Pandemic or no pandemic, the Emmys will go on, and now we know who is in the running for the first major entertainment awards of the coronavirus era.
The nominations were announced in a virtual ceremony Tuesday by Leslie Jones, Laverne Cox, Tatiana Maslany and Josh Gad, and for once, there might have been more surprises than snubs. There felt like a lot more to cheer for than to boo for, though that might have been partly helped by Jones' spirited hosting.
It was especially fun to hear both Jones and Cox react to Zendaya getting a nomination for Lead Actress in a Drama. It's Zendaya's first nomination and a deserved one that many didn't think she'd get, partly because teen shows have a tough time getting nominated and partly because the drama actress category is truly stacked.
But Zendaya's not the only surprise, and there certainly were a few snubs.
Pour one out for Reese Witherspoon, who didn't manage a nom for either "Little Fires" or "Big Little Lies." In fact, "Big Little Lies" got shut out of almost all the big awards.
More 2020 Emmy Awards Coverage
Read on for more snubs and surprises!
SNUB: David Harbour in "Stranger Things," Lead Actor in a Drama Series
"Stranger Things" was rightfully nominated for best drama, but Chief Hopper didn't make the list this year.
SURPRISE: What We Do in the Shadows, Outstanding Comedy Series
It's just a little show about vampires, and now it's up against some of the biggest heavy hitters on TV. Is it weird to feel proud of a TV show?
SNUB: "This Is Us," Outstanding Drama Series
"This Is Us" was arguably at its absolute best in season four. Sterling K. Brown scored a nomination (as he should), but the show is missing out on the big prize this year.
SURPRISE: "Stranger Things," Outstanding Drama Series
We know "Stranger Things" season three was its best yet, but we feared the competition was too strong to recognize it. We're happy to be wrong!
SNUB: Bob Odenkirk in "Better Call Saul," Lead Actor in a Drama
Odenkirk was on every single list of sure things, and to nominate the series without acknowledging Saul himself seems like an oversight.
SURPRISE: Zendaya in "Euphoria," Lead Actress in a Drama
Make no mistake: Zendaya 100% deserves this and more, but sometimes the powers that be forget to recognize performances like this one, especially on teen shows.
SNUB: Reese Witherspoon in "Little Fires Everywhere," Lead Actress, Limited Series or Movie
Kerry Washington got a nom and the show itself was recognized, so where's the love for Witherspoon?
SURPRISE: Steve Carell in "The Morning Show," Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Carell has been nominated six times for "The Office," but has never won. He wasn't on most of the short lists this year, but most of us will never be able to forget his performance in the Apple TV+ hit, even if it's because we were a little bit terrified of him.
SNUB: "Big Little Lies," Drama Series
Meryl Streep and Laura Dern both got supporting actress noms, but the show got shut out of all the other major awards this year, after scoring big last time it was eligible (winning Limited Series, Best Actress in a Limited Series, and Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series). However, that's probably because it competed in limited series for its first season, and now it would be considered a drama series—a much more competitive category.
SURPRISE: "The Mandalorian," Outstanding Drama Series
"The Mandalorian" is undeniably incredible, but who would have ever imagined the show about Baby Yoda would get an Emmy nom? What a time to be alive.
SNUB: Elisabeth Moss in "The Handmaid's Tale," Lead Actress in a Drama
Moss somehow didn't make the cut this year, but the show did.
SNUB: "Orange is the New Black"
Other than a nomination for Laverne Cox as a guest actress, the spectacular final season of the Netflix hit was shut out of the major categories.
The 2020 Emmy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will air Sunday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
