In conjunction with this week’s podcast where we reveal some of our biggest Emmy wishes, we wanted to open up our pleas to the rest of The Contending staff!
Michelle Pfeiffer should win Outstanding Supporting Actress in Comedy Series for Margo’s Got Money Troubles
If ever there were a year where Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series should be a tie, then this is the one. Hacks‘ Hannah Einbinder should already have four Emmys to match her co-star Jean Smart, yet last year’s win marked her first for the series. This year, she’s again the front runner, and while I can’t argue with that (talk about character growth…), my personal choice to win this year and my plea to the Television Academy would be for Margo’s Got Money Troubles‘ Michelle Pfeiffer. Pfeiffer hasn’t taken on a role this meaty in decades. Her performance here reminds me of her outstanding early career work in such films as Married To the Mob or Frankie and Johnny. In Margo and drawing from that earlier work, she brings Shyanne Millet to vivid life, marrying her stunning (and stunningly age appropriate) looks with a blue collar sensibility. She’s unafraid to portray Shyanne as, initially, a mediocre mother/grandmother, but she evolves the character into a warm and critically necessary presence within the series. Shyanne belongs in the pantheon of great Michelle Pfeiffer performances (Catwoman, Ellen Olenska, Susie Diamond), and as much as I love Hannah Einbinder’s work, Pfeiffer gets my vote for the best supporting performance of this season. Television Academy, she should have your votes too.
–Clarence Moye
Harrison Ford should win Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Shrinking
On Apple TV’s Shrinking, Harrison Ford has been giving the best performance of his life as the Parkinson’s-infected shrink, Paul. For years, Ford has starred in too many roles that ask too little of him. That is not the case with Shrinking. As a crusty but caring therapist facing down his mortality, Ford is playful, funny, flinty, and real. I don’t know why Ford waited until he was 80 to take on a part that asks him to unload his entire tool box, but I sure am grateful for it. We’ve always known Harrison Ford the movie star, but we now get to see him as an actor. Stripped of the physicality by the ages, Ford reminds in us Shrinking of why we liked him so much in the first place.
–David Phillips
Keri Russell should win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for The Diplomat
Keri Russell! Keri Russell! Keri Russell! That’s all.
–Frank J. Avella
Ricky and Morty should win Outstanding Animated Series
Rick and Morty being great again was not on my 2026 bingo card. By great I don’t just mean being better than it’s been in years, this is up there with the first three seasons. They had some of the best character deconstructions of Rick’s psychological issues and how they are affecting everyone, especially Morty. Morty is dealing with how he feels about Rick’s actions that are making him change. Morty is not always happy with whom he is turning into, but still accepts that it is happening. He wants the approval of Rick, resents his callous nature, and worries he will be like him, but then can be happy when he is like Rick–and all of it feels real. Leading to the great emotional final scene that was touching in an unexpected but very Rick and Morty way.
All this extra character depth was added with some of the cleverest storylines of sci-fi hijinks, from forced reincarnation to surviving a kung fu technique that made Rick and Morty have to walk backwards so they don’t die. Then some of the most intense animation battles they have ever done. From the first episode having Evil Morty versus Rick going all out with over-the-top technology where you can feel like you have no idea what is happening to the finale where the Smith family is having a more low-key fight that packs a huge emotional gut punch. Both were unforgettable in very different ways. Finally it was really, really funny!
They had only the first two episodes from this season eligible (and submitted the pilot), so how much it counts for the whole season or just part of the eighth season, I do not know. But frankly I do not care. If next year they submit another episode from this season that was part of next year’s eligibility, it would deserve to win the award twice. It is that good.
–Ben Morris
Tyler James Williams should win Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary
It’s criminal to me that Mr. Williams has yet to win a Primetime Emmy Award for anything, but his work on Abbott Elementary keeps getting better and better. Not only has Gregory Eddie sustained a strong relationship with us as he glances at the camera, but his growth this season is a great example of how sitcom characters resist stagnancy. Quinta Brunson’s Janine helped Gregory get out of his comfort zone by changing the look of his apartment, and he stood up for a female student when she showed interest in joining the ranks of the Goofballs, the after-school gardening group that was only populated by boys up until this point. When Gregory and Janine’s relationship hits a snag towards the end of the season, we see new shades to how Gregory stands his ground and the development allows him and Brunson to find new depths to their character’s love story. If that isn’t enough, Williams directed one of the season’s strongest throughlines in the trio of episodes where the teachers of Abbott struggle to make do in the city’s rundown shopping mall. Williams is not just overdue, he’s deserving.
–Joey Moser
Do you have an Emmy wish this year? Do you disagree with any of our selections? Sound off in the comments!
YES, Keri Russel, Keri Russel, Keri Russel. Shout it Mr Avella.
While you're at it though, I'd like to should Rufus Sewell, Rufus Sewell, Rufus Sewell too!
Ms Russel & Mr Sewell's "correspondence" in The Diplomat is out of this world. Even in few episodes where everything else isn't at an absolute 100% (Though at worst it's 99%), above 2 are untouchable in their chemistry & command.