Actress - Comedy
1. Ellie Kemper, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - OK, I may be biased on this one. She's charming and incredible and there's like 10 jokes a minute. I don't like people who don't like this show.
2. Laurie Metcalf, Getting On - I plowed through all 18 episodes of this show. It's filled with sad, awkward and often unlikable characters. Not to mention all the sick and dying old people. And she is awkward, but she gets to be obnoxiously over-confident because she is nominated for an award. This is not a show where things go smoothly or comfortably.
3. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep - She's won so many times, but she is awesome. It's a downer episode about pulling the plug on her mother. She and Claire Underwood have a lot in common, but Selina cried at the funeral (not because of her mother).
4. Tracee Ellis Ross, Blackish - She tries to teach her children lessons about not being a 'lady of leisure' and to work for things as opposed to begging for shoes on GoFundMe. She gets drunk and mocks the busybody Mom who turns out to be a doctor and has her shit together. I highly doubt that a 40 something doctor doesn't understand the internet and social media.
5. Lily Tomlin, Grace & Frankie - She's a snarky old hippie lady who smokes pot and can't drive. It seems familiar.
4. Tracee Ellis Ross, Blackish - She tries to teach her children lessons about not being a 'lady of leisure' and to work for things as opposed to begging for shoes on GoFundMe. She gets drunk and mocks the busybody Mom who turns out to be a doctor and has her shit together. I highly doubt that a 40 something doctor doesn't understand the internet and social media.
5. Lily Tomlin, Grace & Frankie - She's a snarky old hippie lady who smokes pot and can't drive. It seems familiar.
6. Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer - I don't think sketch shows are on the same level of acting as scripted shows. She was in 3 sketches (basically playing herself), did 45 seconds of stand up and conducted an interview where she shamelessly plugged her movie to a Gun Safety advocate. Ten minutes of playing 3 non-characters is insulting to the other women in the category. She'll probably win.
Actor - Comedy
This is the hardest category to choose because nothing was particularly funny, often the exact opposite. Two episodes were political messages, two dealt with death and the other two were just okay. Where is the comedy?
1. Aziz Ansari, Master of None - He is a toned-down version of his character in Parks & Rec - he's whiny, self-absorbed and pretty douchey. But he actually learns something - like how easy he has it because of the sacrifice his parents made (played by his parents). As it turns out, old people suck at technology.
2. Thomas Middleditch, Silicon Valley - I don't watch this show, so it's the first episode I've ever seen. He's a nerdy tech guy that spills the beans to a reporter instead of HR. He's silly and awkward and endearing.
3. Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent - He is pretty much a lock to win and I will acknowledge that he is actually acting. But this show is not a comedy at all. AT ALL. This episode is set at a womyn's outdoor fest and they refuse to let Trans people attend because of the societal privilege and political ramifications of having a penis. It's an interesting and surprising take on how there are debates and fights within the LBGT community, but not really funny. You're all drama, move on.
4. Anthony Anderson, Blackish - Here's the other political piece concerning the Black Lives Matter movement. Yes, it's an important and trending topic, but be funny while doing it (this is a comedy show). He is adamant and near tears at times, but that's not funny - I liked the grandmother and little kids more. He should have picked the 'Sink or Swim' episode that Tracee Ellis Ross chose.
5. Will Forte, Last Man on Earth - Such an unfortunate title because it is not the case at all. I like this show, but this is not a funny episode. He goes to sit at his brother's deathbed. Stop bringing the drama in the comedy category - I've had too much of the sad shit. Make 'em laugh. Watch Sullivan's Travels. A fart jar is cute, looking at your own grave is not.
6. William H. Macy, Shameless - I really don't like this show or find it funny in any way. They are all such fuck-ups that it is beyond believable. Anyway, his girlfriend or whatever died and he's sad and humps her clothes in the graveyard. He is barely in the episode and I had to plow through a terrible hour featuring the rest of the disgusting family. BOOOOOO!
Supporting Actress - Comedy
1. Anna Chlumsky, Veep - This is her fourth nomination. She's always frantic and quick with a swear-filled insult. Can she wrestle it away from Allison Janney?
2. Allison Janney, Mom - I hate to say it because this show sucks, but she was good. It was a lot less hokey and forced compared to last year's episode. She just wins a lot, so spread it around.
3. Judith Light, Transparent - This is certainly not the Angela Bower I'm used to. There's a tub scene - watch at your own peril.
4. Niecy Nash, Getting On - She is the straight-faced, no-nonsense one on this show and didn't do funny stuff (I mean funny for this show). She talked to a woman about anorexia and to her family about home health care for their mother-in-law.
