I promised more awards coverage for the Sunday entertainment feature, so here are the nominees at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction SpecialGirls State stands out, winning a game of "one of these things is not like the others" in a field of documentaries about entertainers and entertainment, so I begin with Girls State — Official Trailer | Apple TV+.
- Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (HBO)
- Girls State (Apple TV+)
- The Greatest Night in Pop (Netflix)
- Jim Henson Idea Man (Disney+)
- Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces (Apple TV+)
There’s something in the air—it’s politics. Girls State is now streaming on Apple TV+...Yes, this is a sequel to Boys State, the Best Political Documentary at the 2020 Critics' Choice Documentary Awards, and an Emmy nominee and winner. That should count for something, but it might not, as Girls State has only three nominations, tying it for last in this field. I'll get to that after looking at the rest of the nominees in order of nominations, beginning with Jim Henson Idea Man | Official Trailer | Disney+, which has eight pending nominations and one win already.
What would American democracy look like in the hands of teenage girls? A political coming-of-age story and a stirring reimagination of what it means to govern, Girls State follows young female leaders — from wildly different backgrounds across Missouri — as they navigate an immersive experiment to build a government from the ground up.
Never stop creating. Jim Henson #IdeaMan, a #DisneyPlus Original Documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard, is streaming May 31.Not only does Jim Henson Idea Man have the most nominations and an Emmy statuette to pick up already, it's the nominee in the lead according to Gold Derby, but I'll get to that. In the meantime, for all the Disney fans who think that The Mouse isn't doing enough with The Muppets, watch this trailer, then think about all the Emmy Awards the documentary is likely to win. Disney is doing something with The Muppets.
"Jim Henson Idea Man" takes us into the mind of this singular creative visionary, from his early years puppeteering on local television to the worldwide success of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and beyond. Featuring unprecedented access to Jim's personal archives, Howard brings us a fascinating and insightful look at a complex man whose boundless imagination inspired the world.
Next in order of nominations is STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces — Official Trailer | Apple TV+, which has five nominations.
One legend. Two wild and crazy docs. STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces, directed by Academy Award winner Morgan Neville, streaming now on Apple TV+...This looks like fun, since I've been a fan of Steve Martin my entire adult life. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season of Only Murders in the Building that drops this Friday. Even so, I can think of two-and-one-half things that stand in its way. First, Martin is still alive, while Henson has been dead and missed for decades. Second (really the half) is that it's the second nominee from Apple TV+, which might split some votes. Third, it's competing against another documentary about a living comedian, Albert Brooks: Defending My Life | Official Trailer | HBO.
Steve Martin is one of the most beloved and enigmatic figures in entertainment. STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces dives into his extraordinary story from two distinct points of view, with companion documentaries that feature never-before-seen footage and raw insights into Steve’s personal and professional trials and triumphs. “Then” chronicles Steve Martin’s early struggles and meteoric rise to revolutionize standup before walking away at 35. “Now” focuses on the present day, with Steve Martin in the golden years of his career, retracing the transformation that led to happiness in his art and personal life.
The funniest man in the world.This is the third most nominated entry in the field with four nominations. It might also be a better-made film with Rob Reiner as its director. That's nothing against Morgan Neville, the director of Steve! but Reiner has a bigger name as a director. Both may have trouble beating Ron Howard, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life, an @HBO Original Documentary from Director Rob Reiner about his best friend - comedian, actor, and filmmaker Albert Brooks - premieres November 11 on @StreamOnMax. #AlbertBrooksHBO
The Greatest Night in Pop | Official Trailer | Netflix is tied with Girls State with three nominations.
Premiering January 29th, the untold story of how the global hit “We are the World” almost didn’t happen! 46 of the biggest pop music stars had only one night to turn chaos into magic. As told by stars who were there, this film reveals the rollercoaster ride to write and record the groundbreaking song that would go on to raise millions for famine relief in Africa, win 2 Grammys and become a global sensation.I was wondering where the Netflix nominee was among two entries from Apple TV+, Disney+, and HBO and here it is. If any of my readers are wondering where the Paramount+ nominees are, they're featured in Grammy nominee 'Little Richard: I Am Everything' among Emmy nominees for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards. As for Prime Video/Amazon, they have plenty of nominations in scripted categories, but none I have found in either nonfiction or reality. I take that as a statement of priorities over at Amazon, even though Wildcat won Outstanding Nature Documentary at the News & Doc Emmy Awards last year. Even then, Prime Video/Amazon didn't bother to make a Twitter/X image promoting its win.
