OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

Better Things

Tape A: "September" & "Rising"

Tape B: "Sick" & "Phil"

Tape C: "Blackout" & "White Rock"

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Tape A: "HalloVeen" & "The Venue"

Tape B: “99” & “Game Night”

Tape C: “Bachelor/ette Party” & “Jake & Amy”

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Tape A: "Josh's Ex-Girlfriend Wants Revenge" & "To Josh, With Love"

Tape B: "I Never Want to See Josh Again" & “Josh Is Irrelevant”

Tape C: “Nathaniel and I Are Just Friends!” & “Nathaniel is Irrelevant.”

Insecure

Tape A: "Hella Great" & "Hella Questions"

Tape B: "Hella LA" & "Hella Shook"

Tape C: "Hella Disrespectful" & "Hella Perspective"

One Day at a Time

Tape A: “Schooled” & “To Zir, With Love”

Tape B: “Exclusive” & “What Happened”

Tape C: “Citizen Lydia” & “Not Yet”

Will & Grace

Tape A: "Who's Your Daddy" & "Grandpa Jack"

Tape B: "Rosario's QuinceaÒera" & “There’s Something About Larry”

Tape C: “One Job” & “It’s A Family Affair”

AND THE WINNER IS:

ONE DAY AT A TIME

This is the first win and nomination for One Day at a Time. This year it received five nominations and three wins for Series, Leading Actress & Supporting Actress. It was also nominated for directing & ensemble.

The fact we've gotten a third season after some worry we wouldn't warm's my heart. I love this show and the fact it's so under watched is deeply upsetting to me. I've nothing more to say then I love this show.

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo Truglio, Chelsea Peretti, Andre Braugher, Dirk Blocker, Joel McKinnon Miller)

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Rachel Bloom, Vincent Rodriguez III, Donna Lynne Champlin, Pete Gardner, Vella Lovell, Gabrielle Ruiz, David Hull, Scott Michael Foster)

GLOW (Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Sydelle Noel, Britney Young, Marc Maron, Jackie Tohn, Kate Nash, Britt Baron, Chris Lowell, Bashir Salahuddin, Rich Sommer, Kimmy Gatewood, Rebekka Johnson, Sunita Mani, Kia Stevens, Gayle Rankin, Ellen Wong, Marianna Palka, Alex Rich, Ravil Isyanov, Amy Farrington)

Jane the Virgin (Gina Rodriguez, Andrea Navedo, Yael Grobglas, Justin Baldoni, Ivonne Coll, Jaime Camil)

One Day at a Time (Justina Machado, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz, Rita Moreno, Stephen Tobolowsky, Sheridan Pierce)

Will & Grace (Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, Megan Mullally)

AND THE WINNER IS:

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (ANDY SAMBERG, STEPHANIE BEATRIZ, TERRY CREWS, MELISSA FUMERO, JOE LO TRUGLIO, CHELSEA PERETTI, ANDRE BRAUGHER, DIRK BLOCKER, JOEL MCKINNON MILLER)

This is the first win and second nomination for the ensemble of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It was previously nominated in (2014).

I've been watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine since it began airing and it's an example of great network comedy. Always reliable and while not revolutionary I enjoy it just about every week. I do have to this particular season of the show was it's strongest, just about every plot felt so elevated that I was more wowed then I'd ever been.

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Rachel Bloom as Rebecca Bunch for (“Nathaniel and I Are Just Friends!”) in “CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND”

Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam "Midge" Maisel for (“Pilot”) in “THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL”

Justina Machado as Penelope Riera Alvarez for (“Hello, Penelope”) in “ONE DAY AT A TIME”

Issa Rae as Issa Dee for (“Hella Great”) in “INSECURE”

Gina Rodriguez as Jane Gloriana Villanueva for (“Chapter Sixty-Six”) in “JANE THE VIRGIN”

Constance Wu as Jessica Huang for (“B as in Best Friends”) in “FRESH OFF THE BOAT”

AND THE WINNER IS:

JUSTINA MACHADO AS PENELOPE RIERA ALVAREZ FOR (“HELLO, PENELOPE”) IN “ONE DAY AT A TIME”

This is the first win and third nomination for Justina Machado. She was previously nominated for individual and ensemble acting with One Day at a Time (2017).

The fact that enough people aren't watching One Day at a Time urkes me so much because this series is just so wonderful. Machado plays the lead ex-army woman and when the show chooses to focus on her struggles it's harrowing. I believe that Machado holds the show together because it almost always rests on her shoulders whether she plays the injured daughter of strong mother to her children. It's wonderful work and makes me appreciate Machado as an actress like I never have before.

