The 2016 Emmy nominations were announced Thursday, and featured, as always, snubs and surprises aplenty.
Surprise: “The Americans”
After three seasons as a critical and cult darling, “The Americans” finally broke through the Emmy barrier with three major nominations, for Best Drama Series, Best Actor for Matthew Rhys and Best Actress for Keri Russell.
Snub: “The Good Wife”
Perennial Emmy favorite “The Good Wife” went out with a whimper as it got no nominations in major categories, including for Julianna Margulies, who was shut out of the Best Drama Actress race after winning twice before for her role as Alicia Florrick.
Surprise: “Master of None”
Aziz Ansari‘s understated Netflix dramedy was beloved by critics and fans, but it seemed to fly under the radar, especially compared to Netflix’s other splashier marquee shows, like “House of Cards” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” But on Emmy nomination morning, it scored four nods, including Best Comedy Series and Best Comedy Actor for Ansari.
Snub: “Key & Peele”
The Academy apparently played favorites with the very funny comedy duo, and nominated Keegan-Michael Key for Best Supporting Comedy Actor — but not his partner-in-crime, Jordan Peele.
Surprises: “Game of Thrones” actors
“Game of Thrones” leading the way with the most nominations (23 this year) is certainly no surprise, but this year, they really cleaned up in the acting categories, with usual suspects Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey joined by newcomers Kit Harington and Maisie Williams. Emilia Clarke, who was nominated for the first time last year, picked up her second nomination as the Mother of Dragons.
Snubs: Emmy veterans
Despite winning Best Supporting Actress two years in a row, “Orange Is the New Black” star Uzo Aduba was not even nominated in 2016. Ditto for “Modern Family” star Julie Bowen, a perennial nominee and 2-time winner for Best Comedy Actress, who was shut out this year. And in “Downton Abbey’s” final year on the air, it managed only one nomination, for Maggie Smith.
Surprise: Laurie Metcalf‘s Hat Trick
The “Getting On” actress was not satisfied with just getting nominated for HBO’s departing comedy, and picked up nominations in two more acting categories, for guest-star work on “The Big Bang Theory” and “Horace & Pete,” respectively.
Snubs & Surprises: Late Night Edition
James Corden picked up his first Emmy nomination for “The Late Late Show,” but his fellow CBS newcomer Stephen Colbert, who took over “The Late Show” from David Letterman, was shut out of the Outstanding Variety Talk Show category. Snubbed also were Jon Stewart proteges Trevor Noah and Samantha Bee, whose “Daily Show” and “Full Frontal” were shut out, respectively.
Snub: “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”
Just like predecessor “Jane The Virgin,” The CW’s newest Golden Globe-winning dramey was shut out in the major categories at the Emmys, picking up neither Best Comedy Series nor Best Comedy Actress, the category star Rachel Bloom won at the Golden Globes. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” did pick up four Emmy nominations — for choreography, music and its main titles.
Surprise: “black-ish”
This probably wasn’t much of a surprise to fans and critics alike, who have embraced ABC’s family sitcom, but Anthony Anderson, who was nominated for his first Emmy last year for the show and was nominated again this morning, certainly acted surprised when the show picked up two additional nominations this year, for Best Comedy Series and Best Comedy Actress for Tracee Ellis-Ross.
Snub: “Girls”
A very strong Season 5 of Lena Dunham‘s HBO dramedy was shut out completely at the Emmys in 2016. Previously, “Girls” had been nominated every single season it was on the air. Allison Williams‘ snub for the Marnie-centric “Panic in Central Park” episode seems especially egregious.