Lots of snubs among Emmy nods
Is HBO losing its edge? The stunner from yesterday’s Emmy nominations: Netflix led the field, with 112 to HBO’s 108.
For the past 17 years, HBO has been No. 1 in nominations. Netflix’s surge is a reflection of dollars, marketing and changing consumption habits. HBO’s new owner AT&T will not be happy about that, and will no doubt increase pressure on the premium cable network to increase its output — at the risk of its quality.
Of course, how many Emmys Netflix will actually pick up is another question altogether.
With “Game of Thrones” back in the mix again, along with “Westworld,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” HBO is poised nonetheless to take home a substantial haul of gold in September. “Game of Thrones” led all series with 22 nominations, and yet stars Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington were snubbed. They weren’t the only omissions.
The streak is over: “Modern Family” was scratched from the comedy category. A five-time winner, the ABC show has been nominated every year since 2010. The cast was also blanked. ABC’s “The Good Doctor” put some roses into the network’s cheeks, but there was no love for the medical drama about an autistic physician nor for its star, Freddie Highmore. “GLOW” cracked the comedy show category, but star Alison Brie, the heart of the series, is nowhere to be found. Her co-star, Betty Gilpin, earned a spot in the supporting category.
Sterling K. Brown and Milo Ventimiglia compete again for lead actor for NBC’s “This is Us.” Brown won last year — but nothing for Mandy Moore as the family matriarch? What show are voters watching?
And while Jason Bateman received a nod for “Ozark,” the show itself, and Bateman’s equally talented co-star Laura Linney, were overlooked.
Television Academy voters were able to avert their revulsion to Roseanne Barr’s Twitter racism to recognize co-star Laurie Metcalf for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy.
“Grey’s Anatomy” star Sandra Oh made a spectacular TV comeback in “Killing Eve” and she is rewarded with her first nomination in the lead actress, drama category. She’s the first Asian woman nominated as best actress.
In what might be a first, a performer is nominated for playing her awardwinning character — but not on her own show. Viola Davis won the best lead actress in a drama trophy as Annalise Keating in ABC’s “How to Get Away With Murder” in 2015. She’s nominated again for playing Annalise, only in the guest star category for her turn in the crossover episode of “Scandal.”
In news that will not make President Trump happy, Alec Baldwin is once again nominated for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for impersonating Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live.” Trump has always been bitter that he never won an Emmy. Baldwin won last year for playing him, and now he could end up with a bookend.
“Saturday Night Live” comedians Colin Jost and Michael Che host the 70th annual Emmy Awards Sept. 17 on NBC.