Tokyo announces its biggest military build-up since World War II.
Japan says the strategic challenge posed by China is the biggest it has ever faced.
Besides Beijing, Japan has two other nuclear-armed neighbours: North Korea and Russia.
It has expressed concerns about intensifying Russian military activity in its far east, even as Moscow presses on with its war against Ukraine.
And a North Korean missile flew over Japan in October.
Japan wants to significantly increase its military spending, targeting $315bn in the next five years, or two percent of its gross domestic product (GDP).
But Tokyo’s plans are a reminder of an imperial past, when it occupied the Korean peninsula and parts of China and seized all of East Asia during the second world war.
So, what does the new military drive mean for Japan’s Pacifist Constitution?
Presenter: Laura Kyle
Guests:
Kotaro Tamura – Adjunct Professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. He is a former senator with Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party.
Nancy Snow – Communications Director, International Security Industrial Council. She’s also a Foreign Policy Adviser to the Japanese Government.
David Arase – Resident Professor of International Politics at The Hopkins-Nanjing Center of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
Actress Nicki Aycox, who starred in the TV show “Supernatural,” has died at age 47. The actress’ sister-in-law Susan Raab Ceklosky confirmed her passing in a Facebook post on Thursday.
“My beautiful, smart, fierce, incredibly talented, and loving sister-in-law, Nicki Aycox Raab, passed away yesterday with my brother, Matt Raab, by her side,” the bereaved relative wrote. “Nicki and Matt had a wonderful life together in California. She was definitely a fighter and everyone who knew her loved her.”
The post did not reveal Aycox’s cause of death, however, the actress had announced she’d been diagnosed with leukemia in an Instagram post in March 2021.
Actress Nicki Aycox, who starred on the TV show “Supernatural, has died at age 47 of undisclosed causes.WB/CW
“I became very ill thinking I had covid in Jan and Feb. well things came to a head,” the TV star wrote alongside a photo of her in the hospital with a shorn head. “I ended up in a hospital diagnosed with Lukemeia.”
Actress Nicki Aycox on the red carpet in 2015 in Moscow, Russia.Getty Images
She added, “I want everyone to know I’m doing incredibly well and fighting my way thru chemo. I will update with a better pic of myself, and talk about staying positive thru the worst of times. Take care of yourself all! I’ll be back better, stronger, and wiser!”
In her final Instagram post on March 25, Aycox uploaded a video of herself singing the Whitesnake song “Here I Go Again” from her hospital bed.
“DO NOT attempt to sing 80’s music after taking high doses of chemo,” the caption read. “Will cause memory loss. Literally got not 1 lyric correct.”
Aycox during the world premiere of “The Italian Job” at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California in 2003.WireImage
Born May 26, 1975, in Hennessey, Oklahoma, Aycox is perhaps best known for appearing on the dark fantasy TV drama “Supernatural” from 2006 to 2008 as Meg Masters, a college student who was possessed by a follower of Lucifer.
She also had roles in “Cold Case,” “Law & Order,” “Dark Blue,” “Dark Angel,” “Ally McBeal,” “The X-Files” and “Boy Meets World.”
Aycox appeared in a number of movies as well, including “Perfect Stranger,” “Jeepers Creepers 2,” “Perfect Stranger,” and “The Girl On The Train.” Her final acting credit was in the 2014 film “Dead on Campus,” in which she played the part of Danielle Williams.
Aycox the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for an event on April 19, 2007, in Los Angeles, California.Frazer Harrison
The TV industry was devastated by her loss. Eric Kripke, who created “Supernatural” and “The Boys,” mourned Aycox’s passing on Twitter, writing:
“Gutted to hear the great #NickiAycox, our first #MegMasters, passed away. Too young.”
“She was a delight & delivered lines like honey & venom,” he added. “I marvel at how she made a simple word like ‘lackluster’ legendary.”
Ah, weddings – a time for love, and if you live in the “Game of Thrones” or “House of the Dragon” world, a time for carnage and death.
[Warning: Spoilers ahead for episode 5 of “House of the Dragon.”]
In the fifth episode of the “GoT” spinoff “House of the Dragon” (Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO), there’s a wedding. So, naturally, it turns into a disaster with a dramatic murder.
“GoT” infamously had the Red Wedding (Season 3’s episode “The Rains of Castamere,” in which Robb Stark, his mom, his wife and unborn child were brutally slaughtered). That show also had the Purple Wedding (Season 4’s “The Lion in the Rose”) in which the odious villain Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) infamously choked to death, poisoned, at his own nuptials.
