2026 Emmy Nominations

Summary

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 2026 Emmy Nominations

Date: July 8, 2026
Hosts: Glenn Weldon, Linda Holmes, Ayesha Harris
Episode Theme:
A lively, insightful discussion on the 2026 Emmy nominations, highlighting the standout shows and performances across Comedy, Drama, and Limited Series categories. The hosts analyze surprises, snubs, perennial issues like category placement, and offer personal picks for the year’s strongest contenders.

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Main Theme

The episode is devoted to unpacking the major 2026 Emmy nominations across the Outstanding Comedy, Drama, and Limited Series categories, with a focus on surprises, notable performances, returning favorites, and some perceived snubs and curiosities. The hosts balance humor and deep pop culture knowledge, making for an engaging rundown of TV’s biggest night.

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Outstanding Comedy Series

Nominated Shows:

• Abbott Elementary (ABC)
• The Bear (FX)
• Hacks (HBO Max)
• Margot’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV)
• Nobody Wants This (Netflix)
• Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
• Shrinking (Apple TV)
• Widow’s Bay (Apple TV)

Key Insights:

• The nominees represent a mix of returning Emmy favorites and exciting debuts.
• The hosts cheer the inclusion of Margot’s Got Money Troubles and Widow’s Bay as “fantastic new additions.”
• Glen Weldon and Linda Holmes call out “The Bear” for continued category misplacement:

  “The Bear continues to not be a comedy. So regardless of how you feel about it, I would not root for it in this category.” — Linda Holmes [02:46]

• Ayesha Harris expresses shock at “Nobody Wants This” making the cut over “A Man on the Inside”:

  “Nobody Wants This is fine… but I kind of hate watch it. A Man on the Inside is like a genuinely good show.” — Ayesha Harris [03:09]

• All hosts agree Abbott Elementary still “represents the half-hour network sitcom” well.

Notable Snubs:

• Murderbot and The Lowdown didn’t make the cut; the latter submitted as comedy, though it doesn’t fit the genre.
• “Some would argue [Only Murders in the Building] already has [run out of gas].” — Glenn Weldon [02:46]

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Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Nominees:

• Yahya Abdul Mateen II, Wonder Man
• Steve Carell, Rooster
• Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay
• Jason Segel, Shrinking
• Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building

Discussion Points:

• Matthew Rhys and Jason Segel are the hosts’ personal favorites.

  “I think this will be Rhys and I think that will be very awesome.” — Linda Holmes [06:39]

• Glenn Weldon notes a “big surprise” in Abdul Mateen’s nomination for Marvel’s Wonder Man—rare genre representation here.
• Mixed thoughts on Steve Carell in Rooster:

  “He’s kind of doing the Steve Carell thing to a great degree.” — Linda Holmes [06:39]

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Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Nominees:

• Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
• Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
• Elle Fanning, Margot’s Got Money Troubles
• Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback
• Jean Smart, Hacks

Highlights:

• Linda Holmes predicts a fifth win for Jean Smart:

  “This is the last time around for Hacks…I feel confident it will be Jean Smart again.” — Linda Holmes [07:35]

• Glenn Weldon roots for Lisa Kudrow but expects history to repeat (“She didn’t win for either [of the Comeback’s previous seasons]…history’s gonna repeat itself.”) [08:51]
• Ayo Edebiri praised as “fabulous to watch,” even as category fit is debated.

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Outstanding Drama Series

Nominees:

• The Diplomat (Netflix)
• The Gilded Age (HBO)
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO)
• Paradise (Hulu)
• The Pit (HBO Max)
• Pluribus (Apple TV)
• Slow Horses (Apple TV)
• Your Friends and Neighbors (Apple TV)

Key Discussion Points:

• Hosts applaud Pluribus as “the most inventive,” and note The Pit’s continued strength.
• Both Ayesha Harris and Linda Holmes perplexed by the lack of Emmy love for HBO’s “Industry”:

  “The fact that Industry…has never been nominated in any category. What are we doing here?” — Ayesha Harris [11:00]

• The nomination of Your Friends and Neighbors is called “weird,” as it failed to receive any other nods.

