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Los Angeles Times Wins Emmy for The Envelope Actresses Roundtable
Los Angeles Times Wins Emmy for The Envelope Actresses Roundtable

Los Angeles Times

time20 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times Wins Emmy for The Envelope Actresses Roundtable

The Los Angeles Times has won a Los Angeles Area Emmy Award for The Envelope Actresses Roundtable, which was produced by LA Times Studios and The Times' entertainment team and broadcast on Spectrum News 1. The awards, which honor locally produced programs in a variety of categories, were presented on Saturday, July 26, at the Television Academy's 77th annual L.A. Area Emmy Awards ceremony. Presented by Creamsource, the roundtable, which won in the entertainment category, features Danielle Deadwyler ('The Piano Lesson'), Cynthia Erivo ('Wicked'), Demi Moore ('The Substance'), Saoirse Ronan ('The Outrun' and 'Blitz'), Zoe Saldaña ('Emilia Perez') and Kate Winslet ('Lee') in conversation with former Times columnist Amy Kaufman. The group discussed the power of saying no, how box-office hits can prove creatively stifling and crying during press tours. In addition to The Times' Envelope Roundtable video series, The Envelope portfolio includes year-round coverage online and via the L.A. Times app ( seasonal glossy print editions available for purchase through Shop L.A. Times; The Envelope podcast; Envelope Live screenings and events; and The Envelope newsletter. To learn more about the L.A. Area Emmy Awards and see the full list of winners, visit

Want to win an Emmy? It helps if you're already famous
Want to win an Emmy? It helps if you're already famous

Los Angeles Times

time21-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Los Angeles Times

Want to win an Emmy? It helps if you're already famous

It's always nice to say hello to an old friend, even one who leads you to believe you're almost at the summit, only to serve up another dozen switchbacks before you're at the top. I'm Glenn Whipp, columnist for the Los Angeles Times and host of The Envelope newsletter. Still on a (Rocky Mountain) high after the Emmy nominations? You probably were a cast member on 'The White Lotus' or a guest actor on 'The Studio.' Let's talk about all the love for those shows' ensembles. When you have Nicole Kidman raising her hand, saying she'd be happy to sign up for your show, you can rest assured that you will never have an issue with casting. And that was before Mike White's 'The White Lotus' picked up a sweet 23 Emmy nominations last week, the same number it earned for Season 2 and, coincidentally, the same number that the hit Apple TV+ comedy series 'The Studio' just pulled in for its freshman outing. But is that number a coincidence? Not really. If this year's nominations taught us anything, it's that if you want your Emmy ticket stamped, you get your agent to call White or Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the creators and directing team behind 'The Studio.' Of course, it also helps if you're famous in the first place, which creates a bit of a problem if you're a journeyman actor looking for an Emmy boost. (And no, 'The Bear's' nominated guest star Olivia Colman, who has won three Golden Globes, two Emmys, an Oscar and the Volpi Cup since she was overlooked for 'Broadchurch,' no longer counts.) How can you hope to secure a nomination if voters keep flocking to the familiar? Seven actors from 'The White Lotus' ensemble — Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Sam Rockwell, Natasha Rothwell and Aimee Lou Wood — picked up supporting nominations this year, with Scott Glenn turning up in the guest actor category. The haul could have been better (or worse, depending on your perspective), as Patrick Schwarzenegger had also been expected to join the party for his turn as Saxon, the series' wonderfully named finance bro. 