5. Gabby Hoffman, Transparent - This character is so annoying and selfish and unlikable. All I can see is armpit hair.
6. Kate McKinnon, SNL - I saw her in 3 sketches. She was Hillary morphing into Bernie, a blob fish mermaid and Tilda Swinton. They can't even make Celebrity Jeopardy funny anymore.
Supporting Actor - Comedy
1. Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - He's incredible and needs to be acknowledged with a win. He sings, he shrieks, he makes fun of everyone - he's glorious.
2. Ty Burrell - Modern Family - He has won a lot but his character is great and I have a soft spot for squares getting high and the wackiness that ensues.
3. Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine - His straightedge, monotone pairs nicely with Andy Samberg's childish antics.
4. Tony Hale, Veep - I'm proud of what Buster has become. He has a total breakdown defending Selina and gets to say the F word - very un-Gary.
5. Matt Walsh, Veep - I would have rather seen Kevin Dunn or Gary Cole get a nomination.
6. Louie Anderson, Baskets - Yes, he's in drag, but this was uncomfortable, boring and severely unfunny.
7. Keegen-Michael Key, Key & Peele - Every skit dragged on too long and sketch shows should have their own categories.
2. Ty Burrell - Modern Family - He has won a lot but his character is great and I have a soft spot for squares getting high and the wackiness that ensues.
3. Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine - His straightedge, monotone pairs nicely with Andy Samberg's childish antics.
4. Tony Hale, Veep - I'm proud of what Buster has become. He has a total breakdown defending Selina and gets to say the F word - very un-Gary.
5. Matt Walsh, Veep - I would have rather seen Kevin Dunn or Gary Cole get a nomination.
6. Louie Anderson, Baskets - Yes, he's in drag, but this was uncomfortable, boring and severely unfunny.
7. Keegen-Michael Key, Key & Peele - Every skit dragged on too long and sketch shows should have their own categories.
Actress - Drama
1. Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black - Drinking, drugs, dancing, sexy time, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and that's just one of the 6 to 8 different characters she plays every episode.
2. Robin Wright, House of Cards - I'm so frustrated because I want her to win and she deserves to, but this wasn't the best choice for this character. Claire is an ice queen - don't pick an episode where she kills her mother without a tear and then gives a pandering, lackluster speech. Pick one where she is manipulative, bitchy or pretending to have emotions. In Ep 41, Hannah asks her if she regrets not having children and she immediately says "Do you regret having them?" - that's fucking memorable; that's Claire.
3. Keri Russell, The Americans - I really thought I would rate her lower, but the episode shows her and her husband and how they are dealing with things differently. He's breaking down and she's keeping everything together. Plus, she gives a badass comeuppance to her narc of a daughter and gets these freaky veins under her eyes. "You get in the mood," is not exactly the most feminist speech but it's how she has survived. Send Paige to Moscow, please!
4. Viola Davis, How to Get away with Murder - I know this is the Drama category and I know what that word means, but she is literally holding her dead baby for 5 minutes. Drama doesn't have to be so exceptionally hard to watch. An awesome courtroom speech can have just as much resonance as the cringe-inducing, worst moments ever type of drama.
5. Claire Danes, Homeland - The character's thing is being bipolar so she goes off her meds, is jerky to her boyfriend, falls off the wagon and has visions of the kid that she let get killed and was also banging. This seems to happen every season.
6. Taraji P. Henson, Empire - The most memorable thing about this character is her wardrobe. Giant furs and weird boas that look like recycled blue teddy bears, everything else was just loud grandstanding.
Actor - Drama
2. Kevin Spacey, House of Cards - He might have been first if not for that stupid cat movie. Man, Francis is looking old this season. He's running against a young guy, terrorists are kidnapping people and televising their deaths and Claire is going to be his VP. But he sure can give a speech. "We don't submit to terror, we make terror," is very Heisenberg-esque.
3. Kyle Chandler, Bloodline - He has this bubbling fury just beneath his skin because he can't make everyone do what he wants. He thinks it's for the best but it's mostly best for him. It is all unraveling around him. No one will help, he's alone and it's over without them. He's just lost.
4. Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan - Ray gets shot by Armenians, beats up his daughter's almost statutory rapist, saves his Dad and kills said Armenians. Naturally, he goes to Church and confesses that he was molested by the priest he killed in a previous episode. Seems like a pretty normal day in LA.
5. Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul - This was an awesome supporting character, but this show is boooring. He should have picked the episode where he and Kim grift the douche in the bar. I like Slippin' Jimmy the conman much more than trying to get the approval of his annoying as shit brother.
6. Matthew Rhys, The Americans - Keri Russell had most of the meat in this episode. He is falling apart from guilt and looks terrible, but visiting a grave, going to EST and playing hockey aren't really Emmy worthy.
Supporting Actress - Drama
1. Lena Headey, Game of Thrones - Sorry but I can't be unbiased about her. She should have won for her drunken, domineering ramblings during the Battle of the Blackwater. All hail, Queen Cersei!
2. Maura Tierney, The Affair - She has a DAY. She goes to court, dumps her boyfriend, gets drunk, gets high, goes to the salon, picks up her kids, gets into an accident and gets arrested. Her foray into pot doesn't end as well as Phil Dunphy's.
3. Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey - Sassy, old broad alert! It's the last time for this character, so she could get the sentimental vote.
4. Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones - She ran away from the T-1000 in waif form and declared herself Arya Stark. Now go finish that Kill List.
5. Constance Zimmer, UnReal - Her character is best when she is in the control room ripping on everyone. She had to go with her boyfriend to the hospital and get confronted by his wife. I like her confident, not humbled.
5. Constance Zimmer, UnReal - Her character is best when she is in the control room ripping on everyone. She had to go with her boyfriend to the hospital and get confronted by his wife. I like her confident, not humbled.
6. Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones - She gave a speech in Dothraki, pushed over some fire pits and emerged from the fire again. It was important for the character but not a lot going on acting-wise.
Supporting Actor - Drama
This category is all about tough guys and badass moments.
1. Kit Harington, Game of Thrones - Badass moment: the whole episode. He valiantly fails to save brother, draws sword against ensuing slaughter, survives deadly battle and being trampled, follows horse-riding enemy on foot, uses shield for point blank arrows, beats enemy to a bloody pulp, but doesn't kill him so his sister can get revenge on her rapist. You know some things, Jon Snow.
2. Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul - I am sentimentally attached to this character and wouldn't mind if he pulled an upset. Badass moments: He ambushes 2 much younger punks trying to ambush him and then he negotiates from death - to $50K with Tio Salamanca while outnumbered 5 to 1. Plus, he looks just like Billy Joel.
3. Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones - I love him, but he shouldn't have won last year. This was a 'funny' Tyrion episode. He tried to play a drinking game and tell jokes with people who don't drink or have a sense of humor.
4. Jon Voight, Ray Donovan - He had a mostly sweet episode - babysitting a horrible child wannabe actress, going to visit Terry in jail even though he won't see him and throwing a party for the apartment complex. Badass Moment: Kills the jaggy local pimp and makes it look like an accident.
5. Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline - He was robbed last year and now this character has nothing to do. Badass Moment: Haunting his unraveling, tortured brother. Can't wait to see him as bad guys in Rogue One and Ready Player One.
6. Michael Kelly, House of Cards - He really didn't do much all episode except his Badass Moment. He attacks the Press Secretary, flips his chair and suffocates him until he relents. "If I can't have loyalty, I'll have obedience."
I didn't rewatch the 5 episodes they submitted but anyway.
Comedy Show
1. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Funniest, quirkiest show on TV or streaming or whatever.
2. Veep - A solid comedy not sure what's going to happen next year. Maybe a title change?
3. Master of None - It was good enough to plow through in 2 days.
4. Modern Family - It's still alright, but nothing spectacular.
5. Transparent - Not a comedy!!!
N/A Blackish and Silicon Valley - I don't watch them.
Drama Show
1. Game of Thrones - This was the best season of an amazing show - not a lot of down moments and it set up the final 13 episodes. Shit's getting real, y'all.
2. Mr. Robot - I feel like I didn't always know what was happening, technically speaking, but it blended shock moments, humor and drama well. It has some very intriguing shot set-ups that keep everything off balance.
3. House of Cards - A very good season but had a couple of meh episodes. I hate dream /coma sequences.
These last four I judged on how quickly I would watch the show after I recorded them:
4. Downton Abbey - Same night. I guess since the family endured so many tragedies through the years that it was okay to end on such a happy note for everyone, but it seemed too easy.
5. Homeland - Within a couple of days. Just in case in gets spoiled before I watch it.
6. The Americans - 3 months later. I like it, but don't love it. Not enough happens and this nomination was reward enough.
7. Better Call Saul - 4-5 months later. When the annoying as shit brother recorded him, I was finally excited to watch the next episode. Unfortunately, it was the finale.