On Category Eligibility:

• Glenn Weldon explains why “Heated Rivalry,” a fan favorite, is ineligible for Emmys, citing US production rules. [13:33]

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Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Nominees:

• Sterling K. Brown, Paradise
• Gary Oldman, Slow Horses
• Mark Ruffalo, Task
• Rufus Sewell, The Diplomat
• Noah Wyle, The Pit

Host Highlights:

• Universal appreciation for Noah Wyle’s complex performance on The Pit:

  “The genius…is the fact that they made Dr. Robbie kind of an a-hole, you know, and still good at his job, but sometimes not.” — Ayesha Harris [16:33]
  “I think he’s very deserving…” — Linda Holmes [15:45]

• Acknowledgment of Gary Oldman’s consistent strength and love for Sterling K. Brown (“nobody will ever displease me by giving Sterling K. Brown an award for something”).
• Mark Ruffalo is the new face, with “goodwill toward Noah Wyle… not going away anytime soon.” — Glenn Weldon [17:20]

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Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Nominees:

• Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age
• Chase Infinity, The Testaments
• Keri Russell, The Diplomat
• Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus
• Zendaya, Euphoria

Host Analysis:

• Strong voices for Rhea Seehorn to win, especially after “Better Call Saul” snubs:

  “I think she will win.” — Linda Holmes [19:10]
  “It’s all about her.” — Glenn Weldon [19:46]

• Zendaya’s inclusion is noted, but hosts are not enthusiastic about Euphoria.

  “It’s very stressful. And why would I do that to myself?” — Ayesha Harris [18:17]

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Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

Nominees:

• All Her Fault (Peacock)
• The Beast in Me (Netflix)
• Beef: Season 2 (Netflix)
• DTF St. Louis (HBO)
• Love Story (FX)

Insights:

• Linda Holmes:

  “My favorite in this category is All Her Fault… Sarah Snook is a gigantically gifted actor.” [22:38]

• Both All Her Fault and Beef Season 2 described as less gripping compared to previous years.
• Ayesha Harris didn’t finish DTF St. Louis and calls the field “not as strong as previous years.”
• Notable snubs: “Half Man” and “Lord of the Flies.”

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Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Nominees:

• Claire Danes, The Beast in Me
• Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures
• Carey Mulligan, Beef
• Sarah Pidgeon, Love Story
• Sarah Snook, All Her Fault

Host Reactions:

• Linda Holmes:

  “Slam dunk. Sarah Snook. She’s so good in this—mesmerizing.” [24:57]

• Octopus content is a no-go (“After My Octopus Teacher, I decided I don’t do octopus content anymore.” — Linda Holmes [25:07])
• Ayesha Harris agrees but notes she hasn’t seen all contenders.

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Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Nominees:

• Riz Ahmed, Bait
• Jason Bateman, Black Rabbit
• Charlie Hunnam, Monster: The Ed Gein Story
• Oscar Isaac, Beef
• Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me

Discussion Points:

• Riz Ahmed’s “energetic, unexpected” turn in Bait is a highlight for Ayesha Harris:

  “I downed the entire thing in one sitting…he is just so good in that role.” [26:03]

• Linda Holmes sees these limited categories as “a little thin this year” but praises both Ahmed and Rhys.
• Surprise at Bateman’s nomination for Black Rabbit, a show Linda “did not care for.”

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On category fraud and The Bear:
  “The Bear continues to not be a comedy.” — Linda Holmes [02:46]
• On Lisa Kudrow:
  “I was late to The Comeback game and I loved it. I think it is one of the best shows of this year. And Lisa Kudrow is just doing something really, really special there.” — Ayesha Harris [08:17]
• On Industry’s Emmy shut-out:
  “The fact that Industry…has never been nominated in any category. What are we doing here?” — Ayesha Harris [11:00]
• On Rhea Seehorn:
  “To be able to pull that off and keep the show compelling and keep the drama compelling like that is a grand performance that is also small and distinct and very specific.” — Ayesha Harris [18:17]

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Final Thoughts

The hosts wrap up with a consensus that, while the Emmy field features a lot of familiar faces and a couple of exciting newcomers, TV’s innovation seems less concentrated in limited series and more scattered across the wider TV landscape. They predict continued dominance for a few shows and performers, but celebrate several fresh voices breaking through.

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Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:28] — Comedy Series nominees & discussion
• [04:34] — Comedy Lead Actor/Actress
• [09:40] — Drama Series nominees & discussion
• [15:01] — Drama Lead Actor/Actress
• [21:44] — Limited/Anthology Series nominees
• [24:57] — Limited/Anthology Lead Actor/Actress

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This summary covers all substantive content from the July 8, 2026 episode, skipping all sponsor messages and non-content sections, and maintains the tone and camaraderie of the Pop Culture Happy Hour team.

Transcript

[Narrator/Investigator]

For three weeks in 2020, part of my Seattle neighborhood was taken over by a protest occupation.

[Glenn Weldon]

We were here to protest police brutality,

[Narrator/Investigator]

but it ended in tragedy.

[Glenn Weldon]

The whole space felt darker and angrier.

[Narrator/Investigator]

Join me as I investigate the unsolved killing of 16 year old Antonio Mays Jr. Listen to we Keep Us safe on the embedded podcast from npr.

