With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
TV's Big Night Is Monday. What Are The Odds Of Avoiding Another #EmmysSoWhite?
The acting winners in last year's Emmy Awards were all white, and all of the top series winners were led by white actors or largely white ensembles.
(
Kevork Djansezian
/
Getty Images
)
I went to a very good and very progressive middle school right here in Pasadena: The Sequoyah School.
It isn’t the kind of school that gives out letter grades, or says a student’s classroom work is “failing” or “unsatisfactory.” Instead, you get the kinder and gentler comment, “Needs Improvement.” And that’s the nicest way to say what Emmy Award voters must do with next Monday’s ceremony.
2021 By The Numbers
A year ago, each and every of the 12 Emmy acting trophies — lead and supporting actor and actress in drama, comedy and limited series —went to a white nominee. And all of the top four series winners were anchored by white performers or ensembles: The Crown for drama series, Ted Lasso for comedy series, Queen’s Gambit for limited series, and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver for variety talk series.
Support for LAist comes from
The 2021 whitewash was bad on both absolute and relative terms. Last year’s Emmy nominees were the most diverse ever, as performers of color earned a record 49 acting and reality host nominations—almost half of all people shortlisted in those categories.
Nominees This Year
In this year’s competition, there are but 31 nominees of color.
More narrowly, Oscar Isaac (up for lead actor in a limited series for Scenes of a Marriage) and Colman Domingo (up for guest actor in a drama series for Euphoria) were the only two Latino acting nominees. (Domingo already won, as his category was part of the Creative Arts Emmys given out over the Labor Day weekend.)
Sadly, the Television Academy's lack of diversity has been a problem for years. Two years ago, a Los Angeles Times analysis found that from 2015 to 2019, 82% of Emmy nominees in the top categories were white, while writing and directing were 90% white.
The best opportunity for the academy to demonstrate its becoming more inclusive—given that it’s impossible to do any worse than last year—will come in the best comedy race on Monday night (NBC pushed the broadcast back a day for Sunday Night Football).
Support for LAist comes from
Some Predictions
Last year, the comedy winner was Ted Lasso. This year, the soccer show might lose to Abbott Elementary, which is led by a Black cast.
While many people like the Korean drama series Squid Game, the likely winner in that category is Succession. And the favorite for best limited series is The White Lotus, which is, well, pretty white. That said, several actors from Squid Game might win, as could Zendaya, for lead drama actress for her work in Euphoria.
Yet even then, the academy still gets "needs improvement" on its report card. A win here, a win there isn’t quite equitable.
When And Where
- The Primetime Emmys air Monday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. PT on NBC.
- The show will be held at the Microsoft Theater (formerly Nokia Theater) in downtown L.A.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist