Emmys 2024: 10 things we'd like to see happen on ABC broadcast of TV's big awards
How many prime-time Emmy Awards can there be in one year? Two, actually. The one held this January was supposed to happen in 2023, but it was delayed by the writers and actors strikes. The ceremony happening Sunday night, the 76th Emmy Awards, is the real deal for 2024 and the last one you’ll see until 2025. Got it?
It may be difficult to wrap your head around this, but what isn’t complicated about television these days? The numerous series, movies and specials available on broadcast, cable and streaming are threatening to overwhelm our capacity for content. Still, TV continues to deliver quality viewing like FX’s “Shogun” (which leads all series with 25 Emmy nomination)s, Hulu’s “The Bear” (which has 23, a new record for a comedy), Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” (a whopping 21) and HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country” (an impressive 19).
In fact, there is nearly embarrassment of riches in the best series categories. Besides “Shogun, the drama category includes Netflix’s “The Crown,” Amazon Prime Video’s “Fallout,” HBO’s “The Gilded Age,” Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show,” Amazon Prime Video’s “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses” (Apple TV+) and Netflix’s “3 Body Problem.”
Joining “The Bear” and “Only Murders in the Building” in the comedy category are ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Hacks,” Apple TV+’s “Palm Royale” and FX’s “Reservation Dogs” and “What We Do in the Shadows.”
Since our crystal ball is in the shop for repairs, we are skipping predictions and focusing instead on 10 things we would like to see happen during the telecast, which starts at 8 p.m. on ABC and runs until at least 11 p.m. (or, more accurately, until all of those pointy-winged statuettes are handed out). Ready for some wishful thinking? Yes, chef!
Oh, Canada!
It will be a fond Emmy reunion for this year’s hosts Dan Levy and Eugene Levy. The father-and-son duo are best known for the Canada-made “Schitt’s Creek,” which swept the comedy categories in 2020 for its final season. Since the Levys are adept at scripted comedy, not standup, don’t expect a ton of topical humor or ad-libs. But if we’re lucky, their expert timing and family dynamic will convince some producer in attendance to cast them together in a new series. We’d even settle for spinoffs like “Only Murders in a Canadian Province,” “The Moose” or “What We Do in the Tim Hortons.”
Sloppy joes
In a field that includes Idris Elba of Apple TV+’s “Hijack,” Donald Glover of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” Walton Goggins of “Fallout," Gary Oldman of "Slow Horses" and Dominic West of “The Crown," the great Hiroyuki Sanada of "Shogun" is likely to — and should — win the lead actor in a drama category. But wouldn't it be cool if there were somehow a messiest character Emmy for Oldman's exasperating Jackson Lamb? From his gaseous emissions and rumpled clothing to his stringy hair, Lamb is sloppiness personified as a British MI5 veteran whose lack of hygiene and callous insults disguise his unmatched skills and real concern for his "joes," or agents. For the flawed spies who wind up in Lamb’s Slough House outpost seeking redemption, Lamb is definitely the boss you hate to love.
'Night' vision
Although some critics loathed it and we’re not speculating they are sexist for slamming the women-led season — (OK, we are) — “True Detective: Night Country” was a moody, terrifying, hauntingly mystical journey into the evil that men do, set amid the gloom of an Alaskan town with many secrets to hide. Plus, it had a dynamite odd-couple cop pairing in Jodie Foster’s seemingly awful Detective Danvers and boxer-turned-actor Kali Reis’s stoic, wounded Detective Navarro (Kali Reis). Haters gonna hate, but here’s hoping Foster and Reis triumph by taking actress and supporting actress in a limited series honors, respectively.
'SNL' Mamala
All hail Maya Rudolph, nominated this year for a total of four Emmys. She won one over the weekend at the Creative Arts Emmys for her voice-over role as the Hormone Monstress on Netflix’s animated “Big Mouth” and lost two (guest actress in a comedy for her NBC's "Saturday Night Live" hosting gig and original lyrics for her "SNL" monologue song, “I’m Your Mother”). That means she still could win for lead actress in a comedy for portraying a billionaire on Apple TV+’s “Loot.” Viewers will be the true winner if Rudolph delivers an acceptance speech while doing her Kamala Harris impression.
Chemical reaction
Never mind the nepo babies slam. Lewis Pullman, the intriguing young actor who played a research scientist in love with Brie Larson’s character in Apple TV+’s “Lessons in Chemistry,” has an introspective charisma that is very different from that of his dad, "Independence Day" star Bill Pullman. Pass the torch to a new generation and make him best supporting actor in a limited series or TV movie.
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Detroit vs. everybody else who's presenting
Past Emmy winners Sam Richardson (for his guest spot on Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso,”) and Steven Yeun (for his lead role in Netflix’s “Beef”) are among the presenters for Sunday night. In our dream scenario, the two actors, who both grew up in southeast Michigan, would appear together and bring out surprise presenter and fellow Mitten State favorite Tim Robinson (an Emmy winner for Netflix’s “I Think You Should Leave,” which has featured both Richardson and Yeun in its sketches). Oh, and they all would be wearing Lions jerseys.
Michigander greats
Speaking of Michigan ties, here is hoping for a win for outstanding reality competition for Bravo's "Top Chef," now hosted by Kristen Kish, who grew up near Grand Rapids. And let’s hear it for our Big Ten winners! At the Creative Arts Emmys last weekend, Michigan State University alum Phil DeTolve won for sound mixing for a variety series or special for CBS’ “Billy Joel: The 100th – Live at Madison Square Garden.” University of Michigan grads Benj Pasek and Justin Paul also took home Emmys original music and lyrics for “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?” from “Only Murders in the Building” –and became EGOTs in the process. Last but not least, U-M (and North Farmington High) alum Kelly Lyon won for picture editing for variety programming for her work on Netflix’s “John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in L.A.”
Chef's kiss
There’s loud emoting and there’s subdued, precise acting. Of the 23 nods for “The Bear,” a show that can be an 11 out of ten on the expressive scale, the performance that draws you in with its stillness is Lionel Boyce’s as Marcus, the aspiring pastry chef who sticks to the sidelines of the kitchen’s frenetic action. In the episode that earned Boyce a best supporting actor nod, Marcus steps back from his caretaking role for his seriously ill mother in order to accept a rare opportunity to study in Copenhagen with a rising young chef (Will Poulter). For subtly revealing how Marcus not only absorbs knowledge, but returns home to Chicago ready to elevate it to new levels, Boyce deserves a gold statuette.
A matter of principal
From its first episode, “Abbott Elementary” could rely on Janelle James , aka self-absorbed Principal Ava Coleman, to land a punchline with the assurance of a 747 pilot. Ensuing seasons have given James more to do, while mixing a bit of self-awareness into her character. Since Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph already have their “Abbott” trophies, please send the supporting actress in a comedy prize to the principal’s office.
Viewer votes
Sunday night’s broadcast is set to reunite cast members Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, Dule Hill and Jimmy Smitsof the NBC classic “West Wing,” which marks its 25th anniversary in 2024. This is a cue to the show’s creator, Aaron Sorkin, to dash off a moving speech for Sheen's iconic president to deliver on the importance of preserving democracy in America. Let Bartlet be Bartlet!
Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at [email protected].
76th Primetime Emmy Awards
8 p.m. Sunday
ABC (streaming next day on Hulu)
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2024 Emmy Awards: 10 things we'd like to see happen
