Shoulda Been A Contender: TV Awards & The Shows and Actors They Snub

[Kromm]

We talk about this all of the time in individual show topics.  So here's a place to bring that talk all together.

 

Talk about who "the Industry" always has (or still is) snubbing with their Awards.  Shows, Actors, or even Writers/Creative Teams.

[The Crazed Spruce]

Tatiana Maslaney was robbed! Again! And Orphan Black should've been nominated for Best Drama!

And while it's great that Andre Braugher and Amy Poehler were nominated, both Brooklyn Nine Nine and Parks &Recreation deserved nominations for Best Comedy.

[Kromm]

Good example!

 

What got me onto this topic was responding to Tara's Fringe rewatch, and how neither John Noble nor Anna Torv ever got anywhere near a nomination, even though the work they did on that show was nothing short of brilliant.  But in TV land?  Sci-Fi rarely to never gets nominated.

[DittyDotDot]

It's a freakin' crime that Tatiana Maslaney hasn't gotten more recognition for playing something like ten distinctly different characters...freakin' crime, I say.

 

John Noble did some amazing work on Fringe. Sigh, I'm wondering if the times will ever change enough for genre shows to get noticed? I'm not saying that some of the other nominees weren't also deserving, but if you look at the list there are very few nods to genre shows in the acting categories especially.

Edited July 11, 2014 by DittyDotDot

[Valny]

Does anyone know which episodes were picked for the writers category for these nominations?

 

Writing for a drama series
Moira Walley-Beckett ("Breaking Bad")
Vince Gilligan ("Breaking Bad")   - I'm guessing the finale, Felina?
David Benioff and D.B. Weiss ("Game of Thrones")
Beau Willimon ("House of Cards")
Nic Pizzolatto ("True Detective")

 

Also, is there a specific thread for award shows, because I couldn't find one...unless I missed it somewhere.

 

Any yeah, Tatiana Maslany...what does it take?!  I guess it takes...the Golden Globes like last year. Thankfully she's got two Critics Choice Awards already, at least they know what they're doing! 

Edited July 12, 2014 by Valny

[Kromm]

Not that I think much of the mere EXISTENCE of Emmys for Reality Shows, but if we MUST have them, I hate the nominations for hosts.  For years, Cat Deeley got stiffed, then someone in Hollywood finally read all of the outrage over that happening, and somehow she made the list. Of which I am as grateful as anyone could be, given how much I object to the entire concept of "reality emmys".  But Nick Cannon, an AMAZING host continues to be snubbed, simply I think, because that amazing hosting is on a cheesy show like America's Got Talent.  And I'd add Ru' Paul to the snubs in this category.  To me, Reality show hosting (at least of competitive shows) is about what Tom Bergeron does (SO glad he's nommed at least)--being an effortless seeming ringmaster, with humor, charm and control.  Deeley does that. Cannon does that.  Ru'Paul is just fun viewing.  But instead they nominate people like Heidi Klum, where virtually anyone could do the job she's doing on P.R., or as much as I love them as personalities, I can't much get behind people like Betty White or Anthony Bourdain getting noms.  I'm on the fence about Jane Lynch.  She DOES control that show with humor and poise very absolutely.  But it's not much of a "competition" show.  

 

The one great relief is Ryan Seacrest not getting nommed.  He's in control sure, but as the years go on his charm seems more and more fake.  

[DittyDotDot]

I'd say that's my biggest annoyance about the Emmys...they don't base their nominations and winners on the work itself, but on whether they like the show it came from or whether they like the nominee personally. It shouldn't matter if an actor is on a campy genre show or on one of the best dramas ever made, the work is the work and that's what is should be based on. I find the Emmy's more of a popularity contest rather than recognizing and celebrating talent and hard work.

 

ETA: This isn't particularly unique to the Emmy's, but maybe the Emmy's are the best example of this.

