Sunday, May 24, 2020

First 2020 Emmy Nomination Predictions - Best Comedy Series

First 2020 Nomination Predictions
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Good Place
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Run
Schitt's Creek
Space Force

Other Contenders - Better Things, Ramy, The Kominsky Method, GLOW, Modern Family, black-ish, Silicon Valley, High Fidelity, Dave, The Politician, Grace and Frankie, The Great, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Mom, Superstore, What We Do in the Shadows, Insecure, One Day at a Time, Sex Education, Will & Grace

Commentary - With Barry, Fleabag, Veep, and Russian Doll out of the race, there is going to be a lot of new faces in this category. I do expect Schitt's Creek, The Good Place and Maisel to easily return, as well as Curb Your Enthusiasm, who always gets in when it comes back. That leaves three new slots. I definitely think Netflix's Dead to Me is going to a much bigger contender this year. The second season got much better reviews than the first, and it has gotten a lot of positive buzz recently. The last two slots are tricky. I am going with two new shows Run (from HBO and Phoebe Waller-Bridge), and Space Force (from Netflix and The Office team). But honestly, I'm not sure about either. Ramy is a newcomer that won a Globe, Better Things should be in this race, The Kominsky Method was close last year with more competition, and shows like GLOW, Modern Family, black-ish, Silicon Valley, and Will & Grace have been here before. Some newer shows like The Politician, Dave, High Fidelity, What We Do in the Shadows, and The Great could breakthrough. Finally, great veteran shows like Insecure, Mom, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Superstore, Grace and Frankie, and One Day at a Time are all looking to finally breakthrough into this category. For some of them, that would be way overdue. 

First 2020 Emmy Nomination Predictions - Best Limited Series and Best TV Movie

Best Limited Series
Hollywood
Little Fires Everywhere
Mrs. America
Unbelievable 
Watchmen

Other Contenders - I Know This Much is True, The Plot Against America, Unorthodox, The Eddy, Normal People, Belgravia, Devs, The Loudest Voice, American Horror Story: 1984, Self Made, Defending Jacob, Mrs. Fletcher, Quiz

Commentary - In terms of critical support and buzz, I feel like there are four that seem locked and loaded. Mrs. America is the zeitgeist right now, Watchmen has HBO behind it, Unbelievable and Little Fires Everywhere are star-studded streaming favorites. At the beginning of this season, I would have bet money on Hollywood being a huge contender. I still think that Netflix, plus Ryan Murphy, plus the all star cast will be enough to get a lot of Emmy recognition. But its critical response was mixed at best, and it is definitely losing steam. I think it is in, but mostly because I don't see any of the other contenders having the star power. I Know This Much is True could get in, but it is a tough sit, and has its share of critics. The Plot Against America should get in, but David Simon shows struggle with Emmy voters. The Eddy has Netflix and Damien Chazelle behind it, Unorthodox and Normal People are popular, Belgravia is the return of Julian Fellows, Devs is interesting, The Loudest Voice is television's Bombshell, and outside contenders like Defending Jacob, Mrs. Fletcher, Quiz, AHS, and Self Made cannot be discounted. 


Best Television Movie
American Son
Bad Education 
El Camino
Patsy and Loretta
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend

Other Contenders - Troop Zero, Togo, The Clark Sisters, Dolly Parton's Heartstrings, Blow the Man Down, Transparent Musical Finale, Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House

Commentary - Unlike some recent years, where there was one, maybe a second legitimate contender, there are actually some decent contenders here. Bad Education and El Camino will definitely lead the pack, as the two most likely to score nominations outside of this category (which has not happened a lot in recent years). The final Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt movie is getting great reviews, and this is a show Emmy voters did love in the past. While Patsy and Loretta was not groundbreaking, it was actually a decent film with two great lead performances that did capture the magic of those two beloved musicians. Beyond those four, there are not a lot of great choices, but at least this year there might actually be a decent race to the finish. In the final slot right now I am picking American Son. It is not a good movie, and critically reviled. But it is Netflix, plus Kerry Washington, and they are giving it a campaign, hoping that people forgot it wasn't good. Beyond those five, Dolly Parton could return, The Clark Sisters got a lot of buzz, Troop Zero has a great cast, Togo has Disney behind it, and the Agatha Raisin film could bring some nice British charm to the race. 


