As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for Dana Walden‘s accomplishments. The co-chair of Disney Entertainment, with her extensive portfolio, has once again proven that Disney is a force to be reckoned with in the television industry. With an impressive 183 Emmy nominations this morning, she and her team have outdone themselves, surpassing their previous records.
On an exceptional Wednesday morning, Dana Walden, Disney Entertainment’s co-chair, received a impressive number of Emmy nominations for her diverse range of platforms (including Hulu and Disney+) and studios (20th Television and Disney-Branded Television). In total, her projects gathered an impressive 183 nominations.
Excited by the success of hits like “Shogun” and “The Bear,” as well as Hulu sensation “Only Murders in the Building” and ABC’s breakout show “Abbott Elementary,” the company’s executives enter the 2024 Primetime Emmys with a record-breaking number of nominations. In an interview, the CEO shared her thoughts on renewing “Shogun” as a one-time limited series, the impact of Ryan Murphy joining the team after leaving Netflix, her decision to pass on Jimmy Kimmel for the Emmys hosting gig, and why she’s hopeful about the industry following this year’s nominations.
Kudos on all the positive news today.
I’m thrilled and proud of our teams to have received a record-breaking 183 nominations – a remarkable achievement that surpasses any previous milestone at The Walt Disney Company.
As a longtime fan of prestige television, I find it astonishing to note that FX raked in an impressive 93 nominations this awards season. With a background in media and entertainment, I can’t help but be taken aback by this statistic. It’s truly remarkable when you consider the history HBO holds in this industry. The fact that FX has surpassed their number of nominations is nothing short of wild. This shift in power dynamics speaks volumes about the evolving landscape of television and the exceptional content being produced by FX.
Based on my years of experience in the media industry, I strongly believe that what FX has achieved under the leadership of John Landgraf and with the visionary guidance of Bob Iger is not a mere stroke of luck or good timing. It takes more than that to transform a television network into a powerhouse of creative content and innovation.
Regarding strategic discussions, could you please elaborate on the plans for renewing “Shogun”? It’s important to note that before producing it, John Landgraf made it clear that this was a costly production, designed as a limited series, and a one-time large-scale endeavor for FX.
John carefully considered whether there was enough material for a second season of “Shogun” that would satisfy all parties involved. He and his colleagues, Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, had thoughtful discussions about this decision. FX, where the show is produced, shares John’s cautious approach to project development. As a strategic and thoughtful executive, John is both data-driven and guided by creative instinct. No decision is made impulsively or without careful consideration. The team believes strongly in the potential for an ongoing story within this franchise.
This year’s Emmy Awards ceremony is being broadcast on ABC, which is owned by Disney. Do you think Jimmy Kimmel might be asked to host the show once more?
Jimmy is often our preferred pick when it comes to selecting business partners. He consistently embodies our company’s image and delivers outstanding results. However, the Oscars and hosting a daily show are significant undertakings. Consequently, Jimmy won’t be hosting the Emmys this year.
Have you given any thought inside your company on how to handle the Emmy awards this year, considering they’ll be broadcast just around the corner from a highly controversial election?
Instead of saying “I would say to you that it’s not what I’m thinking about this morning,” you could paraphrase as “This morning, my thoughts are solely on the nominations and ensuring our brands are well-represented. Our approach brings all this effort to our streaming services like Hulu and Disney+. So today, I’m pondering our content strategy – from selecting stories and releasing timelines to collaborating with partners such as Chris Storer, Dan Fogelman, John Hoffman, Selena Gomez, Ryan Murphy, Jimmy Kimmel, Jim Brooks, and more.”
In your statement, you bring up Ryan. The most recent version of Feud, which is his first project since rejoining the team, received ten nominations. This venture was particularly eye-catching among his recent works, as Ryan tends to produce attention-grabbing projects.
I’m in awe of how he consistently produces shows that capture awards and generate buzz, breaking through cultural barriers even during the loudest of times. It’s truly remarkable.
I’ve seen some remarkable things in my years working in television, but The Bear’s success story truly stands out. I remember when I first heard about its initial release two years ago; it wasn’t on anyone’s radar. It felt like an underdog, a dark horse in the comedy genre. But fast forward to today, and this little show has garnered numerous nominations, taken home significant awards in January, and boasts impressive viewership numbers.
Based on my own experiences and observations, I firmly believe that the success of a project, be it a movie or a television show, doesn’t always depend on having a big-name celebrity attached to it from the get-go. Instead, it often hinges on the quality of the work itself.
As a devoted fan, I’m proud to say that our team has an uncanny knack for identifying the right talents and projects to bet on. When it came to “The Bear,” John saw its potential and invested heavily in its marketing, nurturing it until it reached new heights. We didn’t stop there; we made sure to give it a strong presence on Hulu and expanded its reach globally through Disney+. Chris Storerer’s brilliant work continues to keep the show burning brightly, even as comedy sometimes takes its sweet time to truly take off. The payoff is always worth the wait, though, as the end result is a captivating and sustained brilliance that leaves us all in awe.
As someone who has spent the better part of my career in Hollywood, I’ve seen my fair share of ups and downs. Awards season is always an exciting time, filled with anticipation and hope for recognition in our industry. However, it’s hard not to feel a pang of sadness when confronted with the stark reality of the current state of Hollywood – the lack of jobs and production opportunities.
Based on the excellent work being recognized and awarded, I’m confidently hopeful. It wasn’t just one show dominating the nominations, but rather a diverse selection. These shows hold promising futures and continue to emphasize the importance of entertainment, not only in our country but globally. Despite the challenges we’ve faced, I believe we’re progressing in a positive direction.
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2024-07-18 00:55