Edited July 12, 2014 by DittyDotDot

[Kromm]

I'd say that's my biggest annoyance about the Emmys...they don't base their nominations and winners on the work itself, but on whether they like the show it came from or whether they like the nominee personally. It shouldn't matter if an actor is on a campy genre show or on one of the best dramas ever made, the work is the work and that's what is should be based on. I find the Emmy's more of a popularity contest rather than recognizing and celebrating talent and hard work.

 

ETA: This isn't particularly unique to the Emmy's, but maybe the Emmy's are the best example of this.

Exactly. AGT is a shlock show.  I'm sure on some level Hollywood is ashamed it even exists.  But Nick is an amazing host. He's almost as good as Bergeron.  Of course DWTS is an even shittier show than AGT, but since it has celebs on it, even if they are mostly marginal annoying ones, I think the industry feels protective/accepting of the show--enough at least to get over it and nom Bergeron.  Also (and this is also true of the next show I mention) the show got recognition for choreography, and that spilled over to recognizing its host.

 

Deeley was a total outsider.  She was ignored, and I think to a degree was painted with a brush of being a generic placeholder, since SYTYCD at the time didn't seem all that remarkable, I bet.  But the door opened for her because there are so few contenders these days for choreography nominations on TV, SYTYCD got those, and as with Bergeron, it spilled over to Deeley (not that both didn't richly deserve the attention).

 

Klum/Gunn getting nommed is kind of a mystery to me (as was Tom Colichio and Padma getting it in the past).  I think in P.R's case its a combo of Gunn (not Klum) being likeable, and that fashion is an industry with so many invisible connections to Hollywood power brokers.  The same is probably true of the restaurant industry too (thus the Top Chef noms when they happen).  But the hosting on these shows is generic at best, dreadful at times.  

 

I guess Nick has those Mariah connections (not that people actually LIKE her--just her music), and being a Hollywood insider in other ways, but it sucks that he'd even HAVE to try and leverage that to get nominated.

Edited July 12, 2014 by Kromm

[Athena]

Also, is there a specific thread for award shows, because I couldn't find one...unless I missed it somewhere.

 

There are a couple. There's a general one about all awards shows in Genre Talk and each of the popular shows have a topic in Specials.

 

For me, it's Tatiana Maslany. I'm also WTF about Kate Mara who was by far the weakest thing on House of Cards.

[BellaLugosi]

Does anyone know which episodes were picked for the writers category for these nominations?

 

Writing for a drama series

Moira Walley-Beckett ("Breaking Bad")

Vince Gilligan ("Breaking Bad")   - I'm guessing the finale, Felina?

 

Moira Walley-Beckett for Ozymandias and Vince Gilligan for Felina. The others I'm not sure about.

[Luckylyn]

I was shocked at the Tatiana Maslany being left off.  Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) and Keri Russell not getting a nom was also crazy to me.

[The Crazed Spruce]

I just had a horrifying realization. Dog With A Blog is up for more Emmys than Orphan Black is. *shudder*

[Kromm]

I just had a horrifying realization. Dog With A Blog is up for more Emmys than Orphan Black is. *shudder*

Hmm.  You should ask the editorial staff here to do a front page piece on that.  There's some potential hilarity in a compare/contrast article between the two shows.

[wallflower75]

Does anyone know which episodes were picked for the writers category for these nominations?

 

Writing for a drama series

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss ("Game of Thrones")

 

I believe I read somewhere that they submitted the season finale, "The Children," for the writing award.

[legaleagle53]

All I can say is that I'm glad that Jeff Probst no longer gets nominated. Talk about being overrated!

[selkie]

as much as I love them as personalities, I can't much get behind people like Betty White or Anthony Bourdain getting noms. 

 

Sometimes I think people give a nod as a kind of make-up call, and in Bourdain's case, it could have been "Sorry, you really should have won one for the original Beirut episode of No Reservations. We should have given you more credit for keeping the cameras rolling when the Marines were evacuating you."

[Pollock]

Hugh Dancy and/or Mads Mikkelsen would have been better for outstanding lead actors than Jeff Daniels no doubt, and, dare I say, Jon Hamm.

Matthew Rhys over Kevin Spacey all day long.

 

Keri Russel should have Kerry's Washington spot while Tatiana Maslaney should have Michelle Dockery's. And because I'm tired of teary eyes Clare Danes, if The Killing season 3 is eligible, I would give her spot to Mireille Enos.

[Ujio]

Does it have to be about this year's nominations???  Because still today, I fume at the fact that the first handsome-British-guy-with-acerbic-sense-of-humor-to-win-a-Best-Actor-in-a-Drama-Emmy was Daniel Lewis.  That SO should've been HUGH LAURIE.

 

Looking back, I consider Jason Alexander not winning an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor for George Costanza just -- mind-boggling.

 

Also, what have the creators of Justified done to the Emmy voters?  Killed their puppies or something???  Because Walton Goggins alone should have two or three Emmys by now!

 

And last but not least -- The Wire not even getting a nomination for Best Drama?  What a travesty!

[Kromm]

Does it have to be about this year's nominations???  

Not in the least.  In fact, the premise is more about people snubbed over time than people snubbed in any single year.

[Ujio]

Thanks, Kromm! 

And, btw, I meant to say the first British guy playing an AMERICAN character to win Best Actor. 

[Kanako]

This year, it was a pity that Dean Norris didn't get nominated for his courageous portrayal of Hank Schrader.

In the past, I wonder how Curb Your Enthusiasm never managed to win Best Comedy Series.  It's one of the best shows on television.  Period!!!

[Princess Sparkle]

I'm on the fence about Jane Lynch.  She DOES control that show with humor and poise very absolutely.  But it's not much of a "competition" show.

 

I'm actually really curious on how a show that has "Game Night" in the title, ends up as a competitive reality show instead of a Game Show.  Is it because it airs in Primetime vs. Daytime?

 

Along with some of the great ones already mentioned, I'll throw in Elizabeth Moss and Vincent Kartheiser.  Elizabeth Moss did some great work this year, but I don't understand why VK consistently misses out on nominations - probably because his role isn't nearly as showy as some of the others, even within his own show.

 

In a previous year snub, I think Corey Stoll and Michael Kelly should've been nominated.  Corey Stoll, in particular was fantastic in the first season of House of Cards.

[The Crazed Spruce]

I still find it hard to believe that legendary television actor Bob Newhart didn't win an Emmy until last year, for a frikkin' guest spot on motherhumping Big Bang Theory!

[zxy556575]

I still find it hard to believe that legendary television actor Bob Newhart didn't win an Emmy until last year, for a frikkin' guest spot on motherhumping Big Bang Theory!

 

Maybe because he was always the normal/straight man with the wacky characters whirling around him? But he deservedly won as Professor Proton in that he took lines that, on the page, were not in the least funny and made them so.

[cpcathy]

Going back over 30 years now, but I'm a huge Cheers fan, never sure why Ted Danson didn't win for the first season. His work was sublime.

[legaleagle53]

I still find it hard to believe that legendary television actor Bob Newhart didn't win an Emmy until last year, for a frikkin' guest spot on motherhumping Big Bang Theory!

 

He should definitely have won one for a guest spot he did on ER a number of years ago.  It was one of his rare dramatic roles where he played a lonely blind patient who had fallen in love with one of the doctors at the hospital, and when she turned down his dinner invitation, he ended up blowing his brains out.  I remember the shocked reaction from viewers that the show would even go there; somebody compared it to watching a favorite uncle committing suicide.

[Sweet Tee]

My mom and I have been watching Newhart on DVD and I must agree that it's a crime he never won before BBT. He is so, so talented.

[topanga]

I hear a lot about shows being overlooked as "genre shows." Unfortunately, one of these genres is "black shows." There was a show on UPN called "Half -n- half," and Valarie Pettiford was amazing on that show. She played the main character's diva-esque step mom, and she was funny, smart, had great comedic timing, and she could pull off the dramatic scenes. If she had been on a mainstream comedy such as Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, Everybody Hates Raymond, etc., I'm sure she would have been recognized more for her accomplishments.

