Let’s talk about the Emmy nominations.

The Emmy Nominations came out Tuesday, and you’ll be surprised to learn that I HAVE THOUGHTS.

To be clear, like last year, I’m really not angry about any of these nominees. I’d still like to know who The Kominsky Method is paying off to always get so many valuable nods, but that’s a small price to pay for a list that is dominated by Watchmen, Succession, Schitt’s Creek and The Good Place, easily the best shows of the past year.

Now the question is, will the Academy make the right choices:

OUTSTANDING DRAMA

Better Call Saul (AMC)

The Crown (Netflix)

The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)

Killing Eve (BBC America)

The Mandalorian (Disney+)

Ozark (Netflix)

Stranger Things (Netflix)

Succession (HBO)

I’m not going to complain too much about this list — these are all good, deserving series and the fact is there are not enough spots for as many great shows there are out there right now. My big concern is that the show that most deserves to win on this list, Succession, will be beat out by Ozark. It just feels like Ozark has more momentum right now. And good for it, if it wins, but Succession is the better show, certainly the best show on this list.

Who Will Win: Ozark

Who Should Win: Succession

Who Should Have Been Nominated: Look, I’m a grown-up so I get it: genre shows, specifically sci-fi and horror, are never going to be taken seriously by the Academy. And so instead of complaining that two of my favorite shows of the year, Evil and The Outsider, weren’t nominated, I guess I should be grateful that Stranger Things and The Mandalorian (!) were given nods. But if I were being honest with you, I think The Outsider and Evil were more deserving of those two spots.

So putting my own love for horror aside, where is Pose? Where is Homeland? How about This is Us? What about The Morning Show or Euphoria?

LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show

Olivia Colman, The Crown

Jodie Comer, Killing Eve

Laura Linney, Ozark

Sandra Oh, Killing Eve

Zendaya, Euphoria

Both Zendaya and Jennifer Aniston have been nominated for shows that have not been nominated for Outstanding Drama, which suggests to me their chances aren’t great to take this category. The women of Killing Eve might split the vote (although they didn’t last year when Jodie Comer won) (but that’s another reason why she probably won’t win this year).

So doing the math, it seems this is a race between two incredibly powerful and talented actresses: Olivia Colman and Laura Linney. It’s a true toss-up and I’m leaning towards Colman for a couple of reasons: she won the Golden Globe for the performance, and she’s fresh off a raft of awards, including the Oscar, for her performance in The Favourite. The momentum is on her side. On the other hand, Ozark might be fresher in the voters’ minds. In any event, Netflix is probably going to be the winner in this category.

Who Will Win: Olivia Colman

Who Should Win: Rhea Seehorn

Who Should Have Been Nominated: The biggest snub of the year is Rhea Seehorn of Better Call Saul, who is shaping up to be the Susan Lucci of the Primetime Emmys. She’s INCREDIBLE on that series, and this season in particular was about her character’s dark transformation.

I’m going to SCREAM MY FURY INTO A DEEP CAVE that Cynthia Erivo was forgotten by the Academy for her delicate and nuanced performance in The Outsider.

Mandy Moore’s storyline on This Is Us was straight-up Emmy bait, and I’m a little shocked it didn’t land her a nomination.

And I don’t know how The Handmaid’s Tale gets nominated for best drama, and Elisabeth Moss is snubbed in this category, BUT OK.

Finally, poor Reese Witherspoon. She was in three major series this year: Big Little Lies, Little Fires Everywhere, and The Morning Show and she gets bupkis for all of them. I’m not sure if she was submitted for lead or supporting for any of those series, but it seems remarkable that she was snubbed all the way around. I’m not mad she wasn’t nominated, but it seems strange.

LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA

Jason Bateman, Ozark

Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us

Steve Carell, The Morning Show

Brian Cox, Succession

Billy Porter, Pose

Jeremy Strong, Succession

Again, I just feel like this is Ozark‘s year. It was there for us when the pandemic began and while that shouldn’t be a good enough reason to win a bunch of Emmys, these things are not always determined in a rational way. Additionally, this is the third time Bateman has been nominated for this series, and some voters might feel like it’s his “time.”

