The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ("Lin-Manuel Miranda/Ike Barinholtz/Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings (December 11th, 2015)")
AND THE WINNER IS:
LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER ("SEX ED")
At this point if your not watching John Oliver's show on a weekly basis then your missing on of one of the most important television shows on the air. Oliver has taken charge from his predecessors (Stewart & Colbert) and taken the form on news parody to another level. Unless something terribly happens where this show loses all it's spark or some other program rises I don't see anybody doing it better then Oliver for me in the years to come.
Alex Buono & Rhys Thomas for ("Sandy Passage"), Documentary Now!
Ryan McFaul for ("Fame"), Inside Amy Schumer
Peter Atencio for ("The End"), Key & Peele
Jim Haskkinson for ("Church"), Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Nathan Fielder for ("The Movement"), Nathan For You
AND THE WINNER IS:
PETER ATENCIO FOR ("THE END"), KEY & PEELE
This is the first win and second nomination for Peter Atencio for his direction of Key & Peele. He was previously nominated for Key & Peele (2015).
Key & Peele in a seemingly understated away sort of became one of the best variety series by the time the show ended it's five season run and because the series never produced buzz equal to other shows it would seemingly go overlooked. The series finale was a great finale for the show and one of these reasons is Peter Atencio. His direction has always been strong for the series but having to handle the show's multiple sketches throughout a given episode is something to reward. Well done to Atencio and everyone on the show for crafting a great show.
Bill Hader as Vivienne 'Little Vivvy' Van Kimpton for ("Sandy Passage") in "DOCUMENTARY NOW!"
Amy Schumer as Various Characters for ("Madame President") in "INSIDE AMY SCHUMER"
Keegan Michael-Key as Various Characters for ("The Job Interview") in "KEY & PEELE"
Jordan Peele as Various Characters for ("Meegan & Andre Break Up") in "KEY & PEELE"
John Oliver as Host for ("Church") in "LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER"
AND THE WINNER IS:
BILL HADER AS VIVIENNE 'LITTLE VIVVY' VAN KIMPTON FOR ("SANDY PASSAGE") IN "DOCUMENTARY NOW!"
This is the first win and second nomination for Bill Hader. He was previously nominated for his work on Saturday Night Live (2013).
Bill Hader's post SNL career has one to behold as the actor has worked pretty frequently in both in film and television in every field those two forms of tv cover. He wins however for his scarily accurate parody performance of Grey Garden's infamous Little Edie. In the first episode of Documentary Now! which for me was as great as the short lived series got Hader played this character with such comedic genius that he was a wonder to watch in his effortless turn. There's no stopping Hader at this point as he continues to play this zainy characters in all forms of media.
Samantha Bee, Ashley Nicole Black, Pat Cassels, Mathan Erhardt, Joe Grossman, Jo Miller, Jason Reich & Melinda Taub for ("Episode 1"), Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Kim Caramele, Kyle Dunnigan, Jessi Klein, Mike Lawrence, Kurt Metzger, Christine Nangle, Claudia O'Doherty, Daniel Powell, Tami Sagher & Amy Schumer for ("Madame President"), Inside Amy Schumer
Rebecca Drysdale, Colton Dunn, Keegan-Michael Key, Phil Augusta Jackson, Jay Martel, Jordan Peele, Ian Roberts, Alex Rubens, Charlie Sanders for ("The End"), Key & Peele
Kevin Avery, Tim Carvell, Josh Gondelman, Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Hafferty, Jeff Mauerer, John Oliver, Scott Sherman, Will Tracy, Jill Twiss & Juli Weiner for ("Sex Ed"), Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Karey Dornetto & Graham Wagner for ("Lance is Smart"), Portlandia
AND THE WINNER IS:
KEVIN AVERY, TIM CARVELL, JOSH DONELMAN, DAN GUREWITCH, GEOGG HAFFERTY, JEFF MAUERER, JOHN OLIVER, SCOTT SHERMAN, WILL TRACY, JILL TWISS & JULI WEINER FOR ("SEX ED"), LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER
This is the second win and nomination for the writing team for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. The team has been nominated and won multiple awards previous to joining together but they win a second time in a row.
