BENJAMONSTER AWARDS 2024: Outstanding Technical Design of a Comedy Series

Today's award is Outstanding Technical Design of a Comedy Series!

Past Awards in This Category: 2023   2022   2021   2020

This year's nominees are...

GIRLS5EVA (Netflix)

HACKS (Max)

JULIA (Max)

ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING (Hulu)

PALM ROYALE (Apple TV+)

THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES (HBO)

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (FX)

And the Winner Is...

BENJAMONSTER AWARDS 2024: Outstanding Technical Design of a Drama Series

Today's award is Outstanding Technical Design of a Drama Series!

Past Awards in This Category: 2023   2022   2021   2020

This year's nominees are...

THE BEAR (FX/Hulu)

THE CROWN (Netflix)

THE CURSE (Showtime)

FOR ALL MANKIND (Apple TV+)

THE MORNING SHOW (Apple TV+)

MR. & MRS. SMITH (Prime Video)

SILO (Apple TV+)

And the Winner Is...

BENJAMONSTER AWARDS 2024: Outstanding Technical Design of a Limited/Anthology Series

The first award is Outstanding Technical Design of a Limited/Anthology Series! This award considers all technical elements of a show including sets, costumes, and cinematography. 

Past Awards in This Category: 2023   2022   2021   2020

This year's nominees are...

THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (Netflix)

FARGO (FX)

LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY (Apple TV+)

A MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD (FX/Hulu)

RIPLEY (Netflix)

TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY (HBO)

And the Winner Is...

BENJAMONSTER AWARDS 2024: The Comedy Series Nominees

Here are the nominees for the Comedy Series categories!

Check out past nominees in this field: 2023   2022   2021   2020

There are 25 eligible shows I watched at least four episodes of. Since that falls between 21-30, my rule is seven nominees per category.

The eligible series in alphabetical order are: Abbott Elementary (ABC), The Afterparty (Apple TV+), Based on a True Story (Peacock), Chad (Roku), The Conners (ABC), Dinner with the Parents (Freevee), Frasier (Paramount+), Ghosts (CBS), Girls5Eva (Netflix), Hacks (Max), How I Met Your Father (Hulu), Julia (Max), Loot (Apple TV+), The Neighborhood (CBS), Never Have I Ever (Netflix), Obliterated (Netflix), Only Murders in the Building (Hulu), Palm Royale (Apple TV+), Physical (Apple TV+), Platonic (Apple TV+), The Righteous Gemstones (HBO), Saturday Night Live (NBC), What We Do in the Shadows (FX), The Wonder Years (ABC), Young Sheldon (CBS)

And the Nominees Are...

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Ghosts (CBS)

Hacks (Max)

Never Have I Ever (Netflix)

Platonic (Apple TV+)

The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)

What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Notes on Nominees: Third nomination in this category for Ghosts, Hacks and 2022 winner Abbott Elementary. Second nomination for Never Have I Ever (last nominated in 2020) and What We Do in the Shadows. Previous nominees that were eligible but not nominated were The Conners, Girls5Eva and Only Murders in the Building.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Rose Byrne, Platonic (Apple TV+)

Hannah Einbinder, Hacks (Max)

Edi Patterson, The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)

Nasim Pedrad, Chad (Roku)

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Never Have I Ever (Netflix)

Jean Smart, Hacks (Max)

Notes on Nominees: Third nomination for Quinta Brunson, Hannah Einbinder and 2022 winner Jean Smart. Second nomination for Nasim Pedrad (last nominated in 2021) and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (last nominated in 2020). Edi Patterson was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for the same role in 2022. Rose Byrne was previously nominated as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series for Mrs. America in 2020. 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Iain Armitage, Young Sheldon (CBS)

Matt Berry, What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

John Goodman, The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)

Kelsey Grammer, Frasier (Paramount+)

Danny McBride, The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)

Kayvan Novak, What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Seth Rogen, Platonic (Apple TV+)

Notes on Nominees: Third nomination for Iain Armitage and Kayvan Novak. Second nomination for Danny McBride. John Goodman was nominated in this category for The Conners in 2020. Seth Rogen was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited/Anthology Series for Pam & Tommy in 2022.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Carol Burnett, Palm Royale (Apple TV+)

