Sunday, June 30, 2019

2019 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Limited Series and Best Television Movie

Best Limited Series
Chernobyl
Escape at Dannemora
Fosse/Verdon
Sharp Objects
When They See Us

Other Contenders - A Very English Scandal, True Detective, The Act, Catch-22, Les Miserables, Maniac, Good Omens, I Am the Night, Dirty John, Mrs. Wilson, The Little Drummer Girl

Commentary - I think this is a race between nine series for five slots. When The See Us and Chernobyl started this race outside the line. Then they both came on so strong, with such rave reviews and buzz, there is a good chance that the race for this Emmy comes down to those two. Throw in Escape from Dannemora and you have a three-way race for the ages. I also think Sharp Objects is still solid, with HBO backing it. Fosse/Verdon is vulnerable, as critical and audience ratings were not great (good, but not great). However, the show business angle, and the name recognition should help it make the cut. But there is stiff competition. A Very English Scandal should be in this race for just how damn good it was. The Act has the shock factor, and True Detective had a good season. I suspect surprises come Emmy nomination morning.

Best Television Movie
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
Brexit
Deadwood: The Movie
King Lear
Native Son

Other Contenders - My Dinner with Herve, The Romanoffs: End of the Line, The Romanoffs: House of Special Purpose, The Romanoffs: The Violet Hour, Sense 8: Amor Vincit Omnia, Icebox, O.G., Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story

Commentary - A really weak race overall, still has six possibilities for five slots. I think Deadwood: The Movie, the best reviewed and most recent contender has the edge. Black Mirror could win this again. But Bandersnatch was not well-received, and the latest episodes that premiered during Emmy voting, were down right awful. That hurts it. Brexit has long been forgotten, but British + Benedict Cumberbatch + HBO might get it in with so few choices. King Lear is PBS with legendary actors. Once again, in a weak race, that might be enough. Finally, I think it is between two HBO productions. My Dinner with Herve is the more popular of the two, but Native Son is much better. I think voters will recognize quality.

2019 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Actor in a TV Movie/Limited Series

2019 Nomination Predictions
Mahershala Ali "True Detective"
Benicio Del Toro "Escape at Dannemora"
Hugh Grant "A Very English Scandal"
Jared Harris "Chernobyl"
Ian McShane "Deadwood: The Movie"
Sam Rockwell "Fosse/Verdon"

Other Contenders - Anthony Hopkins "King Lear", Benedict Cumberbatch "Brexit", Christopher Abbot "Catch-22", Jharrel Jerome "When They See Us", Timothy Olyphant "Deadwood: The Movie", Peter Dinklage "My Dinner with Herve", Ashton Sanders "Native Son", Jonah Hill "Maniac"

Commentary - I feel like the consensus is coalescing around the same six. Of course, there could be surprises, but I have to agree with the consensus on this one. Mahershala Ali could easily follow up his Oscar win with an Emmy for a brilliant performance in True Detective. Sam Rockwell, while not as dynamic as people were hoping, is still a lock for a nod. So is Benicio Del Toro in a huge Emmy contender, Escape from Dannemora. The last couple of contenders are not as solid, but I still think they are in. Hugh Grant was riding high, as was A Very English Scandal, but time has not been kind to the series. Not because it is not great, its just that so much competition has come down the pipe since then. I still think though he is solid for a nomination. Ian McShane was nominated here before for Deadwood, and his scenery chewing should inspire voters once again. Finally, I think that the sudden rise of Chernobyl will help Emmy nominees Jared Harris secure a slot in the top six. Outside those six, there is Anthony Hopkins, he is a legend, and was recently nominated for Westworld. But King Lear is not a top tier contender besides the weak TV Movie category. Same goes for Benedict Cumberbatch. Jharrel Jerome does not have the name recognition, but When They See Us is so popular, you never know. I also am holding out possibility for Dinklage, Sanders, Hill, Olyphant, and Abbot.

