2025 Emmy Nominations

Summary

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.

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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.

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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.”

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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.

Transcript

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[Glenn Weldon]

This year's Emmy nominations are out and it was a good year for familiar favorites like Hacks, the Bear, Abbott elementary, the Last of Us and the White Lotus. But some newcomers got some love as well. Shows like Adolescence, the Studio, the Penguin, paradise, really paradise, and of course, the Pit. The ceremony's in September and the Emmy race has officially begun. Will Gene Smart outsmart Iowa debris again? Will Uzo Adubo win for a show that has already been canceled? Will grizzled TV veteran Noah Wiley win his first ever Emmy? I'm Glenn Weldon and we're unpacking this year's Emmy nominations on Pop Culture Happy hour from npr. Joining me today are my fellow co hosts. First, Linda Holmes. Hey, Linda.

[Linda Holmes]

Hello, Glenn.

[Glenn Weldon]

Also with us is Ayesha Harris. Hey, Aisha.

[Aisha Harris]

Hey, Glenn.

[Glenn Weldon]

All right, there's a lot to cover, so let's get right to it. We're going to stick to the major categories, beginning with outstanding drama series. First up, Severance, the Apple TV plus series about employees of a sinister corporation who have undergone a process that separates their work life from their home life. That is the most nominated series this year with 27 nominations. Next up is the Pit, the Max hospital show that follows Noah Wylie and other doctors and nurses over the course of one long shift in a Pittsburgh emergency room. Then we got the White Lotus, the HBO anthology series, this time about a resort in Thailand with a cast including Walton Goggins, Parker Posey and Carrie Coon. Next up is the Last of Us. The HBO series is a fungus based twist on the zombie apocalypse. It follows a young girl played by Bella Ramsey, who is mysteriously immune to the fungal infection and her gruff, taciturn protector turned father figure played by Pedro Pascal. Next up is Slow Horses Again starring Gary oldman. The Apple TV series is about a disregarded division of MI5, which serves as a dumping ground for British spies who've made huge mistakes. Next up is andor the Star Wars Disney thriller that follows Diego Luna on his journey from scoundrel to rebel hero. Next up is the Diplomat. The Netflix political drama stars Keri Russell as an ambassador who is under consideration for the vice presidency. And finally, Paradise, Hulu's drama series follows a Secret Service agent played by Sterling K. Brown, who's caught up in a web of intrigue after the president is assassinated. Linda, you wrote up your thoughts. What's your first impressions about this group here?

[Linda Holmes]

I don't think there's anything on here that really shocks me except, like, maybe paradise was a show that I thought started off pretty good and then kind of lost a lot of steam as it went along. But I know people really liked it and found it addictive. Sterling K. Brown is very beloved by the Emmys, I think, and for good reason. So I wasn't that surprised to see it there. I personally would vote for the Pit. I really thought that was an extraordinary season of tv. I sort of both enjoyed it and. And thought it was good and has something to say about healthcare and things like that. So out of these, I would pick that. I know the love for andor. I'm not a big Disney Star wars universe guy, but I know the love for that show. And a lot of people who I know have very good taste in TV have talked up that show to me. I loved the first season of the Diplomat. Not as much this one. I think there are a bunch of good shows on here. I would go with the Pit just because it's the most special to me.

[Aisha Harris]

Yeah. I mean, put me down for the Pit as well. I think it's, as Linda said, both entertaining and also, I think, very high quality. But I also think paradise is a kind of silly show. Is it kind of ridiculous?

[Linda Holmes]

Yeah.

[Aisha Harris]

But I also am not at all surprised to see it here because it has gotten so much momentum and it is kind of a great sort of popcorn show. So, you know, I'm kind of not mad at it being here, to be honest. Yeah.

