We’re only four episodes into the second season of Only Murders in the Building, and Selena Gomez is showing us why she deserves an Emmy nomination for her role as Mabel Mora. Unfortunately, there are just so many talented women and not enough nominations to go around. But both her co-stars, Martin Short and Steve Martin, were nominated in the actor category. It’s a shame they would leave her out because the show wouldn’t be as big of a hit without the three of them. Hopefully, she will get recognized for this season next year. She’s doing even better work.
Despite not getting the lead actress nomination, she was nominated for her work as an executive producer alongside Martin and Steve. This is history-making because she’s only the second Latina to be nominated in this category. While that’s a win for diversity, there are only two Latinas that have been nominated for the lead actress category. Rita Moreno was nominated for 9 to 5 in 1983, and America Ferrera won for Ugly Betty in 2007. While more African American women have been recognized in nominations, Latinas are still missing out.
We can celebrate her accomplishment of being nominated as a producer, but it’s puzzling how the voters can recognize her two co-stars and not her. Yeah, I know they are Martin Short and Steve Martin. Martin has already won two Emmys. One for Outstanding Variety Special in 2014 and the other for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program in 1983. And he’s been nominated for supporting actor before. Martin won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, Variety or Music
for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1969. In addition, both have been in too many movies to count. The talent there is undeniable. They deserve the Emmy nominations, but as I said, they didn’t make Only Murders in the Building a hit on their own. Selena was a big part of that.
She’s a mysterious character in the first season. She slowly lets you get to know her. She’s deadpan funny and brings surprises too. Plus, her chemistry is amazing with Steve and Martin. The three of them play off of each other so well. It’s a shame that she didn’t get her due credit here.
Snubs are so hard because then you have to think about who would have been dropped off the list for them to get the nomination? All of the women on the list are deserving of this honor: Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Kaley Cuoco (The Flight Attendant), Elle Fanning (The Great), Issa Rae (Insecure) and Jean Smart (Hacks). Kaley deserves to win because she was outstanding in The Flight Attendant this season. She played several different Cassies, and she executed them so well. The range of emotion was incredible. I’ve only seen a couple of episodes from the second season of The Great, but from what I saw, Elle is very deserving. I’ve only seen an episode or two of Abbott Elementary, but Quinta was hilarious. I haven’t seen the others, but I’ve heard good things. It’s disappointing that Selena had to be left off this list, but unfortunately, that happens. The only criticism I can say of this list is it could be more diverse. Yes, two Black women are on here, but no Latinas or Asians. Luckily, an Asian woman is recognized in the drama series category with a nomination going to Sandra Oh for Killing Eve.
The voters better not overlook Selena next year. You can’t recognize the two white men from the show and not the American-Mexican woman. Let’s assume there were just too many talented women this year for her to get her spot, but next year they need to give her her due.
The Comedy Series category is extremely competitive this year, with nominations going to Abbott Elementary (ABC), Barry (HBO), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO), Hacks (HBO), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime Video), Only Murders in the Building (Hulu), Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) and What We Do in the Shadows (FX). It’s a pretty close call between Ted Lasso and Only Murders in the Building for me. I would love Selena to get a win. But it appears she’s in Europe living it up. So, we are more upset about this Emmy snub than she is.
Do you think Selena should have been nominated for an Emmy for her role in Only Murders in the Building? Tweet me @PrimetimeDrama or @MandyTTCarr or comment below.