Now, add Rhaenyra and Laenor’s ceremony to the list. Another Joffrey has died at a wedding in Westeros.
Robb Stark (Richard Madden) getting stabbed at the Red Wedding in “Game of Thrones.” HELENSLOANJoffrey (Jack Gleeson) dying at the Purple Wedding on “Game of Thrones.” King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) on “House of the Dragon.” HBO
This Joffrey (Solly McLeod) in “House of the Dragon” is much nicer than the one from “GoT.” He’s the boyfriend of Laenor, who Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) is marrying, in a political arrangement between their families. It turns out that Rhaenyra’s fiancé is gay, so they agree to have an open marriage where they can both see other people on the side. Laenor can continue dating Joffrey, and Rhaenyra can keep seeing her dreamy protector, Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) who she slept with last episode.
The wrench in this plan? Criston doesn’t want to be Rhaenyra’s side piece. And, he’s enraged that she’s not willing to give up her crown to run off and marry him. He’s so furious, he turns full psycho and murders Joffrey in public, just for the crime of approaching Criston about the fact that both of them are dating the bride and groom. Joffrey isn’t taunting him about it, he just wants to make sure that they’re all on the same page with their unconventional relationship.
But, Criston snaps and murders him, making a full pivot from Prince Charming to Michael Myers.
King Viserys (Paddy Considine), Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) and Laenor (Theo Nate) at the disaster wedding feast on “House of the Dragon.” HBOTheo Nate as Laenor Velaryon on “House of the Dragon.” HBO
The wedding wasn’t exactly going well even before the murder – Daemon (Matt Smith) shows up, smirking, and his exasperated brother King Viserys (Paddy Considine) allows him to join their table, even though they had a falling out last episode about Daemon making out with Rhaenyra in a brothel. You know, regular family antics. Daemon also recently murdered his own wife, and she’s got some family members attending this event who aren’t happy with him — which makes for some awkward moments.
Daemon also dances with Rhaenyra, while her angry father looks on.
To make matters worse, Alicent (Emily Carey), Rhaenyra’s former best friend and current stepmother, has now turned against Rhaenyra, since she’s found out that while she defended Rhaenyra from the rumors about her sex life last episode, Rhaenyra lied to her. To show that she’s no longer supporting her stepdaughter, she makes a dramatic entrance in a green dress (which symbolizes war for her house, someone whispers on-screen), interrupting the king’s speech and creating a tense moment.
Spoiler alert from the book “Fire & Blood” – this story is leading to a civil war between factions that are essentially Team Alicent and Team Rhaenyra. So, this is a big step in that direction.
Alicent (Emily Carey) in her infamous green dress on “House of the Dragon.” HBORhaenyra (Milly Alcock) and her fiancé Laenor (Theo Nate) agree to have an open relationship on “House of the Dragon.” HBO
All of these uncomfortable interactions culminate with Criston going off the rails and murdering poor Joffrey, who should have known better than to attend a Westeros wedding. People named Joffrey should really just sit those out.
The episode ends with Rhaenyra and a weeping Laenor tying the knot while the dead body of Laenor’s boyfriend lies in the background.
Tony Dow, best known for his role as big brother Wally in the classic TV sitcom “Leave It to Beaver” has died. He was 77.
“We have received confirmation from Christopher, Tony’s son, that Tony passed away earlier this morning, with his loving family at his side to see him through this journey,” an announcement read on Dow’s Facebook account Wednesday afternoon.
“We know that the world is collectively saddened by the loss of this incredible man. He gave so much to us all and was loved by so many. One fan said it best — ‘It is rare when there is a person who is so universally loved like Tony,’” the statement added.
His son Christopher called it “a very sad day” in the announcement.
“Although this is a very sad day, I have comfort and peace that he is in a better place. He was the best Dad anyone could ask for. He was my coach, my mentor, my voice of reason, my best friend, my best man in my wedding, and my hero,” he said in the heartfelt tribute. “My wife said something powerful and shows the kind of man he was. She said: ‘Tony was such a kind man. He had such a huge heart and I’ve never heard Tony say a bad or negative thing about anyone.’”
Dow’s death was prematurely announced on Tuesday after his wife, Lauren Shulkind, mistakenly notified the actor’s management team.