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Chris Geere as Jimmy Shive-Overly for (“It's Been, Part 1”) in “YOU’RE THE WORST”

Donald Glover as Earnest "Earn" Marks for (“North of the Border”) in “ATLANTA”

Bill Hader as Barry Berkman/Barry Block for (“Chapter Seven: Loud, Fast, and Keep Going”) in “BARRY”

William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher for (“Fuck Paying It Forward”) in “SHAMELESS”

Eric McCormack as Will Truman for (“The Wedding”) in “WILL & GRACE”

Andy Samberg as Detective Jake Peralta for (“The Box”) in “BROOKLYN NINE-NINE”

AND THE WINNER IS:

DONALD GLOVER AS EARNEST “EARN” MARKS FOR (“NORTH OF THE BORDER”) IN “ATLANTA”

This is the first win and sixth nomination for Donald Glover. He was previously nominated for acting and directing Atlanta (2018). He was also nominated alongside the ensemble of Community (2010-2012).

Donald Glover is really dominating all industries and his work on Atlanta is something to marvel at. While his performance is not traditionally comedic it's a great example of the changing of what we consider to be comedy. Each episode we are not sure what we are getting but when Glover is the lead he is great delivering this lived in work.

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A MINISERIES OR MOVIE

Sarah Polley for Alias Grace

Tom Rob Smith for The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Jennifer Fox for The Tale

Jane Campion & Gerard Lee for Top of the Lake: China Doll

Mark Frost & David Lynch for (“Part 9”), Twin Peaks

AND THE WINNER IS:

JENNIFER FOX FOR THE TALE

This is the first win and second nomination for Jennifer Fox. She was previously nominated for directing The Tale (2018).

When I first heard The Tale would be airing on television I was heartbroken because I wanted to see Dern deliver another film performance which I could see at the cinema. I got over it and sitting down to watch I understand why many praised this film accomplishment. Jennifer Fox a documentarian tells her own story in a documentary style narrative film. I appreciate so much of Fox's work on this film because it seemingsly moves. When we see the different castings of flashbacks throughout it makes me appreciate the choices made from Foxs' screenplay. It's a great work and I hope that people seek it out not just to appreciate Dern like I originally was when watching the film.

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Sylvain White for (“The Summit”), The Americans

Michelle MacLaren for ("Pilot"), The Deuce

Christopher Cantwell for ("Goodwill"), Halt and Catch Fire

Jeremy Podeswa for (“The Last Ceremony”), The Handmaid’s Tale

David Fincher for (“Episode 10”), Mindhunter

AND THE WINNER IS:

JEREMY PODESWA FOR (“THE LAST CEREMONY”), THE HANDMAID’S TALE

This is the second win and nomination for Jeremy Podeswa. He previously won for The Pacific (2010).

I still consider myself a massive fan of The Handmaid's Tale and while I share many people's opinions on the final moments of the season it didnt' fully force me to give up on the show. I will say the episode that I'm rewarding for directing felt like a season finale and had it been would've probbably made me bigger fans of the season. The episode when it aired reflected on what was happening in the states when families were being seprated just like June and her daughter. The episode is heartbreaking like most episodes of the show and the final moments are indeed great. The episode also features the great scene where Emily's commander dies near her and her cold heartless self rightfully doesn't try and assist. Jeremy captures every moment brillantly on the show.

OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM

The Amazing Race (“All’s Fair in Love and War”)

Dancing With the Stars (“Week 5: Disney Night”)

Project Runway (“A ‘Little’ Avant Garde”)

RuPaul’s Drag Race (“10s Across The Board”)

So You Think You Can Dance ("Top 8 Perform")

AND THE WINNER IS:

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE (“10’S ACROSS THE BOARD”)

This is the third win and tenth straight nomination for RuPaul's Drag Race.

VANJIE!! VANJIE!! VANJIE!! I feel like that is all I need to say to proof this series is the best reality show. It just is the most fun and least repetative.

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

Donald Glover for (“Teddy Perkins”), Atlanta

Luke Del Tredici for (“The Box“), Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Nick Jones for ("Maybe It’s All the Disco"), GLOW

Issa Rae for ("Hella Perspective"), Insecure

Dan Levy and Rebecca Kohler for (“Open Mic”), Schitt’s Creek

AND THE WINNER IS:

ISSA RAE FOR (“HELLA PERSPECTIVE”), INSECURE

This is the first win and fourth nomination for Issa Rae. She was previously nominated for acting, producing and writing Insecure (2017).