Friday, May 22, 2020

First 2020 Emmy Nomination Predictions - Best Actor in a Drama Series

First 2020 Predictions
Jason Bateman "Ozark"
Sterling K. Brown "This is Us"
Brian Cox "Succession" 
Bob Odenkirk "Better Call Saul" 
Billy Porter "Pose"
Jeremy Strong "Succession"

Other Contenders - Milo Ventimiglia "This is Us", Tobias Menzies "The Crown", Al Pacino "Hunters", Ben Mendelsohn "The Outsider", Steve Carell "The Morning Show", Aaron Paul "Westworld", Rami Malek "Mr. Robot", Patrick Stewart "Star Trek: Picard", Jonathan Groff "Mindhunter", Pedro Pascal "The Mandalorian", Liev Schreiber "Ray Donovan", Paul Giamatti "Billions", Damien Lewis "Billions", 

Commentary - Last year's nominees Porter, Brown, Odenkirk, and Bateman actually feel pretty solid, and while I am not predicting him, I'm wondering if I'm foolish to once again ignore Brown's co-star Ventimiglia. With Harington being the one technical turnover, and me thinking Ventimiglia as well, that leaves only two slots. I am predicting that the two Succession guys, both of whom did well on the winter circuit, are going to ride the new wave of support the show's second season has received to Emmy nominations. But I could also see The Crown's Tobias Menzies taking a slot, that show did much better than expected the last time it was eligible. While neither The Outsider nor Hunters are going to be huge contenders. I could see Emmy winners Ben Mendelsohn or Al Pacino being threats for a slot here. Rami Malek and Liev Schrieber have been nominated/won for these roles before, and could return, Steve Carell and Aaron Paul are in popular shows, and both previous Emmy favorites, and watch out for Stewart, Groff, Giamatti, Lewis, and Pascal as spoilers. 

Thursday, May 21, 2020

First 2020 Emmy Nominations - Best Actress in a Drama Series

First 2020 Predictions
Jennifer Aniston "The Morning Show"
Olivia Colman "The Crown"
Jodi Comer "Killing Eve"
Nicole Kidman "Big Little Lies"
Laura Linney "Ozark"
Elisabeth Moss "The Handmaid's Tale"

Other Contenders - Viola Davis "How to Get Away With Murder", Sandra Oh "Killing Eve", Reese Witherspoon "The Morning Show", Reese Witherspoon "Big Little Lies", Claire Danes "Homeland", Evan Rachel Wood "Westworld", Christine Baranski "The Good Fight", Mandy Moore "This is Us", Zendaya "Euphoria", Octavia Spencer "Truth Be Told", MJ Rodriguez "Pose", Maggie Gyllenhaal "The Deuce"

Commentary - So many previous nominees and winners in this category, I think it could go so many ways. I think this race is going to end up being between Jennifer Aniston, Olivia Colman, Laura Linney. These three are all talented, beloved actresses, and all give knockout performances in their respective roles. The last three slots are up for grabs. Nicole Kidman won for this role when it was in Limited Series, although I wonder if it will be the Emmy knockout we think. It got decent reviews, but as the season went on, the criticisms just piled on. Elisabeth Moss has a good chance, after The Handmaid's Tale did so well with nominations last year, even with its shortened season, but the quality of the show has just continued to go down. Likewise, I think last year's winner Jodi Comer can still make it in, but I'm not sure about Sandra Oh, and I think both are seriously vulnerable as the quality of Season 3 has simply dive-bombed. So if those last three are vulnerable, who replaces them? Viola Davis has never not been nominated for her role as Annalise Keating (even in the year she missed out in Actress, she was nominated in Guest for Scandal). This is a stacked race though, and the show ended. As I'm typing this, I am talking myself into making room for her. There are also previous nominees and winners like Claire Danes, Sandra Oh, Reese Witherspoon (with two roles this year), Evan Rachel wood, Christine Baranski, Mandy Moore, plus high profile names like Octavia Spencer, Zendaya, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and MJ Rodriguez. This is going to be a fun and interesting race to watch. 