[Kromm]

I hear a lot about shows being overlooked as "genre shows." Unfortunately, one of these genres is "black shows." There was a show on UPN called "Half -n- half," and Valarie Pettiford was amazing on that show. She played the main character's diva-esque step mom, and she was funny, smart, had great comedic timing, and she could pull off the dramatic scenes. If she had been on a mainstream comedy such as Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, Everybody Hates Raymond, etc., I'm sure she would have been recognized more for her accomplishments.

That may be a lot to assume though.  The comedy actress Emmy category is very... repetitive and unambitious overall.  It seems to take a lot to break into that circle--and its not always based on actual talent.  You'll get the occasional wild card nom, like Taylor Schilling, but it's mostly the same people again and again (and now that Schilling has broken into the ranks, she may simply be occupying the perma-spot that Tina Fey used to have).  

That said, the SUPPORTING actress award for comedy (which I guess your choice might fit better) is a tiny bit more open.  But only a TINY bit.  Mayim Bialik seems to have an auto-bid every single year.  Julie Bowen ditto.  In the past two years, maybe Anna Chlumsky.  And now that Allison Janney is on the current list, I imagine she'll stay on it until her show goes away.  What's that leave?  2 spots that might vary each year?   And I'm not sure that Kate Mulgrew may not be semi-permanently on there now too, since Orange Is the New Black is such a critical darling.  So what's that leave open?  The spot the SNL person got?

Also, Sofía Vergara is usually on there too (not this year for some strange reason).

[Dionysa]

All I can say is that I'm glad that Jeff Probst no longer gets nominated. Talk about being overrated!

 

Except, y'know... hot. 

[legaleagle53]

Except, y'know... hot. 

 

Maybe if he eased up on the black shoe polish that he mistakes for Just for Men and adopted a more natural salt-and-pepper look. Other than that, meh.

[kiddo82]

I'm typically not one to bemoan awards shows, but if Buffy the Vampire Slayer aired today on an AMC, FX, or a Netflix, what are the odds that Sara Michelle Gellar gets a look? My guess is probably no better than in 2001 if Tatiana Maslany is as good as everybody says (I guess I need to start watching Orphan Black). The reason I bring it up is back then, there was no way a "teen" show on the WB was ever going to get the mainstream recognition it deserved. Now with the shift towards cable/subscription dramas and non procedurals (if not genre shows) at least there is the realistic possibility of it. I know that The Body is a polarizing episode, but her performance in the first act, done in one long take, was letter perfect, IMO. Does she dethrone Edie Falco that year? Probably not but it's an honor just to be nominated.

[TaraS1]

As far as the last couple of years ago, Tatiana Maslany goes without saying.  I love Michelle Dockery, but no way in hell did she deserve a nomination this year over TM.  And Kerry Washington is the worst actress on television, IMO, so she definitely didn't deserve a slot over TM either.

 

But I will forever be pissed that Maura Tierney (who deserved one for S14 of ER when Abby relapsed) never got a nomination in the guest category for her incredible performance on Rescue Me.  The woman had literally just finished chemo treatments herself when she played a woman with cancer on the show - no hair, no eyebrows, the whole nine yards.  And she did phenomenal work - raw and painful and just amazing to watch.  And who gets a nomination instead?  Fucking Uma Thurman for Smash.  Smash!  Ugh.

[Kel Varnsen]

Here is a big one for me (although I am a huge fan so I am a bit biased), but in 1993 and 1994, the producers of The Simpsons submitted the show for outstanding comedy instead of outstanding animated series. They did not receive a nomination for either of those years, even though they were for season's 4 and 5 which are arguably the best seasons and what many people feels is some of the best TV comedy ever produced (at least in the last 30 years). Those two seasons included such gems as Last Exit to Springfield, Mr Plow, Marge vs. the Monorail,I love Lisa, Krusty Gets Cancelled (featuring one of Johnny Carson's final TV appearances), Homer goes to college, Cape Feare and Homer's Barbershop Quartet.

