Louis C.K.
Considering there are currently over 65 Latinos in regular roles on network and cable TV series, showing up every week in more than 50 programs, you’d think that a few of them would find their way into the Emmy nominations for acting, writing, and directing.
“Few” is the operative word. This year, in nominations just released, we see a grand total of four names–four–Latinos nominated for Emmys in any of those categories, with Louis C.K. receiving a phenomenal and well-deserved seven nominations across the board, Bobby Cannavale seeing two nominations, in Drama and Comedy, and only two other Latinos showing up at all: Sofía Vergara for Modern Family and Morena Baccarin for Homeland.
And that’s it. From a total of 145 nominees, four Latino names. For those of you doing the math, that’s slightly more than 2 percent.
By far the biggest winner on the list–in any form, in any ethnicity–is Louis C.K. He received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Louie, for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on Saturday Night Live, for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series for Louie, for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for Louie, for Outstanding Variety Special for Oh, My God, for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for Oh, My God, and for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special, also for Oh, My God.
Bobby Cannavale
Photo Source: Matt Doyle
Sofia Vergara
Bobby Cannavale saw two nominations–for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama for his work on Boardwalk Empire, and for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy for his appearance in Nurse Jackie–running against Louie, as it happens. (And to repeat last year’s rhetorical question: Nurse Jackie is a comedy?
Sofía Vergara received her annual nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Modern Family–still “supporting,” though she is now the highest paid Latina and highest paid actress on any series.
Morena Baccarin, much-beloved for her work on Firefly and V, received her first Emmy nomination ever for Homeland.
In a trend that would be disturbing if it wasn’t so ancient and consistent, the Emmys continue to be dominated by Anglo-Europeans; the number of nominees of any color–African-American, Latino, Asian, or Native American–in the acting, writing, and directing categories can literally be counted on the fingers of one hand, despite the changing faces (and casts) of programming up and down the dial.
‘Twas ever thus. The Emmys will be awarded in a live broadcast on CBS in September.