[Glenn Weldon]

All right, we're taping this on the heels of the 2026 Emmy no was a very good morning for our favorites like Hacks the Pit and the Bear. And we welcomed some new faces to the Emmys party like Widow's Bay. Pluribus and Margot's got money troubles. And one Hollywood couple really cleaned up. Keri Russell got a nom for the diplomat while her partner Matthew Rhys scored double acting nominations. I'm Glenn Weldon. And joining me today to unpack this year's emmy nominations on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour are my fellow co hosts Linda Holmes. Hey, Linda.

[Linda Holmes]

Hey. Hello, Glenn.

[Glenn Weldon]

And Ayesha Harris. Hey, Aisha.

[Ayesha Harris]

Hey, Glenn.

[Glenn Weldon]

So we don't have time to hit all the categories, so we're gonna stick to the biggies. Let's get right to it. The surprises, the snubs, the category fraud, the whole nominations schmear really, starting with outstanding comedy series. First up, Abbott elementary, the workplace sitcom on ABC is set at a severely underfunded Philadelphia public school where teachers strive to make do with their limited resources. The bear, FX's intense and fast paced series about a fine dining chef who takes over his family's Chicago Italian beef sandwich shop hacks the h HBO Max series in which the great Jean Smart plays a legendary stand up comic. This year, Hacks set the record for the most nominations in the comedy categories. Margot's got money troubles. A college student's life gets very complicated when she becomes pregnant and decides to become a single mom, turning to onlyfans as a source of income. That one is on Apple tv. Nobody wants this, a romantic comedy from Netflix that stars Kristen Bell as an agnostic podcast host and Adam Brody as a rabbi. Only murders in the building. Martin Short, Steve Martin and Selena Gomez star as true crime fans who investigate a real murder and make a podcast about it that is streaming on Hulu. Next up is shrinking Apple TV series with a big heart and lots of jokes that stars Jason Siegel, Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams, all of whom play therapists. And lastly and happily, Widow's Bay. A New England mayor would like to bring more tourists to his town. Except for the small problem that it is maybe cursed. That one is streaming on Apple tv. All right, folks, what do you make of this?

[Linda Holmes]

Well, I felt like these are pretty good nominees. Some of these I'm very excited about. I thought Margo's got Money Troubles was great. I think Widow's Bay was great. I'm a longtime booster of shrinking, so there's a lot in here that I like. I mean, I think they're just gonna nominate only murders until it runs outta gas.

[Glenn Weldon]

Yep. Some would argue it already has.

[Linda Holmes]

Yeah. I mean, I haven't been as excited by the episodes I've seen in the last couple seasons, but still, like, listen, I can't be mad at that show. There's a lot here that I like. I personally, I think I' be rooting for Widow's Bay. Although I would also accept Margot's got Money Troubles. The Bear continues to not be a comedy. So regardless of how you feel about it, I would not root for it in this category.

[Ayesha Harris]

Yeah. The thing about the Emmys is that these are shows sometimes shows that have a lot of seasons and so there's really any surprises year to year. I'm not surprised to see most of these here. I will say that I'm also rooting for Margot Scott, Money Troubles or Widow's Bay. I think both of them are really fantastic new additions to this lineup. I gotta say, though, I'm kind of shocked that nobody wants us here, but something like A Man on the Inside is not. Nobody wants this. It's fine. I watch it, but I kind of hate watch it. A Man on the Inside is like a genuinely good show. And I thought the second season was really, really good. And I love Ted Danson in that role as a widower who is suddenly becoming like a private detective. So I would have loved to see that here instead of something like nobody wants this. But overall, a very solid category, I would say.

[Glenn Weldon]

Solid category. I had no illusions that a show like Murderbot was gonna make it in. I still had hope. I still had hope for the Lowdown, which they submitted as a comedy even though they should not have submitted it as a comedy.

[Ayesha Harris]

Yes, of course. Yeah.

[Linda Holmes]

Fantastic show.

[Ayesha Harris]

So good.

[Glenn Weldon]

Fantastic show. I do love to see Abbott out here representing the half hour network sitcom.

[Ayesha Harris]

Abbott is still good too. It's maintained. Its like spark, I would argue. Yeah, yeah.

[Glenn Weldon]

And we should just note here that this nomination is for the Bear season four, not the most recent season. Just keep that strai.

[Linda Holmes]

We got another Emmy season of this.

[Ayesha Harris]

After this year of talking about the

[Glenn Weldon]

show one more time, we're gonna be making the same complaint. I am pulling For Widow's Bay, obviously that is an old school word of mouth phenomenon that is very funny and we're not covering the supporting actor nominations, but in supporting actress, both Kate o' Flynn and Dale Dickey got nom. So in that one tiny corner of the world, all is right. But it's a small corner. All right, next up is lead actor in a comedy series starting with Yahya Abdul Mateen II for Wonder Man. He plays a down on his luck actor trying to make it in Hollywood. He also happens to have superpowers. Next up is Steve Carell for Rooster. He plays a writer of pulpy crime novels, gets pressured into teaching at the college where his daughter also works. Matthew Reese for Widows Bay. Reese plays a New England mayor who wants to increase tourism on his island. But strange things abound. Jason Siegel for Shrinking. He plays a widowed therapist who adopts some unexpected methods for his therapy. Pat and one Mo Gan Martin, short for Only Murders in the Building. Short plays Oliver, an ambitious Broadway director turned true crime podcaster. Ayesha. Anything stand out?

[Ayesha Harris]

I think I'm rooting for Matthew Reese here for sure. We've kind of already said what we had to say about Only Murders. I do think Jason Segel for Shrinking. Look, I really like him as a performer. I wasn't a huge fan of the most recent season. It felt like it got a little too 90s sitcom Y and a little too hammy for my taste. And the draws for that show are less Jason Siege and more like, you know, Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams. But, I mean, not really a surprise here.

[Linda Holmes]

Yeah, I will be pulling for Jason Siegel just because of how much I love that show and have loved that show. I think I feel legit being like over the course of that show. I think that's a performance that deserves to be recognized. But I suspect Matthew Reese will win and that will not make me unhappy in the slightest. Steve Carell is fine in Rooster. I like him in Rooster. I like him in most things. I think he's kind of doing the Steve Carell thing to a great degree. And I enj but that's about my take on that. I think this will be Rhys and I think that will be very awesome.

[Glenn Weldon]

Yeah, the big surprise for me here was Abdul Mateen for Wonder Man.

[Linda Holmes]

Yeah, I didn't see that show. Yeah, I didn't either, but I know you liked it.

[Glenn Weldon]

Yeah, I mean, I love to see some rare marvel representation. I didn't hear a lot of people talking about this show. The talk I did hear revolved around Ben Kingsley, who Did not get a supporting nomination, so solid category with a lot of returning faces. Next up is lead actress in a comedy series. Quinta Brunson for Abbott elementary. Brunson plays Janine, an educator in the Philadelphia public school system. Iowa Debris for the Bear. She plays Sydney, an ambitious young chef. Elle Fanning from Margot's Got Money Troubles. Fanning plays a single mother who turns to online sex work to support herself and her child. Lisa Kudrow for the Comeback. Kudrow plays Valerie Cherish, who is trying to make it big again in a sitcom written by AI and finally, one Mogan. Jean Smart for Hacks. She plays comedy legend Deborah Vance. Smart has won this category four times before for this very same role. Linda, what'd you make of it?

[Linda Holmes]

Yeah, I mean, this is a category made up entirely of actors I very much like. I think it will be Jean Smart again. This is the last time around for Hacks. I don't know why they'd stop giving it to her now, but I think everybody here is deserving, particularly if you take, as I did with Jason Segel, a longer view for all the things that have sort of foundered about the Bear. Iowa Debris, to me, has never stopped being fabulous to watch. I think she's wonderful, and she is the one who is most in a comedy, I think. I also really loved Elle Fanning in Margot's Got Money Troubles. And I love Quinta Brunson and Abbott always. So there's nobody here that I don't like and wouldn't root for. I feel confident it will be Jean Smart again.

[Ayesha Harris]

Yeah, I mean, I feel very similarly, but I think I am rooting for Lisa Kudrow here. I just. Glenn, as you know, I was late to the Comeback game and I loved it. I think it is one of the best shows of this year. And Lisa Kudrow is just doing something really, really special there. I'm rooting for her. But if anyone in this category want, like, yes, Elle Fanning also very much love her, but that isn't a comedy. I don't know if I would argue that Margot's got Many Troubles is like a comedy, but again, we're getting into the Bear and all these things. Like, it's hard. It's hard to tell.

[Glenn Weldon]

So, yeah, yeah, I'm a middle aged gay man, so I'm gonna root for the Comeback because that's the law. But she was nominated for both previous seasons of the Comeback. She didn't win for either. I fear that history's gonna repeat itself. Iowa Debris got a Great episode that focused on Sidney in this season. I wonder if that's gonna be. I also wonder, frankly, Linda, if there's an appetite to say that smart has been recognized and it's time to move on to someone else. And if that's the case, I think Elle Fanning has the wind at her back. I mean, that show earned a lot of nominations that I didn't suspect it would. So it's getting recognized by the Emmys. So it's very possible.

[Linda Holmes]

It's possible. I will tell you, Nick Offerman is nominated for that show in the supporting category. And when I saw that show, the first thing I texted to one of the people I know is, Nick's gonna win an Emmy for this.

[Glenn Weldon]

There you go.

[Ayesha Harris]

I can totally see it. He's so good in that role.

[Glenn Weldon]

Yes, yes. He was also in Death by which did not get nominated, but he.