Dow’s manager said Shulkind, 75, was “very distraught” over the condition of her husband and believed he had been declared dead.
On Tuesday night, the actor’s son, Christopher Dow, shared an update on Facebook, saying his father was in hospice care and in “his last hours.”
The post came hours after the actor’s management team announced his death prematurely.
In a now-deleted post, the statement — from Frank Bilotta and Renee James — read, “It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share with you the passing of our beloved Tony this morning.
Tony Dow, best known for his role as big brother Wally in the classic TV sitcom “Leave It to Beaver” has died.Getty ImagesDow (top) played Wally Cleaver on the iconic sitcom.Getty Images
“Tony was a beautiful soul — kind, compassionate, funny and humble. It was truly a joy to just be around him. His gentle voice and unpretentious manner was immediately comforting and you could not help but love him. The world has lost an amazing human being, but we are all richer for the memories that he has left us.”
Dow and Shuklind announced in May that the “Still the Beaver” star was diagnosed with cancer, but did not reveal what kind.
“Dear friends and fans of Tony Dow, I have some very sad news to share with you,” Shulkind wrote at the time. “Unfortunately, Tony has once again been diagnosed with cancer. He is approaching this reality so bravely, but it is truly heartbreaking.
“We want to thank you in advance for your caring thoughts. Our Love, Lauren & Tony.”
The Hollywood native’s health issues first surfaced in August 2021 when he was briefly hospitalized with pneumonia and had a “violent cough.”
“Tony’s spirit is positive,” Shulkind wrote on Facebook last year. “He gets his daily exercise by walking the corridors with his his nurse. If he could only get rid of that darn cough. It’s going to take some time.”
Tony Dow’s wife, Lauren Shulkind, prematurely told her husband’s management that he was dead Tuesday morning.FilmMagic
“For the most part, members of his medical ‘team’ are compassionate, and we appreciate their efforts,” she added. “As well, we appreciate all of you for your thoughts and concerns. Hopefully Tony will be home soon. Poppy can’t wait to get her daddy back.”
Mathers had previously been in contact with Dow and his management team and had frequently updated fans about Dow’s condition over social media.
Dow starred as Wally, the older brother of Beaver (Mathers), in “Leave It to Beaver” from 1957 to 1963 for six seasons.
He later reprised his role in the sitcom sequel, “The New Leave It to Beaver,” in 1983. The show aired for four seasons until 1989.
Dow went on to guest-star on shows like “My Three Sons,” “Dr. Kildare,” “Lassie” and “The Greatest Show on Earth,” before taking on a recurring role on “Mr. Novak.”
Dow starred in all 234 episodes of the sitcom from 1957 to 1963.Getty Images
He also got behind the camera, having directed episodes of TV shows like “Coach,” “Babylon 5” and “Harry and the Hendersons.”
In 1965, he took a break from acting to serve in the National Guard for three years. He even tried his hand at writing and entered journalism school in the 1970s.
Dow spoke to CBS This Morning earlier this year about his iconic role on “Leave It to Beaver” and how being a child star allowed him to not be independent.
“From the time I was 11 or 12, I was told what to do. I was told on the set. I was told at home. I didn’t have control of my life,” he said.
While the role of Wally defined it, he didn’t want to be in the public eye and he fame that came with it. “I was gonna have to live with it for the rest of my life,” Dow noted. “It’s sad to be famous at 12 years old or something, and then you grow up and become a real person, and nothing’s happening for you.”
In the 1980s, he took on roles in the projects “Knight Rider,” “Square Pegs” and “Murder, She Wrote.”
The ’90s saw the filmmaker take some time behind the camera. He did some directing work on episodes for series such as “Babylon 5” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”
When he landed the role of Jack Reacher in Prime Video‘s new series, “Reacher,” it was the first time that 6’2 actor Alan Ritchson’s size came in handy.
“Most of the time, I try and stay available to whatever opportunities might come, and I don’t know what those are going to look like,” Ritchson, 39, told The Post.
“So I try to look as average as possible. I do a lot of running, and I don’t touch weights. I walk around at like 205 lbs., and maybe I can play a dad or a doctor or whatever. And then, this role finds me. For the first time, I get to open up and walk around at my comfortable weight. I put on 30 pounds for the role. I feel really good. This is my natural size, and it just feels nice to be able to be me.”
