Usual Suspects Headline the 2016 Animated Emmy Nominations
We break down the Emmy noms and make our guesses on who we think is going to win.
The Emmy nominations were announced, and the Animation categories were filled mostly with the usual suspects. There were deserving selections, and of course there were also snubs, because with Peak TV affecting every corner of the dial, there are more award-worthy animated shows than there are nomination slots in any given year. Here is a rundown of the nominees in the three Animation categories.
OUTSTANDING ANIMATED PROGRAM
1. Archer, “The Figgis Agency”
2. Bob’s Burgers, “The Horse Rider-er”
3. Phineas and Ferb Last Day of Summer”
4. The Simpsons, “Halloween of Horror”
5. South Park, “You’re Not Yelping”
Earlier in the week, I posted predictions for this category, and I was pretty close, but the results are nothing to brag about. I was right on with Bob’s Burgers and The Simpsons, but while I considered Archer and South Park, I instead took chances on BoJack Horseman and Rick and Morty (should’ve stuck with predictability). Finally, Phineas and Ferb fills the token Disney slot (instead of my guess of Gravity Falls). My money is on The Simpsons, as “Halloween of Horror” was one of its most acclaimed episodes in years (it would be its first win since Season 19’s “Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind”).
OUTSTANDING SHORT FORMAT ANIMATED PROGRAM
1. Adventure Time, “Hall of Egress”
2. The Powerpuff Girls, “Once Upon a Townsville”
3. Robot Chicken, “Robot Chicken Christmas Special: The X-Mas United”
4. SpongeBob Squarepants, “Company Picnic”
5. Steven Universe, “The Answer”
For the 15 minutes or shorter category, the returning nominees from last year are Robot Chicken, Steven Universe, and Adventure Time. SpongeBob Squarepants is back in the fold for the first time since 2011, and the revived Powerpuff Girls are here in their first year of eligibility. Adventure Time won last year, and Robot Chicken is the only other one of these shows to have previously won this category, but I’ll throw a curveball and guess that Steven Universe takes it, as it is the sort of show that wins people over gradually with its progressive themes.
OUTSTANDING CHARACTER VOICE-OVER PERFORMANCE
1. Seth MacFarlane as Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Brian Griffin, Glenn Quagmire, Dr. Hartman, Tom Tucker, and Mr. Spacely, Family Guy (“Pilling Them Softly”)
2. Trey Parker as PC Principal and Cartman, South Park (“Stunning and Brave”)
3. Matt Stone as Craig Tucker, Tweek, and Thomas Tucker, South Park (“Tweek x Craig”)
4. Keegan-Michael Key as American Ranger and Sgt. Agony, SuperMansion (“The Inconceivable Escape of Dr. Devizo”)
5. Chris Pine as Dr. Devizo and Robo-Dino (“The Inconceivable Escape of Dr. Devizo”)
At first glance, this field looks pretty unimaginative, with stalwarts like Seth MacFarlane (whose voice work has continued to be stellar even as Family Guy overall has gotten iffier), Trey Parker, and Matt Stone. But while MacFarlane is a regular here (nominated four years in a row), this is actually the first nom for both Parker and Stone in this category. It is also cool to see Crackle being represented. It is doubtful that SuperMansion would have been recognized without big names like Keegan-Michael Key and Chris Pine. This award has gone to The Simpsons the past two years (Harry Shearer and Hank Azaria, respectively), but with nobody from Springfield this time, I’m guessing that MacFarlane breaks his losing streak.
(Editor’s Note: Triumph’s Election Special 2016 was nominated for “Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special”. You can read our review here)
