Sunday, May 24, 2020

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. 


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