House of Dragon, Trio of Comedy Series Among Our Favorite 2023 Emmy Nominations

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series and performances being covered here wouldn't exist.

by Tyler Glover & Julian Spivey

House of the Dragon for Drama Series 

Photo: HBO

​When it was announced there was going to be a prequel series to the epic “Game of Thrones,” I was skeptical for multiple reasons. The original had been the drama with the most Emmys wins in history with 59. It was very beloved by the Television Academy and by fans alike. However, the last season was a big disappointment. Could the prequel live up to the original during its golden years? It turns out I had nothing to worry about. “House of the Dragon,” which takes place 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” is just as epic. The production value is so high: fantastic performances, great storytelling, beautiful sets and exquisite costumes. I was worried, though, that the Emmys might have some fatigue with the series. However, Emmy nominations came out and while they are definitely not as enamored with ‘HOD’ the way they were with ‘GOT,’ it still managed to get a Best Drama Series nomination. I was disappointed that none of its cast members could break through but happy for this nomination. TG

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The Bear for Comedy Series, Actor in a Comedy, Supporting Actress in a Comedy & Supporting Actor in a Comedy

Photo: FX

​The first season of “The Bear,” an FX on Hulu production, was my favorite TV show of 2022. The series sees acclaimed chef Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) taking over the family restaurant following the death of his older brother and trying to keep it afloat with the help of his new inexperienced sous chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and despite the hindrances of his “cousin” Richie Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). White, Edebiri and Moss-Bachrach all appeared in the top-5 of my favorite TV performances of 2022 and I’m thrilled to see each of them nominated in their respective categories. “The Bear” received 13 total nominations for its first season, including the coveted Outstanding Comedy Series. White is the most likely winner of the four on this list. JS

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Barry for Comedy Series, Supporting Actor in a Comedy & Directing in a Comedy 

Photo: HBO

Photo: HBO

​The final season of HBO’s “Barry” has been my favorite TV series of 2023 thus far with the series wrapping in a grim and dramatic way despite being a nominee for Outstanding Comedy Series, though its funniest moments are maybe the funniest on television period. The show’s final season received 11 nominations, but other than for comedy series, the two I’d like to shout out the most are Anthony Carrigan for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his hilarious and in the final season tragic performance of Noho Hank and Bill Hader for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the series finale “wow.” Hader directed the entire final season of “Barry” and most of the show’s penultimate season and has proven himself to have a keen eye for it that could see him as one of the up-and-coming auteurs of his generation. JS

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Wednesday for Comedy Series

Photo: Netflix

​I rarely find shows that I consider “binge-worthy.” With life being as busy as it is, a show has to really grab me and not let go. “Wednesday,” Netflix’s series following the young Wednesday Adams going off to school and solving a mystery got its hooks into me almost immediately. The phenomenal Jenna Ortega, who plays Wednesday, was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series as well. Both are very deserving of nominations! The show had other phenomenal performances that I wish would have been recognized such as Gwendolyn Christie as the principal and Christina Ricci as one of the teachers. The mystery of the show keeps you in suspense and the writers have you not being able to wait to see what happens next. I am just so thrilled for the show to get the recognition that it did. TG

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Michael Shannon & Jessica Chastain for Actor & Actress in a Limited Series

Photo: Showtime

​Despite it being pretty damn good and about one of the most famous couples in music history, “George and Tammy,” the Showtime limited series which aired late in 2022, didn’t seem to get much recognition. The performances from Jessica Chastain as country music’s first lady Tammy Wynette and Michael Shannon as her alcoholic husband and hitmaker George Jones were terrific leading both to be nominated for performed in a limited series, but the series itself was noticeably snubbed for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, which may hurt Chastain and Shannon’s chances at victory. JS

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Nick Offerman for Guest Actor in a Drama

Photo: HBO

Nick Offerman should have an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his iconic portrayal of Ron Swanson on the NBC sitcom, “Parks and Recreation” but during the show’s seven seasons, Offerman was never even nominated. When I sat down and watched the HBO drama “The Last of Us” and saw Offerman’s performance as Bill, I immediately thought how upset I would be if he wasn’t nominated for the Emmy for this performance. Now, I’m going to be really upset if he doesn’t win! In “The Last of Us,” Offerman plays Bill, a man who is secluded during a worldwide pandemic and finds love unexpectedly with a traveler he takes in named Frank. It is such a beautiful love story. Watching Bill’s tough exterior become vulnerable is truly touching to watch. TG

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Elton John Farewell: Live from Dodgers Stadium for Variety Special (Live) 

Photo: Disney

​Disney+’s first live concert event “Elton John Farewell: Live from Dodgers Stadium,” which aired Nov. 20, 2022, and marked the Rock Hall of Famer’s final American concert was the best live concert special aired on TV that I’ve seen in many years. Elton John performed the majority of his classic hits during that wonderful evening of music from the site of one of his most memorable shows in his heyday. If Elton John were to win the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) he would become the 19th person to win the coveted EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar & Tony). Elton John is a five-time Grammy Award winner, a two-time Oscar winner (for Best Original Song) and a Tony winner for the Best Original Score of “Aida” in 2000. JS

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​Mayim Bialik for Game Show Host

Photo: ABC

I have always been a huge Mayim Bialik fan. Her performance as Amy Fowler on CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” was deserving of an Emmy win but none of her nominations translated into one. One of the main reasons I am excited for her with this nomination is all of the hate she has been getting. Since Alex Trebek passed away, Ken Jennings and Bialik have been sharing hosting duties of the veteran game show “Jeopardy” but many fans have been brutal towards her, preferring Jennings. Bialik does a fantastic job and I prefer her over Jennings, personally. That is why I was so excited to see her nominated for Outstanding Game Show Host. She can show the haters that she is being recognized for the work they are bashing. One of her competitors in the category is actually Jennings. Will one of the “Jeopardy” hosts win? We will have to wait to see…….”What is?” TG

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Hocus Pocus 2 for Television Movie 

​Every Halloween since I was a child, I remember watching “Hocus Pocus.” The story of the three Sanderson sisters: Winnie, Mary and Sarah trying to live forever to continue their witchy shenanigans has captivated audiences for years. It is crazy to think that the original was a box office dud. This was mainly due to the fact that Disney put the movie out in July instead of November of 1993 to avoid collision with their other film, “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The original did become a cult hit though and fans were overjoyed when it was announced that there would be a sequel. I was so excited but so worried it would let me down. While the film wasn’t as great as the original, it really did a fantastic job of telling a new story with just the right amount of nostalgic ingredients. I was excited to see its nomination for Outstanding Television Movie. I cannot wait for a potential “Hocus Pocus 3”.  TG

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Weird Al Yankovic & Eric Appel for Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Photo: Roku

​I just love that Weird Al Yankovic is now a multi-time Emmy Award nominee. He’s received three nominations for his work on The Roku Channel original “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” a parody biopic about his start in music parodies, the first as a co-producer of the film for Outstanding Television Movie, the second for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for “Now You Know,” written specifically for the film, and the one I’ve chosen to spotlight here, Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie with co-writer and director Eric Appel. JS