Friday, June 28, 2019

2019 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Actress in a TV Movie/Limited Series

2019 Nomination Predictions
Amy Adams "Sharp Objects"
Patricia Arquette "Escape from Dannemora"
Connie Britton "Dirty John"
Joey King "The Act"
Niecy Nash "When They See Us"
Michelle Williams "Fosse/Verdon"

Other Contenders - Emma Stone "Maniac", Ruth Wilson "Mrs. Wilson", Marisa Tomei "Live In Front Of A Studio Audience:Norman Lear’s ‘All In The Family’ And ‘The Jeffersons'", Julianna Margulies "The Hot Zone", Molly Parker "Deadwood: The Movie", Aunjuane Ellis "When They See Us"

Commentary - Yet another race with too many possibilities to nail down six. I think Amy Adams, Patricia Arquette, and Michelle Williams, and they are the three that can win this award. Most folks think Arquette has this wrapped up, but don't underestimate the other two. The last three slots could go a number of ways. I think Joey King, who had a huge breakout performance in The Act is going to have made enough of an impression to break into this competitive race. The last two slots I am saving for veterans who are Emmy favorites. When They See Us is on such an upward trajectory, it could really end up having a huge showing on Emmy nomination morning. Niecy Nash has surprised us many times before, and I think her emotional roll and her popularity among voters will get her in. Finally, Connie Britton is just one of those actresses that inspires voters. Dirty John is not a great project, which could be her downfall, but I still think she has enough support. That leaves a lot of big names on the outside looking in. Oscar winner Emma Stone, whose Maniac is such old news, I'm wondering if enough folks remember it, Oscar winner Marisa Tomei in a gimmicky production with mixed critical reaction, Ruth Wilson in a great role, but a stately kind of boring production, Emmy favorite Julianna Margulies, Molly Parker, and Aunjuane Ellis. This lineup could have some jaw droppers in a few weeks.

Thursday, June 27, 2019

2019 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Supporting Actor in a TV Movie/Limited Series

2019 Nomination Predictions
Kyle Chandler "Catch-22"
George Clooney "Catch-22"
Paul Dano "Escape at Dannemora"
Stellan Skarsgard "Chernobyl"
Ben Whishaw "A Very English Scandal"
Michael Kenneth Williams "When They See Us"

Other Contenders - Eric Lange "Escape at Dannemora", Gerald McRaney "Deadwood: The Movie", Norbert Leo Butz "Fosse/Verdon", Stephen Dorff "True Detective", John Leguizamo "When They See Us", Chris Messina "Sharp Objects", Brandon Victor Dixon "Rent Live", David Oyelowo "Les Miserables", Jovan Adepo "When They See Us"

Commentary - This is another race where it could go several different ways. I think that Ben Whishaw is in, and is probably the front runner, even though his show is a borderline for the program category. I also feel comfortable with Paul Dano. He is a well-liked veteran in a series with a lot of Emmy potential. In normal years, George Clooney and Kyle Chandler on a ballot would be easy picks. I am still picking them for their personal popularity, but I worry because their show was not as big of a hit as assumed. I think two guys who are rising in this race are Michael Kenneth Williams and Stellan Skarsgard, for the exact opposite reason. They too are popular veterans, but their stocks are high because their shows are set to be big contenders across the board. On the outside we have Eric Lange, who is simply not as well known, Stephen Dorff in a borderline Emmy favorite show, Gerald McRaney (a real dark horse here, especially if voters have seen Deadwood), Norbert Leo Butz (does he do enough on screen for voters?), Brandon Victor Dixon (got in last year, but much more well-received program), the other When the See Us guys (will show depth of popularity), Chris Messica (outshone by his female cast members), and David Oyelowo (Is Les Miserable registering). I think there are some surprises lurking here that could shock all of us come Emmy nomination morning.

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

2019 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Supporting Actress in a TV Movie or Limited Series

2019 Nomination Predictions
Patricia Arquette "The Act"
Patricia Clarkson "Sharp Objects"
Carmen Ejogo "True Detective"
Vera Farmiga "When They See Us"
Emily Watson "Chernobyl"
Robin Weigert "Deadwood: The Movie"

Other Contenders - Eliza Scanlen "Sharp Objects", Sally Field "Maniac", Emma Thompson "King Lear", Lily Collins "Les Miserables", Julia Garner "Dirty John"

