The Emmy Music Races: Sizing Up the Competition in Seven Categories
This year’s Emmy competition in the music categories is generating more excitement than usual. That’s because the results could yield two new EGOT winners and a first-ever Emmy for veteran film composer Hans Zimmer.
Songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul—already Oscar winners for “La La Land” and Tony and Grammy winners for “Dear Evan Hansen”—could finally claim the last piece of the EGOT puzzle if their song “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?” from “Only Murders in the Building” (co-written with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman) wins for best song.
Zimmer, who already has two Oscars (for “The Lion King” and “Dune”) and four Grammys (for “The Dark Knight,” “Crimson Tide” and two for “Lion King”), could finally nab TV’s top honor for one or more of his nominations, for “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” (score for a limited series and best song, both with Kara Talve) or “Planet Earth III” (documentary score, with Jacob Shea and Sara Barone).
Seventeen nominees, or exactly one-third of the total number of 51, are first-timers to the competition. Nine of those are in the music composition categories, including the composers of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “Palm Royale,” “Shogun,” “Silo,” “Slow Horses,” “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” “Beckham” and “Planet Earth III.”
Only 12 of this year’s nominees, however, or less than one-fourth, are women. That includes four in the composition categories, three more in songwriting and five in music supervision.
The Television Academy’s 600-member Music Peer Group continues to wrestle with the impossibly large number of entries, however: this year, 475 in the seven music categories, just too many to view and evaluate during the four-week nomination-round period. So, in many cases, members chose nominees from among the most popular shows.
Of the 22 nominees in the four music composition categories, nearly two-thirds were scores or themes from shows that were also nominated for outstanding comedy, drama, limited series or documentary. But there were exceptions: the music nominations for “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” “Lawmen,” “Rock Hudson” and “The Kennedy Center Honors” were the only ones those programs received.
Nods for traditional broadcast networks continued to decline. Only six of the 38 nominated shows were from NBC, ABC or CBS and curiously, all five nominees in the music direction category aired on the networks. The sixth was for a song on “Saturday Night Live,” the first “SNL” nod in that category since 2019.
Winners will be announced as part of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies on Sept. 7 and 8.
Following is a rundown of all the nominees, including the Primetime Emmy record of each nominee and a brief comment about the style, content or vibe of the music.
Music Composition for a Series
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Prime Video) David Fleming First nominations (two this year) Episode “First Date” Synths plus unusual instruments including kalimba
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) Siddhartha Khosla Six previous noms Episode “Sitzprobe” Waltz-time motif for theater setting of Oliver’s musicalPalm Royale (Apple TV+)Jeff ToyneFirst noms (two this year)Episode “Maxine Saves a Cat”’60s orchestra, jazzy period score for South Florida hijinks
Shōgun (FX)Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, Nick ChubaOne win for Atticus Ross; first noms for Leopold, ChubaEpisode “Servants of Two Masters”Traditional Japanese sounds processed and adapted into score
Silo (Apple TV+)Atli ÖrvarssonFirst nomEpisode “Freedom Day”Rare magnetic resonator piano lends ancient-technology feel
Slow Horses (Apple TV+)Daniel Pemberton, ToydrumOne prior nom for Pemberton, first for ToydrumEpisode “Strange Games”Offbeat, wonky sounds propel fast-paced spy series
Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special
All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix)James Newton HowardOne win, five prior nomsEpisode 4Large London orchestra, choirs, solo violin heighten WW II dramaFargo (FX)Jeff RussoOne win, four other nomsEpisode “Blanket”Grim, then melancholy, approach for horrific domestic-abuse story
Lawmen: Bass Reeves (Paramount+)Chanda DancyFirst nominationEpisode: Part IOrchestral backdrop for Arkansas slave-turned-U.S. marshal
Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)Carlos Rafael RiveraTwo wins, one other nomEpisode “Book of Calvin”Warm piano and strings for Calvin’s backstory
The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Peacock)Kara Talve, Hans ZimmerSecond nom for Talve, three prior noms for ZimmerEpisode 1Evocative violin, cello, vintage piano for heart-wrenching drama
Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (HBO Max)Marc ShaimanOne win, 11 other nomsProfile of respected comedian and filmmakerLightly jazzy, retro-sounding small-combo sound
