Louis C.K. for Louis C.K. Live at the Comedy Store
Lonny Price for Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Live from Lincoln Center
AND THE WINNER IS:
GLENN WEISS FOR 68TH TONY AWARDS
This is the fifth win and ninth nomination for Glenn Weiss for his direction of the 68th Tony Awards. He previous won for producing Tony Awards (2012, 2014) and directing Tony Awards (2012, 2014). He was previously nominated for producing Tony Awards (2010-2011) and directing Tony Awards (2010-2011).
The Tony Awards continue to be the most entertaining awards show out there and while this 68th one hosted by Hugh Jackman was less entertaining then previous ones hosted by Harris the direction by Glenn Weiss was still as strong. From the continues long take opening of the show as we followed Jackman hopping to the great musical numbers from nominated musicals a weaker year still made for an enjoyable experince in watching this show. Glenn Weiss really does the best job when it comes to directing awards shows which is why he has won two previous times for directing the Tony Awards and looking at the 69th version he again has done a great job and might be here again next year.
Tina Fey as Herself – Host and Amy Poehler as Herself – Host in “72ND GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS”
Nathan Lane as Chauncey Miles in “THE NANCE LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER”
Audra McDonald as Beggar Womanin “SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER”
Emma Thompson as Mrs. Lovett in “SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER”
Bryn Terfel as Sweeney Todd in “SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER”
AND THE WINNER IS:
EMMA THOMPSON AS MRS. LOVETT IN “SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER”
This is the second win and foruth nomination for Emma Thompson for her performance as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Tood The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Live from Lincoln Center. She previously won for writing Wit (2001) and was nominated for her performances in Wit (2001) and Angels in America (2004).
Never since Angela Lansbury’s iconic performance recorded for television has there been a performance of Mrs. Lovett that has worked for me in the same veign as hers as Thompsons interpertation of this character in her live from lincon center performance. Emma Thompson has always been wild and crazy making this the perfect character for her but the biggest surprise of this performance was Thompson’s vocal skill as I wasn’t aware she would be able to pull off this hard role but she did wonders with it. She fully inhabited this role which made for such a great time seeing Thompson clearly have a great time in giving this strong performance.
Lewis Friedman, Sara Lukinson, Nell Scovell & Michael Stevens for 37th Kennedy Center Honors
Alison Agosti, Alex Baze, Bryan Donaldson, Matt Goldich, Peter Grosz, Carol Kolb, Jack Kukoda, Andrew Law, John Lutz, Jon Macks, Seth Meyers, Jennifer Mischer, Chioke Nassor, Conner O’Malley, Josh Patton, Seth Reiss, Amber Ruffin, Pete Schultz , Michael Shoemaker, Ben Warheit & Michelle Wolf for 66th Primetime Emmy Awards
Dave Boone & Jon Macks for 68th Tony Awards
Barry Adelman, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Jon Macks, Dave Boone, Alex Baze, Robert Carlock, Eric Gurian, Sam Means, Seth Meyers, Meredith Scardino & Michael Shoemaker for 72nd Golden Globe Awards
Louis C.K. for Louis C.K. for Louis C.K. Live at the Comedy Store
AND THE WINNER IS:
72ND GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS
This is the first win for Alex Baze, Sam Means, Seth Meyers, Meredith Scardino, second win for Barry Adelman (Producer: So You Think You Can Dance (2010)), John Macks (Writer: Oscars (2009)), Michael Shoemaker (Producer: Saturday Night Live (2010)), third win for Eric Gurian (Producer: 30 Rock (2007, 2010)), fourth win Robert Carlock (Producer: Friends (2002), 30 Rock (2007, 2009)), fifth win for Dave Boone (Writing: Tony Awards (2010-2012, 2014)), sixth win for Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation (2011), Ensemble: Parks and Recreation (2011), Variety Performer: Golden Globe Awards (2013), Producer: Parks and Recreation (2011), Writer: Parks and Recreation (2011)) & eighth win for Tina Fey (30 Rock (2010), Ensemble: 30 Rock (2007, 2009), Producer: 30 Rock (2007, 2009), Performer: Golden Globe Awards (2013), Writer: 30 Rock (2007)) for their writing of the 