John Oliver has become the king of late night television after the departure of Colbert and Stewart and his rise this past year was one of wonder. He and his team were already creating political entertainment of greatness their first year on the air but even more this year as the 2016 election started to rear it's head Oliver was able to fully invest himself into it all making it one wonderful season of television. Oliver continues with his show to greatlu impress me because he takes time to craft one show a week and make that show as strong as it can be.
Bertie Carvel as Jonathan Strange in "JONATHAN STRANGE & MR. NORRELL"
Kit Harrington as Charles Poole in "7 DAYS IN HELL"
Oscar Isaac as Nick Wasisko in "SHOW ME A HERO"
Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran in "AMERICAN CRIME STORY"
Ben Whishaw as Danny in "LONDON SPY"
Patrick Wilson as Lou Solverson in "FARGO"
AND THE WINNER IS:
OSCAR ISAAC AS NICK WASISKO IN "SHOW ME A HERO"
This is the first win and nomination for Oscar Isaac.
Oscar Isaac is quickly becoming one of my go to's for giving great performance after performance (X-Men aside) and his work on David Simon's Show Me a Hero was yet again him just knocking a role out of the park. Isaac played the real life Nick Wasisko making this quite conflicted character into one of the most fascinating portrayals this entire TV season. Playing the unequipped juvenille Wasisko in this series was a risk because the character is so easily put upon but Isaac adds his strength and charisma as an actor to thie role that he really fleshes out the role like no other could've done. Just look at how he delivers his spoken words more quietly towards the beginning of the series as the character is clearly unconfident and as the series progresses as too does Isaac's performance.
Felicity Huffman as Leslie Graham in "AMERICAN CRIME"
Rachel McAdams as in "TRUE DETECTIVE"
Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark in "THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY"
Lili Taylor as Anne Blaine in "AMERICAN CRIME"
AND THE WINNER IS:
SARAH PAULSON AS MARCIA CLARK IN "AMERICAN CRIME STORY"
This is the first win and third nomination for Sarah Paulson. She was previously nominated for her performances as Nicole Wallace in Game Change (2012) and Lana Winters in American Horror Story (2013).
Everything related to American Crime Story could've been a disaster with the involvement of Ryan Murphy but when the final product was aired it became clear that this was something special. One of the standout parts of the entire series was Sarah Paulson. Ever since getting into the Ryan Murphy tv family Paulson has been given some good to great material to work with but never until she portrayed Marcia Clark was she given the role that would be able to show her talent in the highest regard. As Clark Paulson is able to make the audience sympathetic to this true women who until know has been badly looked upon. Paulson properly gives respect to Clark and shines even above some competitive performances in the series. I couldn't be happier that Paulson got the chance to finally be the lead because everyone will get to see how much talent she has shown in smaller roles here and there now in a larger role where she just was breathtaking.
Sterling K. Brown as Christopher Darden in "AMERICAN CRIME STORY"
Conor Jessup as Taylor Blaine in "AMERICAN CRIME"
Nick Offerman as Karl Weathers in "FARGO"
Joey Pollari as Eric Tanner in "AMERICAN CRIME"
Michael Sheen as Caspian Wint in "7 DAYS IN HELL"
Bokeem Woodbine as Mike Milligan in "FARGO"
AND THE WINNER IS:
BOKEEM WOODBINE AS MIKE MILLIGAN IN "FARGO"
This is the first win and nomination for Bokeem Woodbine.
As I've mentioned before season 2 of Fargo was one of the most impressive series of the season for me and of the many spectacular moving parts one of the greatest ones was Bokeem Woodbine's character of Mike Milligan. Woodbine was a practically new actor to me which added to my enjoyment of discovering the talent he had hidden. Milligan was the true villian past the Gerhardt's of the season and having his cool and confident persona throughout the season felt so in time and appropriate. Woodbine was the definition of suave from his posture to his costuming it was a delight whenever he appeared on screen and up until his final moments I always wanted more of this original character.
John Ridley for ("Season Two: Episode Seven"), American Crime
Michael Uppendahl for ("The Myth of Sisyphus"), Fargo
Susanne Bier for The Night Manager
John Singleton for ("The Race Card"), The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Paul Haggis for Show Me a Hero
AND THE WINNER IS:
JOHN SINGLETON FOR ("THE RACE CARD"), THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
This is the first win and nomination for John Singleton.