Cassidy Freeman, The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)

Janelle James, Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Paula Pell, Girls5Eva (Netflix)

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Megan Stalter, Hacks (Max)

Lisa Ann Walter, Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Notes on Nominees: Third nomination for Sheryl Lee Ralph and 2022 winner Janelle James. Second nomination for Lisa Ann Walter.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Tim Baltz, The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)

Paul W. Downs, Hacks (Max)

Walton Goggins, The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)

Brandon Scott Jones, Ghosts (CBS)

Richie Moriarty, Ghosts (CBS)

Mark Proksch, What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Notes on Nominees: Second nomination in this category for Walton Goggins, Paul W. Downs, Brandon Scott Jones, Mark Proksch and 2022 winner Tyler James Williams.

Outstanding Directing of a Comedy Series

Lucia Aniello, Hacks "One Day" (Max)

Jessica Brunetto, Hacks "Join the Club" (Max)

Pete Chatmon, Ghosts "Halloween 3: The Guest Who Wouldn't Leave" (CBS)

Kimmy Gatewood, Girls5Eva

Yana Gorskaya, What We Do in the Shadows "Urgent Care" (FX)

Jody Hill, The Righteous Gemstones "Wonders That Cannot Be Fathomed, Miracles That Cannot Be Counted" (HBO)

Claire Scanlon, Abbott Elementary "Panel" (ABC)

Notes on Nominees: Second nomination for Lucia Aniello and Jody Hill.

Outstanding Writing of a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary "Career Day" (ABC)

John Carcieri & Danny McBride, The Righteous Gemstones "Interlude III" (HBO)

Guy Endore-Kaiser, Platonic "Partner's Retreat" (Apple TV+)

Sophia Lear, Ghosts "Holes Are Bad" (CBS)

Carol Leifer & Carolyn Lipka, Hacks "One Day" (Max)

Jeremy Levick & Rajat Suresh, What We Do in the Shadows "Hybrid Creatures" (FX)

Samantha Riley & Lucia Aniello & Jen Statsky & Paul W. Downs, Hacks "Yes, And" (Max)

Notes on Nominees: Fourth overall nomination for Quinta Brunson (first in this category). Third overall nomination for Danny McBride (first in this category). Third nomination for Jen Statsky. Third overall nomination for Lucia Aniello (second in this category). Fourth overall nomination for Paul W. Downs (second in this category).

Outstanding Guest Actor or Actress in a Comedy Series

Matthew Broderick, Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

Helen Hunt, Hacks (Max)

Keegan-Michael Key, Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Bebe Neuwirth, Frasier (Paramount+)

Kaitlin Olson, Hacks (Max)

John Slattery, What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

J. Smith-Cameron, Hacks (Max)

Notes on Nominees: J. Smith-Cameron was nominated in 2022 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama for Succession. Keegan-Michael Key was nominated in 2023 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy for Schmigadoon! John Slattery was nominated in 2020 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited/Anthology Series for Mrs. America.

Outstanding Technical Design of a Comedy Series

Girls5Eva (Netflix)

Hacks (Max)

Julia (Max)

Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

Palm Royale (Apple TV+)

The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)

What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Notes on Nominees: Third nomination in this category for Only Murders in the Building and What We Do in the Shadows. Second nomination in this category for Girls5Eva, Hacks and Julia. 

Nominations

13 nominations: Hacks

10 nominations: The Righteous Gemstones

9 nominations: Abbott Elementary

8 nominations: What We Do in the Shadows

5 nominations: Ghosts

4 nominations: Platonic

3 nominations: Girls5Eva

2 nominations: Frasier, Never Have I Ever, Only Murders in the Building, Palm Royale

1 nomination: Chad, Julia, Young Sheldon

0 nominations: The Afterparty, Based on a True Story, The Conners, Dinner with the Parents, How I Met Your Father, Loot, The Neighborhood, Obliterated, Physical, Saturday Night Live, The Wonder Years

Tomorrow: The First Award - Outstanding Technical Design of a Limited/Anthology Series!