72nd Golden Globe Awards (2015). This is the third nomination for Meredith Scardino (The Colbert Report (2008-2009)), sixth nomination for Sam Means (Writer: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (2008-2010), Golden Globe Awards (2013-2014)), seventh nomination for Eric Gurian (Producer: 30 Rock (2007-2009, 2011-2013)), John Macks (Writer: Oscars (2009), Primetime Emmy Awards (2010), Golden Globe Awards (2013-2014), 66th Primetime Emmy Awards (2015), Tony Awards (2015)), Michael Shoemaker (Producer: Saturday Night Live (2008-2010, 2012), Writer: Golden Globe Awards (2014), Primetime Emmy Awards (2015)), eighth nomination for Alex Baze (Producing: Saturday Night Live (2012), Writing: Saturday Night Live (2008-2010, 2012), Golden Globe Awards (2014), Primetime Emmy Awards (2015)), Dave Boone (Writer: Tony Awards (2010-2012, 2014-2015), Golden Globe Awards (2013-2014)), Seth Meyers (Writer: Saturday Night Live (2008-2010, 2012), Golden Globe Awards (2013-2014), Primetime Emmy Awards (2015)), tenth nomination for Barry Adelman (Producer: So You Think You Can Dance (2008-2012), Golden Globe Awards (2013-2014), Writer: Golden Globe Awards (2013-2014)), fifteenth nomination for Robert Carlock (Producer: Friends (2002-2004), 30 Rock (2007-2009, 2011-2013), Writer: 30 Rock (2009 (2), 2013), Golden Globe Awards (2013-2014)), twenty-third nomination for Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation (2010-2014), Director: Parks and Recreation (2012), Ensemble: Parks and Recreation (2010-2013), Performer: Saturday Night Live (2008), Golden Globe Awards (2013-2014)), Producer: Parks and Recreation (2010-2013), Broad City (2014), Writer: Parks and Recreation (2011-2012), Golden Globe Awards (2013-2014)) & thirteenth nomination for Tina Fey (30 Rock (2007-2010, 2013), Ensemble: 30 Rock (2007-2011, 2013), Performer: Saturday Night Live (2009), Golden Globe Awards (2013-2014), Producer: 30 Rock (2007-2009, 2011-2013), Writer: 30 Rock (2007 (3)-2008 (2), 2010, 2013), Golden Globe Awards (2013-2014)).
For their third and final time of hosting the golden globe awards the dynamic duo of Fey and Poehler and their great staff of writers really went out with a bang. From yet again the wonderful monologue ful of quotable jokes from their Bill Cosby coverage to their greatly funny would you rather. Usually when things are repeated they loss their speciaility but three times the globes were hosted my this duo and because of their natural chemistry together and the writers brought in really formed the really only consistent awards show each year.
Aunjanue Ellis as Aminata in “THE BOOK OF NEGROES”
Kelli Garner as Marilyn Monroe in “THE SECRET LIFE OF MARILYN MONROE”
Maggie Gyllenhaal as Nessa Stein in “THE HONORABLE WOMAN”
Sarah Lancashire as Catherine Cawood in “HAPPY VALLEY”
Queen Latifah as Bessie Smith in “BESSIE”
Frances McDormand as Olive Kitteridge in “OLIVE KITTERIDGE”
AND THE WINNER IS:
FRANCES MCDORMAND AS OLIVE KITTERIDGE IN “OLIVE KITTERIDGE”
This is the first win and nomination for Frances McDormand for her performance as Olive Kitteridge in Olive Kitteridge.
Frances McDormand has proven herself across every medium to be an actress unlike many willing to play any role and she is always wonderful in everything she does. Olive Kitteridge is yet again prove that this risks pay off in brillant ways, playing the extremely unlikeable but adorable Olive Kitteridge McDormand plays every colour of this character to a point where you just grow to love this hard women and respect her. McDormand being the actress she is was the only option to play this role because McDormand in playing this hard no nonsense women is able to bring such hearth and warmth to her throughout the series as she ages and sees everything changing around her. McDormand proves once again with this performance she is not be unrespected as she gives this powerful performance.
Ben Barnes as Samuel “Sam” Adams in “SONS OF LIBERTY”
Richard Jenkins as Henry Kitteridge in “OLIVE KITTERIDGE”
Bill Nighy as Johnny Worricker in “WORRICKER: SALTING THE BATTLEFIELD”
David Oyelowo as Peter Snowden in “NIGHTINGALE”
Matthew Rhys as Fitzwilliam Darcy in “DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY”
Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell in “WOLF HALL”
AND THE WINNER IS:
MARK RYLANCE AS THOMAS CROMWELL IN “WOLF HALL”
This is the first win and nomination for Mark Rylance for his performance as Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall.
