EMMY SNUBS THAT BETTER NOT HAPPEN

Emmy voting season is about to be under way, and it’s no secret that award voters tend to pick favorites based on past winners and nominees, as well as actors and shows that are having a buzzy topical moment- and often times, those picks can be right on target. But, let’s be real- snubs do happen, and many times, some of the best actors on TV can go sadly ignored from walking away with Emmy Gold- or even a nomination- especially in such a cluttered industry. So, while voters get ready to sit down and tip their hats, here’s a list of some of the best talent on television that should not go ignored.

23. JESSICA PIMENTEL

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

“ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK”

The Emmy’s pick their people, and with a cast as enormous as “Orange Is The New Black” it makes it very difficult to make room for some of the bright talent that started to shine in the later seasons- and that’s a downright shame, because at this point the fiery Jessica Pimentel is the hard-hitter that is bringing the drama, turning the genre-bending series into the drama-eligible show that it has become. As Latin gang leader Maria Ruiz, Pimentel is constantly raising the bar as she demonstrates the gravitas of the true messages of the heart of the series; the corrupt prison system and the conflicted humans who suffer the most from it and how it changes them. With rumors of the Netflix show potentially taking its bow after the seventh season, it’s high time that Pimentel finally gets the spotlight she deserves shined on her for bringing the show some of its most riveting moments.

Photo courtesy of Netflix

22. JESSE PLEMONS

BEST ACTOR IN TV MOVIE OR MINISERIES

“BLACK MIRROR”

There is no denying that the Star Trek inspired episode of “Black Mirror” titled “U.S.S. CALLISTER” stunned audiences and broke the internet- so much so that viewers are still hoping that the episode of the hot Netflix hit anthology series gets its own spin-off, and “Friday Night Lights” alum Jesse Plemons definitely deserved every ounce of fan praise he received. As vengeful start-up nerd Robert Daly, Plemons was both deliciously evil and shockingly relatable, bouncing back and forth between affects of Social Anxiety Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder, making the role outrageously fun while still being deep and complex- and critics certainly know it. The problem here is that the episode premiered a while ago ago, and it was only a single episode of an anthology series- but there is already major buzz that the episode might win for best TV movie. Truthfully, like any anthology, the episode offered up its own mini-movie, and Plemons more than earned his statue.

21. SHANOLA HAMPTON

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

“SHAMELESS”

One of the greatest shows to ever hit the airwaves, “Shameless” has suffered non-stop robberies at every award show for eight years now. Too politically incorrect and brash for critics and voters that love programs that pander to them, the incredible Showtime series has never gotten the respect it deserves for taking on the torch from “Roseanne” and taking the family dramedy sitcom to the next level. That said, the latest season has been the weakest installment yet as it seemed to lose the edge that made it “Shameless” to begin with, as “Roseanne” came back on network television to shock the world. Even still, the performances here are always top-notch, and one actress in particular deserves special praise; Shanola Hampton. No doubt, “Shameless” is at its best when tackling the drama- and it does so better than any drama out there, but at its core, “Shameless” is intended to be a comedy- and it never fails to provide side-splitting laughter, and while the multi-talented Hampton turns out every punch when it comes to the deeper moments, the hilarious comedienne can truly be depended on for delivering some of the show’s funniest lines. When it comes to Best Supporting Actress In A Comedy, fans already know Hampton’s wise-cracking character Veronica Fisher as one of the greats right up there with Joyce Randolph’s Trixie from “The Honeymooners,” or Laurie Metcalf’s Jackie from “Roseanne,” and this fantastic actress deserves her time to be recognized.

20. “THE RANCH”

