The 77th Emmy Nominations Are Here
My unfiltered thoughts as the noms were released
Television viewers unite. The 77th Emmy award nominations have arrived and yikes these noms are really making me feel like I watch way too much TV. As your seasoned culture girlie, this is good news for you. In my defense, I don’t feel that my screen time is atrocious. Keep in mind the Emmy nominations window is relevant to shows that aired from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025. That is a lot of time to sit on the couch and watch something. During part of that window I was training for a marathon and my post long run “I can't move right now” TV time was sacred to me.
I am happy to report that I really have seen a lot of these shows in their entirety. The small screen is here to stay and sadly multiple streaming services are needed to get your fill.
I get pumped up about award shows the same way I get pumped about a scrumptious bite of food or when a great song comes on or when a player makes a clutch 3-pointer. I present to you my unfiltered thoughts as the Emmy nominations rolled in. It is a bit chaotic and slightly edited for clarity but speaks to how my mind works and what I’m excited about.
During the live broadcast:
Stephen Graham Emmy nominee! Wow I forgot about Adolescence (Netflix) but what a brilliant watch
The Penguin (HBO Max) hive rise! Colin Farrell is taking the trophy. Cristin Milioti too!
Forgot about Presumed Innocent too (Apple) - Jake was good though
Uzo in for The Residence (Netflix) wow that was a long shot!!
3/5 women in best actress comedy are black. I know that’s right!!! Is this historic? Need to research this! *researched - it is the 2nd time this has occurred* Rooting for everybody black obviously but still think Jean will get it
White boys dominating comedy lead ugh
Honestly the clips from Abbott Elementary (ABC) and Hacks (HBO Max) are hilarious. This is a clear sign that they should be tied for Best Comedy. I have no time for comedy clips that aren’t funny!
Why is comedy always read out first with drama being the main event? Respect for comedy. I’m so over the prestige of drama
Paradise (Hulu) cmon!!! Sterling with the nom!
Is Pedro really the lead actor on The Last of Us season 2 though? Whatever - I would die for him regardless of category fraud
NOAH WYLE EMMY NOMINEE NOAH WYLE EMMY NOMINEE
Britt Lower! - low key forgot about Severance (Apple) too even though I was locked in when it aired. The TV cycle is crazy. Once that finale hits, my brain moves on
White ladies dominating drama lead. Need to check the diversity numbers this year…..
Paradise for drama series!!
THE PITT THE PITT THE PITT THE PITT THE PITT
I gotta watch Slow Horses (Apple) but it’s had so many seasons. I’m already so behind….
Wait no White Lotus (HBO Max) noms in lead???? But they got drama series recognition. Hang on - are they campaigning all actors in supporting?
They really should share the supporting and guest nominations in the live announcement. Oscar noms are read in two big chunks. They should just release more live…..again the disrespect. No shade to Brenda and Harvey though they did a great job announcing!
As my last bullet point illustrates, the Emmy nominations live announcement really only shares a tiny iota of the full list of nominees. There are nominations for supporting acting, guest performances, writing, directing, casting, music, costumes, narration, voiceover, visual effects, makeup and styling, cinematography, camera-work etc. as well as recognition of variety specials, short-form shows and live performances that aired on TV. It is a lot to unpack. The Full Emmy Nominations press release file from the Television Academy is 68 pages.
As I scrolled through those 68 pages, here were some other thoughts:
Colman Domingo!!! Bowen Yang!! Supporting Actor Comedy is a great line up honestly. And Jeff Hiller from Somebody Somewhere (HBO Max) got in wow
Hannah Einbinder better win this year!!! But I also want Janelle from Abbott to win because she is so damn funny jeez. Good line up and Kathryn Hahn for The Studio (Apple) is a great pick. No Megan Statler though - sad!! No Ego from SNL - sad!!
5/6 noms for guest actor comedy are for The Studio. The guests and cameos for that show went so crazy. I’m surprised Jon Bernthal even got in (especially because his role is not comedic). Martin Scorsese with his first Emmy nomination for acting is bringing me such happiness - he’s so iconic YES MARTY I NEED HIM TO WIN. He was sooooo good!
Guest actress comedy also a good lineup. Omg Robby Hoffman for Hacks!! That’s an awesome surprise. Cynthia Erivo! Zoe Kravitz!
Aw no Paul Downs from Hacks for supporting. Damn well at least he is recognized for writing. Jimmy and Kayla are really the backbone of the show though.
Quinta Brunson in for writing too! I’m rooting for Abbott and Hacks for comedy writing. Adolescence will get writing for limited series. White Lotus’s best chance for a trophy is for writing honestly.
