2022 Emmy Category Analysis: Drama Directing & Writing Categories

By Abe Friedtanzer

Julia Garner in the series finale of Ozark "A Hard Way To Go"

The directing and writing categories for drama this year have seven slots each and both honor the same five shows, with one additional series thrown into the writing race. It’s become increasingly rare for shows that aren’t nominated for Best Drama Series to make the cut in either category. Indeed, for the second consecutive year, none managed that feat. The only shows that managed multiple nods in either of these categories this year were Yellowjackets  with two writing nominations and Succession with 3 directing nominations. Fun trivia: Succession keeps matching its season number to its number of directing nominations (Season 1: 1 nod; Season 2: 2 nods; Season 3: 3 nods) While Succession won the directing race for season two, it has won the writing Drama Emmy for season 1 and 2 which makes it the frontrunner in each category again. But let’s look at what else is in the mix. 

Brief descriptions of the nominees below - click on the episode titles for spoiler-filled reviews…

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Emmys: Will Returning Shows Dominate Drama & Comedy Categories?

By Christopher James

Can both of last year's Emmy winners prevail in much more competitive conditions?

When it comes to the Emmys, voters tend to stick with what they know. Once a show gets nominated for Outstanding Series, it will forever be on the Emmys radar and a threat to repeat its nomination. Yes, some shows drop off but prevailing wisdom says that, when filling out a prediction sheet for the Emmys, always start with what was nominated previously before adding in new shows.

However this year that may prove to be a somewhat difficult predictive approach. Due to the pandemic, some shows were not eligible each of the past two years, forcing the Emmys to choose new favourites to nominate. Now, most of their former favourites have aired new seasons, including some programs that had laid dormant for many seasons. What we have, then, is a returning show bottleneck...

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SAG Nominations – TV

By Abe Friedtanzer

While there are surely more impactful surprises to discuss on the film side of things today, it’s great to see an interesting list of television options honored too. Once again, however, so few series are actually included on the slate. There are only five drama series and six comedy series honored in any category (aside from stunts), while the limited series races managed to get seven with just two categories. That’s pretty much on par with last year. There are a number of snubs and a few unexpected inclusions, but more of the former. Let’s dive in…

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27th annual Critics Choice TV nominations

The Critics Choice Association used to be two separate associations, one honoring film and one honoring TV and they merged once they decided to have their show together.  Nevertheless the voting is separate and the TV wing of the association announces their nominations first. (Those of us on the film side, don't start voting until tomorrow.) The new third season of Succession led the nominations with 8 while Mare of Easttown and Evil are in second place with five each. 

The nominations are after the jump...

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Cláudio gives thanks, 2020

by Cláudio Alves

2020 has been a rollercoaster of a year, as full of dismay as of jubilation. I started it sick, feverish, and bone-tired, a fitting first chapter to an annus horribilis fated to forever be remembered for worldwide disease. As the months unfurled, much happened, including cinematic triumphs whose wonder I couldn't believe, universal despairs I hoped would always be enclosed in my nightmares, loss, and life. 

Thanksgiving isn't a holiday we have in Portugal, but I admire the idea of celebrating gratitude, of giving thanks to what makes our existence happy or at least tolerable. With that in mind, I'd like to express my gratitude for some wonders of cinema, TV, and pop culture, that made living through 2020 just a tiny bit easier…

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