Emmy Worthy Performances w/o Big Scenes

[BlacktieParticipant Joined: Nov 5th, 2010 Topics: 3 Posts: 136 View Predictions]

#340116

What are some notable performances that you find Emmy-worthy but lack the big moments or showcases sometimes needed to claim the trophy?

A recent example (of a performance that actually won) would be Archie Panjabi in The Good Wife. Merritt Weaver would be yet another.

A current example for me is Niecy Nash on “Getting On.” She’s turning in arguably her best work yet, but lacks any big moments for a nomination or win. She also is shortchanged by the amount of episodes per season but that’s another discussion.

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[TonboneParticipant Joined: Jun 15th, 2011 Topics: 37 Posts: 546 View Predictions]

#340118

Tony Shalhoud “Monk” 2003 “Mr. Monk goes on an Airplane” I don’t remember any big memorable over-the-top scenes just the character being very likeable. 

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[JohnChirasParticipant Joined: Sep 17th, 2013 Topics: 1 Posts: 80 View Predictions]

#340119

What comes to my mind right now:

Debra Winger & Amy Ryan for the third season of In Treatment.

Aden Young & Adelaide Clemens for the first and second season of Rectify.

Juliet Rylance for the first season of The Knick.

Olivia Williams for the first season of Manhattan.

Stephen Rea for the first season of The Honourable Woman.

Tcheky Karyo for the first season of The Missing.
 

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[JakeParticipant Joined: Jul 2nd, 2011 Topics: 63 Posts: 2332 View Predictions]

#340120

I think sitcom actors usually have no big moments. There were some exceptions like Debra Messing Emmy-winning submission, Jackie and Roseanne’s dad passing away and the aftermath of that and perhaps some scenes of Sheldon Cooper’s vulnerability and self-realization (and many more) but in this form they are there to mantain and keep the rhythm and make the jokes funny which can be even harder than the greatest drama.

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[vinnyParticipant Joined: May 20th, 2011 Topics: 7 Posts: 35274 View Predictions]

#340121

Ten come to mind off the bat:
1)Michael Chiklis in AHS: Freak Show (he has had no big moments yet and thats sad since he quiet yet powerful perofrmance of Dell is awesome)
2)Rob James Collier in Downton Abbey
3)Don Cheadle in House of Lies
4)Richard Madden in GOT
5)Conleth Hill in GOT
6)Kit Harrington in GOT
7) Gale Gordon in The Lucy Show (I know very old school but trust me he was comic gold in the first season)
8) Ruth Wilson in the Affair
9)Dominic West in the Affair
10)Emma Roberts in AHS: Coven (She had one big moment and that was that)         

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[NomadaParticipant Joined: Sep 23rd, 2013 Topics: 3 Posts: 54 View Predictions]

#340122

Robin
Wright fits perfectly in this category

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[AwardsfunyayParticipant Joined: Jun 14th, 2013 Topics: 1 Posts: 289 View Predictions]

#340123

Completely agree with your thoughts on Niecy Nash! 

Laila Robbins on Homeland
Karla Souza on How to Get Away with Murder
Olivia Munn on The Newsroom (she’s really an interesting and comedic character on a dramatic show)
Mimi Kennedy on Mom
Neil Flynn on The Middle
Ciara Bravo on Red Band Society 

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[DenisParticipant Joined: Oct 14th, 2011 Topics: 66 Posts: 4641 View Predictions]

#340124

Robbins is wonderfull in Homeland, it is like the most perfect and made for emmys performance, but lacks that big explosive moment, perfect example.

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[harposboyMember Joined: Apr 28th, 2013 Topics: 2 Posts: 117 View Predictions]

#340125

Christine Baranski never gets a show-off showcase episode of The Good Wife, but would be a worthy winner almost any year

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[AMGParticipant Joined: Sep 20th, 2012 Topics: 147 Posts: 3709 View Predictions]

#340126

Mandy Patinkin in Homeland. Until this season, he hadn’t had that story/episode/scene to say to voters LOOK AT ME!! 

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[mikeboy898Participant Joined: Feb 3rd, 2012 Topics: 31 Posts: 2853 View Predictions]

#340127

You can’t put Mandy Patinkin in this category this season. He has at least 3 episodes in the middle of Homeland’s 4th season he could submit for his Emmy win. I hope he finally wins this year – he’s been STELLAR!

I agree with Laila Robbins (Homeland) – quietly controlled, wonderful acting. I hope she gets a nomination.

My other picks:

Aiden Young, Rectify
Adelaide Spencer, Rectify
Niecy Nash, Getting On
Ruth Wilson and Dominic West, The Affair (subtle performances I hope get more nominations than just GGs!)

My opinion on American Horror Story is that none of the actors have quiet and subtle performances on that show. Everyone is so over-the-top, mostly in a good way (Jessica Lange)

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[AlexterParticipant Joined: Jan 1st, 2012 Topics: 0 Posts: 5 View Predictions]

#340128

Well, there have been some breathtaking if overlooked performances I had the opportunity to watch and enjoy.

Regarding the lack of big scenes I totally agree on Laila Robins’ subtly controlled Ambassador Boyd and I really hope the producers don’t drop her. (Same goes for Tracy Letts!)

There are three underrated performers I have been rooting for ever since I saw them in their respective roles (Spoilers):

Ruth Wilson for her coldly calculated turn on Luther. I love(d) the show but was sad to see her missing for the better part of both season 2 and 3. There have hardly been any “big” scenes involving her character but it was just the look on Wilson’s face she brilliantly captured the terrifying insanity this lady was driven by with.

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys for their amazing performances on The Americans. There has much been said about those but I have one scene in mind that completely blew me away… In “Behind the Red Door” they share a rather short but very effective scene in the kitchen with Russell’s Elizabeth trying to get to know her husband’s alter ego Clark and making advances to a sort of role play affair. I know Russell and Rhys have enough big and action packed scenes on the show to be seen but to me it’s those small situations that both the writers and the actors know to execute extraordinarily that make this show so compelling.

Some others are:

Nick Searcy – Justified, the already mentioned Olivia Munn – Newsroom, Julianne Nicholson and Annaleigh Ashford – Masters of Sex, Molly Parker – House of Cards.

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[SomeonelikemeParticipant Joined: Nov 15th, 2011 Topics: 11 Posts: 935 View Predictions]

#340129

Someonelikeme wrote:

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys for their amazing performances on The Americans. There has much been said about those but I have one scene in mind that completely blew me away… In “Behind the Red Door” they share a rather short but very effective scene in the kitchen with Russell’s Elizabeth trying to get to know her husband’s alter ego Clark and making advances to a sort of role play affair. I know Russell and Rhys have enough big and action packed scenes on the show to be seen but to me it’s those small situations that both the writers and the actors know to execute extraordinarily that make this show so compelling.

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[WaltEagleParticipant Joined: Aug 10th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 846 View Predictions]

#340130

Most of the best ones, to be honest.

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[st_jimmyParticipant Joined: Sep 26th, 2011 Topics: 11 Posts: 663 View Predictions]

#340131

John Krasinski, The Office. 

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