If Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us were merely a fictional drama, it would be a beautifully acted, albeit infuriating, cautionary tale about the perversion of justice prompted by systematic racism of this country’s law enforcement, particularly in New York, and especially in the timeframe of the 1989 Central Park Jogger case.
That the events of this film actually happened makes it more exasperating, and that this type of police state abuse is still pandemic in 2019, makes it more furiously relevant. The true story is a scab in our country’s racist history (a history ripe – and still ripening – with bleeding scars).
As it stands, it is an artistic triumph, too, at times unbearable, painful and brutal, but never less than mesmerizing. It earned its well-deserved SIXTEEN Emmy nominations, including 8 for the extraordinary cast.
The whole cast is revelatory, but I don’t think I’ve experienced a more masterful evocation on screen this year than that of Jharrel Jerome, who portrays Korey Wise (and is the only actor who plays his role from teen to adult); it is a performance that is nothing less than transcendent, and it will haunt me for years.
Whether screaming at your TV, weeping at the incessant injustice, marveling at the astonishing performances, or cursing that this ever happened, you should not see this merely because of a moral obligation (though, there is that), but also because it is an exceptional artistic achievement. Film-making at its finest.
Finally got around to seeing the 2019 Emmy nominations, and, at first glance, a lot seems to be missing, until you remember that in order to be eligible, a show needed to have aired at least its first episode between June 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019, hence past winners/nominees near-absenteeism (e.g. Big Little Lies, The Handmaid’s Tale, Stranger Things, etc). Don’t worry – Meryl Streep will be here next year to add another award to her mantle!
While I’m dismayed, again, at the continuous snubbing of One Day At A Time, I did appreciate that the Emmys finally recognized how amazing The Good Place is – awarding it an overdue Outstanding Comedy nomination in its third year. But why no love for Kristen Bell, who anchors the hilarious insanity? And while I’m glad the brilliant “Janet(s)” episode was nominated for Outstanding Writing, how the hell was D’Arcy Carden, who gave an ingenious, pitch-perfect performance as Janet, given the cold shoulder? Seriously? Forget the nomination – the Emmy should have been mailed to her after that episode aired! (Carden had to play five of the show’s six main characters, because…oh, fuck it – I won’t even TRY to explain that here. But just believe me when I say it was a work of art. Her non-nom is a crime.)
Though, really – is there anything able to stop the power of Veep? I expect Julia Louis-Dreyfus to grab her hundredth Emmy come awards night (and deservedly so), but I was happy to see Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Christina Applegate (Dead To Me) and Natasha Lyonne (Russian Dolls) included this year alongside last year’s wonderful winner Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). Catherine O’Hara is a national treasure but I never really gotSchitt’s Creek (though I tried), and I’m happy she’s being recognized for her work. (Though, horrified that Pamela Adlon, and Better Things, are both missing.)
I love the love thrown at Fleabag (yay, Olivia Colman!) and Russian Dolls, too, for Outstanding Comedy, as much as I’m exhausted at the umpteenth nominations for This Is Us in the Drama categories. Also, if you’re going to nominate the great Bodyguard as Outstanding Drama Series, then you easily could have knocked out Sterling K Brown’s or Milo Ventimiglia’s nods for Outstanding Actor (not to mention Kit Harington in Game of Thrones, though God forbid!!!), and rewarded Richard Madden’s stupendous turn as David Budd, in the series, with a much-deserved nomination. (Bodyguard’s only other nomination was Outstanding Writing.)
I didn’t hate the final season of Game of Thrones as much as the rest of the world did (as problematic as it was, my main caveat was that it was too rushed). But the show’s record number of nominations seems out of touch with the consensus that this much-maligned season was most undeserving of such accolades.
In GoT‘s supporting categories, not sure Gwendoline Christine’s nod was necessary, nor Sophie Turner’s. And while I understand the Maisie Williams nomination, the usually stellar Lena Headey was underused, and thus, under-performed. She really had nothing much to do this season. (Peter Dinklage though, as usual, was exceptional this year – though I always maintain that his is/was always more a lead role than Harington’s, rather than his thrice-won Supporting.)
And, sure, the acting in Pose might be laughable at times, but Billy Porter’s Outstanding Actor nod is a joy; he’s the heart and soul of the series, and elevates the rest of the novice, amateurish cast. And, despite that cast, the show’s storytelling is beautiful, so kudos for its Outstanding Drama nomination. And I’m also thrilled that Jodie Comer was recognized as Outstanding Actress for Killing Eve – her snub last year was ridiculous, as Sandra Oh’s Eve was nothing without Comer’s Villanelle; a yin without the yang. And did they really need to nominate Viola Davis again for the long-in-the-tooth, and completely risible, How To Get Away With Murder, over, say Julia Roberts’ complex role in the smart, beautifully acted Homecoming, which was surprisingly snubbed? Nope.
The category I’m most excited about, though, is Limited Series. There’s nary a weak nod in the whole acting bunch, with Outstanding Limited Series itself filled with five genuinely exemplary nominations, and a masterpiece or two, too.
