Who would have thought that “Sophie’s Choice,” a heartbreakingly sad 1982 drama starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline, would enter common vernacular to depict the difficulties of picking a favorite? But in fact, especially during award seasons (ironic, given that Streep won her second Oscar for said film and apparently no one voted against her), you hear voters everywhere talking about their “Sophie’s Choice” votes with almost instant regret that they had to.
Honestly, Sophie’s psychologically destructive choice between her two children of her two children doesn’t compare to filling out an Emmy ballot. But in 2022, as the more than 20,000 members of the Television Academy face their last days of voting, the elections are tougher than ever, with many major categories offering a draw between up to eight strong contenders. FX honcho John Landgraf may well have been right when he said “Peak TV” will happen this year.
The expansion of the nominees seemed inevitable given that there are more than 500 shows airing a year, but it has also created an embarrassment of riches. This is an era when clearly defined genres are merging into a rich hodgepodge, especially with the once-mighty 22-minute sitcoms and 42-minute primetime dramas becoming less frequently recognized, while allows episodes of prominent drama series to run almost as long as, well, “Sophie’s Choice.”
There are sure to be some early favorites: “Succession” seems pretty unbeatable in regaining Outstanding Drama Series glory after being on hiatus last year, and it’s really hard to believe the love parties for actors like Jean Smart ( “Hacks”) and Brett Goldstein. (“Ted Lasso”) will not continue for another year. But there are categories where picking a victor would, in the words of the late Nora Ephron, “make coffee nervous.”
Let’s take a look at a rock-solid category, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and break down why there really could be six different results on September 12.
The nominees are the two stars of “Succession,” Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong, along with Jason Bateman of “Ozark,” Lee Jung-jae of “Squid Game,” Bob Odenkirk of “Better Call Saul,” and Adam Scott of “Severance.” “. .” That’s six top-tier performances in five incredibly beloved series with no Big 5 broadcast network in sight and, again, many of them play with the genre and even bend it a bit.
None of last year’s nominees are in the Emmy category this year (and 2021 winner Josh O’Connor isn’t even in “The Crown” anymore), so it has to go a year before Strong’s win in 2020, which could easily repeat Kendall Roy’s aggressive and eventually grim character arc in season 3. But wouldn’t it be time to reward the parents and acting titan Cox in this category, the roaring backbone and with many “Succession” memes, which hasn’t won an award? Emmy in two decades?
Or maybe it’s the stalwart Bateman, a multiple SAG winner receiving recognition for the final season of “Ozark” who has never won an Emmy for his performance? (He won for directing “Ozark, though.”)
Odenkirk also never won for playing one of the best slow-burn characters in television history surrounding not one, but two beloved shows and had a much publicized heart attack while doing it, making us realize how much we love him! (All praise to the gods of entertainment, he seems to be doing just fine.) Plus, it couldn’t have hurt that the well-received “Better Call Saul” series finale took place right in the middle of Emmy voting.
Ask any “Parks and Recreation” fan at your office water cooler (sidebar: Do they still exist and do you use them?) who their ultimate crush on the show was, and you’d be surprised you didn’t hear the name of the nominee for the first time. once Scott. , which increases his innate kindness factor; furthermore, he is playing a dual role in “Severance” (rank!) and is one of those official actors who has worked with everybodyThat goes a long way in the industry.
And then there’s Lee, a fascinating new face of television practically invented for a close-up, who made an eventful and violent sci-fi series and did it with unremarkable Everyman compassion and is undoubtedly one of the reasons for which “Squid Game” connected so fervently. with the viewers. Also, as an Asian-born actor in a foreign-language series (a first in the Drama category), his win would be historic and generate big headlines, as happened when Lee won at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. , Critics Choice Awards and Spirit Awards.
So the question arises once again: How. She does it. A. To choose? At least this category has the benefit of variety (an acting category of eight nominees consists of actors from just two shows, “Dopesick” and “The White Lotus”), which is like choosing your favorite veggie in the same tasty poke bowl. . .
Perhaps the solution is simple for some of these categories. Get yourself a really fun hat. Write the 6-8 nominated names on folded paper and throw them inside. Draw one at random. Commit to that selection. So guess for yourself. Repeat.
The final vote closes on Monday, August 22. “The 74the Primetime Emmy Awards” will air on NBC on Monday, September 12.