Mark Rylance is one of the world’s most respected stage actors able to play wild and loud characters easily and when viewing the miniseries I was surprised by how restrained a performance he gave. Never did he explode as Cromwell and instead I was pulled into this character and all his political moves as well as his personal drama when he thought on his past or how to deal with this crazy Tudor/Boylen clan. Rylance while being the lead also is a great acting partner where he shows natural chemistry with every actor he acts opposite. Rylance giving a performance like this makes me overjoyed as a massive fan of his stage work and being allowed to give this great performnace to be viewed by millions more is exciting because he’s strong in the role and gives many the chance to see his talent that normally wouldn’t. Rylance really shows that when giving a performance you never have to be wild and crazy and instead giving a quiet emotionally affecting performance can be just as strong.
Sally Wainwright for for (“Episode #4”), Happy Valley
Hugo Blick for The Honorable Woman
Lisa Cholodenko for Olive Kitteridge
Laurie Collyer for The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe
AND THE WINNER IS:
LISA CHOLODENKO FOR OLIVE KITTERIDGE
This is the first win and nomination for Lisa Cholodenko for her directing of the miniseries Olive Kitteridge.
Lisa Cholodenko is a very underestimated female director and with her direction of Olive Kitteridge I feel the stars were all aligned for her to really take control of the look of this miniseries and produce a beautiful and historical series not like anything else I would normally see on tv. She really got the look of this seaside town so true and also got these characters so right and overall the atmosphere was so delightful that even with only four hour long episodes I could have watched so much more of this story and Cholodenko’s direction really shone on the personal notes of this characters and really built up the universe in the best ways.
Andrew Buchan as Ephra Stein in “THE HONORABLE WOMAN”
Ralph Fiennes as Alec Beasley MP in “WORRICKER: SALTING THE BATTLEFIELD”
Matthew Goode as George Wickham in “DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY”
James Norton as Tommy Lee Royce in “HAPPY VALLEY”
Stephen Rea as Sir Hugh Hayden-Hoyle in “THE HONORABLE WOMAN”
Cory Michael Smith as Kevin Coulson (adult) in “OLIVE KITTERIDGE”
AND THE WINNER IS:
JAMES NORTON AS TOMMY LEE ROYCE IN “HAPPY VALLEY”
This is the first win and nomination for James Norton for his performance as Tommy Lee Royce on Happy Valley.
You always know when a villian is done great and that’s when you feel conflicted to where you hate the villian but also love to hate the villian because they’re so dispicable. James Norton’s performance as Tommy Lee Royce was the case of confliction because this man was awfully terrifying and while he continued to horrify are main character of Catherine and her family we couldn’t help but love to hate the devilishness of this character. Norton plays it quietly and when he lets lose you feel it because the character is written that way and also Norton’s performance is so strong that when he comes to his end you feel grateful because this evil is finally gone.
Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Emily D. West in “TEXAS RISING”
Lubna Azabal as Atika Halibi in “THE HONORABLE WOMAN”
Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn in “WOLF HALL”
Zoe Kazan as Denise Thibodeau in “OLIVE KITTERIDGE”
Abigail Lawrie as Krystal Weedon in “THE CASUAL VACANCY”
Winona Ryder as Melanie Fall in “WORRICKER: TURKS AND CAICOS”
AND THE WINNER IS:
CLAIRE FOY AS ANNE BOLEYN IN “WOLF HALL”
This is the first win and nomination for Claire Foy for her performance as Anne Boylen in Wolf Hall.
When it comes the Tudor’s and everything surrounding the british royals it has been told over and over again through many forms of media. Wolf Hall the miniseries was based on the Hilary Mantel novels and because they focus so much of Henry VIII we of course were in store for a fiery performance from any actress cast to play Anne Boylen. Claire Foy succeeded in bringing the passion, attitude and fear to this character which is why Claire Foy being the least known of the three leads really came from behind the two understated leading performances and made such a strong impression on me. Her performance was finely tuned and just what I expected and wanted from Wolf Hall’s version of Anne Boylen.