That said, keep an eye on both Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong. Succession has become HBO’s flagship show now that Game of Thrones is over, and one of these two might be rightfully recognized for their fantastic performances.

Who Will Win: Jason Bateman

Who Should Win: Brian Cox

Who Should Have Been Nominated: Bob Odenkirk! Where the HELL is Bob Odenkirk? You can not nominate Better Call Saul for best drama and then NOT NOMINATE BOB ODENKIRK AND RHEA SEEHORN, COME ON.

David Harbour was the heart and soul of Stranger Things this season. And Ben Mendelsohn was amazing in The Outsider. I’m SO MAD this series was overlooked.

And can we talk about John Malkovitch in The New Pope for a hot second? He deserved a nomination for that eyeliner work alone.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown

Laura Dern, Big Little Lies

Julia Garner, Ozark

Thandie Newton, Westworld

Sarah Snook, Succession

Fiona Shaw, Killing Eve

Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies

Samira Wiley, The Handmaid’s Tale

Another excellent list with deserving nominees. I feel like Meryl Streep probably has this one tied up with a performance that was cunning, scary and at times hilarious. That said, keep an eye out for Helena Boham Carter and Thandie Newton.

Who Will Win: Meryl Streep

Who Should Win: Meryl Streep

Who Should Have Been Nominated: This is one of those categories where Reese Witherspoon probably should have been nominated for SOMETHING, like The Morning Show, perhaps.

And where the Hell is Holly Hunter for Succession?

Listen, I know I’m harping on The Outsider, like, a lot, but Julianne Nicholson and Mare Winningham were both tremendous in this series.

There were a number of moving performances on Pose this season, including Indya Moore and Angelica Ross, who both deserved recognition.

Finally, this is a left-field suggestion, but I still think it’s almost criminal that Melissa McBride continues to be ignored for her performance on The Walking Dead as the haunted and at times terrifying Carol. I know this series will never be recognized by the Academy, especially not 10 seasons in, but she’s a tremendous performer and deserves to be acknowledged as such.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA

Nicholas Braun, Succession

Kieran Culkin, Succession

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show

Mark Duplass, The Morning Show

Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul

Matthew Macfadyen, Succession

Bradley Whitford, The Handmaid’s Tale

Jeffrey Wright, Westworld

Don’t get me wrong, Nicholas Braun, Kieran Culkin, and Matthew Macfayden all deserve their nominations in this category for their performances in Succession, my problem is I don’t know which of these three I think should win, they’re all so great. I do worry about the vote being split and think there’s a chance that between the multiple nominations for Succession and The Morning Show, Bradley Whitford might be able to sneak away with this one.

Who Will Win: Keep an eye on Bradley Whitford

Who Should Win: Kieran Culkin. BUT DON’T MAKE ME CHOOSE.

Who Should Have Been Nominated: I swear, what does the Academy have against Better Call Saul this season? Jonathan Banks turns in intelligent performances on that series every season, and should probably win all the Emmys. Also, wither Giancarlo Esposito?

Tom Pelphrey is a surprising omission for his work on Ozark. He was a stand-out in this most recent season and he leads many snubs lists as a result.

And this is going to seem a little left-field, but Joe Keery on Stranger Things has managed to give his character depth and sensitivity. His character’s arc really served as a foundation for the entire season.

GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

Alexis Bledel, The Handmaid’s Tale

Laverne Cox, Orange Is The New Black

Cherry Jones, Succession

Phylicia Rashad, This Is Us

Cicely Tyson, How To Get Away With Murder

Harriet Walter, Succession

Here, I would suggest that the Academy will lean towards rewarding a legend for her performance on a show that ended this year. Not that Cicely Tyson doesn’t deserve an Emmy for her performance as Analise’s mother on How to Get Away with Murder — she’s great. But for performances by a legend in a mother role, I’d go with Phylicia Rashad, myself.

