My 2020 Emmys Ballot

Sunday, September 20, 2020
This is a weird year. I don't think we'll really feel the effects of the coronavirus on television production for maybe another year so this year's nominations are still normal.

Some picks are my hopes, and some are because I know certain shows and people are going to win, so I want to highlight some other work that was excellent in the last year that is no less deserving of awards recognition.

Best Drama Series Succession
Actress in a Drama Zendaya, Euphoria
Actor in a Drama Jeremy Strong, Succession
Supporting Actress in a Drama Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
Supporting Actor in a Drama Sarah Snook, Succession
Writing for a Drama Succession

I love that Zendaya is nominated. Euphoria as a show is not one that jibes with me, but her performance is spectacular. I'm gonna try it again before the second season eventually starts airing, maybe it'll grab me then, but we'll see. And I chose Billy Crudup in supporting because The Morning Show was a mess but he knew exactly what the show was and his role in it, and he was a joy to watch every week. And then everything else is Succession. One, because it's great (#TeamShiv), and two, full disclosure, I haven't started Better Call Saul yet, but I'd be happy if that won instead.

Best Comedy Series The Good Place
Actress in a Comedy Issa Rae, Insecure
Actor in a Comedy Ted Danson, The Good Place
Supporting Actress in a Comedy D'Arcy Carden, The Good Place
Supporting Actor in a Comedy William Jackson Harper, The Good Place
Writing for a Comedy The Good Place

Can you tell I want The Good Place to win? It went so unrecognized the first few years and it ended beautifully, I want it to be rewarded. Especially William Jackson Harper as Chidi, the member of the Soul Squad I loved the most, so that is the category I am wishing for the most. Also, D'Arcy Carden deserved the Emmy for "Janet(s)" last year and she didn't get it, so I'm giving it to her this year. I also haven't watched a lot of current comedies this year, so that's also the reason I went hard on The Good Place. I've been meaning to catch up on all of the other nominees, I just got distracted by New Girl and Happy Endings.

Best Limited Series Unbelievable
Actress in a Limited Series Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere
Actor in a Limited Series Hugh Jackman, Bad Education
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America
Supporting Actor in a Limited Series Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen
Writing for a Limited Series "Shirley", Mrs. America
Directing for a Limited Series Lynn Shelton, Little Fires Everywhere

This category is going to be dominated by Watchmen, and rightfully so. I am personally excited for another Regina King acceptance speech. So, I decided to try and pick as many non-Watchmen things to highlight the other great limited series this year. I was disappointed that Merritt Wever and Kaitlyn Dever weren't nominated for their work in Unbelievable. It's a difficult, but very rewarding watch, with great performances from the three leads and all of the supporting cast. If you want an interesting lesson in history that was the catalyst for the last forty years of politics and how we got to this point, check out Mrs. America. And I wanted give love to the late Lynn Shelton for Little Fires Everywhere, and urge you to check out her other work.

Best Variety Special John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch
Writing for a Variety Special John Mulaney & Marika Sawyer, John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch
Best Variety Series A Black Lady Sketch Show
Writing for a Variety Series Late Night with Seth Meyers
Outstanding Variety Talk Series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Outstanding Competition Program The Masked Singer
Host for a Reality Competition Program Nicole Byer, Nailed It!

I love John Mulaney and whatever he does, so I want him to win. After the wild success of Kid Gorgeous and "Diner Lobster", he followed that up with a children's musical special about anxiety. That was a big swing and it worked. I really want A Black Lady Sketch Show to beat out Saturday Night Live. I was hoping after Documentary Now!'s perfect third season, especially "Co-op", could do it, so I haven't learned and am placing bets on another underdog. The talk shows are two I watch regularly, so that's the reason for both picks in those categories. I can't believe The Masked Singer is as successful as it is because it's so weird, but I love it. And Nicole Byer is the reason Nailed It! works, because with any other host it would be cruel to its contestants.
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