BENJAMONSTER AWARDS 2024: The Drama Series Nominees

Here are the nominees for the Drama Series categories!

Check out past nominees in this field: 2023   2022   2021   2020

There are 22 eligible shows I watched at least four episodes of. Since that falls between 21-30, my rule is seven nominees per category.

The eligible series in alphabetical order are: 9-1-1 (ABC), The Bear (FX/Hulu), Blue Bloods (CBS), Chicago Fire (NBC), Chicago Med (NBC), The Crown (Netflix), The Curse (Showtime), Elsbeth (CBS), For All Mankind (Apple TV+), Found (NBC), The Girls on the Bus (Max), Hijack (Apple TV+), The Idol (HBO), Justified: City Primeval (FX), Law & Order: SVU (NBC), The Morning Show (Apple TV+), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video), The Other Black Girl (Hulu), Silo (Apple TV+), Sugar (Apple TV+), The Summer I Turned Pretty (Prime Video), Will Trent (ABC)

And the Nominees Are...

Outstanding Drama Series

The Bear (FX/Hulu)

The Crown (Netflix)

The Curse (Showtime)

Elsbeth (CBS)

Hijack (Apple TV+)

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)

Silo (Apple TV+)

Notes on Nominees: Fourth nomination for 2021 winner The Crown. Second nomination for The Bear (which is classified as a drama in my awards because that's what it actually is).

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show (Apple TV+)

Melissa Benoist, The Girls on the Bus (Max)

Ayo Edebiri, The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Maya Erskine, Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)

Carrie Preston, Elsbeth (CBS)

Imelda Staunton, The Crown (Netflix)

Emma Stone, The Curse (Showtime)

Notes on Nominees: Third nomination for 2020 winner Jennifer Aniston. Second nomination for Imelda Staunton. Ayo Edebiri was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series last year for the same role. Maya Erskine won Outstanding Writing of a Comedy Series for PEN15 in 2021.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Idris Elba, Hijack (Apple TV+)

Colin Farrell, Sugar (Apple TV+)

Nathan Fielder, The Curse (Showtime)

Donald Glover, Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)

Timothy Olyphant, Justified: City Primeval (FX)

Dominic West, The Crown (Netlfix)

Jeremy Allen White, The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Notes on Nominees: Second nomination for Jeremy Allen White and Dominic West.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Nicole Beharie, The Morning Show (Apple TV+)

Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown (Netflix)

Abby Elliott, The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Aunjanue Ellis, Justified: City Primeval (FX)

Greta Lee, The Morning Show (Apple TV+)

Lesley Manville, The Crown (Netflix)

Bellamy Young, The Other Black Girl (Hulu)

Notes on Nominees: Second nomination for 2023 winner Elizabeth Debicki. 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show (Apple TV+)

Jon Hamm, The Morning Show (Apple TV+)

Boyd Holbrook, Justified: City Primeval (FX)

Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Oliver Platt, The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Tim Robbins, Silo (Apple TV+)

Benny Safdie, The Curse (Showtime)

Notes on Nominees: Third nomination for Billy Crudup. Second nomination this year for Jon Hamm, who has also nominated for Lead Actor in a Limited/Anthology Series for Fargo.

Outstanding Directing of a Drama Series

Stephen Daldry, The Crown "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep" (Netflix)

Nathan Fielder, The Curse "Young Hearts" (Showtime)

Alex Gabassi, The Crown "Ritz" (Netflix)

Hiro Murai, Mr. & Mrs. Smith "First Date" (Prime Video)

Jim Field Smith, Hijack "Brace Brace Brace" (Apple TV+)

Christopher Storer, The Bear "Fishes" (FX/Hulu)

Morten Tyldum, Silo "Machines" (Apple TV+) 

Notes on Nominees: Second nomination in this category and third overall for 2023 winner Christopher Storer.

