^{Credit: Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal (Adult Swim), King of the Hill (Hulu), Long Story Short (Netflix), Smiling Friends (Adult Swim), South Park (Comedy Central)}

With Emmy voting currently underway, I wanted to share my personal picks for what should be nominated for Outstanding Animated Program. These aren’t my predictions of what I think will be nominated. For that, you can check out my ballot breakdown of the submissions. If I had an Emmy ballot, though, these are the five animated programs that I would nominate. 

^{Credit: Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal (Adult Swim)}

Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal: “Feast of Flesh” 

I had doubts when it was announced that Genndy Tartakovsky was continuing Spear and Fang’s story after the second season seemed to give us a definitive ending. I grew even more critical after learning that Spear was being resurrected as a zombie. By this third episode, though, this direction won me over in what turned out to be a surprisingly compelling season about Spear’s search for an identity. Aimlessly wandering the earth, Spear finds himself between the dead and the living. He inches toward his past life upon encountering a grasshopper that, despite its diminutive size, echoes his friendship with T-Rex Fang. Spear thus becomes hellbent on protecting the insect from molemen. The episode builds to tragedy, making us gasp over the fate of a bug. Yet, amid this loss, something within Spear is awakened. Tartatovsky once again proves that nobody balances brutal action and visual story quite like him. 

^{King of the Hill (Hulu)}

King of the Hill: “Kahn-scious Uncoupling” 

With its Season 14 revival, King of the Hill made the right move by aging the characters and bringing them into the 2020s. Much has changed since we last saw these Arlen residents. Among other things, Kahn and Minh are divorced, although they still keep up appearances as a married couple. Their charade culminates in a 30th wedding anniversary, where the illusion of an ideal marriage is exposed for what it truly is. As one relationship comes undone, another is revisited. Bobby and Connie were always a cute couple, but their dynamic is more interesting now that they’re older. Where Kahn and Minh were always putting up a facade, Bobby and Connie have the potential to find true happiness. The revival progresses their relationship in ways that feel natural, yet as sweet as ever. 

^{Long Story Short (Netflix)}

Long Story Short: “Shira Can’t Cook” 

Mehar Sethi already won the WGA Award for “Shira Can’t Cook.” He, along with the rest of the Long Story Short crew, deserves an Emmy nomination next. In the vein of BoJack Horseman, which Raphael Bob-Waksberg also created, Long Story Short balances tragedy, absurdity, and clever wordplay like few other shows. Mirroring the Emmy-nominated BoJack episode “Free Churro,” “Shira Can’t Cook” centers on an individual dealing with the death of their mother. Both also coincidentally have food in common. Instead of a churro, though, Shira tries reconnecting with her mother by making knishes. Instead, her mother haunts her from beyond the grave. The difference between Shira and BoJack is that one has a loving spouse who will see them through the grief and borderline insanity. 

^{Credit: Smiling Friends (Adult Swim)}

Smiling Friends: “Le Voyage Incroyable De Monsieur Grenouille”

Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack made the shocking decision to close the book on their cult hit Smiling Friends after only three seasons. “Le Voyage Incroyable De Monsieur Grenouille” might not be the final episode, but it feels like it could be. It’d be an unconventional series finale, seeing how Pim and Charlie aren’t the focus here. Yet, the creators seem to be channeling their feelings through Mr. Frog. Hadel and Cusack say that they decided to end Smiling Friends early because of, among other things, a sense of fulfillment. Likewise, Mr. Frog feels he’s accomplished everything he possibly can as emperor of Earth. With nothing else to achieve, Mr. Frog wanders the world and revisits his roots in search of a purpose. Although Mr. Frog is a chaotic character, he seemingly finds peace by the end, bidding us goodbye in more ways than one. Also, he savagely beats Pim, which is pretty hilarious. 

^{Credit: South Park (Comedy Central)}

South Park: “Sermon on the ‘Mount”

You can argue that there are shows with better animation. You can argue that there are shows with smarter comedy and commentary. There’s still only one South Park, however. It’s the only show that would be brave/immature enough to depict the president of the United States in bed with a dissatisfied Satan, proceeding to reveal his micro penis. And that’s not even the most jaw-dropping part of the Season 27 opener. In an era where freedom of speech is being limited to those in charge and “woke is dead,” as Cartman realizes, South Park has remained a beacon of hope and laughter. Whether or not “Sermon on the ‘Mount” grants Trey Parker and Matt Stone another Emmy, it feels like South Park has already won. South Park beat parent company Paramount, which has been sucking up to the commander in chief. It beat the Trump Administration, which tried to denounce South Park as irrelevant amid record-breaking ratings. South Park is a hornet’s nest, and whoever kicks it will feel the wrath of the most powerful weapon: parody that isn’t far off from reality.

The 78th Primetime Emmy nominees will be announced on July 8. 

Nick Spake is the Author of Bright & Shiny: A History of Animation at Award Shows Volumes 1, 2, and 3. Available Now!