We’ve finally reached Phase 2 of the 2021 Emmy season. That’s when voting members of the Television Academy make their final decisions and vote for their favorites. Given that, we here at the Water Cooler Podcast like to make our personal pleas for Emmy love. So, in our annual “TV Academy, Hear Our Plea” segment, we do just that. We beg the Television Academy to take a look at some of our favorite television from the 2021 Emmy season. After all, we’re not above begging.
What are some of your personal favorites? Sound off in the comments and join in!
As always, we also talk about the media we’re most looking forward to in our Flash Forward segment.
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Thing is, this is a loss leader for the Emmys going into 2022. Painfully, hilarious lack of depth in comedy once you get past Ted Lasso. Drama is a pure walkover for The Crown, and the Emmys screwed the pooch there by snubbing the only show that could’ve given it a puncher’s chance of an upset (The Expanse).
Yes, a Ted Lasso sweep. No to validating genre fraud with a Kaley Cuoco win. Shutouts for The Boys and Emily in Paris. That’s pretty much my wishlist.
I’m a gay man decades older than the target audience for Love, Victor. Also, from my perspective, Victor lives a decidedly privileged life and has a family that’s united even while adjusting to his coming out. Exasperatingly, he sometimes expresses a wide-eyed naivete and bafflement about gay life — Gee, what do gay guys actually DO in bed? — that make him comically unrepresentative, it seems to me, of what a young gay person today actually thinks and goes through.
All of that said, damned if the show doesn’t get at some of the poignance and pain of slowly accepting one’s sexuality, and making plain to others that you’re finished apologizing in any way, in any setting, under any circumstances. The writing also introduces surprising plot twists and features characters going through life challenges that don’t necessarily bear on sexuality. The production is perfectly cast with engaging and believable actors. Smoothly done, the show certainly is in no way a triumph for the depiction of LGBTQ+ rights, activism or struggles. So far, it’s mostly lightly touched on the dire costs of living a life so many think no one has a right to live. Undeniably, it has a lot of catching up to do. Nevertheless, for now its has unspectacular but resonant thoughts on its mind. And at least it has a mind, not just a bleeding heart. It’s also good looking.
Is it Emmy worthy? I don’t know. But I think it deserves recognition. It’s rarely risky, but often relatable. I’m hoping to see it transgress new boundaries in Season 3.