'The Studio' had several members of its main team nominated — Rogen, Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O'Hara. But it was in the guest acting categories that the show really cleaned up, with five of the six guest actor spots going to 'Studio' men and Zoë Kravitz making the cut for guest actress. Kravitz, like nominated castmates Dave Franco, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard and Anthony Mackie, was honored for playing a heightened version of herself. Bryan Cranston, a six-time Emmy winner, was the exception, nominated for his hilarious, 'Weekend at Bernie's'-inspired work as the drug-addled studio CEO. (He should probably make room for a seventh Emmy.) In that respect, the nods for 'The Studio's' self-playing actors are reminiscent of what used to be a tried-and-true way to earn an Emmy nomination for guest acting: hosting 'Saturday Night Live.' All you needed to do was deliver the opening monologue as yourself and then appear in sketches created to play off your persona. (This one, featuring Sydney Sweeney as a Hooters waitress, illustrates why voters have rightfully soured on 'SNL' of late.) The recognition for 'The Studio' represents progress of a sort, in that the series is actually funny. But it doesn't address the larger issue, which is the way that Emmy voters tend to zero in on shiny, famous faces at the expense of comparative newcomers who are more deserving. Case in point: 'The Pitt' boasted the best ensemble on television this year, but voters rewarded only lead actor Noah Wyle (his sixth nomination, no wins as yet), supporting actress Katherine LaNasa (so good as the emergency room's resilient charge nurse) and Shawn Hatosy, a terrific veteran actor who made a huge impression in his four episodes, including those two unforgettable rooftop scenes. For 'The Pitt,' the problem was partly one of quantity, not quality. There were a lot of interns and residents and nurses coming and going in that hospital during the show's 15-episode season. And they were played by actors largely unknown to voters — a savvy casting move, as the unfamiliar faces bolstered 'The Pitt's' realistic feel. But ignoring Taylor Dearden's beautifully nuanced work as the neurodivergent Dr. Mel King feels more symptomatic of a pattern than an issue of numbers. Dearden's performance was a revelation, showing a woman aware of her own limitations and using that understanding to convey empathy, love and understanding toward others. The look of joy on her face when she held the just-delivered baby should be a meme for happiness. I can't fathom how she wasn't nominated. The issue in the guest acting categories is more glaring. What used to be a space populated by character actors dropping into shows for small story arcs has now become, at least for comedy, a showcase for famous people parodying themselves. Yes, Scorsese was deserving. He's shown himself to be a fine actor over the years, and his shock and anger over having his Jonestown movie killed was priceless. I'll also sign off on Kravitz, who was utterly convincing in her mushroom-induced mania. Added bonus: If she wins, she can thank Sal Saperstein. But if 'The Studio' runs for three, four, five seasons, it's easy to imagine a future where the show establishes a blockade on the guest acting categories. And no matter how delightful it is to watch Ron Howard remember the time when some dolt tried to give him a 'note' on 'A Beautiful Mind,' we shouldn't get carried away — even if we are kind of hoping that all this attention could prompt a studio to green-light a real version of Howard's fictional action movie 'Alphabet City.' And, obviously, there continue to be exceptions to the fixation on the famous. Hatosy, mentioned earlier, is the definition of what a guest Emmy spot should be, as is Joe Pantoliano's beautiful, brief turn on 'The Last of Us,' playing an infected man pleading for a final moment with his wife. It all comes back to the usual appeals to voters: Watch more shows. Cast a wider net. Honor the work, not the names. Though if White wants to write Kidman into the next season of 'The White Lotus,' I'd be willing to make an exception and look the other way.

