CHILL AND WATCH

My favourite time of year is upon us. There are many things that I look forward to that indicate the arrival of autumn. First off, the pumpkin spiced latte returns to Starbucks, then, apple picking becomes the ideal weekend activity, the leaves change into gorgeous hues of yellow, red, and orange, and the NFL is back. But most importantly, television’s most prestigious awards show lets us know which shows we binged-watched during the pandemic are worthy of awards. 

Looking at all of the nominees, I am reminded that we were treated to some stellar shows this past year. I do have my favorites going on, but I have a feeling this year will see a couple of shows walk out with lots of hardware. The rest will be fighting for the few awards from categories that will actually be competitive. I am counting on a few upsets and surprises with this year’s Emmys. I have been watching this award show for as long as I can remember and one of my all-time favourite moments occurred during last year’s award show when Zendaya was announced as the winner for outstanding lead actress in a drama for Euphoria. Emmy voters, I am counting on you to surprise me like you always do. You’ve provided that entertainment every year, so don’t let me down. 

Remember, the Emmys air on Sunday, September 19th at 8:00 PM EST and 5:00 PM PST on Paramount+ and CBS. 

Best Comedy Series Writing

Steve Yockey ; “The Flight Attendant” (Episode: “In Case of Emergency”)Meredith Scardino ; “Girls5eva” (Episode: “Pilot”)
Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky ; “Hacks” (Episode: “There Is No Line”)
Maya Erskine ; “PEN15” (Episode: “Play”)
Joe Kelly, Brendan Hunt, and Jason Sudeikis ; “Ted Lasso” (Episode: “Make Rebecca Great Again”)
Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly ; “Ted Lasso” (Episode: “Pilot”) 

This one comes down to Hacks and Ted Lasso. Considering that Ted Lasso provided us with some feel-good comedy that we really needed this past year, which is thanks to its sharply brilliant writing. Hacks also provides some hearty belly laughs that I haven’t forgotten. Having said that, Ted Lasso wins. 

Best Drama Series Directing

Julie Anne Robinson ; “Bridgerton” (Episode: “Diamond of the First Water”)
Benjamin Caron ; “The Crown” (Episode: “Fairytale”)
Jessica Hobbs ; (The Crown (Episode: “War”)
Liz Garbus ; “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Episode: “The Wilderness”)
Jon Favreau ; “The Mandalorian” (Episode: “Chapter 9: The Marshal”)
Steven Canals ; “Pose” (Episode: “Series Finale”)

My personal favourite in this category belongs to Jon Favreau for The Mandalorian. However, he sadly won’t win and Benjamin Caron deserves a lot of praise for his “Fairytale” episode of The Crown because his examination of Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding is fabulous. Also, having Emma Corrin rollerskating to Duran Duran around Buckingham Palace is sheer genius. For this, he will be declared the winner.  

Best Drama Series Writing

Rebecca Sonnenshine ; “The Boys” (Episode: “What I Know”)
Peter Morgan ; “The Crown” (Episode: “War”)
Yahlin Chang ; “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Episode: “Home”)
Misha Green ; “Lovecraft Country” (Episode: “Sundown”)
Dave Filoni ; “The Mandalorian” (Episode: “Chapter 13: The Jedi”)
Jon Favreau ; “The Mandalorian” (Episode: “Chapter 16: The Rescue”)
Steven Canals, Brad Falchuk, Our Lady J, Janet Mock, and Ryan Murphy ; “Pose” (Episode: “Series Finale”)

The second season of The Boys manages to exceed my expectations and proves why it’s one of the best dramas on television. I would love to give Rebecca Sonnenshine this award, but Peter Morgan’s excellent writing for “War” will be enough to declare victory in this category for The Crown. 

Best Limited Series/TV Movie Directing

Thomas Kail, “Hamilton”
Sam Miller and Michaela Coel, “I May Destroy You” (Episode: “Ego Death”),
Sam Miller, “I May Destroy You” (Episode: “Eyes Eyes Eyes Eyes”)
Craig Zobel, “Mare of Easttown, Directed by  (HBO)
Scott Frank, “The Queen’s Gambit”
Barry Jenkins, “The Underground Railroad”
Matt Shakman,”WandaVision”

It’s a tight race between Barry Jenkins and Scott Frank. Not too long ago, Barry Jenkins won an Oscar for his work on the screenplay that he did for Moonlight. Since his excellent The Underground Railroad did catch the attention of many, I am beyond proud to award my personal favourite Scott Frank for The Queen’s Gambit. 

Best Limited Series/TV Movie Writing

Michaela Coel, “I May Destroy You”
Brad Ingelsby, “Mare of Easttown”
Scott Frank, “The Queen’s Gambit”
Chuck Hayward and Peter Cameron, “WandaVision” (Episode: “All-New Halloween Spooktacular!”)
Jac Schaeffer, “WandaVision” (Episode: “Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience”)
Laura Donney, “WandaVision” (Episode: “Previously On”), Written by  (Disney+)

This is another competitive category where I would be happy with anyone winning. Despite having 3 nominations in the same category, Wandavision won’t be the big winner here because they will be overshadowed by the divinely written I May Destroy You. Michaela Coel’s brilliant writing for I May Destroy You will get the recognition it deserves when her name is called as the winner of this category.

