We are just two weeks away from Emmy voting. And, like in any competitive awards season, that’s more than enough time for political controversy or scandal to influence voters. And considering the current occupant of the White House is focusing on a Sydney Sweeney jeans ad to distract from the hellscape around him, we don’t doubt anything could happen (don’t worry, you can breathe easy, Jean Smart is still on track to land her fourth Emmy as Deborah Vance in “Hacks”). Moreover, Emmy night has always proven that surprises are in store. Almost like clockwork (see Billy Cudrup taking Supporting Actor in a Drama Series or Lamorne Morris shocking in Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie 11 months ago).
Keeping that in mind, here are nine Emmy storylines that have our attention as Emmy season turns the corner toward the finish line.
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Will Hollywood send a message to CBS during their Emmys broadcast?
If you drive west down Santa Monica Blvd., there is a new FYC billboard on the corner of Santa Monica and La Cienega Blvd. It’s been paid for by ABC to promote the candidacy of Variety Talk Series nominee, “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” but its message is anything but. As noted by the image in this newsletter, Kimmel is telling voters not to vote for him, but for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which was controversially given its cancellation notice just a few weeks ago. Beyond the fact that it’s a classy move by Kimmel for his friend Colbert, it signals that presenters and winners may let CBS have it during an Emmys telecast they are broadcasting this year. And considering it’s unclear what will happen when the Paramount-Skydance merger officially closes, there could be a lot of anger directed at the Tiffany Network and its corporate overlords during the ceremony. Watch out.
Can “The Studio” really beat “Hacks”?
After “Hacks” upset “The Bear” last year for the Comedy Series Emmy and returned with a critically acclaimed fourth season (it’s highest Metacritic rating so far), it seemed like a no-brainer that the HBO Max staple would win for a second year in a row. Then the nominations came out and, somewhat shockingly, Apple TV’s “The Studio” earned 23 nominations while “Hacks” took just 14. Granted, “The Studio” is a minor masterpiece in the eyes of many (including this critic), but the disparity was eye-popping. One reason was because the actors in the Television Academy went gaga for it with 10 acting nominations alone. “Hacks” earned just four with previous nominees Paul W. Downs and Kaitlin Olson, as well as co-stars Meg Stalter, being snubbed this time around (the Downs oversight is the biggest cause for concern). As the largest voting bloc in the Television Academy, this means “The Studio” has a ton of support, but will enough of the producers, writers, and directors defect to “Hacks” because “The Studio” is so real it gives them PTSD? Something tells us it’s gonna be much closer than anyone thinks.
Can “The Pitt” upset “Severance”?
To be fair, the HBO Max sensation, “The Pitt,” came in with fewer Emmy noms than many predicted, earning just 13. Ben Stiller’s “Severance” led all programs with 27. The passion for “The Pitt” is real, however. You hear working industry voters talk about it glowingly constantly (it’s almost annoying). But will “Severance” really falter after landing the most nominations for any program this year? Does Apple think they have it in the bag? Do they realize they might not?
Is everyone underestimating Adam Scott?
Speaking of “Severance,” there seems to be an assumption that Adam Scott, who earned his second Lead Actor in a Drama Series nomination for the show, will lose to Emmy favorite, Noah Wyle. The “Pitt” star earned his sixth nomination in 20 years and has still never won. But if “Severance” sweeps could Scott upset the “E.R.” veteran? Um…
Will Walton Goggins finally land an Emmy?
When we chronicled the top 100 Television Shows of the 21st Century so far in June, a familiar face kept popping up: Walton Goggins. Essentially, he has made his mark in three distinct eras of TV over the past 25 years, starring in “The Shield,” “Justified,” and “The White Lotus.” And give it another 25 years, and “Fallout,” which debuted in 2024, could crack an expanded list. Now a three-time nominee, Goggins has a chance to take an Emmy home after working in television for over 35 years. Is this his moment? Or will his “White Lotus” co-stars Sam Rockwell and Jason Isaacs split the vote, leading to a win for “Severance’s” also deserving Tramell Tillman?
Is Stephen Graham being underestimated?
We’re not sure casuals truly understand how long Stephen Graham has worked in Hollywood and what that entails. Seemingly always under the radar, Graham’s studio film credits are one thing (“Pubic Enemies,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Irishman”), but his TV legacy on this side of the pond is just as potent (“Band of Brothers,” “Boardwalk Empire”). Moreover, “Adolescence” is the second most watched English-language program in the history of Netflix. That’s ahead of any season of “Stranger Things” or “Bridgerton.” Is “The Penguin’s” Colin Farrell a genuine lock to beat him in the Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category? We’re not so sure. There is always an upset or two on Emmy night, and we’d suggest you look for the most likely culprit right here.
Is it really Netflix vs. Netflix for Television movie?
Emmy’s Television Movie category is still a mess (I mean, “The Gorge” is a nominee this year), but a surprise may be in store when the winner is revealed during the Creative Arts Ceremonies in September. The frontrunner is Jeremy Saulnier’s well-received “Rebel Ridge.” That Netflix title was a big hit on the streamer last fall. Its competition is likely not from HBO’s “Mountainhead” or Universal Pictures, er, Peacock’s “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy,” but another Netflix hit, “Nonnas.” That May 9 release was so popular that it knocked several major contenders that had been campaigning for months out of the mix. “Rebel” should have this locked (maybe), but if any upset is brewing, another Netflix title is gonna take the trophy.
Will Cristobal Tapia de Veer still win another Emmy for “The White Lotus”?
The “creative differences” between acclaimed composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer and Mike White appear so vast they may merit a one-shot episode of Ryan Murphy’s “Feud.” Cristobal hasn’t lost an Emmy for his work on “The White Lotus” yet, despite his assertions that he’s had to battle White on numerous creative choices that audiences ended up loving for three straight seasons. Now, after revealing he won’t return for season four because of his continuing conflicts with White, Cristobal may find himself once again with an Emmy trophy for Main Title Theme Music and/or Music Composition for a Series. I’m sure they will congratulate each other at the post-Emmys ceremony party, right? Right?
Adam or Agatha for Music and Lyrics?
There is a fun showdown in the Music and Lyrics (aka Best Original Song) category this year. Will Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez take their second Emmy for “The Ballad of the Witches’ Road” from “Agatha All Along” after initially winning for the song “Agatha All Along” from “WandaVision”, or will Adam Sandler finally snag a trophy? Now an eight-time nominee, Sandler is nominated in this category for his comedic melody “Adam Sandler’s Song: 50 Years” from “SNL 50: The Anniversary Special.” In theory, it’s an easy choice for the branch voters, but will heartstrings come into play? Or will Sandler finally win in the Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) over his longtime buddy Conan O’Brien? Something tells us the Lopez duo, which includes EGOT winner, Robert, will take it, but…
Final voting for the 2025 Primetime and Creative Emmy Awards runs from August 18 to August 27.
The Primetime Emmy Awards will be handed out live on CBS and Paramount+ on Sept. 14. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be awarded a weekend earlier on Sept. 6th and 7th, respectively.
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