Awards HQ August 15: ‘Pam & Tommy’ Goes X-Rated Viral; Julia Garner is Emmy Catnip; Stephen Colbert Visits ‘Severance’; More!

I’m still surprised Hulu’s “Pam & Tommy” didn’t get an Emmy nomination for its special effects or its prosthetics… for the conversation Tommy (played by Sebastian Stan) has with his penis — voiced by Jason Mantzoukas. (Read all about how the production pulled it off here.) It should have!

Maybe Tommy Lee is too. Suspiciously timed to the day before Emmy voting began on August 12, Lee posted a full frontal nude shot of himself on social media. And as of Sunday, those sites — including Twitter — still has that photo up. What is going on? Is this the most viral of Emmy FYC promos ever? Even though Lee had nothing to do with “Pam & Tommy,” he may have everything to do with an Emmy win, should it come to pass, for the limited series. (I can only imagine what our pals at Hulu think! I find it hysterical and ultimately harmless. Although… not sure we needed that visual. And HOW IS IT STILL UP?)

When it comes to turning Emmy nominations into Emmy wins, Julia Garner is so far batting a thousand. The actor was nominated in 2019 and 2020 in the supporting actress in a drama series category for “Ozark” — and she won both times.

Now, Garner has doubled her Emmy nominations tally to four, picking up another supporting actress nod for the final season of “Ozark” and also landing one for her “Inventing Anna” role, as lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie.

Given her “Ozark” success, that nomination wasn’t a shock. But the success of “Inventing Anna” at the Emmys — including in the key limited or anthology series category — was a bit of a surprise, especially given the expectation that another Netflix series, “Maid,” would make the cut.

Yet in hindsight, it shouldn’t have been a surprise at all. By now it’s clear that Julia Garner should be added to the list of awards catnip — the roster of stars that continue to amaze on screen, and whose work has not gone unnoticed by industry voters. Think of other awards favorites like Olivia Colman or Sarah Paulson (who returns to the Emmy table this year with “Impeachment: American Crime Story,” her eighth nomination).

Garner has clearly impressed over the years on “Ozark” as Ruth Langmore, but has also shown her range in recent years via “Waco,” “The Americans,” “Dirty John” and now, “Inventing Anna.”

Read more here.

Per CBS: “Stephen Colbert loves everything about the hit Apple TV+ show ‘Severance,’ except for the fact that he didn’t get to star in the show. Luckily we found all of his scenes that were left on the cutting room floor, so you can enjoy his performance alongside the show’s real stars, John Turturro, Tramell Tillman, and Adam Scott.”

Check out a clip by clicking below, or here.

“I remember damage.” That haunting quote, from the novel “Station Eleven,” by Emily St. John Mandel, becomes an ongoing theme in the TV series of the same name, adapted by Patrick Somerville for HBO Max. “Station Eleven” started in development, and even began shooting, before the COVID-19 pandemic. But the ten-episode series — about the aftermath of a devastating flu that wipes out most of the world, and the survivors who attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world anew – obviously took on an entirely new resonance when the real-life pandemic hit.

What else does Somerville remember? We asked him to share some of his favorite and more obscure TV picks.

1. What is your guilty TV pleasure? (Can be of all time, or currently. Cheesy reality show? Campy sitcom? Obscure public access show? Anything applies!)

“Bering Sea Gold.” Because every episode, everyone finds gold.

2. What is your “deep cut”? What show do you recommend that isn’t as well known, past or present?

“Northern Exposure,” because it is the warmest, smartest, weirdest, and most thoughtful drama to ever be in network television.

3. What is your “show mate”? The show that, if you were stuck on a desert island with only one DVD, you’d choose to be the most important/most influential/best TV show in your life?

“The Leftovers.” It’s not just that I love the show, and the characters, but it’s that contained within every episode are my own memories of some of the funnest, most exciting creative debates and conversations I have ever had in my life. Getting to be a small part of making that show changed me forever.

Clayton Davis writes:

Whether you actually watch the Emmys or not, the highlight of any ceremony is the presumed upsets that come during the evening.

For months, pundits have projected who should win and why, but even the most-seasoned awards expert can’t predict it all and there are bound to be a few shocking moments. Some of these include Jodie Comer having her name called instead of her co-star Sandra Oh for “Killing Eve” or watching “Schitt’s Creek” become the first Emmys sweeper in history, winning all four major acting prizes, directing, writing and comedy series.

