he 2024 Emmy nominations have been announced, featuring a blend of unexpected nominees and significant snubs. The categories, including Best Drama, Best Comedy, and Limited TV Series or TV Movie, provided ample opportunities for many deserving actors and series to be recognized. However, as is often the case with the Emmys, notable omissions have stirred controversy. Here are the surprising snubs and unexpected nominees.

SNUB: Kate Winslet (The Regime) for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie

Kate Winslet is known for her captivating performances in films as well as limited series, consistently garnering critical acclaim. Throughout her illustrious film career, she’s received two Oscar awards. When she branched into limited television productions, her performances in Mildred Pierce (2011) and Mare of Easttown (2021) resulted in Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie. Winslet’s latest venture, The Regime, marked a stylistic departure from past roles. Embracing a more satirical tone, the series showcased her exceptional versatility while calling for a satirical performance. While awards win may not have followed, her performance was undeniably outstanding and certainly deserved a nomination.

SNUB: The cast of The Sympathizer, excluding Robert Downey Jr.

It is surprising that a TV series set near the end of the Vietnam War, featuring an exceptional ensemble cast, including the talented Sandra Oh, has largely been overlooked in favor of recent Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr., who notably plays the primary white character in the show.

SNUB: Feud: Capote VS. The Swans (Outstanding Limited Series)

Ryan Murphy’s anthology series about acclaimed writer Truman Capote delves into his tumultuous relationships with the Swans, a socialite group in New York City’s high society. Capote’s decision to write a thinly veiled, fictionalized account of their scandalous lives in his unfinished novel ultimately ruins these friendships. The series boasts an impressive cast, including Calista Flockhart, Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Demi Moore, and Treat Williams (in his final role). Although individual actors such as Tom Hollander, Naomi Watts, Treat Williams, and Diane Lane received nominations, the series itself did not earn a nomination.

SNUB: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

This year, the Emmys introduced a revised category structure for talk shows. “Variety Talk” and “Variety Sketch” have been merged into “Talk” and “Scripted Variety.” While the intention might have been to broaden the landscape, it’s sparked some interesting discussions. The biggest change is Last Week Tonight with John Oliver moving from “Variety Talk” to “Scripted Variety,” putting it in direct competition with perennial winner Saturday Night Live. This unexpected pairing raises questions about the new category definitions. Previously, daily talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live competed with news-focused shows like Last Week Tonight. While that separation sparked debate, the new mix of SNL with its scripted sketches and Last Week Tonight with its monologues creates a lesser clear-cut distinction. Perhaps shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Late Late Show with James Corden, with their blend of interviews, sketches, and musical numbers would be more natural competitors for Saturday Night Live in the “Scripted Variety” category. Conversely, Last Week Tonight, with its focus on monologues, might be better positioned in the “Talk” category. The Emmys could argue that the aim is to reflect the current talk show landscape, but some like us admit that these categories require further refinement. Time will tell if these changes effectively recognize excellence in the diverse world of talk shows.

SURPRISE: Apple TV+ and Prime Video triumph at Emmy Awards

Streaming services dominated this year’s Emmy nominations, with Apple TV+ and Prime Video emerging as strong contenders.

Both platforms secured a significant number of nominations across various genres. Shows like The Morning Show, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Fallout garnered an impressive 16 nominations each, showcasing the range and quality of their content.

The nominations extended beyond critically-acclaimed titles. Apple TV+ even received 11 nominations for the period comedy Palm Royale and 10 for the Brie Larson miniseries Lessons in Chemistry, demonstrating the recognition for diverse programming.

The nominations encompassed a wide variety of performances. Acclaimed actors like Idris Elba (Hijack) and Walton Goggins (Fallout) were recognized for their unique and captivating portrayals, adding another layer of accomplishment for these streaming services.

With so many TV series spread across multiple streaming platforms, it can be challenging to keep track of what’s worth watching and what’s merely available. Despite the numerous snubs, let’s hope that these nominees do deserve a place.