Just about everything related to People v. O.J. has been almost praised to death at this point but one element I feel is sadly overlooked is the direction. Sure Ryan Murphy and Anthony Hemingway had more prolific achievements directing more episodes of the season but when I think about direction in the series I think of John Singleton's episode. Singleton is a prolific in his own right and adds some great touches to this already great episode "The Race Card". His camera inputs you into living in L.A. for black america as the episode focuses on Johnny and Darden. Singleton like his name is a singular talent and hopefully being apart of this series leads him to more opportunities that sadly seem unavaliable to him even though he shows immense talent when given actual chances.
Olivia Colman as Angela Burr in "THE NIGHT MANAGER"
Regina King as Terri LaCroix in "AMERICAN CRIME"
Cristin Milioti as Betsy Solverson in "FARGO"
Anika Noni Rose as Kizzy in "ROOTS"
Winona Ryder as Vinni Restiano in "SHOW ME A HERO"
Jean Smart as Floyd Gerhardt in "FARGO"
AND THE WINNER IS:
JEAN SMART AS FLOYD GERHARDT IN "FARGO"
This is the first win and fourth nomination for Jean Smart. She was previously nominated for Frasier (2000), 24 (2007) and Samanatha Who? (2008).
Jean Smart succeeds in so many spaces of the television landscape that when she joins a show and is great I'm not surprised. As is the case with her performance as the matriarch Floyd Gerhardt on Fargo season 2. She is strong, cunning, silent and absolutely captivating. This is a quieter turn by Smart who usually explodes energy on screen but this quiet turn is no way a bad thing. She's plays this world ridden women at the head of the family business that is crumbling around her. Throughout the series she is quite cunning playing the ultimate villian who lets her limited works speak rather than her actions which are all performed by her many many sons. Smart was wonderful in the role making it even more then I could've wanted.
John Ridley for ("Season Two: Episode Seven"), American Crime
Bob DeLaurentis for ("The Myth of Sisyphus"), Fargo
Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski for ("Manna from Heaven"), The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
William F. Zorzi & David Simons for Show Me a Hero
AND THE WINNER IS:
BOB DELAURENTIS FOR ("THE MYTH OF SISYPHUS"), FARGO
This is the first win and nomination for Bob De Laurentis. He wins for his writing of the episode "The Myth of Sisyphus".
Fargo season 1 was praised but sorely overlooked by mainstream audiences airing around the same time as True Detective season 1. However in retrospect I'm sure most including myself consider Fargo the greater show. When season 2 came around expectations were high and thankfully Hawley and his team did not disappoint. The third episode "The Myth of Sisyphus" I consider to be the best written episode of the season. After going through the first two episodes we had a sense of this set of characters whether in large amounts (Lou) or small amounts (Betsy) it was the third episode where I see the signs of plot beginning and this characters start to take charge. The episode follows many of the characters giving them equal time to shine and really is an impressive feat in writing showing that Hawley's team can be just as strong as him.
Dancing with the Stars ("Week #11: Final Results")
Project Runway ("Shut Up and Sew")
RuPaul's Drag Race ("RuPaul Book Ball")
So You Think You Can Dance ("Top 10 Perform; 2 Eliminated")
Survivor ("You Call, We'll Haul")
Top Chef ("Restaurant Wars, Part 2")
AND THE WINNER IS:
RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE ("RUPAUL BOOK BALL")
This is the first win and eigth straight nomination for RuPaul's Drag Race.
RuPaul's Drag Race is probably the best show on television that a small set of loyal people watch. I myself include myself in this small group and find the show fascinating even if there are the weaker moments. This season was really a return to form even with some stinker moments peppered throughout I just found myself invested in every queen (Derick Berry aside) and that's when I know a season of this show is hitting it's stride. This particular episode was quite the satisfying one where it had the drama, pathos, humor and just good feeling that comes from the best episodes of this show. I'm surprised I'v never rewarded the show before this but it felt appropriate to reward it as a return to form season.
Aya Cash as Gretchen Cutler for ("There is Currently a Problem") in "YOU'RE THE WORST"
Anna Farris as Christy Plunkett for ("Thigh Gap and a Rack of Lamb") in "MOM"
Illana Glazer as Ilana Wexler for ("Burning Bridges") in "BROAD CITY"
Ellie Kemper as Kimmy Schmidt for ("Kimmy Goes to Her Happy Place!") in "UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT"
Gina Rodriguez as Jane Gloriana Villanueva for ("Chapter Thirty-Nine") in "JANE THE VIRGIN"
Trace Ellis Ross as Dr. Rainbow "Bow" Johnson for ("Charlie in Charge") in "BLACK-ISH"
AND THE WINNER IS:
AYA CASH AS GRETCHEN CUTLER FOR ("THERE IS CURRENTLY A PROBLEM") IN "YOU'RE THE WORST"
This is the first win and nomination for Aya Cash.
There was no question once Stephen Falk and his team of writers added in the Gretchen depression arc this season and it was performed to the high by Aya Cash that she would be winning this mention from me. Cash has such a laid back delivery that made for sarcastic comedic gold in the first season and this laid back persona was then up ended by the arc given in Cash in the second season. Cash's work may have been more dramatic than comedic but in her standout monologue where Gretchen lays it all out on the line for everyone to hear Cash is able to make every insult land in a funny way while also cutting into us as an audience as we feel deeply for this truly troubled women. Cash really blew everything away this season and gives a well rounded performance to what could easily have been a hateful bitter one note character.
Anthony Anderson as Andre "Dre" Johnson Sr. for ("Hope") in "BLACK-ISH"
Aziz Ansari as Dev Shah for ("Nashville") in "MASTER OF NONE"
Andrew Daly as Forrest MacNeil for ("Cult; Perfect Body") in "REVIEW"
Chris Geere as Jimmy Shive-Overly for ("A Right Proper Story") in "YOU'RE THE WORST"
William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher for ("Sleep No More") in "SHAMELESS"
Jeffrey Tambor as Maura Pfefferman for ("Man on the Land") in "TRANSPARENT"
AND THE WINNER IS:
ANDREW DALY AS FORREST MACNEIL FOR ("CULT; PERFECT BODY") IN "REVIEW"
This is the first win and third nomination for Andrew Daly. He previously was nominated for producing and starring in Review (2014). He wins this year for his performance on Review season 2.
Review was a surprising wonder in season one going places I never expected a show like this to go. However while I felt the show hit an appropriate end in season 1 I was not ready for the magnificence that was Review season 2. One of the main reasons to why this mix of outladish comedy situations and hard hitting black comedy worked so well is the leading performance by Andrew Daly. It was quite the unapologetic turn where he went head first into his portrayal of a man so desperate to complete every review given to him because he feel he must. Daly especially shone in the episode "Cult; Perfect Body" where he displayed some hidden physical comedy in a outlandish situation comedy. Daly really did it better then any other actor in a comedy this season and for that I reward his performance here.
Richard Shepard for ("The Panic in Central Park"), Girls
Lynn Shelton for ("Ladies and Gentlemen"), Master of None
Jill Soloway for ("Man on the Land"), Transparent
Dale Stern for ("Mother"), Veep
Wendey Stanzler for ("There is Currently a Problem"), You're the Worst
AND THE WINNER IS:
JILL SOLOWAY FOR ("MAN ON THE LAND"), TRANSPARENT
This is the fourth win and ninth nomination for Jill Soloway. She previously won for producing Six Feet Under (2002, 2006) and directing Transparent (2015). She was also nominated for producing Six Feet Under (2003, 2005), United States of Tara (2009), Transparent (2015) and writing Transparent (2015).
Transparent is one of the most visually stunning television shows on television. It so visually beautiful to look at even if the visuals for the show are some of the most understated. Jill Soloway yet again explores techniques of film making on television that I have not seen used on TV actually. "Man on the Land" the penultimate episode of Transparent season 2 was a build up of many plot lines throughout the season. The episode is completely set away from the family homes of the Pfefferman's going to an away retreat for real women to escape the men of the real world. This away festival of sorts is so brilliantly captured by Soloway's camera as she sees all these new one off characters escaping the men of the world. Soloway really is building herself as quite the director through the show Transparent.
