There can be no doubt that television today offers more high-quality programming than ever before, and now it’s not always even on your television. But wherever you watch it, there are so many stand-out performances that deserve special recognition – from the media, from fans, and yes, even from you Emmy voters. Here, we chat with a few of our favorites.
‘Orphan Black’s’ Tatiana Maslany on how she can tell all those clones apart
Tatiana Maslany, the star of “Orphan Black,” talks about creating different body movements for the myrid of characters she plays — and not getting a moment to reset between gear shifts.
READ MORE: Emmy nominee Tatiana Maslany takes on identity and autonomy in ‘Orphan Black’
Tom Hiddleston has already won an award for ‘The Night Manager’
Tom Hiddleston wasn’t sure if he’d win an Emmy for “The Night Manager,” but he’s been honored with a ‘Rear of the Year’ award for his sex scene in it.
READ MORE: Tom Hiddleston discusses his ‘Rear of the Year’ award >
Derek Waters’ ‘Drunk History’ looks at the past through a glass, drunkenly
Emmy contender Derek Waters explains how Jake Johnson’s booze-fueled story about Otis Redding inspired the creation of “Drunk History,” which will soon feature Lin-Manuel Miranda drunkenly discussing Alexander Hamilton.
READ MORE: Waters on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s upcoming ‘Hamilton’ episode >
Anika Noni Rose talks about feeling the spirits on set during the filming of the new ‘Roots’
Anika Noni Rose talks about feeling the spirits during the filming of the new “Roots.”
READ MORE: Anika Noni Rose explains feeling the spirits on the set of ‘Roots’ >
Riley Keough describes her ‘intense’ interactions in ‘The Girlfriend Experience’
Riley Keough talks about meeting all the actors she has sex scenes with in ‘The Girlfriend Experience.’
READ MORE: Riley Keough reveals her method behind those intimate scenes on ‘The Girlfriend Experience’ >
When an intense role haunts you, leave your wig behind, says Lili Taylor
Lili Taylor from “American Crime” talks about leaving the character after shooting.
READ MORE: Lili Taylor from ‘American Crime’ on leaving her character after shooting
‘Better Call Saul’s’ Rhea Seehorn sees a matching comb-over future for Kim and Jimmy
‘Better Call Saul’s’ Rhea Seehorn talks about her character’s ability as a scammer and what moral judgments she makes.
READ MORE: ‘Better Call Saul’s’ Rhea Seehorn talks about her character’s ability as a scammer
Michael McKean knows the pain inside his spiteful ‘Saul’ character
Staff writer Glenn Whipp discusses the character Chuck McGill of “Better Call Saul” with the actor who plays him, Michael McKean.
READ MORE: Michael McKean of ‘Better Call Saul’ talks of ‘the pain at the center’ of his character >
Tony Hale plays ‘Gary-oke’ with the characters from ‘Veep’
Tony Hale of ‘Veep’ dishes on ’Gary-oke’ with the Los Angeles Times’ Glenn Whipp.
READ MORE: What Gary might whisper to another Washington insider about other “Veep” characters >
Richard Dreyfuss, Bernie Madoff and trust issues
Before shooting on “Madoff” began, Richard Dreyfuss, who plays the title character, didn’t want to speak to or hear from the disgraced financier because he didn’t trust what Madoff would have to say.
READ MORE: Richard Dreyfuss on ‘Madoff’ and the ‘most beautiful body of work of any actor in America’ >
Sterling K. Brown almost broke character in O.J. Simpson glove scene: ‘You know they fit’
VIDEO: Watch Sterling K. Brown, who plays Christopher Darden, talk about converging with his character in the glove scene of “The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”
READ MORE: ‘People vs. O.J.’s’ Sterling K. Brown dived headlong into the glove scene: ‘I was livid’ >
Will Forte explains why he and Jason Sudeikis are perfect karaoke partners on ‘The Last Man on Earth’
Will Forte talks about doing karaoke with Jason Sudeikis on the TV show ‘The Last Man on Earth.’
