21 Actors, Actresses and TV Shows That Need a Nom in the 2014 Emmys

The 2014 Emmy Award Nominations will be announced this Thursday morning, and in honor of the big occasion celebrating the best performances in television this year, these are the actors, actresses and shows that we need to be nominated, or we’ll be revolting before 9 a.m.. 

The Americans

On and off-screen couple Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys really outdid themselves in season 2 of the critically-acclaimed FX show, with the sex, drama and espionage at an all time high. Their next mission: obtain an Emmy nomination.

Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project

While The Mindy Project continued to have its hits and misses in season 2, star, writer and producer Mindy Kaling was always sweet, hilarious and simultaneously clueless and intelligent, like no other lady on TV. Let’s send a nom her way, k?

James Spader, The Blacklist

He creeped us out, he surprised us and most of all he kept our eyes glued to the TV every week on The Blacklist. Bravo, James Spader.

Orange Is The New Black

Do you even remember life before Orange Is The New Black? Binge-watching has never been so fun.

Andy Samberg, Brooklyn 99

Hey, maybe Andy Samberg’s Golden Globe win wasn’t such a fluke after all! It’s his most restrained role, while still bringing the funny in every episode. He showed viewers his sweet and silly sides while solving crimes, and he’s just one piece of the puzzle that is one of the best ensemble casts on TV.

Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy

After playing Dr. Cristina Yang for 10 years, Sandra Oh is ready for an Emmy nomination. She’s acted her way through a plane crash, getting impaled by an icicle, being left at the altar and has performed countless surgeries. Her final season on Grey’s displayed her powerhouse acting skills that will be greatly missed going forward.

Fargo

One of the most gripping shows of the year was beautifully shot (no pun intended) and beautifully acted the entire season long. While the show should rack up some noms, each and every actor including Martin Freeman, Colin Hanks, breakout star Allison Tolman and of course the chilling Billy Bob Thornton were at the top of their game in each and every episode. Well, every episode they stayed alive, that is.

Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

This should be a no-brainer. Amy consistently brings it in each and every episode of Parks and Rec, but this is more an early note to Emmy voters that she deserves the win this year. Let’s not have another Steve Carell/ The Office situation on our hands where we just expect Amy to be brilliant but not present her with some serious hardware.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the men of Veep

Giving Poehler a run for her money every year is Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Veep. She can go from calm to crazy in record time, and that takes talent. And let's not forget the supporting cast of men on the HBO comedy: Timothy Simons, Reid Scott, Tony Hale, etc. all really brought it on the show this year, from burritos to breakdowns to bag duties.

Kiernan Shipka, Mad Men 

She is consistently the most complex, subtle, gifted actress on the AMC show, and all the better for being cast as a little kid and growing into this amazing artist! Also, it would just be cool to have a tween win. You know that would be a cool speech. 

Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

Robin Wright held her own with the terrifying Kevin Spacey all season, so it won’t be a surprise to hear either of these names called on Thursday morning in the Leading Actor and Actress categories. 

Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer

This show smashed sketch comedy, gender commentary and the siliness of life all out of the park this year. Amy proved she’s a diverse comic, actress and gal we want to be best friends with. 

Hayden Panettiere, Nashville

It’s easy to hate her character Juliette Barnes but the way Hayden Panettiere plays the selfish singer, you can’t help but feel a little bit empathy too. Hayden knows just how to strike a balance between bratty and broken.

True Detective

Twitter still can’t shut up about this one. It’s the year of McConaughey, all the way.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon effortlessly shifted his timeslot and brilliance up an hour this year and he’s brought the belly laughs with him. It’s the most fun and original show in late night TV, and this guys deserves some gold.

Madeleine Stowe, Revenge

Playing manipulative matriarch Victoria Grayson is an art-form when Madeleine Stowe does it. We wouldn’t want to go up against Victoria and we certainly wouldn’t bet against Madeleine being named Best Actress in a Drama Series. 

Guillermo Diaz, Scandal 

Talk about a standout supporting character! Was any other character on TV this year able to be oh so sweet and so scary all at the same time? 

Claire Danes, Homeland

Homeland’s plotlines may not have been up to par this season but as usual Claire Danes delivered as CIA agent Carrie Mathison. There’s a reason she’s won the Lead Actress Emmy for the last two years in a row: She’s that good!

Monica Potter, Parenthood

There’s wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Monica Potter’s character Kristina Braverman struggled with cancer and the challenges of raising an autistic son. Her ability to give a moving performance makes her one of the best actresses on TV and beyond worthy of a nomination, if not a statue this year.