
In a summer where the biggest show on the small screen right now is 22 men kicking around a polyurethane-covered ball, the nominations for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were unveiled this morning.
We’ll know who wins the World Cup months before the victors at the Mariska Hargitay-hosted ceremony are revealed. However, now that we have the nominees, we do know who will not be accepting a trophy on September 14 at the Peacock Theater in downtown L.A.
The never-in-doubt Jean Smart of the now-completed Hacks, The Pitt and Noah Wyle, Rhea Seahorn and Pluribus, Matthew Rhys, Colman Domingo and centenarian David Attenborough (all got double nominations, along with Elle Fanning) and Kennedy drama Love Story are all in the running. However, for those who didn’t make the cut — well the wound may be deep this morning.
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Check out our look at who didn’t make and should have, as well as some surprises that put that little extra pep in the Emmys’ step. And please, we feel your pain, but Heated Rivalry wasn’t snubbed. Yes, star Connor Storrie got a nom for his SNL hosting stint, but the HBO hockey hit wasn’t eligible under TV Academy rules because it is 100% Canadian funded and produced
Remember, with Law & Order: SVU star Hargitay front and center, the 2026 Emmys will airing live coast-to-coast on NBC and streaming on Peacock on Monday, September 14. BTW, the 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set to be played July 19 at the massive New York New Jersey Stadium in the Garden State’s East Rutherford.
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SNUBS
HOT ONES – The spicy Sean Evans-hosted YouTube mouth burner has become a must-stop on the promotion circuit. In the much-FYC’d show’s absence from the newly deep-fried Outstanding Variety Series category, perhaps we are learning that either TV Academy voters are just that bit still Luddites or they really don’t like chicken wings.
STRANGER THINGS – Lots of below-the-line stuff for the Reagan-era Netflix blockbuster’s swan song season but no Best Drama or acting categories love.
TAYLOR SHERIDAN – For all The Madison and Landman hopes, other than a third Outstanding Stunt Coordination nom for Tulsa King (which hasn’t won, BTW), the Yellowstone creator’s Taylorverse once again did not strike Emmy nomination oil today. And yes, The Madison‘s lead Michelle Pfieffer was nominated — not for the Paramount+ heartbreaker but for Apple TV’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles, which is not a Sheridan show.
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ASHLEY PADILLA – The SNL MVP was nowhere to see in this morning’s announcements — and that’s not funny!
INDUSTRY – HBO’s UK financial drama can’t seem to cash a check with TV Academy voters. Another season, another snub.
HALF MAN – Richard Gadd cleaned up a couple of years ago with Baby Reindeer, but his six-part toxic-masculinity limited series for Netflix was keep at arm’s length this time.
THE AMAZING RACE – Always in the running in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category, the CBS series never even made it on the track this year.
DAVEED DIGGS – The so-on-point superhero satire The Boys wrapped up its five-season run this year with an on fire preacher performance from the Tony and Grammy winner. Now The Boys got five below-the-line noms today including Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, but Diggs’ Oh Father stint on the Prime Video series was ignored this morning. In case, I am not being clear enough, three words: Pray with me.
SURPRISES
CHASE INFINITI – It is a solid and deserved testament to the talents of The Testaments star that she is nominated today for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama.
DANCING WITH THE STARS – It has been a long, long time since DWTS took to the Emmy dance floor. Yet, after a ratings surge for a competitive season — it had Olympian Jordan Chiles, for God’s sake! — the ABC series is back in strutting mode in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category.
ROB REINER – Maybe it’s not that big a surprise that the beloved director received a posthumous Emmy nomination for Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for The Bear. Still, back in 1974 and 1978, Reiner won the Best Supporting Actor Emmy for his All in the Family role of Meathead — which makes today’s honor and the loss Hollywood feels all the more poignant.
RIZ AHMED – The bait worked for The Bait star with the Emmy and Oscar winner coming in strong today with a nom for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for the 007 themed show. That’s Ahmed, Riz Ahmed.
SALLY FIELD – After a 17-year drought, they still like you, legend! With that Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie nomination for Netflix flick Remarkably Bright Creatures, they still do.
SUBWAY TAKES – 100% agree. Kareem Rahma’s addictive YouTube show totally deserved its nom in the Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety series category,
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