READ MORE: Here’s why Will Forte and Jason Sudeikis sound so good dueting >
Linda Cardellini talks about Meg Rayburn’s downward spiral on Season 2 of ‘Bloodline’
Linda Cardellini talks about Meg Rayburn’s downward spiral on the Netflix series “Bloodline.”
READ MORE: With ‘Bloodline,’ Linda Cardellini tackles drugs, murder — and a fair bit of drinking >
‘Outlander’ stars Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe benefit from having novelist Diana Gabaldon on set
“Outlander” stars Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe talk about having novelist Diana Gabaldon on set and writing a script.
READ MORE: ‘Outlander’s’ stars thrill to the writer’s presence on set >
Constance Zimmer can’t watch ‘The Bachelor’ without lapsing into her ‘UnREAL’ character
Constance Zimmmer talks about the similarities between reality TV shows and her show, “UnREAL.”
READ MORE: Constance Zimmer of ‘UnReal’ prefers ‘Cupcake Wars’ to ‘The Bachelor’ >
Felicity Huffman describes her transformation on ‘American Crime’ -- Spanx and all
“American Crime’s” Felicity Huffman talks about how she wanted to distinguish her characters — “cleanse” the palate of past roles — and how Spanx played a role.
READ MORE: Felicity Huffman found her ‘American Crime’ character through research — and Spanx >
Aaron Paul talks about his character, Eddie Lane, and some of the most challenging scenes in ‘The Path’
Aaron Paul talks about his character, Eddie Lane, and some of the most challenging scenes in “The Path.”
READ MORE: Aaron Paul ponders a ‘Breaking Bad’ vs. ‘The Path’ lifestyle: ‘I can’t say neither?’ >
Niecy Nash talks about the unscripted singing of Ginuwine’s ‘Pony’ song on ‘Getting On’
Live Chat: Niecy Nash talks about the unscripted singing Ginuwine’s “Pony” song on the TV show ”Getting On.”
READ MORE: Niecy Nash gives us the origin story of how she classed-up Ginuwine’s ‘Pony’ on ‘Getting On’ >
Aya Cash of FXX’s ‘You’re the Worst’ talks about finding the realness (and humor) in depression
Aya Cash of the TV show “You’re the Worst” talks about depression and how prevalent it is in society.
READ MORE: Aya Cash struggles with depression — in the comedy ‘You’re the Worst’ >
Maura Tierney talks about her self-conscious return to the ER on ‘The Affair’
Maura Tierney talks about what it was like to work on an emergency room set again on “The Affair.”
READ MORE: Brace yourself for some twists on ‘The Affair’s’ third season, says star Maura Tierney >
Kirsten Dunst talks about what her ‘Fargo’ character might be up to in prison
Kirsten Dunst talks about what her “Fargo” character might be up to in prison.
READ MORE: Kirsten Dunst sees an ‘Orange Is the New Black’ future for her ‘Fargo’ character >
Tracee Ellis Ross of ‘black-ish’ on the show’s loving homage to ‘Good Times’
Tracee Ellis Ross of “black-ish” talks about her favorite line in the show’s “Good Times” tribute.
Jurnee Smollett-Bell on the muddy physicality of her ‘Underground’ performance
For Jurnee Smollett-Bell, the demands of her role as Rosalee on WGN America’s “Underground” got very physical.
Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara get wigged out on ‘Schitt’s Creek’
Eugene Levy credits Catherine O’Hara with the idea of her “Schitt’s Creek” character wearing different wigs for different personalities.
READ MORE: Levy and O’Hara let the wigs set the mood on ‘Schitt’s Creek’ >
‘The Dresser’s’ Anthony Hopkins on how devoting your life to the theater can drive you mad
Anthony Hopkins of “The Dresser” talks about what drove him to walk out of a play he was in.
READ MORE: Anthony Hopkins avoided being consumed by the stage, unlike his ‘The Dresser’ character >
‘Love’s’ Paul Rust knows why the other table is always better at L.A. restaurants
Emmy Contenders Chat | Paul Rust: Being seated in a restaurant
READ MORE: Paul Rust on the ‘Should they or shouldn’t they?’ nature of Netflix’s ‘Love’ >
‘Love’s’ Gillian Jacobs doesn’t miss upfront season
Gillian Jacobs, of Netflix’s “Love,” talks about not missing the dog-and-pony show that comes this time of year during upfronts.
