Last night’s 67th Primetime Emmy Awards was much talked about due to it’s history making (the stunning Viola Davis as the first African American to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series) and record breaking wins (Game Of Thrones with a record 12 wins). However there wasn’t much focus on some other interesting wins and nominations, such as those for Best Writing and Best Directing.
To start, HBO dominated both the Primetime Emmys and the Creative Arts Emmys (post coming soon). Out of the four Directing and four Writing categories HBO had nominations in seven categories, winning five of those noms. Game of Thrones was of course a big winner across the board, with the episode “Mother’s Mercy” winning both Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for David Nutter as well as Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for both David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. It should also be noted that Director Jeremy Podeswa was also nominated for the episode “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken” as well, marking a trend we’ll also see in the Creative Arts Emmy’s of Game Of Throne’s getting multiple nominations in the same category.
HBO’s Veep was also a big winner, winning Oustanding Writing for a comedy series for it’s season 4 finale “Election Night”, written by Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci and Tony Roche. Of course, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tony Hale also took home best acting wins for their respective roles. Finally, HBO won big with their limited series Olive Kitteridge in numerous categories as well, taking Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special for Lisa Cholodenko and Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special for Jane Anderson. This is of course in addition to Frances McDormand’s win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.
Jill Soloway, Transparent
Despite its overwhelming presence, HBO did lose out on several Directing and Writing awards, with Amazon’s critical darling Transparent winning Jill Soloway the award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, for which both HBO’s Veep and Silicon Valley were also nominated. Comedy Central rounds out the remaining Directing and Writing wins, taking awards for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
So what do take away from all of this? Well, for many Game of Thrones has finally gotten recognition for major categories such as acting, directing and writing, despite yearly wins for other categories such as costumes, sound and production design. Also, HBO has perhaps solidified it’s ruler of all television, with it’s record breaking 12 wins and massive amounts of nominations. Not just for Game of Thrones or even Veep, but pulling noms and wins for numerous other shows, such as The Jinx, Citizenfour and more.
Perhaps most disappointing is the lack of much recognition for AMC this year, despite Jon Hamm’s win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Mad Men. While the amazing Better Call Saul recieved four nominations and no wins, I’m particularly surprised to see The Walking Dead again snubbed. It continues to not be nominated or win anything beyond sound, visual and special effects. While all completely deserved nominations (and wins in the case of 2011 and 2012), it’s beyond time it’s nominated (and win) for directing, acting, writing and more. The argument that it’s a horror genre piece should now be irrelevant with the fantasy that is Game of Thrones pulling so much weight.
So, what do you think? Were there any snubbs that drove you crazy? Do you think HBO is deserving of it’s tidal wave of success? Let us know in the comments below!
Transparent (Episode: “Best New Girl”), Directed by Jill Soloway (Amazon)
Game of Thrones (Episode: “Mother’s Mercy”), Directed by David Nutter (HBO)
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Episode: “Episode 20103”), Directed by Chuck O’Neil (Comedy Central)
Olive Kitteridge, Directed by Lisa Cholodenko (HBO)
Veep (Episode: “Election Night”), Written by Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, and Tony Roche (HBO)
Game of Thrones (Episode: “Mother’s Mercy”), Written by David Benioff & D. B. Weiss (HBO)
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
Olive Kitteridge, Written by Jane Anderson (HBO)
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