47th Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations

Ceremony June 26th on CBS. For all of the nominees visit: https://theemmys.tv/daytime/

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS

OUTSTANDING DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
After Forever Amazon Prime Video
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Eastsiders Netflix
Studio City Amazon Prime Video

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Finola Hughes as Anna Devane
General Hospital ABC

Katherine Kelly Lang as Brooke Logan
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS

Heather Tom as Katie Logan
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS

Maura West as Ava Jerome
General Hospital ABC

Arianne Zucker as Nicole Walker
Days of Our Lives NBC

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Rowin Amone as Ester
Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com

Mary Beth Evans as Sara Garrett
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video

Jade Harlow as Lianna Ramos
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video

Cady Huffman as Lisa
After Forever Amazon Prime Video

Shanti Lowry as Yolanda Rodriguez
Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Steve Burton as Jason Morgan
General Hospital ABC

Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS

Jon Lindstrom as Kevin Collins/Ryan Chamberlain
General Hospital ABC

Thaao Penghlis as Tony DiMera
Days of Our Lives NBC

Jason Thompson as Billy Abbott
The Young and the Restless CBS

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Kristos Andrews as Pete Garrett
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video

Alex Hurt as Adam
The Rehearsal rehearsalseries.com

Brad James as Cameran Jr.
A House Divided UMC / Amazon Prime Video

Sean Kanan as Sam Stevens
Studio City Amazon Prime Video

Brian White as Jimmy Blue
Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Tamara Braun as Dr Kim Nero
General Hospital ABC

Rebecca Budig as Hayden Barnes
General Hospital ABC

Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie Williams
Days of Our Lives NBC

Christel Khalil as Lily Winters
The Young and the Restless CBS

Annika Noelle as Hope Logan
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Tina Benko as Helen
The Rehearsal rehearsalseries.com

Veanne Cox as Lenora
Indoor Boys vimeo.com

Patrika Darbo as Violet
Studio City Amazon Prime Video

Carolyn Hennesy as Gloria
Studio City Amazon Prime Video

Janet Hubert as Mignon
Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Mark Grossman as Adam Newman
The Young and the Restless CBS

Bryton James as Devon Hamilton
The Young and the Restless CBS

Wally Kurth as Justin Kiriakis
Days of Our Lives NBC

Chandler Massey as Will Horton
Days of Our Lives NBC

James Patrick Stuart as Valentin Cassadine
General Hospital ABC

Paul Telfer as Xander Kiriakis
Days of Our Lives NBC

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Willam Belli as Douglas / Gomorrah Ray
Eastsiders Netflix

Leith M. Burke as Derrick
Eastsiders Netflix

Tristan Rogers as Doc
Studio City Amazon Prime Video

Lenny Wolpe as Carl
After Forever Amazon Prime Video

Gregory Zarian as Nate
Venice the Series vimeo.com

OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Sasha Calle as Lola Rosales
The Young and the Restless CBS

Olivia Rose Keegan as Claire Brady
Days of Our Lives NBC

Katelyn MacMullen as Willow Tait
General Hospital ABC

Eden McCoy as Josslyn Jacks
General Hospital ABC

Thia Megia as Haley Chen
Days of Our Lives NBC

OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Elissa Kapneck as Sasha
The Young and the Restless CBS

Michael Knight as Martin Grey
General Hospital ABC

Eva LaRue as Celeste Rosales
The Young and the Restless CBS

Jeffrey Vincent Parise as Simon Black
The Young and the Restless CBS

Chrishell Stause as Jordan Ridgeway
Days of Our Lives NBC

OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMER IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Rene Heger as Zack Sullivan
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video

Mary Beth Peil as Helen
After Forever Amazon Prime Video

Scott Turner Schofield as Max
Studio City Amazon Prime Video

Lin Shaye as Diane
Eastsiders Netflix

Graham Sibley as Zack
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video

OUTSTANDING INFORMATIVE TALK SHOW
The 3rd Hour of TODAY NBC
Rachael Ray SYNDICATED
Red Table Talk Facebook Watch
Today Show with Hoda & Jenna NBC
The View ABC

OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT TALK SHOW
The Ellen DeGeneres Show SYNDICATED
GMA3 Strahan, Sara & Keke ABC
The Kelly Clarkson Show SYNDICATED
Live with Kelly and Ryan SYNDICATED

The Talk CBS

OUTSTANDING INFORMATIVE TALK SHOW HOST
Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Meghan McCain, Abby Huntsman & Ana Navarro
The View ABC

Tamron Hall
Tamron Hall SYNDICATED

Larry King
Larry King Now Ora TV

Hoda Kotb & Jenna Bush Hager
Today Show with Hoda & Jenna NBC

Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith & Adrienne Banfield-Norris
Red Table Talk Facebook Watch

OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT TALK SHOW HOST
Michael Strahan, Sara Haines & Keke Palmer
GMA3 Strahan, Sara & Keke ABC