BEST COMEDY SERIES

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19. SAM ELLIOT

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY

18. ASHTON KUTCHER

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY

17. DEBRA WINGER

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

16. ELISHA CUTHBERT

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

Most award shows are known for giving awards to shows that promote hot-button topics or that tap into the zeitgeist in some way, and with critics believing that the sitcom is dead, shows like “The Ranch” find it hard to find its footing when it comes to critical acclaim. However, even though the hilarious Netflix show is an enormous mega-hit and it’s gotten its just do for being beautifully shot- winning David A. Morgan an Emmy for cinematography for his picture-perfect warm lighting, still, “The Ranch” and its brilliant ensemble cast seems to get no love from Emmy voters. “The Ranch” is the kind of comedy that doesn’t need to be topical or pertinent to be special, the show is just plain excellent, and every performance is constantly top-notch and truly funny- the way a comedy should be. This is a cast of esteemed geniuses that excel in both comedy and drama, and they all bounce off one another flawlessly. Even Elisha Cuthbert, who seemed rustier toward the beginning of the series next to legends and pros like Sam Elliot, Debra Winger, and Ashton Kutcher, is now one of the show’s most counted-on and trusted players when it comes to scoring the biggest laughs, making her more than worthy of a nomination right alongside the others. Elliot and Winger are pitch-perfect at all times, as are guest stars like Kathy Baker and Sharon Lawrence, and they prove that there is a very welcome place for older actors in entertainment, and Kutcher is one of the best true comedic actors of his generation and has never been given enough credit as such. Truthfully, “That 70’s Show” was never a “teen show,” and it is now well known as a classic sitcom- and that cast and series never got the love they deserved from award shows either. With Danny Masterson exiting, hopefully the amazing team dynamic on “The Ranch” won’t be too dented, and it will be interesting to see how the series progresses, but in the meantime the Netflix show should definitely receive tons of Emmy appreciation- regardless of whether or not they are somehow changing the game. It doesn’t always have to be a game-changer to be fantastic.

15. “SANTA CLARITA DIET”

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14. DREW BARRYMORE

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

13. TIMOTHY OLYPHANT

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY

Speaking of Netflix shows that might not necessarily be “changing the game” but are definitely offering up amazing performances and great laughs, viewers everywhere have fallen in love with the screwball sitcom “Santa Clarita Diet”– and it would be great to see Emmy voters fall equally as hard. Combining all the best aspects of movies like “Beetlejuice” and cult classic “My Boyfriend’s Back” and blending them together to make a modern version of something like “I Dream Of Jeannie” or “Bewitched,” “Santa Clarita Diet” is the kind of clever and inventive creation that will easily make its mark in history as classic television- and it doesn’t hurt that it has two true lovable movie stars for leads. It seems as though Drew Barrymore is always at her best when she goes to TV, her other greatest performance being in “Grey Gardens” as Little Edie where she showed the world she was so much more than America’s Sweetheart. Now, the intuitive actress is taking her sweetheart title and turning it on its head, utilizing the persona to lure fans in as she slips perfectly into a role that mimics classic 60’s supernatural TV housewives (again, like “Bewitched,”) before elevating them to the next level and beyond. Meanwhile, Olyphant is just as hilarious as her frantic husband- and it’s more than time for this fine actor to get some praise. From “Deadwood,” to “The First Wives Club,” Olyphant has shown consistently without fail that he can do absolutely anything that is thrown his way and steal almost every scene he’s in- and it’s great to hear that this might just be his year as he’s now tapped to star in the new Tarantino film; “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.” Hopefully, the news boosts his current star power and Emmy voters run to go check out “Santa Clarita Diet.” If they do not nominate both Olyphant and Barrymore, as well as the show, for the episodes concerning the Nazis then there is no justice in Emmy-land.

Joshua Jackson; Image Courtesy of Showtime

12. JOSHUA JACKSON

“THE AFFAIR”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA

For nearly three decades, almost anything fan-favorite actor Joshua Jackson has been a part of has become a massive hit- and while the charismatic talent has legions of devoted fans and his projects get loads of critical acclaim, the actor still has yet to get seriously recognized for his tremendous acting prowess and endless range and versatility. Take the latest example; “Children Of A Lesser God.” As usual with any project Jackson is a part of, the play is receiving rave reviews, and fans are coming out in droves to see him perform, and yet still the Tony Awards didn’t show him any love for his magnetic Broadway debut. That said, the actor has been continuing to give a hundred and ten percent for four seasons on his latest hit, Showtime’s “The Affair”– a series so multifaceted that it calls for the most master-class of artists. With a story that is told from all different perspectives, the actors are challenged to act their role outside of surface value and channel the perception of how different characters see their character- no easy task for any actor, and as usual, Jackson manages to excel. It’s beyond time Emmy voters gave this gifted talent some attention.

