Emmys

Emmy Nominations 2012: The 37 Biggest Snubs

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Without rage and incredulity, there are no Emmy nominations, a wise philosopher once said*. And while today’s announcement of the 2012 contenders certainly contained some pleasant surprises — hooray for Veep! — there are still enough major snubs to leave one’s jaw paying a visit to one’s kneecaps. Here’s our rundown of the 37 most glaring omissions. (*Or, if he didn’t, he should have!)

RELATED | Emmy Nominations 2012: Michael Ausiello’s Snappy Judgments

Check out our biggest reasons for ranting against the Emmy machine, then hit the comments with the snubs that left you blind with fury.

RELATED | Emmys 2012: American Horror Story, Mad Men and Modern Family Lead Nominations

And for all the wall-to-wall Emmy coverage and interviews your TV-lovin’ heart can handle, keep checking back at TVLine.com over the next 48 hours. Oh, who are we kidding? Keep checking back between now and the Sept. 23 ceremony!



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Comments (552)

  • Sandra Oh!!!

    Comment by Eliza – July 19, 2012 11:48 AM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • This is something I’ve commented about for ages and now lack the ability to reiterate again. So I will boil it all down to this.

    No Fringe. No Emmys. No credibility.

    Comment by Suhara – July 19, 2012 11:52 AM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • My own personal snubs:
    Parenthood as a series or any of the cast
    Happy Endings as a series
    Justin Long as a guest actor, comedy

    And even though it will NEVER happen, I wish The Vampire Diaries would get some love somewhere… writing, directing… guest actor (HELLOOOOO Elijah), Ian Somerhalder… something.

    Comment by soarin829 – July 19, 2012 11:53 AM PDT  Reply To This Post
    • I hear you. The VD is so good in so many categories- but it’s a show on the CW AND has Vampires in it, so it’ll never get any Emmy love.

      Comment by Matt – July 20, 2012 03:20 AM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Psych for comedy show. ONce Upon a Time’s “skin deep” and pilot for writing. Fringe for drama and Robert Carlyle for acting were robbed.

    Comment by Kelly – July 19, 2012 12:02 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Really wish Sons of Anarchy or some of the cast would’ve got nominated. Katy, Charlie, and Maggie deserved nominations.

    Comment by candice – July 19, 2012 12:10 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Two more blatant snubs, Mandy Patinkin for Homeland and Jeff Probst for Survivor

    Comment by ben – July 19, 2012 12:13 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • I can’t believe New Girl was snubbed! I couldn’t care less about Glee but New Girl should have been nominated.

    Comment by Sally – July 19, 2012 12:20 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
    • They got two acting nominations. That’s more than most shows already.

      Comment by Emily – July 19, 2012 02:21 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • I know some say 30 Rock is passed its prime, but Jane Krakowski deserves an Emmy!

    Agree with your inclusion of Parks, Nick Offerman, Damon Wayans Jr, and Casey Wilson! I just got into Happy Endings, it’s hilarious and deserves more recognition.

    Comment by Brandon – July 19, 2012 12:24 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Extremely mad about “Parks and Rec” snub!!! Emmy voters wouldn’t recognize a good TV even if it came and hit them in the heads

    Comment by Alicia – July 19, 2012 12:25 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • On what planet did American Idol deserve an Emmy nod this year? Wouldn’t ever call that a snub, in the history of ever.

    Comment by Shari – July 19, 2012 12:30 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • What’s with all the love for “Girls”? It’s OK but hardly original or funny, TBBT fades next to Community. “30 Rock” is past its prime, and don’t even get me startesd on the “Modern Family”. In my heart “Parks” is the winner

    Comment by Alicia – July 19, 2012 12:30 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • How is there room for every single cast member of Modern Family, yet P&R and Community can only get one acting nod between them? They were both recognized for their writing, but not acting or overall show honors…if the jokes are funny how does the rest not fall into place? I’m at least comforted in the fact that Ron Swanson wouldn’t want the recognition. :)

    Comment by Aprilcot – July 19, 2012 12:31 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Peter Dinklage is great and everything, but what’s it gonna take for the other actors on Game of Thrones to get recognition? Did the Emmy voters not watch Blackwater? Or did they just choose to ignore all of Lena Headey’s scenes?