This is the first win and second nomination for Jane Anderson for her writing of the miniseries Olive Kitteridge. She was previously nominated for writing Normal (2003).
Olive Kitteridge was based on the Elizabeth Strout Pulitzer prize winning novel and the structure of the novel would be difficult for any writer to adapt but luckily for the miniseries was that they had a very talented writer in Jane Anderson. The novel takes the form of 13 short stories and in adapting it Anderson really cut down on some plots and really formed a miniseries that really gets across the important points of the novel and just as we have the great novel we now have a great series of Olive Kitteridge. I feel Anderson’s job was so well done really made the miniseries better then anything I could have hoped for because Anderson really had one of the hardest jobs on working for the miniseries.
Dancing With the Stars (“Week 4: Most Memorable Year Night”) (Produced by Zig Gauthier, Madison Powers, Adam Raia & Lucie Vetich)
Lip Sync Battle (“Anne Hathaway vs. Emily Blunt”) (Produced by Josh Greenberg, Brittany Mehmedovic & Steven Murphy)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (“Conjoined Queens”) (Produced by Mathu Andersen, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Steven Corfe, Alicia Gargaro-Magaña, James Mahan, Bruce McCoy, Michele Mills, John Polly, Mandy Salangsang, Thairin Smothers, Bridget Stahovic & Christy Wegener)
So You Think You Can Dance (“Winner Announced”) (Produced by Sam Brenzel, Nathan Gillis, Damon Mathew Lewis, Jensen Oliver Moon & Katie Paysinger)
Survivor (“This is My Time”) (Produced by Jeff Ackerstein, Stephen Baker, Ryan Balthazor, Clark Bernstein, Kenny Browder, Brittany Burgess, Mark Burnett, Jackson Cusick, David Dryden, Kecia Garcia Ferreira, Jordan Ferrer, Kyle Grossinger, John Heard, Jesse Jensen, Zachariah Jensen, John Kirhoffer, Robyn Lane, Joe Lia, Christopher Marchand, Drina Maruna, W. Jay Moore, Jessica Munday, Riley Munday, Charlie Parsons, Luke Pavey, Jeff Probst, Jim Quigley, Andrea Rehrig, Conrad Riggs, Zachary Sundelius, Matt Van Wagenen & Eric Woods)
Top Chef (“Restaurant Wars”) (Produced by Doneen Arquines, Andrew Calver, Blake Davis, Chaz Gray, Azon Juan, Padma Lakshmi, Sarah Madden, Schuyler Pryor & Erica Ross)
AND THE WINNER IS:
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (“WINNER ANNOUNCED”)
This is the first win for Sam Brenzel (1st nomination), second win for Nathan Gillis (2nd nomination), Damon Mathew Lewis (2nd nomination) & Katie Paysinger (2nd nomination) and third win for Jensen Oliver Moon (5th nomination). This is the fourth win and eleventh nomination for So You Think You Can Dance the series. Gillis, Lewis, Moon and Paysinger previously won in 2014 and Moon also won in 2010. Moon was also nominated in 2011 and 2013. So You Think You Can Dance won in 2006, 2010 and 2014 and was also nominated in 2005, 2007-2009 & 2011-2013.
So You Think You Can Dance is the only reality-competition program I’ve nominated every year it’s eligible because really it’s the best reality has to offer for me. I love dance and that is mainly what the show offers plus the adorable Cat Deeley as host really puts the show together. This past summer’s 11th season was yet again another great season for the show with the winner being Ricky Ubeda. The grand finale was great at brining the whole season together from the brillantly choreographed dances to the great competetors competing for the singal title.
LISA KUDROW AS VALERIE CHERISH FOR (“VALERIE FACES THE CRITICS”) IN “THE COMEBACK”
This is the fourth win and thirteenth nomination for Lisa Kudrow for her performance as Valerie Cherish in the episode “Valerie Faces the Critics” on The Comeback Season 2. She previously won for The Comeback (2006), producing The Comeback (2006) and with the ensemble of Friends (2002). She was previously nominated for Friends (2000-2004), Cougar Town (2010), Scandal (2014) and with the ensemble of Friends (2000-2001, 2003-2004).
