Wild-Card Emmy Predictions: 12 Crazy (and Early) Snubs and Surprises That Could Happen This Year
Across the country, countless Americans have been long-awaiting the ouster of an elected entity that’s overstayed its welcome. Some suspected it would be gone last year, while other, more pessimistic people have accepted its seemingly permanent place in power.
But no more. The tea leaves have been read, and a future without this fading former favorite feels inevitable. That’s right. In 2018, “Modern Family” will not be nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series at the Emmys.
OK, to be fair, comparing a four-time winner in the category (and a still solid) ABC family comedy — and a somewhat progressive one, at that — to our all-but-officially corrupt Cheeto-in-Chief is out of line. Steven Levitan, we apologize. But even you would probably admit it’s time for TV Academy voters to shine their light on lesser known series in need of a boost.
Will they? Probably not. But could they? That’s what IndieWire’s awards experts are here to predict. In the latest episode of Very Good Television Podcast, IndieWire TV Editor Liz Shannon Miller and TV Critic Ben Travers take their swings at the wild (but possible), absurd (but wanted), and far too early (no disagreement here) Emmy predictions they want to see, think might happen, and sometimes even hope do go down.
It’s a sequel to last year’s semi-successful edition (R.I.P. “The Leftovers”), and none of the picks are meant as guarantees — looking over the state of the race very early on, these are a few snubs and surprises that could happen. Below, we’ve listed just some of the picks with brief explanations, but be sure to listen to the episode in its entirety above.
1. “Game of Thrones” gets snubbed in most non-technical categories
- Put it on the record: Liz Shannon Miller said on the podcast that “despite its long legacy of kicking ass at the Emmys, I think ‘Game of Thrones’ gets snubbed, even at the nominations phase, in nearly every non-technical category.”
2. “Barry” lands nominations for Bill Hader and Henry Winkler
- Here are a few factors working in “Barry’s” favor: It’s an HBO comedy (in a year where “Veep” is out of the race), it’s getting stellar reviews, and it’s about acting in Hollywood (North Hollywood, really, but that’s arguably even more appealing to voters given the TV Academy is located there). Throw in Hader’s three previous acting nominations and Winkler’s legendary status in the community, and you’ve got two new contenders who could surprise people.
3. Rita Moreno gets nominated for “One Day at a Time”
- The beloved EGOT winner doesn’t need any more awards on her mantle, but that doesn’t mean she won’t get one. Critics have come out in droves for “One Day at a Time,” and the recent renewal at Netflix shows support from a company that looks for nominations anyway it can get them. Moreno is the show’s best shot at gold, and she’s not that crazy a pick.
4. Zazie Beetz scores her first nomination
- If it takes “Deadpool 2” to get Beetz the widespread recognition she deserves, so be it. But “Atlanta” should do even better at the Emmys overall, and Beetz (looking for an Outstanding Supporting Actress nod) could capitalize from its increased presence.
5. “Star Trek Discovery” or “Legion” overcome genre bias to land multiple nominations
- One or the other will break through. Both are deserving. But both also need more viewers within the voting body to see their episodes and respect the craft, even if they typically don’t favor obscure sci-fi series.
6. Brandon Victor Dixon will be the only acting nominee from “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
- The Tony-nominated Broadway performer stole the show during NBC’s latest live event, earning near-unanimous praise for his turn as Judas Iscariot. Look for him to sneak onto the ballot for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie.
…and yes:
“Modern Family” will miss the cut for Outstanding Comedy Series. Sorry, ABC.
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