How one Emmys insider knew HBO’s series ‘Half Man’ was ‘f–ked’ after odd FYC event

While you can read all about this year’s Emmy nomination snubs and surprises here, execs were talking behind-the-scenes yesterday to Page Six Hollywood about how the quality of FYC panels can make or break a show’s chances.

Said one awards pro: “There are people who had good shows and didn’t campaign well, relying on celeb moderators, and it backfired. I think people really underestimate those panels.”

The insider added, “[I] knew ‘Half Man’ was f–ked” after witnessing an awkward FYC panel. “There is a skill to these things, and the smart places know it and can get the noms.” 

HBO’s “Half Man” starred the series’ creator Richard Gadd along with Jamie Bell, Stuart Campbell and Mitchell Robertson. But the project was left out in the cold, besides a best supporting nomination for Gadd (“Baby Reindeer”), after the show had been an expected prestige awards contender.

Another source was particularly excited by yesterday’s many, many nominations for “The Pitt.”

“When categories have multiple people from the same show, it really shakes things up, because yes, voters could pull towards one person or they could split the vote and lead the way for a third candidate to come through and win,” said the source, “which is the kind of inside baseball I love to see!” 

“The Pitt” scored a whopping 25 noms, including two for guest actors who ran their own campaigns without help from HBO. 

Brittany Allen, who played a woman dying of cancer, and Jeff Kober, who portrayed another character with a dire diagnosis, both landed guest star nominations for their work.

It’s not the first time HBO actors have taken the grassroots approach, however. Alfie Allen, Gwendoline Christie and Carice van Houten all self-submitted and scored noms for the final season of “Game of Thrones” in 2019.