Tituss Burgess as Titus Andromedon for ("Kimmy Goes to a Play!") in "UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT"
Jaime Camill as Rogelio de la Vega for ("Chapter Twenty-Seven") in "JANE THE VIRGIN"
Jay Duplass as Joshua "Josh" Pfefferman for ("Mee-Maw") in "TRANSPARENT"
Christopher Meloni as Jonas / Gene for ("Day is Done") in "WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: FIRST DAY OF CAMP"
Andrew Rannells as Elijah Krantz for ("Hello Kitty") in "GIRLS"
Timothy Simmons as Jonah Ryan for ("C**tgate") in "VEEP"
AND THE WINNER IS:
TITUSS BURGESS AS TITUS ANDROMEDON FOR ("KIMMY GOES TO A PLAY!") IN "UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT"
This is the second win and nomination for Tituss Burgess. He wins yet again for his performance as the Titus Andromedon.
Titus Andromedon one of the greatest creations from the minds of Robert Carlock and Tina Fey grew even more in my estimations in season 2 of Kimmy Schmidt. I loved the Andromedon character so much in season 1 for his witty dialogue and just out there sense of humor. However in season 2 the character became even more complex through the introduction of the boyfriend character Mike and everything that surrounded that allowing Titus to grow up right in front of our eyes. Also the in early season episode we see Titus perform in a one person telling of his past life and the topic was handled with such care and Burgess' performance so strong and moving it made me fall just in love with his talent for delivery of comedy and ability nuance.
Lena Dunham for ("The Panic in Central Park"), Girls
Andrew Blitz, Sarah Peters & Zoe Jarman for ("Ladies and Gentlemen"), Master of None
Jill Soloway for ("Man on the Land"), Transparent
Stephen Falk & Philippe Iujvidin for ("There is Currently a Problem"), You're the Worst
AND THE WINNER IS:
KENYA BARRIS FOR ("HOPE"), BLACK-ISH
This is the first win and nomination for Kenya Barris. He wins for his writng of the season 2 episode "Hope".
black-ish a show I respected and admired greatly in season with the help of a loyal fandom and critical acclaim took more and more creative risks in it's second season which paid off immensly. This risk taking while not a new form of story telling is a type of story telling so rarely seen on network tv nowadays. The episode tackles the real problem of gun violence of black america. Like the shows of the 70s and 80s the episode wasn't afraid to get right into issue presenting all sides of the argument. Barris and his writing staff blew away my expectations for the show and while the show might stay great will never match this peak episode is no big deal because the episode is that strong and that singular.
Kether Donohue as Lindsay Jillian for ("Spooky Sunday Funday") in "YOU'RE THE WORST"
Gaby Hoffmann as Alexandra "Ali" Pfefferman for ("Bulnerable") in "TRANSPARENT"
Allison Janney as Bonnie Plunkett for ("Death, Death, Death and a Bucket of Chicken") in "MOM"
Amy Landacker as Sarah Pfefferman for ("Kina Hora") in "TRANSPARENT"
Judith Light as Shelley Pfefferman for ("Flicky-Flicky Thump-Thump") in "TRANSPARENT"
Amanda Peet as Tina Morris for ("Hotels ") in "TOGETHERNESS"
AND THE WINNER IS:
GABY HOFFMAN AS ALEXANDRA "ALI" PFEFFERMAN FOR ("BULNERABLE") IN "TRANSPARENT"
This is the first win and fourth nomination for Gaby Hoffman. She was previously nominated for her individual performances on Girls (2014) and Transparent (2015). She also was nominated alongside the ensemble of Transparent (2015).
Gaby Hoffman since her sort of resurrance in the world of acting as an adult has been a wonder to behold. She really ruled playing very outladish characters for a while but with her work as Ali Pfefferman there is the chance she goes off the wall but due to the writing staff and Hoffman's stellar work she holds back a lot of her performance. This holding back works wonders for building the character of Ali and also showing the greatness that Hoffman possesses. Hoffman was wonderful in season one but grew even more into the role in season 2 due to the focus of the show changing towards Hoffman through her relationship with Cherry Jones Leslie. Hoffman like her fellow nominees from Transparent impressed me so much this season and while some have forgotten Transparent due to it's quiet nature when you have someone like Hoffman giving this performance the show must be watched frequently.