Wait - the love for Paradise is sending me! James Marsden supporting actor drama lets go! That’s my Corny Collins for life! Here come The White Lotus people! Sam Rockwell should be in guest actor but alas love him and his monologue was one of the best moments of Season 3. Trammel Tillman got in for Severance thank god. No Patrick Schwarzenegger for White Lotus. I actually thought he was quite good and his character had the best arc. Sam Rockwell took his spot.
KATHERINE LANASA yes CARRIE COON yes - Supporting actress drama is a strong category.
Julianne Nicholson double nominee - one in comedy and one in drama. Well deserved and the performances are so vastly different wow! Paradise we are up!
Joe Pantoliano for guest spot in The Last of Us. Such a short scene but made a big impact and pivotal moment plot wise as well. Huge! Never count out someone who was on The Sopranos
Catherine O’Hara double nominee - for comedy and drama. A queen.
I had a feeling Jane Alexander would make the cut for Severance but Merritt Weaver and Gwendoline Christie too. The guest nominations are always the most juicy and fun!! I think I’m rooting for Merritt here.
Owen Cooper omg that sweet wee boy is an Emmy nominee. Acting masterclass in Adolescence. He is gonna take the trophy no doubt
My boy Ashley Walters is an Emmy nominee - redemption for Dushane Hill from Top Boy fam
Peter Sarsgaard was really good in Presumed Innocent. God I hated his character. He always delivers. Glad he got recognized here.
Deirdre O’Connell getting a nom for supporting actress limited series for The Penguin is one of the best decisions the television academy has ever made
Will & Harper and Martha docs for Netflix are Emmy-nominated!
Wow also Ayo Edebiri nominated for directing “Napkins” episode of The Bear - a great episode
“Chikhai Bardo” episode of Severance was so gorgeous. I’m glad it got the directing nod. “6:00PM” episode of The Pitt is also so well directed. Strong category.
Just now realizing there are no Saturday Night Live guest nominations wow! Usually one host sneaks in. Sorry to Season 50
Jeffrey Wright also double nominee (voiceover and guest acting) I adore him
I really wish there was an ensemble award or best cast style award!!! It is hard to see a few performances get singled out when you know the scene work is so dynamic because of the actors around/opposite you.
BEYONCE KNOWLES-CARTER IS A DOUBLE EMMY NOMINEE FOR DIRECTING BEYONCE BOWL and AS A PRODUCER FOR LIVE VARIETY SPECIAL (BEYONCE BOWL) - THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME
Now to wrap up this post, I wanted to highlight a few Emmy nom fun facts:
This year’s nominations had the largest Television Academy voter turn out!
Kathy Bates is now the oldest nominee ever in the Lead Actress Drama category at 77 years old - passing Angela Lansbury! That’s some good company. What legends! Kathy is nominated for her work on CBS’s Matlock.
Harrison Ford earned his first Emmy nomination this year at 83 years old for his work in the comedy Shrinking. It’s never too late folks!! Stay grinding! That’s Indiana Jones baby!
Owen Cooper is now the youngest nominee for Supporting Actor Limited Series at 15 years old! His role of Jamie on Adolescence was his first acting role ever.
Ayo Edebiri is the first woman to be nominated for acting in a comedy series and directing a comedy series in the same year (though I do not believe The Bear is a comedy)
2 Academy Award winning directors are now Emmy nominated for acting for the first time in their careers - Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard. I don’t think people realize how hard it is to play a satirized version of yourself!
There are 2 black nominees in the Supporting Actor Drama Series category - Zach Cherry and Tramell Tillman from Severance. A black actor has never won this category! Here’s hoping history is made this year!
Noah Wyle’s last Emmy nomination was 26 years ago in the Supporting Actor Drama category for his work as Dr. John Carter on NBC’s E.R. A reminder to keep it going and keep the faith - the right project will come! He is now back in action on The Pitt, playing a different doctor in the Lead Actor category. He is aging like a fine wine.
Despite her extensive TV resume including the critically acclaimed Veronica Mars and The Good Place, Kristen Bell is now a first time Emmy nominee for her work in Netflix’s Nobody Wants This. She should’ve been nominated for her Gossip Girl voiceover as far as I’m concerned!
Awards shows highlight a wonderful array of talent. I am inspired and motivated by this year's first time Emmy nominees. There is such range this year! Feeling seen and recognized in your industry is a gift. Having said that, so much great work gets overlooked. There are shows that don’t get taken seriously or haven’t found their groove or a fevered audience or fit the “prestige television’ model or their distributor just didn’t market them correctly. Whatever you watch - from reality TV (I know some of you readers watched Love Island religiously) to the latest true crime drama, own up to what you watch and spread the word! Word of mouth is the undercurrent of the creative industry especially now that there are so many ways to watch. It is an honor just to get nominated. But it is also just an honor to work as an actor, director, writer and have your show greenlit and seen by even a select few.
Catch the 77th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14th on CBS and Paramount + at 8PM EST. I’ll be watching so you don’t have to.