 

I looked it up and in 1993 Seinfeld won (with the other noms being Cheers, Home Improvement, Larry Sanders and Murphy Brown). In 1994 it was Frasier winning (noms went to Home Improvement, Seinfeld, Mad About You and Larry Sanders). I am ok with Cheers and Seinfeld being on there, but were Home Improvement and Mad About you anywhere near as good as The Simpsons in its heyday? I would say those shows weren't anywhere near as groundbreaking, and didn't have anywhere near the staying power. I mean are either of those shows still on syndication anywhere? Is an episode of Home Improvement from 1994 still watchable?

Edited July 24, 2014 by Kel Varnsen

[kiddo82]

But I will forever be pissed that Maura Tierney (who deserved one for S14 of ER when Abby relapsed) never got a nomination in the guest category for her incredible performance on Rescue Me.  The woman had literally just finished chemo treatments herself when she played a woman with cancer on the show - no hair, no eyebrows, the whole nine yards.  And she did phenomenal work - raw and painful and just amazing to watch.  And who gets a nomination instead?  Fucking Uma Thurman for Smash.  Smash!  Ugh.

I never watched Rescue Me but Maura Tierney was aces on ER for years. It's unfortunate that she came on around the time the show was going out of favor with the voters.

[voiceover]

No nom for Michael Sheen as William Masters in Masters of Sex is more proof that I did not need of the bullshit politics dumbassery of the Emmys.

Haven't watched them since the early 90s.  Don't intend to start now.

[Kromm]

New Emmy noms.  Time to talk about snubs again!

[Kromm]

I'd argue there were a few ANTI-SNUBS this year.  What do I mean by that?  Stuff that's been left out for a long time unjustly that pushed aside old rubbish that MIGHT upset traditionalists... but screw them!

 

For example, Tatiana Maslany somehow managed to get nominated even though the Emmys hate Genre TV shows for the most part (with exceptions for big spectacles like Game of Thrones).  Who got pushed aside?  Kerry Washington.  Julianna Marguiles. Do I really care?  No. I'm just happy Tatiana got it.  Washington is okay, so it's a slight shame, but Marguiles... who cares?

[Kromm]

Similarly Liev Schreiber (someone consistently getting Golden Globes but no Emmy attention) is another example. I'm sure some big names could have gone up on that nomination board instead of him, but didn't, and I'm happy for him.

[Princess Sparkle]

This year, I'm bummed that Walton Goggins got snubbed again for Justified. He put in some really fantastic work over the 6 seasons of the show, and the fact that he's only been nominated once for it is simply mind boggling. Same with Vincent Kartheiser on Mad Men, who I think gets screwed because he has, arguably, the least flashy part on the show, and so it's easy to look over how good he really is.

The other major snub (to me) is Andy Samberg, especially considering we ended up with 7 nominees in the lead comedy actor category this year. I don't know if Emmy voters still think of him as the "Dick in the box" guy, but he turned Jake Peralta, who could've been very one-note, into a fully fleshed out, funny character who's believably a good detective and good friend.

I'm also surprised TJ Miller or Thomas Middleditch couldn't pull out a nom for Silicon Valley. It's just odd to me that you'd nominate a show for Best Comedy (deservedly), but not recognize any of the actors.

Edited July 17, 2015 by Princess Sparkle

[Kromm]

I am firmly of the opinion that Jimmy Fallon got nominated ("Outstanding Variety Talk Series") strictly because they seem to nominate virtually EVERY nightly talk/comedy/variety/panel show (and the occasional weekly one).

 

We could argue that Fallon knocked out Bill Mahr.  Or not--Fallon IS nominated every year for some bizarre reason.  But one could posit that if Fallon WASN'T there, that Mahr would be.  Now Mahr is such an... unpleasant guy it's hard to feel bad, but for Fallon?  That's got to hurt. One could also argue though that John Oliver got Mahr's spot. After all, they're both weekly shows. If so, it was well deserved. Nobody would dare argue Mahr's absence is a snub compared to what Oliver has done this past year.  If only one weekly show is gonna be nominated I mean (a questionable premise, admittedly).