Beckham (Netflix)Anze Rožman, Camilo ForeroSecond nom for Rožman, first for ForeroEpisode “Seeing Red”Neo-classical score frames British football hero
Jim Henson Idea Man (Disney+)David FlemingFirst nominations, two this yearProfile of Muppets creatorMix of whimsy, warmth, energy reflects Henson’s personality
Planet Earth III (BBC America)Jacob Shea, Sara Barone, Hans ZimmerThree previous noms for Zimmer, one for Shea, first for BaroneEpisode “Extremes”Hybrid symphonic-electronic-choral soundscape for nature doc
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed (HBO Max)Laura KarpmanOne win, six other nomsProfile of gay movie and TV starCool jazz score helps evoke ’50s-’60s period in Hollywood
Music Direction
The 46th Kennedy Center Honors (CBS)Rickey MinorTwo wins, 13 other nominationsBilly Crystal, Dionne Warwick, Queen Latifah among honoreesCynthia Erivo, Missy Elliott, Little Big Town, Michael Bublé perform
Late Night With Seth Meyers (NBC)Fred Armisen, Eli Janney14 previous noms for Armisen; first for JanneyFeb. 26 episode celebrating 10th anniversaryAmy Poehler, President Joe Biden guests
The Oscars (ABC)Rickey MinorTwo wins, 13 other nominations96th annual Academy Awards ceremonyBillie Eilish, Ryan Gosling, Jon Batiste, Becky G among performers
2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (ABC)Adam Blackstone, Don Was, Omar EdwardsOne win each for Blackstone, Was; one nom for EdwardsGeorge Michael, Spinners, Willie Nelson inductedMissy Elliott, Sheryl Crow, Carrie Underwood among performers
Saturday Night Live (NBC)Lenny Pickett, Leon Pendarvis, Eli BrueggemannOne win for Brueggemann; five noms each for Pickett, PendarvisApril 13 episode with Ryan GoslingGosling sings about Ken; Chris Stapleton performs
Music and Lyrics
Girls5eva (Netflix)Sara BareillesThree prior nominationsSong “The Medium Time”Reunited girl group performs live at Radio City Music Hall
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Marc Shaiman, Scott WittmanOne win for Shaiman; three noms for Wittman; one for Pasek, PaulSong “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?”Steve Martin sings clever patter song in Broadway musical
Saturday Night Live (NBC)Eli Brueggemann, Maya Rudolph, Auguste White, Mike DiCenzo, Jake NordwindFive wins for Rudolph, one for Brueggemann; 5 noms for DiCenzo, 2 Nordwind, 1 WhiteSong “Maya Rudolph’s Mother’s Day Monologue”Rudolph sings, dances Madonna-style salute to moms
The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Peacock)Kara Talve, Hans Zimmer, Walter Afanasieff, Charlie MidnightOne prior nom for Talve, three for Zimmer; first for Afanasieff, MidnightSong “Love Will Survive”Barbra Streisand performs gentle ballad for final episode
True Detective: Night Country (HBO Max)John HawkesFirst nomSong “No Use”Hawkes, as Deputy Hank Prior, sings and plays guitar
Main Title Theme Music
Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (FX)Thomas NewmanOne win, two other nomsWriter’s troubled relations with wealthy NYC socialitesChattering piano, rich strings for Upper East Side setting
Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)Carlos Rafael RiveraTwo wins, one other nomScientist becomes cooking-show host in early ’50sWarm strings, piano, flute for colorful science-based titles
Masters of the Air (Apple TV+)Blake NeelyOne win, five other nomsWorld War II Air Force dramaStirring orchestral and choral Americana for heroic airmen
Palm Royale (Apple TV+)Jeff ToyneFirst noms (two this year)Social-climber dramedy set in 1969 South FloridaLighthearted, Latin-flavored orchestra for pastel titles
Shōgun (FX)Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, Nick ChubaOne win for Atticus Ross; first noms for Leopold, ChubaShipwrecked sailor tries to survive in 17th-century JapanJapanese instruments plus synths, big drums introduce feudal setting
Music Supervision
Baby Reindeer (Netflix)Catherine GrievesSecond nominationEpisode 4Songs by Nilsson, Donovan, Jethro Tull
Fallout (Prime Video)Trygge TovenFirst nominationEpisode “The End”Songs by Nat King Cole, Johnny Cash, Connie Conway
Fargo (FX)Maggie PhillipsFirst nominationEpisode “The Tragedy of the Commons”Songs by Yes, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Ralph Stanley
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)Jen MaloneThree previous nomsEpisode “A Breakup”Songs by Brittany Howard, Suicide, Bonnie Banane
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)Bruce Gilbert, Lauren Marie MikusFirst nom for bothEpisode “Grab Your Hankies”Meryl Streep and cast rehearse Oliver’s musical
True Detective: Night Country (HBO Max)Susan JacobsOne winEpisode: Part 4Songs by Billie Eilish, Mazzy Star, Moby
Songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul—already Oscar winners for “La La Land” and Tony and Grammy winners for “Dear Evan Hansen”—could finally claim the last piece of the EGOT puzzle if their song “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?” from “Only Murders in the Building” (co-written with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman) wins for best song.
