The biggest snubs and surprises from the 2024 Emmy nominations (original) (raw)

The 2024 Emmy nominations have arrived! Though it feels like we literally just did this a few months ago (because we did), there's a lot to be happy about, including 13 nominations for Netflix's Ripley, 16 nods for Prime Video's Fallout, and of course the record-breaking totals for FX's The Bear (23 nominations) and Shōgun (25 nominations).

But it wouldn't be Emmy day without some notable surprises and painful snubs. Read on for the inclusions and exclusions that shocked us the most.

Delightful surprises

Jeff Probst, host of 'Survivor'.

CBS

Jeff Probst, Survivor (CBS)

Sure, the (Academy) tribe has spoken the Survivor host's name before as a nominee in the Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality TV Competition category before, but not since 2011! It's nice to see that Emmy voters suddenly remembered that in addition to never aging, Jeff Probst continues to be one of the best reality hosts in the business.

The Traitors (Peacock)

C.T. Tamburello, Alan Cumming, and Trishelle Cannatella in 'The Traitors'.

Euan Cherry/Peacock

Unfortunately for Survivor, Jeff Probst's nomination as host did not come along with a nod for the long-running CBS series in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program race. Instead, that slot went to Peacock's The Traitors, a wonderfully campy and addictive clash-of-the-reality-TV-titans "murder" mystery hosted with undeniable flair by Alan Cumming — who also received a well-earned nomination.

Reservation Dogs (FX on Hulu)

Devery Jacobs, Paulina Alexis, Lane Factor, and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai in 'Reservation Dogs'.

Shane Brown/FX

FINALLY! I repeat: FINALLY! It only took three years and countless "best show of the year" critics' lists, but at long last, Television Academy voters bestowed an Outstanding Comedy Series nomination on this sublime, surrealist comedy from Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi for its final season. (Somehow, most of the actors were still snubbed... but more on that in a minute.)

Head-scratching surprise

Kristen Wiig and Josh Lucas in 'Palm Royale'.

Apple TV+

Palm Royale (Apple TV+)

Sure, this 1960s-set comedy has a starry cast — including nominees Kristen Wiig and Carol Burnett — and the production values were top-notch. But reviews were mixed at best, because the show was not — what's the word I"m looking for? — oh yes, funny. (Even The Bear, which should really compete as a drama at this point, has more laughs.) What a shame this example of prestige mediocrity took a slot from a far more original, inventive, and laugh-out-loud comedy... (That rant begins below.)

Infuriating snubs

Jharrel Jerome in 'I'm a Virgo'.

Pete Lee/Prime Video

I'm a Virgo (Prime Video)

Both a coming-of-age story and a scorching social satire about race, class, capitalism, and law enforcement in modern America, I'm a Virgo — from creator Boots Riley —was the most original comedy of 2023. It was also a technical marvel and frequently hilarious, thanks to star Jharrel Jerome's sweetly earnest performance as Cootie, a 13-foot-tall Black teenager navigating life and love in Oakland, Calif.

The Curse (Showtime)

Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder in 'The Curse'.

Showtime

On the one hand, I get it. The Curse, created by Benny Safdie and professional weirdo Nathan Fielder, was a very polarizing series. The drama — about HGTV hosts Whitney (Emma Stone) and Asher Siegel (Fielder) filming a pilot called Fliplanthropy in a working-class New Mexico town — featured excruciating moments of cringe and a finale that was out-of-this-world bonkers. But Stone's performance as Whitney — a delusional white savior masquerading as an ally — was undeniably phenomenal and seemed like a lock for a nomination.

The show itself also seemed like a strong contender for Outstanding Drama Series, but its slot on that ballot went to the (enjoyably) ludicrous melodrama known as The Morning Show. I don't begrudge the folks at the UBA Network their nominations — soap opera is its own kind of art — but it's still shocking that something as buzzy and unique as The Curse was completely shut out. The voters couldn't even reward the mind-blowing finale with a nod in the Outstanding Stunt Coordination category.

Cynthia Nixon, The Gilded Age (HBO)

Cynthia Nixon in 'The Gilded Age'.

HBO

Yes, I know The Gilded Age received a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series — and I'm thrilled voters also acknowledged the brilliance of Queen Christine Baranski as Lead Actress in a Drama for her performances as Agnes van Rhijn. But must the fates once again scorn Agnes' poor sister, Ada Brook, played with tremulous charm by Cynthia Nixon? Honestly, the actress deserves a special award for surviving the Che storyline in And Just Like That, but a nomination for Gilded Age seemed a lot more likely.

Devery Jacobs, Reservation Dogs

Devery Jacobs and Ethan Hawke in 'Reservation Dogs'.

Shane Brown/FX

While my cup runneth over with joy about Reservation Dogs' nomination in the Outstanding Comedy Series category, the lack of a nomination for writer/director/star Devery Jacobs is very tough to swallow. (Congrats, however, to Lead Actor in a Comedy Series nominee D'Pharoah Woon-A-Tai!) Not only did Jacobs give a wry, moving performance as Elora Danan, they also wrote one of the final season's best episodes, "Elora's Dad," guest starring Ethan Hawke in the titular role. (He, too, was snubbed!) Did we mention that Jacobs made their directing debut this season as well with an episode called "Wahoo!", about the spirit of Elora's late mother, Cookie (Janae Collins)? Well, they did. And yet, Devery Jacobs received not a single nomination. To that we say, "Wa-huh?"

Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show (HBO)

Jerrod Carmichael in 'Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show'.

Courtesy of HBO

Whether people loved it, hated it, or simply wanted to argue about it online, everyone was talking about Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show — the comedian's bold experiment in radical reality TV honesty. After coming out as gay in his Emmy-winning special Rothaniel, Carmichael made an effort to "live more truthfully" by letting a camera crew follow him around to witness the good, the bad, and very uncomfortable of his day-to-day existence. It wasn't always easy to watch — but it was even harder to turn away.

The 2024 Emmys air Sunday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.

Hear more Emmy nominations analysis and our chat with first-time nominees Nava Mau (Baby Reindeer) and Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country)on The Awardist podcast, below.