A real mystery surrounds this year’s 74th annual ceremony, set to take place on Sept. 12. While some races seem sewn up, such as Jennifer Coolidge’s supporting actress limited run for “The White Lotus” and Michael Keaton’s lead actor limited for “Dopesick,” significant questions still surround many races. Does “Succession’s” 25-nomination haul mean it’s a definite winner, or can “Squid Game” continue its historic run? Also, can “Ted Lasso” repeat its first season victory, or could “Abbott Elementary” give broadcast networks some fuel to continue?

To celebrate the opening of final Emmy voting, Variety ranks the 16 most shocking surprises of the Primetime Emmy Awards in the last 16 years.

Read the list here.

To mark the seven Emmy nominations for Showtime’s “Yellowjackets,” the show’s “Antler Queen” made surprise appearances at various iconic Los Angeles locales this weekend. Locations included Fryman Canyon, Weddington Tennis Courts, Paty’s Restaurant, Copa Vida, Lovi’s Delicatessen, Calabasas Hidden Stairs, Health Nut, Runyon Canyon Park, Go Get Em Tiger Larchmont, Go Get Em Tiger Los Feliz, Mama Shelter, Urth Caffe Melrose, Cecconi’s, Jon & Vinny’s, Sunset Tower, Alfred Coffee Melrose, Paul Smith Pink Wall, Joan’s on Third, Baldwin Hills Stairs, Super Domestic Coffee, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Petit Ermitage Pool, Zuma Beach, Malibu Farm, Los Leones, Café Vida, Starbucks El Segundo, Marina Del Rey Docks, Playa Provisions, The Strand Bike Path, La Scala, Kreation Juicery Brentwood and Gjelina.

Additionally, banner planes took flight in Los Angeles. The banners read “All Hail The Antler Queen #yellowjackets” and “We Won’t Be Hungry Much Longer #yellowjackets”.

National Geographic Documentary Films’ “We Feed People” food trucks will pass out free food from the Border Grill lunch in honor of the Emmy-nominated doc this Wednesday, Ag. 17 from noon to 3 p.m. at the La Brea Tar Pits between Spaulding and Stanley on Wilshire Blvd. More information on the good work of chef José Andrés‘ WCK and how to donate is available at the truck, along with information on the film.

NBCU held an event for “Top Chef” in New York on August 8 to celebrate the show’s six Emmy Award Nominations, at Season 19 winner Buddha Lo’s restaurant Huso. Padma Lakshmi was in attendance as Buddha cooked an 8-course dinner of his winning dishes from last season.

Hulu held a Los Angeles screening and Q&A event for “The Dropout” on Thursday, August 11 at the DGA Theater, featuring Emmy-nominated star Amanda Seyfried and moderator Jeanne Tripplehorn.

BET+ celebrated the second season of “Ms. Pat,” and the show’s landmark Emmy nomination, at The London West Hollywood, last week. Star, creator and EP Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams, was joined by castmates J. Bernard Calloway, Tami Roman, Theodore Barnes, Briyana Guadalupe, Vince Swann and Brittany Inge, and executive producers Brian Grazer, Jordan E. Cooper, Deb Evans, Marc Velez, Pam Williams and Jon Radler.

HBO’s “The White Lotus” and Apple TV+’s “Severance” led the HCA TV Awards’ two-night ceremony, winning five awards each in the broadcast/cable and streaming awards, respectively.

“The White Lotus” won for best writing in a broadcast or cable limited, anthology series or movie; best directing in a broadcast or cable limited, anthology series or movie; best supporting actor in a broadcast or cable limited, anthology series or movie; best supporting actress in a broadcast or cable limited, anthology series or movie; and best broadcast network or cable limited or anthology series.

“Severance” landed awards for best streaming series, drama; best writing in a streaming series, drama; best supporting actor in a streaming series, drama; best directing in a streaming series, drama; and best actress in a streaming series, drama.

Additionally, the HCA bestowed Honorary Awards including the “TV Breakout Star Award” presented to Quinta Brunson, the “TV Icon Award” presented to Giancarlo Esposito, and the “Virtuoso Award” presented to Mandy Moore.

The HCA TV Awards are unique in featuring several drama and comedy categories for both broadcast and cable. And it’s also unique for splitting broadcast/cable and streaming into separate nominations and ceremonies.

The HCA’s broadcast network and cable awards were held at The Beverly Hilton on Saturday, August 13, 2022, hosted by Dulcé Sloan, while the streaming event took place the next night, on Sunday, August 14, hosted by Cameron Esposito. Click here for all the winners for the 2nd Annual HCA TV Awards.