Now for the Gold Derby odds. The editors and top 24 users agree that Jim Henson Idea Man is the favorite with five of twelve editors and 21 of the users voting for it. The experts aren't on board that bandwagon, as only one expert voted for Jim Henson Idea Man. They prefer The Greatest Night in Pop with four of the seven voting for it and two editors joining them. I'm skeptical, as I think that, all things being equal, the Television Academy voters would rather vote for one of their own over the musicians. I guess the experts think that all things aren't equal and the three nominees about Hollywood will split the vote. Maybe. Moving on, three editors, three experts (probably the same people, as there are editors who are also experts), and two users picked Albert Brooks: Defending My Life to upset. One editor and one brave user made long-shot bets on Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces. No experts joined them. Interesting. No one voted for Girls State. Remember, electorates matter, something the participants in the documentary will learn should they continue in politics.
Follow over the jump for the rest of the nominations for documentary or nonfiction specials.
Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction ProgramGold Derby has no odds for the rest of the categories, so I'm following my intuition. I think it's between Ron Howard and Rob Reiner. While I couldn't find a Twitter/X image promoting Howard's nomination, I did find one for Reiner, which I embedded above. If promotional campaigns mean anything, that should help.
- Albert Brooks: Defending My Life – Rob Reiner (HBO)
- Beckham: "What Makes David Run" – Fisher Stevens (Netflix)
- Girls State – Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss (Apple TV+)
- The Greatest Night in Pop – Bao Nguyen (Netflix)
- Jim Henson Idea Man – Ron Howard (Disney+)
- Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces – Morgan Neville (Apple TV+)
I found three videos of the nominated directors at Gold Derby, so I begin with Ron Howard ('Jim Henson Idea Man' director) on the Henson archives: 'Surprising and hilarious'.
Ron Howard ('Jim Henson Idea Man' director) on the Henson archives: 'Surprising and hilarious and so inventive and experimental and interesting.' When meeting in the 1970s, he says, 'I thought they were a rock and roll band' because of 'bandanas and long hair and beards and stuff.' Gold Derby editor Chris Beachum hosts this webchat.Jim Henson Idea Man dropped on May 31st, the last possible day of eligibility for this year's Emmy Awards. I expect it will get more nominations at this fall's Critics Choice Documentary Awards.
Next, Rob Reiner ('Albert Brooks: Defending My Life' director) on introducing 'Albert's genius' again.
Rob Reiner ('Albert Brooks: Defending My Life' director): 'I wanted people who didn't know about Albert's genius to be introduced to him.' 'Everybody kind of looked up to him,' he emphasizes. 'David Letterman even says he'd rather have Albert's career than his own career.' Gold Derby editor Ray Richmond hosts this webchat.I don't know if Reiner did a better job of directing than Howard, but he certainly made for a more entertaining interviewee. Maybe his interpersonal skills might make a difference in the votes should all else be equal.
Since this entry nominally features Girls State, I complete this category with Amanda McBaine ('Girls State' director) reveals 'fascinating' reasons they chose to film in Missouri.
Amanda McBaine ('Girls State' director) reveals 'fascinating' reasons they chose to film in Missouri. Five hundred adolescent girls come together for a week-long immersion in a sophisticated democratic laboratory. Gold Derby editor Denton Davidson hosts this webchat as part of the 'Meet the Experts' panel for documentary filmmakers.I'm glad Girls State was already an idea when McBaine and Moss were filming Boys State.
Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction ProgramJim Henson Idea Man is the only documentary or nonfiction special nominated, just like The Jinx — Part Two is the only documentary or nonfiction series nominated. I'm amazed how many hosted nonfiction series earned nominations in this category, although maybe I shouldn't be, as Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown used to win this category season after season. Because of that, I'm holding off on calling a winner until I cover the hosted nonfiction series nominees. Until then, I'm sharing Gold Derby's Making of 'Jim Henson Idea Man': Lively panel with 6 Emmy nominees, which features the nominated head writer.
