Though the Emmys and Golden Globes are generally better known than the Critics’ Choice Television Awards among the general populace, I actually prefer the Critics’ Choice Awards (and not just because its voters handed last year’s Best Dramatic Actress trophy to the highly deserving Tatiana Maslany for Orphan Black – though that’s probably a large part of it). Every year, the TV critics who come together to nominate the best television series and miniseries airing today do a fine job of honoring both the deserving heavyweights and the less familiar diamonds in the rough.
This year, the Critics’ Choice Awards included a slew of nominations for Netflix and HBO, but it was actually FX that led the charge, with a whopping 19 total nominations. Fargo, which premiered in April, made a huge impression on voters, nabbing nominations for Best Miniseries, Martin Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton, Colin Hanks and Allison Tolman, but Louie, The Americans, Sons of Anarchy, Justified and even the oft-criticized American Horror Story: Coven also picked up noms.
HBO, usually the frontrunner, was just one behind with 18 total nominations. Freshman comedy Silicon Valley nabbed a spot in Best Comedy Series, likely displacing typical fave Girls, and also received extremely well-deserved noms for lead Thomas Middleditch and the late, lamented Christopher Evan Welch. No other surprises from HBO though, with Game of Thrones and True Detective both getting nominated for Best Drama Series (though True Detective‘s inclusion in this category does provide a boost for its Emmy campaign, in which it will be boldly competing against Breaking Bad, Thrones and other more established dramas), and The Normal Heart getting attention in the Best Movie and Acting in a Movie/Miniseries categories.
Comedy Central, never usually a big name at awards ceremonies, was certainly ecstatic this morning, considering that its new comedy Broad City snatched up a Best Comedy Series nom, and that both Ilana Glazer (for Broad City) and Amy Schumer (for Inside Amy Schumer) received Best Comedy Actress nominations. Other unexpected victories included some nominations for now-cancelled network comedies. Robin Williams got a nod for Best Comedy Actor for The Crazy Ones, which CBS put down after one low-rated season. Meanwhile, the Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy category included Keith David (for the axed Fox comedy Enlisted) and Albert Tsai (for the cancelled ABC comedy Trophy Wife).
I’m happiest about the fact that Tatiana Maslany was once again honored for her stunning work on BBC America’s Orphan Black, but it’s also thrilling to see that Warren Brown finally won over voters with his portrayal of the honorable, ill-fated DS Ripley on the final season of BBC America’s brilliant miniseries Luther.
Check out the full list of nominees on the next page! And let us know in the comments, who do you wish had been nominated? Which inclusions were you happy to see? And who do you want to take home the gold when the Critics’ Choice Television Awards air live on The CW on June 19th at 8 p.m.?
