THE 2015 EMMY NOMINATIONS:  EMPIRE SNUBBED; TRANSPARENT GETS A NOD

Lucious and Cookie

The TV Academy won't have to deal with Cookie Lyon's wrath.  Although they snubbed her hit TV show EMPIRE for an Emmy nom, the actress Taraji P. Henson received one for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.  

Taraji delivers the heat and the best lines on the FOX show every week.  Unfortunately, Terrence Howard (EMPIRE) was overlooked for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.  The TV Academy may not want to diss Lucious Lyon next year.

Other Noms for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series include: Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Kyle Chandler (Bloodline), Kevin Spacey (House of Cards), Jeff Daniels (Newsroom), Liev Schreiber as Ray Donovan and Better Call Saul's Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill.  Pretty tough competition.

Outstanding Drama Series include: HOMELAND, HOUSE OF CARDS, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, DOWNTON ABBEY, BETTER CALL SAUL and GAME OF THRONES. 

There are the usual suspects for Outstanding Comedy Series: PARKS AND RECREATION, VEEP and MODERN FAMILY (that show gets funnier each year).  The fabulous Amazon show TRANSPARENT received a nod, as well as LOUIE, SILICON VALLEY and UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT.

Creator Jill Solloway and Cast of Transparent

  Outstanding Lead Actresses besides Taraji P. Henson in EMPIRE include Claire Danes in HOMELAND, Robin Wright in HOUSE OF CARDS, the amazing Tatiana Maslany in ORPHAN BLACK (who plays six characters on the show); MAD MEN's Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson and Viola Davis for HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER.

The Emmy Awards air on the FOX on Sept. 20th.  More categories below.   

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
black-ish • ABC • ABC Studios
Anthony Anderson as Andre Johnson
Episodes • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents, Hat Trick Productions, Crane Klarik Productions
Matt LeBlanc as Matt LeBlanc
House Of Lies • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents, Crescendo Productions, Refugee Productions, Matthew Carnahan Circus Products
Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan
The Last Man On Earth • FOX • 20th Century Fox Television
Will Forte as Phil Miller
Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc. and FX Productions
Louis C.K. as Louie
Shameless • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents, John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television
William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher
Transparent • Amazon Instant Video • Amazon Studios
Jeffrey Tambor as Maura Pfefferman

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
The Comeback • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Michael Patrick King Productions, Is or Isn’t Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television
Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish
Grace And Frankie • Netflix • Skydance Productions for Netflix
Lily Tomlin as Frankie
Inside Amy Schumer • Comedy Central • Jax Media
Amy Schumer as Amy
Nurse Jackie • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents, Lionsgate Television, Jackson Group Entertainment, A Caryn Mandabach Production, Clyde Phillips Productions
Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton
Parks And Recreation • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Fremulon, 3 Arts Entertainment and Universal Television
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope
Veep • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Dundee Productions
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as President Selina Meyer

Until next time.