Primetime Emmy nominations 2019: surprises and snubs

The 71st Primetime Emmy nominations were announced Tuesday by Ken Jeong and D’Arcy Carden.

It’s that time of year again when nominations for television’s biggest award – the Primetime Emmys – are announced. Now that we’ve all had a day to decompress the news, I’m still shocked by some of this year’s honorees.

First, here’s a complete list of this year’s Emmy nominees.

Surprises

Season 8, episode 5 (debut 5/12/19): Liam Cunningham, Kit Harington.

photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

Game of Thrones – An astounding number of nominations were hurled the fantasy series’ way, 32 to be exact, breaking an Emmy record. It seems crazy considering the amount of controversy the last season stirred. I won’t divulge into that because we’ve discussed it here at Show Snob ad nauseam. One thing I can tell you that did not suck about the last season was the acting.

More from Show Snob

• The Santa Clauses season 2, episode 6 recap “Wanga Banga Langa!”
• Lawmen: Bass Reeves season 1, episode 7 preview: Non-spoiler thoughts for Part VII
• Goosebumps season 1, episode 6 recap: “Night of the Living Dummy”
• Beacon 23 season 1, episode 3 recap: “Why Can’t We Go on as Three?”
• Upload season 3, episode 2 recap: “Strawberry”

For the first time, Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke were submitted as lead actors, and both received nominations for their work as Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen. And few newbies joined repeat nominees Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Lena Heady (Cersei Lannister) Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), and Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) in the supporting actor/actress categories. They are Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), and Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy). Even Carice van Houten (Melisandre) picked up a guest actress nomination!

I’m ecstatic for the actors and actresses, both nominated and not, for the hard work they put in on Game of Thrones. This recognition is so well-deserved.

And like it or not, the series was nominated for Outstanding Drama, Cinematography, Costumes, Directing, and Special Effects, among many more.

LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 21: Bill Hader (L) and Henry Winkler attend the premiere of HBO’s “Barry” at NeueHouse Hollywood on March 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Barry – I loved season 2 of Barry. I fully expected both Bill Hader (Barry) and Henry Winkler (Gene Cousineau) to pick up nominations. But I was pleasantly surprised to see Stephen Root (Fuches), Sarah Goldberg (Sally), and Anthony Carrigan (NoHo Hank) pick up supporting nominations. Carrigan is easily my favorite part of the show.

House Of Cards Season 6 – Photo Credit: David Giesbrecht/Netflix

Robin Wright – I love Wright, but I don’t love this nomination. Receiving her sixth nomination for House of Cards, this could be another “let’s nominate her because it’s the last season.” But that last season was bad, and Claire was missing her underground evilness that I grew to love from other seasons.

Photo: Fleabag: Season 2 / Amazon. Credit: Steve Schofield

Fleabag – I was yesterday years old when I heard of this show. I’m not saying I don’t agree with it because I haven’t seen it. My surprise solely lies in the fact that I was said aloud, “huh?” when they read the name so many times – eight to be exact.

Schitt’s Creek – People have been telling me for a while to watch this show. I haven’t gotten to it yet, but I will! Gosh! Anyway, it’s refreshing to see a show so many people love get some Emmy recognition, especially for comedic legends Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara.

Snubs

The Goldbergs – Why, oh why doesn’t The Goldbergs ever get any Emmy love? Is it because it takes place in Philadelphia and they hate Philly? Do they just not get the inside jokes (Wawa and the Vet) and 1980s nostalgia? OK, maybe the show is a little campy or people don’t get it. But one thing is for sure, Wendi McLendon-Covey as Beverly is a comedic genius on a Lucille Ball level. She’s fearless when it comes to her acting. She’s not afraid to look silly. But she’s also able to make me laugh out loud one minute and cry the next. It’s just not right!

THE GOOD PLACE — “Pandemonium” Episode 313 — Pictured: Kristen Bell as Eleanor — (Photo by: Colleen Hayes/NBC)

Kristen Bell and D’Arcy Carden – It’s great that The Good Place got their deserved recognition for Outstanding Comedy, as well as Ted Danson for Lead Actor and Maya Rudolph for Guest Actress. But The Good Place doesn’t happen without Kristen Bell as Eleanor. It’s like saying a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is amazing without giving props to the peanut butter. And how about the side of chips – D’Arcy Carden (Janet)? Do better, Emmys!

GLOW – Congrats to Betty Gilpen on her well-deserved nomination as Debbie on GLOW. But it’s annoying that the show itself, Alison Brie (Ruth), Marc Maron (Sam), and last year’s Outstanding Stunt Coordinator’s winner Shauna Duggins got shut out.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 06: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series Drama for ‘Bodyguard’ winner Richard Madden attends the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 6, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Richard Madden – How does the Golden Globes winner for Best Actor not even get a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor for Bodyguard? The Emmy’s found a way.

Credit: Amazon Prime Video

Julia Roberts – Not throwing a nomination America’s Sweetheart’s way was a big mistake. Huge!

What do you think about this year’s Emmy nominees? Who do you think was snubbed? Let us know in the comments.

The 2019 Primetime Emmy Awards air Sunday, September 22 on FOX.