READ MORE: Gillian Jacobs found ‘Love’ and the outdoors with Netflix >
Lili Taylor’s advice to ‘American Crime’ costar Connor Jessup: ‘Do it all, all the time’
Worried about putting too much emotion out there too early, Connor Jessup asked his ‘American Crime’ costar Lili Taylor whether he should hold back early in the series so he could build up dramatically later on. Her response? “No, hon, just do it al
READ MORE: Connor Jessup talks about ‘American Crime’ and the advice his costar gave him >
Maggie Siff discusses her hopes for her ‘Billions’ character
Maggie Siff, who plays Wendy Rhoades in “Billions,” talks about what she would like to see for her character in Season 2.
READ MORE: What questions did those BDSM scenes prompt for ‘Billions’ star Maggie Siff? >
Jay Duplass’ ‘Transparent’ character tries to be a parent and man, despite not knowing how to be either
Jay Duplass discusses how his character on “Transparent” is committed to trying to be a parent and a man, despite not knowing how to be either.
READ MORE: ‘Transparent’s’ Jay Duplass: Josh blew it with the rabbi, but don’t judge >
The ‘Transparent’ scene Judith Light was afraid to film
Judith Light of “Transparent” discusses the bath scene she shares with Jeffrey Tambor and how terrified she was to do it.
READ MORE: ‘Transparent’s’ Judith Light says Season 3 flashbacks will be devastating >
Jeremy Piven on ‘Mr. Selfridge’: ‘He fancied himself an artist and retail was his theater’
Jeremy Piven talks about showing unknown chapters of history and the life of Harry Selfridge, the character he plays on the show “Mr. Selfridge.”
READ MORE: Ari vs. Harry: Jeremy Piven on his roles in ‘Entourage’ and ‘Mr. Selfridge’ >
Allison Janney and Anna Faris dream of a ‘Mom’ crossover with ‘Orange is the New Black’
Allison Janney and Anna Faris of CBS’ “Mom” discuss a possible crossover with popular Netflix series “Orange is the New Black.”
READ MORE: Allison Janney and Anna Faris want ‘Mom’ to go ‘Orange’ >
Krysten Ritter talks about starring in ‘Jessica Jones’ and being a feminist hero
Krysten Ritter talks about how she feels about being a symbol of feminism on Netflix’s “Jessica Jones.”
Krysten Ritter talks about CGI vs. physical stunts on “Jessica Jones.”
READ MORE: It’s not bad guys Krysten Ritter must battle on ‘Jessica Jones’--it’s street signs >
‘Mozart in the Jungle’s’ Gael Garcia Bernal on conducting the L.A. Phil: ‘It was nerve-wracking’
Production on the third season of Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle” starts this summer and lead actor Gael Garcia Bernal steps back into his role as superstar conductor Rodrigo de Souza being able to boast two things: that he is a Golden Globe winner and that he has conducted the L.A. Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.
Wunderkind Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who serves as the music director to the L.A. Philharmonic and the inspiration for Bernal’s Rodrigo character, not only made a cameo appearance in the first episode of the season, but he also arranged for Bernal to shoot a scene with the actual L.A. Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. Bernal, as Rodrigo, conducted the overture to Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.”
Gael Garcia Bernal of Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle” shares what it was like to conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, with just a little coaching from the meastro, Gustavo Dudamel.
Gael García Bernal habla sobre la invitación que le hizo Gustavo Dudamel para dirigir Filarmónica de Los Ángeles
Gael García Bernal, protagonista de “Mozart in the Jungle” habla sobre cómo fue trabajar con Gustavo Dudamel y la Filarmónica de Los Ángeles.
Louie Anderson of ‘Baskets’ describes how he disappears into Christine Baskets
Louie Anderson’s aching, vulnerable and, yes, at times funny turn as Zach Galifianakis’ mom on the first-year FX series “Baskets” has been one of the most welcome surprises of this television year.
The goal, Anderson tells us, was not to make the character, Christine, campy or cartoon-like. He wanted to pay tribute to his own loving, funny mother and the process, he says, began in wardrobe.
