Apocalypse Now? Emmys End On Time; Tatiana Maslany For The Win!

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I’m not sure what the signs of the Apocalypse are but two of them are probably tonight’s Emmy Awards show finishing on time and the Academy actually giving Tatiana Maslany the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama.

Seriously. Who’d a thunk it? The members of the Academy must have actually watched some of the multitude of screeners with which they were deluged with this year.

I’m so stoked about this that I’m not terribly ticked off by many of the other choices (not that will keep me from commenting…) – all of which follow the jump.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series 

Louie Anderson as Christine Baskets – FX Networks: Baskets

Bold choice – and the right one. Anderson is fantastic as sad clown-wannaChip Baskets’ mom.

Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series

Aziz Ansari, and Alan Yang – Master Of None: Parents

Damn! The Academy started off strong!

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Kate McKinnon as Various characters – NBC: Saturday Night Live

About time – almost as overdue as Ms. Maslany…

Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series

Jill Soloway – Amazon: Transparent: Man On The Land

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Julia Louis-Dreyfus – HBO: Veep

Even in its fifth season, Veep and Louis-Dreyfus kick much tuchus. They are just that good.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Jeffrey Tambor – Amazon: Transparent

Again, the best choice (again) – and one of the best acceptance speeches.

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program

The Voice – NBC

 Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special

D.V. DeVincentis – FX Networks: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story: Marcia, Marcia, Marcia

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie

Regina King – ABC: American Crime

Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special

Susanne Bier – AMC: The Night Manager

Well, duh!

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie

Sterling K. Brown – FX Networks: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

No contest.

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie

Sarah Paulson – FX Networks: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

No contest.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie

Courtney B. Vance – FX Networks: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Again, no contest.

Outstanding Television Movie

Sherlock: The Abominable Bride (Masterpiece) – PBS

A huge (but not unwelcome) surprise

Outstanding Limited Series

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story – FX Networks

I can forgive the Academy for going with Fargo – but it’s hard…

Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special

Patton Oswalt – Netflix: Patton Oswalt: Talking For Clapping

Good choice.

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver – HBO

With John Stewart gone and Full Frontal sadly not nominated, this was the only real choice (sorry, Bill…)

Outstanding Directing For A Variety Special

Thomas Kail – Grease: Live: FOX

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

Key & Peele – Comedy Central

A nice way to finish their run.

Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss – Game Of Thrones: Battle Of The Bastards

Not even remotely a surprise.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series 

Maggie Smith as Violet –  Downton Abbey:  PBS

Not one of the nominations didn’t deserve to win. How often does that happen?

Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series

Miguel Sapochnik – Game Of Thrones: Battle Of The BastardsHBO

Not at all unexpected.

 Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Ben Mendelsohn – Netflix: Bloodline

Another case of the Academy actually watching the screeners.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Rami Malek – Mr. Robot: USA Network

I did not. see. that. coming! Best opening line of an acceptance speech ever (‘Please tell me you’re seeing this too!’) – doubly effective because it works both for Malek and his character, Elliot.

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series 

Tatiana Maslany – Orphan Black: BBC America

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! (About bloody time!)

Outstanding Comedy Series

Veep – HBO

Well, yeah.

Outstanding Drama Series

Game Of Thrones – HBO

There were four nominated shows that I would have been completely happy about. This is one of them.

Photo of Tatiana Maslany as The Clone Club courtesy of BBC America