Sunday, September 26, 2021

'The Queen's Gambit' wins limited series, while 'Mare of Easttown' and 'Halston' win the acting categories at the Emmy Awards


I told my readers to "Stay tuned" twice, first at the end of 'The Crown' sweeps drama series categories on final night of Emmy Awards, shutting out 'The Handmaid's Tale', when I wrote that I would "continue my coverage of the Emmy winners, most likely with the limited series winners, as 'The Queen's Gambit' also won a total of eleven Emmy Awards to tie 'The Crown'" and again in Trevor Noah and Samantha Bee describe the lesser known effects of climate change, when I wrote that I would return with the the Sunday entertainment feature. It's time to combine the two by answering 'The Queen's Gambit' leads limited series at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, but can it beat 'Mare of Easttown' and 'WandaVision' on the final night?
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

I May Destroy You (HBO)
Mare of Easttown (HBO)
The Queen's Gambit (Netflix)
The Underground Railroad (Prime Video)
WandaVision (Disney+)
... After watching "Mare of Easttown," "The Queen's Gambit," and "WandaVision," I think "Mare of Easttown" told the best story with the best lead actress, so it's my pick to win this category.
Nope, "The Queen's Gambit" won. Watch Limited or Anthology Series: 73rd Emmys from the Television Academy to see its producer accept the award.

The Queen's Gambit wins the Emmy for Limited or Anthology Series at the 73rd Emmys.
I had heard negative things about this acceptance speech, but it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. It was a perfectly standard set of thank yous, although William Horberg (I think) may have undercut the show's feminist message a bit by saying that Anya Taylor-Joy made chess sexy. She didn't seem to mind, so I'm not going to stress over it.

The thanks continued in The Queen's Gambit: 73rd Emmys Winnerview.

The team from The Queen's Gambit talks to Marc Istook backstage at the 73rd Emmy Awards after winning the Emmy for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.
Yes, the passion certainly came through the screen and I'm sure that's one of the reasons the show won this category. In addition to being well-acted, it was a marvel of production.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Michaela Coel as Arabella on I May Destroy You (HBO)
Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin on Genius: Aretha (National Geographic)
Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch on WandaVision (Disney+)
Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon on The Queen's Gambit (Netflix)
Kate Winslet as Mare Sheehan on Mare of Easttown (HBO)
While I'm glad to see Cynthia Erivo nominated, I think she had the misfortune to be competing against an especially strong field that I think Kate Winslet will win against, just as she did at the Gold Derby TV Awards. Her main competition is Anya Taylor-Joy, who won the equivalent categories at all the major awards shows last year before "Mare of Easttown" came out. The only thing that would help "WandaVision" is that it's a show about television that isn't about show business, but about the importance of television to its viewers, an angle that the Television Academy voters would find flattering. "See, we matter!" I don't think it will be enough in this category.
It wasn't. Instead, Winslet won, as I expected. Watch her accept the award for Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: 73rd Emmys.

Kate Winslet wins the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 73rd Emmys.
Well, that was fun to watch. In addition to her enthusiasm, I was glad to hear Winslet do what Gillian Anderson didn't, praise her competition. They deserved it.

She continued thanking people and reflecting on the significance of the show in Kate Winslet: 73rd Emmys Winnerview.

Kate Winslet talks to Marc Istook backstage at the 73rd Emmy Awards after winning the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Normally, I find talking about agents to be too much inside Hollywood baseball for my taste, but Winslet made how her agent found her this role interesting.

Next, a series of awards I first analyzed in 'Hamilton' at the Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Paul Bettany as Vision on WandaVision (Disney+)
Hugh Grant as Jonathan Fraser on The Undoing (HBO)
Ewan McGregor as Halston on Halston (Netflix)
Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton on Hamilton (Disney+)
Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr on Hamilton (Disney+)
While Lin-Manuel Miranda won the People's Choice Award for The Drama Movie Star of 2020, Leslie Odom Jr. won the Tony Award for this role and earned two Oscar nominations this year for "One Night in Miami." The audience might like Miranda better, but the professionals like Odum more, and the professionals are voting for these awards. Again, electorates matter.