Commentary - To be honest, beyond the two Patricias, Arquette and Clarkson, I think this race has a lot of possibilities. The race for the win will between those two, and I think Clarkson is stronger, as it looks like Arquette is going to win lead. Beyond that it is an interesting race to the five four slots. I think that the growing buzz for Chernobyl and When They See Us, plus the powerhouse studios of HBO and Netflix, who are pushing hard, will net nominations for veteran favorites Emily Watson and Vera Farmiga. I also feel like HBO's push will help the amazing Carmen Ejogo. Although True Detective is being drowned out a bit in such a crowded race, so I am concerned. That technically leaves one slot. Sally Field is a huge Emmy favorite and an acting legend, but I don't know if Maniac is registering with Emmy voters. The same goes for Emma Thompson in King Lear. Lily Collins and Julia Garner are rising stars with great roles. Finally, the magnificent Eliza Scanlen deserves a nod for her haunting and brilliant breakout role in Sharp Objects. But I think that Robin Weigert, who as already been honored with a nomination in Drama Supporting Actress years ago, will earn another Emmy nod. If voters watched and loved Deadwood, they would be hard pressed not to find a place for the fan favorite Calamity Jane.

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

2019 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Variety Talk and Sketch Series

Best Variety Talk Series
Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Late Late Show with James Corden
Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Other Contenders - Real Time with Bill Maher, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, Watch What Happens Live, Desus and Mero, Conan

Commentary  - Like the Reality categories, this category has little turnover. Real Time could breakthrough, as it did for so long. But, with the Emmys, once you're out, you are usually out for good. Late Night with Seth Meyers has been hovering for a while. This could be the year it breaks into this race, or not. Instead of speculating, I am sticking with the same six as last year, knowing that probably at least five will make the cut. I like those odds.

Best Variety Sketch Series
At Home with Amy Sedaris
Documentary Now
Drunk History
I Love You, America
Saturday Night Live
Tracey Ullman's Show

Other Contenders - Who is America?, The Joel McHale Show, Kevin Hart Presents The Next Level, The Break with Michelle Wolf

Commentary - So Portlandia is out, and I think that Documentary Now will replace it after not being eligible next year. So that should be it right? Sarah Silverman was nominated last year. But her show was abruptly cancelled, and she is facing stiff competition from a similarly tiled Who is America, the Sacha Baron Cohen. All of that being said, I am sticking with Silverman, who is an Emmy favorite, and Cohen's latest was not a critical favorite.

Monday, June 24, 2019

2019 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Reality Competition Series and Best Reality Host

Best Reality Competition Program
The Amazing Race
American Ninja Warrior
Project Runway
RuPaul's Drag Race
Top Chef
The Voice

Other Contenders - The Masked Singer, America's Got Talent, Ellen's Game of Games, Survivor, Chopped, So You Think You Can Dance?, Making It, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Hollywood Game Night

Commentary - So this category rarely changes. When it does, its one show different than the last year. A lot of commentators think that the popularity and the notoriety of The Masked Singer will land it in this race. It may. In a crowded field, sometimes the most talked about show is the one that can break through. But, I'll remind those commentators that The Masked Singer was reviled by critics, who thought it was awful, and it may have turned off voters. Which means they will settle back into their old patterns. I know there is a possibility of a change, but with this category, you are guaranteed at least five predictions to be correct if you stick with the same six as the year before.

Best Reality Host
W. Kamau Bell "United Shades of America"
Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness "Queer Eye"
RuPaul Charles "RuPaul's Drag Race"
Ellen DeGeneres "Ellen's Game of Games"
Jane Lynch "Hollywood Game Night"

Other Contenders - Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman "Making It", Jeff Probst "Survivor", Phil Keoghan "The Amazing Race", Nick Cannon "The Masked Singer", Tom Bergeron "Dancing with the Stars", Marie Kondo "Tidying Up", Karlie Kloss and Christian Siriano "Project Runway", Cat Deeley "So You Think You Can Dance", Carson Daly "The Voice", James Corden "The World's Best"