Zimmer, who already has two Oscars (for “The Lion King” and “Dune”) and four Grammys (for “The Dark Knight,” “Crimson Tide” and two for “Lion King”), could finally nab TV’s top honor for one or more of his nominations, for “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” (score for a limited series and best song, both with Kara Talve) or “Planet Earth III” (documentary score, with Jacob Shea and Sara Barone).
Seventeen nominees, or exactly one-third of the total number of 51, are first-timers to the competition. Nine of those are in the music composition categories, including the composers of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “Palm Royale,” “Shogun,” “Silo,” “Slow Horses,” “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” “Beckham” and “Planet Earth III.”
Only 12 of this year’s nominees, however, or less than one-fourth, are women. That includes four in the composition categories, three more in songwriting and five in music supervision.
The Television Academy’s 600-member Music Peer Group continues to wrestle with the impossibly large number of entries, however: this year, 475 in the seven music categories, just too many to view and evaluate during the four-week nomination-round period. So, in many cases, members chose nominees from among the most popular shows.
Of the 22 nominees in the four music composition categories, nearly two-thirds were scores or themes from shows that were also nominated for outstanding comedy, drama, limited series or documentary. But there were exceptions: the music nominations for “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” “Lawmen,” “Rock Hudson” and “The Kennedy Center Honors” were the only ones those programs received.
Nods for traditional broadcast networks continued to decline. Only six of the 38 nominated shows were from NBC, ABC or CBS and curiously, all five nominees in the music direction category aired on the networks. The sixth was for a song on “Saturday Night Live,” the first “SNL” nod in that category since 2019.
Winners will be announced as part of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies on Sept. 7 and 8.
Following is a rundown of all the nominees, including the Primetime Emmy record of each nominee and a brief comment about the style, content or vibe of the music.
Music Composition for a Series
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Prime Video) David Fleming First nominations (two this year) Episode “First Date” Synths plus unusual instruments including kalimba
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) Siddhartha Khosla Six previous noms Episode “Sitzprobe” Waltz-time motif for theater setting of Oliver’s musicalPalm Royale (Apple TV+)Jeff ToyneFirst noms (two this year)Episode “Maxine Saves a Cat”’60s orchestra, jazzy period score for South Florida hijinks
Shōgun (FX)Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, Nick ChubaOne win for Atticus Ross; first noms for Leopold, ChubaEpisode “Servants of Two Masters”Traditional Japanese sounds processed and adapted into score
Silo (Apple TV+)Atli ÖrvarssonFirst nomEpisode “Freedom Day”Rare magnetic resonator piano lends ancient-technology feel
Slow Horses (Apple TV+)Daniel Pemberton, ToydrumOne prior nom for Pemberton, first for ToydrumEpisode “Strange Games”Offbeat, wonky sounds propel fast-paced spy series
Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special
All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix)James Newton HowardOne win, five prior nomsEpisode 4Large London orchestra, choirs, solo violin heighten WW II dramaFargo (FX)Jeff RussoOne win, four other nomsEpisode “Blanket”Grim, then melancholy, approach for horrific domestic-abuse story
Lawmen: Bass Reeves (Paramount+)Chanda DancyFirst nominationEpisode: Part IOrchestral backdrop for Arkansas slave-turned-U.S. marshal
Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)Carlos Rafael RiveraTwo wins, one other nomEpisode “Book of Calvin”Warm piano and strings for Calvin’s backstory
The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Peacock)Kara Talve, Hans ZimmerSecond nom for Talve, three prior noms for ZimmerEpisode 1Evocative violin, cello, vintage piano for heart-wrenching drama
Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (HBO Max)Marc ShaimanOne win, 11 other nomsProfile of respected comedian and filmmakerLightly jazzy, retro-sounding small-combo sound
Beckham (Netflix)Anze Rožman, Camilo ForeroSecond nom for Rožman, first for ForeroEpisode “Seeing Red”Neo-classical score frames British football hero
