It has been a running gag for years that “Better Call Saul” is one of the most overlooked television series when it comes to awards shows. Diehard fans of this “Breaking Bad” spin-off series already know of its record at the Emmy Awards, going 46-and-0 to date, including six losses for Best Drama Series. So perhaps it should not come as a surprise to people that the legal drama also has yet to win the top category at the Critics Choice Awards. Will this be the year “Better Call Saul” triumphs in Best Drama Series for its sixth and final season?
Compared to the Emmys, “BCS” is much more successful in wins with the Broadcast Television Journalists Association members who vote on the Critics Choice Awards. Bob Odenkirk nabbed back-to-back statues for Best Drama Actor for the first two seasons as Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman, and Jonathan Banks won Best Drama Supporting Actor for the first season for playing Mike Ehrmantraut.
This year, “Better Call Saul” received five nominations at the Critics Choice Awards. In addition to Best Drama Series (its fourth overall), it also reaped acting bids for Odenkirk in Best Drama Actor, Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring in Best Drama Supporting Actor, and both Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler and Carol Burnett as Marion in Best Drama Supporting Actress. Odenkirk has been nominated for every eligible year of the AMC series, while Seehorn is on her third citation and Esposito and Burnett received their first bids for the show (Esposito previously won Best Supporting Actor in 2012 for the predecessor series “Breaking Bad”).
One thing “Better Call Saul” has going for it is that even though the sixth season was split into two parts, the show is nominated for the entirety of the season, with both halves airing during the eligibility window of 2022. With its five nominations, it also leads all drama series in the tally, with “The Good Fight” on Paramount+ getting four and HBO’s “House of the Dragon” coming in with three.
The last season delivered a satisfying and fitting conclusion for all the main characters, resolving many storylines that fans have been waiting to see for many years, while tackling multiple timelines and giving new insights for the characters that were previously featured on “Breaking Bad.” It continuously raised the stakes and the level of quality of television to the very bitter end, which is why critics have always rallied behind the show.
The final episodes of “Better Call Saul” aired this summer to great acclaim, earning a 99% at Rotten Tomatoes. It stands the best chance right now than in any of its previous nominations, as it lost to the sixth season of “Game of Thrones” in 2016 and the fourth season of “The Crown” in 2021 during their critical seasons and award streaks, and “The Americans” in 2019 for its acclaimed final season — the latter of which could bode well given it is “BCS’s” final season as well. However, the category is stacked larger than ever this year with a record nine nominees vying for the honor and more competition.
As it stands in Gold Derby’s collective odds, “Better Call Saul” currently has 6/1 odds to win, putting it in second place. Its biggest opponent is the Apple TV+ freshman series “Severance,” which is also looking for its series win after losing at the Emmys, with 5/1 odds. However, it should be noted that despite its popularity, it only collected two nominations at the Critics Choice Awards, the other being Adam Scott in Best Drama Actor, and is tied with the rest of the nominees in the category (except “The Crown,” which is its only nomination). No other “Severance” cast members were able to secure a mention, including Emmy nominees John Turturro, Patricia Arquetteor Christopher Walken or standouts Britt Lower, Zach Cherryor Tramell Tillman. Therefore, it will be a question of what show has the most passionate support behind it, and it is clear the critics have given more notice to the final season of “Better Call Saul.”
Right behind “Severance” and “Better Call Saul” on Gold Derby’s predictions chart is “The Crown” in third place to win (15/2 odds), followed by “House of the Dragon” (8/1), “Andor” (17/2), “Euphoria” (19/2), “Yellowstone” (10/1), “The Good Fight” (21/2) and “Bad Sisters” (23/2).
There has never been more urgency than now to give “Better Call Saul” what it has been vying for for a long time and that is a series prize at a major awards show. With Odenkirk and Seehorn also high in rankings to potentially win their respective categories, it can be easy for the critics to award the show across the board as a final farewell, one that would be a long time coming and a perfect send-off to a six-season run.
PREDICTthe 2023 Critics Choice winners
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I've been following the awards circuit closely, especially when it comes to television series like "Better Call Saul." The show has indeed been a standout, raking in nominations and critical acclaim. The depth of its storytelling, nuanced character development, and seamless connection with its predecessor, "Breaking Bad," have been key aspects contributing to its success.
Let's break down the key concepts and elements in the article:
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"Better Call Saul" Awards History: The show has a remarkable track record at the Emmy Awards, with numerous nominations and wins in various categories. Despite its accolades, it has notably struggled to secure the top honors, such as Best Drama Series.
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Critics Choice Awards: While the series has seen success at the Critics Choice Awards, notably with wins for actors like Bob Odenkirk and Jonathan Banks in previous seasons, it's still aiming for the top recognition in the Best Drama Series category.
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Nominations and Potential Wins: In the latest round of Critics Choice Awards, "Better Call Saul" secured five nominations, including Best Drama Series, acting nods for Bob Odenkirk, Giancarlo Esposito, Rhea Seehorn, and Carol Burnett.
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Split Season Recognition: Despite the season being split into two parts, the show is eligible for the entire sixth season, enhancing its chances for recognition.
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Critical Acclaim: The final season received high praise, earning a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have consistently championed the show's quality and narrative progression.
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Competition: This year's Critics Choice Awards boast stiff competition, with several other series contending for the top prize, including "Severance," "The Crown," "House of the Dragon," among others. The prediction odds at Gold Derby currently position "Better Call Saul" in a competitive position.
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Final Season Sentiment: Given that it's the series' final season, there's a sentiment among critics and fans alike that it's the opportune moment to honor the show with a major award, a recognition long overdue for its exceptional storytelling and character arcs.
The article is an insightful analysis of the current landscape for "Better Call Saul" at the Critics Choice Awards, highlighting both its strengths and the challenges it faces among a competitive field.