[Glenn Weldon]

And as for me, I mean, I am happy to see Andrew on here. Happy to see it get some love for its second season, which I thought was better, even better than the first, both for what it is and for what it represents. Right. Because this is a genre story that delivers on every genre element you need it to, but it isn't content to do only that. Which makes me sound like I'm talking about elevated science fiction. I'm not. I just like. I just like andor a whole lot. But I do think I agree with you. Even though I don't watch the Pit, I got two ears and I hear the buzz and I see the buzz. This is the Pit's year. This has the wind at its back. I mean, this year, the pit has 13 nominations. It feels like a sweep. I'm just sensing that building. What do you gu. All right, let's continue with outstanding lead actor in a drama series. First up, Noah Wiley for the pit. Wiley plays Dr. Rabidovich or Dr. Robbie, who runs an emergency room. Next up is Adam Scott for Severance. He plays Mark, one of the employees at Lumen who has severed his work life from his home life. Next up is Gary Oldman for Slow Horses. Oldman plays the slovenly, burnt out head of a rundown, disregarded division of MI5 that serves as a dumping ground for British spies. Next up is Pedro Pascal for the Last of Us. He plays Joel briefly enough, the grizzled smuggler turned father figure responsible for protecting Bella Ramsey's character, Ellie. And finally, we've got Sterling K. Brown for Paradise. He plays a no nonsense Secret Service agent, Xavier Collins, who is investigating the death of the President of the United States. What do you guys think?

[Linda Holmes]

There are a bunch of actors I like in this category. Some of them, I have liked them more either doing other things or in other seasons of these shows. I was not as hot on this season of Severance as I was previous Severance, but I love Adam Scott. I was not as hot on this season of the Last of Us as I was other ones, but I love Pedro Pascal and I've spoken about paradise. But I love Sterling K. Brown, so. But again, I go back to Noah Wylie. I know it's boring to do that, but I think he is really extraordinary in this part. I think he holds down that whole show. I think it's been fascinating to see him kind of expand on a kind of work that he did when he was a younger actor, obviously on er. Heard of it and I just think there's a ton to recommend. I think he's excellent. I would pick him. But listen, bunch of guys I like in this category.

[Aisha Harris]

Yeah, I don't have anything to add to the Noah Wylie fan camp here, but I do think Sterling K. Brown, paradise is kind of the closest thing this and the Pit feel, the closest to like an old school network TV drama. And despite the fact that paradise is kind of silly, I think he's doing something really interesting here that we don't usually see him get to do. We see him get to be kind of like he gets into his action hero mode. And I've been wanting to see that for a while. I'm very happy to see that here. It's a flush category regardless of how I feel about some of the other shows or performances. I think it's a good assortment of performances. I would say.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Glenn Weldon]

Because I react instinctively to things. I thought to myself, Noah Wiley is not getting another bite of the apple, but he hasn't had Any. It turns out this would be his first Emmy if he wins it. He was nominated five times for er, but he never won. So that has transformed me. I'm now pulling for Noah Wiley even though I don't watch the damn show. But he's got the best story.

[Linda Holmes]

Nice.

[Aisha Harris]

Good job. Yes.

[Glenn Weldon]

All right, next up, outstanding lead actress in a drama series. First up is Kathy Bates for CBS's reboot of Matlock. Bates plays Madeline Maddie Matlock, a 70something woman who charms her way into working at a high powered law firm and quickly starts winning cases by capitalizing on the fact that she's widely underestimated and even ignored. Next up is Britt Lauer for Severance. She plays Heli, one of the employees at the corporation Lumen who has undergone the severance process. Next up is Bella Ramsey for the Last of Us. Ramsey plays Ellie, who is immune to the mysterious plague and is seeking vengeance. And then Keri Russell for the Diplomat. She plays Kate Wyler, a diplomat to the UK who was under consideration for the vice presidency. And finally, this surprised me, but I'm happy with it. Sharon Horgan for the Apple TV series Bad Sisters, which follows the aftermath of the death of her abusive brother in law, Aisha. What'd you make of this?

[Aisha Harris]

I was also shocked by Sharon Horgan here.

[Linda Holmes]

Look, this is for the second season, right?

[Glenn Weldon]

Yeah, it is the second season. Yeah.

[Aisha Harris]

Right. So Catastrophe, to me is one of the best TV shows of the 21st century. I will say it right here, right now. I loved that show. I loved her in it. And I also loved her in the first season of Bad Sisters. The second season, though, was rough and I didn't even finish it, to be honest. And I was kind of shocked to see her here. But I think it's always a toss up with these categories because people who are voting on these categories are people in Hollywood who have presumably jobs that aren't like ours, which is to actually watch these things. So I'm always questioning how many people have actually seen these shows and how much of it is just goodwill or affection for previous performances. I'm not saying that Sharon Horgan isn't good in Bad Sisters. Most of my issue was with the writing and the plotting of that second season. But yeah, this is a strange category. I personally will root for Brit Lauer here just because this is no fault of Bella Ramsey's, but I think the character of Ellie in the second season just kind of didn't go where I thought it should go. And so I think Brit Lauer is doing A lot with a very opaque season of severance. Yeah, yeah.

