Pop Culture Happy Hour: In-Depth Summary of the “2025 Emmy Nominations” Episode

Release Date: July 16, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosts Glenn Weldon, Linda Holmes, and Aisha Harris delve into the 2025 Emmy nominations. They explore the landscape of television for the year, highlighting both familiar favorites and standout newcomers. The conversation navigates through major categories, offering insights, opinions, and notable quotes from the hosts, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of what to expect from the upcoming Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Drama Series

Glenn Weldon kicks off the discussion by highlighting the diversity in this year's nominations for Outstanding Drama Series. The list features a mix of established powerhouses and fresh contenders:

1. Severance (Apple TV+) – A top nominee with 27 nominations, this series centers on employees who undergo a procedure to separate their work and personal lives.
2. The Pit (Max) – Set in a Pittsburgh emergency room, this hospital drama offers an intense look at a single long shift.
3. The White Lotus (HBO) – An anthology series, this season explores a Thai resort with a stellar cast including Walton Goggins and Carrie Coon.
4. The Last of Us (HBO) – A post-apocalyptic series featuring a fungus-based twist on the zombie genre, starring Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal.
5. Slow Horses (Apple TV+) – Focuses on a neglected division of MI5, led by Gary Oldman's seasoned spy.
6. Andor (Disney+) – A Star Wars thriller following Diego Luna’s character from scoundrel to rebel hero.
7. The Diplomat (Netflix) – A political drama starring Keri Russell as an ambassador vying for the vice presidency.
8. Paradise (Hulu) – Chronicles the intrigue following a Secret Service agent's life after a presidential assassination.

Linda Holmes shares her perspective, favoring The Pit for its extraordinary portrayal of healthcare dynamics and its societal commentary. She remarks, “I personally would vote for The Pit. I really thought that was an extraordinary season of TV... has something to say about healthcare and things like that” (02:34).

Aisha Harris echoes Holmes’ enthusiasm for The Pit, describing it as “both entertaining and also very high quality” (03:30). She also reflects on Paradise, acknowledging its “silly” yet “great sort of popcorn show” qualities, which have garnered it significant momentum (03:44).

Glenn Weldon expresses his support for Andor, appreciating it as a “genre story that delivers on every genre element you need,” while also noting the strong presence and buzz surrounding The Pit with its 13 nominations (04:00).

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

The hosts examine the contenders for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:

• Noah Wylie (The Pit) – Portrays Dr. Rabidovich, the dynamic leader of an emergency room.
• Adam Scott (Severance) – Plays Mark, an employee navigating his bifurcated life.
• Gary Oldman (Slow Horses) – Stars as the burned-out head of MI5’s disregarded division.
• Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us) – Takes on the role of Joel, a protective figure to Bella Ramsey’s Ellie.
• Sterling K. Brown (Paradise) – Depicts Xavier Collins, a formidable Secret Service agent.

Linda Holmes emphasizes her support for Noah Wylie, highlighting his exceptional performance that “holds down the whole show” (05:20). She also acknowledges Sterling K. Brown's beloved status and formidable talent but reiterates her preference for Wylie’s work (05:20).

Aisha Harris supports Brown’s nomination, praising his “action hero mode” and the unique roles he takes on, which allow him to explore different facets of his acting prowess (06:45).

Glenn Weldon champions Wylie’s candidacy, sharing his personal investment in seeing Wylie secure his first Emmy after multiple nominations for his role on ER (06:46).

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

The nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series include:

• Kathy Bates (Matlock Reboot) – As Madeline Matlock, a savvy lawyer charming her way into high-powered cases.
• Britt Lauer (Severance) – Plays Heli, an employee undergoing the severance process.
• Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us) – Stars as Ellie, a girl immune to the fungal apocalypse.
• Keri Russell (The Diplomat) – Portrays Kate Wyler, a diplomat managing high-stakes politics.
• Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters) – In her second season, she explores complex family dynamics post-tragedy.

