Sunday Best: Emmy Nominations 2020

In the last few years, I have lost most interest in award shows like the Emmys.  I still hold out hope for the Oscars, but very little.  The problem is that there is an incredible disconnect between the awards and the general movie audiences.  While I don't think a completely populist system is what is needed, there is clearly an elitist mentality.

However, this year's Emmys have a few interesting surprises.  Here are the nominees with some thoughts of my own:

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
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”

-The only show that I watched from this list is The Good Place.  Danson was fantastic in this series and I hope he is recognized for his work.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate, “Dead to Me”
Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Linda Cardellini, “Dead to Me”
Catherine O’Hara, “Schitt’s Creek”
Issa Rae, “Insecure”
Tracee Ellis Ross, “Black-ish”

-I don't watch any of these shows.

Outstanding 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)

-Once again, Conan O'Brien, the only one with a talk show who is remotely funny, was not nominated.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman, “Ozark”
Brian Cox, “Succession”
Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us”
Steve Carrell “The Morning Show”
Jeremy Strong, “Succession”
Billy Porter, “Pose”

-I've seen Ozark, This is Us, and a bit of The Morning Show.  The best actor from here is Brown, who always goes to such interesting places as an actor in the series.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston, “The Morning Show”
Olivia Colman, “The Crown”
Jodie Comer, “Killing Eve”
Laura Linney, “Ozark”
Sandra Oh, “Killing Eve”
Zendaya, “Euphoria”

-again, only watched Ozark and The Morning Show.  Of the two, I would say Linney was better.

Outstanding Competition Program
“The Masked Singer” (Fox)
“Nailed It!” (Netflix)
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1)
“Top Chef” (Bravo)
“The Voice” (NBC)

-Only watched The Masked Singer, and it was oddly engaging.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Jeremy Irons, “Watchmen”
Hugh Jackman, “Bad Education”
Paul Mescal, “Normal People”
Jeremy Pope, “Hollywood”
Mark Ruffalo, “I Know This Much Is True”

-didn't see any of these shows.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Cate Blanchett, “Mrs. America”
Shira Haas, “Unorthodox”
Regina King, “Watchmen”
Octavia Spencer, “Self-Made”
Kerry Washington, “Little Fires Everywhere”

-didn't see any of these shows.

Outstanding Limited Series
“Watchmen” (HBO)
“Mrs. America” (FX on Hulu)
“Unbelievable” (Netflix)
“Unorthodox” (Netflix)
“Little Fires Everywhere” (Hulu)

-didn't see any of these shows.

Outstanding Comedy Series
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO)
“The Good Place” (NBC)
“Dead to Me” (Netflix)
“Insecure” (HBO)
“The Kominsky Method” (Netflix)
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon Prime Video)
“Schitt’s Creek” (Pop TV)
“What We Do in the Shadows” (FX)

-The Good Place was probably the best comedy I saw this year and I hope that the show gets recognized for what it has accomplished.  It was a show that balanced silly, broad humor with deep questions about morality and life.

Outstanding Drama Series
“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've seen Ozark, Stranger Things, and The Mandelorean.

I'm excited that both Stranger Things and The Mandelorean received were not overlooked this year.  I was very pleasantly surprised that a Star Wars show has been nominated, especially one that I gave my award for best show of the year.  The cynical part of me thinks that Disney spent some big bucks in securing an award for their streaming service.  Regardless, this is a show that is regarded well by critics and general audiences.  And it is this convergence that should determine the award winners.

Thoughts?