Lisa Kudrow already a decade ago in the first season of The Comeback created this legendary character of Valerie Cherrish and expectations were pretty high for if she would be able to recreate the brillance of that performance and having watched the entire second season I was right to expect the best because that’s just what she was the best. This performance for me is one for the ages and really I could have picked any episode from the eight to show her brillant performance but her best episode performance was in “Valerie Faces the Critics”. In the episode we see Valerie finally respected for her work, worrying about her friends health and having a blowup with her husband. Each of these parts of the episode gives Kudrow the chance to shine delivering one funny note after another and I’m just in awe of this performance and while the season ended on the perfect note I wouldn’t object to another season just to have more Valerie Cherish in my life.
Louis C.K. as Louie for (“Bobby’s House”) in “LOUIE”
William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher for (“Drugs Actually”) in “SHAMELESS”
Chris Messina as Danny Castellano for (“We’re a Couple Now, Haters!”) in “THE MINDY PROJECT”
Thomas Middleditch as Richard Hendricks for (“Server Space”) in “SILICON VALLEY”
Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt for (“Pie-Mary”) in “PARKS AND RECREATION”
Jeffrey Tambor as Maura Pfefferman for (“The Letting Go”) in “TRANSPARENT”
AND THE WINNER IS:
JEFFREY TAMBOR AS MAURA PFEFFERMAN FOR (“THE LETTING GO”) IN “TRANSPARENT”
This is the first win and fourth nomination for Jeffrey Tambor for his performance as Maura Pfefferman in the episode “The Letting Go” on Transparent Season 1. He previously was nominated for Arrested Development (2005) and with the ensemble of Arrested Development (2004-2006).
When it comes to rewarding performances I clasify it as the best performance in a show category and not judging it on the tone of the performance which is why I judge Tambor’s performance as the best in this category since I clasify Transparent as a comedy. Tambor has played great supporting characters on shows like The Larry Sanders Show and Arrested Development but with his performance as Maura on Transparent he gets the lead role and gives his career best performance. Maura is a great character and the story is very relevant to our times and it’s such a subtle performance and while it’s not the most comedic performance it truly is a wonderful performance. In his standout episode “The Letting Go” we see Tambor beautifully play the confession to his daughter and his confession to his group of others like him. Tambor just is masterful at giving this quite complicated performance that could only be played by Tambor and I’m glad he has been given this chance to do such beautiful work.
Michael Patrick King for (“Valerie Faces the Critics”), The Comeback
Andrew Haigh for (“Looking for the Promised Land”), Looking
Louis C.K. for (“Bobby’s House”), Louie
Roman Coppola for (“You Go to My Head”), Mozart in the Jungle
Jill Soloway for (“Rollin'”), Transparent
AND THE WINNER IS:
JILL SOLOWAY FOR (“ROLLIN'”), TRANSPARENT
This is the first win and third nomination for Jill Soloway for her directing of the episode “Rollin'” on Transparent Season 1. She was previously nominated for producing United States of Tara (2009) and writing Transparent (2015).
Jill Soloway being the producer, writer and director of Transparent really added to making it such a special show and above all the direction she brought to her episodes in this first season really highlighted the best the show had to offer. Rollin’ was the episode where we have Josh lose his job and Ali find out her father is Mora while high and the direction Soloway did for this episode really was fun to watch. The direction of Ali high really made me feel high because of Soloway’s direction and like many of her directed episode this one included it’s the understated nature of her direction that made it as wonderful as it was. Soloway’s direction also felt personal in relation to the characters and their journey really putting it over the top as my favourite this year.
Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer for (“Convention”) in “VEEP”
Kether Donohue as Lindsay Jillian for (“Fists and Feet and Stuff”) in “YOU’RE THE WORST”
Gaby Hoffman as Ali Pfefferman for (“Why Do We Cover the Mirrors?”) in “TRANSPARENT”
Allison Janney as Bonnie Plunkett for (“Three Smiles and an Unpainted Ceiling”) in “MOM”
Jane Krakowski as Jacqueline Voorhees for (“Kimmy Goes to a Party!”) in “UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT”
Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate for (“Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer Goes to Washington”) in “PARKS AND RECREATION”
AND THE WINNER IS:
ALLISON JANNEY AS BONNIE BLUNKETT FOR (“THREE SMILES AND AN UNPAINTED CEILING”) IN “MOM”
This is the fifth win and fourteenth nomination for Allison Janney for her performance as Bonnie Plunkett in the episode “Three Smiles and an Unpainted Ceiling” on Mom Season 2. She previous won for The West Wing (2004), Masters of Sex (2014), Mom (2014) and with the ensemble of The West Wing (2000). She was previously nominated for The West Wing (2000-2003, 2006) and with the ensemble of The West Wing (2001-2002, 2005).
