Third time will be the Emmy charm for ‘The Morning Show’
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Apple TV’s flagship series “The Morning Show” returned last fall for a third season with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon again electrifying our screens. The show initially followed allegations of sexual misconduct surrounding a male co-anchor (Steve Carell) as the #MeToo movement was explored. Later, the series delved into other political topics and current events such as racial inequality, Russia invading Ukraine, COVID-19, and the Capitol insurrection.
Our guiding lights throughout all of this are Aniston’s powerhouse Alex Levy and Witherspoon’s moral-driven Bradley Jackson. In season three, they have to contend with affairs, media mergers, tech moguls (Jon Hamm), producers, and even going into space.
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Season three quite literally explored new territories and critics felt that the show hit its stride, nailing its mad-cap, ludicrously entertaining tone.
Peter Travers (ABC News) noted: “Aniston and Witherspoon, plus star newbie Jon Hamm, power up the best season yet for this inside look at the corporate corruption of TV news and entertainment.”
Randy Myers (San Jose Mercury News) explained: “Aniston and Witherspoon who really anchor the series. Both actors are on top of their game and not for one second lose sight of who their characters are and how they should react in dicey, unexplored situations.”
Amber Dowling (The Wrap) observed: “The heart of the show and what it means to move forward in the world as it is today remains very much intact.”
Liz Shannon Miller (Consequence) opined: “It’s messy, in short, but after three seasons that appears to be the comfort zone it’s found, and it’s led to some chaotic and deeply addictive television.”
Boyd Hilton (Empire) summarized: “No wonder a fourth season of this slick TV newsroom drama has already been confirmed. It makes for hugely pleasurable viewing.”
As a result, we think “The Morning Show” will be nominated for Best Drama Series alongside “The Crown,” “Shōgun,” “The Gilded Age,” “Slow Horses,” “The Curse,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” and “Fallout.” Surprisingly, this would be the first series citation “The Morning Show” has received.
However, it is still well-liked by Emmy voters. The first season picked up eight nominations in total and Billy Crudup won Best Drama Supporting Actor for his role as CEO Cory Ellison. The second season then secured three bids in total. This third season, however, is the most critically successful, with its Rotten Tomatoes score of 72% the highest any series of the show has received so far. If seasons one and two can garner Emmy acclaim then season three, which critics think is the strongest, should be able to go one step further and snag that Best Drama Series nomination.
The reason season three is stronger, by the way, is because the show plays to its strengths more. Aniston and Witherspoon still deliver knockout performances while the introduction of Hamm amps up the show’s roster considerably. He and Aniston create some of the series’ best moments. Meanwhile, Crudup’s Cory (the show’s MVP since season one) has taken center stage this season. It is his show now, and the series is all the better for it. Emmy voters may want to embrace the fact that the show has played to its strengths so admirably.
Plus, Apple knows how to secure these nominations. “Ted Lasso” won two awards for Best Comedy Series while “Severance” was nominated for Best Drama Series and “Shrinking,” “Bad Sisters,” “Black Bird,” and “The Morning Show” itself all contended in key categories, including acting, directing, and writing. The streaming service knows how to navigate Emmy campaigns and “The Morning Show” could be in for its best campaign yet, particularly as it has already picked up several major awards nominations this year.
The Critics Choice TV Awards handed “The Morning Show” a whopping six nominations including a bid for Best Drama Series while the Golden Globes also nominated it for Best Drama TV Series. Plus, the PGA Awards nominated it for Best Producer of Episodic Television — Drama (its equivalent of Best Drama Series), and the SAG Awards recognized it for Best Drama Series Ensemble (again, its equivalent of Best Drama Series). That is four Best Drama Series nominations from the top four major Emmy precursors. You cannot get greater Emmy tea leaves than that.
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