[Linda Holmes]

But he did.

[Glenn Weldon]

He did. Okay. All right, next up is Outstanding Drama Series. First up, the Diplomat, the Netflix series in which Keri Russell plays the titular US Diplomat in the United Kingdom. The Gilded Age. Again, it's old money versus new money in 1800s Manhattan in this historical piece airing on HBO. Next up, a knight of the Seven kingdoms. A knight and his squire go on adventures in Westeros in this prequel to Game of Thrones Paradise. Hulu's drama series follows a secret Service agent played by Starling K. Brown, who's caught up in a web of intrigue after a president is assassinated. The Pit, the HBO Max hospital show that follows Noah Wylie and other doctors and nurses over the course of one long shift in a Pittsburgh emergency room. Next up, for the first time, it's Pluribus, the Apple TV series in which a proud misanthrope suddenly finds herself truly alone. Slow horses that stars Gary Oldman. This Apple series is about a disregarded division of MI5, which serves as a dumping ground for British spies who've made huge mistakes. And finally, your friends and neighbors. John Hamm plays a divorce hedge fund manage who begins to steal from his friends after he loses his job. That is also on Apple tv. Aisha, what'd you make of it?

[Ayesha Harris]

Again, a lot of familiar faces here, but I am very happy to see Pluribus here, which is kind of the newcomer out of all of these. Also, Night of the Seven Kings, also new, but Pluribus, my goodness, so, so good and weird and probably the most like carving out new ground of the bunch of this. I am gonna continue, though, banging my drum very, very lo. The fact that industry. The HBO show has never Been nominated in any category. What are we doing here? Season four was. I mean, it just kind of re. Energized the series and took on a new turn and kind of became more of like a psychological conspiracy thriller sort of show and completely just did something different. And the roles there, the performance is there. Maihala as Harper Stern and Ken Leung as Eric Tao, her sort of mentor, business partner. I don't understand how it doesn't have enough people in Hollywood in the industry rooting for it. So, yeah, that's my one. What are we doing here? Why is it not there? But overall, look, Pluribus or the Pit, I'd be very happy to see win here.

[Linda Holmes]

Yeah, there are shows like that, Aisha, where it just becomes a thing the Emmys are not looking at, and then they just never look at it. And it's always mystifying to me. I agree with you. I don't really understand that. There are a lot of shows in this category that I think are solid shows. I think the Diplomat is a solid show. I wasn't quite as into this season as previous seasons, but that's a good show. Slow Horses remains a really good show. I was late to Slow Horses, but I really love it. I will be pulling for either the Pit or Pluribus. Either of those is fine with me. I suspect it will be the Pit again, But I think Aisha's exactly right that Pluribus is the most inventive of these shows. The weird nomination in here for me, I don't know anything about the Game of Thrones stuff, so I have no feelings about that. But the weird nomination in here for me is your Friends and Neighbors because it got this nomination and only this nomination, and it's unusual to get the series nomination and then nothing else. Yeah, that's an odd nomination for me. But I guess when you go out to eight nominees, you get a little more, you know, you're likely to have a little bit more of that kind of thing happening. But the Pit's fine. Pluribus is fine. I think it will be one of those. Probably the Pit. I am not on team. The Pit got worse in the second season. I loved it just as much, pretty much. I'm still on board for that, but absolutely love Pluribus.

[Glenn Weldon]

Well, I'm the guy who is delighted to see Knight of the Seven Kingdoms nominated. I'm always surprised. I shouldn't be surprised when nerd stuff gets nominated. It's as if I haven't lived through the last 20 years of popular culture and game of Thrones didn't dominate.

[Linda Holmes]

Well, this and Wonder man, right?

[Glenn Weldon]

Yeah, that's true. That's true. Inside my bubble, of course, my little critic bubble. It's Pluribus all the way. I don't have any illusions. That is a bubble. We'll see the show that you won't see listed here here that a lot of people are going to be wondering why not is Heated Rivalry. It's nowhere in these nominations because it is ineligible. It is according to the rules, quote, a foreign television production is ineligible unless it is the result of a co production both financially and creatively between us and foreign partners which precedes the start of production and with a purpose to be shown on US television. So the deal is here. HBO was not involved in this production and they didn't even acquire the US rights from Crave, the Canadian production team until a few weeks before the premiere. A lot of other shows produced outside the U.S. like Downton Abbey, like Squid Game, like Baby Reindeer, like industry. They're eligible because they had US companies as producers and Heated Rivalry didn't. So that's why that happened.

[Linda Holmes]

Exactly. Because Canada can take every ounce of credit for Heated Rivalry. They unfortunately cannot get any Emmys for Heated Rivalry, but they deserve every smidgen of credit. And HBO Max gets credit only for recognizing that they should get it and grab it and put it on. And let us note, Connor Story, who is one of the leads of Heated Rivalry, did get a nomination for his appearance hosting Saturday Night Live. So despite their ineligibility for the show itself, it's not as if they went entirely unrecognized.