Premiering Friday (Feb. 4) on Amazon, “Reacher” is based on the drifter character from Lee Child’s bestselling thrillers. It follows Jack Reacher (who goes by “Reacher”), a veteran military police investigator who has recently turned to civilian life.
When he’s passing through the small Georgia town of Margrave, the hulking Reacher finds himself in a world of trouble when he’s falsely accused of murder. The resulting investigation in which he’s entangled soon takes a personal turn — with an unexpected connection to his past.
A big guy: Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) stands heads above local police chief Oscar Finlay (Malcolm Goodwin).Shane Mahood/Amazon Prime VideoJack Reacher with local policewoman Roscoe Conklin (Willa Fitzgerald) in “Reacher.” Shane Mahood/Amazon Prime Video
Child’s Jack Reacher novels have 25 volumes to date and have also been adapted into movies with famously petite Tom Cruise in the title role.
“I started reading the books when I got in the mix and it seemed like I had a good shot,” said Ritchson, is also known for playing Aquaman on “Smallville” and appearing in movies such as “The Hunger Games” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
“I fell in love,” he said. “I was like, ‘If I’m not a part of this, I’m going to be very upset.’ I’m as big a fan as anybody, I’ve read all of Lee’s short stories [and] there’s nothing I haven’t read and enjoyed. I very passionately care about this franchise. It’s just an amazing beloved character. It’s an honor to bring him to life.”
Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) gets pensive in “Reacher.” Keri Anderson/Amazon Prime Video
Ritchson said he found a lot of common ground with his character.
“Of course there’s the physicality. We’re both about the same size. That gives you a certain kind of confidence when you walk around and I think we share that. He’s a bit of a smart-ass, and I have been known to say offensive things that I regret. So, I might be a wiseass, but I care and I feel bad when I am. He doesn’t – and that’s a lot of fun, too. His brutal honesty is one of the ways that we’re dissimilar, but I love his sense of humor.”
Things go sizeways when Reacher goes to Georgia: Reacher (Alan Ritchson) with Picard (Martin Roach). Courtesy of Prime Video
Although Ritchson had an entire series of books to work with, he also dug into his personal life to play the character — since his father was in the Air Force.
“My dad is a military vet, and the presence and power and discipline that the military demanded of him is in his body. He doesn’t try to lead. He just is a leader,” he said. “He doesn’t try to be formal. He just carries himself in a confident, reassuring way. He shakes your hand with a firm grip, and he means every move he makes. Everything’s done with purpose. It’s cool to bear witness to that. I brought a lot of that into Reacher. So I think [my dad] inspired it more than he probably knows.”
However, Ritchson said he stayed away from the Tom Cruise movies that came out in 2012 and 2016.
He’s on the case: Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) with local Georgia police officers Roscoe (Willa Fitzgerald), Jasper (Harvey Guillen) and Oscar Finlay (Malcolm Goodwin). Shane Mahood/Amazon Prime Video
“I love Tom Cruise. I’ve seen all his other movies. He’s an icon, a living legend. There’s nobody like him,” he said. “But this was one [project] where I would take on some of his mannerism [if I had watched it]. So, whatever he’s doing, I wanted to leave that for him. I wanted to take a stab at making Reacher my own.
“That’s out of respect for the fans that love the books and want to see an authentic Reacher, and this was my shot.”
Whenever there’s a Marvel movie, you stick around until after the credits to see what they’re teeing up next…but a planned post-credits scene for the first season of Hawkeye was scrapped, with a visual effects artist revealing what might have been on Twitter last night. In the season finale of Hawkeye, Clint (Jeremy Renner) and Kate (Hailee Steinfeld) fired off a Pym arrow, which shrunk the van being driven around by the Tracksuit Mafia bros. It was a fun way of getting rid of some fun, kind of goofy villains, and it’s likely that the post-credits scene was just a little too dark when you think about it.
That’s because the owl that delighted fans throughout Hawkeye may, possibly, have eaten them? Well, let’s explain.
According to Elaina Scott (on Twitter), “The post credits [of] the finale of Hawkeye was meant to have the owl taking the [bros] to its nest, kinda sad they cut it. Would have been hilarious!!”
Scott, who works for Digital Domain now, was the former animation lead on some of The CW’s Arrowverse shows.
The idea that the owl may be planning on eating the Tracksuit Bros might be some well-earned karmic justice, but you can also see why it’s maybe not the ideal implication for a Disney+ show. Besides, you might want to use those idiots if there’s a season 2!
