‘Pass the Popcorn’ Emmy Season Is Here

July 31st, 2025

For Christine Burright, awards shows aren’t just events—they’re a sport. Armed with printed checklists, live chats, and a plate of nachos, the local filmmaker and UNO MFA screenwriting graduate makes the most of television’s biggest nights.

Earlier this month, the nominees for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced, launching the long—and expensive—campaign season leading up to the September 14 ceremony. Networks are known to spend tens of millions promoting shows and standout contributors in hopes of Emmy recognition. Why? A win can mean a major boost in viewership and prestige.

Like many viewers, Burright admits to using the nominations list as a guide for what to watch next. “It’s not a perfect metric,” she says, “but it’s a solid way to discover standout shows that may have flown under your radar.”

With more than 120 categories, the Emmys cover a wide range of television, but a few clear frontrunners have emerged this year:

Severance leads the pack with 27 nominations. The Apple+ series continues to earn acclaim for its mind-bending exploration of workplace identity and the ethics of memory manipulation. “I’m hooked,” Burright says. “It’s tense, compelling, and smart.” She even shares a personal connection—some scenes were filmed in a building she once visited, leaving her to jokingly wonder: Have I been severed?

The Penguin, with 24 nominations, follows Colin Farrell as the infamous Batman villain Oswald “Oz” Cobb in a gritty crime drama that picks up after the events of the 2022 film The Batman. Though Burright hasn’t seen it yet, it’s high on her watch list.

Tied for third place with 23 nominations are The Studio and The White Lotus. While Burright previously covered The Studio for KVNO, she now turns her attention to The White Lotus, HBO’s biting satire of the ultra-wealthy on vacation. Set at different luxury resorts each season, the series blends paradise with dysfunction, drawing viewers into a world of dark comedy and human drama.

With time before the awards ceremony in September, Burright encourages audiences to explore this year’s nominated shows. Whether you’re catching up or curating a weekend binge, Emmy season just might help you find your next TV obsession.

By Christine Burright, Arts Today Pass the Popcorn