[Glenn Weldon]

But Linda, this is Kathy Bates to win, right?

[Linda Holmes]

You know, that's the thing Aisha was talking about, about, you know, you have to account for how much people have loved other performances by this person. Which is not to say I don't think Kathy Bates is great in this show, because I do think she is. These are all performances I have liked, but not this season as much as the previous ones. Britt Lauer, too, a little bit. So I guess I would root for Kathy Bates because these are all performances I would have voted for in other seasons, but I don't know that I would vote for them for these seasons.

[Glenn Weldon]

That's a good point. I will just say that 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. Although it's a lot of fun. She is a lot of fun.

[Aisha Harris]

Yeah.

[Glenn Weldon]

All right, next up is Outstanding Comedy Series kicking off with Hacks, which follows the relationship of a legendary stand up comic and the young writer she hires to freshen up her act. That one airs on HBO Max. Next up is the studio Apple tv. Plus funny, very funny satire starring Seth Rogen as a Hollywood studio head desperately trying to do a job he's afraid of failing at. That led the comedies with 23 nominations. Next up is the wacky Hijinks of the bear, FX's intense and fast paced series about a fine dining show who takes over his family. Chicago Italian beef sandwich Shop. Next up yet again is 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. It's streaming on Hulu. Next up is Abbott Elementary, ABC's sitcom set in a Philadelphia public school created by the great Quinta Brunson. Next up is Nobody Wants this, a romantic comedy from Netflix that stars Kristen Bell as an agnostic podcast host and Adam Brody as a rabbi. I'm gonna ask if you guys saw that one coming. Next up is Shrinking People saw coming Apple TV's series with a big heart and lots of jokes, starring Jason Segel, Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams, all of whom play therapists, all of whom were nominated this year. And finally, always the Dark Bridesmaid, never the dark Bride. What we do in the Shadows, FX's satirical take on bloodthirsty vampires who also happen to be roommates. Linda, what'd you make of this?

[Linda Holmes]

Yeah, A lot of shows I love particularly I would highlight the studio, which I think is a very, very successful show business comedy. There's a reason why it made a tear through the guest actor category in particular, picking up all kinds of nominations for Ron Howard and Anthony Mackie and Martin Scorsese and, you know, people playing themselves in some cases. The bear's not a comedy. I'm tired of talking about how the bear's not a comedy. This in particular, these nominations are for its third season. Not the fourth season that just came out, which had maybe a little more comedy, but the third, which was very grim. Not a comedy.

[Aisha Harris]

But the third had a lot more facts.

[Linda Holmes]

Well, that's the thing. The fact family, they kind of threw them in to try to be comedy. None of it felt integrated with the rest of the show. I love Abbott Elementary. I really, really love shrinking. They did not nominate shrinking in its first season for very much. They nominated just Jason Segel and Jessica Williams, who are both nominated again. But they nominated it for comedy series. And I was so glad because I love the show and I think it's this season, just getting into it. I think it's such a sturdy, solid comedy. So I think I'm gonna root for that. Even though I think this is the studio's year probably. As for nobody wants this, I liked it. I thought it was a little slight. I was interested to see when I looked up first time nominees that this is the first time being nominated for both Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, who I feel like have been on television for a gazillion years. So I wonder how much of this is accumulated kind of of goodwill again toward people. People also, I think really liked this show. Liked how kind of laid back it was. I would have loved to see something like a man on the inside nominated. That was another show I really loved that I was sad was left out. There are a bunch of really good shows on this list. I liked this season of only murders. Hacks is hacks. I didn't think this season was as good as the last ones. But I mean, so many good shows on this list.

