An Emmy Voter's Unfiltered Take on This Year's Nominees

As the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards approach on September 14, an Emmy-winning voter from the TV Academy has opened up about his ballot choices in a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter. His brutally honest assessments reveal a mix of admiration, frustration, and blunt critiques of this year’s television landscape.

In a surprising turn, the voter admitted to skipping over popular period dramas like The Gilded Age, declaring, "I’d rather prep for a colonoscopy than watch another period drama." He expressed his fatigue with the world of Game of Thrones by passing on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, stating he feels “Throne’d out.”

He was particularly irked by the nomination of Your Friends and Neighbors, which he dismissed as a show about entitled individuals that should not have overshadowed Industry. He also voiced skepticism towards Apple TV’s Pluribus, criticizing its slow pacing and lack of engagement. "For a couple of episodes I was like, ‘Is this show ever going to fucking get going?’ And then I bailed," he remarked.

Conversely, he praised The Pitt as the best show on television, commending its flawless execution from casting to directing. He was also impressed with Paradise and the reunion of The West Wing stars in The Diplomat, lauding the show’s strong performances and writing.

On the comedy front, he expressed dissatisfaction with The Bear, asserting it should be categorized as a drama instead. He found Only Murders in the Building tedious and was uncomfortable with the stereotypes presented in Nobody Wants This. Despite enjoying Abbott Elementary and Shrinking, he felt these shows didn’t showcase their best work this season.

However, the standout in the comedy category for him was Widow’s Bay. He described it as "far and away the best," praising its engaging and clever storytelling, reminiscent of the classic weekly episode format.

The voter also criticized the Emmy nomination process, particularly regarding Task, which he believes should be recognized as a limited series due to its original format. He expressed disappointment over shows like Death by Lightning being overlooked, while also taking issue with how living figures were portrayed in shows like Winning Time and Love Story.

In his evaluations of television movies, he noted a shift in quality and relevance, stating, "this category is not 'television movie' anymore, just 'movie.'" He highlighted Remarkably Bright Creatures as a shining example of what a true television movie should be, praising its intimate storytelling and performances.

As for late-night shows, he firmly supported nominees like The Daily Show and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, citing the importance of defending First Amendment rights in light of recent events. However, he was less impressed with Saturday Night Live, admitting it didn’t deliver a strong season.

Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com