Kelly Clarkson
The Kelly Clarkson Show SYNDICATED

Kelly Ripa & Ryan Seacrest
Live with Kelly and Ryan SYNDICATED

Maury Povich
Maury SYNDICATED

Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, Eve, Carrie Ann Inaba & Marie Osmond
The Talk CBS

OUTSTANDING CULINARY SERIES
Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro Food Network
Giada Entertains Food Network
Milk Street PBS
30 Minute Meals Food Network
Valerie's Home Cooking Food Network

OUTSTANDING CULINARY HOST
Valerie Bertinelli
Valerie's Home Cooking Food Network

Frankie Celenza
Struggle Meals Tastemade

Giada De Laurentiis
Giada Entertains Food Network

Ina Garten
Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro Food Network

Rachael Ray
30 Minute Meals Food Network

OUTSTANDING GAME SHOW
Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Nickelodeon
Double Dare Nickelodeon
Family Feud SYNDICATED
Jeopardy! SYNDICATED
The Price Is Right CBS

OUTSTANDING GAME SHOW HOST
Wayne Brady
Let's Make a Deal CBS

Steve Harvey
Family Feud SYNDICATED

Alfonso Ribeiro
Catch 21 Game Show Network

Pat Sajak
Wheel of Fortune SYNDICATED

Alex Trebek
Jeopardy! SYNDICATED

OUTSTANDING LEGAL/COURTROOM PROGRAM
Hot Bench SYNDICATED
Judge Judy SYNDICATED
Judge Mathis SYNDICATED
Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court SYNDICATED
The People's Court SYNDICATED

OUTSTANDING LIFESTYLE SERIES
Ask This Old House PBS
George to the Rescue NBC
Home Made Simple with Laila Ali OWN
Open House NBC
This Old House PBS

OUTSTANDING TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE PROGRAM
Jack Hanna's Into the Wild SYNDICATED
Ocean Treks with Jeff Corwin SYNDICATED
Rock the Park SYNDICATED
Samantha Brown's Places To Love PBS
The Zimmern List Travel Channel

OUTSTANDING MORNING SHOW
CBS Sunday Morning CBS
CBS This Morning CBS
Good Morning America ABC
Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist NBC
Today Show NBC

OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS SHOW
Access Hollywood SYNDICATED
E! News E! Entertainment
Entertainment Tonight SYNDICATED
Extra SYNDICATED
Inside Edition SYNDICATED

OUTSTANDING HOST FOR A DAYTIME PROGRAM
Jeff Corwin
Ocean Treks with Jeff Corwin SYNDICATED

Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration HBO

Mo Rocca & Alie Ward
The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation CBS

Mike Rowe
Returning the Favor Facebook Watch

Andrew Zimmern
The Zimmern List Travel Channel

OUTSTANDING SPECIAL CLASS SERIES
The Day I Picked My Parents A&E
Retro Tech YouTube Originals
Returning the Favor Facebook Watch
SuperSoul Sunday OWN
Welcome Home The CW

OUTSTANDING SPECIAL CLASS SPECIAL
93rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day NBC
Hate Among Us Popstar TV
Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration HBO
This Old House: 40th Anniversary Special PBS
The Young and the Restless: Kristoff St. John Tribute CBS

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Studio City Amazon Prime Video

OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS

OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
After Forever Amazon Prime Video
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Eastsiders Netflix
Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Studio City Amazon Prime Video

Sunday, May 17, 2020

First 2020 Emmy Nominations - Best Actor in a Comedy Series

First 2020 Predictions
Steve Carell "Space Force"
Don Cheadle "Black Monday" 
Ted Danson "The Good Place"
Larry David "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Michael Douglas "The Kominsky Method"
Eugene Levy "Schitt's Creek"

Other Contenders - Ramy Youssef "Ramy", Anthony Anderson "black-ish", Domhnall Gleeson "Run", Hugh Laurie "Avenue 5", Martin Freeman "Breeders", Ricky Gervais "After Life", Paul Rudd "Living With Yourself", Ben Platt "The Politician", Andy Samberg "Brooklyn Nine-Nine", William H. Macy "Shameless", Jim Carrey "Kidding", John Goodman "The Conners", Walton Goggins "The Unicorn", Ben Feldman "Superstore", Zack Galifianakis "Baskets", Eric McCormack "Will & Grace"

