Emmy nominations set up the possibility of a history-making win

The TV academy took a modest step toward recognizing TV’s increasing embrace of diverse TV talent, giving best actress nods to black stars Taraji P. Henson for “Empire” and Viola Davis for “How to Get Away with Murder.” The nominations set up the possibility of a history-making win: An African-American actress has never won the top drama acting award. However, two-time nominee Kerry Washington of “Scandal” was left out this year. Family comedy “black-ish” earned an acting bid for star Anthony Anderson, but failed to gain a best series nomination. Also snubbed: freshman hit hip-hop-family drama “Empire,” which was left out of the best drama series category, and series star Terrence Howard, who failed to get a best drama actor bid.

This is what it’s supposed to be like. You should recognize actors and creative people in this industry from every level of all colors who do great work.

Queen Latifah

Instead, voters gave nods to favorites such as “Mad Men” star Jon Hamm, Kevin Spacey of “House of Cards” and newcomer Bob Odenkirk for “Better Call Saul.” The prequel to the now-concluded “Breaking Bad” earned a best drama bid in its first season out. The relatively expansive ethnic diversity that TV offers — compared to movies, which honored only white actors this year — also is in play when it comes to sexuality. “Transparent” and Jeffrey Tambor’s portrayal of a transsexual’s life received best comedy series and acting bids. The nominations also reflect the steadily rising tide of cord-cutting networks. No commercial broadcast network drama made the cut for best series, with cable, streaming service Netflix and noncommercial PBS dividing up the spoils instead. The Emmy Awards will air Sept. 20 on Fox, with Andy Samberg as host.

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