Aisha Harris highlights Sharon Horgan’s unexpected nomination, expressing her surprise given her mixed feelings about the second season of Bad Sisters. She points out the industry's tendency to nominate based on past performances and goodwill rather than current season merit (08:00).

Linda Holmes leans towards Kathy Bates, acknowledging the challenges of voting in categories influenced by previous accolades. She appreciates Bates’ performance but remains hesitant to guarantee her favorite due to the nuances of this season’s installments (09:15).

Glenn Weldon adds a critical perspective on the age dynamics in the nominations, noting that if Kathy Bates wins, she would become the oldest recipient in the category—a reflection on the limited roles available for women, rather than Bates' talent alone (09:43).

Aisha Harris supports Uzo Aduba’s nomination for The Residence, praising her portrayal of Cordelia Cupp, despite the show's cancellation. She values her character’s unique traits and depth, making her a deserving contender (15:52).

Linda Holmes concurs, expressing strong support for Aduba’s performance and highlighting her ability to balance silliness with depth (16:48). She also touches on the fluidity and sometimes arbitrary nature of Emmy categories, referencing Aduba’s previous categorization in supporting roles (17:18).

Outstanding Comedy Series

The conversation shifts to Outstanding Comedy Series, introducing the following nominees:

1. Hacks (HBO Max) – Focuses on the dynamic between a legendary comedian and her young writer.
2. The Studio (Apple TV+) – A satire starring Seth Rogen as a struggling Hollywood studio head, leading with 23 nominations.
3. The Bear (FX) – An intense, fast-paced series about a chef taking over his family's sandwich shop.
4. Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) – Follows true crime enthusiasts investigating a real-life murder, starring Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez.
5. Abbott Elementary (ABC) – A beloved sitcom set in a Philadelphia public school, created by Quinta Brunson.
6. Nobody Wants Her (Netflix) – A romantic comedy featuring Kristen Bell as an agnostic podcast host and Adam Brody as a rabbi.
7. Shrinking (Apple TV+) – A heartfelt series starring Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, and Jessica Williams as therapists.
8. What We Do in the Shadows (FX) – A satirical take on vampires living as roommates.

Linda Holmes praises The Studio for its insightful satire of the entertainment industry, while critiquing the nominations for The Bear’s third season as deviating from its comedic roots to a more grim tone (11:28). She expresses strong support for Abbott Elementary and Shrinking, highlighting their growth and solid comedic foundations (12:05).

Aisha Harris aligns with Holmes’ enthusiasm for Abbott Elementary and shares her hope for The Studio to emerge as the top comedy contender, appreciating its blend of humor and reverence for Hollywood (13:24). She also comments on the accumulated goodwill towards established actors like Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, questioning the balance between merit and popularity in nominations (13:24).

Glenn Weldon concurs, expressing a personal preference for Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) despite his reservations about the show's comedic qualifications (21:22). He hopes for a fair outcome, particularly wishing for Uzo Aduba’s nomination to be recognized alongside the comedy contenders (21:22).

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

In the category of Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, nominees include:

• Adolescence (Netflix) – A gripping narrative about a 13-year-old accused of murder at his school.
• The Penguin (HBO) – A Batman spin-off starring Colin Farrell as the mobster Oswald Oz Cobb.
• Dying for Sex (FX on Hulu) – Featuring Michelle Williams as a woman grappling with her sexuality after a terminal cancer diagnosis.
• Monsters: The Menendez Story (Ryan Murphy’s Anthology) – Chronicles the infamous Menendez brothers' story.
• Black Mirror (Netflix) – The latest installment of the speculative fiction anthology series exploring technology’s dark side.

Linda Holmes expresses delight at Black Mirror's nomination, specifically praising standout episodes featuring Rashida Jones and Paul Giamatti (24:09). She remains critical of other nominees, deferring to her co-hosts for deeper analysis (24:09).

Aisha Harris advocates for Dying for Sex, commending its sensitive portrayal of complex themes and Michelle Williams’ outstanding performance. She also lauds Colin Farrell’s role in The Penguin, despite the show’s later placement in the nominations overshadowing more impactful contenders like Adolescence (24:29).

Glenn Weldon voices concern that The Penguin might not receive the recognition it deserves due to the strong presence of Adolescence and the general dismissal of superhero-adjacent shows (25:23). He underscores the importance of Emmy nominations in elevating underappreciated shows, lamenting that The Penguin may not fully capitalize on its merits (25:23).

Outstanding Lead Actress and Actor in Limited or Anthology Series

For Outstanding Lead Actress in this category, nominees include:

• Cristin Milioti (The Penguin) – As Sofia Falcone, a mob boss's daughter.
• Michelle Williams (Dying for Sex) – Plays Molly, a woman confronting her sexuality post-cancer diagnosis.
• Cate Blanchett (Disclaimer) – Portrays a woman sent a novel that uncovers her hidden past.
• Rashida Jones (Black Mirror) – As a woman sustained by a subscription-based life support procedure.
• Megan Follows (Sirens) – A character navigating family and social dynamics.

Aisha Harris advocates for Michelle Williams, emphasizing the show's delicate balance of drama and comedy, and her compelling portrayal of a woman facing profound personal challenges (27:18).

Linda Holmes supports Cristin Milioti for her captivating and nuanced performance, while also recognizing Michelle Williams’ potential for winning due to her exceptional talent and limited but impactful roles (28:03).

For Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series, the nominees are:

• Colin Farrell (The Penguin) – As Oswald Oz Cobb, a ruthless mobster.
• Stephen Graham (Adolescence) – Plays the father of a teenage murder suspect.
• Cooper Koch (Monsters: The Menendez Story) – As Eric Menendez, convicted of murder.
• Brian Tyree Henry (Dope Thief) – Portrays a man engaging in elaborate thefts.
• Jake Gyllenhaal (Presumed Innocent) – Plays Rusty, a prosecutor accused of murder.

Aisha Harris champions Brian Tyree Henry, highlighting his thoughtful and layered performance in Dope Thief and his ability to navigate complex narratives (30:14). She notes his first lead role and the depth it brings to his craft (31:08).

Linda Holmes voices skepticism about Jake Gyllenhaal’s nomination, critiquing his portrayal in Presumed Innocent and expressing support for Brian Tyree Henry instead (30:14). She also appreciates Brian’s nuanced performance, emphasizing his deserving place among the nominees (31:08).

Glenn Weldon aligns with the support for Brian Tyree Henry, recognizing Adolescence as a strong contender but ultimately rooting for Henry's impactful role (31:55).

Additional Highlights and Final Thoughts

Beyond the major categories, the hosts touch upon noteworthy first-time nominees and the importance of Emmy nominations in spotlighting deserving performances and shows. Linda Holmes emphasizes the joy of seeing admired artists receive recognition, including emerging talents like Cristin Milioti and established actors venturing into new roles (32:08).

Aisha Harris and Glenn Weldon both acknowledge the sometimes subjective nature of Emmy nominations, where factors like popularity and industry goodwill can influence outcomes beyond pure merit (32:08).

As the discussion wraps up, the hosts express their anticipation for the Emmy Awards, reflecting on the diverse array of talent and storytelling that defines this year’s nominations.

Conclusion

This episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour offers a thorough and nuanced examination of the 2025 Emmy nominations. Through insightful commentary and honest opinions, Glenn Weldon, Linda Holmes, and Aisha Harris provide listeners with a detailed breakdown of the contenders across major categories. The conversation underscores the balance between celebrated staples and emerging narratives in shaping the television landscape, setting the stage for an exciting Emmy season.

Notable Quotes:

• Linda Holmes (02:34): “I personally would vote for The Pit. I really thought that was an extraordinary season of TV... has something to say about healthcare and things like that.”

• Aisha Harris (03:30): “I mean, put me down for The Pit as well. I think it's ... very high quality.”

• Glenn Weldon (09:43): “If Kathy Bates does win, she will, at 77, be the oldest winner in this category, which says a lot more about the state of roles for women on TV than it does necessarily say about Kathy Bates’ performance.”

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights shared by the hosts during the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven’t listened.