Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Should Have Won an Emmy But …

Should Have Won an Emmy But …
Kate Winslet, a former resident of Salisbury, Conn., stars in “Mare of Easttown,” which our streaming correspondent feels was worthy of an Emmy Award. Image courtesy IMDB

The Television Academy recently changed the title of my favorite watching category from Miniseries to Outstanding Limited Series.  The key word is “limited.” Too many series shows don’t know when to stop. “Happy Days” jumped the shark in season five but continued for seven more, all downhill. Here are three fine Limited Series shows that were nominated for an Emmy but lost to an inferior program.

“Mare of Easttown”

Did you know that the International Olympic Committee recognizes chess as a sport? And so “The Queen’s Gambit” deserves credit for joining “Friday Night Lights” as one of the few good TV shows about sports.

But it didn’t deserve the 2021 Emmy. That should have gone to “Mare of Easttown,” which is a crime thriller, a family drama, and most of all a character study starring Kate Winslet.

She plays Mare Sheehan, a detective in a depressed small town in Pennsylvania who is investigating the disappearance of a young girl and the murder of a young mother. There are many twists in the investigation, which leads to an unexpected and tragic conclusion.

Everything in this superb show works perfectly: the oppressive, violent setting, the writing, and the supporting cast, Jean Smart as Mare’s mother and Evan Peters as a county detective who is called in to support Mare.

But it is Winslet’s remarkable performance that powers the show. She has long been respected for choosing quality films over big commercial projects.  Her character here as a small-town cop is complicated by divorce, the loss of a son to suicide, and a custody battle over her grandson. A brighter spot is an affair with a writer she meets in a bar. But the role is decidedly unglamorous and profoundly moving.

View on HBO Max.

“The Night Of”

The 2017 Emmy went to “Big Little Lies,” a soapy megahit set in the opulent seaside town of Monterey, Calif., and elevated by Nicole Kidman’s performance. It should have gone to “The Night Of,” a tense and disturbing crime drama written by Richard Price and starring Riz Ahmed as a Pakistani-American cab driver accused of murdering a woman on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

This dark story moves from Rikers Island to the courtroom, where Ahmed’s lawyer is played by John Turturro, a scruffy loser with awful foot eczema. It could not be more different than “Big Little Lies,” but it’s a brilliant production that gets you thinking about the randomness of criminal justice. Kidman and Ahmed each won an Emmy for Outstanding Actress and Actor.

View on HBO Max.

“Empire Falls”

What a pity that the Academy did not give PBS a cash gift rather than handing them the 2005 Emmy for “The Lost Prince,” yet another costume drama about the royals. I had the good fortune to miss this expensive screensaver, which was called “a little boring” by the New York Times.

It should have gone to  “Empire Falls,” a moving adaptation of the wonderful Richard Russo novel about life in a small town in Maine. All you need to know about this show is the cast: Ed Harris, Helen Hunt, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward and Philip Seymour Hoffman, directed by Fred Schepisi. “Empire Falls” did win the Golden Globe award. It’s only three and a half hours, and you will love every minute. Stream on HBO Max, Hulu, rent on Amazon.

Latest News

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

NORFOLK­ — Sally Sterling Ellis Quale, of Norfolk, Connecticut and St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Bronxville, New York, died unexpectedly of heart failure on July 7 at the age of 87.

Sally will be remembered for her deep commitment to her family and communities and for her warmth, kindness, intelligence, creativity …and, of course, for her beautiful smile and deliciously sweet sense of humor. She was a gentle leader, contributing her talents as a teacher, writer, musician, athlete and organizer.

Keep ReadingShow less

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

KENT­­ — Dorothy McEnroe Casey, 93, a longtime resident of Kent, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at New Milford Hospital in New Milford. Born on July 28, 1932 in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late Leo McEnroe, Sr. and Dorothy Belter McEnroe.

Mrs. Casey was a graduate of Amenia High School and a homemaker. On Dec. 1, 1951, at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, New York, she married John Finn Casey who died on April 17, 2006.

Keep ReadingShow less

Louise R. Black

Louise R. Black

MILLERTON — Louise R. Black, 86, born July 16, 1939, in Queens, New York, died on July 15, 2026, with her partner of 26 years, Mary Howard, by her side. She is also survived by her nephews David Black and Jason Black, and his wife, Kerri; and niece Tiffany Black and her husband, Shlomo Toledano.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina Women’s College and earning two master’s degrees, Louise taught physical education for 35 years at Scarsdale (NY) High School, chairing the department and serving as the first woman Athletic Director. An accomplished fencer, tennis player, and swimmer, Louise’s enduring fondness for sports included a love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, though she never quite recovered from their move to the West Coast.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Mary Simmons

Mary Simmons

MILLERTON — Mary Simmons, 96, a fifty‑six‑year resident of Millerton, New York, and formerly a lifelong native of College Point, Queens, New York, died peacefully on July 26, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Sharon, Connecticut. Mary devoted her life to her family; to know her was to love her.

Born July 15, 1930, in College Point, Queens, New York, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Sarah (Longo) Marano. On Oct. 26, 1952, in College Point, New York, she married Ray Daniel Simmons II. Their marriage lasted nearly sixty‑two years; Ray passed away on April 24, 2013. Mary was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick’s and Immaculate Conception Churches, where she belonged to the Rosary Altar Society. For many years, she enjoyed spending winters in Florida with family and friends. Mary was famous for her Sunday macaroni dinners, which she lovingly prepared for her family and many dear friends throughout the years. All were welcomed, and it was always a packed house. Her greatest joy was spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and her large extended family. She will be deeply missed by all.

Keep ReadingShow less

Margaret Anita Layton

Margaret Anita Layton

STANFORDVILLE —Margaret Anita Layton passed away on April 30, 2026, after a recurring battle with cancer, surrounded by friends and loved ones. She was predeceased by her parents, Anita and Jack Egan, brother John P. Egan, III, and nephew Michael Egan. She leaves behind a brother, numerous nieces and a nephew, as well as a community of chosen sisters who loved her very much.

Margaret was born in the Bronx, New York, and moved to Clinton Corners as a small child. Margaret spent her adult life in Stanfordville, where she owned Margaret A. Layton, E.A. Tax and Business Consulting. Margaret was a lover of all animals and an avid horse enthusiast with an active presence in the draft horse community. Midge lived out loud. Her vibrancy left a mark that will never be forgotten and will be sorely missed.

Keep ReadingShow less

Join us for

Join us for


Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.