Today, the list of the Academy’s 2015 Emmy nominations was announced, including the inevitable snub or two (or ten). Honestly, at this point I believe the Emmys are more prolific for who they OVERLOOK than who they honor. And really, who cares about an Emmy award anyway, right? It’s not like it’s THAT important or that I’m bitter or anything…
Anyway, this post is an ode to the unsung heroes of television. Those actors that have consistently and disastrously been denied passage into the Academy’s good graces. And, while Thirsty Thursday is a column about drool worthy men, I’ve got a few women on this list that will be mentioned at the end, as well. Let’s get started.
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5. Larry Hagman; J.R. Ewing, Dallas
Hagman was a fine specimen in his younger days. And without him, Dallas would have been nothing. His portrayal of J.R. Ewing is still one of the most powerful of our time, with people still begging the question, “Who shot J.R.?” Considering the series ended 24 years ago, that’s pretty damn impressive. I watched Dallas with my parents religiously, and we even watched the new iteration on TNT. It’s comforting. But Larry Hagman’s egregious, career-long snub is not.
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4. Andy Griffith; Andy Griffith, The Andy Griffith Show
Honestly, this is just a disgrace. Andy Griffith was an incredible actor and an even better man. The show that bore his name never gave him any accolades, while his co-star, the beloved Barney Fife (played by Don Knotts) snagged FIVE Emmy awards. FIVE! Can you believe that?
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3. Charlie Hunnam; Jax Teller, Sons of Anarchy
The lack of love given to Sons over its entire tenure is a crime against humanity. Almost akin to the lack of love given to The Walking Dead. I know they’re not your typical, run-of-the-mill dramas, but to be consistently overshadowed by the same old drudgery just proves the Academy’s lack of vision. What’s the point of playing it safe when there is so much fun and dangerous television on? ESPECIALLY when you consider how many nominations American Horror Story: Freak Show received this year. I love those actresses, but that season was an abomination. Charlie Hunnam’s final ride as Jax Teller was one of the more award-worthy bits of acting I’ve ever seen. And then when you add in that Theo Rossi and Jimmy Smits were ALSO snubbed, you’ve got one angry mob of SAMCRO fans on your hands.
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2. Sam Heughan; James Fraser, Outlander
Look, I get it. Outlander is a paranormal romance series based on Harlequin-esque novels about a time-traveling nurse who falls in love with and marries an 18th century highlander. It sounds a bit… Twilighty. But then again… I do believe there were three stars nominated for Game of Thrones, and they’ve got dragons and sorcerers, soooo… Outlander‘s first season was a magical, whimsical ride through a dangerous Scottish landscape, brimming with incredible actors and gorgeous people; Sam Heughan chief among them. His portrayal of courageous and honorable Jamie Fraser was a magical thing to behold. They put this dude through the rapey, torturous ringer and you felt EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT. You simultaneously wanted to comfort him and have your way with him. He is perfect man material, and his snub is an affront to television.
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2.A Tobias Menzies; Black Jack Randall/Frank Randall; Outlander
Sam’s most powerful scenes ALWAYS included Black Jack; the damaged, demented Red Coat that had it out for Jamie ever since his very first flogging. Black Jack gets off on breaking people, and Jamie could not be broken. I won’t tell you how he finally DOES break him because you really need to watch for yourself; just trust and believe that Menzies more than earned the right to be honored. Oh, he also plays two roles and freely displayed his penis. I mean, come on!
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1. Steve Carell; Michael Scott, The Office
As the brilliant Rainn Wilson once said, “The world of TV should be ashamed of itself that Steve Carell never won an Emmy for Michael Gary Scott. Goodnight.” I could not agree more, Dwight. Carell is the everyman. He made a terrible character one of the most beloved in the world. He made us want to plank and parkour and assemble all of our coworkers for an impromptu meeting. He made watching The Office feel like sitting down with family. We laughed, we cried, and we tuned in EVERY WEEK for eight seasons, despite him leaving prematurely. And I know actors say they don’t really care about awards and it’s just about the work for them and I admire them for that. But I think that’s really similar to a woman saying, “Oh don’t buy me flowers or any gifts, I don’t need that stuff,” and then being secretly devastated when there are no pretty packages awaiting them. We all want to be recognized for hard work, and no one was ever more deserving than Steve Carell’s Michael Gary Scott.
Now I know this next portion doesn’t really fit in with my normal Thirsty Thursday fare, but I felt these oversights were far too great to go unmentioned, so I’ll get through it quickly.
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1. Kerry Washington; Olivia Pope, Scandal
Kerry is Queen. She is amazing, she is everything, and she did her absolute BEST acting on this season of Scandal. For shame, Academy. For shame.
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2. Gina Rodriguez; Jane Villaneauva, Jane the Virgin
Jane the Virgin was the best new show of last season, bar none. It was authentic, it was endearing, it was funny, it was smart and it was led by the INCREDIBLE Gina Rodriguez. She’s already snagged a Golden Globe for her work, and we all know a GG is FAR more impressive than an Emmy, but still. Fair is fair.
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3. Katy Sagal; Gemma Teller (and every other role she’s ever had), Sons of Anarchy
No nods for Married with Children and nothing for Sons of Anarchy. Clearly the Academy has it out for Katy Sagal because she is one of the most brilliant actresses alive. She must have pissed off the board something fierce long ago.
Twitter4. Melissa McBride; Carol Peletier, The Walking Dead
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Carol Peletier is the best character on television. Not a single character past or present has evolved as enormously as Carol has over five seasons on The Walking Dead. But we Deadheads are used to our show being snubbed, aren’t we? Still… past heart break and rational preparation did little to lessen the blow of McBride being completely overlooked AGAIN. This season saw Carol don an apron and hustle her way through Alexandria as Betty Spaghetti the meek and mousey homemaker; all while threatening the lives of obnoxious children and going toe-to-toe with full grown men and winning every standoff by a landslide. No one is more complex, or deserves to be recognized more than Melissa McBride’s Carol Peletier.
What say you, readers? Who is your worst Emmy snub over the years? Vote in our poll below and let us know!
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