It's upsetting to me that Insecure clearly being the best comedy airing on HBO is underseen compared to lesser series like Silicon Valley. This second season was an even greater achievement compared to the already great first season. A show intended to follow Issa and her life has quickly developed into a story about a group of friends including Molly and her ex Laurence. This season 2 finale was wonderful and capped an already genius season. The episode moment that stood out for me is between Issa and Laurence in her apartment. These characters have gone through so much drama when they were and weren't together but it's clear they've moved on and developed into their own beings. I look forward to the third season currently airing and hoping that Issa being an actress nominee encourages people to watch the series.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN DRAMA SERIES

Danielle Brooks as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson for (“Sing Itm White Effie”) in “ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK”

Dominique Fishback as Darlene for (“What Kind of Bad?”) in “THE DEUCE”

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister for (“The Dragon and the Wolf”) in “GAME OF THRONES”

Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret for (“Beryl”) in “THE CROWN”

Thandie Newton as Maeve Millay for (“Akane no Mai”) in “WESTWORLD”

Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy for (“Woman’s Work”) in “THE HANDMAID’S TALE”

AND THE WINNER IS:

YVONNE STRAHOVSKI AS SERENA JOY FOR (“WOMAN’S WORK”) IN “THE HANDMAID’S TALE”

This is the first win and third nomination for Yvonne Strahovski. She was previously nominated for Dexter (2013) & The Handmaid’s Tale (2017).

Serena Joy is a character who I have such a conflicted relationship with. She as a person is pure evil for being the originator of Gilead and how the female population is treated. She also after some time has become scared of what she helped to create and Strahovski's exceptional work has helped to create this complicated character. I stood behind Yvonne's work in the first season and was so happy that in the second season the writers dug digger into the character of Serena and up until her final moments it was captivating. While she doesn't get as abused as other females on the show the punishment she went through this year was harrowing to watch due to Strahovski's work. She has crafted a full formed villain who while I sympathetic is still a devilish character for causing the entire show situation.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE

Dana Ashbrook as Deputy Sheriff Bobby Briggs in “TWIN PEAKS”

Cody Fern as David Madsen in “THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY”

David Lynch as FBI Deputy Director Gordon Cole in “TWIN PEAKS”

Scoot McNairy as Bill McNue in “GODLESS”

Edgar Ramirez as Gianni Versace in “THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY”

Jason Ritter as Bill Allens in “THE TALE”

AND THE WINNER IS:

CODY FERN AS DAVID MADSEN IN “THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY”

This is the first win and nomination for Cody Fern.

The Murphyverse casts big names in their series but most of the time and smaller names are the actors who deliver the great work. Cody Fern as David Madsen was one such example, an actor who I was not familiar with was completely heartbreaking as the tragic real-life figure. The Andrew Cunanan story was told in reverse so we began by meeting David in his final moments and returning back to when he met Andrew. Cody in his first featured episode was stunning and made an immediate impression on me as an audience member. It helped that is casting was unexpected and his performance of this sweet victim who ended up crossing paths with Andrew was something to behold.

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A MINISERIES OR MOVIE

Mary Harron for Alias Grace

Matt Bomer for (“Creator/Destroyer”), The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Jennifer Fox for The Tale

Jane Campion for (“China Girl”), Top of the Lake: China Doll

David Lynch for (“Part 8”), Twin Peaks

AND THE WINNER IS:

DAVID LYNCH FOR (“PART 8”), TWIN PEAKS

This is the third win and third nomination for David Lynch. He previously won for Louie (2013) and sound designing Twin Peaks (2018).

David Lynch is one of the greatest director's and while it seems he's unlikely to make another film released in theatre's his return to Twin Peaks has inspired such devotion in me. This 18 episode season was captivating for the entirity of last summer and Lynch is the main reason for this because even more so than the first seasons this was an artisitc gamble. If you are an occasional fan of Lynch's contemporary narrative style then moments might feel odd but I was just pulled in throughout the entire season because I knew this was something beyond.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Jay Ellis as Lawrence Walker for (“Hella LA”) in “INSECURE”

Sean Hayes as Jack McFarland for (“Grandpa Jack”) in “WILL & GRACE”

Daniel Levy as David Rose for (“Pregnancy Test”) in “SCHITT’S CREEK”

Brian Tyree Henry as Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles for (“Woods”) in “ATLANTA”

Tony Shalhoub as Abraham "Abe" Weissman for (“Thank You and Good Night”) in “THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL”

Lakeith Stanfield as Darius Epps for (“Teddy Perkins”) in “ATLANTA”

AND THE WINNER IS:

DANIEL LEVY AS DAVID ROSE FOR (“PREGNANCY TEST”) IN “SCHITT’S CREEK”

This is the first win and nomination for Daniel Levy.

I've loved Schitt's Creek since it's premier but just the competition in comedy has kept me from rewarding the show with mentions for it's previous seasons. I just cannot deny that this fourth season has become my favourite and yet again Daniel Levy's David creation is stunning. He begun like all the characters as a comedic sterotype but throughout the run has become a character that we have come to love as a human being. This season his relationship with Patrick showed so much notes to David and how he to can have human emotions. I was blown away by his performance and hope to always be.