11. KERI RUSSELL

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

“THE AMERICANS”

Thankfully, in this case, Russell actually has received two nominations for her amazing work on FX’s gripping drama “The Americans,” but still, she has yet to take home the gold- and with the series coming to a close it’s extremely important she gets recognized once more for her phenomenal work. The show, as well as Russell’s co-star (and real life husband) Matthew Rhys, seem like they’re safe bets for nominations (Rhys scored two last year alone), and while both are extremely well-deserving, it’s paramount that Russell does not go ignored for the tour de force she keeps delivering. The truth is, Russell should have won in the first season for the third episode; “Gregory,” and now she’s just long over-due. The complexities of her role run deep here with Elizabeth being one of the most powerful characters ever written for television, particularly for a woman, as the rigid Russian culture and mind-set seems so alien to Americans- and women in general. Russell plays every nuanced note in sweet symphony here, showing the struggles and evolution of a woman who has been so conditioned to think one way as she can’t help but assimilate to a counter-culture and love her family. Again, the scene where she pushes her own child in the pool while teaching her to swim should have earned her the Emmy alone- and those contradicting feelings have only gotten more elaborate throughout the series. Action and suspense aside, it’s moments like that which make “The Americans” the masterpiece that it is, and Russell is most often at the unconventional heart of them.

10. BETTY GILPIN

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

“GLOW”

Now, there’s a good chance here that Gilpin will not be shut out as we have yet to see how Emmy voters respond to the new Netflix comedy “Glow,” but just in case they do what The Golden Globes did and only make enough room for both the show and other lead actress Alison Brie, it’s important to throw Gilpin’s name out there as a reminder. While Brie is excellent and more than deserves her nomination, and the show is definitely one of the best shows of the new season, Gilpin is without a doubt part of the double-punch that makes this powerful comedy shimmer. very much “A League Of Their Own” for wrestling, “Glow” is extremely funny, but it’s also poignant, and well thought-out, and excellently done, and perfectly acted all around- and a big part of the draw of the series is the relationship between Brie and Gilpin’s characters trying to find their way back to friendship. And- it’s tons of fun watching Gilpin’s spoiled and snobby Debbie Eagan discover a love for wrestling while realizing that “It’s a soap opera!”

9. CHRISTOPHER MELONI

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY

“HAPPY”

The main injustice here is that Christopher Meloni- who is quite frankly one of the most talented actors who ever lived- has never won an Emmy, and has shockingly only been nominated ONCE. There are so many times that Meloni should have taken home Emmy gold in his long and esteemed career; Any of the twelve seasons of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” Guest comedic actor for “Veep,” Best actor in a miniseries or movie for one of the uproarious “Wet Hot American Summer” installments, or even for the extremely underappreciated “Underground.” But, more than anything else, the greatest injustice in Emmy history came when Meloni didn’t even receive a nomination for his performance as Chris Keller on “Oz.” His scene alongside Rita Moreno where his character is being analyzed is one of the greatest performances in television history and should be taught in both acting classes and psych classes, and for that snub alone, Meloni should be nominated for every award any time he graces the world with his being on screen. That said, while the incomparable actor is unmatched at drama, he considers comedy his true strength- and truthfully, he’s equally great at both, and that’s precisely why it’s high time he scores his second nomination for Syfy’s “Happy.”

“UnReal;” Photo Courtesy of lifetime

8. “UNREAL”

BEST DRAMA SERIES

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7. SHIRI APPLEBY

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

While “UnReal” is really one of the best shows on television, critics have unfortunately decided after its premiere season to start shitting on it- and everyone got on board the band wagon. The most horrendous proof that internet trolls have a very negative effect on great programming (the other being Mr. Robot,) the Lifetime game-changer series really suffered when the sheep decided there was a sophomore slump- and it’s had a hard time climbing back. Now, the show never really had a sophomore slump- in fact, the second season was even better than the first, and the third season is just as great, and it’s about time that Emmy voters and critics start applauding this gem once again. That said, supporting actress Constance Zimmer has been acknowledged for her great portrayal of Quinn King- along with her fantastic zingers, and yet, series lead Shiri Appleby still has yet to get a nod for her transcendent portrayal of reality producer Rachel Goldberg- a performance so good that it is perhaps one of the best and most accurate demonstrations of mental illness on screen in film or television ever. The major problem here is that Appleby has never really been a big fan of the press- she even admitted on “The Kevin Pollack Chat Show” that during her time on “Roswell” she had told producers that she “wasn’t ready to be famous” and declined doing a lot of promotion. Critics and award voters love actors who pander to them, and the “UnReal” star’s hesitation to become a Hollywood media darling has definitely kept her from getting an Emmy spotlight shined on her, but, voters need to suck it up and look past the lack of promotion and publicity- Appleby is hands down one of the best actresses on television- something she has been proving for a very long time, and at the end of the day this is an acting competition, not a competition for who does the most press.