[Glenn Weldon]

Absolutely. Absolutely. Okay, next up is outstanding lead actor in a drama series starting with Sterling K. Brown for Paradise. Brown returns as a secret service agent who must survive a post apocalyptic world. Gary Oldman for Slow Horses. Altman plays the slovenly burnt out head of a rundown, disregarded division of MI5 that serves as a dumping ground for British spies. Mark Ruffalo for Task. Ruffalo is a weary FBI agent who is called back to duty. Rufus Sewell. He plays Kerry Russell's husband and a hotshot veteran diplomat in his own right who brings a huge amount of baggage in. The diplomat. And finally, you heard it before, you'll hear it again. Noah Wiley for the pit. Wiley plays Dr. Rabinovitch or Dr. Robbie who runs an emergency room. Linda, I guess you have a family.

[Linda Holmes]

Well, listen, I love Noah Wy. I think he's so good on that show. I think he did such an effective job of demonstrating Robbie's collapse that it almost got missed in some analysis of the show. But I think he's very deserving. Gary Oldman is great on Slow Horses. He really is. If you've never watched that show, that's a great performance. I tapped out of paradise at some point, but nobody will ever displease me by giving Sterling Gay Brown an award for something. And I will say Rufus Sewell is such an interesting nomination for me because I despise that character so deeply that I think it's because he's very good, but I can't stand that character. My entire reaction to that show is, when are you gonna dump your horrible husband? And I think it's to his credit.

[Ayesha Harris]

Yes, yes. I mean, I also tapped out on paradise after season one, but Sterling K. Brown, give him all the awards. I'm rooting for no Wiley for the Pit. I think that the genius of the second season of that show is the fact that they made Dr. Robbie kind of an a hole, you know, and still good at his job, but sometimes not. And I love that the show is willing to let him not be this, like, unchallenged hero and to show how his the things that he's not dealing with are affecting the way he interacts with his workers. And it's a credit to the writing, but it's also a credit to Noah Wiley in that performance that he makes this character unlikable, yet we understand who he is. And so I'm rooting for him in this category for sure.

[Linda Holmes]

I love him in this show.

[Glenn Weldon]

I mean, the only new show in this whole mix is Task, which I thought was a limited series, but it's not. It's getting a second season. And so the only new face here is Mark Ruffalo. I'd love to see him get recognized, but I have a feeling the goodwill toward Noah Wylie is not going away anytime soon. So I think we're gonna be seeing him on Emmy night. Next up, outstand lead actress in a drama series. First up, Carrie Coon for the Gilded Age. Coon plays an ambitious socialite in Manhattan Chase Infinity for the Testaments. Infinity plays a young girl living in fictional Gilead in the sequel to the Handmaid's Tale. Kerry Russell for the Diplomat. Russell plays a diplomat whose career takes an unexpected turn when she is stationed in the uk. Ray Seehorn for Pluribus. Seahorn plays a miserable romantic author who escapes an event that infects practically everyone on earth. And finally, Zendaya for Euphoria. Zendaya plays Rue Bennett who battles a years long addiction to drugs. Aisha, what'd you make of this?

[Ayesha Harris]

Look, Zendaya has won for Euphoria before. I was very happy for her, but I gave up on that show after season one because I was like, this is not a good show. It's very stressful. And why would I do that to myself? I am rooting for Rhae Seehorn. Ever since Better Call Saul, I've been in the tank for her and. And Pluribus is a good chunk of. Pluribus is just racy horn and no one else. And to be able to pull that off and keep the show compelling and keep the drama compelling like that is a grand performance that is also small and distinct and very specific. And so I don't know if we're going to get that win. I do think that there are others in this. Keri Russell. I mean, I mean, it could be her, but I would love it, love it, love it if Rhea Seehorn won for Pluribus.

[Linda Holmes]

Yeah, I'm in the tank for Rhea Seehorn in this category. And I think she will win. I think she will win.

[Ayesha Harris]

I hope so.

[Linda Holmes]

For one thing, she was repeatedly left out when she was on Better Call Saul and it was something of a scandal. So I think maybe people will take this opportunity to recognize her now. It could go the other way. It could be, well, they ignored her before, they'll ignore her again. But I think this is the best performance in the category, even though these are all of the ones that I know well. Best performance in the category for me. And also these are all actors I admire. So there's nobody here where I'd be like, ugh, not you. But it's gotta be Rhea Seehorn.

