The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations, announced on July 17, brought some expected outcomes and surprises. While perennial favorites like "The Crown" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" maintained their presence, there was also room for newer shows to shine, filling slots left open by departing series like "Succession" and "Ted Lasso."
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| 'Reservation Dogs' SHANE BROWN/FX |
Among the returning favorites were shows like "Abbott Elementary," "Only Murders in the Building," and "The Bear." These nominations reflected a mix of correcting past oversights and continuing to recognize ongoing excellence in television.
However, the nominations also highlighted the ongoing challenges with the Emmy categorization system, where some shows benefited from unconventional genre classifications while others faced the consequences of possibly questionable decisions.
Overall, the nominations presented an opportunity for the Academy to redefine the Emmy landscape, albeit with a blend of expected choices and intriguing new additions.
Reservation Dogs has made a significant impact with its representation and storytelling, culminating in its deserved recognition at this year's Emmy Awards. The series, created by Sterlin Harjo, has garnered its first-ever outstanding comedy series nomination, marking a milestone achievement for its empathetic and often humorous portrayal of Indigenous life.
In addition to the outstanding comedy series nomination, Reservation Dogs received nods in multiple other categories. Mark Schwartzbard was recognized for his cinematography on the powerful episode "Deer Lady," which tackled the difficult subject of crimes at Native boarding schools. Editors Patrick Tuck and Varun Viswanath were also honored for their work on "Dig," the series finale known for its joyful conclusion.
Notably, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai earned his first Emmy nomination for lead actor in a comedy, acknowledging his portrayal of a character navigating complex personal growth throughout the series' 28 episodes.
Overall, Reservation Dogs' success at the Emmys underscores its cultural significance and artistic achievement, celebrating Indigenous voices and stories in a profound and meaningful way.
It's understandable to have mixed feelings about the Emmy nominations, especially when a show as significant as Reservation Dogs receives recognition in some areas but not in others. While the series achieved notable nominations, there were also notable omissions that reflect ongoing challenges in representation and recognition in the industry.
Ethan Hawke's guest performance in the "Elora's Dad" episode was widely praised, and many felt he deserved a nomination for his layered portrayal. Similarly, Devery Jacobs' performance and Sterlin Harjo's direction in that episode were also seen as deserving of Emmy recognition.
One of the most significant oversights noted is the lack of recognition for the show's casting, which played a crucial role in authentically representing Native communities and showcasing a diverse ensemble cast. The casting choices of Reservation Dogs have been groundbreaking, not only in their inclusivity but also in their commitment to telling stories that reflect Indigenous experiences accurately.
It's often challenging for shows to regain Emmy voters' attention after initial seasons, despite evolving and improving over time. This entrenched pattern can sometimes overlook the growth and accomplishments of shows that continue to push boundaries and deliver exceptional storytelling.
Overall, while there is disappointment in some aspects of the nominations, Reservation Dogs' recognition at the Emmys remains a significant step forward for Indigenous representation in television. The ongoing conversation around its snubs highlights the broader need for continued progress and recognition of diverse voices in the industry.
It's intriguing to see how shows like Slow Horses and The Gilded Age made significant strides in this year's Emmy nominations after initially flying under the radar. Slow Horses, propelled by Gary Oldman's standout performance and its overall improvement in the third season, garnered nine nominations, including nods for drama series, lead actor, supporting actor, and writing and directing categories. This recognition comes after previous seasons, while good, didn't quite capture the same attention.
Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, and Kristin Scott Thomas are also noted as deserving of recognition, alongside Jack Lowden, for their performances in Slow Horses, showcasing the depth of talent in the series.
Similarly, The Gilded Age, Julian Fellowes' exploration of 19th-century societal tensions, saw nominations for drama series and acting categories, including Carrie Coon and Christine Baranski. The series' success in landing these nominations reflects its timing in delivering a notable increase in quality that resonated with Emmy voters.
These developments underscore how the Emmy landscape can shift when shows find their stride and deliver compelling performances and narratives that resonate with audiences and critics alike. It's a testament to the evolving nature of television storytelling and the opportunities for recognition that emerge as series evolve and improve over time.
The 2024 Emmy nominations brought some overdue recognition for previously overlooked actors and series, while also reflecting some familiar patterns in awards recognition.
Selena Gomez finally earned a nomination alongside Martin Short and Steve Martin for Only Murders in the Building, Maya Rudolph received recognition for Loot's second season after being snubbed for the first, and Matt Berry scored a breakthrough nomination for FX's What We Do in the Shadows.
However, amidst the fresh faces, there were instances of typical Emmy habits. The Crown, despite a final season that received mixed reviews, garnered 18 nominations. This included nominations for Claire Foy's brief cameo and Lesley Manville's limited dialogue in a single episode, as well as placing Dominic West in the lead actor category.
This setup sets up a potential clash between McNulty and Stringer Bell (Idris Elba's Hijack role) for an Emmy. While West's performance in The Crown was commendable, many felt it overshadowed Dark Winds star Zahn McClarnon's omission, which was disappointing.
Another notable trend was the flexibility in genre classifications. Despite debates over whether certain shows fit into their designated categories, few were penalized for their placements. For instance, The Bear, initially seen as a comedy despite its third season's mixed reception, dominated with 23 nominations, showcasing the industry's willingness to embrace varied interpretations of genre.
FX and Apple TV+ had standout mornings with the 2024 Emmy nominations, showcasing a mix of expected successes and surprising choices.
FX's decision to move Shōgun into the drama series category paid off handsomely with 25 nominations, indicating strong momentum for the James Clavell adaptation. Tadanobu Asano and Takehiro Hira received deserved nominations, though the omission of the series' supporting actresses was notably overlooked. Meanwhile, Fargo made a notable comeback with 15 nominations, benefitting from a less crowded limited/miniseries field.
Apple TV+ also had a successful outing, particularly with Palm Royale garnering 11 nominations despite its tonal complexities. The Morning Show continued to shine with multiple nominations, although some critics found the four nominations in the supporting actress category excessive.
Amazon also surprised with its nominations haul, especially with Fallout receiving technical nominations alongside a drama series nod. Walton Goggins' nomination for lead actor was both humorous and well-deserved, highlighting his versatility, even in roles where he looks quite different, such as in a role resembling a suppurating red skull. The decision to classify Mr. & Mrs. Smith as a drama, despite debates on its genre, proved successful with 16 nominations. This included nods for drama series, guest actors, and stars Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, underscoring Amazon's strategic choice.
The 2024 Emmy nominations brought both highlights and disappointments across various series and categories, reflecting a mix of expected outcomes and surprising omissions.
Showtime's decision to categorize The Curse as a drama did not resonate well with voters, resulting in the series being shut out entirely despite its sharp satire on white privilege, liberal guilt, and reality TV. Emma Stone, in particular, faced the consequences of this misalignment. The competitive nature of the limited series category also posed challenges, with strong contenders like Apple's Lessons in Chemistry dominating affection.
HBO, known for its powerhouse productions, faced a subdued nomination outcome with single nods for The Regime and The Sympathizer. The latter's oversight of series star Hoa Xuande and the predominantly Asian cast in favor of Robert Downey Jr.'s performance highlighted a recurring theme where star power sometimes eclipses ensemble efforts.
Amidst these observations, there were notable achievements worth celebrating. Robert Elswit's nomination for Ripley's cinematography, Blue Eye Samurai's recognition in the animated program category, and Lamorne Morris' nod for Fargo all stood out as deserving acknowledgments. However, Maurizio Lombardi's absence in the supporting actor category for Ripley and the omission of Sam Spruell alongside Morris in Fargo were noted disappointments.
