Column: Finally, FX gets the Emmy recognition it deserves

by

As a movie buff with a deep appreciation for television history, I can’t help but feel elated and vindicated by FX’s triumphant performance at this year’s Emmy Awards. For too long, this innovative network has been overlooked and underrated in the annals of awards season, overshadowed by the likes of HBO and more recently, Netflix.

FX is finally having the Emmy race it deserves.

I used to be overlooked and overshadowed in the discussions about the golden age of television in the late 1990s and 2000s, with other networks stealing the limelight during awards season. But now, FX is ruling the roost.

HBO had been the Emmy frontrunner for many years. More recently, Netflix has emerged as a serious competitor. However, this year, FX took the lead in the major award categories, with its shows being the top contenders in both drama and comedy, and ranking second in limited series. (Netflix came out on top overall with 107 awards, while FX followed closely with 93, and HBO claimed 91.)

At the Emmy Awards in January 2023, which were postponed due to strikes, “The Bear” from FX put up an impressive performance with a large number of nominations. However, FX’s own production “Shōgun” took the lead with a total of 25 nominations. In the nomination list announced on Wednesday, “The Bear” received 23 nominations, setting a new record for the most nominations ever received by a comedy series. Besides “The Bear,” other FX titles, such as “What We Do in the Shadows” and “Reservation Dogs,” were also nominated in this category.

I must acknowledge that the writers’ and actors’ strikes from last year significantly impacted this year’s award contenders. Consequently, the second season of “House of the Dragon” missed the eligibility deadline, and we’re yet to witness the comebacks of highly-acclaimed shows like “The Last of Us,” “Severance,” “Yellowjackets,” and “The White Lotus.”

Despite having already started its second season while its third is underway, “The Bear” continues to be a highly regarded and popular series, with much discussion over whether it should be classified as a comedy. On the other hand, “Shōgun,” known for its grand historical storyline, is tipped to make a significant impact at the upcoming Emmy Awards ceremony.

In significant fashion, this year’s Emmy Awards recognize FX’s pivotal role in shaping 21st century television. Before AMC’s “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad,” and “The Walking Dead” sparked a cable TV renaissance, FX was blazing new trails on the small screen with groundbreaking shows like “The Shield,” “Nip/Tuck,” and “Rescue Me.”

With the improvement in television’s overall quality, viewers and critics grew past the label of TV as mere “entertainment for the masses.” FX responded by enhancing its programming in both comedy and drama genres. Some of their notable shows include: “Baskets,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Wilfred,” “You’re the Worst,” “Better Things,” “Archer” for comedy, and “Damages,” “Justified,” “Sons of Anarchy,” “Fargo,” and, of course, “The Americans” for drama.

Despite FX’s consistent success in the critical community with shows like “American Horror Story” and “American Crime Story,” which are often seen as achievements for Ryan Murphy rather than FX itself, the network has not received a proportionate number of Emmy nominations or wins. The cast of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” brought up this issue last year, and the lack of recognition for “The Americans” continues to be a source of frustration for many TV critics and fans.

As a dedicated movie and TV buff, I’ve always admired industry veterans like John Landgraf, the well-respected network chairman at FX who’s famously coined the term “peak TV” and is often referred to as the “mayor of television.” Despite FX’s exceptional content and Landgraf’s influential role in the industry, the network hasn’t quite received the awards recognition it truly deserves.

During my critical days, I was made aware in the moment that some of my praises were valid. Shows like “The Shield” and “Damages” were highly acclaimed, with the former often appearing on top TV show lists, and the latter paving the way for female antiheroes. However, FX as a network didn’t quite shine as brightly as its louder competitors HBO and more recently, Netflix.

Currently, HBO’s distinctive brand has weakened to the point where it isn’t explicitly mentioned on its own streaming platform, and it seems that advertisements within their programs are essential for these streamers to turn a profit. In contrast, FX is now reaping the benefits, if not deriving the last laugh, then certainly a well-deserved one from this situation.

Instead of trying to introduce a subscription service during the intense competition among streaming platforms, wisely, FX chose to partner with Hulu (currently under Disney’s ownership). This collaboration enables FX to preserve its identity while expanding its audience reach.

Which is one reason this year’s Emmy domination is so important.

Sometimes, those who consistently put in excellent effort don’t always receive the limelight. But eventually, their hard work is recognized, and they bask in well-deserved praise and recognition.

Read More

2024-07-18 20:20