After the nominations for 71st Primetime Emmy Awards came out, some stars and networks wanted to share their joy. Among them: Pop TV, which earned its first-ever Emmy nominations (four of them), for original comedy series Schitt's Creek. “The momentum going into the final season of Schitt's Creek couldn’t be more amazing and what a way to celebrate six years of groundbreaking, critically acclaimed, fan adored work,” network president Brad Schwartz said.
“The support of this series, driven by one of the most loyal and passionate fan bases on television, has clearly captured the attention of the Industry and we’re thrilled that the entire Schitt's Creek team is being recognized in this way. We thank the Television Academy greatly for this honor.” Movie and TV (SCTV) legend Eugene Levy and his son, showrunner and Schitt's Creek star Daniel Levy, said: “To say this is very exciting news is the definition of an understatement. On behalf of our cast and crew, we thank the Television Academy for including us among the best in TV. What an absolute thrill! Team Canada is heading to the Emmys!”
Pop is now wholly owned by CBS, which also owns Showtime, the premium network that was pleased to score 18 primetime Emmy noms, including 12 for limited series Escape at Dannemora. Nominee Patricia Arquette of Dannemora said: “I was dead asleep when my phone rang and it was Joey King [of Hulu's The Act] on FaceTime crying. But she was crying happy tears and I said “Did you get nominated?” She cried and I said, “What is it? Did you get nominated?” and she shook her head “Yes! We both did!” It was such a great feeling to see her face and feel her joy -- she is so damn talented and she kept saying, “I couldn’t do it without you.” But she could have because she is an incredible talent. Then my boyfriend came in and told me about all the nominations for Escape At Dannemora. Then Ben Stiller texted me. So it was a pretty amazing morning. Now I’m just laying here being grateful for all the talented people I have had the chance to work with. I love the work of all the actresses I am being recognized beside so I would say, it’s as they say “a good day at the office.”
Lead Actor nominee Benicio Del Toro said: “I am incredibly grateful to receive this nomination from the TV Academy, and even more so for the honors Escape At Dannemora earned. The cast, crew, writers, Ben Stiller and Showtime brought this unbelievable story to life and I am so proud to be a part of it. Thank you.”
Sacha Baron Cohen's satire-comedy series Who Is America? drew three nominations for Showtime. "Thank you to the EMMYs for the nominations for Who Is America?" Cohen said in a statement that, like the others here, came from the network. "It was a bare-bones production -- I went out into the heartland of this country armed only with a camera crew, a makeup kit and my trusted pedophile detector. I want to thank my crack team of researchers told to uncover bigotry, racism and hate in the US. That took them about 30 seconds… they just started following the President. While I am flattered at these nods, it is a shame that my co-stars were not recognized. Particularly Dick Cheney, who I had hoped would come across on camera as someone who’d gleefully sent hundreds of thousands to their pointless death – and boy did he deliver. I’ve played some lunatics in my time, but the look of vacuous evil in his eyes as he autographed a waterboard kit, would put Daniel Day Lewis to shame.
"There’s one more person I need to thank even though she didn’t appear in the final project, Sarah Palin," Cohen said. "Sarah, if you are out there, and you are WAY out there, please know the last time unseen footage generated as much interest, was when Donald Trump visited a Moscow hotel room."
And Don Cheadle, picking up an actor nod for Showtime's freshman comedy Black Monday, said: “Never gets old. Thanks, TV Academy and a HUGE thanks to Showtime, the entire cast, crew and creators of Black Monday. We’ll roast marshmallows on those golden wings if I bring it home.”
AMC Networks entertainment networks group president Sarah Barnett was pleased for nominations that came in for shows at AMC, BBC America, IFC and SundanceTV. “Wow! We are overjoyed to see so many of our shows recognized today, affirming AMC Networks as a company whose shows ignite audiences, critics and Emmy voters even at a time that is more crowded and competitive than ever before. This is rarified air to be in, and we are honored to be in this company. Congratulations to our brilliant creative partners who are second to none. Killing Eve, Better Call Saul, Documentary Now! and State Of The Union are labors of great passion and great talent; we are delighted to see the genius teams who created them get this well-deserved recognition.”
WarnerMedia's TBS and truTV picked up seven nominations that generated four reaction statements. Noms came in for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (two), Conan (three) and At Home With Amy Sedaris (two).
Samantha Bee, star and executive producer of Full Frontal: "It's such an honor to be nominated with so many of my friends -- I am truly grateful to the Academy for recognizing the hard work of my entire staff. It is always a group effort and any day I can order celebratory cake to be delivered to the office is a good day. See you in LA!"
Conan star and executive producer Conan O'Brien: "I have an excellent staff and I’m very happy to see them recognized with 3 Emmy Nominations. Next stop: the Latin Grammys."
Amy Sedaris, star and creator of At Home with Amy Sedaris: "It's always nice to be invited to a party! Thanks so much to the Television Academy for nominating us again and everyone at truTV, the writers, cast and crew for making our show possible. I must admit this year’s Emmy nomination is slightly bittersweet – I had my eye on hosting."
Concluded Brett Weitz, General Manager of TBS, TNT and truTV: "We are extremely proud of Conan, Sam, Amy and all of the folks behind the camera who work tirelessly to make these shows every week. Sam and her writers have an innate ability to champion critical issues while Conan takes us along on his travel adventures and Amy welcomes us in to her bizarre home to teach us the latest DIY — all while making us laugh. We are extremely grateful to the Academy for continuing to recognize these incredible shows."
