In the early morning hours of Tuesday (July 12th), Television Academy head Frank Scherma, and Blockbuster actors JB Smoove and Melissa Fumero announced the lucky nominees for the 74th Emmy Awards over a live virtual event — and there’s a refreshing pick of new and familiar faces that promises to make the Emmy’s an award show worth watching.
There’s still some upsets and head-scratchers that makes us question why none of the Starz-Curtis Jackson championed series or Prime Video’s THEM, among many others, didn’t make the cut. Perhaps they fell out of the eligibility period, but it’s still mind-boggling that these series lack the accolade. Everyone who worked on those productions should know that their hard work does not go unacknowledged and remain staples in culture.
With that said, the MouthSoap team took a peek at the extensive list of nominees and handpicked the most exciting nominations for this year’s ceremonious event.
We’re excited by Margaret Qually’s “Lead Actress” nomination for Maid, which is also up for the “Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series” category. Not only did Qually give a truly believable and relatable performance as a struggling single mother willing to do whatever it takes to take care of her young daughter, her acting and the screenplay tell a rare story of a white woman’s poverty, something that is often buried as urban legend because of a sordid history of white privilege and mainstream ignorance.
Another crowned series that is on our radar is Prime Video’s Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls. The captivating reality series earned nominations in the categories of “Competition Program,” “Outstanding Casting,” “Outstanding Picture Editing,” “Outstanding Cinematography,” and “Outstanding Directing,” to name a few. The nominations are validation for Houston-raised musician and performer Lizzo who dreamed of a platform to promote healthy awareness and the humanization of “big girls” everywhere.
Speaking of music, the epic Netflix documentary jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy is in the running for the “Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series” award. The nom is a well-deserved nod to directors Chike Ozah and Coodie, who followed Ye’s career since inception when he was an aspiring backpacking producer by the name of Kanye West.
That amazing song “I’m Tired” that Zendaya and Labrinth sung and released a whole video to is up for nomination in the “Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics” category. Also, Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3 earned the nom for “Outstanding Production Design” and “Outstanding Choreography” for variety programming.
The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent nabbed a few nominations as well, including “Variety Special (Live),” “Outstanding Music Direction, “Outstanding Directing,” and “Outstanding Production Design” for a variety special.
Dave Chappelle got a few looks for his Netflix special Dave Chappelle: The Closer, including a nom for “Variety Special (Pre-recorded),” while fellow comedian and writer Jerrod Carmichael earned a “Guest Actor in a Comedy Series” nomination for his appearance on Saturday Night Live and a nod for writing stand-up special Rothaniel.
Squid Game received several nominations, such as the “Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series,” and a host of nominations for it’s cast with Jung Ho-yeon, Park Hae-soo, and Oh Yeong-su all nominated. Abbott Elementary is another series that earned a multitude of nominations for its stellar cast. Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Janelle James, and Tyler James Williams were acknowledged. The series is also nominated for “Comedy Series” and “Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series.”
A Black Lady Sketch Show was nominated in a variety of categories, one being “Variety Sketch Series.” In the world of business, CNBC’s fan-fave pitch reality series, Shark Tank, snuck in a nomination for “Structured Reality Program.” Succession leads the pack with 25 nominations, followed closely by Ted Lasso and The White Lotus at 20 nominations each.
Here’s a briefing of some of The MouthSoap’s Emmy picks:
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Zendaya, who’s Euphoria earned the fourth highest nomination count at 16, should take this award home simply because of all the dramatic changes she has to go through to play the role of Rue Bennett. But, the young starlet has some fierce competition.
Others nominated for this category are Reese Witherspoon for The Morning Show, Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer for Killing Eve, Laura Linney for Ozark, and Melanie Lynskey for Yellowjackets.
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
We’re loving the nomination for Quinta Brunson, who plays Janine Teagues in Abbott Elementary. And we certainly believe she’s deserving of the win. Still, the category has several considerable talents.
Others nominated in this category include The Great’s Elle Fanning, Insecure’s Issa Rae, The Flight Attendant’s Kaley Cuoco, Hacks’ Jean Smart, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s Rachel Brosnahan.
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
We would’ve liked it if Donald Glover was guaranteed this win considering how Atlanta was such a game changer when it actually aired. It would be a pleasant surprise if Glover nabbed the Emmy or even if the series received the “Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series,” but we’re hoping the inconsistency of the series’ schedule won’t interfere. We’re thinking Jason Sudeikis may take this one home for his superb performance on the popular series Ted Lasso. But, we’re keeping our fingers crossed from Glover.
Others nominated include Bill Hader for Barry, Nicholas Hoult for The Great, and Steve Martin and Martin Short for Only Murders in the Building.
Limited Series
Despite all the criticism Inventing Anna (Netflx) received for being too aligned with millennial influences in its upbeat storytelling, the series was a cultural phenomenon that left quite the impression. Yet, we have a feeling the compelling storytelling of Dopesick (Hulu) or the darling The White Lotus (HBO) might snag this one.
Others nominated in this category include The Dropout (Hulu) and Pam and Tommy (Hulu).
Drama Series
Netflix’s Squid Game and Stranger Things, along with HBO’s Euphoria are nominated in the “Drama Series” category — all top picks for The MouthSoap staff. And while teen angst and modern-day culture are the themes immersed in Stranger Things and Euphoria, nothing was the same after Squid Game dominated the pandemic.
Other nominees include Better Call Saul (AMC), Ozark (Netflix), Succession (HBO), Yellowjackets (Showtime), and Severance (Apple TV+).
Enjoy the complete list of nominees at the Emmys.com website.
The 74th Emmy Awards, taking place at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater on Monday, Sept. 12 at 5:00 pm PDT, will stream live for the first time on NBC’s streaming platform Peacock, and broadcast live on NBC.
