Navigating the Emmys Maze: A Comprehensive Guide to the Deggys

As the television landscape becomes increasingly complex and Hollywood grows more desperate, the annual Emmy Awards ceremony often leaves viewers feeling overwhelmed and confused. Fortunately, TV critic Eric Deggans has stepped in with his own prestigious awards show, the Deggys, to provide a clear and insightful perspective on the best of television.

Cutting Through the Clutter: Deggans' Take on the Emmy Chaos

Redefining the Drama-Comedy Divide

In the world of the Deggys, the lines between drama and comedy are not as blurred as they may seem. Deggans firmly declares that FX's "The Bear" is not a comedy, despite its numerous Emmy nominations in that category. Instead, he argues that the show's core storytelling centers on the dramatic and anguished struggle of chef Carmy Berzatto to transform his family's restaurant into a fine dining establishment, grappling with his family's troubled past and his brother's suicide. Deggans insists that "The Bear" is not only a drama, but the best drama on television.

Reservation Dogs: A Groundbreaking Comedy

Deggans' pick for the Best Comedy Series is the FX series "Reservation Dogs," a coming-of-age story about four indigenous teens in rural Oklahoma. He praises the show's showrunner, Sterlin Harjo, and co-creator Taika Waititi for their ability to seamlessly blend absurdist comedy and poignant drama, showcasing a wealth of indigenous talent both in front of and behind the camera. Deggans believes that this is the last year the Emmys can honor this revolutionary series, as it concluded its run last year, just as it was gaining wider recognition.

Shogun: A Dramatic Triumph

While Deggans acknowledges the impressive nominations and Creative Arts Emmy wins for FX's "Shogun," he has decided to award the series a Deggy in the Best Limited or Anthology Series category. He praises the show's ambitious reimagining of James Clavell's 1975 novel, which de-centers the British white protagonist and authentically recreates the look and feel of feudal Japan. Deggans believes that "Shogun" represents the kind of landmark television that FX is still capable of producing, a testament to the network's willingness to take creative risks and develop ambitious series.

True Detective: Night Country - A Powerful Reinvention

Deggans is particularly impressed with the latest installment of the "True Detective" anthology series, "True Detective: Night Country." He commends showrunner Issa Lopez for putting women, especially indigenous women, at the center of the story and for her graceful handling of criticism from the original series creator, Nic Pizzolatto. Deggans believes that Lopez's vision and Jodie Foster's powerful performance deserve recognition, and he is awarding the series a Deggy for Best Limited or Anthology Series.

Liza Colon-Zayas: A Standout Supporting Actress

While Liza Colon-Zayas is nominated in the Supporting Actress in a Comedy category at the Emmys for her work in "The Bear," Deggans has decided to honor her performance in the Deggy Awards. He argues that her standout work in the third season of the show, which aired after the Emmy eligibility period, deserves recognition, and he is confident that she will likely earn an Emmy for her performance in the future.

Hot Ones: Reinventing the Talk Show Format

Deggans is particularly disappointed by the lack of an Emmy nomination for the YouTube series "Hot Ones," which he believes is a prime example of innovative and entertaining talk show programming. He praises host Sean Evans for elevating the simple concept of interviewing guests while they eat increasingly hot chicken wings, and he believes that the show's success could inspire more creative formats in the declining late-night television landscape.In the end, Deggans' Deggys provide a refreshing and insightful perspective on the best of television, challenging the traditional boundaries and categories of the Emmy Awards. With his unique take on the drama-comedy divide, his recognition of groundbreaking and underappreciated series, and his celebration of standout performances, Deggans offers a compelling alternative to the often-confusing Emmys.