The 2018 Emmy nominations, out Thursday, reveal how times have changed in the TV industry — as streaming giant Netflix garnered a winning 112 nods — the first time in 18 years someone other than HBO has claimed that crown.
HBO managed a second-place 108 nominations, with perpetual Emmy favorite “Game of Thrones” garnering the most nods for a single series (22), many of them in technical categories.
On the network side, it was a very good year for NBC’s live production of “Jesus Christ: Superstar,” staged at the Marcy Avenue armory in Brooklyn, which snared a staggering 13 nominations.
But for every new worthy production honored, there was the parade of familiar faces and shows that are recognized year after year, whether or not their work was memorable. Perhaps fatigue has set in for the TV academy: There are 122 Emmys categories, culled from over 9,100 submissions.
That’s why when we utter the words “Emmy nominee Mandy Moore,” we’re not talking about the “This Is Us” star — but the choreographer from “So You Think You Can Dance,” who was cited as an Emmy contender. Let the teeth-gnashing awards campaigning begin. The Emmy Awards will air Sept. 17 on NBC. Here’s a look at the snubs, surprises, etc. from Thursday’s nominations.
SnubsMandy Moore: Many thought Moore’s hospital scenes, where Rebecca Pearson learns of her husband’s death, would be a slam-dunk for a nomination. They weren’t.
Freddie Highmore: Giving a nod to Highmore, who displayed his range as the autistic Shaun Murphy on ABC’s “The Good Doctor,” would have been a nice way to recognize the highest-rated new network drama.
Will & Grace: The hit revival of the NBC comedy was passed over for Best Comedy Series, as were stars Eric McCormack, Debra Messing and Sean Hayes. Ouch.
Jodie Comer: The electric star of BBC America’s “Killing Eve” deserved a nomination alongside co-star Sandra Oh. She gave the most creative performance of the year.
RewardedJeff Daniels: No other actor on TV this year played a hero (“The Looming Tower”) and a villain (“Godless”) so well. Daniels was nominated for each series.
“The Assassination of Gianni Versace”: With 18 nominations, this will go down as Ryan Murphy’s final traditional TV triumph before he resurfaces on Netflix sometime in the near future.
“Genius: Picasso”: The second iteration of the National Geographic anthology series fetched six nominations, including one for star Antonio Banderas.
Yvonne Strahovski: As the conflicted Serena Joy on “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which received 20 nominations, she gives a subtle performance on a series not known for its delicate shading.
Kenan Thompson: The longest running cast member of “Saturday Night Live” received a richly deserved nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Brandon Victor Dixon: The “Jesus Christ Superstar” showstopper prevailed in a category loaded with dramatic competitors to score a nomination as Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV movie.
Henry Winkler: The TV veteran scored a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series as a jaded acting teacher whose newest pupil is a professional hit man in “Barry.”
Surprises“The Alienist”: The TNT mystery about a turn-of-the-century serial killer in New York snared six nominations
John Legend: The Oscar-winning songwriter (“Selma”) and singer held his own against dramatic heavyweights Darren Criss, Jeff Daniels and scenery chewer Benedict Cumberbatch for his ethereal Jesus Christ, Superstar.
John Leguizamo: The “Waco” star came out of nowhere to land a nomination as Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV movie.
Regina King: Even though her series, “Seven Seconds,” was canceled by Netflix, voters remembered her moving performance as the mother of a teenage boy killed by New Jersey cops.
Enough alreadyWilliam H. Macy: The “Shameless” star is on his fifth nomination in a show that no one’s watching anymore. Time to give someone else a shot.
Sarah Paulson: She won the Emmy she deserved for playing Marcia Clark on “The People v. O.J. Simpson.” Giving her an automatic nomination for nearly every Ryan Murphy series she appears in seems like overkill.
Mandy Patinkin: The “Homeland” star always show up in the Best Supporting Actor category, but this series’ best days have come and gone.
