The Emmys Are Tomorrow and I Have Thoughts

Mostly the thought is: There is too much high quality TV to properly do awards like this anymore. 

This is something I've been thinking about for a while now, with all the awards shows: Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, all of 'em. 

There's just too much good stuff out there to watch it all. 

I should know. I'm trying. 

But there just isn't the time/interest. Somethings I just don't want to watch. Others, I want to watch and then I forget about them until I see they are nominated for an award and then I rush to watch them and fall in love (Looking at you, "Abbot Elementary".)

So without further ado, here are my picks for tomorrow's Emmy ceremony! I will do the traditional "will win/should win" thing on most of them, with a bit of explanation. 

Outstanding Drama Series
Better Call Saul
Euphoria
Ozark
Severance
Squid Game
Stranger Things
Succession
Yellowjackets

This one is honestly so hard for me. It's neck and neck between "Severance" and "Succession" for me, but I haven't yet seen the latest seasons of "Ozark" or "Euphoria". And "Better Off Saul" I can't make my brain get into for some reason. It really bothers me. 

I think "Squid Game"'s gonna steal it though. It's got some weird sort of momentum and I think the upset would be glorious to see. 

I would like for "Succession" to win though, I love to hate the Roys so much. 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman, Ozark
Brian Cox, Succession
Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Adam Scott, Severance
Jeremy Strong, Succession

We find ourselves in another "Severance" vs. "Succession" situation. Adam Scott was unbelievably great in the former. But, once again, Jeremy Strong was heartbreakingly brilliant in the latter. 

I think it both will and should go to Jeremy Strong, though. That scene with him sitting in the dirt gets me all emotional just thinking about it. 

Once again, though, I will say, I wouldn't be surprised with a Lee Jung-jae win for "Squid Game". They took a surprise win in the Guest Actress category at the Creative Arts Emmys and I think that is a precursor of more to come. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
Laura Linney, Ozark
Melanie Lynskey, Yellowjackets
Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show
Zendaya, Euphoria

Jodie Comer, "Killing Eve" should win this. Villanelle is triumph of a character that deserves to be celebrated. That said, every single person in this category is deserving of a win. And I'd be happy with any of them. 

I think Melanie Lynskey is gonna take it in a surprise win, though. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Nicholas Braun, Succession
Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
Kieran Culkin, Succession
Park Hae-soo, Squid Game
Matthew Macfayden, Succession
John Tuturro, Severance
Christopher Walken, Severance
Oh Yeong-su, Squid Game

No doubt in my mind that John Tuturro both should and will win this. He said so much with his eyes in "Severance" and he played his character with such believable grace. It was a joy yo see. I'd also be happy with any of the "Succession" trio winning this one - in particular my boi Kiernan Culkin for his "romantic" storyline alone. Billy Crudup was impeccable, as well. Fuck, "The Morning Show" is good. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Patricia Arquette, Severance
Julia Garner, Ozark
Jung Ho-yeon, Squid Game
Christina Ricci, Yellowjackets
Rhea Seehorn, Better Call Saul
J. Smith Cameron, Succession
Sarah Snook, Succession
Sydney Sweeney, Euphoria

Gotdang this one is tough. Everyone is saying Rhea Seehorn is most deserving this year, but I dunno cause I don't jive with BCS for some reason. I literally adored every single other nominee in this category though. 

I'ma say Rhea Seehorn WILL win, but I'd like to see J. Smith Cameron win, cause I think she'll give a killer speech and be so surprised. 

Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary
Barry
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Hacks
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Only Murders in the Building
Ted Lasso
What We Do in the Shadows

I recently binged all of "Abbot Elementary". In a single day. And it deserves all the praise. I haven't enjoyed a network comedy this much in years. I think this nomination is the first of many and think they'll win eventually, but not this year. 

I gotta give this year to "Hacks". Yes, I've rewatched the series in its entirety a few times, but that's because it's so good. I love seeing the work that goes into the art and "Hacks" does that in a really accessible way. I think this is an will & should win. 

However, literally anything in this category could win except "Only Murders in the Building" and I'd be okay. 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Bill Hader, Barry
Donald Glover, Atlanta
Nicholas Hoult, The Great
Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso

I mean, Ted's (Jason Sudekis) gotta take it again, right? He will and should win. I'd be fine with Bill Hader or Donald Glover, too. 

