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July 1, 2024

WRITTEN BY: ADRIANO

This year’s Emmy nominations won’t be announced until July 17th, but voting is officially underway as we speak. With juggernauts like Succession, Barry, and Ted Lasso having finished their runs, and other awards darlings like The White Lotus and The Last of Us having not released a season this year, some might say that this television awards season is lacking. However, I'd argue that some fantastic shows will most certainly hear their name called on nomination morning, including Baby Reindeer and Lessons in Chemistry for Limited Series, Hacks and The Bear for Comedy Series, and Shōgun and Loki for Drama Series.


With that said, since voting is going down right now, I want to make a plea for some shows I’ve loved whose likelihood for major nominations ranges from “likely but not guaranteed” to “basically guaranteed to miss.”


Listen up, Emmy voters!

I’M A VIRGO

 

After his spectacular debut film, Sorry to Bother You, in 2018, I’ve been waiting years for Boots Riley’s sophomore effort. Finally, it has arrived in the form of Prime’s absurdist, superhero, coming-of-age comedy series I’m a Virgo, which throws the punches fans of Sorry to Bother You should now expect from Riley as he delivers a commentary on capitalism and casual race relations without ever hitting viewers over the head. That aside, though, the thing that makes Virgo so special is that beyond the zany social commentary, it has a lot of heart because Riley puts tremendous care into Cootie's story of isolation. Cootie is portrayed with hysterical authenticity by Jharrel Jerome, and he should absolutely get a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Actor to accompany Virgo’s very deserving Outstanding Comedy Series nomination. Boots Riley's ambitions and brilliance are more than worthy of recognition in the Writing and Direction categories as well. I sure hope I won't be mourning this show's fate on nomination morning.

EXPATS

 

Speaking of Prime shows from filmmakers who I've waited longer than I would've liked for their next project, let's talk about Lulu Wang's Expats. While this series is slow in nature, Wang's direction and writing give way to a beautiful examination of womanhood and privilege that allows every moment to breathe extraordinarily authentic life. For that alone, Wang not receiving a nomination for direction doesn’t make sense to me. A show like Expats could've easily relied on the writing and terrific ensemble, but Wang's direction gives the show a whole new layer of breathtaking realism that grounds the show in a new light. I would love to see Expats receive recognition across the board, but I will not be selfish, only making a plea for Lulu Wang to receive nomination for Outstanding Direction for a Limited Series.

WINNING TIME: THE RISE OF THE LAKERS DYNASTY 

 

It hurt to see Winning Time end on such an unfortunate note, forced to end its second season (and the series as a whole) with an abrupt "where are they now?" montage following an unexpected cancellation. That said, prior to that, Season Two of Winning Time is as dazzling, entertaining, and fascinating as the wildly overlooked first season, and I say that as someone who doesn't care about sports in the slightest. Rewarding Winning Time with nominations to recognize the entire series, the creative direction, and the phenomenal ensemble — namely Quincy Isaiah as Outstanding Lead Actor and Jason Segel as Outstanding Supporting Actor — would be more than valid for an underappreciated show that was taken from us far too quickly.

THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES

 

I understand that Danny McBride's abrasive comedic sensibilities can rub some the wrong way; hell, he can be too much for me sometimes. But still… I'm completely lost as to why The Righteous Gemstones has never been nominated for an Emmy. It may be crude, but that crass humor isn’t used lazily like offensive humour often can be. It has purpose. On top of that, it's only complemented by an engaging, well-thought, and surprisingly heartfelt story that deals with greed, organized religion, and toxic familial bond. This third season is absolutely the best so far, and it’s the perfect time to correct past mistakes by giving The Righteous Gemstones an Outstanding Comedy Series nomination to acknowledge the show’s excellent ensemble and writing.


THE SYMPATHIZER 

 

I can't believe I have to make a plea for a critically acclaimed, black comedy-drama from HBO that is co-created by Park Chan-wook and starring recent Academy Award Winner Robert Downey Jr. in multiple roles. However, for some reason, The Sympathizer never once caught on, which is a shame. As one would expect from Chan-wook, this series is a stylish and entertaining romp that deals with themes of identity and colonialism excellently. Admittedly, The Sympathizer is very likely to receive a nomination for Robert Downey Jr.'s headline-making supporting performance(s), but in no way should it stop there. Hoa Xuoande's complicated-yet-empathetic lead performance is more than deserving of the recognition Downey has received, and none of this show works without Chan-wook’s kinetic direction. Nominating the legendary director for pulling off the incredible feat that is The Sympathizer is not a lot to ask.

PLATONIC 

 

Platonic is an endearing and funny (anti?) romantic comedy that features two easy-to-love performances from Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne. What else do I really have to say? In this Apple series, the mere idea of a rom-com is twisted around to show us a story of codependency and modern gender dynamics, and the results are funny and fascinating to behold. The least I can ask for is acting nominations for Rogen and Byrne, who elevate the material into an authentic and relatable territory that grounds Platonic, but it shouldn't be overlooked for its clever writing either, especially for its eighth episode, where Francesca Delbanco's writing shines the brightest. I don't fully know why this show flew so under the radar during its run, but it's one I'd recommend, and I’d be very pleasantly surprised if Emmy voters chose to acknowledge it.

GEN-V 

 

The Emmys seem to have a strained relationship with The Boys, and I’ve never really understood why. Nonetheless, Gen-V is an excellent show whether you're a fan of The Boys or not. If you don’t care for The Boys' subversive and gruesome nature, fair warning, Gen-V has the same depravity and gore of its origin show, but it also has its own identity. It is focused on telling a compelling coming-of-age story that is far away from the politics and mayhem of The Boys while being a riot in the process. You could nominate everyone in the ensemble and it would be valid, and quite frankly, it should absolutely receive a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series.


RESERVATION DOGS 

 

Reservation Dogs not receiving a single Emmy nomination for either of its first two seasons confuses me still. It’s funny, bold, sweet, and wholly original, yet despite the acclaim, the show has never gotten the attention it most surely deserves at the Emmys. With its third and final season eligible this cycle, I hope and pray that voters let the show go out with the bang it's owed. You can nominate it in any category and it would be deserved. The entire ensemble is terrific, and you could honestly nominate all four lead performers if you want, especially D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, who is brilliant. The direction is always fascinating and underappreciated, while the writing is incredible too. Emmys, this is your last opportunity to fix your mistakes and honour this gem of a show.

THE COMPLETELY MADE-UP ADVENTURES OF DICK TURPIN 

 

Now, I've covered some shows that I consider to be pretty under the radar, but none of them come close to how wildly underappreciated The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin was and is. It's as likable and quirky as the title suggests. It's not super deep or life-affirming or anything like that. It's simply a show filled to the brim with hilarity at just about every turn, and there's not much more one could ask for when it comes to a comedy show. It's a very easy show to recommend, and its whip-smart dialogue and humour should get the show recognized for Outstanding Comedy Writing. However, it's Noel Fielding's silly and pitch-perfect comedic timing that begs for a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Actor since he turns what could be nothing more than a prolonged sketch show into a true comedic force.

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