Tom Bergeron for ("Week #9: Showstoppers Night") in "DANCING WITH THE STARS"
RuPaul Charles for ("RuPaul Book Ball") in "RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE"
Cat Deeley for ("Top 20 Perform; 2 Elimanted") in "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE"
Tim Gunn & Heidi Klum for ("Lace to the Finish") in "PROJECT RUNWAY"
Jeff Probst for ("Signed, Sealed and Delivered") in "SURVIVOR"
AND THE WINNER IS:
RUPAUL CHARLES FOR ("RUPAUL BOOK BALL") IN "RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE"
This is the second win and eigth nomination for RuPaul Charles for his hosting of RuPaul's Drag Race. He won last year and was nominated the six years prior as well.
After years of waiting Charles finally got his overdue emmy nomination in the hosting category which then became my favourite nomination of the year because I never expected it to happen. Thankfully it wasn't one of those overdue nominations for weak work because in this standout episode I especially noticed due to the extended running time how much Charles can get out of these contestants. I especially noticed his greatness when he wa asking queens about their relationships with their mothers and he was so great at being a support system that I just fall harder for him because I know he is honestly so supportive of all these queens.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell ("Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell")
Supergirl ("Pilot")
AND THE WINNER IS:
GAME OF THRONES ("BATTLE OF BASTARDS")
This is the fifth win and sixth nomination for the visual effects team of Game of Thrones. The show has been nominated each season it has aired winning every year other then last year.
What can be said about the visual effects of Game of Thrones that hasn't been said. One thing I will point out about the effects of this episode is how well they handled Dany riding the dragons which in previous episodes hasn't been handled well as I would've wanted them to. Unlike the penultimate episode of last season Dany riding on the dragon is believable and pure fantasy in the way I like it. Really expert work by these effects artists clearly given the appropriate amount of budget.
Beyonce, Dikayi Rimmaschi and Jonas Akerlind for Lemonade
Matthew Diamond and Kenny Leon for The Wiz Live!
AND THE WINNER IS:
THOMAS KAIL AND ALEX RUDZINSKI FOR GREASE LIVE!
This is the first win and nomination for Thomas Kail and Alex Rudzinski. They win for their directing of the live tv musical Grease Live!
There was like with all live events a chance something could go horribly wrong with Grease Live. My fear was even greater because Grease as a musical is something that is known but really isn't all that great. With all this said however actually watching the event was a wonder and that mainly comes from the direction. Unlike the NBC musicals this had a live audience and the camera zooming around the sets along with the live audience made the event more joyous and fun. Kail and Rudzikski brought live to this musical like I hadn't expected and their direction I feel has changed how live musicals should be on tv following this.
Amy Schumer as Herself in "AMY SCHUMER: LIVE AT THE APOLLO"
Keke Palmer as Marty Maraschino in "GREASE LIVE!"
Audra McDonald as Billie Holliday in "LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL"
David Alan Grier as The Cowardly Lion in "THE WIZ LIVE!"
AND THE WINNER IS:
AUDRA MCDONALD AS BILLIE HOLLIDAY IN "LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL"
This is the first win and fourth nomination for Audra McDonald. She was previously nominated for Wit (2001), A Raisin in the Sun (2008) and The Sound of Music Live! (2014). She wins for her role as Billie Holliday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill.
It seems that in every medium I'm looking for somewhere to reward Audra for her performance as Billie Holliday but everytime I sit down to watch this performance I'm more and more blown away by Audra's at this point iconic turn. She commits physically and emotionally to the role disappearing into the role again and again. The fact HBO took the time to film this play and forever capture Audra's work is prove that her work will live on forever. Audra has shown how mind blowing she is on stage and hopefully filmed projects like this will allow her to get more film roles in either tv or film because the women is a living legend at this point.
Dave Boone, Ada, Goldman & Carol Letter for 69th Tony Awards
Barry Adelman, Ricky Gervais, Jon Macks, Dave Boone & Matthew Robinson for 73rd Golden Globe Awards
Adele Live in New York
Amy Schumer for Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo
Lanie Robertson for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
AND THE WINNER IS:
AMY SCHUMER FOR AMY SCHUMER: LIVE AT THE APOLLO
This is the fourth win and fifth nomination for Amy Schumer. She previously won for her producing, directing and acting on Inside Amy Schumer (2015). She was also nominated for writing the show as well.