6. NOAH SCHNAPP

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA

“STRANGER THINGS”

When the extremely talented Sarah Paulson tweets out “Noah Schnapp deserves ALL the Emmys!” then you know it’s time to listen. The producers of the show called the second season of the Netflix phenomenon known as “Stranger Things” the “Season Of The Schnapp,” and it’s easy to see why- the wide-eyed 13 year-old stole every scene he was in, however, that doesn’t always register with Emmy voters who are used to picking the usual suspects. Like Jessica Pimentel from “Orange Is The New Black,” Schnapp comes from a large cast where it seems as though the people who will always get nominated have been pre-decided early on- regardless of the performances the rest of the cast delivers, and sadly, the extremely talented young actor has already been snubbed by both The Golden Globes and The Screen Actors Guild Awards. Even still, fans have been very vocal in letting it be known that Schnapp’s intrinsic performance was what made the second season of “Stranger Things” even better than the first, and his critical acclaim is already picking up steam- as it should. Schnapp’s role was demanding on every level from the physical to the emotional sense, forcing the compelling star to play not just his own role but also his character while inhibited by this season’s monster- and every step in between that evolution. In doing so, Schnapp took the audience on a roller-coaster from gut-wrenching, to heart-warming, to downright chilling, ping-ponging back and forth between every extreme with an effortless ease that is rarely demonstrated by most actors in this business for a lifetime, let alone one who is still a child. One second he was crying and in pain, the next he was frightening everyone around him, and the next he was completely void of any emotion- sometimes even blending and combining these nuances, forced to show one side of his character desperately trying to break free from the other that was holding him hostage. To take on a role like this and display such complicated range is something many actors will absolutely never learn how to do, and the fact that Schnapp was able to do it at his age shows that he is not just a good actor “for a kid,” and he is far from an adorable child star that is a novelty from a hit TV show, but he is a real actor and a force to be reckoned with and he actually truly deserves this award- regardless of his age. Yes, he deserves it- he should win.

5. “ROSEANNE”

BEST COMEDY SERIES

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4. JOHN GOODMAN

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY

3. LAURIE METCALF

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

2. SARA GILBERT

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

1. ROSEANNE BARR
   

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

Very few people or shows change the scope of television once in their lives, but to do it twice is truly an achievement that can’t be overlooked. Politics or opinions on the show aside, Roseanne Barr and her juggernaut hit “Roseanne” has not only changed television twice-over, but the series is once again changing the world. The perfect Trojan Horse, Roseanne’s monumental ABC hit is bridging the divide in the country, bringing people together in conversation and getting the left to look at things like unemployment, and the right to look at things like gender fluidity in children. No one on television has ever had as big of balls as Roseanne Barr, and it would be a crime if the show or the actress went punished because of politics- and an even bigger crime if the supporting players also got shut out or denied a win because not every message of the series coordinated with Emmy voters beliefs (although given the success of the show and the esteem and positive press for the other actors, that seems unlikely.) After an Academy Award nomination, Laurie Metcalf is coming off a year where she is finally being given the long overdue credit she deserves (apparently no one got the memo that in 2016 the brilliant actress was nominated for three different Emmy’s in different categories!) And as for John Goodman, he remains one of the best actors alive and the world is certainly not divided on how glad they are that he is back on television. But, while Metcalf and Goodman seem like they could very easily score their nominations (and maybe even win), it’s important to point out that Sara Gilbert is turning in the performance of a lifetime- and she did so ever since she was a little girl. While Gilbert has won two daytime Emmys for her time on “The Talk,” the immeasurably talented actress has never once been nominated for her work in scripted television- particularly for her time on “Roseanne”– which is nothing short of ridiculous. Gilbert is easily one of the greatest child actors that ever lived, and like Noah Scnapp, not just “good for a kid actor”- but good as an actor, period. Even at a young age she was able to hold her own next to the best in the business and hit all the notes required of her, achieving both the best in comedy and drama. Now Gilbert is back and she’s better than ever, and if she does not get at least a nomination for the scene where she consoles her bullied son then really audiences should just stop taking the Emmys seriously altogether. Same with “Roseanne” as a whole- once again, for a first time in a very long time, the biggest hit and most watched show on television is also the best show on television- and that is something that should be celebrated.

Let’s hope The Emmys does so.