[Aisha Harris]

Abbott elementary and shrinking. Granted, Abbott elementary has a few more seasons or a couple more seasons on shrinking, but I think they both came into their own and improved and I was. It makes me happy to still see Abbott elementary getting recognition. Granted again. The way the Emmys work is like oftentimes, especially if you are. Well, in the old days, especially if you were in a network sitcom or TV show, it's like once you get in, you're probably going to get nominated a lot of times. I do have to say I really, really hope that the studio, to me, that is it seems like the one that will probably be the big winner for comedy just because it is about Hollywood. It does have a lot of people involved who are beloved. It's really fun and I think a lot of people are just excited to have a fun show that can poke fun at Hollywood, but also still has a clear reverence for Hollywood.

[Glenn Weldon]

At the end of the day, I love this list. I don't begrudge any of them. I do look at this list and just see three shows that I wish were on it. The Residents, which we'll have a chance to talk about very soon. Colin from accounts and mostly somebody somewhere we talk about this show.

[Linda Holmes]

All true.

[Aisha Harris]

All true.

[Glenn Weldon]

It has aired for three seasons on max. Hbo Max. It has gotten only two nominations in its history. Both of them are this year. One is for writing and one is for supporting actor Jeff Hiller.

[Linda Holmes]

Jeff Hiller, Yeah.

[Glenn Weldon]

He plays Joel. And that's richly deserved. But that show, if it had gotten earlier major nominations, that show is exactly the kind of show that could benefit from an Emmy nomination, could have raised that show's profile. Got more people to watch. That's what an Emmy nomination is for. I love when an Emmy nomination is useful, but congratulations to that show. Cause it did a great job. We will miss it.

[Aisha Harris]

Hear, hear.

[Linda Holmes]

100%. Hear, hear. Amen.

[Glenn Weldon]

Next up is lead actress for a comedy series, Jean Smart for Hacks. Smart play is comedy legend Deborah Vance, Iowa Debris for the Bear. She plays Sydney, an ambitious young chef. Next up is Quinta Brunson for Abbott Elementary. Brunson plays Janine, an educator in the Philadelphia public school system. Next up, as you mentioned, is Kristen Netflix's Nobody Wants this. She plays an agnostic podcast host who faces obstacles to love when she meets a rabbi. And finally, Uzu Aduba for Netflix's already canceled the Residence. She plays detective and avid birdwatcher Cordelia Cupp, who's called to the White House to investigate a death. The Emmy sometimes does this. They nominate a show that it has already been axed. What do you guys make of this list?

[Aisha Harris]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the nominations or like the voting period happened before the show is officially canceled. Probably. But either way, Uza Duba loved her in this. I very much enjoyed this show. We had a whole episode on it. I loved how it was a murder mystery, but it was a murder mystery that focused on. Yes, it was in The White House, but it mostly focused on the people who work in the White House. So it was very much a upstairs, downstairs. And downstairs is the focus in a world where we have so many murder mysteries like the White Lotus that are all about the rich and the insufferable. I love this turn and I want more of it. And I'm happy to see her here. I think she was so great playing this sort of very nerdy, bird watching, bird lover detective. And everyone in this category is very talented. I enjoy them. But I'm rooting for Uza, even though now the show's canceled. So the chances of her winning, who knows? Who knows?

[Linda Holmes]

This is a category with five performances I like very much. I would vote for Uzo Aduba easily for all the reasons Aisha said. I love her wardrobe in this. I love her kind of whole style in this. I think there's so much to love about this performance, but most of it is just her particular skill at kind of getting into this character and figuring out how to make her both silly and kind of make sense.

[Glenn Weldon]

This category also illustrates the kind of slidiness of some of these categories. Because Iowa debris competed as supporting for the Bear in the first season. She won that year. Then the next season, she competed as lead actress against Jean Smart. She lost to Jean Smart. This is the same setup this year. You know, hacks has been around for a while. It maybe wasn't the Bear's strongest season for Sidney's character. I'll be interested to see what happens here. I think the best thing that could happen is if Uzu Aduba takes it home that night.

[Aisha Harris]

Yeah.

[Glenn Weldon]

Next up is lead actor in a comedy series. First up is Seth Rogen for the Studio. He plays Matt Remick, a Hollywood studio head desperately trying not to fail and failing at that. Martin Short for Only Murders in the Building. Short plays Oliver, an ambitious Broadway director turned true crime podcaster. Next up, heard of him? Jeremy Allen White for the Bear. White plays Carmi, a hotshot chef who is transforming his family's sandwich shop into a fine dining restaurant. Adam Brody for Nobody Wants this. He plays a rabbi who sparks a relationship with Kristen Bell's agnostic podcast host. And finally, Jason Segel for the Apple TV series Shrinking. He plays a widowed therapist who adopts some unexpected methods for his therapy patients. Aisha, what'd you make of this?