Commentary - I don't expect much movement here. We know there is one slot open, as Bill Hader is not eligible, so that will most likely go to Larry David, who always seems to find a spot when Curb Your Enthusiasm returns. But I think that Neflix's Space Force, if it ends up being as good as it looks, is going to be a big contender, and I think voters are going to make a slot for Steve Carell. I hate to say it, but it looks like Anthony Anderson is the weakest link. His show finally fell out of Comedy Series, and is now entering its later years, where shows start to fade, even though he had another great season. Ramy Youssef won the Golden Globe, and he could replace, say, a Don Cheadle, if there is enough love for his small show. But I don't bet against Don Cheadle with these voters. Domhnall Gleeson, Hugh Laurie, and Martin Freeman all had buzzed projects. I would also look out for Platt, Rudd, Gervais, Goodman, Carrey, Feldman, McCormack, Gogins, and Galifianakis. 

Saturday, May 16, 2020

First 2020 Emmy Nominations - Best Actress in a Comedy Series

First 2020 Predictions
Pamela Adlon "Better Things"
Christina Applegate "Dead to Me"
Rachel Brosnahan "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Linda Cardellini "Dead to Me"
Catherine O'Hara "Schitt's Creek"
Merritt Wever "Run" 

Other Contenders - Kristen Bell "The Good Place", Issa Rae "Insecure", Jane Fonda "Grace and Frankie", Lily Tomlin "Grace and Frankie", Zoe Kravitz "High Fidelity", Tracee Ellis Ross "black-is", Awkwafina "Awkwafina is Nora from Queens", Allison Janney "Mom", Alison Brie "GLOW", Anna Kendrick "Love Life", Justina Machado "One Day at a Time", Elle Fanning "The Great", Anna Faris "Mom", America Fererra "Superstore", Gwyneth Paltrow "The Politician", Debra Messing "Will & Grace", Helen Hunt "Mad About You"

Commentary - Without Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Phoebe Waller-Bridge in the mix this year, this category opens up a bit. I think that last year's nominees Catherine O'Hara, Rachel Brosnahan, and Christina Applegate will return, and the Emmy is mostly likely between those three. Merritt Wever will most likely be the new show nominee this year for HBO's Run, as she is always an Emmy favorite, who is having a banner year on television. Season 2 of Dead to Me is rising in terms of critical appeal, and Linda Cardellini is a popular veteran. Finally, I think one of the old favorites is going to return. My money is on Pamela Adlon. She is an Emmy winner, and this season of Better Things was jaw-dropping good, and got lots of positive buzz. But there are plenty of other vets who could return to this race, like Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Allison Janney, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis-Ross, Alison Brie, America Ferrera, Debra Messing, and Helen Hunt. Also don't rule out veteran Gwyneth Paltrow, and some hoping to get their first nod Awkwafina, Zoe Kravitz, Elle Fanning, Anna Faris, and particularly Justina Machado and Kristen Bell, who are both way overdue for Emmy nods for their roles. 

Sunday, May 10, 2020

First 2020 Emmy Nominations - Best Actor in a TV Movie/Limited Series

First 2020 Predictions
Russell Crowe "The Loudest Voice"
Jeremy Irons "Watchmen"
Hugh Jackman "Bad Education" 
Aaron Paul "El Camino"
Mark Ruffalo "I Know This Much is True"
Andrew Scott "Smithereens: Black Mirror"

Other Contenders - Andre Holland "The Eddy", Chris Evans "Defending Jacob", Matthew MacFayden "Quiz", Jeremy Pope "Hollywood", David Corenswet "Hollywood", Paul Mescal "Normal People", Anthony Mackie "Striking Vipers: Black Mirror", Sacha Baron Cohen "The Spy", Morgan Spector "The Plot Against America", Rory Kinnear "Years and Years", Miles Teller "To Old to Die Young"

Commentary - There are not enough slots in Best Actress for all of the contenders, and it makes this category seem a little weak by comparison. It is a top-heavy category, especially in the top five. You have Oscar nominees Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Jackman, Oscar winners Jeremy Irons and Russell Crowe, and multiple Emmy winner Aaron Paul returning the role that won him his multiple Emmys. These five guys will be battling it out for the win, and honestly it could go to any of them. In the six slot, I have stuck in Andrew Scott, based on goodwill, and his multiple wins for Fleabag during the winter awards. Black Mirror has gone downhill so much this season, but voters will see his name, and it may be had to resist. I would love to see Andre Holland or Paul Mescal get in, but they might not have enough recognition. Jeremy Pope and David Corenswet could ride into Emmy glory even though Hollywood is getting some mixed reactions. Also look out for Miles Teller, Rory Kinnear, Morgan Spector, Matthew MacFayden, Anthony Mackie, Chris Evans, and Sacha Baron Cohen. 