Commentary - Once again, this is race that doesn't fluctuate much. I think there are six contenders for five slots. Yes I know that that means folks like Jeff Probst, Phil Keoghan, Tom Bergeron, Marie Kondo, the new Project Runway duo,  James Corden, Cat Deeley, and Carson Daly. I am sticking with four previous nominees, adding in Queer Eye, who were shockingly left off last year. But that leaves off Poehler and Offerman, who are beloved veterans. Let's face it, I hope they get in, but Parks and Recreation had an interesting history with Emmy voters that was inconsistent. They may go for them, or they may stick with what they know. In this category, I'm sticking with the known.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

The 35th Annual Television Critics Association (TCA) Award Nominations

Winners announced August 3rd:

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
Amy Adams, “Sharp Objects” – HBO
Patricia Arquette, “Escape at Dannemora” – Showtime
Christine Baranski, “The Good Fight” – CBS All Access
Jodie Comer, “Killing Eve” – BBC America
Billy Porter, “Pose” – FX
Michelle Williams, “Fosse/Verdon” – FX

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
Pamela Adlon, “Better Things” – FX
Bill Hader, “Barry” – HBO
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep” – HBO (2014 Winner in Category)
Natasha Lyonne, “Russian Doll” – Netflix
Catherine O’Hara, “Schitt’s Creek” – Pop TV
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, “Fleabag” – Amazon

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS AND INFORMATION
“60 Minutes” – CBS (2012 Winner in Category)
“America To Me” – Starz
“Leaving Neverland” – HBO
“Our Planet” – Netflix
“The Rachel Maddow Show” – MSNBC
“Surviving R. Kelly” – Lifetime

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY
“The Great British Baking Show” – PBS
“Making It” – NBC
“Nailed It!” – Netflix
“Queer Eye” – Netflix (2018 Winner in Category)
“Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” – Netflix
“Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” – Netflix

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING
“Arthur” – PBS Kids
“Carmen Sandiego” – Netflix
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” – PBS Kids (2016 Winner in Category)
“Muppet Babies” – Disney Junior
“Odd Squad” – PBS Kids
“Sesame Street” – HBO (2018, 2011, 2001 Winner in Category)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SKETCH/VARIETY SHOWS
“Desus & Mero” – Showtime
“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” -TBS
“I Think You Should Leave” – Netflix
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” – HBO (2018 Winner in Category)
“Late Night with Seth Meyers” – NBC
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” – CBS

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIE OR MINISERIES
“Chernobyl” – HBO
“Deadwood: The Movie” – HBO
“Escape at Dannemora” – Showtime
“Fosse/Verdon” – FX
“Sharp Objects” – HBO
“When They See Us” – Netflix

OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM
“Dead to Me” – Netflix
“The Other Two” – Comedy Central
“Pose” – FX
“Russian Doll” – Netflix
“Succession” – HBO
“What We Do in the Shadows” – FX

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
“Better Call Saul” – AMC
“The Good Fight” – CBS All Access
“Homecoming” – Amazon
“Killing Eve” – BBC America
“Pose” – FX
“Succession” – HBO

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
“Barry” – HBO
“Fleabag” – Amazon
“The Good Place” – NBC (2018 Winner in Category)
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” – Amazon
“Russian Doll” – Netflix
“Schitt’s Creek” – Pop TV
“Veep” – HBO (2014 Winner in Category)

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
“Chernobyl” – HBO
“Fleabag” – Amazon
“Game of Thrones” – HBO (2012 Winner in Category)
“Pose” – FX
“Russian Doll” – Netflix
“When They See Us” – Netflix

Sunday, June 9, 2019

The 73rd Annual Tony Awards

I will update the winners live!:

Best Musical - Hadestown
Best Play - The Ferryman
Best Revival of a Musical - Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!
Best Revival of a Play - The Boys in the Band
Best Actor in a Musical - Santino Fontana "Tootsie"
Best Actress in a Musical - Stephanie J. Block "The Cher Show"
Best Actor in a Play - Bryan Cranston "Network"
Best Actress in a Play - Elaine May "The Waverly Gallery"
Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Andre De Shields "Hadestown"
Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Ali Stroker "Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!"
Best Featured Actor in a Play - Bertie Carvel "Ink"
Best Featured Actress in a Play - Celia Keenan-Bolger "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Best Book of a Musical - Robert Horn "Tootsie"
Best Original Score - Anais Mitchell "Hadestown"
Best Director of a Musical - Rachel Chavkin "Hadestown"
Best Director of a Play - Sam Mendes "The Ferryman"
Best Choreography - Sergio Trujillo "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations"
Best Orchestrations - Michel Chorney and Todd Sickafoose "Hadestown"
Best Costume Design of a Musical - The Cher Show
Best Costume Design of a Play - The Ferryman
Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Hadestown
Best Lighting Design of a Play - Ink
Best Scenic Design of a Musical - Hadestown
Best Scenic Design of a Play - The Ferryman
Best Sound Design of a Musical - Hadestown
Best Sound Design of a Play - Choir Boy

