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Abbott Elementary isn't the only network show that deserved Emmy love

Abbott Elementary should not be the only network fare at the Emmys as these TV shows deserved more love than a lot of the streaming nominees

By Michael Weyer

WILL TRENT - ÒIt Was The 80sÓ - When an APD agent goes missing, Will examines the crime scene and locates a secret message putting him back on the path to justice. Meanwhile, with his lineage in question, Will realizes the answers he seeks have been in front of him all along. TUESDAY, MAY 2 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Crystal Power) JAKE MCLAUGHLIN, IANTHA RICHARDSON, RAMîN RODRêGUEZ
WILL TRENT - ÒIt Was The 80sÓ - When an APD agent goes missing, Will examines the crime scene and locates a secret message putting him back on the path to justice. Meanwhile, with his lineage in question, Will realizes the answers he seeks have been in front of him all along. TUESDAY, MAY 2 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Crystal Power) JAKE MCLAUGHLIN, IANTHA RICHARDSON, RAMîN RODRêGUEZ /
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As the Emmy Awards approach, it's notable how, with the exception to Abbott Elementary, the networks are pretty much out of the running. It's all streamer shows with HBO still in there with the likes of Succession. 

This seems to be a slam on how quality TV on the networks has faded. To be fair, there are a lot of "cookie-cutter" shows like the FBI and One Chicago series, and a lot of shows that are pretty bad. 

But there are still some gems on networks that show not all of the creatives has fled to streamers. These are shows that deserve a lot more love from the Emmys and should have been recognized.

Young Sheldon

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"A Swedish Science Thing and the Equation for Toast" - Pictured: Sheldon (Iain Armitage). Sheldon invites the entire school to a party for the Nobel Prize announcements. Also, Meemaw learns more about Dr. Sturgis' past, and Georgie's desire for cable TV leads to a standoff between him and George Sr., on the second season finale of YOUNG SHELDON, Thursday, May 16 (9:01-9:31PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Michael Desmond/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. © 2019 WBEI. All rights /

The Emmys loved The Big Bang Theory, as evidenced by Jim Parson's wins. So why has the spin-off, which won much wider critical acclaim, not been as recognized? Surely, it deserves nods for Best Comedy Series, and the cast (especially Iain Armitage, Zoe Cooper, and Annie Potts) should have been nominated as well. With its final season coming up, maybe this show will finally get its due, but it's confusing how the superior prequel show never matched TBBT's Emmy draws. 

Ghosts

The Heir
“The Heir” – When a woman named Kelsey (Jessie Ennis) shows up claiming to be the rightful heir to Woodstone Mansion, Sam and Jay enlist the help of a lawyer, Dan (P.J. Byrne). Meanwhile, Isaac tries to decide how to spend half of Sam’s advance on his autobiography. Also, a surprise event takes place that could dramatically change life at the manor, on the second season finale of the CBS Original series GHOSTS, Thursday, May 11 (8:31-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available /

What does CBS's remake of the British series have to do to get Emmy voters to pay attention? It's not just utterly hilarious but also heartfelt, with truly warm stories of these ghosts facing their past issues and bonding with their mortal "owners." Rebecca Wisocky and Brandon Scott Jones were clearly worthy of Supporting Actors in Comedy nominees, and Rose McIver showed her own daring, too. If any network comedy besides Abbott deserves more Emmy love, it's this one. 

Will Trent

Ramón Rodríguez, Betty
WILL TRENT - "Nothing Changed Except for Everything" - With Angie on leave, Will and Faith partner up with Ormewood to investigate a string of serial killer cases tied to Will and Angie's childhood and a chain of incidents, formerly investigated by Amanda and Evelyn, from the '80s. TUESDAY, APRIL 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Crystal Power) Ramón Rodríguez, Betty /

Thankfully, the Critics Choice Awards recognized Ramón Rodríguez with a nomination. That just shows how Emmy voters missed the boat as what looked like a cliche ABC crime show had great depth and smart writing. Rodríguez's performance was fantastic, showing this troubled cop hiding his disability and being dedicated to the job. It's also arguable Erika Christensen deserved recognition for her turn as a homicide detective and Will's troubled lover, Angie Polaski. Yet Rodríguez alone had a better performance than scores of actors on streaming shows, and he should have earned an Emmy nod.