Who Will Win: Cicely Tyson

Who Should Win: Phylicia Rashad

Who Should Have Been Nominated: Oh, who even knows, I can’t really recall many other drama guest roles …

GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA

Jason Bateman, The Outsider

Ron Cephas Jones, This Is Us

James Cromwell, Succession

Giancarlo Esposito, The Mandalorian

Andrew Scott, Black Mirror

Martin Short, The Morning Show

Well, well, well. Look who has discovered The Outsider. ~narrows eyes~

Who Will Win: I don’t know, Martin Short?

Who Should Win: Jason Bateman (He was really good and terrifying in this.)

Who Should Have Been Nominated: ~shrug~

OUTSTANDING COMEDY

Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)

Dead to Me (Netflix)

The Good Place (NBC)

Insecure (HBO)

The Kominsky Method (Netflix)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)

Schitt’s Creek (Pop)

What We Do In The Shadows (FX)

Let me begin by noting how happy I am that What We Do in the Shadows was nominated. That said, it’ll never win. But I am genuinely delighted that this hilarious and quirky series received the attention it deserves, and by doing so, it is one less show for me to yell at you about.

As for who will win this year, the same way I have a feeling this year is going to be big for Ozark over in Drama, I have the same sense that Schitt’s Creek is going to be a big winner in the Comedy category. First of all, it is a fantastic series helmed by comedy royalty that ended its run this year. But secondly, this is one of those shows that was a cult favorite until only recently, and I feel like there will be a push of people trying to prove that they finally get it. But who knows, The Good Place ended this year, too; and never underestimate the Academy’s desire to reward something safe like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Again.

Who Will Win: Schitt’s Creek

Who Should Win: Schitt’s Creek

Who Should Have Been Nominated: It’s unconventional, and I don’t even know if it would qualify in this category or maybe TV movies? But Parks and Recreation really deserved a nomination of some sort for that note-perfect reunion/special they made for COVID-19 relief efforts.

And can someone please tell me when will Better Things receive the recognition it deserves? It’s not “funny” in a traditional way, but then neither is Dead to Me … so …

Other shows I would have loved to have seen in here: The Righteous Gemstones, Los Espookys, GLOW, Never Have I Ever, A.P. Bio, Baskets, black-ish, Silicon Valley, Raven’s Quest, Avenue 5 and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. And I will forever be yelling that It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia deserves an Emmy nomination even if it will never receive one. Any one of those comedies are more deserving than The Kominsky Method, and WE ALL KNOW IT.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

Christina Applegate, Dead to Me

Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me

Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish

Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek

Issa Rae, Insecure

Look, this is a list of tremendous actresses, all of whom deserve to be here. I’m not going to complain about any single one of them, I just wish there was room for a few more deserving nominees. (And, if I were being completely honest, a little less Maisel love. Brosnahan is terrific but we get it already.)

Who Will Win: Catherine O’Hara

Who Should Win: Catherine O’Hara

Who Should Have Been Nominated: DAMMIT, ACADEMY, WHY DO YOU HATE KRISTEN BELL? WHAT DOES SHE NEED TO DO TO GET YOU TO REWARD HER ALREADY?

Also, it’s insane that Patricia Aldon wasn’t nominated here for Better Things. Insane. INSANE. Completely insane.

LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY

Anthony Anderson, black-ish

Don Cheadle, Black Monday

Ted Danson, The Good Place

Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method

Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek

Ramy Youssef, Ramy

Alright, so by my calculations, this is a tight race between Eugene Levy and Ted Danson — they are both comedy kings, both of their shows ended this year, and it would be a nice send-off for either of them to win here. That said, keep an eye on Ramy Youssef. He won the Golden Globe for this show, and while the Golden Globes are more likely to reward an unexpected nominee like Youssef, the fact that he made the list of nominees is remarkable and he might sneak away with this, especially if the larger vote is split between Levy and Danson.

Who Will Win: If I HAD to guess, Ted Danson

Who Should Win: Ted Danson

Who Should Have Been Nominated: I need someone to explain to me how Curb Your Enthusiasm is nominated for Outstanding Comedy, BUT LARRY DAVID ISN’T NOMINATED FOR LEAD ACTOR? Curb Your Enthusiasm IS Larry David! This makes no sense to me.

