The only news out there today is about the Emmys. I’ve already given my opinions on the nominees and made my best guesses as to who will win over here. But here’s the stuff I didn’t cover yesterday:
Game of Thrones was nominated for a record 32 Emmys, the most for any TV show in a single year. Impressive! They also set a record for the most nominations for a scripted series ever at 161. However, the fact that they were nominated for Outstanding Writing is raising some eyebrows. Not because they didn’t deserve a nod, but because they received the nomination for “The Iron Throne,” instead of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” which was the episode they should have submitted for consideration. BUT WHATEVER.
Game of Thrones wasn’t the only record-breaker this year:
- Saturday Night Live remains the most nominated series ever at 270 and Lorne Michaels remains the most nominated individual ever with 88.
- Dancing with the Stars remains the most nominated reality competition with 105 nominations.
- Ted Danson remains the most nominated actor in Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series at 13.
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus hangs onto the most nominated actress in Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series with 12.
- Peter Dinklage is the new king of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series with 8 nominations.
- HBO broke its own record for the most nominations for a single network at 137.
- And Norman Lear is the oldest nominee ever at 96 years, 354 days — and he’s teasing more remakes. Considering he has Maude, Good Times, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Fernwood Tonight, One Day at a Time and Sanford and Son to choose from, it could be interesting.
Here’s the breakdown of nominations based on program, networks, and studio.
In terms of diversity, however, this year has been a disappointing one. After last years’ 38 nominations for people of color in the acting and hosting categories, this year only saw 26 people of color be nominated, 24 in the acting categories. However, they more than doubled the number of female directors nominated up to 9 from last year’s 4, so that’s pretty good news.
In Emmys I didn’t mention in my post: Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown earned six nominations, including two for Bourdain himself.
And hilariously, the second season of An Emmy for Megan, a short-form comedy created for the specific purpose of getting an Emmy for The Good Place writer Megan Amram (and to mock the Emmy nomination process itself) earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series, and a nomination for Patton Oswalt for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series, but Amram herself did not receive a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series. PERFECTION.
Here’s why shows you might have expected to be nominated, like The Handmaid’s Tale and Stranger Things appeared to be snubbed (basically, its all about the eligibility period).
And as far as who is going to host the ceremony? There’s still no word, and a strong chance they’ll just go the Oscars route and not have anyone host. Stay tuned.
You’re going to have to wait a bit longer for the Anne Hathaway Sesame Street movie.
Seth MacFarlane is bringing “The Orville Experience” to Comic-Con, which will include “a huge collection of props, creatures, costumes, concept art, and practical models, including the show’s title starship, the USS Orville.” Pass.
Kellyanne Conway asked a reporter what his ethnicity was when he asked her a question about Donald Frump’s racist tweets. While it’s mind-bogglingly offensive, tone-deaf and racist itself, it’s also ironic as her husband, George Conway (and huge Trump critic) published this editorial calling Trump a racist in the Washington Post on Monday. Or maybe she lashed out this way because her husband’s editorial made her worry about her job. Who can say, but I would love to be a fly on that family’s home.
Sex Monster News
Mike Fleiss, the creator of The Bachelor, has been accused of attacking his pregnant wife and insisting she have an abortion. She has been granted a restraining order against him. He filed for divorce from her on July 10. None of this is surprising.
R. Kelly’s bail has been denied. GOOD. STAY IN JAIL, ASSHOLE.
Meanwhile, this other asshole had a go-bag containing cash, diamonds and a false passport, and reportedly was still having sex with underage girls while he was ostensibly in prison (but not, since he was allowed to go to his office for “work” every day, you know, like prisoners do). His bail situation will be determined tomorrow. Let’s hope this fucker isn’t released.
Oh, and here’s some fun footage of Jeffrey Epstein ogling a bunch of women with his best friend.
In Development
- A Gossip Girl sequel is being developed for HBO Max.
- Astronomy Club, a sketch-comedy series, has been greenlit at Netflix.
- American Swamp, a docuseries starring Katy Tur and Jacob Soboroff, is in the works at MSNBC.
- Inside Borussia Dortmund has been ordered by Amazon.
Casting News
- Yvette Nicole Brown, Laverne Cox, Blair Underwood, and Flavor Flav are all going to guest star in Dear White People.
- Joseph Morgan is joining the cast of Animal Kingdom.
- Paul Adelstein is joining the cast of Chicago P.D.
- Vincent Irizarry will join The Bold and the Beautiful.
- Chiara Ferragni is joining Making the Cut on Amazon.
Mark Your Calendars
- Mr. Robot returns on USA this fall.
- Bachelor in Paradise returns August 5 on ABC. Lord.
- Almost Family will debut on Fox on October 2.
- The Red Sea Diving Resort will debut on Netflix on July 31.
- Wu Assassins will debut on Netflix on August 8.
- Henry Danger the Musical will debut on Nickelodeon on July 27.
- WE Day will air on ABC on August 9.
- Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling will premiere on Netflix on August 9.
- Swinging Sixties, a Movie Marathon, a film marathon curated by Quentin Tarantino, will air on Sony Movie Channel between July 21 and 25.
R.I.P.
John Paul Stevens, Supreme Court Justice
Jerry Seltzer, Roller derby king
WATCH THIS
Suits: Harvey and Samantha fight to keep Zane’s name off of the wall in the final season premiere. 8 p.m., USA
Pearson: Jessica begins her new job in the mayor’s office in the series premiere of the Suits spinoff. 9 p.m., USA
8 Days: To the Moon and Back: A look at the Apollo 11 mission, including in-flight conversations between Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, and archival footage. Premiere. 8 p.m., PBS
NOTE FOR HOUSTON READERS: At 7 p.m. on NBC our local station is running a special, “Apollo,” about the Apollo 11 mission, just FYI.
Late Night:
- Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Joel McHale, Marc Maron, Dusty Slay
- Late Night with Seth Meyers: Jesse Eisenberg, Emily Deschanel, Kate Tempest, Raghav Mehrotra
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Sofía Vergara, David Cross, Tove Lo
- Jimmy Kimmel Live: Sen. Kamala Harris, Lenny Clarke, Offset featuring Cardi B
- The Daily Show: Nelson Makamo
- Conan: James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Andy Bean
- Watch What Happens Live: Craig Conover, Austen Kroll
| WEDS. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
| ABC | Press Your Luck (new) |
Card Sharks (repeat) |
Match Game (new) |
| CBS | Love Island (new) |
Big Brother (new) |
S.W.A.T. (repeat) |
| CW | Penn & Teller: Fool Us (repeat) |
Jane the Virgin (new) |
Local |
| FOX | Masterchef (new) |
First Responders Live (new) |
News/Local |
| NBC | Ellen’s Game of Games (repeat) |
Songland (repeat) |
The InBetween (new) |