In a category (Outstanding Lead Actor) filled with great performance like Jared Harris (Chernobyl) and Hugh Grant (A Very English Scandal), the single most profound performance I witnessed this year was Jharrel Jerome, who played Korey Wise, in the breathtaking When They See Us. I sincerely hope he wins in September – it’s a name you should remember and a performance that will haunt you.
I don’t think there’s any actress who will – or should – beat Michelle Williams (Outstanding Lead Actress) for her transcendent portrayal of Gwen Verdon in Fosse/Verdon, but Patricia Arquette (Escape At Dannemora), Amy Adams (Sharp Objects) and Joey King (astonishing in The Act) could give her a run for her money (not really; this is probably the only sure thing, though if anyone can snatch it from Williams, it’s the much-loved Arquette). But I’m saddened that two excellent performances were nominated in the lead category – Niecy Nash and Aunjanue Ellis (both great in, and nominated for, When They See Us) – both were really supporting roles, and nominating them as leads only lessens their chances come Emmy night (Nash, particularly).
And with When They See Us and Chernobyl (both masterworks, in my opinion) and Fosse/Verdon and Sharp Objects and Escape at Dannemora all up for the same Outstanding Limited Series award? Well, that alone is worth the price of admission. And even another three-plus hour Awards ceremony.
Better Call Saul (AMC) Bodyguard (Netflix) Game of Thrones (HBO) Killing Eve (BBC America) Ozark (Netflix) Pose (FX) Succession (HBO) This Is Us (NBC)
Comedy Series
Barry (HBO) Fleabag (Amazon) The Good Place (NBC) The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon) Russian Doll (Netflix) Schitt’s Creek (Pop) Veep (HBO)
Limited Series
Chernobyl (HBO) Escape at Dannemora (Showtime) Fosse/Verdon (FX) Sharp Objects (HBO) When They See Us (Netflix)
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman (Ozark) Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us) Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul) Billy Porter (Pose) Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us)
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) Viola Davis (How to Get Away With Murder) Laura Linney (Ozark) Mandy Moore (This Is Us) Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) Robin Wright (House of Cards)
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson (Black-ish) Don Cheadle (Black Monday) Ted Danson (The Good Place) Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) Bill Hader (Barry) Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek)
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate (Dead to Me) Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep) Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek) Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag)
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Mahershala Ali (True Detective) Benicio Del Toro (Escape at Dannemora) Hugh Grant (A Very English Scandal) Jared Harris (Chernobyl) Jharrel Jerome (When They See Us) Sam Rockwell (Fosse/Verdon)
Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Amy Adams (Sharp Objects) Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora) Joey King (The Act) Niecy Nash (When They See Us) Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon) Aunjanue Ellis (When They See Us)
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones) Jonathan Banks (Better Call Saul) Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones) Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul) Michael Kelly (House of Cards) Chris Sullivan (This Is Us)
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones) Julia Garner (Ozark) Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve) Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones) Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones)
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method) Anthony Carrigan (Barry) Tony Hale (Veep) Stephen Root (Barry) Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) Henry Winkler (Barry)
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) Anna Chlumsky (Veep) Olivia Colman (Fleabag) Sian Clifford (Fleabag) Betty Gilpin (GLOW) Sarah Goldberg (Barry) Marin Hinkle (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live)
Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Asante Blackk (When They See Us) Paul Dano (Escape At Dannemora) John Leguizamo (When They See Us) Stellan Skarsgård (Chernobyl) Ben Whishaw (A Very English Scandal) Michael K. Williams (When They See Us)
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie
Patricia Arquette (The Act) Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us) Patricia Clarkson (Sharp Objects) Vera Farmiga (When They See Us) Margaret Qualley (Fosse/Verdon) Emily Watson (Chernobyl)
Some quick thoughts on this year’s Emmy Awards nominations.
With 19 nods, TVs latest phenom, the enchanting wunderkind GLEE leads the pack at this years Emmy race, and as an unabashedly proud GLEEK, I couldn’t be happier (only HBOs miniseries THE PACIFIC garnered more noms – twenty-four!!!) Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison were shoo-ins for the Lead Actress and Actor category, as was timeless Jane Lynch a given in the Supporting Actress category race. But, in an unexpected, delightful turn, Chris Colfer was recognized in the Supporting Actor Comedy category for his exemplary work as gay teen Kurt Hummel! And, to add more cookies to the ice cream, comedian Mike O’Malley was nominated as Outstanding Guest Actor for his portrayal of Burt Hummel, Kurt’s totally supportive, conflicted father. Rarely has the angst, fear, confusion, terror and finally, unmitigated joy of a gay teen coming out to himself, his friends,and a parent so splendidly and perfectly portrayed, and even rarer is the beautiful interaction of father and son in such scenes. Kudos to both for their most deserved noms.
