Television Critics Association Nominees 2018

by Nathaniel R

The Television Critics Association has only been around in some form or another since the 1980s but they have recently been getting more press. That's partially, we suspect, because the Emmys are so relentlessly unsatisfying with their constant repetitions. The TCA Awards aren't against a repeat here and there but more than two wins is rare in any of their categories and they've proven fairly discerning in the past.

We aren't fans of their tradition of fusing performance into only two acting categories (genderless and without any way to recognize supporting players or differentiate between movies and series so this means far far far fewer times the nominees in an era where we're constantly told that there is an abundance of great work!) but otherwise we like them just fine.

They were absolutely besotted with the debut season of "Killing Eve" this year. Nominations for the 2017/2018 television season are after the jump... 

OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM

• “Barry” – HBO

• “Counterpart” – Starz

• “GLOW” – Netflix

• “Killing Eve” – BBC America

• “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” – Amazon

• “Mindhunter” – Netflix

We loved Mindhunter and Mrs Maisel and GLOW but have yet to watch the others. Hearing Killing Eve is a must (and it will obviously win this category since it's the only one of these shows nominated for their top award "program of the year") but I'm not sure I have access. I don't have cable anymore in my new place so I only get stuff from streaming services and networks that allow you to just watch the shows on their official sites.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA

• “The Americans” – FX

• “The Crown” – Netflix

• “The Good Fight” – CBS All Access

• “The Handmaid’s Tale” – Hulu

• “Killing Eve” – BBC America

• “This Is Us” – NBC

The TCA is very fond of second seasons. All of these shows except "The Americans" (6th season) and "Killing Eve" (first season) are sophomore efforts. "This is Us" won the New Program award last year. 

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY

• “Atlanta” – FX

• “Barry” – HBO

• “GLOW” – Netflix

• “The Good Place” – NBC

• “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” – Amazon

• “One Day at a Time” – Netflix

We're rooting for "One Day at a Time" because it needs critical support (Netflix being so cagey about its future) and it's so warm and wonderful. But really what a fine group of nominees. If only Emmy chose this well! The winner will surely be "The Marvelous Mrs Maisel" since it has other nominations. But "Atlanta" won last year and TCA doesn't mind giving second wins (though only "Frasier" has ever won comedy three times)

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR

• “The Americans” – FX

• “Atlanta” – FX

• “The Good Place” – NBC

• “The Handmaid’s Tale” – Hulu

• “Killing Eve” – BBC America

• “This Is Us” – NBC

Will "The Americans" take this given that it's their last chance to honor it? "The Handmaid's Tale" won last year.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA

• Jodie Comer, “Killing Eve” – BBC America

• Darren Criss, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” – FX

• Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale” – Hulu

• Sandra Oh, “Killing Eve” – BBC America

• Matthew Rhys, “The Americans” – FX

• Keri Russell, “The Americans” – FX

Sarah Paulson and Carrie Coon are the last two winners in this category.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY

• Pamela Adlon, “Better Things” – FX

• Rachel Bloom, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” – The CW

• Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” – Amazon

• Ted Danson, “The Good Place” – NBC

• Donald Glover, “Atlanta” – FX

• Bill Hader, “Barry” – HBO

Adlon and Glover were both nominees last year with Glover winning. The rest are new. Who would you vote for? It's nice to see Rachel Bloom here, finally, in the third season of her four-season wonder.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS AND INFORMATION

• “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” – CNN

• “60 Minutes” – CBS

• “Blue Planet 2” – BBC America

• “The Rachel Maddow Show” – MSNBC

• “The Vietnam War” – PBS

• “Wild Wild Country” – Netflix

"60 Minutes" and "The Rachel Maddow Show" are regular nominees here but only "60 Minutes" has won before.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY

• “The Great British Baking Show” – PBS

• “Nailed It!” – Netflix

• “Project Runway” – Lifetime

• “Queer Eye” – Netflix

• “RuPaul’s Drag Race” – VH1

This category was added in 2011 and of these nominees only "RuPaul's Drag Race" has won before (once in 2014 for that phenomenal Bianca del Rio / Adore Delano season). I do wonder if "Queer Eye" might take it this time around.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING

• “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” – PBS Kids

• “Elena of Avalor” – Disney Channel

• “Muppet Babies” – Disney Junior

• “Odd Squad” – PBS Kids

• “Sesame Street” – HBO

• “Sofia the First” – Disney Junior

Though this category appears to be children's entertainment based on the nominees this year, it's actually broader than that and also encompasses the YA audience. Great programs like "Bunheads" and "The Fosters" have won this category before. This is one of the only categories that's mostly unchanged from the previous year. All of these programs were nominated last year as well with the exception of "Sofia the First"

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SKETCH/VARIETY SHOWS

• “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” – TBS

• “Jimmy Kimmel Live” – ABC

• “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” – HBO

• “Late Night with Seth Meyers” – NBC

• “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” – CBS

• “Saturday Night Live” – NBC

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIE OR MINISERIES

• “Alias Grace” – Netflix

• “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” – FX

• “Howards End” – Starz

• “Patrick Melrose” – Showtime

• “The Tale” – HBO

• “Twin Peaks: The Return” – Showtime

"Big Little Lies" reigned last year but this category naturally doesn't have much in the way of repetition (with the exception of series that passed themselves off repeatedly as miniseries like American Horror Story or Downton Abbey)

Comments

[Suzanne]

These nominees are so good that I'm divided on who should win most of the categories except Program of the Year (The Americans, of course) and News and Information (Rachel Maddow all the way, especially after last night).

[Peggy Sue]

I've seen kids in cages and I feel it's the end of everything.

[Ryan T.]

Very, very good nominations. I can't really find a bad egg in the bunch.

[Brian]

If you can find a way to watch Killing Eve please do. Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer are just so crazy good (emphasis on crazy). I actually don’t envy anyone trying to pick a winner out of that category.

[Pam]

Great nominations! Nice to see Alias Grace with some love; feel it was underappreciated.

I want The Americans to finally get its due for all categories, but my god, I do love Jodie Comer in Killing Eve. Never thought I would like a performance more than Sarah Lancashire in Happy Valley, but girl-oh-girl, Comer is near perfection and comes close.

[Hayden]

I like the "new show" categories.

In most TV races we're comparing apples to oranges: HFPA loves apples (new shows) and Emmy usually loves oranges (established shows). I don't evaluate season 6 of The Americans on the same criteria I'll use to evaluate Killing Eve when I watch it. Same with the performances.

I hope Emmy doesn't go for shiny new toys this year and rewards Keri Russell. Last chance, indeed.

[NATHANIEL R]

Hayden -- that's why i love that "new program" category, too. It really is a different thing, qualitatively, how a show launches versus how it sustains itself or ends.

[AlexD]

Rachel Bloom didn't get in last year but she actually won in 2016. These guys haven't slept on her like the Emmys.

As per usual, mostly a great job. Would have liked to see Rita Moreno in the individual category but otherwise solid.

[Aaron]

Keri Russell slayed this last season of The Americans. Give her this and give her the Emmy!

[STFU]

THE GOOD FIGHT!!!

[Bcarter3]

It’s only late June, but it’s difficult to imagine anything on TV topping Killing Eve as best show of the year.

And The Good Place is the most brilliant comedy since the original three seasons of Arrested Development.

[CharlieG]

Howards End on Starz was really lovely.