Emmys shine a spotlight on variety
AWARDS SHOW HAS RECORD-BREAKING DIVERSITY IN ACTING NOMINEES
And the Emmy goes to ... diversity.
A record 36 nonwhite actors were nominated this year, a 20% increase over last year’s 30, including “Killing Eve’s” Sandra Oh, who became the first Asian actress nominated for lead actress in a drama. She’s expected to win.
Tracee Ellis Ross (“blackish”), Issa Rae (“Insecure”), Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us”) and Jeffrey Wright (“Westworld”) are all up for individual awards as well.
If they win, Rae or Ross would become the second black woman to win best comedy actress, following Isabel Sanford’s 1981 win for “The Jeffersons,” while “American Crime Story’s” Darren Criss could become the second Asian-American actor to win an acting award after Riz Ahmed made history last year for “The Night After.”
With its early awards, the Emmys already made history when all four guest awards went to black actors: Tiffany Haddish (“Saturday Night Live”), Katt Williams (“Atlanta”), Samira Wiley (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) and Ron Cephas Jones (“This Is Us”).
The 70th annual Primetime Emmy Awards will take place Monday, hosted by “Saturday Night Live” comedians Michael Che and Colin Jost.
As with the past 11 months of Hollywood events, the #MeToo movement lingers loudly over the ceremony, especially in light of Che’s recent defense of Louis C.K.’s return to the stage less than a year after admitting to masturbating in front of multiple women without their consent.
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” a strong favorite for several awards this year, will put the spotlight on Amazon, where studio head Roy Price resigned in October amid allegations of sexual harassment. CBS, where CEO Les Moonves stepped down just days ago after another six women accused him of sexual assault, boasts nominated shows including “Mom,” “The Late Show” and “The Amazing Race.”
Drama series
Will win: “Game of Thrones”
After HBO’s most popular show skipped the Emmys last year, voters will go back to what they know best, and that’s “Thrones,” which won the top award in both 2015 and 2016.
Should win: “The Americans”
This isn’t just because we were forced to say goodbye to “The Americans” this year, even though that helps. Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) wrapped up a haunting tale of spies trying to balance their fake normal lives outside D.C.
Comedy series
Will win: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
The days of “Modern Family” dominating the comedy category are long gone, but it was still a relief to see that the Academy has moved on to other series entirely. And “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” is a worthy replacement.
Should win: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
“Atlanta” is being hurt by the “comedy” label, which seems too simple for such a dynamic show. Elsewhere, “GLOW,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “black-ish” and the other nominees were all perfectly funny, but “Maisel” stands out.
Lead actor in a drama
Will win: Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us”
After two seasons, we know that “This Is Us” is emotionally manipulating us. We know that and yet we keep coming back..
Should win: Matthew Rhys, “The Americans”
This is for many of the same reasons as listed above for my plea for an “Americans” win for best drama series.
Lead actress in a drama
Will win: Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Elisabeth Moss, still shiny from her “Mad Men” success, breathed life into Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” from the get-go. Should win: Sandra Oh, “Killing Eve”
Sandra Oh already made history as the first Asian woman to be nominated for best lead actress in a drama, but the “Grey’s Anatomy” alum deserves to go all the way.