Emmy Nominations 2018: An Incomplete (and Completely Biased) Roundup

I should have known that the nominations for this year’s Emmy Awards would be the spark that made me start writing again, television junkie that I am. Very quickly after going through the list, I decided that this post would be a preferred alternative to the barrage of social media posts that would plague my followers. Here then, are my thoughts on my favorite shows and actors that were (and weren’t) honored this year.

(Heads up this is not going to be spoiler free)

Game of Thrones

The famed HBO show leads the way this year with 22 nominations including Best Drama, which is not a surprise given its masterful acting, directing, special effects, music and more. Notably missing from the acting nominations were Kit Harrington and Emilia Clarke, who play Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen respectively. The reason for this, it turns out, is that the show tested out submitting the two as lead actors instead of supporting, as the show usually does for its ensemble cast. Unfortunately it didn’t work. Maybe next year they’ll switch them back to supporting actors, or maybe they will shine enough for the Television Academy to recognize them as leads worthy of their praise.

GOT did score three well-deserved noms under the supporting actor/actress label: Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jamie Lannister), and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister). As I’m typing this, it has just now occurred to me that all three hail from the same house – maybe the Lannisters will keep the Iron Throne after all. But I digress.

A fourth acting nomination comes from Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell for best guest actress in a drama. If you ask me, she earned a place in this category (and deserves to win it) solely for the line “Tell Cersei. I want her to know it was me,” and you can’t convince me otherwise.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention Ramin Djawadi’s nomination for music composition. He really does create amazing music, and I was only further convinced of this when I saw the live orchestra tour of the show’s soundtrack last year.

The Crown

I am always pulling for my favorite shows to win their nominations, but this year I’m crossing my fingers extra hard for The Crown. While the show is not ending – they are currently shooting season three and are renewed through season four – this is the last chance for the current actors to win awards for these roles. Due to recasting for age purposes, none of the four nominated will return with the show. Claire Foy will once again face Elizabeth Moss for best actress, but this year I hope the results flip and it is the character of Elizabeth who takes the crown (too punny?). I’m also rooting for both Matthew’s (Smith and Goode) in their lead and supporting actor categories respectively. Finally, Vanessa Kirby – she may be the one I am sad to lose from the show the most, and if there is any justice in this world she will win best supporting actress.

Orphan Black

So, remember how I said I want Claire Foy to win best actress? There’s one person in that category who complicates that statement: Tatiana Maslany. If I named all her characters we’d be here all day, but she is the lead of the BBC America show, and this is also her last chance to win for this role, as OB ended after five seasons last year. Now, Tatiana has won an Emmy for this show – she took home the prize in 2016. Claire has not won for the Crown or any other role so she wins my favor by an edge, but you won’t see me complaining if Tatiana is the one standing on stage.

Also, not that there needs to be any more competition in the supporting actress category, but I have to mention that Maria Doyle Kennedy really deserved a nomination for her role as Siobhan Sadler – mother and martyr to all. Her death was one of the most poignant moments of the season, and I wish she got more recognition for it.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

I. Love. This. Show. I was hoping it would get some nominations and it did – fourteen!! This is my first Amazon original show and I want everyone to watch it. Blessedly, lead Rachel Brosnahan (Miriam Maisel) is nominated for best actress in a comedy, and so I can root for her without complications. Alex Borstein has always been hilarious and she shines in this role – although she shares the supporting actress category with Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) so I am once again torn. Tony Shaloub (supporting actor) and Jane Lynch (guest actress) round out the acting nominations and they deserve them. I know not everyone has Amazon Prime, but get a free trial and binge this if you must – there are only eight episodes!

Miscellaneous thoughts about some other nominees:

• Lin-Manuel Miranda was a hilarious version of himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm, and he really deserves to win best guest actor in a comedy.

• Give Alec Baldwin all the Emmy’s for SNL. Yes I know he’s against Tony Shaloub but seriously.

• I haven’t watched The Looming Tower yet because I don’t have Hulu, but clearly it’s as good as it looks and is moving to the top of my watch list

• I’m not even sure if I want The Crown, Game of Thrones, or This is Us to win best drama, but lets face it – The Americans is probably going to win anyway

• I don’t watch Killing Eve, but I’ve heard Sandra Oh is masterful in it – and the first Asian woman to be nominated for a lead acting Emmy. Oh great, another deserving woman for best actress in a drama.

• Last Week Tonight is one of the most important news shows of our time – all while being billed as a late night talk show! Hoping it wins its categories.

Snubs

• One Day at a Time: I can’t say this show got zero nominations because it is up for “outstanding multi camera picture editing for a comedy series.” But, pretty much. This show has been at the forefront of tackling so many important issues, and it’s funny as hell. Head to Netflix and watch it if you’re unfamiliar

• Jane the Virgin: This one really did get zero noms. Five seasons in, this CW telenovela twist tends to fly under the radar, but it really is a gem. Like above, it makes you laugh, cry, and think.

• Mandy Moore and Chrissy Metz (This Is Us): Why all the love for the men and none for the women? These two broke our hearts and put them back together (especially when they shared a scene).

Honorable mention: Actors and shows I knew wouldn’t get nominated, but deserved to:

• Lana Parrilla (Once Upon a Time): Buried under an increasingly ridiculous show, Parrilla never got the recognition she deserved for her amazing performance. She carried that show on her back for seven seasons and always reflected the best of it.

• Timeless (NBC): I could write a whole other post about this show (and I might) but the cancelled cult favorite should have gotten some nods as it left, especially for lead trio Abigail Spencer, Matt Lanter and Malcolm Barrett. I could also make a case for many supporting actors/actresses but this is getting long enough already. But honestly, forget all of that. Mari-An Ceo not getting a costuming nom is a national embarrassment. The woman designed outfits for so many time periods and locations I can’t even count them all. It’s fine…I’m fine…

See the complete list of nominations here