The Emmy nominations are out, and it’s striking how network TV is virtually ignored by the committee it once dominated. Abbott Elementary is the only scripted network show to score multiple major nods, with the rest dominated by cable and streaming. That’s sad, as the networks did offer some Emmy-worthy fare.
Granted, nowadays network TV is dominated by procedurals and long-in-the-tooth dramas such as Grey’s Anatomy. Yet, there were a few shows and performers that were deserving of Emmy attention, and these are among the top picks.
Ghosts
As one of the few truly successful network comedies out there, Ghosts keeps being overlooked by the Emmys. It’s a shame, as the series still retains a fun aura with one of the best comedy ensembles on the air. Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Brandon Scott Jones, Rebecca Wisocky, and Asher Goodman all turned in award-worthy performances, and the writing remained top-notch. With so much heart and laughs abounding, Ghosts is more than overdue to scare up some Emmy nods rather than be abandoned.
Kathy Bates, Matlock
Given her long list of awards over the years, it’s downright bizarre that Kathy Bates can’t score an Emmy for one of her best-ever roles. Season 2 of Matlock gave Bates even better material as Matty wrestled with her search for the truth, facing the dark truths of her late daughter’s struggles, her own failings, and her tense relationship with ally-turned-enemy-turned-ally-again Olivia.
Bates remained astounding in the role, wringing a few laughs but more tears with her turn. One episode has Matty fully in control with a scam; the next has her obsessively talking to an AI of her late daughter to escape her grief. It paid off in a fantastic season 2 finale, and hopefully the coming third season lets Bates get her due from the Emmys.
Ramon Rodriguez, Will Trent
Too many viewers may dismiss Will Trent as just another procedural drama. That ignores how much power and emotion are packed into this ABC series. No one does more there than Ramon Rodriguez as the title character, who already showed his struggles with his dyslexia and dark past.
The latest season was hands-down the best yet for Rodriguez. From Will connecting with a relative to facing off against the literal ghost of a serial-killer foe to a shocking personal loss, Rodriguez was captivating, heart-rending, sympathetic, and sucking up every moment of screen time. The season finale montage of Will caring for his best friend's child was utterly beautiful, and Rodriguez made it all work. It should have earned him a nomination for sure, as he’s the reason this show remains so beloved.
Oliver Platt, Chicago Med
One usually doesn’t think of the One Chicago shows as awards bait. However, Oliver Platt had his best turn yet as Dr. Daniel Charles suffered a stroke that had the usually top-notch psychologist facing his own mental issues. Platt dug deep into Charles' psyche, the secret demons that drive him on, and his fears. That was topped by his recovery and attempt to get back to work, only shaken by the experience. Platt surely deserved some recognition for making this underrated character so memorable.
The Amazing Race
For the first time in history, The Amazing Race wasn’t nominated for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program. True, it’s already taken the award a record ten times, yet given it’s one of the most popular reality programs, one would have expected it to connect with voters. That’s especially true for season 38, which featured Big Brother contestants competing alongside family members. Surely linking two big reality shows together should have gotten Emmy attention, but for once, the Race couldn’t get to the finish line.
SNL Cast
Usually, you can count on Saturday Night Live to score nods for its cast. This year is an exception. Granted, SNL can be hit-or-miss, yet surely Bowen Yang’s performances in his final season deserved a final nod. Chloe Fineman likewise was doing great work in her sketches.
More appalling is snubbing Ashley Padilla, who most agree was the best performer of the season, with hilarious turns like the “Mom confesses” sketch. Most thought she was a lock for a nomination and it says a lot about SNL today that one of its best performers couldn’t get Emmy recognition when, in past years, she’d be a shoo-in.
St. Denis Medical
Abbott Elementary gets the praise, but St. Denis Medical is another wonderful mockumentary. The NBC comedy thankfully scored a third season renewal for the quirky tale of a struggling hospital. Wendi McLendon-Covey is marvelous as the well-meaning yet incompetent director, David Alan Grier garners laughs as a chief doctor, and Allison Tolman steals every scene as the head nurse.
Given that The Pitt proves the Emmys love hospital shows, St. Denis could have been a great balance in terms of nominations and shown that Abbott isn’t the only fine mockumentary around.
The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins
Speaking of worthy NBC mockumentaries, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins counts. Tracy Morgan toned down his usual wild persona to portray the title role of a disgraced sports star mounting a comeback. Rather than show the man as an arrogant fool, Morgan imbued the character with heart and a flawed man seeking redemption.
Likewise, Daniel Radcliffe took what could have been a cliché role of a director with an overinflated opinion of his talents and showed wonderful versatility and talent. The chemistry between the leads provided the show with heart amid the humor and both were more than worthy of Emmy nominations. Hopefully, the second season lets both rise in the Emmy ranks.
Elsbeth
Carrie Preston already has an Emmy for playing quirky lawyer Elsbeth Tascioni. Yet she’s more than earned a chance at another, as week after week Preston packs in the laughs as the eccentric crime solver. She did get more dramatic turns this season, with Elsbeth realizing her new love has secrets and dealing with some problems with her son. Through it all, Preston remained a fascinating figure to watch.
More notable is how the season boasted a slew of great guest stars who could have easily garnered nominations in the Guest Actor/Actress slots. Highlights included Patti LuPone, Annaleigh Ashford, Dianne Weist, Sarah Steele, Griffin Dunne, Constance Wu, and Tony Hale, all matching Preston wonderfully. Too bad more Emmy voters don’t catch such a bounty of fine performances coming from this show.
John C. McGinley, Scrubs
Overcoming doubters, the revival of Scrubs was a fantastic success. The beloved ABC comedy returned in fine form, with nearly the entire original cast slipping back into their roles with ease. That included John C. McGinley as Dr. Cox, still as prickly as ever and still treating J.D. (Zach Braff) like he was a first-year intern.
Then Cox was revealed as deadly ill himself, forcing him to become J.D.'s patient. McGinley was wonderful, showing Cox’s secret fears of his mortality and his past failings and was forced to finally admit his respect and admiration for J.D. It may be McGinley’s finest performance that should have been recognized, as he made the return of this fan-favorite character bigger than fans could have expected.
The 2026 Emmy Awards air Monday, September 14 on NBC.
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