The Emmy nominations this year have been dominated by the Apple TV+ series “Severance,” which received a whopping 27 nods. The show’s success has surprised many, including the hosts of Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast.
Clayton Davis, Variety’s chief awards editor, expressed his astonishment at the show’s success, stating, “I don’t think I even thought that much. That is more than ‘ShÅgun’ last year.” He was joined by Variety’s executive editor, TV, Michael Schneider, as well as senior TV features editor Emily Longeretta and senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay for the Awards Circuit Roundtable.
The group also discussed other notable nominations, such as Apple TV+’s “The Studio,” which led all comedies with 23 nominations. They were particularly impressed by the show’s dominance in the comedy guest actor category, with five out of the six nominees coming from “The Studio.”
However, there were also some surprises and snubs in this year’s nominations. The lack of recognition for Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and Netflix’s “Squid Game” raised eyebrows among the hosts. Longeretta speculated that these shows might be considered too heavy for Academy voters.
Schneider pointed out that “Severance” may have received a pass due to its quirky and humorous moments, unlike the more intense themes of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Squid Game.” The group also discussed some unexpected nominations, such as Meghann Fahy for “Sirens” and Jeff Hiller for “Somebody Somewhere.”
As the discussion continued, the hosts shared their predictions for category frontrunners and highlighted standout nominations, such as Julianne Nicholson for both “Paradise” and “Hacks.” They also discussed the competitive nature of the supporting drama actress category, with no clear frontrunner in sight.
The podcast hosts also delved into some Emmy trivia and oddities, including the coincidence of Beyoncé and Jay-Z competing in the variety special (live) category and the first acting Emmy nominations for “American Graffiti” co-stars Harrison Ford and Ron Howard.
Overall, the group had a lot to unpack from this year’s Emmy nominations, from surprising successes to notable snubs. With so much to discuss, Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast remains a must-listen for lively conversations about the best in film and television.
