only Murders in the Building” acting banner this year. Gomez, however, is a show producer and her music doc “My Mind & Me” was recognized for writing, so her presence is still felt.
SURPRISE: The “Succession” and “White Lotus” casts are unstoppable
Much like last year’s acting tidal wave from both HBO juggernauts, this year the four dramatic acting categories are 56% comprised of actors from only these two series. (Last year, the supporting actor-actress rate from these was 94%.) But given one will be seen no longer (goodbye, Roy family), look for a whole bunch of spots to free up next year.
SNUB: Christina Ricci
Despite being nominated last year and going all-out with stellar work in the second season of “Yellowjackets”, Ricci (along with all co-stars besides nominee Melanie Lynskey) had to sit this one out. It’s enough to make poor Misty misty.