Colfer’s in great company. As an act of solidarity, the cast of TVs great, neo-classic MODERN FAMILY submitted themselves in the Supporting categories. But a question for the ages is, how do you nominate every adult actor yet fail to recognize the ACTUAL STAR OF THE SHOW (and my favorite in the ensemble)? Ed O’Neil’s snub as the crotchety patriarch with a secret heart of mush Jay Pritchett is a glaringly stupid omission. This is not to negate nominees Jesse Tyler Ferguson or Eric Stonestreet, as the gay couple with a recently adopted child, or the brilliant Ty Burrell as the clumsily hip Phil Dunphy (or for that matter, Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy or Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett). But O’Neill is the rack that holds the pool balls together. Included in the Supporting Actor Comedy category is the always riotous Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson in the still-awesome-after-all-these-years HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. (Incidentally enough, Harris was ALSO nominated for his Bryan Ryan guest role on GLEE). That Jon Cryer continues to get nominated for the still-unwatchable-after-all-these-years TWO AND A HALF MEN remains a mystery.
*****
There was Emmy love for LOST as well, and, despite its controversial final episode, the accolades are deserved – this final season was its most exciting, powerful, moving and finely acted since its first. Besides its citation for Outstanding Drama Series, Matthew Fox’s portrayal of Jack Shepard was finally recognized – and long overdue. Along with perpetual Supporting Actor nominees Terry O’Quinn as John Locke and Michael Emerson as Ben Linus (I don’t watch MAD MENor MEN OR A CERTAIN AGE, so I can’t root for John Slattery or Andre Braugher, respectively, but I just started watching season one of acclaimed BREAKING BAD so congrats to Adrian Paul), I was thrilled that the magical Elizabeth Mitchell was singled out in the Outstanding Guest Actress for her Juliet Burke.
Obligatory Beauty
*****
There should be hell to pay if John Lithgow does NOT receive the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his astonishing portrayal in DEXTER – quite possibly the most riveting juxtaposition of evil and redemption I’ve ever witnessed in this medium, his depiction of serial killer Arthur Mitchell was – and remains – a revelation. And Michael C. Hall’s title role should be another surefire victory – the psychological manipulation and weekly mind-fucking between the two characters is a new archetype of performance art. And, yes, it should win OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES.
Other faves of mine were on ample display this year with nominations. NURSE JACKIE was well-represented with eight nods (including Outstanding Actress in a Comedy nominee Edie Falco, Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy for Eli Wallach). Two for UNITED STATES OF TARA (including Outstanding Actress in a Comedy for Toni Collette). In an annual tradition, 30 Rock was nominated copiously (it won Outstanding Comedy three times) in most categories, including perennial favorites Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, as well as past nominee Jane Krokowski in the Supporting Actress category). The brilliant Jim Parsons received his second consecutive Outstanding Lead Actor nominee for the hilarious BIG BANG THEORY (once again one of the funniest, most smartly written shows on TV was snubbed in the Outstanding Comedy category, though it was a delight to see Christine Baranski pick up an Outstanding Guest Actress nominee for her portrayal of Leonard’s (Johnny Galecki) mother). Julia Louis-Dreyfus picked up another nod for the final season of the still-biting NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, though the series had dwindled this past year.
The moment that made me proverbially cheer the loudest was also the sweetest revenge – nominated for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series was THE TONIGHT SHOW…WITH CONAN O’BRIEN!! Take that, Jay Leno, you back-stabbing, loathsome prick.
And, of course, there were the usual curios, head-scratchers and moments of revel. The continual omission of CHUCK only proves the Emmy’s snobbery. The inclusion of Tony Shaloub for the dreadful MONK AGAIN proves their lack of spontaneity. SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE was snubbed once again in the Outstanding Reality Competition, even though there’s more talent in one backstage leg warmer than all the earwig’s combined on the worst season yet of nominee AMERICAN IDOL. Despite the aforementioned nods, it would have been justice to throw in a few other nominations for LOST‘s other cast members (Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway and the exceptional Yunjin Kim immediately pop to mind). And no love for UGLY BETTY‘s final season, its best since its first? And snubs for two of TVs best dramas, SOUTHLAND and PARENTHOOD, even though the complete shut-out of BROTHERS & SISTERS and GREY’S ANATOMY was a welcome relief? Not cool. Nor was the incessant rebuffing of the aforementioned BIG BANG THEORY and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER in the Outstanding Comedy Series. But I’m also beyond thrilled that enchanting past Emmy winner (for my long-lamented favorite PUSHING DAISIES) Kristen Chenoweth was cited for her guest role as April Rhodes in GLEE.
It’s fair to say that I don’t watch – or have never seen – many of the shows in which the seeming bulk of the acting nominees were cited for. MAD MEN, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, THE GOOD WIFE, DAMAGES, HOUSE have all been perpetual nominees in the past (save for FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and the freshman drama THE GOOD WIFE) and on my radar, but never etched a spark in my TV-viewing habits. Long allergic to anything vampiric, I’ve also never seen an episode of Outstanding Drama nominee TRUE BLOOD.
In a year of stellar acting, irreproachable drama and comedic heights, the only real depressing moment could be if unremitting douche-bag Ryan Seacrest – nominated twice…TWICE! – walks away holding sweet Emmy in the palm of his hands.
*****
You can see the full list of nominees HERE. The Emmy Awards will be held live August 29th.
My New Boyfriend 