Sure the buzz around Amy isn't as massive as it had been a year ago but really was that ever possible. Many people seem to have warmed down on Amy Schumer but I myself still love just about everything she does. As is the case with her HBO special. The jokes were free following and this all came from Amy's mind. When it comes to great comedy in a special I look for great jokes which is something this special had an abundance of. Really great work by Amy yet again a comedian I continue to love in just about every medium possible.
What can be said that hasn't been said to death about Lemonade. The album is firstly impressive however to fully apperciate everything Beyonce is trying to get across you have to watch the entire visual album which aired this past year on HBO. Between the flowing images of female power protrayed by the lyris of the songs or the attention to black lives matter everything about this visual album was breath taking to behold and something I'll appreciate forever.
H. Jon Benjamin as Benjamin for ("Hot Ticket") in "MASTER OF NONE"
Blake Griffin as Himself for ("B&B-NYC") in "BROAD CITY"
Dennis Haysbert as Bob Anderson for ("Bureau") in "BROOKLYN NINE-NINE"
John Michael Higgins as Randy Zaius / Dr. Zaius for ("The Thumb Affair") in "ANGIE TRIBECA"
Justin Kirk as Rob for ("LCD Soundsystem") in "YOU'RE THE WORST"
Corey Stoll as Dill Harcourt for ("Old Loves") in "GIRLS"
AND THE WINNER IS:
JUSTIN KIRK AS ROB FOR ("LCD SOUNDSYSTEM") IN "YOU'RE THE WORST"
This is the second win and fifth nomination for Justin Kirk. He previously won his performance in Angels in America (2004) and was nomination for his work on Weeds (2006-2007) and Manhattan (2015). He wins for his performance as Rob on You're the Worst.
Justin Kirk is an actor who when he hits it he hits it hard for me. By this I mean when he finds the right role he is quite impressive in it. This is the case with Kirk on You're the Worst. While the role is about us finding out the levels to Gretchen's depression if it wasn't for the performance given by Justin Kirk we wouldn't and I surely wouldn't care for arguable the greatest episode of the series thus far. Kirk is both greatly comedic and harshly dramatic crafting quite the complex character to shape the entire series in just one episode.
Rachel Tenner, Jackie Lind & Stephanie Gorin for Fargo
Victoria Thomas for The Leftovers
Jennifer Euston for Orange is the New Black
Jeanne McCarthy, Nicole Abeilera, Courtney Bright & Nicole Daniels for The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
AND THE WINNER IS:
JEANNE MCCARTHY, NICOLE ABEILERA, COURTNEY BRIGHT & NICOLE DANIELS FOR THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
These are the first wins and nominations for Jeanne McCarthy, Nicole Abeilera , Courtney Bright & Nicole Daniels. They win for their casting of The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
I believe that I haven't objected to so many casting choices before a series as I had to the people chosen to protray these true characters in The People v. O.J. Simpson. I main issue with many of these choices was none of them physically were like the people they protrayed but like with every element of this television production I was completly blown away. The casting was one of the surprisingly great elements of the production as each actor completly commited to the character they were played whether it was Paulson as the more sympathetic Marcia Clark, Sterling K. Brown as the devestating Christopher Darden or even John Travolta playing the wackiest Rob Shapiro. Each of the people from leading to cameo roles where so perfectly cast by these four women that once the show went rolling I knew I was in capable hands and this all started with the casting choices made by these incredible women.
Philip J Silvera for ("New York's Finest Staircase Fight"), Daredevil
Zachary Woodlee for Grease Live!
Phoenix & Pharside for ("I'm Really Hot"), So You Think You Can Dance
Christopher Scott for ("No Women, No Cry Live Version"), So You Think You Can Dance
Fatima Robinson for The Wiz Live!
AND THE WINNER IS:
PHOENIX & PHARSIDE FOR ("I'M REALLY HOT"), SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE
This is the first win and nomination for the team of Phoenix & Pharside. They win for their choregraphed routine "I'm Really Hot" from So You Think You Can Dance season 12.