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Hilary Bettis for (“The Great Patriotic War”), The Americans

Joel Fields & Joe Weisberg for (“START”), The Americans

Zack Whedon for ("Goodwill"), Halt and Catch Fire

Phoebe Waller-Bridge for (“I Have a Thing About Bathrooms”), Killing Eve

Story by Joe Penal; Teleplay by Joe Penal and Dominic Orlando for (“Episode 4”), Mindhunter

AND THE WINNER IS:

JOEL FIELDS & JOE WEISBERG FOR (“START”), THE AMERICANS

These are the first win’s and fifth nominations for Joel Fields & Joe Weisberg. The were both previously nominated for producing The Americans (2014-2017).

I have to admit that I had my few problems with the first season of The Americans but now six years later and the show having ended it's become one of my favourite shows to have aired on television. This finale was stunning for so many reasons. When I think about genius writing I think about the moment when Stan finally confronts his Russian spy neighbours. It's a long overdue scene since the pilot when we found out Stan a FBI agent was living next to his spy neighbours. It's such a heartbreaking moment especially to see Stan and Philip's friendship fall apart. The episode also features iconic moments such as Paige leaving her parents and the Jennings returning to Russia. The series creators Joel and Joe proved that a series this wonderful can finish at a height.

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

Hiro Murai for (“Teddy Perkins”), Atlanta

Pamela Adlon for ("Eulogy"), Better Things

Melina Matsoukas for ("Hella Great"), Insecure

Phil Lewis for (“What Happened”), One Day at a Time

Andrea Arnold for ("Desert Eagle"), Transparent

AND THE WINNER IS:

HIRO MURAI FOR (“TEDDY PERKINS”), ATLANTA

This is the first win and nomination for Hiro Murai.

Teddy Perkins was one of the weirdest and unexpectedly wonderful episodes of this year's television season. Hiro Murai is basically the second hand man behind the camera whenever Donald himself is not. The weirdness of this episode comes from the casting of main actor Donald Glover to play a creepy white man by the name of Teddy Perkins. The episode is almost entirely a long extended scene between Darios and Teddy as they work through an agreement. The episode plays out like a horror movie of sorts as Teddy continuous to ramble through his life story. I couldn't not vote for Murai's work because his direction was one of the main ingredients to this standout episode.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE

Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace in “THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY”

Elizabeth Debicki as Mrs. G in “THE TALE”

Laura Dern as Diane Evans in “TWIN PEAKS”

Judith Light as Marilyn Miglin in “THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY”

Merritt Weaver as Mary Agnes McNue in “GODLESS”

Grace Zabriskie as Sarah Palmer in “TWIN PEAKS”

AND THE WINNER IS:

JUDITH LIGHT AS MARILYN MIGLIN IN “THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY”

This is the second win and seventh nomination for Judith Light. She previously won with the ensemble of Transparent (2017). She was also nominated for Ugly Betty (2007), Transparent (2016-2017) & with the ensemble of Transparent (2015-2016).

Judith Light has been everywhere it seems this past 5 or so years with two tony wins and multiple emmy nominations for her performance on Transparent. While I have not singled her out for the latter I do believe that her work in the Gianni Versace installment of American Crime Story was nothing short of a revelation. I’ve never seen Light to my knowledge be given such a juicy dramatic role as she was given by Murphy when he choose her to play Marilyn Miglin. While only featured in two out of the eight episodes she was the star of each and completely captivating. So late in her career a performance like this hopefully shows that is possible of more than what she’s played before even if she was already wonderful. I’m also pleased that she could end up with an emmy because it’s about time she is awarded with a primetime prize.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Donna Lynne Champlin as Paula Procter for (“Getting Over Jeff.”) in “CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND”

Betty Gilpin as Debbie "Liberty Belle" Eagan for (“This is One of Those Moments”) in “GLOW”

Rita Moreno as Lydia Riera for (“Exclusive”) in “ONE DAY AT A TIME”

Megan Mullally as Karen Walker for (“Rosario's Quinceañera”) in “WILL & GRACE”

Yvonne Orji as Molly Parker for (“Hella Shook”) in “INSECURE”

Jamie Pressley as Jill Kendall for (“Esta Loca and a Little Klingon”) in “MOM”

AND THE WINNER IS:

RITA MORENO AS LYDIA RIERA FOR (“EXCLUSIVE”) IN “ONE DAY AT A TIME”

This is the second win and third nomination for Rita Moreno. She previously won for One Day at a Time (2017) and was also nominated along with the ensemble of the show.

What cannot be said that I didn’t say last year when I awarded Moreno this same prize. She just is a legend and unlike some legends, the work I’m rewarding her for is not about life achievement but that her work is worthy of wins. Lydia went through a possible departure in the season finale and I felt myself possibly robbed of more Moreno but thankfully her character will still be featured on the show because while I love everything about this show Rita is just the best and I cannot imagine it without her.