The 68th annual Primetime Emmy Awards air on Sunday, September 18. Kimmel’s gift is the ability to deliver his zingers in a generous, gentler, less abrasive manner – like a knockout punch wrapped in candy floss.
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Former GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush had a cameo on host Jimmy Kimmel’s opening comedy segment and Kimmel referenced Republican nominee Donald Trump in his monologue, pointing out the man in the audience who made him a television star.
Tom will compete for the best lead actor in a limited series award against Idris, who is nominated for Luther, and Benedict, who has been recognised for Sherlock. Last year, it (bloodlessly!) wrested the top drama award from Emmy voters typically reluctant to reward fantasy shows.
This year, the winds of change may blow even harder, as Veep and Game of Thrones, barely done with taking their own bows, look certain to struggle to hold onto their newly-minted awards as other shows crowd into an already congested competition. The limited series The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story is the most nominated program at the ceremony, although Game of Thrones received the most overall nominations. Perennial favourite Veep leads the comedy field with 17.
“We are thrilled to be working with Facebook on so many exciting efforts surrounding the Emmys this year”, said Television Academy president and COO Maury McIntyre. The wins were announced at last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which aired on BBC Two in the United Kingdom, dominates nominations in the acting categories this year. But we have you covered if you don’t have ABC subscription. And they will be live streaming Emmy awards across their network and suite of apps.
Similarly snubbed were talk-show talents Stephen Colbert and Samantha Bee for The Late Show and Full Frontal respectively. But Anderson’s tone-perfect work makes this equally groundbreaking: The right actor, gender aside, got the role.
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Despite Emmy’s capricious nature, it’s been a fine year for first-time nominees.
“I can’t walk, but thanks”, the actress, nominated for her role in a comedy series for Amazon’s “Transparent“, said as she responded to shouts and cheers from fans in the red-carpet bleachers.
Sterling K. Brown portrays Christopher Darden (left) and Cuba Gooding Jr. portrays O.J. Simpson in a scene from “The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”.
That’s not to say “Downtown Abbey” doesn’t have a shot at adding to its trophy case, but it would be a considerable upset if it managed to knock off the other contenders in a major category like best drama.
In a category where there are a lot of familiar names, the one standout could be Louie Anderson and his startling gender-bending turn as Christine Baskets in FX’s oddly compelling comedy Baskets. Read our TV critic Robert Bianco’s predictions for which shows will take home the night’s biggest prizes, best comedy and best drama series.
Should win: Kit Harington, “Game of Thrones”. Acting legend Max von Sydow also landed a guest-actor nomination for his role in the episode The Three-Eyed Raven.
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While several of this category’s nominees feel carried over simply by default, some gems found their way in.
