Here's to all the great moments in television that would never get the recognition they deserve without the Envy Awards.
(Illustration by Harrison Freeman for The Times)
A lot of time, effort and talent goes into creating an Emmy-worthy performance, scene, costume or series. It's no surprise that the real-life Emmys are the culmination of true artistry, bold decisions, incredible storytelling and clever campaigning.
But let’s face it: No one is going to campaign for the categories listed below. After all, when a tune from the 60s can find a place in multiple series, when soap operas prove to be the music that serves the wild bosom, and when we can fall in love with a character thanks to some of the worst outfits ever put on a human being in the world, well, all of those things deserve attention. And awards. Something big, garish, and gold-plated, ideally. But also something that makes your peers green with envy. What do you do with the dented Emmys that never get handed out? We’ll take them all, so we can present them at this year’s Envelope TV Envy Awards.
Here's to all the great television moments that would otherwise never get the recognition they deserve.
Most Outstanding Easter Egg Award
“Ripley” (Netflix)
Well, we'll see John Malkovich pretty much everywhere, but his appearance toward the end of “Ripley” as shady art dealer Reeves is a treat for fans of Patricia Highsmith's Tom Ripley character. For those who don't know, Malkovich starred as Ripley in 2002's “Ripley's Game.” And he's not just a passing character in Steven Zaillian's updated version. Reeves/Malkovich has a pivotal role, and with any luck, maybe we'll get to see Andrew Scott (as today's Ripley) take on him in a sequel. The only problem: Who are we rooting for then?
Tune in Tomorrow Award
“The Sun Brothers” (Netflix)
Say what you will about the creaky medium of soap operas: They’re still on the air, and their devotees still love them. Just look at what can happen when the toughest cases are wrapped up in small-screen melodrama: In “Boy Swallows Universe” (Netflix), convicts riot when denied their fix of “Days of Our Lives,” while Taiwanese gangster Charles Sun whiles away his days on an American couch while developing an obsession with “General Hospital.” Both are relatable, but bonus points for the guy who traveled from Taipei to Los Angeles to find his true TV love.
Retro Fashionista Style Featured Song
“Wee Sausage teenager Yellow polka dot bikini
Who would have thought that a 1960s novelty song, originally sung by Brian Hyland, would have pride of place on two long-running British television series 64 years after being a No. 1 hit? This writer didn’t, but it did appear in episodes of “Doctor Who” (Disney+) and “Call the Midwife” (PBS Masterpiece) alike, proving that a summer hit doesn’t have to be a brand-new release.
The best resurrection
Paul Rudd“Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
It was no surprise that the ever-youthful and beloved Rudd was the key victim during the third season of “Only Murders.” We saw it as a cliffhanger at the end of Season 2. But thanks to the miracle workers of the ER, he survived the poisoning and showed up at his own wake at the beginning of the following season… only to die a few minutes later by falling down an elevator shaft in the titular building. Talk about getting our hopes up… and then getting them shot down again!
Extravagant Costume Award
Daniel Lawson“Theyb“Ethnic” (CBS)
The current Emmys have had a contemporary costume award since 2015, but let’s face it: They’re not looking for what “Elsbeth” has to offer. In this dramedy about a lawyer-turned-investigator, the biggest crime in any episode is what its main character puts on her body. Elsbeth Tascioni is a master of stripes with solid colors, oranges with reds, outrageous patterns and hats and gloves and no less than four handbags or purses hanging from her body in any episode. And she is gloriousThis work of witchcraft could only have been carried out by a master, and the fact that Lawson comes from the world of soap operas and has been in the universe of “Good Wife” for many years (where her outfits for other characters are simply divine) shows that she can masterfully walk all sides of the catwalk. Are there Nobel Prizes given for costumes?
The best unrequited couple we fell in love with
Jacob and Melissa, “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Janine and Gregory are about to finally become the most talked-about teachers at Abbott next season, but we'd like to give special honor to two of Season 3's most unlikely roommates: Jacob (Chris Perfetti) and Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter). He's prickly and gay, she's straight and a pain in the ass. But when she needed a roommate and he needed a place to stay, it turns out they have real chemistry and a lot of things in common — including eating sour cream and onion-flavored popcorn while savoring the “masterpiece” that is “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.” this Relationship, please!