[Glenn Weldon]

For me, yeah, I'm hoping it's Racyhorn only because I think Vince Gilligan, the creator of Pluribus, wrote that part so that you can't ignore Racyhorn anymore. I think that is there just to say, look, people, we gotta stop doing this. You know, they don't give Emmys for. For most work. They don't give Emmys for, like, how much of a show is squarely on your shoulders. But if they did, she'd walk. This is a show that is. It's all about her. All right, we're going to be talking about some more of the nominations after this quick break. This message comes from NPR sponsor Carvana. Carvana makes car buying easy. 100% online prices down to the penny, delivered to your door. Why make car buying hard when it could be easy? Visit Carvana.com today. Terms may apply of all the protests

[Protester/Witness]

in the summer of 2020.

[Podcast Listener/Promoter]

For a moment there, it was utopia.

[Protester/Witness]

One took a unique turn.

[Glenn Weldon]

Somebody over there to use a gun.

[Protester/Witness]

This is the story of how violence came to occupy an anti violence occupation in Seattle. Listen to We Keep Us Safe, a new true crime series on the embedded podcast from from npr.

[Narrator/Investigator]

The fatal shooting of a teenager at a protest in Seattle has gone unsolved for six years.

[Glenn Weldon]

This is open in your face. How are there no answers?

[Narrator/Investigator]

Our investigation has uncovered new evidence and witnesses who say they've never talked to police.

[Glenn Weldon]

Did police ever call you?

[Planet Money Summer School Host]

Not once.

[Narrator/Investigator]

Listen to We Keep Us Safe a new true crime series on the embedded podcast from npr.

[Peter Sagal]

Hi, it's me, Peter Sagal, host of Wait, Wait, don't tell me. It's summer and if you want to turn your pool party into a nerd fest, check out our news quiz. We got comedians, we got celebrities, we got games to help you laugh about the week's news. Yeah, that news. It'll be just like we're all hanging out at your backyard barbecue. Listen every week to Wait, Wait, don't tell me on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Glenn Weldon]

Welcome back. If you like what you hear in this podcast, you'll like what we're sending out in our newsletter. It's where we can go deeper into our discussions and highlight stuff that didn't make the final edit with exclusive links and recommendations from our team. Stay connected to the voices you trust. Sign [e-mail] pop culture newsletter now on to the nominations for outstanding, limited or anthology series. First up, all Her Fault, in which Sarah Snook plays a woman whose world is turned upside down when her son goes missing. That is streaming on Peacock. The Beast in Me, the Netflix series in which Claire Danes plays a writer who has mixed feelings about the arrival of her new neighbor who is suspected of murder. Beef. The second season of the Netflix anthology features a new dramatic feud between two couples. Next up, DTF St. Louis. A love triangle takes a dark turn in this dark comedy on hbo. And finally, Love Story, the FX series follows the courtship and marriage of John F. Kennedy, Jr. And Carolyn Bessette. Linda, Any thoughts?

[Linda Holmes]

You know, it might surprise people to hear this, but my favorite in this category is All Her Fault, which was on Peacock. That sort of started off a little slow for me, but but by the end, it's actually pretty delicious and I kind of enjoyed it. And Sarah Snook is a gigantically gifted actor. The Beast in Me I thought was only okay. The second season of Beef I thought was only okay. I did not watch DTF St. Louis Love Story I thought was short of okay. Honestly did not care for that one. So I will be rooting hard for All Her Fault, even though I suspect it's going to be DTF St. Louis.

[Ayesha Harris]

Interesting. Honestly, I don't have very strong feelings about this category because I have not seen All Her Fault or Love Story.

[Linda Holmes]

You should watch All Her Fault.

[Ayesha Harris]

I know it's been on my list of things to watch. I will say I agree. Beef, when we did our episode on that show, basically, I think my feelings overall are that it's still good. It's still got some performances, but it kind of loses its central. Like the Beef isn't really there like it was in season one. It kind of just focused more on this sort of class analysis of class and status and that sort of thing. So I was less enamored of beef season two than I was season one in DTF St. Louis. I started it and did not finish it because I just felt again like I'd seen this kind of thing before. I love the performers, all the people in it. But yeah, I don't know. I just don't have strong feelings about this category if I'm being completely honest.

[Glenn Weldon]

Yeah, a couple things that didn't get nominated here that some folks thought would were Half man and Lord of the Flies. Neither of those got a nominations. But yeah, DTF St. Louis, I think you're right and I think that's going to take it. Next up, Outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie. First up, Claire Danes for the Beast in Me. Danes plays a struggling writer who is made uneasy by their arrival of a new neighbor who is suspected of murder. Sally Field for Remarkably Bright Creatures. Field is a lonely janitor at an aquarium who forms an unexpected bond with an octopus. Next up, Carey Mulligan for Beef. Mulligan plays an interior designer in a strained marriage. Next up, Sarah Pidgeon for Love Story. Pidgen portrays Carolyn Bissette, her whirlwind relationship with JFK Jr. And finally, Sarah Snook. For all her fault, Snook plays a wealth manager who is desperately looking for her missing son. Anything to add?