So Help Me Todd

Are You There Todd? It's Me, Margaret
“Are You There Todd? It’s Me, Margaret” – When Margaret is too sick to work on the final day of an important negotiation, Todd must step in and act as a proxy while Margaret uses her investigative skills. Also, Margaret and Gus finally share their first kiss, on the first season finale of the CBS Original drama SO HELP ME TODD, Thursday, May 18 (9:01-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*. Pictured: Marcia Gay Harden as Margaret, /

This underrated CBS series nicely improved over its freshman season, toning down the drama to become a smart dramedy not unlike the 2000s USA Network shows. Maybe it's light, but Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden is clearly having a ball in it, and her turn as a woman who loves her son but just doesn't understand how to show it could have earned her a supporting actress nod. Maybe season 2 will help So Help Me Todd build its audience more. 

A Million Little Things

CHRISTINA MOSES, ROMANY MALCO
A MILLION LITTLE THINGS - "The Last Dance" - The family of friends gathers once again to celebrate the life of a loved one who dies unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Katherine shows Maggie the secret to registering for baby gifts, and Rome supports his father through a difficult transition on the season premiere of "A Million Little Things," airing WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/Sergei Bachlakov)CHRISTINA MOSES, ROMANY MALCO /

This ABC drama is the sort of thing classic Emmy voters would have eaten up: After a mutual friend dies, his various loved ones start reconnecting to discover their own secrets and struggles. The show boasted a first-rate cast, with James Roday Rodriguez a standout with his character's long cancer battle. Maybe it piled on the schmaltz a bit, but the series retained a loyal audience and its final year should have gotten more attention rather than have it fade away. 

The Goldbergs

CEDRIC YARBROUGH, SEAN GIAMBRONE, JUDD HIRSCH, WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY
THE GOLDBERGS - A Flyers Path to Victory" - The Philadelphia Flyers have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, and Barry, nervous about a win, implements some superstitious protocols that the family must follow. Meanwhile, per GeoffÕs request, Lou and Linda spend some quality time with Muriel. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 (8:30-9:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Scott Everett White)CEDRIC YARBROUGH, SEAN GIAMBRONE, JUDD HIRSCH, WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY" /

Longevity alone should have gotten The Goldbergs some Emmy love by now. Yet it's remarkable this ABC hit didn't earn a single nomination in its then season run with such a first-rate cast, sharp writing, and a great mix of '80s-themed properties. Wendi McLendon-Covey should have won an Emmy, and amazingly, the show has come to an end without recognition for being one of TV's longest-running sitcoms of recent times. 

Nancy Drew

The Crooked Bannister
Nancy Drew -- “The Crooked Bannister” -- Image Number: NCD408a_0052r_v3 -- Pictured (L-R) : Kennedy McMann as Nancy Drew -- Photo Credit: Shane Harvey/The CW--© 2023 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved. /

Crazy? Maybe, but the CW series was also an utter and total delight, with Kennedy McMann showing beautiful drive as Nancy with a great supporting cast. The body swap episode alone showed their talents mimicking each other, and McMann is just as good with Nancy dealing with romances. Maybe the mysteries got too zany, but this was also one of the CW's smartest shows that deserved a lot more attention from Emmy voters.

Superman and Lois

Complications
Superman & Lois -- “Complications” -- Image Number: SML311fg_0009r -- Pictured (L-R): Tyler Hoechlin as Clark Kent and Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane -- Photo: The CW -- © 2023 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved. /

The Emmys have never gotten over bias against superhero shows and that sadly has affected the CW series. Too bad, as the third season was magnificent, with Bitsie Tulloch's wrenching performance as a cancer-stricken Lois outdoing some of the nominees this year. The balance of the superhero action and the family drama was well done but Tulloch alone should have gotten a nomination if voters put as much faith in superhero shows as other genre fare. 

New Amsterdam

New Amsterdam - Season 5
NEW AMSTERDAM -- "How Can I Help" Episode 513 -- Pictured: (l-r)Nora and Opal Clow as Luna, Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin -- (Photo by: Ralph Bavaro/NBC) /

Wrapping up its seven-season run, this NBC series could, to be fair, get rather preachy on social issues. But the cast was superb, with Ryan Eggold showing Max adjusting to being dumped even as he tried to keep his hospital going and helping the less fortunate. The supporting cast was just as great, and the show brought various plot points together into a beautifully done finale that was better than most series closers. Given how Emmys used to love medical dramas, New Amsterdam should have received nominations at some point during its run.

The Emmys air Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

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