The Variety Emmy special editions are back for Phase 2, edited by Emily Longeretta! This edition focuses on best comedy. I write:

Sam Richardson’s profile has risen in recent years through roles such as eager aide Richard Splett on “Veep,” as well as the star and co-creator (with Tim Robinson) of cult hit “Detroiters” and even via the woefully under appreciated series “Champaign ILL,” which he top lined with Adam Pally.

But it’s Apple TV+’s “The Afterparty” that has cemented Richardson as not only a star — but also a romantic lead, opposite Zoë Chao.

That’s why Richardson’s Emmy nomination this year is extra sweet. As he and Chao film Season 2 of “The Afterparty,” Richardson… wait a minute. Sorry. Correction: “The Afterparty” should have been Emmy-nominated.

But instead, Richardson is an Emmy nominee for an entirely different standout role: comedy guest actor on a different Apple TV+ show, playing Ghanaian billionaire Edwin Akufo in Season 2 of “Ted Lasso.”

It’s big moment for Richardson as he celebrates his first Emmy nomination. But it’s also a tad bittersweet: The actor happened to be on the set of “The Afterparty” when he learned about his Emmy nom.

“It’s a weird push and pull,” he says. “It’s my first Emmy nomination and I’m over the moon. But I’m a guest there [on “Ted Lasso”]. Then to be with my family, and to get that nomination and find out that ‘Afterparty’ didn’t get any nominations, I was a little bummed. But the ‘Afterparty’ cast and crew and the producers were all very congratulatory and celebratory of my nomination. It just goes to show they’re all wonderful, good people.”

There’s plenty of serendipity to Richardson’s nomination: Among the other mentions for “Ted Lasso” is a supporting actor Toheeb Jimoh, who plays Sam Obisanya — a character that was named, and patterned after, Richardson. And in Season 2, it’s Richardson’s character who tries to lure Sam away from the show’s fictional football club, AFC Richmond.

“I was watching that first season, and I like texted [“Ted Lasso” exec producer] Joe Kelly, and I was like, ‘Hey, is Sam supposed to be me?’ And he was like, ‘Of course, obviously!’ So what a weird full circle then in Season 2 to get to go and be on the show and play across from Toheeb,” Richardson says. “I’m playing across from a character that’s inspired by me as a person. And then I get to be Ghanaian in that. It’s like a weird ‘Inception’ sort of exercise in knowing yourself!”

Jimoh’s character was even originally supposed to be Ghanaian; Richardson is of Ghanaian descent. But because Jimoh is Nigerian, they made the character Nigerian as well.

So what has Richardson learned about himself through that process? “Oh, I’m too nice, I think,” he jokes.

Go here for more.

The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media will be honored with this year’s Governors Award at the Emmys, the Television Academy announced on Monday. The institute, which was founded by Oscar-winning actor Geena Davis in 2004, will be recognized for its work in promoting gender balance and fostering inclusion in the entertainment industry.

First awarded in 1978, the Governors Award “honors an individual, company or organization that has made a profound, transformational and long-lasting contribution to the arts and/or science of television,” according to the Television Academy. Debbie Allen received the honor last year, while Tyler Perry and The Perry Foundation were recognized with the Governors Award, which is approved by the Television Academy’s Board of Governors, in 2020.

In choosing The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the TV Academy pointed out the org’s work in advancing the belief that “representation of characters in media should, in aggregate, reflect the population of the world, which is half female and very diverse. They advise the industry that global culture change is especially important for children who need diverse, intersectional representation in the programming they watch so they are not unwittingly taught to absorb unconscious bias.”

The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media will receive the award during the Emmy Awards ceremony on Monday, Sept. 12, airing on NBC and hosted by Kenan Thompson.

In support of Norm Macdonald‘s posthumous special “Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special,” Netflix released a special tribute video on Netflix is a Joke YouTube channel featuring Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Adam Sandler, Molly Shannon and David Spade as they remember the beloved comedian. The conversation, which is featured at the end of “Nothing Special,” has been updated with never-before-seen, personal photos from Macdonald’s life.

“Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special” received nominations for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded), uutstanding writing for a comedy special and outstanding directing for a comedy special. Click above to watch, or go here.

The Fab Five hosts of Netflix’s Emmy-nominated “Queer Eye” often hear from audiences and contestants how the show changed their lives. But the show also changed the life of host Karamo Brown, helping him reconnect with his estranged father after 18 years.

Brown, along with Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk and Jonathan Van Ness, joined senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay on the Awards Circuit podcast to share his story. Listen below:

Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, produced by Michael Schneider, is your one-stop listen for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each week “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives; discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines; and much, much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts. New episodes post every Thursday and Friday.