- Conan O'Brien Must Go: "Ireland" – Jessie Gaskell, Conan O'Brien, Matt O'Brien, and Mike Sweeney (Max)
- How To with John Wilson: "How To Watch the Game" – John Wilson, Michael Koman, and Allie Viti (HBO)
- Jim Henson Idea Man – Mark Monroe (Disney+)
- The Jinx — Part Two: "Chapter 7: Why Are You Still Here?" – Andrew Jarecki, Sam Neave, and Zac Stuart-Pontier (HBO)
- The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy: "Scotland: My Mother's Country" – Alan Connor, David Reilly, and Christine Rose (Apple TV+)
Making of 'Jim Henson Idea Man': Lively panel with 6 Emmy nominees. Watch our discussion with Mark Monroe, Igor Martinovic, Paul Crowder, David Fleming, Daniel Timmons and Tony Volante. Gold Derby's Tony Ruiz hosts this special event.Don't worry if you don't see a preview image; the video plays and it's worth watching for all the insights from the six nominees being interviewed. One of them is nominated in the next category.
Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction ProgramOther than The Jinx - Part Two, the nominees are all archival documentaries about entertainment. That's both good and bad. On the one hand, if the voters all coalesce on one choice, it will win. On the other, they might end up splitting their votes so The Jinx - Part Two wins. Right now, I can't tell.
- Albert Brooks: Defending My Life - Bob Joyce (HBO)
- Beckham: "Golden Balls" - Michael Harte, Paul Carlin, and Chris King (Netflix)
- Escaping Twin Flames: "Up in Flames" - Martin Biehn, Kevin Hibbard, Troy Takaki, Mimi Wilcox, and Inbal B. Lessner (Netflix)
- Jim Henson Idea Man - Sierra Neal and Paul Crowder (Disney+)
- The Jinx - Part Two: "Chapter 9: Saving My Tears Until It's Official" - Richard Hankin, Charles Olivier, Lance Edmands, Sam Neave, Camilla Hayman, and David Tillman (HBO)
- Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV: "Hidden in Plain Sight" - Daphne Gómez-Mena, Jane Jo, and Cody Rogowski (Investigation Discovery)
- Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces: "Then" - Alan Lowe (Apple TV+)
Outstanding Motion Design (Juried)I mentioned that Jim Henson Idea Man already won an Emmy. This is it. Since I couldn't find an image promoting its win, I made one myself. Forgive my slapdash amateurism. Just the same, congratulations!
- Jim Henson Idea Man – Mark Thompson, Seamus Walsh, Mark Caballero, Ivan Viaranchyk, Max Strizich, and Momo Zhao (Disney+)‡
Now for the nominations I covered in Planet Earth III's Emmy nominations for World Lion Day.
This is one case where I think Girls State has a better chance than Jim Henson Idea Man because it has more original photography instead of archival footage. Because of that, I'm sharing Gold Derby's Making of 'Girls State': 'How do girls do politics' asks roundtable panel with 3 Emmy nominees, one of whom is cinematographer Laura Hudock.Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program...
- Beckham: "The Kick" – Tim Cragg (Netflix)
- Girls State – Laura Hudock, Laela Kilbourn, Daniel Carter, Erynn Patrick Lamont, Keri Oberly, Thorsten Thielow, and Martina Radwan (Apple TV+)
- Jim Henson Idea Man – Igor Martinovic and Vanja Cernjul (Disney+)
- Our Planet II: "Chapter 1: World on the Move" – Brad Bestelink and Kyle McBurnie (Netflix)
- Planet Earth III: "Extremes" – Luke Nelson and John Shier (BBC America)
Planet Earth II won this award seven years ago and the original Our Planet earned three nominations for cinematography, so that history works in both sequels' favor. That written, Beckham has as many total nominations, including a series nomination, so I think it's competitive...I'll have more to say after I cover the Documentary and Nonfiction Special nominees.
Making of 'Girls State': 'How do girls do politics' asks roundtable panel with 3 Emmy nominees. Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine are nominated for producing and directing, while Laura Hudock is nominated for cinematography. Gold Derby contributor Charles Bright hosts this special discussion for Emmy nominees.That was inspiring. Good luck, Amanda, Jesse, and Laura!