Fans weren’t totally sure what to make of the show’s post-credits tag as aired, which was a musical performance from Rogers: The Musical, an in-universe musical about the life of Captain America. The performance — of the song “Save the City” — was framed as a holiday gift from Marvel to fans, so that might imply that fans not impressed were a bit grinchy. But it wasn’t long before it came out that “Save the City” wasn’t the original plan.
Set in post-blip New York City where Clint Barton aka Hawkeye has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. But when a threat from his past shows up, Hawkeye reluctantly teams up with 22-year-old skilled archer Kate Bishop to unravel a criminal conspiracy.
You can watch the complete first season of Hawkeye on Disney+.
Amazon’s epic fantasy “The Wheel of Time” is being heralded as the next “Game of Thrones,” but there’s an important distinction, showrunner Rafe Judkins said.
“One thing that I’ve always maintained, which I think is very freeing in a way, is that ‘Wheel of Time predated ‘Game of Thrones,’” Judkins, 38, told The Post.
“The books were written before, and a lot of George R. R. Martin’s inspirations came from ‘Wheel of Time.’ So, we don’t have to be chasing ‘Game of Thrones.’ I think when you are in a position where you are chasing something, it can compromise the product sometimes.”
Now streaming its first three episodes (with additional episodes out on Fridays) and based on a 14 book series first published in 1990, “The Wheel of Time” follows Moiraine (Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl”), a member of a powerful all-female magic organization as she arrives in a village and, aided by the warrior Lan (Daniel Henney), embarks on a journey with a handful of young men and women, including Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden), Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford) and Mat Cauthon (Barney Harris). One of them is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, a position that will either save or doom the world.
The core characters in the “Wheel of Time:” Nynaeve (Zoe Robbins), Mat Cauthon (Barney Harris), Lan (Daniel Henney), Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), Egwene (Madeleine Madden), Perrin (Marcus Rutherford), and Rand (Joshua Stradowski). Jan Thijs
“One thing that was important to us was trying to find ways to bring in new audiences who didn’t know the books,” said Judkins. “So, making the dragon reborn’s [identity] a mystery gives you a reason to get to know our main characters. It helps us give new audiences something clean and clear to hang onto in making that change for the show.”
Perrin (Marcus Rutherford) and Egwene (Madeleine Madden) face off against a threat in “The Wheel of Time.”
Judkins (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) grew up reading the novels with his mom, and although he maintained that “Wheel of Time” is its own unique world, he did turn to “Game of Thrones” and “Lord of The Rings” for help, he said.
Lan (Daniel Henney), a mysterious warrior, in “The Wheel of Time.”
“There have been so few shows in the history of TV made to the scale of what we’re making, ‘Game of Thrones’ is obviously a huge reference,” he said. “We’d be idiots not to talk to as many people as we could. So, I went and spent time on the set of ‘Thrones.’ It was just seeing the way they built and moved around different sets. That stuff is more helpful than [referring to] a specific scene, it’s really to understand how you holistically pull off a show like this.
“The book series itself is sort of the pillar that connects ‘Lord of the Rings’ to ‘Game of Thrones’ so we also did take a lot of inspiration from how ‘Lord of the Rings’ approached things — not just from a production perspective, but also storytelling and the way they built their landscapes.”
Egwene (Madeleine Madden) and Rand (Joshua Stradowski) share a quiet moment in “The Wheel of Time.” Jan Thijs
Judkins is also a former contestant on “Survivor,” (Season 11, in 2005) which he said also helped give him background to wrangle a sprawling fantasy adaptation.
“I’ve kind of faced the worst that can be thrown at you in being dropped in a jungle in Guatemala with just the clothes on my back for a month. So, when things get really rough — and they always do in production on television shows — I have a pretty strong sense that I’m going to make it through it.”
Lan (Daniel Henney) and Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) stroll through the village in “Wheel of Time.”
“The Wheel of Time” has already been renewed for a Season 2. Judkins doesn’t anticipate having one season per book, since filming 14 seasons would put the younger actors “deep into their 40s” in the end. However, he does anticipate seeing the story to its conclusion, which has a big departure from the infamously controversial ending of “Game of Thrones.”
Egwene (Madeleine Madden) in her village in “The Wheel of Time.”
“One of the things that makes ‘Wheel of Time’ so special is that the book series is famous for having a great ending, and not all book series are famous for that,” he said.