First 2020 Emmy Nominations - Best Actress in a TV Movie/Limited Series

First 2020 Predictions
Cate Blanchett "Mrs. America"
Kaitlyn Dever "Unbelievable"
Regina King "Watchmen"
Kerry Washington "Little Fires Everywhere"
Merritt Wever "Unbelievable" 
Reese Witherspoon "Little Fires Everywhere" 

Other Contenders - Zoe Kazan "The Plot Against America", Octavia Spencer "Self Made", Kathryn Hahn "Mrs. Fletcher", Shira Haas "Unorthodox", Kerry Washington "American Son", Helen Mirren "Catherine the Great", Michelle Dockery "Defending Jacob", Lizzy Caplan "Castle Rock", Ellie Kemper "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt", Daisy Edgar-Jones "Normal People", Niecy Nash "Stolen By My Mother", Jessie Mueller "Patsy and Loretta", Megan Hilty "Patsy and Loretta", Aunjanue Ellis "The Clark Sisters"

Commentary - A top heavy category, this one is going to a fun race to the finish. Conventional wisdom would probably lean towards Cate Blanchett. She is the Oscar-winning movie star that has come to television to play an iconic role (although not a beloved iconic role, which could hurt). But you cannot discount Regina King who is television's own, and a multiple Emmy winner (oh and won an Oscar recently too). Both are incredible in their roles, and both could easily win. Then there are two dynamic duos, from Unbelievable and Little Fires Everywhere. While Dever is not an unknown to television viewers after her roles on Last Man Standing and Justified, it would be her first Emmy nomination, and I think she gets it. The other three are no strangers to the Emmy race, and all are incredibly popular among voters. I would still lookout for Zoe Kazan (although as we know David Simon shows are often ignored), Octavia Spencer (Oscar winner in a great role, but mixed movie overall), and other Emmy nominees like Helen Mirren, Kerry Washington (again), Kathryn Hahn, Ellie Kemper, Michelle Dockery, Helen Mirren, Lizzy Caplan, Niech Nash, and Aunjanue Ellis. Also look out for the dynamic duo of Jessie Mueller and Megan Hilty as the legends Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, and newcomer Daisy Edgar-Jones, who is making quite a splash in Normal People. 

Saturday, May 9, 2020

First 2020 Emmy Nominations - Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

First 2020 Predictions
Jonathan Banks "Better Call Saul"
Billy Crudup "The Morning Show"
Kieran Culkin "Succession"
Giancarlo Esposito "Better Call Saul" 
Josh O'Connor "The Crown"
Bradley Whitford "The Handmaid's Tale"

Other Contenders - David Harbour "Stranger Things", Matthew MacFayden "Succession", Tom Pelphrey "Ozark", Mandy Patinkin "Homeland", Alan Alda "Ray Donovan", Alexander Skarsgard "Big Little Lies", Justin Hartley "This is Us", Chris Sullivan "This is Us", Joseph Fiennes "The Handmaid's Tale", Mark Duplass "The Morning Show", Asante Blackk "This is Us", Ron Cephas Jones "Truth Be Told", Aaron Paul "Truth Be Told", Delroy Lindo "The Good Fight", Chris Cooper "Homecoming", Costa Ronin "Homeland", Tony Dalton "Better Call Saul" 

Commentary - With three slots open, at least, we know this category is going to shift considerably this year. I still predict that Jonathan Banks will get in, and maybe he finally gets some recognition. I would also not bet against Giancarlo Esposito who was able to get in last year, and is always good in that role. Bradley Whitford won for this role in guest, and now is being bumped up to supporting. This has often worked well for The Handmaid's Tale actors in the past. It is odd that no one from Succession got in last year, but the show is on the rise, and now there is room. Of the bunch, I think it is Kieran Culkin who has the best shot. Billy Crudup has been a hard-working veteran actor for awhile now, and he is on a bit of an awards streak with The Morning Show. I think he gets a nod. Finally, I am saving a spot for standout Josh O'Connor. Season 2 did better than expected with the actors, and I there was a lot of positive buzz about his performance. I think he surprises. So whose on the outside? There is Succession co-star Matthew MacFayden, Daytime Emmy winner Tom Pelphrey in a great role on Ozark, and previous nominees and winners like David Harbour, Alexander Skarsgard, Alan Alda, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sullivan, Asante Blackk, Joseph Fiennes, Mark Duplass, Chris Cooper, Ron Cephas Jones, and Aaron Paul. Also look out for Justin Hartley, Tony Dalton, Costa Ronin, and Delroy Lindo.  

