@tomrobsmith: Honored by the writing nomination for Episode Four of #acsversace titled “House By The Lake”. Special mention to director Dan Minahan. And to @maureen_orth for her non fiction book Vulgar Favors which the show dramatizes #EmmyNominations2018 @FXNetworks @ACSFX
While change has been slow, at least there has been some momentum. In the years since 2000, there are at least some actors of Asian descent in lead roles on American TV, even if you can count them with your fingers. And that may even be more about the sheer volume of TV, rather than replacing caucasian actors.
There’s Lucy Liu on Elementary, there was Daniel Dae Kim on Hawaii Five-O, who quit after producers refused to pay him the same as his white co-star, Priyanka Chopra on the cancelled Quantico, Maggie Q on the cancelled Designated Survivor, Ken Jeong on the cancelled Dr Ken, Mindy Kaling on now-ended The Mindy Project, Darren Criss (whose mother is Filipino) on Assassination Of Gianni Versace and there is the cast of Fresh Off The Boat, led by the phenomenally funny Constance Wu and Randall Park.
Edgar Ramirez and American Crime Story trended in Venezuela | 12 July 2018
makeuphag: A small portion of my silly team! #cheers and so many congrats to them and their hard work on #theassassinationofgianniversace and #americanhorrorstorycult ; I couldn’t be more proud of them! @kimbaayers@silviknight @mikemekash@makeupbytym @ana_lozano_make_up@lasunnybuck @davidanderson55@chavantsavant @robinbeauchesne@carleighherbert @cnelsonfx#versacemakeupdept#ahscultmakeupdept
OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES
The Alienist
The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Genius: Picasso
Godless
Patrick MelroseWhat should win: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (or, really, Twin Peaks: The Return)
What will win: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime StoryThe Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is easily the most high-profile show among these nominees, and almost certainly the winner as well. It’s a well-deserving choice, even if it’s frustrating that this category is lacking in stiff competition. The biggest snub here is definitely Twin Peaks: The Return, which might have proved just a little too out-there for Emmy voters. Still, it’s bizarre to see that high-profile series ignored over less-discussed shows like Godless, The Alienist, Patrick Melrose, and Genius: Picasso. But we’ll try not to hold that against Versace when it takes home the award.
If we voted: An even bigger mystery than “who drew the dicks?” is “why did American Vandal get so little love from Emmy voters?” We would’ve loved to see that wonderfully original series nominated along with The Terror, Alias Grace, and of course, Twin Peaks: The Return. —Caroline Siede
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Antonio Banderas, Genius: Picasso
Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Benedict Cumberbatch, Patrick Melrose
Jeff Daniels, The Looming Tower
John Legend, Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert
Jesse Plemons, “USS Callister” (Black Mirror)What should win: Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
What will win: Darren Criss, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime StoryIt can be hard to be the runaway favorite in a category. Darren Criss’ inevitable win feels a little unexciting at this point, even though he’s more than deserving of the award. He delivered a truly captivating performance as serial killer Andrew Cunanan, flipping from charming to terrifying at the drop of a hat (or the drop of a bag of concrete). But the biggest story here is a snub: Where’s Kyle MacLachlan?!? MacLachlan’s multi-faceted performance on Twin Peaks: The Return definitely deserved some love from Emmy voters. On the other hand, we’re thrilled to see John Legend recognized for his soulful turn as Jesus Christ in Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert. Long live the live musical, and long live Agent Dale Cooper!
If we voted: In addition to MacLachlan, we would’ve loved to see a little more love for the Paramount Network’s Waco. Both Taylor Kitsch and Michael Shannon gave great performances in the little-seen miniseries about the Waco siege against David Koresh and his Branch Davidians. —Caroline Siede
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Sara Bareilles, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
Penelope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Judith Light, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Adina Porter, American Horror Story: Cult
Merritt Weaver, Godless
Letitia Wright, Black Museum (Black Mirror)Who should win: Judith Light, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Who will win: Penélope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime StoryThis category is an embarrassment of riches, and depending on how potential sweeps start shaping up, it could go many ways. Given the Emmys’ past love for American Crime Story, and Penélope Cruz’s strong performance as Donatella Versace, she’s likely to walk away with the award. A more interesting choice would be Judith Light, for the less flashy but equally compelling role of Marilyn Miglin. Light is gripping as Miglin, and the intensity of her performance helps pivot the series from its glitzier early episodes to its increasingly darker, more devastating later run.