“So from the beginning, the thing that I’m most targeting is us being able to land this series, if we’re lucky enough to get there. There are five specific moments from the final book. I don’t want to spoil it, but there are incredible climaxes for these characters and that’s the kind of thing that hasn’t really been done before.”
Just like any splashy televised awards ceremony, the Emmys have had their share of controversy over the years — including pivoting on whom to honor with trophies and nominations.
The Oscars might have made the biggest splash in recent memory for the infamous 2017 “Moonlight”/“La La Land” snafu, but the movies don’t get to dominate award season scandals.
On the eve of Emmys 2021 — broadcasting live Sunday at 8 p.m. on CBS from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles — we take a look back at the surprisingly colorful history of revoked nominations and awards.
Andrew Cuomo
The disgraced ex-governor of New York, 63, is the most recent winner of the dubious honor. He was given the International Emmy Founders Award in 2020 for his much-lauded communication during his press conferences throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after he resigned in August following allegations that he sexually harassed 11 women during his tenure in office, the International Academy of Arts and Sciences stripped his Emmy. “His name and any reference to his receiving the award will be eliminated from International Academy materials going forward,” the organization said in a statement.
Henry Winkler
Henry Winkler finally won his Emmy in 2018. Mike Blake/REUTERS
Unlike Cuomo, Winkler, 75, got his Emmy honor taken away for innocent reasons — a quirk of TV scheduling.
Nearly two decades before he finally won his first trophy in 2018 for HBO’s “Barry,” Winkler was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy for NBC’s short-lived 2000 series “Battery Park.”
Winkler’s episode was set to air that April, but when the show was axed after only four episodes, the network booted the show to the summer. Since that made Winkler’s appearance on the show happen after the May 31 cut-off for Emmy eligibility, it was deemed ineligible.
Bruce Willis went on to take home that category’s trophy that year (for “Friends”), while Winkler still got a nomination in 2000 (for the guest actor in a drama category) for “The Practice.”
Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey in “House of Cards.” Netflix via AP
In the summer of 2017, the Academy announced that Spacey, 62, would receive the International Emmy Founders Award in November’s ceremony for his global contribution to the arts — mostly due to his starring role in the political drama “House of Cards,” which helped Netflix become a force and changed the game for streaming.
In October of that same year, “Star Trek’s” Anthony Rapp, 49, alleged that Spacey made a sexual advance toward him in 1986 when Rapp was 14.
Soon after, a slew of men followed with similar accusations and Netflix severed ties, removing Spacey from the final season of “House of Cards.”
On Oct. 30, 2017, the International TV Academy announced that it would no longer present Spacey with the 2017 International Emmy Founders Award “in light of recent events.”
“This Is Us”
Oops! Mandy Moore, left, and Milo Ventimiglia didn’t have adequately modern costumes in “This Is Us.” Ron Batzdorff/NBC
Yes, even the hit crowd-pleasing tearjerker hasn’t emerged from the Emmys unscathed. The reason? All of the show’s time-hopping within its story. In 2017, NBC’s then-freshman drama racked up an impressive 11 nominations, including the category for Outstanding Contemporary Costumes. However, in August of that year, it was announced that “House of Cards” would replace it on the ballot (bringing the show’s nomination count down to 10) because, in order to be eligible for “contemporary” costumes, 51% of the submitted episodes must be set within the last 25 years. The show’s submitted episode, “Moonshadow,” mostly took place in the 1970s, focusing on Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca’s (Mandy Moore) relationship. So, blame them for the revoked Emmy nod.
Jason Sudeikis
Jason Sudeikis in “Ted Lasso.” Apple TV Plus via AP
Even Ted Lasso himself got rejected. Sudeikis’s warm and fuzzy AppleTV sports series might be the Emmy darling this year – with a whopping 20 nods — but the former “SNL” star wasn’t always so lucky.
In 2016, he was initially given a nod in the category of guest actors in a comedy for the Fox series “The Last Man on Earth.” However, Season 2 of that show had 18 episodes, and because Sudeikis appeared in 11 of them (playing Mike Miller, astronaut brother of Will Forte’s character, Phil), he was in over 50% of the episodes.
This made him no longer eligible as a guest star, per Emmy rules. Unfortunately for Sudeikis, it wasn’t possible to switch him to the “supporting actor” category instead of “guest” because the error didn’t come to light until voting had already started.
So, he was disqualified. At least he’s having the last laugh this year.