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The 35th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards

Outstanding Play
Heroes of the Fourth Turning

Outstanding Musical
Octet

Outstanding Revival
for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf

Outstanding Solo Show
Dana H.

Outstanding Director
Annie Tippe "Octet"

Outstanding Choreographer
Travis Wall "The Wrong Man"

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
Edmund Donovan "Greater Clements"

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play
Emily Davis "In This a Room"

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Francis Jue "Cambodian Rock Band"

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Michele Pawk "Heroes of the Fourth Turning"

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
Larry Owens "A Strange Loop"

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
Grace McLean "In the Green"

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Christian Borle "Little Shop of Horrors"

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Kuhoo Verma "Octet"

Outstanding Scene Design
Mrs. Murray's Menagerie

Outstanding Costume Design
The Confession of Lily Dare

Outstanding Lighting Design
Heroes on the Fourth Turning

Outstanding Sound Design
Dana H.

Outstanding Projection Design
The Headlands

Sunday, May 3, 2020

First 2020 Emmy Nominations - Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

First 2020 Predictions
Helena Bonham Carter "The Crown"
Laura Dern "Big Little Lies"
Ann Dowd "The Handmaid's Tale"
Julia Garner "Ozark"
Thandie Newton "Westworld"
Meryl Streep "Big Little Lies"

Other Contenders - Fiona Shaw "Killing Eve", Millie Bobby Brown "Stranger Things", Rhea Seehorn "Better Call Saul", Janet McTeer "Ozark", Samira Wiley "The Handmaid's Tale", Sarah Snook "Succession", Holly Hunter "Succession", Cynthia Erivo "The Outsider", Mare Winningham "The Outsider", Gugu Mbatha-Raw "The Morning Show", Yvonne Strahovski "The Handmaid's Tale", Susan Kelechi Watson "This is Us", Chrissy Metz "This is Us", Tessa Thompson "Westworld", Zoe Kravitz "Big Little Lies", Uzo Aduba "Orange is the New Black", Indya Moore "Pose", Alfre Woodard "See", Cush Jumbo "The Good Fight", Sandra Bernhard "Pose", Maggie Siff "Billions"

Commentary - The question this year, is how many previous nominees are left out? How many newcomers can crash the race? I feel confident in picking Helena Bonham Carter, who could end up winning this thing for The Crown. I also could see legends, and Oscar/Emmy winners Laura Dern and Meryl Streep crashing for Big Little Lies. But if quality over name matters, which we have seen more of that recently, they could be surprise snubs on Emmy nomination morning. So then who returns? Right now I am betting of the trifecta of Juila Garner, Thandie Newton, and Ann Dowd, aka the last three winners of this category. But I could see a number of combinations of nominees. What about Fiona Shaw who was nominated last year, or Millie Bobby Brown who is a two time nominee? Are their shows strong enough this year to push them in? Previous nominees and winners, some for these roles, include, Janet McTeer, Samira Wiley, Yvonne Strahovski, Mare Winningham, Cynthia Erivo, Chrissy Metz, Alfre Woodward, Uzo Aduba, and Holly Hunter. I would also not count out folks like Sarah Snook, Rhea Seehorn (both of whom are very much in this race), Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Susan Kelechi Watson, Cush Jumbo, Maggie Siff, Indya Moore, and Sandra Bernhard.

86th Annual Drama League Awards

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
Cambodian Rock Band
Dana H.
Grand Horizons
The Hot Wing King
The Inheritance
The Michaels
Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow
One in Two
Sea Wall/A Life
Seared
Slave Play
Stew

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Girl from the North Country
Jagged Little Pill
Moulin Rouge!
Octet
The Secret Life of Bees
Sing Street
Six
Soft Power
A Strange Loop
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A PLAY
Betrayal
for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Fires in the Mirror
Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune
Judgment Day
Medea
Native Son
The Rose Tattoo
A Soldier's Play
The Woman in Black

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
Enter Laughing
Little Shop of Horrors
Rock of Ages
The Unsinkable Molly Brown
West Side Story

DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD
David Acton, The Woman in Black
Jeffrey Bean, Dublin Carol
Ato Blankson-Wood, The Rolling Stone and Slave Play
Christian Borle, Little Shop of Horrors
Danielle Brooks, Much Ado About Nothing
Danny Burstein, Moulin Rouge!
Rose Byrne, Medea
Len Cariou, Harry Townsend's Last Stand
Patrice Johnson Chevannes, runboyrun & In Old Age
Liza Colón-Zayas, Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven
Kate del Castillo, the way she spoke
Edmund Donovan, Greater Clements
Raúl Esparza, Seared
Francesca Faridany, The Half-Life of Marie Curie
Halley Feiffer, The Pain of My Belligerence
Danyel Fulton, Broadbend, Arkansas
Annie Golden, Broadway Bounty Hunter
Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Where We Stand
David Alan Grier, A Soldier's Play
Jonathan Groff, Little Shop of Horrors
Jake Gyllenhaal, Sea Wall/A Life
Tom Hiddleston, Betrayal
Paul Hilton, The Inheritance
Kathryn Hunter, Timon of Athens
Galen Ryan Kane, Native Son
Brittney Mack, Six
April Matthis, Toni Stone
Susannah Millonzi, The Crucible
Kate Mulgrew, The Half-Life of Marie Curie
Joe Ngo, Cambodian Rock Band
Deirdre O'Connell, Dana H.
Brenock O'Connor, Sing Street
Okwui Okpokwasili, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
Karen Olivo, Moulin Rouge!
Larry Owens, A Strange Loop
Lauren Patten, Jagged Little Pill
Chris Perfetti, Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow
Ben Porter, The Woman in Black
Isaac Powell, West Side Story
Jonathan Pryce, The Height of the Storm
Elizabeth Rodriguez, Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven
Michael Shannon, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
Tom Sturridge, Sea Wall/A Life
Marisa Tomei, The Rose Tattoo
Blair Underwood, A Soldier's Play
Michael Urie, Grand Horizons
Adrienne Warren, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
Michael Benjamin Washington, Fires in the Mirror
Portia, Stew

The Drama League also wishes to acknowledge the previous recipients of the Distinguished Performance Award who appeared in Broadway or Off-Broadway productions this season.  As the Award can only be won once in a performer’s lifetime, they are ineligible to be nominated; however, their exemplary work is recognized and applauded.

Harvey Fierstein, Bella Bella
Mary-Louise Parker, The Sound Inside
Audra McDonald, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

Saturday, May 2, 2020

First 2020 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Supporting Actor in a TV Movie/Limited Series

First 2020 Predictions
Darren Criss "Hollywood"
Tim Blake Nelson "Watchmen"
Jim Parsons "Hollywood"
Jesse Plemmons "El Camino"
John Slattery "Mrs. America"
John Turturro "The Plot Against America"

Other Contenders - Joe Mantello "Hollywood", Dylan McDermott "Hollywood", Tituss Burgess "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt", Don Johnson "Watchmen", Michael Sheen "Quiz", Blair Underwood "Self Made", Joshua Jackson "Little Fires Everywhere", Ray Romano "Bad Education", Jaeden Martell "Defending Jacob", Nick Offerman "Devs", Tahar Rahim "The Eddy", Russell Tovey "Years and Years", Cody Fern "American Horror Story 1984", Daniel Radcliffe "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt", J.K. Simmons "Defending Jacob"

Commentary - Despite its mixed reviews, I'm sure Hollywood will still snag some nominations along the way, and in this category, which is not as deep as usual, I expect Emmy favorites Jim Parsons and Darren Criss to still get in, even though the show is not the critical hit many were expecting. Tim Blake Nelson is probably the front runner for his role in Watchmen, which was just fantastc, as were the roles of John Turturro and Jesse Plemmons, both well like character actors in popular projects. Finally, expect Emmy nominee John Slattery to return for Mrs. America, which has incredible buzz and is suddenly a huge Emmy favorite. Beyond that, the competition is just not as deep as its supporting actress counterpart. Joe Mantello is a Broadway favorite, and Dylan McDermott is a previous Emmy nominee, and both could make it in if mixed reviews don't hurt it with Emmy voters. Emmy favorite Tituss Burgess is always a threat, as is Don Johnson, Michael Sheen, Blair Underwood, Joshua Jackson, Ray Romano, Nick Offerman, and the two Defending Jacob guys. Finally, don't rule out Fern, Radclife, Tovey, and Rahim. In a weaker race, often surprises emerge.