Why Our Critic’s List of Gripes Is Shorter Than Usual

The ongoing debate over whether “The Bear” is a comedy or a drama got a fresh jolt when the FX series nabbed an impressive 23 Emmy Award nominations. This recognition included top comedy honors for its first season and awards for stars like Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

The series’ success was anticipated, given the acclaim for its second season. However, “The Bear’s” 23 nominations also set a new record for a comedy series in a single year, previously held by “30 Rock” with 22 nominations in 2009. But whether it’s labeled as a comedy or not seems insignificant; its high quality resonates with the other nominees for the 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

FX’s “Shōgun” led with 25 nominations overall, with “The Bear” close behind. Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” also performed well with 21 nominations, adding to the celebrated shows such as “Abbott Elementary.”

There are some unusual contenders this year, like “The Gentlemen” in the comedy category, alongside shows traditionally seen as comedies like “Hacks” and “What We Do in the Shadows.” Additionally, “Reservation Dogs” finally received deserved recognition, spotlighting talents like D’Pharoah Woon-A-Tai.

This year’s nominations also saw recurring favorites like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” back in the mix, with its final season gaining notable mentions, including for its star Larry David.

Overall, the nominations highlighted the Television Academy’s evolving openness to different genres and shows. This included nods for variety in limited series or TV movies, reflecting a broader sense of inclusion compared to past white-dominated years. Out of all nominations, 30 went to people of color across various acting categories, showing progress in diversity.

The comedy categories were notably diverse, with nominations for actresses like Edebiri, Quinta Brunson, Maya Rudolph, and Selena Gomez earning her first acting Emmy. Edebiri’s co-stars Lionel Boyce and Liza Colón-Zayas also received supporting comedy acting nods.

History was made with Woon-a-Tai’s nomination as the first Indigenous actor in the comedy lead category. Additionally, Lily Gladstone and Kali Reis made Emmy history by becoming the first Indigenous women nominated for major acting categories in limited series or TV movies.

The supporting actress category featured a wide range of talent, including trans performer Nava Mau from “Baby Reindeer” and past nominees like Dakota Fanning, Jessica Gunning, Aja Naomi King, and Diane Lane.

This year’s Emmys slate also ignited discussions about classification, such as whether anthology series should be considered dramas. “Shōgun”, originally intended as a limited series, competes as a drama now that it’s slated for a second season.

“Shōgun” received 25 nominations, surpassing its 1980s counterpart with standout performances from Anna Sawai, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, and Takehiro Hira.

Asian American and Pacific Islander nominees included actors from “Shōgun”, Maya Erskine of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” Greta Lee from “The Morning Show,” and Bowen Yang from “Saturday Night Live.” Japan’s Hiroyuki Sanada received long-overdue recognition from the Television Critics Association and the Emmy nomination counts as another achievement in his career.

Though fewer submissions this year contributed to some unexpected surprises, this was partly due to last summer’s writers’ and actors’ strikes and the decline of Peak TV, which affected U.S. film and TV production.

Despite fewer submissions, the usual tendencies in Emmy nominations persisted, with HBO shows and star-driven series continuing to dominate. Notable snubs included Emma Stone, Kate Winslet, and “The Sympathizer” star Hoa Xuande, despite acclaim for their performances.

“The Bear” garnered multiple nominations for its guest stars but Oliver Platt’s excellent performance was overlooked. Even shows that some might deem as mere pleasant diversions, like “Ripley,” received nods, sparking debates over their merit.

It’s important to remember that while perfection is rare, the diverse and deserving nominations this year should be celebrated as progress. The 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will air on ABC on Sept. 15.

Source: Various News Outlets