Hugh Laurie was wild fun in the underappreciated Avenue 5 — seriously, go watch it right now, it will FREAK. YOU. OUT. how prescient it was.

Glenn Howerton was fantastic on A.P. Bio this season and FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, GIVE ROB MCELHENNY AN EMMY NOMINATION FOR SUNNY ALREADY. COME ON.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Betty Gilpin, GLOW

D’Arcy Carden, The Good Place

Marin Hinkle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live

Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek

Yvonne Orji, Insecure

Cecily Strong, Saturday Night Live

If D’arcy Carden doesn’t win this, I’m burning down this whole place. Yes, everyone here is wonderful and deserving and I’m especially happy to see Yvonne Orji here because she’s fantastic and truly anchors Insecure. BUT I SWEAR TO GOD, IF D’ARCY CARDEN DOESN’T WIN THIS, I’M BURNING THIS WHOLE PLACE DOWN.

Who Will Win: D’Arcy Carden

Who Should Win: D’ARCY CARDEN

Who Should Have Been Nominated: Poorna Jagannathan gave a beautifully believable (and as the mother of two teenagers) completely relatable performance in Never Have I Ever.

All four supporting actresses on Better Things are revelations in every single episode.
Mikey Madison, Hannah Alligood, Olivia Edward all transcend “kid” actors and Celia Imrie is heartbreakingly effective as Phyl.

Stephanie Beatriz on Brooklyn Nine-Nine continues to be overlooked to my irritation.

And Edi Patterson was wonderfully wacky on Righteous Gemstones and delivered one of the most shocking lines on TV this year.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY

Mahershala Ali, Ramy

Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method

Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Sterling K. Brown, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

William Jackson Harper, The Good Place

Dan Levy, Schitt’s Creek

Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live

I mean, this should be Dan Levy’s to lose. That said, I’m thrilled both William Jackson Harper and Andre Braugher were nominated here — they did terrific work on The Good Place and Brooklyn Nine-Nine respectively. And as far as I’m considered, there should be some sort of special award given to Kenan Thompson every single year for almost single-handedly saving Saturday Night Live from itself. But that’s a whole other story.

Who Will Win: Dan Levy

Who Should Win: Dan Levy

Who Should Have Been Nominated: I’m going to go ahead and demand that Alan Arkin be removed from this list immediately and replaced by Walton Goggins for his amazing performance in Righteous Gemstones. If only for that song alone.

I have not stomped my feet over the fact that none of the principals on What We Do in the Shadows were nominated, though I could have, but it is disappointing to me to see that neither Mark Proksch, as Colin the energy vampire nor Harvey Guillén, the forever put-upon Guillermo were recognized. They both make a great show worthy of being nominated for Outstanding Comedy.

And one day, Charlie Day will be given some love for Sunny. Maybe not next year, maybe not the one after that, maybe not in the show’s 76th season, but one day.

GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

Angela Bassett, A Black Lady Sketch Show

Bette Midler, The Politician

Maya Rudolph, The Good Place

Maya Rudolph, Saturday Night Live

Wanda Sykes, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Saturday Night Live

New rule: If you’re nominated twice in the same category, you win the Emmy. Give Maya the Emmy. Yes, Angela Basset was AMAZING as the “Baddest Bitch” (which God knows she actually is, praise be) and there might be some impulse to give it to Bette Midler because Bette Midler, but GODDAMN IT, GIVE IT TO MAYA RUDOLPH.

Who Will Win: Angela Bassett

Who Should Win: Maya Rudolph

Who Should Have Been Nominated: I actually have one for this! Jennifer Nettles on Righteous Gemstones. (I think she qualifies for “Guest” but I’m not 100% sure.) In any event, once again, she deserves a nod if only for the song.

GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY

Brad Pitt, Saturday Night Live

Adam Driver, Saturday Night Live

Luke Kirby, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Eddie Murphy, Saturday Night Live

Dev Patel, Modern Love

Fred Willard, Modern Family

I have no problems with this list, and while I think Eddie Murphy or Adam Driver might actually deserve this, I fully expect this to be a sentimental win and go to Fred Willard.

Who Will Win: Fred Willard

Who Should Win: Eddie Murphy

Who Should Have Been Nominated: All I got is John Mulaney.

LIMITED SERIES

Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)

Mrs. America (FX)

Unbelievable (Netflix)

Unorthodox (Netflix)

Watchmen (HBO)

This is — or should be — a no-brainer. Watchmen was nominated for more Emmys than any other series, and while all of these series were good, especially Unbelievable and Unorthodox, no other limited series had the same sort of impact on pop culture and society in general than Damon Lindelof’s interpretation of the Watchmen universe. Give it all of the Emmys already.

Who Will Win: Watchmen

Who Should Win: Watchmen

Who Should Have Been Nominated: Wait, how’d Normal People not get a nod here? And what about Hollywood? It’s all over the acting nominations, so this seems strange to me that it would be left off of this list (even if it wasn’t one of my personal favorites).

MADE-FOR-TELEVISION MOVIE

American Son (Netflix)

Bad Education (HBO)

Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings (Netflix)

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (Netflix)

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend (Netflix)

Eh. I don’t actually feel strongly about any of these, if I’m being completely honest. My guess is the Academy goes with the “important” movie and rewards American Son, but Bad Education is chock full of actors who are Emmy bait.  It really is just about anyone’s guess.

Who Will Win: American Son

Who Should Win: El Camino

Who Should Have Been Nominated: No, I think this about covers it.

 

LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America

Shira Haas, Unorthodox

Regina King, Watchmen

Octavia Spencer, Self Made

Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere

I’m not even going to pretend there is anything to discuss here.

Who Will Win: Regina King

Who Should Win: Regina King

Who Should Have Been Nominated: Daisy Edgar Jones or Normal People.

LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

Jeremy Irons, Watchmen

Hugh Jackman, Bad Education

Paul Mescal, Normal People

Jeremy Pope, Hollywood

Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True

Now, this is an interesting category. There is a good chance that Hugh Jackman could win this by virtue of being Hugh Jackman. There is also a good chance that Jeremy Irons could win this by coasting on Watchmen goodwill. And that’s not to say Jeremy Irons doesn’t deserve to win — there has never been more perfect casting than Irons as an aging Adrian Veidt.

But all that aside, Mark Ruffalo gave an amazing, heartbreaking, stunning performance as the Birdsey twins in I Know This Much is True, a miniseries that didn’t get much traction, in no small part because of how depressing it was. Will enough people have seen it for him to win? It’s unclear.

Who Will Win: Hugh Jackman

Who Should Win: Mark Ruffalo

Who Should Have Been Nominated: Where’s Aaron Paul for El Camino?

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America

Toni Collette, Unbelievable

Margo Martindale, Mrs. America

Jean Smart, Watchmen

Holland Taylor, Hollywood

Tracey Ullman, Mrs. America

Mrs. America had so many great, juicy roles for women, it’s hard to see how someone from that series doesn’t take home the Emmy in this category — if they don’t split the vote between them.

But you know what else had amazing roles for women? Unbelievable. I’m not sure if Merritt Weaver belonged in the supporting or lead category, but she belonged SOMEWHERE. Kaitlyn Dever’s is a more obvious supporting role and she should have been included here. These are truly infuriating omissions.

Who Will Win: Margo Martindale

Who Should Win: Merritt Weaver

Who Should Have Been Nominated: MERRITT WEAVER. KAITLYN DEVER. I’LL SCREAM IT AGAIN FOR THOSE IN THE BACK. MERRITT WEAVER. KAITLYN DEVER.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen

Jovan Adepo, Watchmen

Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend

Louis Gossett Jr., Watchmen

Dylan McDermott, Hollywood

Jim Parsons, Hollywood

I hope the Watchmen actors don’t split this vote, because they were all great — Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Cal (among other roles) and Louis Gossett Jr. as Will, in particular.

