Dana Walden Discusses Shogun, The Bear, and Jimmy Kimmel’s Hosting Decision
Dana Walden experienced an exceptional Wednesday morning. As the co-chair of Disney Entertainment, overseeing various platforms like Hulu, Disney+, and FX, as well as studios like 20th Television and Disney-Branded Television, her different projects received a total of 183 Emmy nominations earlier in the day.
Bolstered by successful FX shows such as Shogun and The Bear, popular Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, and ABC hit Abbott Elementary, the parent company heads into the 2024 Primetime Emmys with its highest number of nominations to date. During a phone call to discuss this achievement, Walden also shared insights on renewing Shogun, the impact of Ryan Murphy’s contributions, the decision to not have Jimmy Kimmel host the Emmys again, and her optimistic outlook on the future of Hollywood based on the nominated shows.
Congratulations on all the good news this morning.
“I’m thrilled and proud of our teams. 183 nominations is truly remarkable, surpassing any previous record at the Walt Disney Company.”
Looking at the distribution of nominations, FX alone received 93 nominations. It’s worth noting that this exceeds HBO’s nominations, which is quite remarkable considering their history.
“Well, you said it. (Laughs). What FX has achieved under John Landgraf’s leadership is not a stroke of luck. It’s the result of Bob Iger’s vision to integrate certain Fox brands into the Walt Disney Company’s strategy, which was truly groundbreaking.”
Regarding the renewal of Shogun, can you shed light on the decision-making process given its status as an expensive, limited series?
“I want to respect John’s authority to speak on the strategy, but I can share that John, Justin Marks, and Rachel Kondo had thorough discussions about the potential for a second season. They approached it with care, considering stakeholders of Shogun. Every decision at FX is thoughtful, informed by data, creative instincts, and a long-term vision.”
ABC, a Disney-owned network, will host the Emmys this year. Is there a chance we’ll see Jimmy Kimmel as the host again?
“Jimmy is always our first choice as a partner. He represents our company exceptionally well, but hosting major events like the Oscars and his daily show requires immense effort. Sadly, Jimmy will not be hosting the Emmys.”
Given the upcoming Emmys’ timing close to a contentious election, has there been any internal discussion on approaching the event this year?
“My focus today is on celebrating our nominations and the strong representation of all our brands. Our strategy ensures that our content reaches our streaming platforms effectively, and that’s where my attention lies.”
You mentioned Ryan Murphy. His latest project Feud received 10 nominations, marking a successful return. What have you learned from this accomplishment?
“Ryan has a talent for creating award-winning shows that resonate with audiences. His work continues to captivate even during turbulent times.”
Reflecting on the success of The Bear, what lessons have you taken from its unexpected rise to prominence?
“The Bear succeeded based on the strength of its content, rather than relying on big-name stars. Quality work attracts audiences over time, especially in the comedy genre, which historically takes longer to gain traction but can have lasting impact.”
Awards nominations are a moment of celebration amid a challenging time for Hollywood. What gives you hope for the industry’s future?
“The quality of work being recognized and the diverse range of nominated shows are reasons for optimism. These shows represent the value of entertainment and demonstrate the industry’s resilience and progress.”