If we voted: It boggles the mind that industry darling and Emmy fave Laura Dern wasn’t nominated for her work as Diane on Twin Peaks: The Return. Julia Ormond and Rebecca Liddiard were also great this year in Howards End and Alias Grace, respectively, but come on, guys. Laura Dern! —Kate Kulzick
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Jeff Daniels, Godless
Brandon Victor Dixon, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
John Leguizamo, Waco
Ricky Martin, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Edgar Ramirez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Michael Stuhlbarg, The Looming Tower
Finn Wittrock, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime StoryWho should win: Brandon Victor Dixon, Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert
Who will win: Edgar Ramirez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime StoryI mean, did you even see JCS Live? Brandon Victor Dixon’s Judas blew John Legend out of the water with every sequined tank top, black leather vest, and wailing high note he could muster. He’s already a Tony-caliber performer, so it’s thrilling to see his considerable talents translated to the small screen in equally exuberant ways. Still, we think Edgar Ramirez’s small but mighty turn as Gianni Versace in American Crime Story (and his higher profile as an actor) might win out in the end.
If we voted: Since we’re committed to our heartfelt stan for Twin Peaks: The Return, we’d like to remind you that the late, great Harry Dean Stanton was in it, and he sang a lovely blues song, and that should make you very happy. —Clint Worthington
Best Limited Series
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
Godless (Netflix)
Patrick Melrose (Showtime)
Genius: Picasso (National Geographic)
The Alienist (TNT)Best Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH
Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
John Legend (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Antonio Banderas (Genius: Picasso)
Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose) — podcast
Jeff Daniels (The Looming Tower) — podcast
Jesse Plemons (Black Mirror: USS Callister) — podcastBest Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Television Movie
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH
Jeff Daniels (Godless) — podcast
Edgar Ramirez (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Brandon Victor Dixon (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Michael Stuhlbarg (The Looming Tower)
Ricky Martin (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Finn Wittrock (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
John Leguizamo (Waco)Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Television Movie
PROJECTED NOMINEES
Merritt Wever (Godless)
Penelope Cruz (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Judith Light (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Sara Bareilles (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Adina Porter (American Horror Story: Cult)
Letitia Wright (Black Mirror: Black Museum)
Feinberg Forecast: First Post-Nominations Read of the 70th Emmys Race
Ricky Martin hadn’t had zero acting experience when he was cast as Antonio D’Amico, partner of Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramirez), in Ryan Murphy’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story — he appeared on Glee, some Latin American telenovelas and even General Hospital way back in the day — but the initial announcement came as a surprise to many. Could Ricky Martin of Menudo and “Shake Your Bon-Bon” fame deliver the goods in a real-deal dramatic role on par with those in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story?
If Martin’s performance didn’t erase all doubt the answer was an emphatic yes, then the announcement heard ‘round the world Thursday did: Martin received an Emmy nod for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. He told TV Guide he found out when he was startled awake by a loud banging on his door. “Mr. Martin! Wake up, it’s an emergency!” shouted a woman who worked for him; he’d gotten home from a recording studio, where he was working on new material, at 4 a.m. His publicist had dispatched the woman to rouse him, and, in the hours since, he’s gotten so many messages his phone’s battery just gave up and shut down. “I don’t even know how I’m feeling,” he said, sounding slightly groggy but obviously thrilled.
He stayed on the line long enough to tell us four things we didn’t know about his star turn on American Crime Story. Keep scrolling for the full Martin tea.
1. The scene that earned Martin a nod had a key edit that the actor himself asked to change up on set.
Martin traversed between catatonic despair, joy and humiliation when Gianni’s sister Donatella (Penelope Cruz) shut him out of the Versace family business and home. Martin, who has previously described the experience of shooting the series at the Versace mansion as supernatural, credited Murphy’s direction and the sense of trust he created on set as the reason he got noticed — even if the license Martin took surely played a part too.“Ryan is very specific about the things he needs but once you commit to those things, he lets you fly,” he said. Martin asked for permission to actually hold Gianni’s bloody body in the now unforgettable scene when Antonio discovers his partner had been shot. “Ryan said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘I need to feel him,’ and I asked Edgar if I could hold him. I was just bawling. They were very difficult emotions to tap into.”
2. While the recognition is great, what makes Martin the happiest is the fact that justice prevailed, even if it was delayed.
Martin’s role wasn’t just good but resonant too; only eight years have passed since Martin publicly came out (on his website) and the now married father of two, who’s been famous most of his life, is intimately knowledgable about dealing with homophobia and the pressure to stay closeted as a celebrity, which Versace explores in depth.“To be recognized by your peers — it doesn’t matter how cool you try to act…it is the industry telling you you’ve done a good job. But for me most important [is that] the show means justice prevailed. We all jumped into this show because of the need to shed some light into this world. The FBI never caught (Andrew Cunanan, played by Darren Criss) in Miami, which is a small city and [Andrew] was not hiding. I guess the FBI said, ‘It’s a gay man killing gay man, look the other way and let it happen.’ We have to be careful because history tends to repeat itself. This heavy atmosphere we’re dealing with — the xenophobic atmosphere, the racism — we have to stand up and be aware, eyes wide open to stop injustice.”
