In the land of Peak TV, picking the best performances, series, and more is nigh impossible. There is so much excellent television that it’s hard to even find time to watch it, much less declare which one actor or series is the year’s crowning achievement. When it comes to figuring it all out, though, don’t look to the Primetime Emmys. Seriously, never look to the Emmys for almost any reason. If you want a better representation of the year’s best, look to things like the Television Critics Association awards and the like. I say this not only because I get to vote for the nominees and eventual winners (yes I’m biased!), but because the selections come from people who actually love TV, and aren’t voting out of self-interest (or self-preservation).
It’s for that reason you’ll see a better representation of nominees from the TCA awards than the Emmys, which this year has included 12 nominations for HBO, 11 for FX, 6 for Netflix, and a host of others for PBS, USA, ABC, AMC, Lifetime, and The CW. Of course, there are still glaring omissions, like a distinct lack ofJessica Jones(with one nomination at least), and others. But competition is stiff; the Program of the Year nominees are also a list of shows that are not only ones you should catch up on if you haven’t, but ones that have helped changed the landscape of television. It isn’t enough to just be a great series anymore — you have to change the game.
Check out the full list of nominees below; the winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony hosted byJane The Virgin’sJaime Camil, on Saturday, August 6th during the TCA Summer Press Tour. And let us know who you would vote for, and the biggest omissions.
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
Bryan Cranston, “All The Way,” HBO
Rami Malek, “Mr. Robot,” USA
Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul,” AMC
Sarah Paulson, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” FX
Keri Russell, “The Americans,” FX
Courtney B. Vance, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” FX
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
Aziz Ansari, “Master of None,” Netflix
Samantha Bee, “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” TBS
Rachel Bloom, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” The CW
Aya Cash, “You’re The Worst” FXX
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep,” HBO
Constance Wu, “Fresh Off the Boat,” ABC
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS AND INFORMATION
“CBS Sunday Morning,” CBS
“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” TBS
“Jackie Robinson,” PBS
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” HBO -(2015 Winner in Category)
“Real Time With Bill Maher,” HBO
“United Shades of America,” CNN
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY PROGRAMMING
“I Am Cait,” E!
“The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth,” Showtime
“The Great British Baking Show,” PBS
“Making a Murderer,” Netflix
“MasterChef Junior,” Fox
“Survivor Cambodia: Second Chance,” CBS
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” PBS
“Doc McStuffins,” Disney Junior
“Nature Cat,” PBS
“Odd Squad,” PBS
“Sofia The First,” Disney Junior
OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” The CW
“Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” Netflix
“Master of None,” Netflix
“Mr. Robot,” USA
“Underground,” WGN America
“UnREAL,” Lifetime
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINISERIES AND SPECIALS
“All The Way,” HBO
“Fargo,” FX
“The Night Manager,” AMC
“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” FX
“Roots,” History
“Show Me A Hero,” HBO
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA
“The Americans,” FX -(2015 Winner in Category)
“Better Call Saul,” AMC
“Game of Thrones,” HBO
“The Leftovers,” HBO
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY
“black-ish,” ABC
“Silicon Valley,” HBO
“Veep,” HBO
“You’re The Worst” FXX
HERITAGE AWARD
“The Larry Sanders Show,” HBO
“The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” CBS
“Seinfeld,” NBC
“Star Trek,” NBC
“Twin Peaks,” ABC
PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
“The Americans,” FX