Best Comedy Series Directing 

James Burrows ; “B Positive” (Episode: “Pilot”)
Susanna Fogel ; “The Flight Attendant” (Episode: “In Case of Emergency”)
Lucia Aniello ; “Hacks” (Episode: “There Is No Line”)
James Widdoes ; “Mom” (Episode: “Scooby-Doo Checks and Salisbury Steak”)
Zach Braff ; “Ted Lasso” (Episode: “Biscuits”)
MJ Delaney  ; “Ted Lasso” (Episode: “The Hope that Kills You”)
Declan Lowney ; “Ted Lasso” (Episode: “Make Rebecca Great Again”)

EAGLE! For those of you who did not catch my Scrubs reference, I scream wrote a line made famous by Zach Braff’s Dr. John Dorian on Scrubs because he will be the winner of this category. 

Outstanding Drama Series 

The Boys
Bridgerton
The Crown
The Mandalorian
Lovecraft Country
Pose
The Handmaid’s Tale
This Is Us

I can make an argument for why every show should win this category. I personally The Mandalorian and The Boys lived up to my extremely high expectations, and Lovecraft Country left a huge impact on me and was extremely entertaining from start to finish. However, Peter Morgan’s latest season of The Crown turned out to be as, if not more entertaining than its first season. It was the talk of the town for many that leads to so many discussions and speculation that happened this season. For that reason, The Crown takes Best Drama.  

Outstanding Comedy Series 

Black-ish
Cobra Kai
Pen15
Emily in Paris
Hacks
Ted Lasso
The Flight Attendant
The Kominsky Method

Hacks was a pleasant surprise for me, which I am glad that I took the time to watch. I’m also one of the few who enjoyed Emily in Paris’ cheesy rom-com antics. Mostly because she reminds me of me slowly adjusting to my new life in Paris. However, the wonderful Ted Lasso will deservedly take the crown in this category. 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series 

Regé-Jean Page, Bridgerton
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Billy Porter, Pose
Jonathan Majors, Lovecraft Country
Matthew Rhys, Perry Mason
Josh O’Connor, The Crown

This category comes down to Josh O’Connor who played Prince Charles in The Crown and Billy Porter for Pose. While The Crown will be winning a lot this evening, I believe this is a category where they could be beaten. Billy Porter takes one home for Pose. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series 

Emma Corrin, The Crown
Olivia Colman, The Crown
Uzo Aduba, In Treatment
Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid’s Tale
Jurnee Smollett, Lovecraft Country
Mj Rodriguez, Pose

Everyone in this category deserves a round of applause. They all performed beautifully this past year. However, Emma Corin had the toughest job of them all, portraying arguably the most famous celebrity to have ever existed. She stepped up to the task and performed beautifully. Her courage alone makes her the most likely recipient of this award. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series 

Michael K. Williams, Lovecraft Country
Bradley Whitford, The Handmaid’s Tale
Max Minghella, The Handmaid’s Tale
O-T Fagbenle, The Handmaid’s Tale
John Lithgow, Perry Mason
Tobias Menzies, The Crown
Giancarlo Esposito, The Mandalorian
Chris Sullivan, This Is Us

The final votes were tallied a week before we sadly lost the sensational Michael K. Williams. Before this year’s Emmys, he has been nominated 4 times, but has never won. This year he has received his fifth and now final nomination. Now, he will finally win posthumously. This would be the cherry on top to cap off an absolutely sensational career. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series 

Gillian Anderson, The Crown
Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown
Emerald Fennell, The Crown
Ann Dowd, The Handmaid’s Tale
Yvonne Strahovski, The Handmaid’s Tale
Samira Wiley, The Handmaid’s Tale
Madeline Brewer, The Handmaid’s Tale
Aunjanue Ellis, Lovecraft Country

Her last Emmy victory came in 1997 when she was known as Dana Scully from The X-Files. Finally, after a 14 year drought, Gillian Anderson will take home the award for her sensational portrayal of Margaret Thatcher. 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series 

Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
William H. Macy, Shameless
Kenan Thompson, Kenan

For the longest time, I thought Jason Sudeikis was an incredibly underrated actor. This is a guy who can pull off comedy and drama with relative ease. I knew he would get recognition eventually, he just needed the right role. Finally, Ted Lasso was born and not only will he win this award, he will be taking home 3 Emmys. One for acting, writing, and creating Ted Lasso. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series 

Aidy Bryant, Shrill
Jean Smart, Hacks
Allison Janney, Mom
Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish

Those of us who have consumed a lot of television over the years know how incredible Jean Smart really is. However, when you say her name to casual TV watchers, nobody really knows her. This year, thanks to her sensational performances in both Hacks and Mare of Eastown, nobody will have trouble remembering her name. She will win this category hands down. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series 

Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live
Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live
Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso
Brendan Hunt, Ted Lasso
Nick Mohammed, Ted Lasso
Jeremy Swift, Ted Lasso
Paul Reiser, The Kominsky Method
Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Hacks

I want to give a shout out to Bowen Yang for being absolutely incredible lately on Saturday Night Live. He would be your potential upset in this category. However, the Emmy will go to the multi-talented Brett Goldstein who not only stars in Ted Lasso. He’s also a primary writer for the show. 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series 

Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
Cecily Strong, Saturday Night Live
Aidy Bryant, Saturday Night Live
Rosie Perez, The Flight Attendant
Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso
Juno Temple, Ted Lasso

Hannah Waddingham will finally get the recognition that she deserves and takes home the Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy series. Going widely unnoticed with her appearances in Game of Thrones and Sex Education, Ted Lasso finally made audiences pay attention and this win will be well deserved. 

Outstanding Limited Series 

Mare of Easttown
I May Destroy You
WandaVision
The Queen’s Gambit
The Underground Railroad

This is easily the hardest and most competitive category at this year’s Emmys. I have gone back and forth on who I believe should win and while Mare of Easttown is fresh in Emmy voters minds and was critically acclaimed, I am sticking with my all-time favourite limited series The Queen’s Gambit to win. What Scott Frank and Anya Taylor-Joy accomplished is nothing short of perfection and that’s why it deserves to win. 

Outstanding Television Movie 

Uncle Frank
Sylvie’s Love
Oslo
Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia
Dolly Parton’s Christmas on The Square

The writing appears to be on the wall for this category. While Dolly Parton’s Christmas on The Square was an excellent Christmas movie, I would personally give the Emmy to Sylvie’s Love because everything from the performances, cinematography, and story really appealed to me. However, I will still be happy to see Dolly Parton’s Christmas on The Square win.  

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie 

Paul Bettany, WandaVision
Hugh Grant, The Undoing
Ewan McGregor, Halston
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Leslie Odom Jr., Hamilton

It comes down to Hugh Grant and Paul Bettany in this category. While Hugh Grant is terrific in The Undoing, I am choosing my personal favorite performance, which is Paul Bettany in Wandavision. Paul Bettany has never been better and is the person who deserves this award the most in my humble opinion. 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie 

Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown
Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit
Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision
Cynthia Erivo, Genius: Aretha

Every single person in this category deserves to win. I just want to say that Kate Winslet’s performance in Mare of Easttown is a reminder about why she is one of the best actresses working today. She totally lost herself in the role and could easily win. However, my heart wants Anya Taylor-Joy to take this home. I was absolutely mesmerized by her acting in The Queen’s Gambit. She pulls off the upset and causes me to jump off of my couch with joy! 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie 

Jean Smart, Mare of Easttown
Julianne Nicholson, Mare of Easttown
Kathryn Hahn, WandaVision
Phillipa Soo, Hamilton
Renee Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton
Moses Ingram, The Queen’s Gambit

If Kathryn Hahn wasn’t nominated this year, Julianne Nicholson would be winning this category. Her time won’t be this year, but it will come and I will just be happy to see Wandavision take another award home. Kathryn Hahn deserves to win and she will. To quote her brilliant song “It was Agatha all along”. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie 

Daveed Diggs, Hamilton
Jonathan Groff, Hamilton
Anthony Ramos, Hamilton
Thomas Brodie-Sangster, The Queen’s Gambit
Evan Peters, Mare of Easttown
Paapa Essiedu, I May Destroy You

Evan Peters had one of the best years of his life pulling off two sensational performances in both Mare of Easttown and Wandavision. The moment he stepped on screen in both shows, I was hooked. Mare of Easttown is the best work that he’s ever done and for that reason, he will win this Emmy.

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series 

A Black Lady Sketch Show
Saturday Night Live

This category feels a little sparse this year… Nevertheless, Saturday Night Live will emerge victorious in this category. 

Outstanding Variety Talk Series 

Conan
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver emerges victorious every year and will probably win again. Deservedly so of course. However, I am going to call an upset here to make things interesting. Conan O’Brian recently ended his 28 year stint as a talk show host earlier this year. I just think it would be nice to give him this one to really celebrate him and the phenomenal job he did as a talk-show host. 

Outstanding Competition Program 

The Amazing Race
Nailed It!
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Top Chef
The Voice

I am an avid fan of The Amazing Race, so, they will always be a favorite of mine every year. As cool as it would be to see a hilarious show like Nailed It win, nothing comes close to the always fabulous RuPaul’s Drag Race. They will once again win the crown in this race. 

Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program 

RuPaul, RuPaul’s Drag Race
Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness, Queer Eye
Nicole Byer, Nailed It!
Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons, Top Chef
Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, and Kevin O’Leary, Shark Tank

I would personally award the cast of Queer Eye the Emmy. Those boys just know how to tug at my heartstrings and perform their hosting duties with relative ease. Nicole Byer also deserves a round of applause for leaving me in stitches after every episode of Nailed It! However, nobody can match the energy, poise, and brilliance of RuPaul. RuPaul wins and looks fabulous doing it.