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The most ridiculous snubs and surprises from 2023 Emmy nominations

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Ayaan Paul
Ayaan PaulJul 13, 2023 | 13:49

The most ridiculous snubs and surprises from 2023 Emmy nominations

The 2023 Emmy nominations have been announced, and this year's list is full of surprises and snubs that have left viewers and critics buzzing. While some expected contenders received recognition, there were also several unexpected nods and notable omissions that have sparked discussions within the industry.

The 2023 Emmy nominations have brought forth some notable contenders and surprising outcomes. Though the Television Academy's procedural change, limited voters to the allocated number of nominees per category and aimed to distribute recognition more evenly, the pattern of favoritism prevailed nonetheless, as exemplified by HBO's outstanding run this year.

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As anticipated, Succession proved its dominance, receiving a staggering 27 nominations, including nods for Best Drama, Lead Actress (Sarah Snook), and an unprecedented three Lead Actor nominations (Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, and Jeremy Strong).

The Last of Us, the first-ever video game adaptation to garner significant Emmy attention, secured 24 nominations, while The White Lotus (formerly a limited series) obtained 23 nominations. 

In the comedy categories, Apple TV+'s beloved Ted Lasso emerged as the frontrunner with 21 nominations. This surpasses its previous year's count by one and falls just shy of the category record set by 30 Rock in 2009. And Netflix's Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story achieved recognition as the most acclaimed limited/anthology series with 13 nominations.

Though this year's nominees have been more or less predictable, here are notable exceptions that have raised eyebrows for their surprising inclusion or exclusion from the TV awards race this year.

Ted Lasso's 21 nominations

One of the standout surprises this year is the overwhelming success of the Apple TV+ comedy series, Ted Lasso. Despite some uncertainty surrounding its third season, the show received a remarkable 21 nominations, making it the most nominated comedy series of the year. 

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This achievement is a testament to the show's continued popularity and the enduring appeal of its heartfelt and optimistic storytelling. With returning nominees like Jason Sudeikis, Juno Temple, Hannah Waddingham, and Brett Goldstein, as well as newcomer Phil Dunster, Ted Lasso is once again a strong contender for the coveted title of Best Comedy Series.

Jury Duty makes the cut

Another unexpected nomination came for the hidden-camera comedy series, Jury Duty. The show, which follows an unsuspecting man on a jury who is actually part of a hidden-camera show, managed to charm viewers and earn a nomination for best comedy series.

The nomination highlights the show's refreshing approach to comedy, as well as the talented ensemble cast. James Marsden, who portrays a fictionalized version of himself on the show, also received a well-deserved nomination, showcasing his comedic talents and contributing to the show's overall success.

Chippendales chips in

Hulu's Welcome to Chippendales, a drama series centered around a 1970s band and its charismatic lead singers, also surprised audiences with its nine nominations. The show's popularity, combined with stellar performances, helped it secure nods in various categories.

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Emmy veteran Murray Bartlett, better known for his outstanding performance and current profile in the TV industry, was considered a strong contender for a nomination and received one. However, the inclusion of Kumail Nanjiani, Annaleigh Ashford, and Juliette Lewis came as a pleasant surprise, showcasing their exceptional work and overdue recognition in the television landscape.

The Rez Dogs left to the dogs

One of the most glaring snubs of the year came with the exclusion of Reservation Dogs, a groundbreaking dramedy about Native American teens living on an Oklahoma reservation. Despite its critical acclaim and exceptional performances, the show only received a single nomination for sound editing. 

The snub raises questions about the Academy's recognition of diverse and innovative storytelling, particularly when it comes to marginalized voices and underrepresented narratives. Many viewers and critics argue that Reservation Dogs deserved recognition not only for its technical artistry but also as one of the most entertaining and timely pieces of storytelling of the decade.

Swarm fails to swarm the Emmy’s

Amazon Prime’s horror-drama series created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabors, was another notable snub. Despite receiving unanimous praise for Dominque Fishback's performance, the show failed to garner attention from Emmy voters, highlighting the Academy's reluctance to embrace unconventional and genre-bending storytelling, particularly within the horror genre.

Tiny Beautiful nominations

On the other hand, some unexpected nominations brought joy to fans and critics alike. Tiny Beautiful Things, based on Cheryl Strayed's advice column book, may not have been on the radar for many, but the stellar performances by Kathryn Hahn and Merritt Wever earned them well-deserved nominations in highly competitive categories. These nominations are a testament to their exceptional acting abilities and the impact of their performances within the series.

Andor scores big, but…

The critical darling, Disney's Andor, also faced disappointment as none of its actors received nominations, despite the show earning eight nominations overall. The snub reflects the Television Academy's hesitancy to recognize actors from genre television, even when their performances are deserving of recognition. 

The absence of actors like Diego Luna, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Andy Serkis, Fiona Shaw, and Stellan Skarsgård from the nomination list has left many fans and critics questioning the limitations placed on genre-based storytelling, especially when it comes to sci-fi and fantasy narratives.

Goldberg left out yet again

Sarah Goldberg's omission from the Emmy nominations was another frustrating acting snub. Goldberg delivered an exceptional performance in the final season of Barry, portraying the narcissistic yet principled Sally Reed. Her character went through a roller-coaster journey, transitioning from the chaotic world of Hollywood to a real-life role playing house with an escaped convict.

Many critics and viewers consider Goldberg's portrayal to be one of the standout performances of the season. The fact that several of her male co-stars received nominations while she was overlooked is disheartening, highlighting the need for greater recognition of talented actresses in the industry.

King Viserys’ final bow

Paddy Considine's portrayal of King Viserys Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon was another shocking snub that caught the attention of many. Considine's performance was widely praised for bringing depth, pathos, and humanity to a character that was relatively overlooked in the original source material. 

Despite the show receiving a nomination for Best Drama Series, Considine's exclusion from the acting categories was surprising. His ability to navigate the complexities of a well-meaning king torn between conflicting loyalties showcased his talent and contributed to the overall success of House of the Dragon.

God Save the Queen

Netflix’s critically acclaimed Royal drama series The Crown also faced disappointment in this year's Emmy nominations. Although the previous season had garnered 11 nominations and won seven awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, the current season received only six nominations.

The absence of a writing nomination for Peter Morgan, the series creator, and the exclusion of Imelda Staunton from the Lead Actress category for her portrayal of the late Queen came as a surprise.

Atlanta’s last laugh

FX’s groundbreaking comedy-drama series created by Donald Glover, experienced notable snubs in this year's nominations. The show, which generated significant buzz during its award-winning debut, failed to receive any nominations for its final season. 

This exclusion was particularly noticeable in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category, where Glover himself, who would have been a strong contender, was absent, despite landing a nomination for the previous season.

HBO’s monopoly

While HBO dominated the drama categories with shows like Succession, The Last of Us, and The White Lotus, this dominance led to the exclusion of actors from dramas aired on other networks. 

Performers like Antony Starr, Dominic West, Harrison Ford, Bradley Whitford, Claes Bang, and Elijah Wood were overlooked in favor of HBO actors. The pattern highlights the network's stronghold on the industry and the challenge faced by actors working outside the HBO realm to gain recognition for their exceptional performances. All of these overlooked performances and series serve as bitter reminders that even in a highly competitive landscape, exceptional talent and innovative storytelling can more often than not, go unrecognized. 

The Emmy nominations, while celebrating the best of television, are not immune to overlooking deserving individuals and shows. The discussions sparked by these snubs highlight the ongoing need for greater diversity, inclusivity, and recognition of outstanding work across the industry.

The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is set to take place on September 19, 2023.

Last updated: July 13, 2023 | 13:49
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