3. Martin’s already planning on making the most of his nomination — and right now that means celebrating with his castmates and family.
Martin said he’s going to look for “any excuse to throw a little party” and that starts with his Versace teammates. He’s going to Spain in a few days, so he’ll look up Penelope Cruz, he said, and though Edgar Ramirez is in Atlanta, he’s already making plans to turn all the way up this weekend with Darren Criss and Ryan Murphy — possibly at his house.As for the most important people in his life — his family — he’s pretty sure he knows how they’re going to react. “My husband [artist Jwan Yosef] and my kids put up with a lot — my frustration and crying…My husband says to me, ‘I forgot I was married to Ricky, all of a sudden I’m married to Antonio.’” His 10 year old sons are in camp, he said, and he has no plans to interrupt their idyllic summer moment to tell them papa got nominated for the highest award possible in TV. “They’re somewhere else. ‘Dad, look at this! Look at this kick!’ They’ll care, they’ll say ‘Congratulations Papi!’ and they’ll be on to the next.”
4. He knows what he’s wearing to the Emmys in September.
Martin said he’d wear something “conceptual and chic” the night of the ceremony, but importantly he knows just where to put that glossy hardware if he’s lucky enough to bring it home: right next to his two Grammys.
Here’s How Ricky Martin Is Celebrating His First-Ever Emmy Nomination
Playing the iconic, ill-fated fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was slain by a serial killer in 1997, was a “profound, transformative life experience,” says Edgar Ramirez. But it was the themes of prejudice and homophobia in FX’s “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” that really resonated for the Venezuelan-born actor, who on Thursday earned a supporting actor Emmy nomination for his work.
Where are we catching you?
I’m in Atlanta. I’m shooting a movie here. It’s hot. We’re one week away from shooting and in rehearsals right now. This was just such a surprise, honestly. I was trying not to think too much about it in the days leading up to it, because you never know. You can’t obsess about these things, but when they happen, you celebrate the fact that the show got so much beautiful recognition. I’m very, very happy.
Why was playing Versace such a profound experience, as you’ve called it?
It not only allowed me to portray one of the most fascinating characters ever, but it also allowed me to meet some of the most important people in my life now. People who are now family, and that is beautiful. It was also one of those roles, those characters, that brings so much to you. What I love is the complexity of the show, the different layers that the show has. And that’s something that doesn’t happen every day.
The undercurrent of the series is really about homophobia. How does that idea intersect with the search for Andrew Cunanan, the serial killer who murdered Versace?
We have to remember that America in the late ’90s was all about “Don’t ask, don’t tell” — Bill Clinton’s solution to the gay issue. And when you look at the story of this serial killer, the search to find him, the effort to understand what he was up to and what he might do next, what comes up over and over again is this denial of sexuality. And the almost refusal to acknowledge that there was a gay world out there. It played against the efforts to find this guy.
How relevant is the show, those social dynamics, today — is homophobia something you worry about, given the increasingly conservative Supreme Court?
Of course, of course. Clearly. Any type of discrimination or overlooking the rights of any individual, any citizen, is very worrisome. And that’s what makes this show so relevant — it was 20 years ago, and yet we see signs of new forms of discrimination, a political climate where discriminating is becoming a normalized thing. And that is something that is very worrisome. And it’s something that’s very global, it’s all over the world. This show is a good way to revisit history, to see how things were in order to prevent them. So that history doesn’t repeat itself.
The show addresses different forms of homophobia, which isn’t always this open, raging sentiment, as you’ve said, but often a quieter, internalized, and in some ways an even more dangerous thing. Can you elaborate on that?
It’s a lack of knowledge. A lack of contact. That’s the internalized homophobia. It was almost a refusal that was, maybe not an angry, but was a total lack of knowledge that there was a gay culture out there. It’s not the same, today; but of course there’s a lot of work ahead of us and there’s an urgent need to protect the rights of individuals that have been [established] so far. Language is important, the rules of engagement are important, in order for us to coexist respecting and accepting each other. If we foster an environment where we’re allowed to discriminate, then words will be easily turned into action. We’ve seen that in the past. And that’s what’s worrisome.
You went through quite a transformation to play Versace — prosthetics, you gained 20 pounds. What was that like and did the physicality help you connect with, and better channel, Versace?
When I saw myself for the first time it was kind of shocking; I hadn’t really worked with prosthetics before. I was afraid it would look fake. But it was a matter of time and I got used to it. And it did help me embody the role. I do believe in physical transformation a lot. If you feel it in your body, then the character grows in — or out of — you.
Are you fashion conscious yourself?
Well, I don’t follow it to the letter, but I’m not a stranger to it. I pay attention. I have friends in the fashion industry. My style? You gotta be comfortable. I believe in classic pieces, but I also like to play around and have fun.
Source | 12 July 2018
ACS news 