Outstanding Writing of a Drama Series

Joanna Calo & Christopher Storer, The Bear "Fishes" (FX/Hulu)

Nathan Fielder & Benny Safdie, The Curse "Young Hearts" (Showtime)

Kelly Galuska, The Bear "The Bear" (FX/Hulu)

Peter Morgan, The Crown "Sleep, Dearie, Sleep" (Netflix)

Alex Russell, The Bear "Forks" (FX/Hulu)

Francesca Sloane, Mr. & Mrs. Smith "Couples Therapy" (Prime Video)

Graham Yost, Silo "Independence Day" (Apple TV+)

Notes on Nominees: Fourth nomination for 2021 winner Peter Morgan. Second nomination in this category and fourth overall for Christopher Storer. Second overall nomination for Nathan Fielder & Benny Safdie.

Outstanding Guest Actor or Actress of a Drama Series

Micaela Coel, Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)

Jamie Lee Curtis, The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Rashida Jones, Silo (Apple TV+)

Elizabeth Lail, Elsbeth (CBS)

Bob Odenkirk, The Bear (FX/Hulu)

Parker Posey, Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)

Retta, Elsbeth (CBS)

Notes on Nominees: Micaela Coel was nominated for Lead Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series in 2021 for I May Destroy You. Bob Odenkirk was nominated for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series last year for Lucky Hank.

Outstanding Technical Design of a Drama Series

The Bear (FX/Hulu)

The Crown (Netflix)

The Curse (Showtime)

For All Mankind (Apple TV+)

The Morning Show (Apple TV+)

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)

Silo (Apple TV+)

Notes on Nominees: Fourth nomination in this category for The Crown and For All Mankind. Second nomination for The Bear and The Morning Show.

Nominations

13 nominations: The Bear

9 nominations: The Crown

8 nominations: Mr. & Mrs. Smith

7 nominations: The Curse

6 nominations: The Morning Show, Silo

4 nominations: Elsbeth

3 nominations: Hijack, Justified: City Primeval

1 nomination: For All Mankind, The Girls on The Bus, The Other Black Girl, Sugar

0 nominations: 9-1-1, Blue Bloods, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Found, The Idol, Law & Order: SVU, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Will Trent

Tomorrow: The Comedy Series nominees!

BENJAMONSTER AWARDS 2024: The Limited/Anthology Series Nominees

Here are the nominees for Limited/Anthology Series categories! These are shows that are either designed for limited runs or that run as an anthology season by season or episode by episode.

Check out past nominees in this field: 2023   2022   2021   2020

There are 17 eligible shows I watched at least four episodes of. Since that falls between 11-20, my rule is six nominees per category.

The eligible series in alphabetical order are: All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix), Apples Never Fall (Peacock), Baby Reindeer (Netflix), Dr. Death (Peacock), Expats (Prime Video), The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix), Fargo (FX), Feud: Capote vs. the Swans (FX), Full Circle (Max), Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+), Manhunt (Apple TV+), A Murder at the End of the World (FX/Hulu), The Regime (HBO), Ripley (Netflix), True Detective: Night Country (HBO), Under the Bridge (Hulu), We Were the Lucky Ones (Hulu)

And the Nominees Are...

Outstanding Limited/Anthology Series

Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Fargo (FX)

Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)

Manhunt (Apple TV+)

Ripley (Netflix)

True Detective: Night Country (HBO)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series

Sarayu Blue, Expats (Prime Video)

Emma Corrin, A Murder at the End of the World (FX/Hulu)

Jodie Foster, True Detective: Night Country (HBO)

Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Brie Larson, Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)

Juno Temple, Fargo (FX)

Notes on Nominees: Emma Corrin won Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2021 for The Crown. Juno Temple was a nominee for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2022 for Ted Lasso.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited/Anthology Series

Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Jon Hamm, Fargo (FX)

Tom Hollander, Feud: Capote vs. the Swans (FX)

Tobias Menzies, Manhunt (Apple TV+)

Edgar Ramirez, Dr. Death (Peacock)

Andrew Scott, Ripley (Netflix)

Notes on Nominees: Tobias Menzies was a nominee for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2021 for The Crown.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series

Margherita Buy, Ripley (Netflix)

Dakota Fanning, Ripley (Netflix)

Alice Halsey, Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)

Aja Naomi King, Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Fargo (FX)

Richa Moorjani, Fargo (FX)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited/Anthology Series

Dave Foley, Fargo (FX)

John Hawkes, True Detective: Night Country (HBO)

Lamorne Morris, Fargo (FX)

Glenn Morshower, Manhunt (Apple TV+)

Clive Owen, A Murder at the End of the World (FX/Hulu)

Lewis Pullman, Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)

Notes on Nominees: Lamorne Morris was a nominee for Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2021 for Woke. 