Read more here.

Kate Aurthur writes:

Jeremy Strong has been commuting this August between the New York City set of “Succession” Season 4 to Sagaponack, a village in the Hamptons where his family is staying. During a Zoom conversation with Strong, Adam McKay — the executive producer (and pilot director) of the HBO show — couldn’t help commenting that summering in the Hamptons is a very Kendall Roy thing to do.

“Is it weird driving around?” McKay asked. Breaking into a wry smile, Strong replied, “Let’s just call it research.”

Strong’s Kendall began the third season of “Succession” on top of the world. His attempted coup to seize control of Waystar Royco from Logan (Brian Cox) — the cruel father who would have sent Kendall to prison in a “blood sacrifice” to pay for the company’s sins — looked promising, if not inevitable. Yet as the season went on, Kendall’s triumph ebbed, and Logan once again shored up his power, especially among the rest of the family.

By the time his 40th birthday arrived in Episode 7 — titled “Too Much Birthday” — the Kendall we see is at both his most blustery and at his neediest: He’s an open wound trying to find the fun in an indulgently expensive, self-referential party filled with an A-list of strangers. At the start of “Too Much Birthday,” we see him rehearsing a planned performance of Billy Joel’s “Honesty,” which he intended to sing for his guests; by the party’s end, he’s lying in the lap of his girlfriend Naomi (Annabelle Dexter-Jones), wrapped in a He-Man blanket reminiscent of his childhood, utterly broken.

“You’re a guy who’s really wounded, and traumatized in a very real way,” McKay said to Strong about Kendall, while adding that the character is “getting destroyed by capitalism — which is his father.”

Strong won the Emmy for best actor in a drama in 2020, and is once again a favorite in the category. “Succession,” which was created by Jesse Armstrong, received 25 nominations from TV Academy voters on July 12, leading all series. Strong’s conversation with McKay, who also directed him in “The Big Short,” was observed by Variety, and served to illuminate the actor’s immersive approach to Kendall.

In an hourlong back-and-forth, Strong and McKay delved into “Too Much Birthday,” with Strong revealing how the scene of Kendall’s desperate search for his kids’ gift came about, how the character’s suicidality hit him as he was filming — and whether he thinks Kendall is doomed.

Read more here.

 Clayton Davis is putting up his early Emmy predictions. This time out, he tackles limited series actress:

In a transformative performance, Lily James captures the essence of actor and model Pamela Anderson in the Hulu series “Pam & Tommy.” Making magic with her nominated co-star Sebastian Stan, she slices through the ’90s period easily, capturing the nuance and heart of the story being told. This is only the beginning for the English star, but a win may have to wait until the next one.

Picking up her first Oscar nomination in 2021, Amanda Seyfried followed it up with a career best performance in Hulu’s “The Dropout.” Aside from Michael Keaton’s assured win for “Dopesick,” she’s long been considered one of the closest “locks” of the evening. While her co-star Naveen Andrews egregiously missed out, additional “Dropout” acting noms only reinforce her front-runner status.

An Emmy winner for “United States of Tara,” Toni Collette picked up her fifth career nom for her turn as the deceased (murdered?) wife, Kathleen, in the HBO Max adaptation of the documentary. While the show didn’t perform as well as many had expected, only picking up another mention for co-star Colin Firth, the commitment by Collette is undeniable. It could be a shocking upset waiting in the wings.

Portraying O.J. Simpson prosecutor Marcia Clark brought Sarah Paulson to the Emmy stage. As Linda Tripp, another real-life person, she surprised many by landing her eighth acting nom for the FX limited series. The Ryan Murphy production focusing on the impeachment of Bill Clinton popped up in a few categories, and Paulson’s industry respect was a big part of why “Impeachment” got a foot in the race.

Julia Garner picked up two acting bids this year — supporting actress drama for “Ozark” and her riveting and buzzy turn as Anna Delvey in “Inventing Anna,” both from Netflix. With two Emmy wins thus far and “Anna” getting a surprise nom for limited series, could one of those noms help the other, leading to a double win? The thesp who may play Madonna sees her star continue to rise.

One of the surviving entities of the Netflix drama that fell off the Emmy wagon, Margaret Qualley earned a deserved second career nom for her turn as a single mother. Three years after her inaugural entry for “Fosse/Verdon,” Qualley was long perceived to be the spoiler in the race, and since there aren’t many other ways to reward the series, she could be an easy box for voters to check.

Feel free to send your burning Emmy questions and suggestions to mschneider@variety.com, and your hot tips as well!  Thanks for reading.