When it comes to television no actress other then Allison Janney has the most varied and most consistent career and after her two knockout performances last year she continued her work on the CBS multi-camera series Mom and once again she was brillant. This season even more then the first she was giving both the best comedic and dramatic performance in this category and her standout episode “Three Smiles and an Unpainted Ceiling” showed her great talents in playing the role of Bonnie. Losing her love in the episode we see it really hit this character and Janney is able to give every one liner and every emotional heartbreak the same attention and make this character and performance even more loveable. At this point Janney whether she’s acting in film or television can do nothing wrong.
Lucia Aniello & Paul W. Downs for (“Knockoffs”), Broad City
Michael Schur for (“Leslie & Ron”), Parks and Recreation
Carrie Kemper for (“Homicide”), Silicon Valley
Jill Soloway for (“Why Do We Cover the Mirrors?”), Transparent
Sean Gray, Armando Iannucci & Will Smith for (“Testimony”), Veep
AND THE WINNER IS:
MICHAEL SCHUR FOR (“LESLIE & RON”), PARKS AND RECREATION
This is the third win and eighth nomination for Michael Schur for his writing of the episode “Leslie & Ron” on Parks and Recreation Season 7. He previously won for producing The Comeback (2006) and Parks and Recreation (2011) and was previously nominated for producing Saturday Night Live (2003-2004) and Parks and Recreation (2010, 2012-2013).
When I think back on Parks and Recreation the relationship between Leslie and Ron will always be a highlight and for me their relationship came to probably it’s most affecting point in the episode “Leslie & Ron” written by Michael Schur. Schur himself was a producer and co-creator of Parks and Recreation and him taking control of this brillant episode was thw right decision as Schur being so linked to the show really showed in his writing of this episode where we see two friends start as enemies and by the end rejoin one another and show how strong the show is when they focus on these two people. The episode is well written that when it comes to the gags they land and the emotional punch of Ron’s confession is the perfectly note protrayed by both the actors involved and the writing done by Schur. In writing this episode Schur showed his incredible talent for writing.
Tituss Burgess as Titus Andromedon for (“Kimmy Goes to School!”) in “UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT”
Jamie Camill as Rogelio de la Vega for (“Chapter Twelve”) in “JANE THE VIRGIN”
T.J. Miller as Erlick Bachman for (“Binding Arbitration”) in “SILICON VALLEY”
Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson for (“Leslie & Ron”) in “PARKS AND RECREATION”
Russell Tovey as Kevin Matheson for (“Looking Down the Road”) in “LOOKING”
Matt Walsh as Mike McLintock for (“Mommy Meyer”) in “VEEP”
AND THE WINNER IS:
TITUSS BURGESS AS TITUS ANDROMEDON FOR (“KIMMY GOES TO SCHOOL!”) IN “UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT”
This is the first win and nomination for Tituss Burgess for his performance as Titus Andromedon in the episode “Kimmy Goes to School!” on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 1.
The expectations going in and out of the first season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt were completly different where I wasn’t expecting this turn by Burgess to happen but once I finished the season every moment I believed to be the best from this first season was anything surrounding him. In his standout episode for me “Kimmy Goes to School!” Tituss is shooting his new music video for the song “Peeno Noir” which leads to some comedy gold as he and Lillian go to Jacqueline’s house to film this music video. Everything Tituss does in loud and proud and truly made for a standout performance and I believe no one other then him could have sold the song as well as he did and this really has become a special performance that I loved watching this past season.
Sussie Essman as Bobbi Wexler for (“Knockoffs”) in “BROAD CITY”
Ari Graynor as Cornish for (“Third Member”) in “GARFUNKEL AND OATES”
Jennifer Lewis as Ruby for (“Oedipal Triangle”) in “BLACK-ISH”
Bojana Novakovic as Bianca for (“Carl’s First Sentencing”) in “SHAMELESS”
Kelly Ripa as Kelly Ripa for (“Coat Check”) in “BROAD CITY”
Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Madeline Wuntch for (“Chocolate Milk”) in “BROOKLYN NINE-NINE”
AND THE WINNER IS:
SUSSIE ESSMAN AS BOBBI WEXLER FOR (“KNOCKOFFS”) IN “BROAD CITY”
This is the first win and nomination for Sussie Essman for her performance as Bobbi Wexler in the episode “Knockoffs” on Broad City Season 2.
