As the leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red and the temperatures begin to drop, we can take solace in one thing, television season is upon us again. But, before we begin whittling our nights away in the company of our flat screens and favorite characters, we must acknowledge our entertainers and thank them for all that they do. We must award them with Emmys.
The Emmy Awards recognize the best of the best in the television industry. Sure, they are great decor for an actor, writer, or producer’s mantle, but they also serve as a fantastic aid for fans arguing about which series is “The Best.” My family’s favorite debate: Bryan Cranston’s Walter White versus Jon Hamm’s Don Draper. Cranston won four Emmys, Hamm has zero. Which brings me to my question; does winning an Emmy really mean you are “better” than your fellow nominated peers?
How does one define the word best when the subject matter (art) is subjective, based on preference and taste? First, it’s important to understand how the Emmy process works. To be nominated for an Emmy you must be a member of the Television Academy. According to the Emmys website, the Academy is comprised of over 20 thousand members, who are divided into 29 peer groups depending on their specialized field. Each member of the peer group votes on their area of expertise.
While the votes are based on peer recognition it’s hard to put too much merit on these awards. Especially when Steve Carell never won an Emmy for playing Michael Scott on The Office. Amy Poehler, Jon Hamm? No Emmys. The Wire is considered one of the best shows of all time, but it was never nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. JR Ewing and Ricky Riccardo didn’t win Emmys either. These pop culture phenomena have yet to be recognized so it’s hard to concede that “The Best” is anything other than an opinion.
Another issue the Emmys are facing is the dramedy genre. These series’ blur the line between comedy and drama. It had become such a headache that the Emmys had to implement a rule change for this year. It defined comedy as a 30-minute series, and anything else was considered a “drama.” However, the Academy’s chairman and CEO told The Hollywood Reporter that the rule’s aren’t “hard-and-fast,” and a “nine-person industry panel that consists of senior network execs and others” will decide whether a show gets to compete in a preferred comedy or drama category. These shows that distort the boundaries between comedy and drama are up against shows that fit conventionally into a genre, and yet we are asked to compare them to one another. Do you remember that old cliché, “comparing apples and oranges?” That is how the Emmys sometimes feel.
I am a proud television nerd. I LOVE the Emmys. Seeing all of my favorite actors and actresses in the same room fills my heart with joy. What I am saying is that we should take a tad less stock in these awards, especially when they seem to be having an identity crisis. They are such an exciting fanfare, but the saying, “It’s an honor to be nominated,” holds true. Most people don’t remember who won anyway. As for my family’s Cranston versus Hamm debate, I have to go with Heisenberg. Sorry, Britt!
The 67 th Primetime Emmy Awards air Sunday, Sept. 20 on Fox, with Andy Samberg as host. If you want to prepare, checkout Samberg’s top 10 SNL sketches. You know I’ll be watching!