[Aisha Harris]

Well, podcast hosts having a moment at the end. Really?

[Glenn Weldon]

I didn't notice that, but you're absolutely right.

[Aisha Harris]

Yeah. No, I mean, for me, it comes down to either Seth Rogen or Jason Segel, which is funny because, like, they both kind of come from the same sort of Apatow universe.

[Linda Holmes]

Yeah, that's true.

[Aisha Harris]

Of course, they both starred in Freaks and Geeks together early on in their careers. I think these are two very different performances. I mean, Jason Segel, it's a comedy, but it's also very much a comedy about grief and trying to transcend grief. And he is so vulnerable. And especially in the second season, I think he takes what can be easily, like, guy mourns dead wife, like, blah, blah, blah, and very maudlin and kind of hacky, and makes it something that just feels so beautiful and relatable. But also, he's not perfect. And Seth Rogen is playing another, I think, hard to capture character, which is a self absorbed, very ambitious guy who loves movies and claims to love art, but then also wants to, you know, be at the top of the chain. And that means having to deal with all the business side and the icky side and the compromise. And so I think they both do a really good job of giving these characters way more layers than I think you would ever expect them to have. So I want either of them to win. I would be very happy for either of them to win.

[Linda Holmes]

I sort of assume that this is gonna be Jeremy Allen White again. That appears to be institutional at this point, which, listen, I love him. I admire and respect the work he does on this show. It is not a comedy performance.

[Aisha Harris]

That's my thing. I'm not even on the Is the show a comedy? I'm like, he is not funny. He is not funny on this show.

[Linda Holmes]

This is not a comedy performance. I won't say never never, but almost never, in my opinion. And that's not to say comedy performances can't have notes of drama. I'm talking about the balance of this performance. I do not think qualifies as a comedy performance. I agree with Aisha. I admire this Jason Segel performance so much. I can't remember if I already told you this, Aisha, but I was at an event on stage that Jason Segel was at when he suddenly. It suddenly occurred to him that the second season should have been called How I Killed you'd Mother. He's really great in this. I also do Seth Rogen, the line that you have to draw to be that guy who, as Aisha said, loves movies, really loves movies, and you have to have some sympathy for him or else the show doesn't work. But you also have to understand him to be completely cynical in a way, or else the show doesn't work. I think that balance is really quite tough. I think he's terrific in this. I think he's terrific in Platonic, which is the other show he's doing for Apple.

[Aisha Harris]

Good for him.

[Linda Holmes]

I think he's really hitting an interesting gear at this point in his career. So I'm happy to have it be Seth Rogen. I would be maybe a tiny bit happier if it was Siegel, just on a personal level, but that's. I suspect it's gonna be Jeremy Alan White again.

[Glenn Weldon]

Okay, we're gonna take a break. When we come back, we're gonna be hitting the weirdest category. We'll be talking about today. Outstanding Limited or anthology series and in some cases or movies.

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[Glenn Weldon]

Okay, next up is outstanding limited or anthology series. No movies. We're talking about movies when it comes to acting, but for this, this is just outstanding. Limited or anthology series. First up is Adolescence from Netflix. This series tells the story of a 13 year old boy who is accused of murdering a teenage girl at his school. Next up is the Penguin, HBO's spin off of the movie the Batman, starring Colin Farrell as the ruthless mobster Oswald Oz Cobb. Next up is Dying for Sex, the FX on Hulu series starring Michelle Williams as a woman who attempts to finally own her sexuality following a terminal cancer diagnosis. Next up, the odd man out here. Monsters, the Lyle and Eric Menendez story, the latest installment of the anthology series co created by Ryan Murphy. And finally, Black Mirror, Netflix's latest installment of the terrifying speculative fiction anthology series about technology. Linda, what do you think?