Broad City was brillant in it’s first season but in it’s second season it was even greater and in one of the standout episodes came this wonderfull guest turn by Sussie Essman as the mother of Illana. First of all the casting of Essman in this role was so perfect it was genius and then the performance given by Essman was everything I could have wanted from Essman. She was just as wild and crazy as Illana was and from her goodbye words “Don’t Forget to wear a condom” to her feeling “I’m feeling the inside lining of this bag”. Essman was wonderful and never hit a wrong note and this is one of those guest turns that I hope returns because the comedy gold that is still potential just adds to my love for the show and this performance.
Tom Bergeron for (“10th Anniversary Show”), Dancing With the Stars
Cat Deeley for (“Top 20 Perform; 2 Eliminated”), So You Think You Can Dance
RuPaul Charles for (“ShakesQueer”), RuPaul’s Drag Race
Jane Lynch for (“Lynch…Jane Lynch”), Hollywood Game Night
Jeff Probst for (“Make Some Magic Happen”), Survivor
AND THE WINNER IS:
RUPAUL CHARLES FOR (“SHAKESQUEER”), RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE
This is the first win for RuPaul Charles for his hosting work of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 episode “Shakesqueer”. He was previously nominated for hosting RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009-2014).
RuPaul’s Drag Race has been one of the best reality shows on television for seven seasons now and while I would have wanted to reward RuPaul for her great hosting each year there has always been someone just the smallest bit better. However this year with the seventh season it finally became the time for me to reward RuPaul and how great at hosting she truly is. The emmys may never reward her for her work it really is great how much direction she gives the show which could always be a mess but RuPaul and her brillance really makes the show what it is a gives it the life it needs.
37th Kennedy Center Honors (Produced by Danette Herman, Sara Lukinson, George Stevens Jr., Michael Stevens & Bill Urban)
68th Tony Awards (Produced by Ricky Kirshner & Glenn Weiss)
72nd Golden Globe Awards (Barry Adelman, Nichols Goodman, Theo Kingma, Lilly Lui, Mike Mahan, Al Schwartz, Allen Shapiro, Lorenzo Soria, Meher Tatna, Louise VanPatten & Melissa Watkins Trueblood)
Louis C.K. Live at the Comedy Store (Produced by Dave Becky, Mike Berkowitz, Blair Breard, Louis C.K., Ryan Cunningham & John Skidmore)
Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Live from Lincoln Center
AND THE WINNER IS:
LOUIS C.K. LIVE AT THE COMEDY STORE
This is second win for Mike Berkowirz, Ryan Cunningham & John Skidmore, third win for Dave Becky & Blair Breard and fifth win for Louis C.K. for their work on producing Louis C.K. Live at the Comedy Store. Mike Berkowirz, Ryan Cunningham & John Skidmore previously won for Louis C.K. Oh My God (2013), Dave Becky & Blair Breard won for Louie (2012) and Louis C.K. Oh My God (2013) and Louis C.K. won for producing Louie (2012) and Louis C.K. Oh My God (2013), directing Louis C.K. Oh My God and Louie (2012). Previous nominations were Mike Berkowirz (Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon (2012), Louis C.K. Oh My God (2013)), Ryan Cunningham (Louis C.K. Oh My God (2013), Broad City (2014), Louie (2013-2014)), John Skidmore (Louis C.K. Oh My God (2013), Broad City (2014), Louie (2014)), Dave Becky (Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon (2012), Louis C.K. Oh My God (2013), Louie (2012-2014)), Blair Breard (Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon (2012), Louis C.K. Oh My God (2013), Louie (2012-2014)) & Louis C.K. Producing: Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon (2012), Louis C.K. Oh My God (2013), Louie (2012-2014), Directing: Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon (2012), Louis C.K. Oh My God (2013), Louie (2012-2014), Writing: Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon (2012), Louis C.K. Oh My God (2013), Louie (2012-2014), Acting: Louie (2012-2014), Parks and Recreation (2012), Saturday Night Live (2012)).
A Louis C.K. standup special can never go wrong for me and yet again his stint at the Comedy Store was some great comedy. The production was long key but the comedy was ripe and so funny and really made for a great special on television this season.
