With the summer coming to a close, it’s time to focus on the Emmys. While the pandemic has hurt the film industry, television is thriving. Thanks to an abundance of streaming services and A-list movie stars heading to the small screen, a new, critically-acclaimed show arrives almost every week.
Speaking of the Emmys, this could be the year of streamer-dominance as the favorites of all three series’ categories (Drama, Comedy, Limited Series) belong to a streaming service.
Can Netflix Finally Win The Big One?
Netflix is the “Godfather of Streaming.” Every network is trying to catch up to Netflix by creating its own streaming service. However, it’s still Netflix’s world with its successful algorithm and 200+ million subscribers.
It took some time, but Netflix has finally earned the respect of both the television and film academies… or have they? Netflix leads the field at the 2021 Primetime Emmys with 29 nominations. However, Netflix has yet to truly breakthrough in the major dramatic and comedic categories. Unless you’re a supporting actor/actress or Black Mirror, Netflix has essentially been shut out in the lead acting and series’ categories.
Coming into this year, Netflix has received a combined 65 nominations in Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress in a Drama Series, and Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress in a Comedy Series. For 65 nominations, Netflix only has one win to show for it. (Claire Foy won Outstanding Lead Actress in 2018.)
If there were ever a year to finally win in the series category, it would be this year, especially in Drama. Without HBO juggernauts (Game of Thrones and Succession), The Crown is poised to take home the top prize as the heavy favorite. If The Crown does win for outstanding series, then either Emma Corrin or Josh O’Connor should win in their respective lead-acting categories.
Can Ted Lasso be this year’s Schitt’s Creek?
The surprise show of the last year has been Ted Lasso. Apple TV+’s comedy about an American football coach coming to England and coaching a soccer team is a smash hit. In a world full of negativity, Ted Lasso shines a light on some much-needed positivity. Ted Lasso is loved by both fans and critics as it set a record for most Emmy nominations for a freshman comedy with 20.
With so many nominations, can Ted Lasso be this year’s Schitt’s Creek? At last year’s ceremony, Schitt’s Creek set the record for most Emmy wins in a single season with 9 including a perfect sweep of all the acting categories.
Although Ted Lasso can’t pull a Schitt’s Creek since it failed to receive a nomination in Comedy Actress, the show can win in every other acting category. In fact, the show is expected to win Comedy Series as well as Comedy Actor for Jason Sudeikis. Finally, nice guys will finish first.
Other Storylines To Monitor
- Speaking of Netflix, The Queen’s Gambit could be the streamer’s first win in the Limited Series category. Plus, Anya-Taylor Joy could edge out Kate Winslet for Lead Actress in a Limited/TV movie.
- Kenan Thompson deserves an Emmy for his work on Saturday Night Live. It’s more than overdue.
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series is absolutely stacked. It’s the best category of the night. Gun to my head, the winner will be The Queen’s Gambit or Mare of Easttown.
- I’m glad the Emmys has a host. Award shows need hosts so I have high hopes for Cedric the Entertainer.
Stay tuned for Emmy predictions in each category in the week leading up to the ceremony.
What is your biggest Emmy storyline? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.