I'm suffering from divided loyalties between Hans Zimmer and his collaborators and Laura Karpman, both of whom have responded positively to me before on Twitter.Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special (Original Dramatic Score)
- Albert Brooks: Defending My Life – Marc Shaiman (HBO)
- Beckham: "Seeing Red" – Anže Rozman and Camilo Forero (Netflix)
- Jim Henson Idea Man – David Fleming (Disney+)
- Planet Earth III: "Extremes" – Jacob Shea, Sara Barone, and Hans Zimmer (BBC America)
- Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed – Laura Karpman (HBO)
...
I'll revisit this category when I examine the Documentary and Nonfiction Special nominees.I'm embedding the theme songs from the nominated specials, beginning with David Fleming - Jim (From "Jim Henson: Idea Man"/Audio Only) from Walt Disney VEVO.
I like the variety of emotions in this track!
Next, Theme from "Defending My Life" by Marc Shaiman.
That's very pleasant, but I'd have to listen to more selections to see if they match the variety of Fleming's work.
I'd adding a bonus track, Showbiz by Laura Karpman from Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed.
I enjoyed that more than Shaiman's theme because of the energy.
Since I'm such a fan of Karpman's, I'm sharing Gold Derby's Laura Karpman ('Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed' composer) on success in a male-dominated field.
Laura Karpman ('Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed' composer) on being a successful woman in a male-dominated field. Her score for the documentary feature from director Stephen Kijak produced her eighth Emmy nomination (she's won once). Gold Derby editor Ray Richmond hosts this webchat.Good luck, Laura! May you earn a Saturn Award nomination for your work in The Marvels!
That written, I find it interesting that the one category where I could find a promotional image for the film. I hope that confidence isn't misplaced.Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality ProgramI'm holding off on my final prediction until I cover the reality nominees, but my preliminary pick is The Greatest Night in Pop because my default opinion is that, all things being equal, music nominees have the advantage in sound categories.
- The Greatest Night in Pop – Richard Gallagher (Netflix)
- Jim Henson Idea Man – Daniel Timmons, Jeremy S. Bloom, Ian Cymore, and Ryan Rubin (Disney+)
- Planet Earth III: "Freshwater" – Jonny Crew, Tim Owens, Ellie Bowler, and Paul Ackerman (BBC America)
- Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces – Bob Edwards, Kim B. Christensen, and Joel Raabe (Apple TV+)
- Welcome to Wrexham: "Goals" – Shaun Cromwell, William Harp, Jon Schell, and Sean Gray (FX)
I still think so.Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction ProgramAgain, I'm postponing my final pick until I cover the Documentary and Nonfiction Special nominees, but until then my preliminary picks are either The Beach Boys or Stax: Soulsville U.S.A. because my default opinion is that, all things being equal, music nominees have the advantage in sound categories.
- The Beach Boys – Gary A. Rizzo, John Rampey, Sabi Tulok, and Dennis Hamlin (Disney+)
- Jim Henson Idea Man – Tony Volante and Michael Jones (Disney+)
- Planet Earth III: "Deserts and Grasslands" – Graham Wild, Oliver Baldwin, and Olga Reed (BBC America)
- Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.: "Chapter Two: Soul Man" – Tony Volante and Andre Artis (HBO)
- Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces – Pete Horner, Dennis Hamlin, Barry London, and Emily Strong (Apple TV+)
That's a wrap for today. Since my blog passed its page view goal for August overnight, look for me to post content worth sharing next month for the rest of the week. Emmy Awards coverage works for that. Stay tuned.
Previous posts about the 76th Primetime and Creative Arts Emmy Awards
- Gold Derby's predictions for Emmy-nominated shows
- How did Gold Derby's Emmy nominations predictions fare?
- Sandy Hook Promise's 'Just Joking' the sole PSA among Emmy nominees for Outstanding Commercial
- 'Beyond Utopia,' ' Going to Mars,' and 'Stamped from the Beginning,' Emmy nominees for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking
- Entertainment and true crime the themes of Emmy nominees for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
- John Oliver debunks 'Migrant Crime' in the middle of covering the RNC on 'Last Week Tonight'
- 'Jon Stewart Debunks GOP’s City Crime Narrative' plus 'The Daily Show's Emmy nominations
- Emmy-nominated 'Desi Lydic Foxsplains Accusations that Republicans are "Weird"' plus the short form Emmy nominees
- Planet Earth III's Emmy nominations for World Lion Day
- Presidential jokes from Stephen Colbert for National Presidential Joke Day
- 'Jeopardy!' and 'Password' favored to win Game Show categories at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards
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