    Comment by J. – July 19, 2012 12:36 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
    • Or Maisie Williams for that matter. She was brilliant this season.

      Comment by Brandon – July 19, 2012 02:11 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • OMG…JOHN SLATTERY DIDN’T GET NOMINATED!!!! HE WAS THE ENTIRE SEASON!!! HE WAS THE BEST!!! OMG!!!

    Comment by Jack – July 19, 2012 12:37 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • I don’t think Sons of Anarchy has ever put out a bad episode, yet I never see them given any credit for how AMAZING of a show it is! I think at some point along the way every cast member should have been nominated!

    Comment by KFavel – July 19, 2012 12:41 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • JOHN NOBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That scene with Walter & Walternate discussing the possibility of losing Peter again should have put a lock on it. Add in Vagenda & every other Walterism through the year, you just shake your head in disbelief. Plus there were several times that Noble got to show the Walter behind the crazy. In the future Walter is controlled & scary.

    Comment by tkacheron – July 19, 2012 12:47 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Really surprised that Parks and Rec didn’t make it for best comedy, that Nick Offerman didn’t make it for supporting, and that The Good Wife didn’t make it for best drama. Super bummed about those. Also, Josh Charles and Adam Scott, they each did a great job in seasons that featured their characters prominently, but with their categories being so competitive, not really surprised about those two.

    Comment by Becks – July 19, 2012 12:50 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Mandy Patinkin

    Comment by r to the s – July 19, 2012 01:32 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Bummed for Kyra Sedgwick, John Noble and Happy Endings.

    Comment by Lorie – July 19, 2012 02:01 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Disagree with Mariska being on this list and Glee, though I could make an argument for Lena Headey, Madeleine Stowe, Robert Carlyle or Lana Parrilla being snubbed.

    Comment by Brandon – July 19, 2012 02:10 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • The biggest snub is SciFi/Fantasy once again not being recognized. It’s really amazing to me how the industry will lap up a chance to promote themselves at events like COMIC CON, yet not acknowledge the amazing writing and acting in the genre.

    Alfie Allen did incredible work this season on Game Of Thrones. It’s a shame there’s no recognition of that.

    Comment by Kate – July 19, 2012 02:28 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Oh, c’mon. *37* glaring omissions? There’s only so much room. People will get left out.

    Comment by Sean C. – July 19, 2012 02:32 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
    • Well part of the problem is that a lot of the actual nominations were not nearly as deserved as the people/shows that got snubbed.

      Comment by RachelA – July 19, 2012 03:55 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Poor Robert Carlyle–he’s even been snubbed from the list of snubs.

    Comment by Cass – July 19, 2012 02:40 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
    • This the best comment. I thought it, too. I’m hoping maybe a Golden Globe nomination. They’re known for sometimes nominating unusual choices. Even though its the Hollywood Foreign Press and much, much smaller voting organization, I always prefer that to the Emmys.

      Comment by Jo – July 19, 2012 08:22 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Oh come on, TVLine, you can’t seriously think Glee was an undeserved snub? I’m not going to believe you believe that. For me, the Danny Pudi snub hurt the most, but all things Community were kind of heartbreaking to not see on those Emmy lists. It was so bizarre to not see Kelsey Grammer in there. One snub that I was pretty okay with though was John Slattery. His material was a bit light on the show this season. And since Jared Harris got a spot, that really makes up for the Slattery snub. Jared has never gotten a nom for Mad Men, and it was about time he got one. This season Roger was mostly just suave and hilarious, and Lane was the guy who had true character development going on. Jared handled it with an intensity that had me mesmerized.

    Comment by Britta Unfiltered – July 19, 2012 03:08 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Psych should of been nominated for best comedy. It’s not your standard procedural by any means and deserved some recognition. Rescue Me or Denis Leary should of gotten some recognition for the high level of drama and emotion in the shows last season. The last season of the show presented us with a new side of Tommy that we hadn’t seen before. And Stana Katic should of gotten a nod for this years Castle, for her dealing with PTSD, her mothers case, and the high level of emotion she puts into her character.

