The quarantine has made us all stay inside. Instead of focusing on the negatives, let’s talk about the positives, which include more time to stream new shows. It may be July, but the 2020 Emmys are on the horizon and scheduled for the end of September. Whether the ceremony moves back a few weeks or goes virtual, what won’t change is the voting period for nominations, which began on July 2.
2020 will usher in new contenders in both drama and comedy as HBO’s stalwarts, Game of Thrones and Veep, are no longer on television. Can Succession be the new HBO juggernaut, or will Ozark and Better Call Saul breakthrough with huge victories in drama? Fleabag finished as well so The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Good Place, and Schitt’s Creek will all be vying for comedic victories.
Ahead of the nominations announcement on July 28, here are a few storylines to follow.
Can Succession Carry The HBO Torch With Game Of Thrones Gone?
Game of Thrones may have disappointed fans with its final season, but that sadness did not affect Emmy voters when fantasy series won Outstanding Drama Series last year. After its fourth win in five years in the drama series category, Game of Thrones is no longer with us nor in the drama category. Now, HBO is looking for another show to exert dominance once again. Enter Succession, which is coming off of a “near-perfect” second season. HBO’s drama about the Roy family is the favorite to take home the top prize on Goldderby. The last drama series to win in this category for its second season was Mad Men in 2009. However, the last show to win in this category for its second season without winning for its first season was The Practice in 1998. If Succession wins, Kendall Roy must perform “L to the OG” onstage as the acceptance speech.
Full disclosure, I have yet to finish the first season of Succession so I have some catching up to do before the ceremony airs in September. I’ll catch up with the Roy family, don’t worry.
Will Better Call Saul FINALLY Win A Primetime Emmy?
I understand that there are a lot of television shows eligible for awards every year. There are a lot of great shows that will never win Emmys in the big categories. The prime example is The Wire, which is regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time with zero Emmys wins. With all that being said, it will be a CRIME if Better Call Saul goes home empty-handed this year. The show’s fifth season was by far its best season as Saul inches closer to the Breaking Bad universe. Let’s assume Saul receives nominations for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Bob Odenkirk, Outstanding Supporting Actress for Rhea Seehorn, and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Jonathan Banks. How could any voter sit down and cite a better performance in all four categories? There are arguments to be made for stronger performances in a few of those categories, but all four? That’s impossible. If Better Call Saul does not win an Emmy in at least one of those four categories, I’m starting the following hashtag: #The2020EmmysAreOverParty
Should Watchmen Bring A Broom?
Watchmen should bring a broom because they’re going to sweep away their competition in the limited series categories. Get it? Brooms sweep so if the show brings a broom, it symbolizes a clean sweep in their categories. Isn’t it funny?
All (bad) jokes aside, Watchmen was phenomenal. It’s one of the most powerful comic book adaptations ever brought to screen. Between masked cops, white supremacy, and the Tulsa Race Massacre, Watchmen scarily became a reflection on certain aspects of our society. Yes, this is also the same show with a naked blue man.
In terms of categories, Watchmen will be a big favorite to win Outstanding Limited Series. From there, Regina King should be a favorite Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series/Movie but will face tough competition from Cate Blanchett for Mrs. America. Tim Blake Nelson and Jean Smart will be towards the top in their respective supporting categories. It’s important to note that Smart’s name holds weight within the television academy, having won three Emmys prior. The only longshot from Watchmen will be Jeremy Irons, who if nominated, will be a heavy underdog to Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Jackman in the lead acting category.
Will Any Of My Favorite Shows Of The Year Receive A Nomination?
If I’m a fan of your show, your Emmy chances dramatically decrease. I apologize for being a kiss of death. Devs, Dave, and Normal People are three of my favorite shows of the year and all three can be streamed on Hulu. Devs made me question life, Dave made me laugh, and Normal People brought me to tears. All three are in my top 10 shows of the year. However, all three may be shut out entirely from the Primetime Emmys. After looking at the odds, my best hope for a nomination lies with Paul Mescal, who gave a star-making performance in Normal People. In a perfect world, Mescal, Daisy-Edgar Jones, and the entire series receive nominations in their respective categories. Unfortunately, the world is far-from-perfect so if Paul is the only nomination, then we will stan our king.
What storylines are you following ahead of the nominations? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.