Outstanding Directing of a Limited/Anthology Series

Thomas Bezucha, Fargo "The Useless Hand" (FX)

Noah Hawley, Fargo "The Tragedy of the Commons" (FX)

Issa Lopez, True Detective: Night Country (HBO)

Tara Miele, Lessons in Chemistry "Introduction to Chemistry" (Apple TV+)

Weronika Tofilska, Baby Reindeer "Episode 4" (Netflix)

Steven Zaillian, Ripley (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing of a Limited/Anthology Series

Monia Beletsky & Jan Oxenberg, Manhunt "Useless" (Apple TV+)

Lee Eisenberg, Lessons in Chemistry "Introduction to Chemistry" (Apple TV+)

Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Noah Hawley & Thomas Bezucha, Fargo "Blanket" (FX)

Issa Lopez, True Detective: Night Country "Part 2" (HBO)

Steven Zaillian, Ripley (Netflix)

Notes on Nominees: Lee Eisenberg was nominated for Writing in a Limited/Anthology Series in 2023 for Little America. Richard Gadd, Noah Hawley, Thomas Bezucha, Issa Lopez and Steven Zaillian are all two time nominees for their shows this year.

Outstanding Guest Actor or Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series

Tom Goodman-Hill, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Hugh Grant, The Regime (HBO)

Maurizio Lombardi, Ripley (Netflix)

Kari Matchett, Fargo (FX)

Eliot Sumner, Ripley (Netflix)

Bokeem Woodbine, Ripley (Netflix)

Notes on Nominees: Hugh Grant was nominated for Lead Actor in a Limited/Anthology Series in 2021 for The Undoing. 

Outstanding Technical Design of a Limited/Anthology Series

The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix)

Fargo (FX)

Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)

A Murder at the End of the World (FX/Hulu)

Ripley (Netflix)

True Detective: Night Country (HBO)

Nominations

12 nominations: Fargo

10 nominations: Ripley

8 nominations: Lessons in Chemistry

6 nominations: Baby Reindeer, True Detective: Night Country

4 nominations: Manhunt

3 nominations: A Murder at the End of the World

1 nominations: Dr. Death, Expats, The Fall of the House of Usher, Feud: Capote vs. the Swans, The Regime

0 nominations: All the Light We Cannot See, Apples Never Fall, Full Circle, Under the Bridge, We Were the Lucky Ones

Tomorrow: The Drama Series nominees!

BENJAMONSTER NEWSLETTER: July 1, 2024

Welcome to my Monday newsletter! This week I am looking at the third season of The Bear, the new Apple TV+ show Land of Women, the Emmy race for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series and more!

Stay tuned as the Benjamonster Awards start today with a daily post throughout July! The next newsletter will be Monday, July 15 with a look at the big three Emmy races shortly before nominations are announced on July 17.

THE BEAR SEASON 3

I've watched the first four episodes of the third season of The Bear and I have some mixed feelings so far. It's still a great show but I'm not sure it's not as strong as the first two seasons. It's also not anywhere close to as terrible as some hysterical people on the internet are saying. In the first four episodes, I felt like we had two really strong episodes and two weaker ones.

I loved the ambition of the first episode of the season but it just didn't work for me. It felt like 36 minutes of a "previously on" segment. I understand the show was trying to give more depth to Jeremy Allen White's Carmy in the past and present but I just felt like we had seen too many of the scenes and giving them extra context was not something I wanted to spend an entire episode on. The Bear has been super ambitious before with episode structure and approach and it's worked great ("Review" in Season One of course being the most famous example). So I don't want them to stop trying but this episode bored me and just didn't work.