The 2019 Emmy Season is looking like a mixed bag for anyone hoping for close races, upsets or, for lack of a better word, “drama.” There is the assumption that with so much of the competition running for 2020 that “Game of Thrones” is a lock to take the Drama Series crown in its last season. Another show coming to an end, “Veep,” is expected to return to the winner’s circle in a number of Comedy Series categories. But as the past few years have demonstrated, assumptions can be wildly distorted or overblown.
The good news for FOX is they have the “last season” nostalgia for “Game of Thrones” to promote this year’s telecast. Moreover, their own surprise hit, “The Masked Singer,” could be a major player in the Reality-Competition category. Dare to dream the Emmy ratings could rise from last year’s 10.2 million viewers on NBC (it’s a pipe dream probably, but at least FOX likely has something to work with). And there should be some new stars in the mix including Julia Roberts, Michelle Williams, Sam Rockwell and Mahershala Ali (wait, that’s not that impressive is it?).
No matter where the season twists and turns Emmy still has Kings Landing and Selina Mayer in its sights. Is it all a predictable fait du compli though? Certainly not in the Limited Series categories. As for the rest? Well…let’s tackle some of the big questions of the season to find out.
Can anyone challenge “Game of Thrones” for Best Drama Series? (Anyone? Hello?)
There is a reason so many major drama series are debuting after the end of this year’s Emmy qualification deadline. The networks or streaming services may insist it’s a production issue, but it’s simply because they don’t want to go up against the last season of “Thrones.” The HBO phenomenon has one Emmy’s top honor the last three years it was eligible including 2018, a season that many described as “fan service.” Even the previous year’s champ, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” couldn’t take it down. Now “Handmaid’s,” “The Crown,” “Big Little Lies,” “Stranger Things,” “Westworld” and “Homeland” are all sitting this one out. That leaves “Killing Eve,” “Better Call Saul,” “Ozark” and “This Is Us” as the only real threats to the throne. Yeah, good luck with that.
Who is out in the Reality-Competition race if “The Masked Singer” is in?
It goes without saying that in this age of sinking ratings FOX’s “The Masked Singer” was something of a phenomenon. In its first season, it turned out to be the most watched Reality Competition show in years. The only series that has come close to its viewership was “The Voice” in 2017 and even then “Singer” still surpassed it. While the critical response was somewhat mixed, many in the media were eventually swayed by the show’s kitschy charms and impressive performances (thank you, Gladys Knight). If “Masked Singer” makes the cut this year what program doesn’t? Last year’s winner, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” would seem like a lock to at least repeat for a nomination as should four-time winner “The Voice” and 10-time winner “The Amazing Race.” “Project Runway” move to Bravo has been lauded creatively but ratings are down from the last season which aired on Lifetime almost two years ago. “Top Chef” has been nominated 12 straight years having won in 2012 so it’s likely in. That leaves “American Ninja Warrior” as the potential snub. The NBC summer series has earned three straight nods, but its late premiere date may put it on the Emmy voting bubble.
Could Patricia Arquette go home with two acting Emmys?
Not only will the Oscar winner find herself in the race for the Lead Actress in a Mini-Series or Movie for “Escape at Dannemora” (she already took the Golden Globe and the SAG) but a Supporting Actress nod for her role in “The Act.” Arquette is a two-time nominee and won in 2005 for her work on NBC’s “Medium.” Considering the raves she’s received for both performances, don’t underestimate her chances to take the Emmy in both categories this time around.
Should Showtime even campaign William H. Macy for “Shameless”?
Well, this should be fun. Thanks to a national college admissions scandal, Emmy winner Felicity Huffman has found herself charged with paying bribes to help doctor her children’s college testing scores. The indictment noted she did this with the knowledge of her husband, William H. Macy, who somehow wasn’t charged. Macy, however, is a five-time nominee in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category for his work on Showtime’s “Shameless.” He’s actually been nominated five straight years and is a three-time SAG winner. Speak to anyone involved in Showtime’s Emmy campaigns and they’ll tell you Macy has almost always done his own thing in regards to campaigning and has done it well. He knows how to work the Television Academy and SAG members and has found ways to get nominated when the pundits have predicted he wouldn’t make the cut. The question now is should Showtime even list him on their Emmy materials? Do they have to contractually? Does that do him or the show any favors? Will Emmy voters forget he’s even part of the scandal? Will competing networks or contenders let them? Ponder.
Can “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” steal some of “Veep’s” goodbye thunder?
