In her hilarious satire of the television industry, Kudrow plays Valerie Cherish, a has-been sitcom star trying to launch herself back into the spotlight.
Her competition includes Amy Schumer (“Inside Amy Schumer”), Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”), Lily Tomlin (“Grace and Frankie”), Edie Falco (“Nurse Jackie”) and Julia Louis Dreyfus (“Veep”). Fresh off the news of her nomination, Kudrow talked to TheWrap about the field of contenders and brainstormed how to get voter attention.
What was your immediate reaction, and how do you plan to celebrate? It was just, “Yay! That’s good! That’s extra!” To celebrate — I don’t know, I might go out with some people from “The Comeback” tonight. Maybe. Or stay home. [Laughs]
Who is the stiffest competition in your category? All of them. I could imagine all of them winning before I do. [Laughs]
If you win, whose face would you like to rub it in? Were there any naysayers? I don’t think — there was no naysayer. Who is a naysayer? I don’t know. Do you know that I had a naysayer? Is it you? [Laughs]
What did you think were the biggest snubs this year — for your show or just in general? Look, I’m disappointed that Michael Patrick King wasn’t nominated for directing, ’cause that is such a huge part of what this show is. Then, also: the show. But I get it; there’s a lot of stiff competition … I thought it was really good work. But then who does a show and says, “Yeah, I guess we didn’t work that hard?” I also have to say I’m disappointed “Who Do You Think You Are?” didn’t get a nomination. I get it. We were on a year ago and we’re about to be on and we’re just not in the window of remembrance.
How do you plan to wow voters between now and September? I haven’t come up with a secret weapon yet. Do you have a suggestion?
One Wrap staffer says he’s expecting actors to come out to restaurants and perform live to get voters’ attention. [Laughs] How about Valerie Cherish? Maybe I need to really channel her now. Get all their addresses [and show up]: “Just wanted to say hi!”
Emmy 2015: The Nominees From 'Game of Thrones' to 'House of Cards' (Photos)
The 2015 nominees were announced Thursday, July 16. The 67th Annual Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on Fox on September 20 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT.
Michael Kelly, "House of Cards"; Taraji P. Henson, "Empire"; Jeffrey Tambor, "Transparent"
Netflix; Fox; Amazon
Drama Series
“Better Call Saul” “Downton Abbey” “Game of Thrones” “Homeland” “House of Cards” “Mad Men” (pictured) “Orange Is the New Black”
AMC
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men” Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards” Jeff Daniels, “Newsroom” (pictured) Kyle Chandler, “Bloodline” Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul” Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”
HBO
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Viola Davis, “How to Get Away With Murder” Claire Danes, “Homeland” Taraji P. Henson, “Empire” Tatania Maslany, “Orphan Black” (pictured) Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men” Robin Wright, “House of Cards”
BBC America
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jonathan Banks, “Better Call Saul” Ben Mendelsohn, “Bloodline” Jim Carter, “Downton Abbey” Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones” Alan Cumming, “The Good Wife” Michael Kelly, “House of Cards” (pictured)
Netflix
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Joanne Froggatt, “Downton Abbey” Lena Headey, “Game of Thrones” Emilia Clarke, “Game of Thrones” (pictured) Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife” Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men” Uzo Aduba, “Orange Is the New Black”
Jeffrey Tambor, "Transparent" (pictured) Louis C.K., "Louie" Anthony Anderson, "black-ish" William H. Macy, "Shameless" Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes" Don Cheadle, "House of Lies" Will Forte, "Last Man on Earth"
Amazon
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep" Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation" Lily Tomlin, "Grace and Frankie" Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie" Amy Schumer, "Inside Amy Schumer" (pictured) Lisa Kudrow, "Comeback"
Comedy Central
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (pictured) Adam Driver, “Girls” Keegan-Michael Key, “Key & Peele” Ty Burrell, “Modern Family” Tituss Burgess, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” Tony Hale, “Veep"
Fox
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik, “The Big Bang Theory” Niecy Nash, “Getting On” (pictured) Julie Bowen, “Modern Family” Allison Janney, “Mom” Kate McKinnon, “Saturday Night Live” Gaby Hoffmann, “Transparent” Jane Krakowski, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” Anna Chlumsky, “Veep"