2016 Emmy Underdogs We REALLY Want to Get Nominations
You know that on the morning of July 14, you're going to hear plenty of Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey called when the 2016 Emmy nominations are announced. But the fact of the matter is that we are living in an age of incredible television, which means that plenty of incredible work will be overlooked. Here's our list of which actors and shows we'd love to see recognized for their contributions to the extremely crowded TV landscape.
Outstanding Reality Competition Program: The Bachelor
Laugh all you want at the franchise, which is stronger than ever after 32 total seasons (not including its spinoffs), but the producers are clearly in on the joke, currently showing off some of the most brilliant editing in reality television.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Kether Donohue, You're the Worst
Chris Geere and Aya Cash might ground YTW, about a thirtysomething couple who must reluctantly acknowledge that they're pretty perfect together despite the fact that they both abhor relationships, but it's Donohue's spacey Lindsay who reliably brings the LOLs.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Grant Gustin, The Flash
The Flash is one of the best shows on television, alongside Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead and all your other mainstream genre faves. This is a fact. And it's largely due to the emotional, funny, strong performance from its leading man.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Allison Williams, Girls
Love her or hate her, you cannot deny season five was truly Marnie Michael's season to shine (as much as one can shine in Lena Dunham's version of hipster NYC), and Williams was never better than in "The Panic in Central Park." A heartbreaking vignette solely focused on an unraveling Marnie reuniting with her first love, Charlie (Christopher Abbott), Williams was just a lost girl, standing in front of an audience in a tacky red dress and soaked hair, refusing to apologize for her wound-esque behavior and reminding us she's not a caricature but a human character to give a s—t about.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie: Connor Jessup and Joey Pollari, American Crime
Going up against heavy-hitters such as Felicity Huffman, Lili Taylor and Regina King, Jessup and Pollari managed to steal the spotlight in the anthology series' stellar second outing as two young men on a collision course as they struggle with their sexuality in devastating ways. The most tragic part? The show was so stacked with talent we're nervous they're all going to cancel each other out. Now that really is an American (entertainment) crime.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Jerrod Carmichael The Carmichael Show
It's a credit to Carmichael's skill as both a writer and an actor that he's able to tackle some of the most difficult political topics of our current reality in such a seemingly effortless way.
Outstanding Comedy Series: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
This gem of a series is so much more than a musical comedy or a show that tackles insecurity and mental illness head-on. The situation's a little more nuanced than that!
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Shiri Appleby, UnREAL
Beware, Emmy voters: You should be very afraid of reality dating show producer Rachel Goldberg, someone who can manipulate any situation to maximum effect. All a credit to Appleby's complex performance.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Aya Cash, You're the Worst
As a thirtysomething woman struggling with depression, Cash delivered one of the most breathtaking performances on TV in the second season of YTW. She made us laugh, cry and hold our breaths in suspense, all while watching a half-hour comedy about people who party too hard. Seriously, it's a marvel.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Jordan Peele, Key and Peele
Peele's co-writer and co-star Keegan-Michael Key gets a lot of the acting attention, but Peele's calm, grounded voice is the perfect complement to his partner and deserves accolades too.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Keri Russell, The Americans
She'll make you cry twice over—once when she kicks your ass, then again when she delivers a sharp-tongued monologue that tugs at all your heartstrings.
Outstanding Drama Series: Outlander
While Game of Thrones has managed to shake the genre stigma, we're still bitter over the lack of awards love for the Starz drama, which effortlessly blends SO many genres. let's keep the heid, fellow fans, and hope that Emmy voters have fallen under Jamie and Claire's spell, too.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Niecy Nash, Getting On
At the risk of sounding cliche, Nash is truly a revelation on HBO's little-watched (yet beloved) Getting On. The dark comedy hit all the right notes over its short three seasons, specifically Nash's performance as the ever-caring Nurse Didi Ortley. From her own family drama to keeping Laurie Metcalf and Alex Borstein's characters in line, Nash was the heart and soul of Getting On.
Outstanding Drama Series: The Americans
Yeah yeah yeah, you're probably sick of hearing this, but YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING THE AMERICANS. It's a suspenseful, incredibly well-acted and well-crafted drama that will leave you breathless on the reg. That it hasn't been recognized in the Outstanding Drama Series category is criminal, considering it's one of the best shows on TV.
Outstanding Comedy Series: You're the Worst
Season two of this impeccable FXX comedy tackled clinical depression while still delivering some of the funniest (and filthiest) one-liners you've ever heard.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Emmy Rossum, Shameless
Sure, William H. Macy is wonderful, but it's outrageous that Rossum's subtle, moving, incredibly powerful work on this Showtime dramedy (now competing as a comedy) has been overlooked for this long.
Outstanding Drama Series: UnREAL
Lifetime's breakout seems like it should be catnip to Emmy voters, considering it's a gritty cable drama about an antihero.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Constance Wu, Fresh Off the Boat
FOTB is a groundbreaking sitcom in and of itself, but it's Wu's portrayal of a strict but loving mom who cements her family together—and cements FOTB's must-watch status.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Krysten Ritter, Jessica Jones
Ritter's performance of the titular super-powered private eye is one for the record books. She brought both the strength and the vulnerability needed portray Jessica Jones, whose story that transcended super strength and villains. Genre shows always have a hard time at the Emmys, but Ritter's turn deserves accolades.
Outstanding Comedy Series: Catastrophe
Emmy voters have no excuse for not watching this British import, starring Rob Delaney as an American ad exec who moves to London when his one night stand (co-creator Sharon Horgan) gets pregnant, considering it you can watch an entire season in about three hours.
Outstanding Drama Series: The Leftovers
HBO's drama, which will end after next season, continued to play with perspective and unreliable narration in its spectacular second year.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Regina King, The Leftovers
Fresh off an Emmy win for American Crime, King entered season two of The Leftovers as a new character and immediately made the show her own—and paved the way for another trophy.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Constance Zimmer, UnREAL
She's the Walter White to Appleby's Jesse Pinkman, and we're similarly terrified every time she's on screen.