“Abbott Elementary” threw a big party to conclude its strike-shortened third season, with Janine (Quinta Brunson) inviting her colleagues to a micromanaged party (hey, it's Janine) that showed why this charming comedy won the Emmy for casting Two years ago.
Put all these people in the same room and watch their characters unleash their own kinds of nerdy mayhem: Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) enjoying brown liquor, turning the former into Sea Barbara (“ I’m the captain!”) – was appreciating that “Abbott Elementary” now belongs among excellent workplace comedies like “The Office” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” He's even talking to them. You may remember that Mary Richards hosted one or two (disastrous) parties. And Janine and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) finally giving in to their feelings echoed Jim and Pam's whole will-they-or-won't-they thing. And it was lovely!
“Abbott” won four Emmy Awards in its first two seasons. In addition to that casting award, Brunson won for writing and lead comedy actress, while Ralph won for supporting actress in the show's debut year. Nothing bad. But he still feels a little light. We will see how he does this year against “El Oso”, the big favorite in the category, even with all the drama around his comedy.
COMEDY SERIES
“Abbott Elementary”, “Only Murders in the Building” and “Bear” They are the only vestiges of the eight series nominated last year. But most of the vacant spots will be filled with series that have been nominated in the past, including two shows: “Curb your enthusiasm” and “Tricks” – who were not eligible in 2023. It is also likely that two-time nominees “What we do in the shadows” returns after being displaced last year, as the writing was as sharp and crazy as ever.
That leaves a couple of places, one of which should go to “Reserve dogs” a gem that has been honored repeatedly by the American Film Institute and the Peabody Awards, but not at the Emmys. It's a special show, vitally important to Indigenous storytellers, and I can only hope that Lily Gladstone's presence and promotion of the series during her “Killers of the Flower Moon” awards season will raise her profile among voters of the Emmy. It would be nice (and appropriate) if it came out with some nominations behind.
Among the newcomers, the broad, cartoonish “Royal Palm” It has its fans, and I can only wish to be among them. It wasn't for lack of effort. Guy Ritchie “The lords” It had the chaos and visual style you'd expect from its creator. It was very fun and frothy. Riley's Boots “I am a Virgo” It came out almost a year ago, but I don't think anyone who saw this coming-of-age story about a 13-foot-tall teenager will ever forget it.
And since sometimes a program can appear seemingly out of nowhere, let's add “Ghosts” CBS' reboot of a beloved British comedy that has found a devoted following throughout its three seasons. Times TV critic Robert Lloyd loves it and was pushing “Schitt's Creek” before anyone knew about it.
COMEDY ACTRESS
After winning the Emmy for supporting actress for “The Bear,” Ayo Edebiri Now it moves to the leading category. After all, Sydney and Carmy were partners in season 2. She will be joining the reigning winner Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”) and Smart Jean, who won the category for the first two seasons of “Hacks.” You could defend any of these women and you wouldn't be wrong.
Kristen Wiig has racked up nine Emmy nominations over the years and, again, “Palm Royale” has its fans. Whatever you think of the show, it can't be said that Wiig didn't fully throw herself into the role of the series' brash social climber. Her former “Saturday Night Live” castmate maya rodolfo could be nominated for “Loot,” another Apple TV+ series that you wish was better than it is.
Selena Gomez He has yet to score a nomination for “Only Murders in the Building,” and voters discount his essential presence in the show's central trio alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short. With the category reduced thanks to the strikes, this could be his year. Same for Devery Jacobs for her tough and tender portrayal of Elora in “Reservation Dogs.” The episode with Ethan Hawke playing his father, which Jacobs wrote, was sublime.
COMEDY ACTOR
Remember how strange it was when Martin Short He was nominated for the second season of “Only Murders in the Building” but Steve Martin it was not? That won't happen again. They will join last year's winner (and, let's face it, this year's too), Jeremy Allen Blanco from “The Bear”. Larry David He's been nominated six times in this category for “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and it's hard to imagine him not getting a parting gift in his final round.
Do you know who else has a lot of Emmy nominations? Kelsey Grammer. He won four times playing Dr. Frasier Crane and is again in consideration for the “Frasier” revival, which many people liked and some found anticlimactic. Chances are, more than a few voters despise him (and yes, this usage is correct here) because of his politics.
Two newcomers worth mentioning: James Theothe star (and mostly straight man) of “The Gentlemen,” and the impossible to ignore. Jharrel Jerome, who plays the 13-foot-tall sheltered hero of “I'm a Virgo.” Jerome won an Emmy three years ago for Ava DuVernay's “When They See Us” and deserves to find himself at the ceremony again for his heartfelt work on the show.
COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Sheryl Lee Ralph and Janelle James They have been nominated twice for “Abbott Elementary,” and Ralph won in the first season. where is Lisa Ann Walter? Winning “Celebrity Jeopardy!” It's nice and all, but it also deserves some recognition here.
Hannah Einbinder earned nominations for the first two seasons of “Hacks,” and the show's third season has largely focused on the friendship and often tense working partnership between Einbinder's Ava and Jean Smart's Deborah. The dynamic has changed and equality has given Einbinder more freedom to show his range. She has really impressed.
Of course, “The Bear” will also have a presence here with a couple of probable first-time nominees: Abby Elliott and Liza Coleeithern-zayas. And we can't forget Meryl Streep, who, in “Only Murders in the Building,” managed to convincingly play an actress enjoying her big break after decades of frustration. She speaks of an imaginative leap.
COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTOR
With the releases of “Ted Lasso” and “Barry,” there is a lot of room in this category. Last year's winner, “The Bear's” ebony moss-Bachrach, He'll return, of course, and will likely win again for the powerful episode detailing Richie's transformation, “Forks.” He will probably be joined by three of his co-stars: the big Oliver Plattwho earned a shoutout (and a chocolate-covered banana) as lovable tough guy Uncle Jimmy, Lionel Boyce for playing the beloved pastry chef Marcus and, yes, Matty Mathesonthe Canadian chef and acting newcomer who has become an essential member of the show's ensemble.
That's half the category. tyler james williams I will definitely return a third time for “Abbott Elementary”. And although their roles were reduced this season, it is possible Carl Clemons Hopkins either Paul W. Downs do it for “Hacks” or Bowen Yang is nominated again for “Saturday Night Live.” It feels like Chris Perfetti Some love is owed for “Abbott.” She brings a charming theater-kid energy to her socially awkward history teacher, and her relationship with Williams was a highlight of this season.
