The Emmys: Unveiling the Best in Television

The Emmys should serve as a guide to the best shows on television, reminding viewers of the brilliant content they might have overlooked. This year's nominations include 21 shows spanning Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Drama Series, and Outstanding Limited Series. While none of the nominees are outright bad, some certainly stand out more than others. So, let’s dive into a ranking of these shows from least to most deserving based on their nominated seasons!

21. Black Mirror Season Seven (Limited or Anthology)

Platform: Netflix — Nominations: 10 Black Mirror returns with its dark, prophetic take on technology. However, the novelty seems to have dimmed over seven seasons, with the stories becoming predictable, reflecting our own scary tech reality.

20. Only Murders in the Building Season Four (Comedy)

Platform: Hulu — Nominations: 7 This season tried to shake things up by heading to Hollywood, but it ended up feeling chaotic. Despite some strong guest stars like Molly Shannon, the storyline struggled and the season lacked focus, making it one of the weaker entries.

19. The Last of Us Season Two (Drama)

Platform: HBO — Nominations: 16 While not a bad season, the narrative felt unbalanced after a major event occurred early on. New characters were strong, but the pacing suffered, leaving long stretches feeling unfulfilling.

18. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Limited or Anthology)

Platform: Netflix — Nominations: 11 This series faced criticism for its portrayal of the infamous true crime case. Nonetheless, its multi-faceted storytelling approach proved to be an engaging twist, despite the discomfort over its content.

17. Nobody Wants This Season One (Comedy)

Platform: Netflix — Nominations: 3 Despite mixed reception, this rom-com has charm thanks to its leads. Unfortunately, it struggled to find a comedic tone that matched its engaging premise.

16. Paradise Season One (Drama)

Platform: Hulu — Nominations: 4 This show about a post-apocalyptic town had potential but often felt like a mash-up of genres. However, its strong performances, particularly by Sterling K. Brown, kept it engaging.

15. Hacks Season Four (Comedy)

Platform: HBO Max — Nominations: 14 Despite its endearing characters, Hacks suffered from repetitive storylines, diminishing its comedic impact and leaving viewers longing for fresh narratives.

14. Abbott Elementary Season Four (Comedy)

Platform: ABC — Nominations: 6 After four seasons, Abbott Elementary continues to deliver solid laughs and clever episodes, proving it still has something to offer in the crowded sitcom landscape.

13. The Bear Season Three (Comedy)

Platform: FX — Nominations: 13 Dramatically veering from its comedic roots, this season polarized audiences. Though it had standout moments, some episodes felt like filler, leaving viewers wanting more.

12. What We Do in the Shadows Season Six (Comedy)

Platform: FX — Nominations: 6 Ending on a high note, this season found humor in unexpected places, deftly navigating corporate life while still delivering laughs and clever writing.

11. The Diplomat Season Two (Drama)

Platform: Netflix — Nominations: 2 While it's not groundbreaking, The Diplomat offers entertaining political intrigue led by Keri Russell, whose performance brings life to the diplomatic drama.

10. The White Lotus Season Three (Drama)

Platform: HBO — Nominations: 23 Despite some captivating moments and strong performances, this season struggled with plot cohesion compared to its predecessors, leaving audiences feeling a little unsatisfied.

9. Shrinking Season Two (Comedy)

Platform: Apple TV+ — Nominations: 7 The show evolved into a beloved ensemble piece. Despite its flaws, it manages to balance humor and depth, beautifully capturing relationships within a unique premise.

8. The Penguin (Limited or Anthology)

Platform: HBO Max — Nominations: 24 Surprisingly engaging, this spinoff from The Batman reveals the story behind a beloved character, with standout performances and gripping narratives that challenge typical mob drama.

7. Slow Horses Season Four (Drama)

Platform: Apple TV+ — Nominations: 5 This series accomplishes the rare feat of balancing character development with tight, engaging plots, delivering consistently entertaining storylines with its unique take on espionage.

6. Adolescence (Limited or Anthology)

Platform: Netflix — Nominations: 13 A daring exploration of toxic masculinity wrapped in a gripping narrative, this miniseries captivates with its bold storytelling and innovative cinematography.

5. Severance Season Two (Drama)

Platform: Apple TV+ — Nominations: 27 Building on its first season, Severance deepened character arcs while providing thrilling twists, continuing to captivate audiences with its unique premise.

4. The Studio (Comedy)

Platform: Apple TV+ — Nominations: 23 This series brilliantly balances humor and insight into Hollywood’s absurdities, creating a refreshing and engaging context within the chaotic film industry.

3. Dying for Sex (Limited or Anthology)

Platform: FX — Nominations: 9 Surprisingly uplifting, this exploration of a woman's sexuality amid a terminal illness defies expectations, anchored by extraordinary performances and heartfelt storytelling.

2. The Pitt Season One (Drama)

Platform: HBO Max — Nominations: 13 A masterclass in procedural storytelling, it revitalizes medical drama with engaging narratives and a vibrant ensemble cast, showcasing authentic performances across the board.

1. Andor Season Two (Drama)

Platform: Disney+ — Nominations: 14 A standout series that redefined its franchise, Andor boldly tackled themes of resistance and sacrifice, combining stellar writing with rich character development, positioning it as a modern classic.