[Linda Holmes]

I will say I was really pleased to see Black Mirror here. I did think there were several strong episodes in this season. I think the one with Rashida Jones and Chris o' Dowd is very good. I think the one with, with Paul Giamatti is exceptional. So I was happy to see this kind of make a run back in here. And as to the rest of these, I will absolutely defer to you guys for that conversation.

[Aisha Harris]

I completely forgot about the Penguin, even though I really liked the Penguin. We talked about it on the show. Glenn, as a very much a. I don't really care about superheroes or superhero adjacent things. I was delighted by Colin Farrell's performance and the whole vibe of that show. But this came out like months ago. So it does make me wonder, you know, it's made it to the nominations. But I do think like recency bias can and will probably play a really big role in what actually winds up winning. Dying for Sex, I think is probably the one that I root for the most here. I think it was such a. It is a very difficult subject and it is a very difficult thing to get right. And I think it strikes the right tone between drama and comedy and the macabre. And you know, Michelle Williams is so, so wonderful here. So I'm rooting for that.

[Glenn Weldon]

Look, I thought the Penguin was one of the best, if not the best shows of the year so far. I was convinced that it was going to get a nomination, if not take it home. And then adolescence dropped and I was like, okay, show's over. People who haven't watched the Penguin are going to be comparing adolescence, which is just so raw and powerful and real. It's such a singular accomplishment that people are going to go from that to the Penguin they're gonna look at the prosthetics. They're gonna listen to Callan Farrell's Diesel does accent, and they're gonna register the fact that this is, you know, a Batman villain, and they're just gonna dismiss it as a comic book, and they're not gonna watch the damn thing. The wind is at adolescence is back. I don't begrudge that. If it had landed next year, I think the Penguin would have gotten some flowers, and I don't think it's gonna get the flowers it deserves.

[Aisha Harris]

Yeah.

[Glenn Weldon]

All right. One of the reasons I think the Penguin shouldn't get the flowers it deserves is because of the lead actress in it. So let's do outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie. First up is who I spoke about before, Christian Milioti for the Penguin. She plays Sofia Falcone, the daughter of a Gotham mob boss with some scores to settle in this Batman spinoff series, but it's more than that. Next up is Michelle Williams for Dying for Sex. She plays Molly, who, after being diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, reevaluates the unsatisfying relationships in her life and her own sexuality. Next up is Cate Blanchett for Disclaimer. She plays a woman who is terrified when she's anonymously sent a novel that seems to be based on a chapter of her past that she's desperate to keep secret. Next up is Rashida Jones for Black Mirror. She plays a woman who, after falling into a coma, is kept alive by a procedure with a subscription model. And finally, Megan Fahey for Netflix's Sirens. In this mysterious dark comedy, she plays a woman trying to reconnect with her sister who has an odd relationship with her socialite boss. Aisha, kick us off. What'd you think?

[Aisha Harris]

Okay. So Cristin Emigliotti was great. I agree with you, Glenn. For me, yes. Colin Farrell, also great. But I think she was just doing something very, very fun and dark and scary. I do think this could be Michelle Williams's to lose, just because I think it's such a. Like, it's not personal to her, but it's a personal story based on a real person. It also deals with something so many people have had to deal with, which is cancer and death and perhaps being a caretaker for someone who is very ill. I don't know. I feel like Michelle Williams, she also just had as people love her for good reason. She's great. And so I would not be sad at all if Michelle Williams was the winner here.

[Linda Holmes]

Yeah, I think Cate Blanchett's very good in disclaimer. I don't know how well that show holds up as a whole piece, but I think she's good in it. I am probably the only person in this conversation who has watched Sirens, I'm willing to guess. And listen, I love Megan Fahey. She's definitely the best thing about Sirens. I am a little baffled by this just because I don't think the show is very good. But listen, if you want to like Megan Fahey, you know, watch her in Drop, watch her in the Perfect Couple. You know, there's a bunch of things to love Megan Fahey, and I don't know that I would pick this, but I also think she's good in this. It's very weird. This is just a group of actors who I have loved in various things. So who can be against Crista Milioti? Nobody. So, you know. Or Michelle Wood, who I also think has a very good chance at this partly just because she's not in that many things. She doesn't show up constantly. So I think, you know, her goodwill kind of gets banked. So there's no one on this list where I'm like, I would be like, what? Like, no, they're all great actors.