Jim Henson Idea Man (Disney+)David FlemingFirst nominations, two this yearProfile of Muppets creatorMix of whimsy, warmth, energy reflects Henson’s personality
Planet Earth III (BBC America)Jacob Shea, Sara Barone, Hans ZimmerThree previous noms for Zimmer, one for Shea, first for BaroneEpisode “Extremes”Hybrid symphonic-electronic-choral soundscape for nature doc
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed (HBO Max)Laura KarpmanOne win, six other nomsProfile of gay movie and TV starCool jazz score helps evoke ’50s-’60s period in Hollywood
Music Direction
The 46th Kennedy Center Honors (CBS)Rickey MinorTwo wins, 13 other nominationsBilly Crystal, Dionne Warwick, Queen Latifah among honoreesCynthia Erivo, Missy Elliott, Little Big Town, Michael Bublé perform
Late Night With Seth Meyers (NBC)Fred Armisen, Eli Janney14 previous noms for Armisen; first for JanneyFeb. 26 episode celebrating 10th anniversaryAmy Poehler, President Joe Biden guests
The Oscars (ABC)Rickey MinorTwo wins, 13 other nominations96th annual Academy Awards ceremonyBillie Eilish, Ryan Gosling, Jon Batiste, Becky G among performers
2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (ABC)Adam Blackstone, Don Was, Omar EdwardsOne win each for Blackstone, Was; one nom for EdwardsGeorge Michael, Spinners, Willie Nelson inductedMissy Elliott, Sheryl Crow, Carrie Underwood among performers
Saturday Night Live (NBC)Lenny Pickett, Leon Pendarvis, Eli BrueggemannOne win for Brueggemann; five noms each for Pickett, PendarvisApril 13 episode with Ryan GoslingGosling sings about Ken; Chris Stapleton performs
Music and Lyrics
Girls5eva (Netflix)Sara BareillesThree prior nominationsSong “The Medium Time”Reunited girl group performs live at Radio City Music Hall
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Marc Shaiman, Scott WittmanOne win for Shaiman; three noms for Wittman; one for Pasek, PaulSong “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?”Steve Martin sings clever patter song in Broadway musical
Saturday Night Live (NBC)Eli Brueggemann, Maya Rudolph, Auguste White, Mike DiCenzo, Jake NordwindFive wins for Rudolph, one for Brueggemann; 5 noms for DiCenzo, 2 Nordwind, 1 WhiteSong “Maya Rudolph’s Mother’s Day Monologue”Rudolph sings, dances Madonna-style salute to moms
The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Peacock)Kara Talve, Hans Zimmer, Walter Afanasieff, Charlie MidnightOne prior nom for Talve, three for Zimmer; first for Afanasieff, MidnightSong “Love Will Survive”Barbra Streisand performs gentle ballad for final episode
True Detective: Night Country (HBO Max)John HawkesFirst nomSong “No Use”Hawkes, as Deputy Hank Prior, sings and plays guitar
Main Title Theme Music
Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (FX)Thomas NewmanOne win, two other nomsWriter’s troubled relations with wealthy NYC socialitesChattering piano, rich strings for Upper East Side setting
Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)Carlos Rafael RiveraTwo wins, one other nomScientist becomes cooking-show host in early ’50sWarm strings, piano, flute for colorful science-based titles
Masters of the Air (Apple TV+)Blake NeelyOne win, five other nomsWorld War II Air Force dramaStirring orchestral and choral Americana for heroic airmen
Palm Royale (Apple TV+)Jeff ToyneFirst noms (two this year)Social-climber dramedy set in 1969 South FloridaLighthearted, Latin-flavored orchestra for pastel titles
Shōgun (FX)Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, Nick ChubaOne win for Atticus Ross; first noms for Leopold, ChubaShipwrecked sailor tries to survive in 17th-century JapanJapanese instruments plus synths, big drums introduce feudal setting
Music Supervision
Baby Reindeer (Netflix)Catherine GrievesSecond nominationEpisode 4Songs by Nilsson, Donovan, Jethro Tull
Fallout (Prime Video)Trygge TovenFirst nominationEpisode “The End”Songs by Nat King Cole, Johnny Cash, Connie Conway
Fargo (FX)Maggie PhillipsFirst nominationEpisode “The Tragedy of the Commons”Songs by Yes, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Ralph Stanley
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)Jen MaloneThree previous nomsEpisode “A Breakup”Songs by Brittany Howard, Suicide, Bonnie Banane
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)Bruce Gilbert, Lauren Marie MikusFirst nom for bothEpisode “Grab Your Hankies”Meryl Streep and cast rehearse Oliver’s musical
True Detective: Night Country (HBO Max)Susan JacobsOne winEpisode: Part 4Songs by Billie Eilish, Mazzy Star, Moby