Our awards columnist's Emmy ballot: Read his list of dream nominees
Our awards columnist's Emmy ballot: Read his list of dream nominees

Los Angeles Times

time23-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Los Angeles Times

Our awards columnist's Emmy ballot: Read his list of dream nominees

Emmy nominations voting ends tonight at 10 p.m. PT. Still need help with your ballot? I'm Glenn Whipp, columnist for the Los Angeles Times and host of The Envelope newsletter. Still time to bite into a 'Jaws' doughnut and peruse my picks for this year's Emmy races. (An ordinary bagel will do.) There are more than 100 Emmy categories, and if you scrolled through each and every one of them on the Television Academy's website, you are probably one of those people who read the terms and conditions on a document before signing your name. For me, simply filling out the following 15 categories — five each for comedy, drama and limited series — left me exhausted and in need of a sweet treat. And I already finished my 'Jaws' doughnut. Maybe this cherries jubilee? Paul Giamatti would approve. Without further ado, here are my picks and a brief line of reasoning for each. And if it's predictions you're after, you can find our full BuzzMeter panel's choices here. COMEDY SERIES'Abbott Elementary''The Bear''Hacks''A Man on the Inside''Only Murders in the Building''The Rehearsal''Somebody Somewhere''The Studio' Yes, 'The Rehearsal' is a comedy. COMEDY ACTRESSQuinta Brunson, 'Abbott Elementary'Ayo Edebiri, 'The Bear'Bridget Everett, 'Somebody Somewhere'Natasha Lyonne, 'Poker Face'Jean Smart, 'Hacks' Last call on nominating Everett (and her magical series), which has won a Peabody. COMEDY ACTORTed Danson, 'A Man on the Inside'Steve Martin, 'Only Murders in the Building'Seth Rogen, 'The Studio'Martin Short, 'Only Murders in the Building'Jeremy Allen White, 'The Bear' Best Netflix comedy: 'A Man on the Inside,' anchored by Danson, still a master of light laughs. COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTRESSLiza Colón-Zayas, 'The Bear'Hannah Einbinder, 'Hacks'Kathryn Hahn, 'The Studio'Linda Lavin, 'Mid-Century Modern'Jane Lynch, 'Only Murders in the Building'Catherine O'Hara, 'The Studio'Sheryl Lee Ralph, 'Abbott Elementary' Colón-Zayas won last year, probably for the episode that she submitted this year. It's weird when shows drop their new seasons in June. COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTORIke Barinholtz, 'The Studio'Colman Domingo, 'The Four Seasons'Paul Downs, 'Hacks'Harrison Ford, 'Shrinking'Ebon Moss-Bachrach, 'The Bear'Tyler James Williams, 'Abbott Elementary'Bowen Yang, 'Saturday Night Live' Thank you, Sal Saperstein! DRAMA SERIES'Andor''The Last of Us''Paradise''The Pitt''Severance''Slow Horses''The White Lotus''Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light' Voting for 'Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light' checks a couple of boxes. DRAMA ACTRESSKathy Bates, 'Matlock'Britt Lower, 'Severance'Elisabeth Moss, 'The Handmaid's Tale'Kaitlin Olson, 'High Potential'Bella Ramsey, 'The Last of Us' Moss won this Emmy eight years ago. With the show ending, she has earned a parting gift. DRAMA ACTORSterling K. Brown, 'Paradise'Gary Oldman, 'Slow Horses'Pedro Pascal, 'The Last of Us'Adam Scott, 'Severance'Noah Wyle, 'The Pitt' 'Why don't you say whatever speech you've got rehearsed and get this over with.' Godspeed, old friend. Also: Joel's parting words should flash onscreen any time an Emmy winner goes long at the podium. DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTRESSCarrie Coon, 'The White Lotus'Taylor Dearden, 'The Pitt'Fiona Dourif, 'The Pitt'Tracy Ifeachor, 'The Pitt'Katherine LaNasa, 'The Pitt'Julianne Nicholson, 'Paradise'Parker Posey, 'The White Lotus' Women of 'The Pitt' > Women of 'The White Lotus' DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTORPatrick Ball, 'The Pitt'Gerran Howell, 'The Pitt'Jason Isaacs, 'The White Lotus'Damian Lewis, 'Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light'Jack Lowden, 'Slow Horses'Tramell Tillman, 'Severance'John Turturro, 'Severance' I don't know. Tillman might deserve the Emmy for this alone. LIMITED SERIES'Adolescence''Dope Thief''Dying for Sex''The Penguin''Say Nothing' 'Adolescence' should win everything. LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE ACTRESSKaitlyn Dever, 'Apple Cider Vinegar'Cristin Milioti, 'The Penguin'Lola Petticrew, 'Say Nothing'Michelle Williams, 'Dying for Sex'Renée Zellweger, 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy' OK, maybe not everything, as 'Adolescence' doesn't have a submission here. Zellweger probably won't win because comic acting rarely does, even though it most definitely should. LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE ACTORColin Farrell, 'The Penguin'Stephen Graham, 'Adolescence'Brian Tyree Henry, 'Dope Thief'Kevin Kline, 'Disclaimer'Cooper Koch, 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' Farrell has already won so many awards for 'The Penguin,' it feels like either A) he must have won the Emmy too or B) he hasn't, and good God, let somebody else have a prize. (Like Graham.) LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTRESSErin Doherty, 'Adolescence'Ruth Negga, 'Presumed Innocent'Deirde O'Connell, 'The Penguin'Imogen Faith Reid, 'Good American Family'Jenny Slate, 'Dying for Sex'Christine Tremarco, 'Adolescence' Doherty will likely win for the series' third episode, the taut two-hander with Owen Cooper. But the fourth episode is just as good — maybe even better — featuring a heart-rending turn from Tremarco as the mom trying to hold it together. LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTORJavier Bardem, 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story'Owen Cooper, 'Adolescence'Rob Delaney, 'Dying for Sex'Rhenzy Feliz, 'The Penguin'Hugh Grant, 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'Ashley Walters, 'Adolescence' Cooper will soon become the fifth teen actor to win a Primetime Emmy.