“Veep” is an Emmy all-timer. Julia Louis-Dreyfus won six straight acting Emmys for the HBO series until it sat out last year. The series itself won the Comedy Series Emmy for three straight years. Overall, “Veep” has won 17 statues and been nominated a whopping 59 times. Unless its final season falls shockingly flat, it has to be a lock, especially in the two aforementioned categories right? Well, not so fast. Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” won eight Emmys in its first year alone. With “Veep” ineligible, “Maisel” took the Series, Actress, Supporting Actress, Writing and Directing Emmys, among others. With “Maisel” growing in popularity after its second season could it end up spoiling some of “Veep’s” goodbye thunder? Probably not, but it’s got a shot.
Should “SNL” actors qualify for Supporting Actor or Actress in a Comedy?
If there is any grumbling on the part of the actor’s branch of the Television Academy it’s about the increasing trend of actors from “Saturday Night Live’s” ensemble taking up nomination slots in the Supporting Actor or Actress categories. Amy Poehler cracked the ceiling with the first nod in 2008, but Kate McKinnon was the first winner in 2016. Bill Hader earned two nods on the Supporting Actor side, but it was Alec Baldwin’s iconic performance as Donald Trump that won in 2017. With so much content and so many worthy performances in this era of Peak TV many are wondering if the sketch series contenders deserve their own categories instead. For the past two years, three “SNL” actresses have taken up slots in the Supporting Actress field. Even with the category expanding to eight nominees last year due to a tie that has raised some eyebrows. There are no plans to change this year’s qualifying (and the Television Academy is wary to add more categories), but it hasn’t gone unnoticed. If it turns out to be another year with three “SNL” nominees, something may have to give in 2020.
Which if any of the new acclaimed comedy hits will break out this Emmy season?
With a slew of already competitive Comedy Series races already in play can “Shrill,” “The Other Two,” “Sex Education,” “What We Do In Shadows” or “PEN15″ make a mark? It’ll be tough, but the best bets are “Shrill’s” Aidy Bryant in the Lead Actress race, “Sex Education’s” Gillian Anderson in Supporting Actress, “The Other Two’s” Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider earning a Writing nod and “What We Do In Shadows” Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement landing Directing and/or Writing nominations (“Shadows” could also line up some Creative Arts Emmy nods in makeup, production design, etc.). Anything else would be a more than welcome surprise.
Is this Sandra Oh’s moment?
Last year the “Killing Eve” star made history as the first Asian-American woman nominated in the Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series category. She’s expected to repeat that nomination this time around. The question is whether she can take the trophy. With”The Crown’s” Claire Foy and “The Handmaid Tale’s” Elisabeth Moss not in the mix she has an excellent shot.
Can “Pose” slay the Emmy runway?
If there was any disappointment in the year-end guild awards it’s as the lack of nominations for FX’s “Pose.” The Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Steven Canals series landed on AFI’s top 10 TV series of 2018 list and also earned key Critics Choice and Golden Globe nods. What it didn’t land were any SAG, PGA or DGA nominations. It wasn’t even recognized by the Costume Designers or Makeup and Hair guilds. That being said, it did earn a WGA nod for New Series, but that was a small consolation. Overall, it has to be concerning for FX who is hoping Emmy voters will reward the progressive series with a Best Drama Series nod and, at a minimum, Tony legend Billy Porter with a Leading Actor in a Drama Series nomination. The network made sure “Pose” was the first screener Television Academy members received, but it’s going to be a long campaign to earn Emmy’s version of 10’s across the board.
Who gets snubbed in the crazy Limited Series race?
Last year’s Limited Series category was almost pitiful with some questionable content making the cut. This year is something else entirely. With only five slots available, “Escape at Dannemora,” which swept almost every guild honor it was up for, FX’s “Fosse/Verdon,” HBO’s “Sharp Objects,” HBO’s third season of “True Detective,” Ava Duvernay’s “When They See Us,” Hulu’s “The Act,” George Clooney’s “Catch-22” (also on Hulu), HBO’s “Chernobyl,” Amazon’s “A Very English Scandal” and NatGeo’s “The Hot Zone” are all battling for a place at the table. Oh, and there also potential long shots such as Bravo’s “Dirty John,” FX’s “American Horror Story: Apocalypse,” Netflix’s “Haunting of Hill House” and TNT’s “I Am The Night.” Oh, and even Cary Fukunaga’s “Maniac” could make a comeback after a disastrous guild season. At this point and with this much competition earning the nomination is going to feel like the win for most of these networks anyway.
2019 Emmy Prediction Pages
Drama Series
Comedy Series
Limited Series
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
