Pittsburgh-set ‘This Is Us’ scores 11 Emmy nominations
Nominations for the 2017 Emmy Awards rewarded the new, especially in the drama category where five of the seven series nominated were newcomers, including Pittsburgh-set NBC drama “This Is Us.”
The series received 11 nominations total, including best drama, two for best actor in a drama (Sterling K. Brown and Milo Ventimiglia), supporting actress in a drama (Chrissy Metz), supporting actor in a drama (Ron Cephas Jones), three guest actor in a drama nominations (Denis O’Hare, Brian Tyree Henry and Gerald McRaney), casting, costumes and makeup.
NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” and HBO’s “Westworld” tied for the most nominated series (22 nods for each of them) with FX’s “Feud: Bette & Joan” and Netflix’s “Stranger Things” raking in 18 each.
HBO’s “Veep” (17 nominations) and “Big Little Lies” (16), FX’s “Fargo” (16), Netflix’s “The Crown” (13), Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” (13) and HBO’s “The Night Of” (13) were also among the most-honored TV series.
In the Peak TV era with more than 400 scripted shows debuting annually, there’s more good and maybe even more great TV than ever, but with so many shows some are bound to be overlooked — by both viewers and the Emmys. Series snubbed in major categories include “The Leftovers,” “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon,” “Insecure,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Mr. Robot” and “The Young Pope.”
Despite its critical acclaimed, filmed-in-Pittsburgh “Downward Dog” didn’t air enough episodes in the eligibility period to qualify for this year’s Emmys. Locally produced “Outsiders” didn’t score any Emmy love either.
The absence of “Game of Thrones,” which was not eligible this year because new episodes did not air between June 1, 2016, and May 31, 2017 (a new “GOT” season debuts at 9 p.m. Sunday on HBO), and the concluded “Downton Abbey” allowed some new blood to enter the drama race. Previously nominated “Better Call Saul” and “House of Cards” were joined by
newcomers “The Crown” (Netflix), “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu), “Stranger Things” (Netflix), “This Is Us” (NBC) and “Westworld” (HBO).
Among comedy series, broadcasters managed two of the seven nominations (ABC’s “black-ish” and “Modern Family”) while the rest went to cable (FX’s “Atlanta” and HBO’s “Silicon Valley” and “Veep”) and streaming services (Netflix’s “Master of None” and “Unbreakable KimmySchmidt”).
Dueling co-stars is a hallmark of this year’s Emmy race. In addition to the two lead actors from “This Is Us” facing off, the lead actress in a limited series category includes two sets of co-stars up for the same prize: Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon for FX’s “Feud: Bette and Joan” and Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon for HBO’s “Big Little Lies.” In lead actress in a comedy, Netflix’s “Grace and Frankie” co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are facing off. In the lead actor in a limited series category, “The Night Of” co-stars Riz Ahmed and John Turturro find themselves competing.
Among networks, HBO had the biggest haul of nominations (111), followed by Netflix (91), NBC (64) and FX (55).
The Emmy nominations showed particularly big gains for several outlets, including Netflix (91 nominations vs. 54 in 2016), NBC (64 vs. 41), Hulu (18 vs. 2) and National Geographic Channel (15 vs. 9).
Many of those gains were made on the backs of particular programs. For Hulu, “The Handmaid’s Tale” dominated; for Nat Geo it was scripted series “Genius.”
CBS All Access received its first Emmy nomination for “The Good Fight” main title music but the show was shut out in all major categories, despite star Christine Baranski receiving past nominations for her role as Diane Lockhart on “The Good Wife.”
FX’s “The Americans” failed to earn a best drama Emmy but its stars (Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys) were both nominated in lead drama actor/lead drama actress categories. Mr. Rhys and Mr. Ahmed both received second nominations for guest starring in a comedy (HBO’s “Girls”).
And actress Ann Dowd received nominations for “The Handmaid’s Tale” (supporting actress in a drama) and “The Leftovers” (guest actress in a drama).
The 69th Emmy Awards will be televised on CBS at 8 p.m. Sept. 17.
Local ABC preview
WTAE will hold screenings of the pilot episode of new fall ABC comedy “The Mayor” for visitors to Kennywood during WTAE Summerfest July 17 to 21. Screenings are free, but require admission to the park. Screenings will be held at the Kennywood Theater at 1 and 7 p.m. Monday through Thursdayand 1 and 3 p.m. Friday.
A WTAE personality will host each commercial-free screening and at the end audience members will get to tell ABC what they thought of the show.
“The Mayor” stars Brandon Michael Hall as a rapper who runs for mayor as a publicity stunt and stuns everyone he knows when he wins. Lea Michele (“Glee”) stars in the comedy that is executive produced by Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”).
Premiere dates
HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” returns for its ninth season at 10 p.m. Oct. 1. … HBO’s “Vice Principals” is back for its second and final season at 10:30 p.m. Sept. 17. ... Amazon’s streaming series “Transparent” makes its linear television debut when the first two seasons begin airing on Sundance TV at 10 p.m. Aug. 9. … The last season of MTV’s “Teen Wolf” kicks off at 8 p.m. July 30 . … A new season of BET’s scripted hit “Being Mary Jane” debuts at 10 p.m. Tuesday.
Channel surfing
TNT renewed “Claws” for a second season. … Fox renewed game show “Beat Shazam” for a second season. … WE tv will reboot “Bridezillas” in 2018.
Tuned In online
Today’s TV Q&A column responds to questions about “Downward Dog,” “Steel City Rehab” and “The Little Couple.” This week’s Tuned In Journal includes posts on “I’m Sorry.” Read onlineonly TV content at http:// communityvoices.post-gazette. in.
Tuned In podcast has the week off.