Saturday, June 8, 2019

2019 Tony Award Predictions

Tomorrow is the show!

Best Musical - Hadestown
Best Play - The Ferryman
Best Revival of a Musical - Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!
Best Revival of a Play - The Boys in the Band
Best Actor in a Musical - Santino Fontana "Tootsie"
Best Actress in a Musical - Stephanie J. Block "The Cher Show"
Best Actor in a Play - Bryan Cranston "Network"
Best Actress in a Play - Elaine May "The Waverly Gallery"
Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Andre De Shields "Hadestown"
Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Ali Stroker "Oklahoma!"
Best Featured Actor in a Play - Benjamin Walker "All My Sons"
Best Featured Actress in a Play - Celia Keenan-Bolger "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Best Director of a Musical - Rachel Chavkin "Hadestown"
Best Director of a Play - Sam Mendes "The Ferryman"
Best Book of a Musical - Robert Horn "Tootsie"
Best Original Score -  Anais Mitchell "Hadestown"
Best Choreography - Warren Carlyle "Kiss Me Kate"
Best Orchestrations - Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose "Hadestown"
Best Costume Design of a Play - Gary: A Sequel of Titus Andronicus
Best Costume Design of a Musical - The Cher Show
Best Lighting Design of a Play - Network
Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Hadestown
Best Scenic Design of a Play - The Ferryman
Best Scenic Design of a Musical - Beetlejuice
Best Sound Design of a Play -  The Ferryman
Best Sound Design of a Musical - Hadestown

Monday, June 3, 2019

2019 Drama Desk Award Winners

Outstanding Play
The Ferryman

Outstanding Musical
The Prom

Outstanding Revival of the Play
The Waverly Gallery

Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Fiddler on the Roof

Outstanding Actor in a Play
Jay O. Sanders "Uncle Vanya"

Outstanding Actress in a Play
Elaine May "The Waverly Gallery"

Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Santino Fontana "Tootsie"

Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Stephanie J. Block "The Cher Show"

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Tom Glynn-Carney "The Ferryman"

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Celia Keenan-Bolger "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Andre De Shields "Hadestown"

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Ali Stroker "Oklahoma!"

Outstanding Director of a Play
Sam Mendes "The Ferryman"

Outstanding Director of a Musical
Rachel Chavkin "Hadestown"

Outstanding Choreography
Warren Carlyle "Kiss Me Kate"

Outstanding Music 
David Yazbek "Tootsie"

Outstanding Lyrics
David Yazbek "Tootsie"

Outstanding Book of a Musical
Robert Horn "Tootsie"

Outstanding Orchestrations
Daniel Kluger "Oklahoma!"

Outstanding Music in a Play
Jason Michael Webb and Fitz Patton "Choir Boy"

Outstanding Set Design of a Play
Matt Saunders "Daddy"

Outstanding Set Design for a Musical 
David Korins "Beetlejuice"

Outstanding Costume Design for a Play
Toni-Leslie James "Bernhardt/Hamlet"

Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical
Bob Mackie "The Cher Show"

Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play
Amith Chandrashaker "Boesman and Lena"

Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical
Bradley King "Hadestown"

Outstanding Projection Design
Peter England "King Kong"

Outstanding Sound Design in a Play
Nick Powell "The Ferryman"

Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical
Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz "Hadestown"

Outstanding Wig and Hair Design
Charles G. LaPointe "The Cher Show"

Outstanding Solo Performance
Mike Birbiglia "The New One"

Unique Theatrical Experience
All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914

Outstanding Fight Choreography
Claire Warden "Slave Play"

Outstanding Puppet Design
Sonny Tilders "King Kong"