Biggest snubs at Emmy Awards 2024, from Larry David to Ramy Youssef

While Shogun, Baby Reindeer and The Bear swept most of the awards, other favourites left empty handed

Ramy Youssef was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series at the 76th annual Emmy Awards for directing an episode of The Bear. EPA

The Emmy Awards concluded with a record 18 honours going to feudal Japan drama Disney+ epic Shogun, with Netflix’s Baby Reindeer and dramedy The Bear also collecting multiple trophies. And while the night was a celebration of television, some shows, actors and directors might feel snubbed.

Here are some of the titles and names that might feel the sting of the loss the morning after.

Abbott Elementary

Quinta Brunson, creator and star of Abbott Elementary, which lost the outstanding comedy series award to Hacks. AFP

The popular comedy show stars its creator Quinta Brunson, who herself won an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series. With many likening its style to successful comedies such as The Office and Parks and Recreation, Abbot Elementary has become one of the most popular comedy shows running today, with the fourth season set to come to Disney+ next month.

At this year’s ceremony, the show was nominated six times but won nothing, losing outstanding comedy series to Hacks.

Larry David

During its 12 seasons, Larry David’s sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm has been a mainstay of the Emmy nomination list but has surprisingly only taken two awards, and none for its star David. The 12th season of the show was also its last, making this year’s nomination his last chance to win an Emmy.

The award for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series went to Jeremy Allen White for his performance in The Bear. David himself might not feel too bad about the loss though, as he already has two Emmy awards for Seinfeld, and the show's enduring cultural impact ensures his legacy is secure with or without the statuette.

Ayo Edebiri

Ayo Edebiri, star of the Bear, won outstanding lead actress in a comedy series last year but lost to the award to Jean Smart this year. AP

The Bear follows an ambitious and talented chef who returns home to Chicago to run his late brother’s sandwich shop. One of the show’s breakout stars is Ayo Edebiri who has become a fan favourite for her heartfelt and sincere performance.

Edebiri won the Emmy last year for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and was a favourite again to win this year, but lost to award to Jean Smart from Hacks. Edibiri is fast becoming a sought-after talent, and while it would have been nice for her to replicate her success, she can likely look forward to a career full of awards in front of and behind the camera.

Walton Goggins

The popular character actor was nominated for the outstanding lead actor in a drama series award for the first season of the television adaptation of the video game Fallout. He plays the Ghoul, a zombie-like mercenary assassin in the nuclear wasteland.

Many observers regard Goggins as a big part of the show's success. His ability to emote, despite having a computer-generated face for most of the show, has been highlighted. But his efforts were not enough, with the Emmy award going to Shogun's Hiroyuki Sanada.

Ramy Youssef

Ramy Youssef was nominated for outstanding directing for a comedy series for directing an episode of The Bear. Photo: AFP

Youssef was previously nominated for his comedy series Ramy in 2020. This year, he was nominated for directing an episode of The Bear titled Honeydew. Unfortunately for Youssef, he lost out to the show's creator Christopher Storer for the episode titled Fishes.

Youssef has been enjoying a strong rise in his career, and with Oscar-nominated films and Emmy recognition on his resume with limited credits to his name, it’s easy to predict that he will continue to impress and one day win a top award for his directing work.