This is a great group of nominations. Let’s dig in.
THE GOOD
–The Americans finally gets nominated, several years too late. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys have both been giving incredible performances for four years now, and it brings me a lot of joy to see them listed. One minor quibble: “Persona Non Grata” was a good episode, but there were much better candidates for “Best Writing” than that.
-Rami Malek and Mr. Robot getting nominated. I’m surprised not to see Slater here, though.
-TATIANA MASLANY, once again several years too late.
-In the supporting categories, I’m happy to see Tierney, Mendelsohn, and Zimmer. I’m pleasantly surprised about the UnREAL recognition; yes, it’s critically acclaimed, but it’s a Lifetime show. Oh, we are truly living in a different world now that USA and Lifetime can get recognition.
-Laurie Metcalf was incredible in her episode of Horace and Pete, and I’m glad that that beautiful, heartbreaking little show gets some attention here. Alan Alda and Steve Buscemi, though.
-Thank you for nominating Sapochnik, Emmys, unlike last year. I would have to replace Bender’s “The Door” with “The Winds of Winter”, though.
-Great to see Steven Soderbergh nominated for The Knick. I was never too impressed by that show, but Soderbergh’s directing was impeccable (as is Cliff Martinez’s score).
-No Big Bang Theory in major categories.
–Veep with a ton of nominations for a great season. “Mother” will likely end up as a top 5 episode of the year for me, and I hope it wins for writing. Also, Matt Walsh=pleasant surprise.
-Kemper and Burgess for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt! They’re both so fun to watch.
–American Crime Story and American Crime getting a lot of recognition. The limited series categories are all stacked–they’re better than the main categories–and I’d give best actor to Courtney B. Vance.
-Not the biggest Fargo fan, but Kirsten Dunst deserves this 100%. Also, yay to Bokeem Woodbine.
-Olivia Colman and Hugh Laurie were both great in The Night Manager.
-Kyle Chandler stepped it up this year in Bloodline. It was a brilliant performance.
THE BAD
-Biggest snubs: Rachel Bloom for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Oscar Isaac for Show Me A Hero, Rectify and its cast, The Leftovers and its cast, Rhea Seehorn for Better Call Saul, Eva Green for Penny Dreadful, and Hannibal and its cast. Also, though I haven’t seen Fresh Off the Boat, I hear Constance Wu is great. I’m also kind of surprised OITNB’s newest season wasn’t nominated.
-All of those Game of Thrones acting nominations. I just don’t think the Emmys know how to reward Game of Thrones when it deserves to be rewarded–a la last year’s inexplicable win–and that includes for acting as well. Emilia Clarke is not a good actress. Maisie Williams is great, but this was not her year. Kit Harrington has no business being in any acting conversation. Peter Dinklage barely did anything in the show this year. All those actors in smaller roles are giving great performances in the show, but they’re not getting recognized.
Also, Carrie Coon and Regina King wipe the floor with those actress nominations.
–Downton Abbey? Are you serious? Ray Donovan? Homeland? House of Cards? Modern Family? Why do I see these shows every. single. year? For the record, I still like Homeland, but the notion that it should be nominated for Emmys is ridiculous now.
Photo credit: The Emmys, ABC
Polar Bears Watch TV 
I don’t watch TV. I’m so out of my depth.
These were surprisingly good this year. Was happy to see The Americans and Mr. Robot get plenty of love. My biggest snub would be Aya Cash from You’re the Worst. Her performance really hit me hard this past season. Rectify and its cast too.
Jeez how did I forget her????? Thank you for mentioning her.