However, if Martin Short wins for OMITB, I'ma be real upset. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant
Elle Fanning, The Great
Issa Rae, Insecure
Jean Smart, Hacks

I mean Jean Smart, obv. Will and Should. But also - Issa Rae should win, too. Maybe they can do a tie!!!

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Carrigan, Barry
Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso
Toheeb Jimoh, Ted Lasso
Nick Mohammed, Ted Lasso
Tony Shaloub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary
Henry Winkler, Barry
Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live

Okay, there are so many characters I love in this category from Anthony Carrigan's Noho Hank to Toheeb Jimoh's turn as Sam on Ted Lasso. And of course Henry Winkler is excellent in Barry and all the supporting fellas in Ted Lasso are fabulous (especially you Roy Fuckin' Kent!). But I think all those are gonna cancel each other out with the votes. 

Which leaves us with Tony Shaloub, Tyler James Williams and Bowen Yang. 

I think it oughta go to Tony Shaloub, but I think it's Bowen Yang's time and the Emmys know it. I ain't mad at it. He's a funny fucking fella. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Janelle James, Abbott Elementary
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
Sarah Niles, Ted Lasso
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary
Juno Temple, Ted Lasso
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso

I thought for sure Kate McKinnon was a lock for this one hands down for her final season of an incredible career of SNL. 

But then I watched "Abbot Elementary". And encountered the force that is Janelle James. I think about something her character did every single day. It's a different thing every time, but I always laugh. Sometimes out loud, sometimes to myself. 

This character could so easily be one dimensional in the hands of a less-skilled comedic actress, but, holy shit y'all, she is funny and human and I love her and I hate her. 

So - should win: Janelle James, Will win - Probably Kate McKinnon

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
Dopesick
The Dropout
Inventing Anna
Pam & Tommy
The White Lotus

I watched "Dopesick" in anticipation of the Emmys and wow did it make me so angry. But it also was such a similar story/storytelling technique/it didn't surprise me with its art I don't think it is the best of this category. 

That goes hands down to "The White Lotus" which I think should and will win. Mike White created something special with an amazingly talented cast and I can't wait to see what the next anthology brings me. 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Colin Firth, The Staircase
Andrew Garfield, Under the Banner of Heaven
Oscar Isaac, Scenes from a Marriage
Michael Keaton, Dopesick
Himesh Patel, Station Eleven
Sebastian Stan, Pam & Tommy

Full disclosure I haven't seen many of these, but I do not think it matters, because I think every single time Michael Keaton has been nominated for his performance, he's won. And he deserves every single trophy. This is the performance of a lifetime. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Toni Collette, The Staircase
Julia Garner, Inventing Anna
Lily James, Pam & Tommy
Sarah Paulson, Impeachment: American Crime Story
Margaret Qualley, Maid
Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout

This one's tough, I'm tied between Julia Garner in "Inventing Anna" or Margaret Qualley in "Maid". My guess is "Maid" was not nearly as splashy as IA, so I'll say Margaret Qualley SHOULD win, but Julia Garner WILL win. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Murray Bartlett, The White Lotus
Jake Lacy, The White Lotus
Will Poulter, Dopesick
Seth Rogen, Pam & Tommy
Peter Sarsgaard, Dopesick
Michael Stuhlbarg, Dopesick
Steve Zahn, The White Lotus

Holy shit so many people from "Dopesick" are nominated. Michael Stuhlbarg was the best of the three, because I wanted to slap his face very hard the entire series. 

I think this is Murray Bartlett's to lose, though. He was brilliant in an unexpected role that kept me guessing all the way to the end. He will and should win. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Connie Britton, The White Lotus
Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus
Alexandra Daddario, The White Lotus
Kaitlyn Dever, Dopesick
Natasha Rothwell, The White Lotus
Sydney Sweeney, The White Lotus
Mare Winningham, Dopesick

Jennifer Coolidge broke my heart so many times in this movie, but she always gave me hope again. This was honestly one of my top five performances of the year and one of the awards I'll be rooting hardest for tomorrow. She wil and should win. 

But also, Kaitlyn Dever was impeccable in "Dopesick". Mare Winningham just did Mare Winningham, imho. If she wins it's totally emotionally based. 

I could go even deeper and write about the directing and writing awards and all of the other shows I also would have awarded, but alas I have babbled enough. 

Plus, I'm thinking about doing some sort of awards