Louie Anderson talks about playing Christine Baskets on FX’s “Baskets.”
Ray Liotta shares his ‘Batman’ regrets
Ray Liotta, who stars as Lt. Matt Wozniak, “a bisexual cop who’s dirty,” on NBC’s “Shades of Blue,” has a gallery of distinctive and memorable characters he’s played in a career that has spanned more than three decades. But was there one role that got away that he regrets? Well, everyone has regrets.
“Shades of Blue” star Ray Liotta looks back at his one regret in showbiz: not taking a meeting with Tim Burton when the director was looking for a star to suit up as Batman.
I got a call from my agent that Tim Burton wanted to meet me for the role of Batman.
— Ray Liotta, actor
Andrew Rannells of ‘Girls’ talks about Elijah and what to expect next season
This season of “Girls” saw Elijah Krantz, played by Andrew Rannells, find the promise of a real adult relationship in smooth news anchor Dill Harcourt (Corey Stoll).
Of course, this being “Girls,” happily ever after was not in the cards — with the penultimate episode having us hashtag #aimless and #knifeinheart. Still, the storyline certainly made for interesting scenarios when filming, particularly that Times Square date.
What it’s like to film a romantic date scene in Times Square:
Andrew Rannells, who plays Elijah Krantz on HBO’s “Girls,” talks about shooting a romantic date scene in Times Square -- when all the crazies were out.
We also asked Rannells to give us a hint of what’s to come for Elijah in one word. He was feeling generous and gave us two.
What to expect from the last season of ‘Girls’:
Andrew Rannells, who plays Elijah on HBO’s “Girls,” discusses what’s coming up for his character next season.
Fred Savage answers our pressing question: Does he make his family watch ‘The Wonder Years’ at home?
“The Grinder” often opens with the family sitting around watching episodes of Dean’s (Rob Lowe’s) old television show, an absurd (and very funny) comic premise that likely wouldn’t be replicated in real life. We mean, it’s not like Savage gathers his wife and three children nightly to watch “The Wonder Years,” right? Right?
Fred Savage jokingly talks about subjecting his kids to looping episodes of “The Wonder Years.”
‘The Walking Dead’s’ Melissa McBride on ‘Caryl’ -- the chemistry between Carol and Daryl
What exactly is going on with Carol Peletier and Daryl Dixon? Is it a deep friendship? Is it something more?
Will they or won’t they? “There’s no denying there’s chemistry,” says “Walking Dead” star Melissa McBride of Daryl and Carol.
There’s no denying there’s chemistry there.
— Melissa McBride
‘Homeland’s’ Miranda Otto’s favorite scene: ‘Shooting Conrad in the head’
Listen to her laugh when she tells the story!
“Homeland’s” Miranda Otto’s favorite scene: “Shooting Conrad in the head,” she says. And listen to her laugh when she tells the story!
The crucial advice Kerry Washington gave ‘black-ish’ actress Yara Shahidi
Words of wisdom from Kerry Washington: What the “Scandal” star told actress Yara Shahidi, one of the stars of ABC’s “black-ish.”
She said words like, ‘We loved you [in your audition], so please be you.’ It’s something so beautiful about being authentically yourself in a world in which you are paid to be somebody else.
— Yara Shahidi
What happens when you have a meatball in your sock and your costars are dogs? Julie Klausner of Hulu’s ‘Difficult People’ survived to tell the tale
It’s all fun and games headlining your own TV show until a co-star bites you.
Julie Klausner, who created and stars in Hulu’s “Difficult People,” experienced as much first-hand while shooting the first season of the comedy. And, no, it wasn’t costar Billy Eichner with the poor people skills. It was Otis, half of the ear-licious basset hound pair that serve as her character’s pets on the show.
“We were like, ‘Oh, let’s just give him another try,’” Klausner recounted when she stopped by the Los Angeles Times to discuss the series. “We basically rewarded him for biting me. I mean, Mel Gibson has done worse things to costars.”
What happens when you have a meatball in your sock and your co-stars are dogs? Julie Klausner of Hulu’s “Difficult People” survived to tell the tale.