JULY 16, 2015
Count on the Television Academy to have a surprise or two up its sleeve. And this morning’s nominations for the 67th annual Primetime Emmy Awards produced some real shockers.
HBO’s “Game of Thrones” now in its 5th season roared to the front of the pack with a stunning 24 nominations, the most for any show since 2011. With last year’s drama behemoths “Breaking Bad” and “True Detective” now out of the picture, the road is cleared for “Thrones” to try to take its first Best Drama Series statuette. But the series was not the only big winner this morning:
WINNERS
TATIANA MASLANY – Long lauded by critics and other award groups, Maslany finally earned her first Emmy nomination for her work on BBC America’s “Orphan Black,” where she plays (at least) 7 different characters (pictured left.) It’s an amazingly difficult performance — Maslany often has to interact with 3 different versions of herself in the same shot. Well done, Academy. And it’s about time.
STREAMING NETWORKS – Netflix once again scored major nominations for its dramas “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black,” as well as several key nods for its freshman series “Bloodline,” “Grace & Frankie” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” And then there’s Emmy newcomer Amazon, which scored the morning’s other big winner….
TRANSPARENT – The streaming comedy/drama about a father (Jeffrey Tambor) who transitions in later life and who, now as a woman, must redefine her role within her family. The series garnered 11 nominations, the most of any comedy series (the second year in a row that a streaming service has earned that distinction). With 3 acting nominations plus key nods in writing and directing, “Transparent” now has a good shot at winning the Best Comedy Emmy.
But then there are…
LOSERS
RETURNING CHAMPIONS – It was a tough day for some of last year’s winners. Reigning Drama Actress champion Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”) won’t be defending her title. And most shockingly, Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”), Best Comedy Actor for 4 of the last 5 years, was not nominated, despite the fact that his category was expanded to seven nominees this year.
EMPIRE – Hands down, the most popular new show for the 2014-15 season, “Empire” seemed poised to make an Emmy breakthrough, certainly in Best Drama Series and perhaps with lead actor Terence Howard. But the show managed only a Lead Actress nomination for Taraji P. Henson and costumes. FOX, which is broadcasting the Emmy ceremony this year, must be disappointed for its new hit.
MODERN FAMILY – While not exactly a loser with 6 nominations including Best Comedy Series, this 5-time winner of that title had hoped to win a record-setting 6th Emmy for the show this year, but signs aren’t good after this morning. The series regularly had 6 of its cast nominated for acting Emmys, but this year only two (Ty Burrell & Julie Bowen) got the nod, plus no nominations for writing or directing, a must if you hope to win the big prize.
All will be revealed on September 20.
