“F**king unbelievable”: Better Call Saul’s Disappointing Emmys Streak Despite 53 Nominations Infuriates Bob Odenkirk Fans
The 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards mark a celebratory comeback for the biggest night in television. After being delayed by the historic WGA and SAG strikes in 2023, the Emmys have returned in full force to honor the 2022-2023 season. Better Call Saul has never won an Emmy Award, despite receiving a whopping 53 nominations over its acclaimed 6-season run. As the critically praised Breaking Bad prequel ended its Emmy eligibility this year, fans hoped the show would finally get its due.
How Has Better Call Saul Been Snubbed at the Emmys?
The AMC series, starring Bob Odenkirk as shifty lawyer Saul Goodman, first premiered in 2015. It quickly won over viewers and critics as a rare prequel that matched the quality of its predecessor. But the Emmys have perplexingly refused to reward Better Call Saul in any category.
The show has earned nominations across the board, including for Odenkirk’s lead performance, Rhea Seehorn‘s supporting role, writing, directing, sound mixing, and more. But voters have passed it over in favor of shows like Game of Thrones, The Crown, and Succession.
Bob Odenkirk himself has been nominated for Lead Actor six times without a win. Seehorn also went for 4 in the Supporting Actress category, despite being praised as the show’s secret weapon.
In 2022, the final season earned 7 nominations – the most ever for Better Call Saul. So fans hoped this would finally be the year it broke its unlucky streak. Not quite so. On Emmy night, all seven nominations resulted in frustrating shutouts.
Also Read: Bob Odenkirk’s Nobody Is Better Than John Wick
What Was the Reaction from Disappointed Fans Online?
As the losses piled up, fans took to social media to vent their outrage. Some speculated that voter bias against prequels or spin-offs prevented Saul from winning. Others felt it got lost in the shadow of the awards juggernaut Breaking Bad. One of the fans put it more bluntly, simply tweeting: “F**king unbelievable.” Here are some fan reactions :
fucking unbelievable, it deserved it just as much as breaking bad did for most of its awards. People who seen it obviously know how great it was but it’s a shame it was never awarded
— Craig (@CS11__) January 16, 2024
We got robbed of Rhea getting an emmy, we got robbed of Bob winning an emmy and we got robbed of the SHOW getting an emmy… pic.twitter.com/EKP6qArbiR
— ً (@tylerduran21) January 16, 2024
Did them dirty
— Russ' TD ⚡ (@RussFcb) January 16, 2024
Robbed of 53 Emmys and you want justice?… pic.twitter.com/S5ocQ0jjEF
— wlvs (@boxofwolves) January 16, 2024
Scrap the whole award
— Kach_i (@Ochiagha_) January 16, 2024
But the consensus was clear: this phenomenal series and its talented cast and crew were robbed. While the Emmys failed to reward Saul, fans haven’t forgotten the show’s legacy. It remains one of the most acclaimed prequels and spin-offs ever made. And Odenkirk and Seehorn created two of TV’s most nuanced, compelling characters.
Who Got The Win And Who Got Nominated in The 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards?
According to Discussing Film, The 75th Emmy Awards aired live on January 15, 2024, from Los Angeles. With the strikes now over, the Emmys are back on track for their usual September airing to celebrate 2023-2024 shows later this year.
Despite the complicated year, networks and streaming services still offered viewers an array of phenomenal programming. HBO and Netflix unsurprisingly scored the most nominations. But fan favorites like Succession, The White Lotus, and Better Call Saul also got their due, alongside acclaimed new series like The Last of Us and Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul.
Also Read: Breaking Bad Iconic Duo Cranston & Paul Ready For SpinOff On Better Call Saul
In the end, Better Call Saul never needed Emmy’s approval to cement its place in the pantheon of great television. But its awards shutout will still go down as one of the biggest snubs in Emmys history.