 

I don't consider the lack of Seth Meyers any real tragedy.  And it's a shame there's no Conan, but Conan has been snubbed in the category since 2011 (and usually was snubbed during his Late Nite years too).  So I guess discussing how the Emmys treat Conan is on topic here too.

 

SNL used to be in this same category as these talk shows too (and was always nominated).  But apparently got moved to a new category "Outstanding Variety Sketch Series". BTW: I consider EVERY other show in that category ("Drunk History", "Inside Amy Schumer", "Key & Peele" "Portlandia") superior to the modern SNL.  So I hope it loses.

Edited July 17, 2015 by Kromm

[cpcathy]

SNL was truly inferior this year, and Portlandia lost its sparkle of seasons past. I don't watch Key and Peele but I don't have to guess that it's hilarious, and Amy Schumer is just at the top of her game right now. I only recently got into Drunk History but I love it.

[Snipsa]

I cannot believe Walton Goggins and Timothy Olyphant got overlooked yet again. It just boggles my mind, and it was their last chance too! (For Justified)

And I don't know how eligibility works, but I've always wanted Graham Norton to be nominated for Variety Talk Series. If he is eligible (which, again, he may not be), it is an absolute travesty that he never gets in as he is The king of talk shows for me.

[BrittaBot]

Yeah, I usually don't care about snubs so much, but I do think Justified was snubbed. It had the best series finale I saw this year and there were quite a few (don't ask me to name them all, ha). I mean Boardwalk Empire was nominated (for its series finale? I'm not sure, I don't remember the names of the episodes) and that series finale just left me enraged. Timothy deserved a nom and it's an official tragedy Walton Goggins didn't get one. He was amazing as Boyd. I mean seriously he's the villain on that show and we all half-rooted for him.

[Chaos Theory]

Like always The Americans gets snubbed. My personal opinion is that this show is the best.show on TV. It finished season 3 and it's still going strong. No slump. No questionable actor or actress being front lined for no reason. Just a well written and acted show that gets better every year.

But no one watches it.

I hate people.

Edited July 17, 2015 by Chaos Theory

[Ujio]

It's not that Justified didn't get nominated -- in major categories. It got nominated for NOTHING!

(Heck, even GLEE got nominated for SOMETHING!)

The fact that Justified got only FIVE acting nominations in 6 seasons just boggles my mind. Even the god-awful season 5 was better than a lot of TV shows on air.

 

I also wholehearted agree with Princess Sparkle on Vincent Kartheiser not getting any love. What a shame. Dominic West, too, who seems to get ignored over and over again. Maybe these guys just make it look too dang easy.

[Chaos Theory]

I was never a fan of Justified. It never appealed to me for some reason; that being said I do recognize quality drama when I see it. Drama that is MORE then fan hype.

There are plenty of shows like that and hey most end up getting snubbed. Apparently quality isn't what it use to be. All you need is fan hype to get a show nominated now.

[Snowprince]

I am firmly of the opinion that Jimmy Fallon got nominated ("Outstanding Variety Talk Series") strictly because they seem to nominate virtually EVERY nightly talk/comedy/variety/panel show (and the occasional weekly one).

 

I don't consider the lack of Seth Meyers any real tragedy.  And it's a shame there's no Conan, but Conan has been snubbed in the category since 2011 (and usually was snubbed during his Late Nite years too).  So I guess discussing how the Emmys treat Conan is on topic here too.

 

Was Craig Ferguson ever nominated during his 10 year Late Late Show run?

[amaranta]

Every year my main two actors for this subject are Vincent Kartheiser and Eden Sher. 

 

Kartheiser humanized an often unlikable character, giving him a depth I wouldn't have thought possible, especially after Mad Men's first season. 

 

And Eden Sher as Sue Heck delivers each and every week on The Middle.  I think she's amazing.

[joelene]

Eva Green.