That doesn't guarantee that either Miranda or Odum will win. The nominated limited series actors are stiff competition and I will evaluate their chances when I examine Outstanding Limited Series in a few weeks.
Hugh Grant is the biggest name, but Jonathan Fraser on "The Undoing" was not that likeable a character. I heard that Ewan McGregor did a great job as the eponymous Halston, but I also don't know how likeable his character was. On the other hand, Paul Bettany's Vision is a lot of fun, and he might just win. I know I'm rooting for him.
It looks like McGregor did an even better job than I thought. Watch Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: 73rd Emmys to see him accept his award.

Ewan McGregor wins the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 73rd Emmys.
McGregor thought Winslet gave a great speech, too, and his did pale in comparison. He made up for it in Ewan McGregor: 73rd Emmys Winnerview.

Ewan McGregor talks to Marc Istook backstage at the 73rd Emmy Awards after winning the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Winslet still eclipsed him, even with Marc Istook's help. Still, that takes nothing away from his performance and award.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler on Hamilton (Disney+)
Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness / Agnes The Nosy Neighbor on WandaVision (Episode: "Breaking the Fourth Wall") (Disney+)
Moses Ingram as Jolene on The Queen's Gambit (Episode: "End Game") (Netflix)
Julianne Nicholson as Lori Ross on Mare of Easttown (Episode: "Sacrament") (HBO)
Jean Smart as Helen Fahey on Mare of Easttown (Episode: "Sacrament") (HBO)
Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton on Hamilton (Disney+)
Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler and Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton didn't compete against each other at the Tony Awards as Soo was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical while Goldsberry won for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Here, they are competing against other. I'm not sure it matters, as I think this contest is between Kathryn Hahn and Jean Smart.
More than a month later, I still do, with Hahn favored as Smart will likely win for comedy and will split votes with Julianne Nicholson here.
That ended up being wishful thinking, as Nicholson won. Watch Julianne Nicholson Acceptance Speech at Emmys 2021.


That was from a fan account, as the Television Academy didn't upload the clip. I guess that's because the orchestra tried to play Nicholson off, although that didn't seem to stop them from uploading Scott Frank's speech, which is over the jump. As for my disappointment, but not surprise, it was because I was sure that Hahn would win. I based that on my fan reaction and her ability to gain traction in the popular culture, while I liked Smart's performance better. That's not how the professionals saw it, as they focused on the episode with Nicholson's best acting in the series, which was enough to propel her to the podium. As I keep writing about awards shows, electorates matter.

Speaking of electorates mattering, I think Olson, Bettany, and Hahn will all earn nominations at the next Saturn Awards, where I expect they will be favored. In part, that's because of the excellence of their performances, but also because the Saturn Awards have a tendency to react to genre shows being snubbed. That might even help the actresses from "The Handmaid's Tale" finally earning nominations after three years of the Saturn Awards ignoring them.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Benny Watts on The Queen's Gambit (Episode: "Adjournment") (Netflix)
Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson on Hamilton (Disney+)
Paapa Essiedu as Kwame on I May Destroy You (Episode: "That Was Fun") (HBO)
Jonathan Groff as King George on Hamilton (Disney+)
Evan Peters as Det. Colin Zabel on Mare of Easttown (Episode: "Enter Number Two") (HBO)
Anthony Ramos as John Laurens / Philip Hamilton on Hamilton (Disney+)
"Hamilton" provides half of the nominees in this category, Daveed Diggs in a double role as the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, Jonathan Groff as King George III, and Anthony Ramos in another double role as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton. Diggs and Groff both earned Tony nominations and Diggs took home the award, so I would give him the advantage out of the actors from the musical. Again, that doesn't mean Diggs will win, as the nominated limited series actors are stiff competition and I will evaluate their chances when I examine Outstanding Limited Series in a few weeks.
The two other portrayals I enjoyed the most were Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Benny Watts on "The Queen's Gambit" and Evan Peters as Det. Colin Zabel on "Mare of Easttown." Between the two of them, I pick Peters.
I was right to pick Peters, too. Watch Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: 73rd Emmys to see him accept his trophy.

Evan Peters wins the Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 73rd Emmys.
Well, at least one of the actors in "WandaVision" won, even if it was for a role in another show.

While the Television Academy didn't upload Nicholson's acceptance speech, it did interview both of the supporting acting winners from "Mare of Easttown" in Julianne Nicholson and Evan Peters: 73rd Emmys Winnerview.


It's not a good sign when the actors themselves find their acceptance speeches unmemorable. Just the same, congratulations to all the winning performers.

Follow over the jump for two awards for work behind the camera as well as videos celebrating two music awards won the week before.

Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Hamilton, Directed by Thomas Kail (Disney+)
I May Destroy You (Episode: "Ego Death"), Directed by Sam Miller and Michaela Coel (HBO)
I May Destroy You (Episode: "Eyes Eyes Eyes Eyes"), Directed by Sam Miller (HBO)
Mare of Easttown, Directed by Craig Zobel (HBO)
The Queen's Gambit, Directed by Scott Frank (Netflix)
The Underground Railroad, Directed by Barry Jenkins (Prime Video)
WandaVision, Directed by Matt Shakman (Disney+)
Thomas Kail did win a Tony Award for his stage directing, but I'm not sure that he can win against this field. In particular, I think "Mare of Easttown" and "The Queen's Gambit" are well ahead of the rest unless the Emmy electorate can decide which episode of "I May Destroy You" Sam Miller did a better job of directing or the Emmy electorate falls for "WandaVision," a show about television that isn't about show business.
I still haven't changed my mind about this category, either."The Queen's Gambit" won. Watch Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: 73rd Emmys to see Scott Frank, who was also a producer, accept his award.

Scott Frank wins the Emmy for Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 73rd Emmys.
I knew Frank was going to go long when he unfolded a two-page typewritten speech, although I enjoyed his quip about IMDB. Maybe he should have stopped there instead of continuing, resulting in the orchestra trying to play him off three times. Just the same, he did deserve the award, even if the viewers didn't deserve his speech.

Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

I May Destroy You, Written by Michaela Coel (HBO)
Mare of Easttown, Written by Brad Ingelsby (HBO)
The Queen's Gambit, Written by Scott Frank (Netflix)
WandaVision (Episode: "All-New Halloween Spooktacular!"), Written by Chuck Hayward and Peter Cameron (Disney+)
WandaVision (Episode: "Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience"), Written by Jac Schaeffer (Disney+)
WandaVision (Episode: "Previously On"), Written by Laura Donney (Disney+)
The good news for "WandaVision" is that it earned three nominations in this category. The bad news is that they are likely to split the vote. Eng and Rosen at Gold Derby think this will help "I May Destroy You." Maybe. I think it will help "Mare of Easttown." We'll see next week.
The award went to "I May Destroy You," so the experts at Gold Derby were right. Watch Michaela Coel accept the award for Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: 73rd Emmys.

Michaela Coel wins the Emmy for Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 73rd Emmys.
In contrast to Frank, Coel had only a half-page speech and she delivered her concise remarks with great passion, if not the spontaneous enthusiasm of Winslet. She showed that brevity is indeed the soul of wit.

I conclude with two music videos celebrating the limited series winners at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, beginning with the winner of Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score). Listen to "Main Title" by Carlos Rafael Rivera - The Queen's Gambit.

"Main Title" by Carlos Rafael Rivera | Music from the Netflix Limited Series "The Queen's Gambit"
...
“Carlos Rafael Rivera, whose soaring work does more heavy lifting than any TV score this year.” Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter
And that wasn't even nominated for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music!

I was wrong about this category in 'Oslo' earned two nominations at the 2021 Emmy Awards, as I thought all things being equal, a groundswell for "WandaVision" would help it win. Instead, the groundswell was for "The Queen's Gambit" and that helped Rivera win instead. However, there was enough sentiment for "WandaVision" that Agatha All Along (From "WandaVision: Episode 7") won Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.

Welcome to WandaVision. Marvel Studios' captivating new series "WandaVision" stars Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, and marks the first series from Marvel Studios streaming exclusively on Disney+. The series is a blend of classic television and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision—two super-powered beings living idealized suburban lives—begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.

“Agatha All Along” Lyrics:
Who’s been messing up everything
It’s been Agatha all along
Who’s been pulling every evil string
It’s been Agatha all along

She’s insidious
Ha Ha
So perfidious
That you haven’t even noticed
And the pity is, the pity is
Pity pity pity pity
It’s too late to fix anything, now that everything has gone wrong

Thanks to Agatha
Ha
Naughty Agatha
It’s been Agatha all along
I killed Sparky too!
Hahn didn't win, but her villain song did. Congratulations to all the winners in the limited series categories!

I'll have more on the winners of the Primetime Emmy Awards, probably about "Saturday Night Live," the next biggest winner with eight Emmy Awards, but only after I cover "Human Nature" and "The Last Ice," both nominated at the 2021 News & Documentary Emmy Awards. Stay tuned.

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