The 2021 Emmy season of speculation has begun, and here are my "manoks."
The nominations for the 73rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards are out. Let’s keep in mind that qualifying shows must have aired in the past year between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. The official ceremony will be held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 19, with Cedric the Entertainer hosting. And what we know is that there will be a limited audience made up of nominees and their guests.
While The Mandalorian and The Crown garnered the most nominations per program with 24 nods, WandaVision followed closely with 23. Early favorites in the major categories, by virtue of airing in 2020, such as The Crown and The Queen’s Gambit, should face stiff competition from 2021 shows such as WandaVision and Mare of Easttown. And don’t count out Ted Lasso for lording it over the Comedy categories.
In a year when most of us were still stuck at home, and cinemas in most parts of the world remained closed, the Emmy’s should stoke more interest than usual, as there’s a better chance than in other years that a Filipino audience would have viewed a good number of the nominated shows.
My "manoks" for the main categories would be:
Outstanding Drama Series - I’d say a toss up between The Crown and The Mandalorian, with The Crown for the win. The Handmaid’s Tale gets a nom but it’s so 3 years ago. Lovecraft Country I liked, but don’t think many did; and Bridgerton found an audience, but was dismissed by the critics.
Outstanding Comedy Series - call this Ted Lasso’s year. We may have caught Cobra Kai, Emily in Paris (not really a comedy), and the Kominsky Method; but my tip is Ted.
Lead Actor, Drama - Josh O’ Connor for The Crown, unless this is where they pander to the younger audience, and give it to Rege-Jean Page of Bridgerton.
Lead Actress, Drama - The only question here is whether it’s Olivia Colman or Emma Corrin of The Crown.
Lead Actor, Comedy - Jason Sudeikis for Ted Lasso corrals this, and leaves the likes of Michael Douglas in the dust.
Lead Actress, Comedy - Tracee Ellis-Ross for black-ish, over Kaley Cuoco of The Flight Attendant.
Supporting Actor, Drama - I see sentimental voting for John Lithgow in Perry Mason.
Supporting Actress, Drama - Gillian Anderson for The Crown.
Supporting Actor, Comedy - Take your pick from the Ted Lasso cast, unless they cancel each other out. Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Nick Mohammed, and Jeremy Swift are all nominated from the Lasso cast.
Supporting Actress, Comedy - My tip is Juno Temple from Ted Lasso.
Outstanding Limited Series - Loaded category with Mare of Easttown, The Queen’s Gambit, The Underground Railroad, WandaVision, and I May Destroy You all nominated, but my pick here is WandaVision.
Outstanding Television Movie - I liked Uncle Frank and Oslo among the nominees, but I see Sylvie’s Love winning by a whisker.
Lead Actor, Limited Series or Movie - Highly competitive roll call with Lin Manuel-Miranda, Leslie Odom, Jr., Ewan McGregor, Hugh Grant and Paul Bettany; but I think Paul Bettany snags this for Wanda.
Lead Actress, Limited Series or Movie - Again, what a list of nominees with Elizabeth Olsen, Kate Winslett, Anya Taylor-Joy, Cynthia Erivo, and Michaela Coel; but here’s where the Titanic resurfaces, and it’s Kate Winslett for the win!
Supporting Actor, Limited Series or Movie - from Hamilton, take your pick, Daveed Diggs, Anthony Ramos, or Jonathan Groff.
Supporting Actress, Limited Series or Movie - My tip here is Jean Smart for Mare of Easttown, with Kathryn Hahn of WandaVision to steal.
And there you have it; with September 19 for the night the Emmy’s are handed out.