Who Will Win: Louis Gossett Jr.

Who Should Win: Louis Gossett Jr. or Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Who Should Have Been Nominated: I know this category is already overflowing with Watchmen nominees, but it’s criminal that Tim Blake Nelson wasn’t nominated for Looking Glass.

And I Know This Much is True wasn’t just Mark Ruffalo pulling double duty as the Birdsey twins: the characters are shown at 8, where they were played by twin actors (who were good, no question), and then again at 17-19-years-old where they were played by a young actor I had never heard of before, Philip Ettinger. Ettinger not only looked like a young Ruffalo, but he also managed to deliver a brilliant performance mimicking Ruffalo’s performance, down to the ticks and mannerisms of each brother. It was truly a stunning feat, and it is disappointing that he wasn’t recognized here. I look forward to seeing Ettinger in future projects.

REALITY SHOW HOST

Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness, Queer Eye

Nicole Byer, Nailed It!

Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec and Kevin O’Leary, Shark Tank

Padma Lakshmi, and Tom Colicchio, Top Chef

Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, Making It

RuPaul, Drag Race

With the exception of Shark Tank, all of these hosts are so charming, so delightful, it’s hard for me to choose a favorite. Genuinely. I will be happy so long as Shark Tank doesn’t win.

Who Will Win: Queer Eye

Who Should Win: Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman

Who Should Have Been Nominated: A nod for Michelle Buteau for The Circle might have been nice.

 

REALITY SHOW COMPETITION

The Masked Singer (Fox)

Nailed It! (Netflix)

RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)

Top Chef (Bravo)

The Voice (NBC)

RuPaul’s Drag Race forever.

Who Will Win: Top Chef

Who Should Win: RuPaul’s Drag Race

Who Should Have Been Nominated: Again, you’re going to nominate Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman as hosts, but not nominate their show, Making It? MAKING IT. GET THE MASKED SINGER OUT OF THERE AND NOMINATED MAKING IT.

VARIETY SKETCH SERIES

A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO)

Drunk History (Comedy Central)

Saturday Night Live (NBC)

I mean, we can talk about this, but we all know Saturday Night Live is going to win so what’s really the point? And listen, I really like both Drunk History and A Black Lady Sketch Show, but the truth is Saturday Night Live does its thing live, almost every week, which is a feat in and of itself. But then the show really became creative during the quarantine and made it work, delivering some of the best episodes of the season. I’m not saying the show doesn’t have its problems — GOD KNOWS — but if there has ever been a year when SNL deserved this Emmy, this is the one.

Who Will Win: Saturday Night Live

Who Should Win: Saturday Night Live

Who Should Have Been Nominated: Saturday Night Live

VARIETY TALK SERIES

The Daily Show With Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

Full Frontal With Samantha Bee (TBS)

Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO)

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS)

This, like every year, is Last Week Tonight with John Oliver‘s to lose.

Who Will Win: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Who Should Win: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Who Should Have Been Nominated (and win): Late Night with Seth Meyers, GOD DAMMIT. WHAT IS Y’ALL’S PROBLEM. SET YOUR DVR AND WATCH IT SOME TIME.

DOCUMENTARY OR NONFICTION SERIES

American Masters (PBS)

Hillary (Hulu)

McMillion$ (HBO)

The Last Dance (ESPN)

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem And Madness (Netflix)

This is the first time I’ve written about this category, but considering Tiger King is maybe the biggest TV story of 2019 that is not COVID-related, it’s worth discussing. So here’s the thing, there’s no chance Tiger King is going to win. NO. CHANCE. While most Americans might want Tiger King to win, it’s not the kind of project the Academy is going to reward, it’s just too trashy. This is Last Dance‘s year, the end. (McMillion$ was also great, but it’s not going to win, either, as it contains zero famous people.)

Who Will Win: The Last Dance

Who Should Win: The Last Dance

Who Should Have Been Nominated: No, this list about covers it.

THOUGHTS? FEELINGS? BETS?

The Emmys will air Sunday, Sept. 20 on ABC.