    Comment by Maggie – July 19, 2012 03:13 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Justified (actors and the show), and Busy Phillips!

    Comment by Renae – July 19, 2012 03:24 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • I was most angry about John Noble and Community not getting a nod (as I am every year), but I was baffled that Parks & Rec didn’t get recognised in the Best Comedy category – I also kinda surprised not to see New Girl here. Also weird that The Good Wife wasn’t in there with the Best Drama
    The whole Best Comedy category just seems so odd this year!

    Comment by Karen – July 19, 2012 03:27 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • HEY! Guess what, people? If you don’t like what shows this site writes about most, FIND ANOTHER SITE! Quit complaining. They’re allowed to have their own opinions, just as you are.

    Comment by Kelly – July 19, 2012 04:07 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
    • You do realize that they have asked for commenter’s opinions on the list of snubs? That’s the whole point. Open dialogue on the Emmys and who did or didn’t get nominated.

      Comment by tripoli – July 20, 2012 03:27 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Most undeserving nominee; Mayim Bialik. Star of one of NBC’s most dubious, embarrassing comedies of the 80′s. Did Bialik have a submission tape at the ready for one out of every four episodes she was in this past season? Because Kristen Bell did have that very percentage. Bell had 4 tapes to choose from, something very few, I suspect of the nominees can boast to have. Bialik got in on a wave of Big Bang Theory goodwill and NOTHING ELSE. If not for Lena Dunham’s 3 nominations and Julia Louis Dreyfus’ rubber-stamp nomination because she’s Julia effin’ Louis-Dreyfus, Bialik would be the most undeserving nominee of the day.

    That whole supporting actress category is one big multiple-car pileup, the co-worst category of the Emmys next to comedy actress. You’ve got someone who isn’t on a true comedy series, rather a variety one who should be auto-dq’d (Wiig). You’ve got category fraud as Julie Bowen is the lead actress of MF, only to contribute more gridlock to this category. Merret Wever? Seriously? Vergara’s the only legit true supporting actress in that field. And the only reason Joosten is in here is because she died.

    Comment by Paul Hanlin Jr – July 19, 2012 04:22 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Justified

    Comment by Charlie McClanahan – July 19, 2012 04:35 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • HOW IS SANDRA OH NOT ON YOUR SNUB LIST? that woman was incredible this season of greys!!!!!!!!!!

    Comment by vikkers – July 19, 2012 04:55 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • hugh laurie was the biggest snub by far :(

    Comment by lauren – July 19, 2012 05:12 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • I was bored by the end of Season 8 then where was THe C World and that remind me how Leonard was one of the best and underrated actors right know.

    Comment by mco – July 19, 2012 05:21 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • What?! No Southland…

    Comment by trina – July 19, 2012 05:27 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • How can Justified not get any love???

    Comment by Sam – July 19, 2012 05:34 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • John Noble all the way. Fringe never gets the recognition it deserves. All the extra work those actors do, they don’t just play the same character, some play three or four throughout the season. Anna Torv was snubbed as well, even if she isn’t on this list.

    Comment by Anna – July 19, 2012 05:48 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • I think that the emmys should separate the cable shows fom those of the free tv..i mean im happy for cable shows for nearly sweeping almost every category but it doesnt mean that the free tv shows are not good.all it boils down is the lack of slot..separate the two more nominations,more notable acting are recognized. And to end my comment cant believe Madeleine Stowe was snubbed and so was Damon Wayans Jr. Maybe the former has a greater chance at the Golden Globes she was nominated last year.

