SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
One of the most interesting TV events of the fall will be just how ABC pulls off its primetime presentation of the 72nd Emmy Awards on September 20. Originally scheduled at its current home at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Emmy producers to rethink just how to televise the awards, still hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, and capture the magic moments of winning that coveted trophy for over 140 nominees. With cameras at over 140 homes. You figure out the logistics.
Now that the Emmy voters have submitted their ballots (as a voter, I got my ballot in 1 day early — a new record for me), there’s not much that viewers can do until then but catch up on the nominees. With the wide range of nominees this year, one of the most frequent questions I get is “What channel is this show on?”
Here’s where I come in. Let’s go through all of the major Emmy contenders that have earned double-digit nominations, and I’ll let you know just where you can find them:
- “Watchmen” (26 nominations, including Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Actress and 3 Outstanding Supporting Actor nominees). The HBO adaptation of the DC comics series is considered to be far superior to the 2009 feature-film attempt to adapt the comic-book material in that its emphasis now is on racial strife makes it far more relevant to events today than almost any other series on the air. Nominated star Regina King (pictured above, right) has the opportunity to win her 4th Emmy (from 3 different series!), and the wide range of nominations indicates support from all over the Television Academy. (Where to find it: HBO On Demand, HBO Max)
- “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (20 nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress/Comedy and 2 Outstanding Supporting Actress nominees). “Mrs. Maisel” is one of the few comedy series that has enormous support in the Academy’s technical branches as it is a one-camera period comedy that has strong costumes and set design. Star Rachel Brosnahan, who won the Emmy in 2018, and supporting actress Alex Borstein, who is the 2-time defending champion in the supporting actress category, hope to repeat. (Where to find it: Amazon Prime)
- “Ozark” (18 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor & Actress and 3 Outstanding Writing nominations). This crime-oriented drama is one of those series that started out quietly awards-wise, earning 3 Emmy nominations for its first year and 9 for its second, but this year, its awards recognition has exploded with 18 nods. One telling indication of its strength is that its star Jason Bateman wrested the Best Director Emmy win last year during the “Game of Thrones” love fest. Look for “Ozark” to get some more Emmy love this year. (Where to find it: Netflix)
- “Succession” (18 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, 2 Outstanding Lead Actor nominations and 3 Outstanding Supporting Actor nominees). Like “Ozark,” “Succession” has come on strong in its latest season in its tale of a media potentate (Brian Cox) who has reached his retirement age but who is challenged by his son, who is his troubled heir apparent (Jeremy Strong). Both Cox and Strong are nominated for Best Actor, and that battle will be one of the most interesting of this year’s Emmy night. (Where to find it: HBO On Demand, HBO Max)
- “The Mandalorian” (15 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Guest Actor and 13 other Creative Arts nominations). The number of nominations that this “Star Wars” spinoff landed was the big surprise on nomination day., especially since Disney+ is only in its first year. Its nomination in Drama Series would be a longshot win at best, but the series’ strong production values could result in a large number of wins at the Creative Arts Emmys. “The Mandalorian” (and Baby Yoda) may be the sleeper candidate of the year. (Where to find it: Disney+)
- “Saturday Night Live” (15 nominations, including Outstanding Variety Sketch Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor and 2 Outstanding Supporting Actress nominations). Not much more to say here — 45 seasons and 71 Emmy wins under its belt — but look out for Kenan Thompson in the Supporting Actor race. He’s been the MVP of Season 45 and might be amply rewarded here. Looking forward, I can’t wait for Emmy nominee Cecily Strong’s upcoming take in Season 46 on Kimberly Guilfoyle’s cuckoo speech at this year’s RNC. (Where to find it: NBC On Demand, Peacock)
- “Schitt’s Creek” (15 nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor, Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actress nominations). This Canadian sitcom, which has quietly aired on Pop TV, only came to serious Emmy attention in Season #5 (after its reruns were widely seen and loved on Netflix), and now in its final season #6, it has become an Emmy juggernaut, with a strong chance of winning Best Comedy Series, Best Actor and Best Actress, which would be the story of the night. (Where to find it: PopTV)
- “The Crown” (13 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actress and Outstanding Supporting Actress nominations). This season was the big transition between young Queen Elizabeth (Claire Foy) and middle-aged Elizabeth (Olivia Colman), and from reaction from critics and audiences, the transition seems to have gone extremely smoothly. Look for Oscar-winner Colman (“The Favourite”) as Elizabeth and 2-time Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret to be in the thick of their races for the Emmy. (Where to find it: Netflix)
- “Hollywood” (12 nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress and 2 Outstanding Supporting Actor nominations). Ryan Murphy’s alternative-reality look at the film industry in the 1950s disappointed a bit in nominations, missing a nod for the big prize of Outstanding Limited Series, but it did get some key acting nominations. Emmy face Jim Parsons got a nod as an abusive gay talent agent, as did Holland Taylor in one of the year’s best performances as a studio executive looking at one last chance for love. (Where to find it: Netflix)
- “Westworld” (11 nominations, including Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress and 9 Creative Arts nominations). From 22 Emmy nominations in 2017, “Westworld” Season 3 has fallen to half that number this year, but that does include Emmy winners Jeffrey Wright and Thandie Newton, both of whom are back and may surprise. “Westworld’s” Emmy haul, however, has largely been in the technical categories, and there’s no reason that the series will not be a contender again. (Where to find it: HBO On Demand, HBO Max)
- “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (10 nominations, including Outstanding Competition Program, Outstanding Host for a Reality/Competition Program and 8 Creative Arts nominations). “Drag Race” is one of the few series that became an Emmy powerhouse 8 seasons into its run. It has won the Competition Program Emmy for the past 2 years, and host RuPaul has won that Emmy for the past 4 years, currently tied with “Survivor’s” Jeff Probst for that title. And the 10 nominations for the mothership don’t include 3 additional short series nominations, including its spin-off “Untucked.” This is a powerhouse of a franchise, and Season 12 did not stint on the drama, suggesting yet another victory for the crew. Bye-eee! (Where to find it: VH1 on Demand)
- Mrs. America” (10 nominations, including Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series and 2 Outstanding Supporting Actress nominations). Ryan Murphy’s look at the 1970s battle for the Equal Rights Amendment under-performed a bit in the Emmy nomination race — its supporting actress candidates could have taken up all five slots — but the Best Actress showdown between Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett (as her first American series regular role) vs. Regina King has Emmy prognosticators salivating at the match-up. (Where to find it: FX on Hulu)
- “The Handmaid’s Tale” (10 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actress nominations). As the first series from a streaming service to win the Emmy as Outstanding Drama Series, “The Handmaid’s Tale” has already landed a footnote in Emmy history, but its prospects this year are less likely to turn out as well. For example, its star, Emmy-winner Elisabeth Moss, failed to even garner a nomination as Best Actress and that poses a huge red flag about the series’ chances to snag the big Emmy. Predict at your own risk. (Where to find it: Hulu)