With ‘The Rehearsal,' Nathan Fielder needs his own Emmy category
With ‘The Rehearsal,' Nathan Fielder needs his own Emmy category

Los Angeles Times

time20-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Los Angeles Times

With ‘The Rehearsal,' Nathan Fielder needs his own Emmy category

Yes, Tom Cruise will soon own an Oscar. But has he ever flown a Boeing 737 with 150 passengers on board? I'm Glenn Whipp, columnist for the Los Angeles Times and host of The Envelope newsletter, here to explain why Nathan Fielder should be the Top Gun of this Emmy season. The second season of Nathan Fielder's brilliantly bonkers 'The Rehearsal' opens inside a commercial jet cockpit where the plane's captain and first officer are having a tense exchange as they prepare to land at a fogged-in runway. The first officer suggests they're off course. The captain disagrees but is soon proved wrong as the plane crashes. We see the pilots slumped in the cockpit, dead. Then the camera pans to Fielder, surveying the fiery aftermath, a disaster he just re-created in a simulator on a soundstage. With that prelude, it may seem strange to tell you that I laughed out loud as many times watching 'The Rehearsal' as I did any other TV series this season. Not during the simulated disasters, of course, which Fielder used to illustrate what he believes to be biggest issue in airline travel today — pilots failing to communicate during a crisis. So, yes, 'The Rehearsal' is about airline safety. Mostly. But Fielder is a master of misdirection. There is no way you can predict where he'll direct his premise, and I found myself delighting in utter surprise at the tangents he took in 'The Rehearsal' this season. An alternate biopic of pilot Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger, with Fielder playing Sully from diapered baby to the Evanescence-loving hero landing in the Hudson River? Yes! Re-creating the German subsidiary of Paramount+ as a Nazi headquarters? OK! Vacuuming up air from San Jose to help train a cloned dog in Los Angeles while he attempts to understand how the nature-vs.-nurture dynamic might play out in human behavior? Ummmmm ... sure. We'll go with it! With Fielder's incisive mind, the detours are everything. Even the destination this season came as a jolt. Yes, it involves that Boeing 737 I mentioned in the intro, and, no, I'm not going to elaborate because I still feel like not enough people have watched 'The Rehearsal.' The series' first two seasons are available on HBO, as are all four seasons of Fielder's Comedy Central docuseries 'Nathan for You,' which had Fielder 'helping' small-business owners improve their sales. (Example: Pitching a Santa Clarita liquor store owner that he should sell booze to minors but just not let them take it home until they turned 21.) The humor in 'The Rehearsal' can be just as outrageous as 'Nathan for You,' but the overall tone is more thoughtful, as it also explores loneliness and the masks we all wear at times to hide our alienation. For the Emmys, HBO has submitted 'The Rehearsal' in the comedy categories. Where else would they put it? But the show is so singular that I wonder if even its fans in the Television Academy will remember to vote for it. They should. It's funny, insightful, occasionally terrifying, utterly unforgettable. And I hope Isabella Henao, the winner of the series' reality show competition, goes places. She sure can sing! Meanwhile, that other pilot, Tom Cruise, will finally receive an Oscar, an honorary one, in November at the Governors Awards, alongside production designer Wynn Thomas and choreographer and actor Debbie Allen. Dolly Parton, singer, actor and beloved icon, will be given the annual Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her charitable work. Cruise has been nominated for three acting Oscars over the years — for playing Marine Corps Sgt. Ron Kovic in Oliver Stone's 1989 antiwar movie 'Born on the Fourth of July,' the sports agent who had Renée Zellweger at hello in Cameron Crowe's 1996 classic 'Jerry Maguire' and the chauvinistic motivational speaker in Paul Thomas Anderson's 1999 opus 'Magnolia.' Cruise was also nominated as a producer for 2022's dad cinema favorite 'Top Gun: Maverick.' Cruise should have won the supporting actor Oscar for 'Magnolia,' a ferocious turn in which he harnessed his strutting brashness to play an odious character hiding a deep well of pain. It came the same year as his star turn opposite then-wife Nicole Kidman in 'Eyes Wide Shut.' Not a bad double feature! Instead, Michael Caine won for 'Cider House Rules' during an Oscar era in which there was seemingly no prize Harvey Weinstein couldn't land. It wasn't even Caine's first Oscar; he had already won for 'Hannah and Her Sisters.' Cruise has devoted himself to commercial action movies, mostly of the 'Mission: Impossible' variety, for the past two decades. He did recently complete filming a comedy with director Alejandro González Iñárritu, scheduled for release next year. It'd be funny if Cruise wins a competitive Oscar after picking up an honorary one. It happened with Paul Newman, Cruise's co-star in 'The Color of Money.'

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