Phoenix & Pharside the great team exploded bigger on So You Think You Can Dance in Season 12 leading me to easily pick them for anyone one of their inventive routine's because they two really out did themselves. However their standout routine was "I'm Really Hot" performed by all star Joshua and the eventual winner Gaby Diaz. The routine set to Missy Elliott (first time one of her songs has been used on the show) "I'm Really Hot" just lets the dancers let loose in this great hip hop routine hitting every beat of the song perfectly. A choreographer hasn't blown me away this much in many seasons and I just have to applaud the show for letting this team really experiment.
Nina Arianda as Alice for ("Hot Ticket") in "MASTER OF NONE"
Becky Ann Baker as Loreen Horvath for ("Queen for Two Days") in "GIRLS"
Anna Camp as Deirdre Robespierre for ("Kimmy Walks into a Bar!") in "UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT"
Tina Fey as Andrea for ("Kimmy Meets a Drunk Lady!") in "UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT"
Amy Sedaris as Mimi Kanassis for ("Kimmy Walks into a Bar!") in "UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT"
Jenny Slate as Tally Schifrin for ("Love Stories") in "GIRLS"
AND THE WINNER IS:
ANNA CAMP AS DEIRDRE ROBESPIERRE FOR ("KIMMY WALKS INTO A BAR!") IN "UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT!"
This is the first win and nomination for Anna Camp. She wins for her performance as Deirdre Robespierre on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt season 2.
Anna Camp is one of the most underused actresses working in hollywood today with so many missed opportunities never seeming to materialize. Thankfully Tina Fey and Robert Carlock seeked out Anna Camp for this great two episode guest arc because Anna Camp was Jacqueline's richer rival was some of the best comedic moments on television this season. In the episode "Kimmy Walks Into a Bar!" we get to see the complete range of Camp's work from quiet despiration as she continues to battle of Jacqueline to feel something. She also gets to display just joy in life of being rich and Camp nails every single note of this performance. Truly brilliant work by Anna Camp that hopefully leads to many people seeing how fantastic an actress she is.
This is the first win and second nomination for the sound department for Netflix's Daredevil. The team was previously nominated for their work on season 1 and now win for season 2.
With the introduction of The Punisher until his harrowing end the entire arc was full of some gut punching sound design. Every time out anti-hero lead Murdoch was punched by this antagonist you felt it each time. The design makes the punches have impact as they hit and really built the stakes for this great rivalry in the first part of the season and even into the post Electra portion of the season. The stairway fight in this episode was especially impressive sound design as with each level more villains where introduced for Daredevil to fight out of. Truly some brilliant sound to make the feel of the show even greater.
Will Arnett as BoJack Horseman for ("Escape from L.A.") in "BOJACK HORSEMAN"
Lisa Kudrow as Wanda Pierce for ("Yesterdayland") in "BOJACK HORSEMAN"
Anthony Mendez as Narrator for ("Chapter Thirty-Four") in "JANE THE VIRGIN"
Justin Roiland as Rick / Morty for ("A Rickie in Time") in "RICK AND MORTY"
Paul F. Tompkins as Mr. Peanutbutter for ("Let's Find Out") in "BOJACK HORSEMAN"
AND THE WINNER IS:
JUSTIN ROILAND AS RICK / MORTY FOR ("A RICKIE IN TIME") IN "RICK AND MORTY"
This is the second win and nomination for Justin Roiland. He wins yet again for voice over performance on the series Rick and Morty. In particular he wins for his work in the episode "A Rickie in Time".
Justin Roiland yet again is giving one of the most complex voice over performances on television that it seems not enough people are tuning in to listen to. Roiland plays the central characters so different that you would believe they are voiced by different actors but the fact that they are both voiced by Roiland is a feat. In particular his work in the season premier "A Rickie in Time" stands out because he must play these two characters through many different timelines and each is just as impressive as the last.
This is the first win and second nomination for the series Rick and Morty in this catgory. It was previously nominated two years ago but for it's second season it now wins the animated prize.
No one would ever dream about putting down Rick and Morty in it's first season but what is even more impressive is a show as wild and out there as Rick and Morty could come back arguably stronger then ever in it's second season. This show just blew me away yet again and in particular the episode "Total Rickall" stood out to me. The episode is so complex and requires multiple viewings as the great comedy from this episode is exquisite. Totally a stand out show that might take a while to animate but whenever the show is on the air it is some of the best that TV has to offer.