    Comment by t – July 19, 2012 06:51 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
    • I agree! either expand the nominations list or create seperate categories for broadcast and cable. Dont get me wrong I think Breaking Bad, Homeland and Game of Thrones are the three best shows on television but that doesnt mean there arent any good broadcast shows either or that they put just as much effort and talent like thier cable peers. Shows like The Good Wife, Revenge, Fringe and Person of Interest prove this and its time they got a chance to compete with the big boys

      Comment by John – July 19, 2012 07:15 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
      • Exactly my point.its as if the emmys are practically slapping it on our faces that good tv=cable..i AM still bummed about FNLs lack of recognition prior to its broadcast days and when they did recognized it,it was on cable. Another thing that bugs me is the MF overkill..Seriously they couldnt stop at Ty Burrell and added every single adult character. i would have welcomed it if the Dunphy son was nominated..Its like MF and the rest. Community,Happy Endings,Parks and Recreation are Good Funny Shows they could have at least got a single character from them to nominate..

        Comment by t – July 19, 2012 07:45 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Alfie Allen got snubbed!

    WHAT IS DEAD MAY NEVER DIE!!!!!!!

    Comment by Perd Stark – July 19, 2012 07:39 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • i can’t believe how over-looked The Walking Dead is. it’s almost like b/c it’s a supernatural/horror show they are automatically axed from the list. i would have loved to see Jon Berthal(sp?) nominated, but i was most hoping to see Norman Reedus given a nod. come on, the man has managed to take a racist redneck and turn him into a fan favorite. he manages to mix the anti-social ‘devil-may-care’ attitude and mix it with true emotion and evolution as he shakes the shadow of his brother and learns to care. this past season he has just been awesome

    then again i would imagine any actor/actress on a horror show knows better than to even hope for a nomination…. such a monster disappointment.

    Comment by Deb – July 19, 2012 07:47 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Im surprised Sons os Anarchy, The Walking Dead and Fringe were not nominated. They were great shows especially The Walking Dead. I feel sad when my fave shows are not recognized. BTW, congrats to The Voice for its nomination… Goooooooo!

    Comment by Ramoncito Castillejos Granajo – July 19, 2012 07:57 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Justified and House are the Greatest snubbed too.

    Comment by Ramoncito Castillejos Granajo – July 19, 2012 08:01 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Yes where is the nod for Sons of Anarchy and also another of my favorites is Supernatural. Don’t know who they poll to nominate shows and actors but they are so far off the grid.

    Comment by Susan Ladigo – July 19, 2012 08:08 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Cable typically does go for the more artistic, original, and gritty material, while the networks tend to do more mainstream stuff to bring in the big numbers. So I totally get that cable gets more nominations. But there could stand to be a little more network love! There is some pretty fantastic stuff on there that seems to start out at a disadvantage because the voters put to much stock in what channel a show airs on. I love the Emmys, but there seems to be too much “typecasting”. This show’s scifi, can’t be good. This show’s on cable, must be better than the network ones. Not necissarily true :(

    Comment by Gilda – July 19, 2012 08:46 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • I know a good award show can’t just add more catagories to include more shows whenever they feel like it; there has to be competition and consistency. But I honestly don’t think, considering how large and varied the playing field is, that it would be a terrible idea to up the catagory sizes a little bit. There are just so many deserving actors/shows/etc, and so few can be nominated ahhh!

    Comment by Gilda – July 19, 2012 08:54 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • sick of sons of anarchy never getting acknowledge. well written show, and well acted.

    Comment by etta – July 19, 2012 09:20 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Can’t believe they left out Hugh Laurie :(

    Comment by Ella – July 19, 2012 10:15 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Emmy = douche bags. For years they snubbed David Simon’s brilliant HBO show The wire; now they ignore Treme….genius. You want context, acting, writing, attention to detail, drama? no one did it better this year.

    Comment by dave – July 19, 2012 10:24 PM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Even all the snubs lists are snubbing Anna Torv :(

    Comment by ady – July 20, 2012 01:32 AM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Sorry, but The Walking Dead DIDN’T get snubbed! The show is sooooo mediocre. And what is with all the freaking love for Modern Familiy??? If that show is funny, I’m a tree!

    Comment by spela – July 20, 2012 02:22 AM PDT  Reply To This Post
  • Lauren Graham
    Anna Chlumsky

    Comment by Leonie1988 – July 20, 2012 02:40 AM PDT  Reply To This Post

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