[Glenn Weldon]

Yeah. My heart says Kristen Milioti. My Emmy Spidey sense says Michelle Williams.

[Aisha Harris]

Yeah.

[Glenn Weldon]

All right, we're gonna close out here with lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie. First up is Colin Farrell for the Penguin. He plays ruthless mobster Oswald Oz Cobb, scheming to become kingpin by any means necessary. Next up is Stephen Graham for adolescence. He's the father of a teenage boy accused of murdering his classmate. Graham is also one of the co creators of the show. Next up is Cooper Koch for Monsters the Lyle and Eric Menendez Story. He plays Eric Menendez who is convicted of murdering his parents with his brother Lyle. Next up is the great Brian Tyree Henry for Dope Thief. In this Apple TV series, he plays a man robbing small time drug dealers by posing as a DEA agent until he messes with the wrong house. And finally, Jake Gyllenhaal for Presumed Innocent. He plays Rusty, a Chicago prosecutor accused of the murder of the colleague he'd been having an affair with. It's a lot. I don't think people expected Presumed Innocent to be on this list in any capacity, but go again.

[Aisha Harris]

It premiered over. I had to go back and look and it premiered over a year ago. So I was like, what?

[Linda Holmes]

So. So here's the thing. I rarely find myself in the position of being too annoyed by Emmy nominations that happen because I am pretty good at if I'm not covering it and I know it's probably not gonna be my speed. I just kind of don't watch things. Right. That's often what my approach is. However, I did watch Presumed Innocent because it should be my speed and I thought it was a mess. And I do not even think his performance is very good in it. I must say. This is not a performance from him that I like. I don't think he ever figured out this character. I am baffled by this as anything other than, you know, people love Jake Gyllenhaal. Ruth Negga is also in this. People like her. I will say Peter Sarsgaard was nominated for this and he was the one thing I liked about it. So good for him. Question mark. Other than that, these are not my things. So have at it. I would love to see Brian Tyree Henry win just because I love him.

[Aisha Harris]

For me, I'm rooting for Brian Tyree Henry all the way. This was the one Emmy nomination that I have been constantly thinking about. Cause I don't really like they're Emmys, whatever. But unabashedly, this was his first lead role in a show and so to see him be able to take that role and it goes to a lot of places. It is both a very thoughtful drama, but then it also gets a little bit kind of not supernatural but kind of trippy in some parts of it. And so he has to hold it all together while he is dealing with a bunch of thugs and racists and skinheads and whatever. I just think. I think he's so great and it's his time and I want him to take it. But I can also see the Adolescence Train chugging along here. So. Yeah, I'm just glad he's nominated.

[Glenn Weldon]

Yeah, I think the Adolescence Train is pulling into the station and I think it's what's gonna take it. Yeah, that's it for the major nominations. Is there anything that stuck out to you guys that kind of below the fold? Anything else you wanted to comment about this year's nominations?

[Linda Holmes]

To me, what is always enjoyable about the Emmy nominations and what I always try to keep my eye on is all of those first time nominees sometimes really like famous people like Harrison Ford and Colin Farrell and you know, Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny who are both nominated for Monsters and it's their first Emmy nominations. But also like Tramell Tillman and Zach Cherry from Severance and Michael Urie for Shrinking, which I'M so excited about and so happy for him. He's been wonderful forever, obviously. Cristin Miliotti so I do try to keep my mind on kind of the positive, which is you do always know that a bunch of people whose work that you admire are having a really good day. And that always makes me really happy.

[Glenn Weldon]

I take your point. That makes sense. We want to know what you think about this year's Emmy nominations. Find [e-mail] PCHH and that brings us to the end of our show. Aisha Harris, Linda Holmes, thank you so much for being here.

[Aisha Harris]

Thank you Glenn.

[Linda Holmes]

Thank you buddy.

[Glenn Weldon]

And just a reminder that some signing up for Pop Culture Happy Hour plus is a great way to support our show and public radio. Also, you get to listen to our episodes sponsor free. So please go find out more at plus.npr.org happyhour or visit the link in our show notes. This episode was produced by Mike Katsif and edited by our showrunner Jessica Reedy. And hello, Come in provides our theme music. Thank you all for listening to Pop Culture Happy Hour from npr. I'm Glenn Weldon and we'll see you all next time.

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