[Linda Holmes]

Slam dunk. Sarah Snook. She's so good in this mesmerizing I did not watch the octopus thing because after my octopus teacher I decided I don't do octopus content anymore.

[Ayesha Harris]

Yeah, I don't have anything to add except I guess having not seen the show, I do Think that Linda is probably right. Sarah's people do love her, and she is great in everything. Yes. I'm gonna watch it. I promise.

[Peter Sagal]

Okay.

[Ayesha Harris]

All right.

[Linda Holmes]

Like I said, the word delicious.

[Glenn Weldon]

Okay. Next up, outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie. First up is Riz Ahmed. Ahmed plays Shah, an actor who's currently in the middle of a career downturn and auditions to be the new James Bond. Jason Bateman for Black Rabbit. He plays Vince, who returns to work in the New York nightlife scene. Charlie Hunnam from Monster the Ed Gein Story. Hunnam plays the convicted murderer. Next up, Oscar Isaac for Beef. Isaac plays the general manager of a Montecito country club whose marriage is hanging by a thread. And finally, back, back, back again. Matthew Rhys for the Beast. In Me, Reese plays a real estate tycoon who is suspected of murdering his first wife, Aisha. Any thoughts?

[Ayesha Harris]

Well, I'm really pleased to see Riz Ahmed in here for Bait. I basically downed that entire series. I mean, it was only a few. It was like six episodes, but I downed the entire thing in one sitting. And a lot of it is because of Riz Ahmed and this idea of him sort of playing with the James Bond and also what it means to be an actor and an actor of color. Like, it treads some familiar territory. But I think he is just so good in that role, and it's so fun and very kind of wacky and different and goes into very unexpected places. I'm happy to see him here, so I'm rooting for him. But also, I would not be surprised if maybe, like, Matthew Rhys gets in here if not for Widow's Bay, maybe for this. I'm curious to hear what you think.

[Linda Holmes]

Yeah, I think the limited categories are a little thin this year compared to past years, to tell you the truth. Which is not to say there aren't any good shows here. But I was looking back at, for example, 2021, when the Queen's Gambit beat Mayor of Easttown and Underground Railroad and other really good things. And it really felt like that was where a lot of the action and the inventiveness in television was. I have felt less that way more recently. The only thing I would that the surprise nomination to me was Jason Bateman for Black Rabbit, a show I did not care for, and I thought he was completely miscast. I think the way that Bateman is going in his career right now is just not of interest to me personally. But if Aisha's gonna watch all her fall, I'm gonna watch Bait. Cause I didn't watch Bait. And I do love Riz Ahmed. And I thought Oscar Isaac was good in Beef. I just didn't think that season was super great. But, yeah, I mean, Matthew Reese and the Beast in Me is also good. Although when you're playing sweet a suspected murderer, it can get very big. And I actually think he's better in Widow's Bay, which is not to say that isn't big, but it's big, more straightforwardly, comically big, as opposed to dramatically big. And I prefer that. I think it's more satisfying. So I would root for either Rhys just because I like him or Ahmed just because I like him, even though, as I said, you're gonna watch All Her Fault and I'm gonna watch Bait.

[Ayesha Harris]

You got it.

[Glenn Weldon]

There you go.

[Peter Sagal]

All right.

[Glenn Weldon]

Well, thanks, guys. I mean, we didn't get to everything, but we can't. That brings us to the end of our show. Aisha Harris, Linda Holmes, thank you so much for being here.

[Linda Holmes]

Thank you, bud.

[Ayesha Harris]

Thank you.

[Glenn Weldon]

This episode was produced by Liz Metzger. Hafsa Fathom and Mike Katz have been edited by our showrunner, Jessica Reedy. Hello, Kim. And provides our theme music. Thank you for listening to Pop Culture Happy Hour from npr. I'm Glenn Weldon, and we'll see you all next time.

[Planet Money Summer School Host]

On this season of Planet Money Summer School, we follow the money and not just the dollars. We're following the yu, the Naira, the Krona, and more. Every Wednesday this summer, we're taking you on a world tour to meet the people trying new solutions to old economic problems. Planet Money Summer School. Grab some friends, pack your bags, and don't forget the sunscreen. Listen on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Listener/Promoter]

Okay, so you're driving to work or you're on a walk or you're at the gym or whatever, and you just need to clear your head. That's the perfect time to hit the play button on NPR's All Songs Considered. It's not the news, it's not work or whatever else is weighing you down. It's just a good time with good friends and great tunes. Listen to All Songs Considered every Tuesday in the NPR Music Podcast.