Yahoo Lifestyle 13 Shows That Surprisingly Won Emmys And 13 That Never Did
Winning an Emmy award is arguably the most incredible honor for any TV program. Whether it is in an acting, writing, or directing category, winning one will always have the show marked as an "Emmy-winning show." With that in mind, it's pretty shocking to find out what shows have and haven't won that coveted golden award.
Here are 13 TV programs that shockingly won an Emmy and 13 that were snubbed:
1.EMMY SNUB: Hannibal (2013-2015)
This TV series scratched the itch for so many psychological horror-thriller fans. With intelligent writing and terrifying imagery, you would think it would have at least earned an Emmy award for something related to directing or writing. Plus, Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen offered great performances throughout the series that were worthy of at least one nomination during the show's three year run.
The show only received one nomination in 2016 for "Outstanding Special Visual Effects."
2.EMMY WINNER: The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
That's right. The Big Bang Theory probably has more Emmy wins than all the snubs on this list combined. The show has a total of SEVEN Emmy Awards, including four of them going to Jim Parsons for his supporting performance as Sheldon Cooper.
Comedy is indeed subjective, but the show kept a loyal following to thrive for 12 seasons.
3.EMMY SNUB: The Wire (2002-2008)
The Wire has above 94% on Rotten Tomatoes for both critic and audience scores, yet the show's incredible story, acting, and production were not enough to earn an Emmy at any point during its five-season run. When people discuss the greatest shows of all time, at least one person in the room will mention The Wire.
Maybe it was the graphic subject matter or the unique way it weaved the story together, but the show received only two nominations.
4.EMMY WINNER: Dancing with the Stars (2005-present)
Yes, the reality show that features "celebrities" attempting dance routines is not only an Emmy winner but also constantly present at the awards. There's no problem enjoying the show, but the fact that something like this has an Emmy over some legitimate, well-crafted shows is shocking.
The show has earned 21 Emmys and 124 nominations in its extended (and somehow still going) existence. The people keep watching, and they keep on dancing.
5.EMMY SNUB: Chappelle’s Show (2003-2006)
The sketch comedy series delivered some classic skits and quotable moments. The show was daring and hilarious, from Riverside's Wayne Brady to the racial draft. It felt like a trailblazing show in a time when Saturday Night Live was the only competition in town for sketch comedy, so it's a shame it didn't get its flowers at the time.
Chapelle's Show received only three nominations and never won gold. Snubs are a hell of a drug.
6.EMMY WINNER: Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005)
I'm not implying that Everybody Loves Raymond is a bad show, but it was a family sitcom show in the '90s. The show's ability to win awards, including Ray Ramano for lead actor, is quite astonishing, and that is the point of this list.
The program won 15 Primetime Emmy awards and 69 total nominations (I'm sure the late, great Peter Boyle would have a joke about that nom total).
7.EMMY SNUB: SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-present)
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? The Bob of Sponge has crossed four decades of children's television, reigning as one of the most popular programs on Nickelodeon throughout that time. The animated program has received 10 Emmy nominations but has never won gold.
The show was such a trendsetter for cartoons that it's hard to believe it still hasn't won any kind of honor yet.
8.EMMY WINNER: Samurai Jack (2001-2004)
It's not that Samurai Jack isn't worthy of an Emmy, but it is shocking that it had so much success despite being short-lived. The style is gorgeous, but the audience following and popularity of other shows at the time make it a surprising success story.
Of nine nominations, Samurai Jack won eight Emmys in the animated categories, including 2004 Outstanding Animated Program (less than one hour).
9.EMMY SNUB: Bates Motel (2013-2017)
Mother would be very unhappy. Bates Motel was a psychological horror drama that delivered on the creeps and WTF moments. The show had a big following and had the opportunity to tell its whole story from beginning to end.
The show received only three Emmy nominations through its five-season run, and Vera Farmiga missed out on gold after a captivating performance as Norma Bates.
10.EMMY WINNER: Two and a Half Men (2003-2015)
Really? Two and a Half Men is an Emmy winner and hugely successful in the comedy series categories.
The show actually won nine Emmys, including Jon Cryer's win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2012. It's truly incredible for a show that didn't crack 70% on Rotton Tomatoes from critics or audiences.
11.EMMY SNUB: Oz (1997-2003)
The prison drama Oz is an off-the-radar masterpiece according to its fans. They call it the first "HBO gem," but it didn't win an Emmy. HBO wasn't quite the goliath it is now at the time, so that might've played a factor in its reach. Ernie Hudson and J.K. Simmons should be enough to pull in countless nods, but at the time, it wasn't enough.
In six seasons, it only received two nominations.
12.EMMY WINNER: L.A. Law (1986-1994)
Regarding Emmy wins, the legal drama L.A. Law is an excellent example of "you just had to be there." Although popular then, it didn't receive overly rave reviews and has not had a lasting impression on the TV industry.
The show was so critically popular that it won a jaw-dropping 15 Emmy awards.
13.EMMY SNUB: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-present)
Love it or hate it, It's Always Sunny elevated FX regarding TV comedies. The cast is stacked with all kinds of comedic minds, the episodes are very quotable, and it has a loyal following that has helped keep the show alive. Despite all that, the style of comedy just never sat well with the Emmys.
The show has only received three nominations despite being on and off the air since 2005.
14.EMMY WINNER: Mad About You (1992-1999)
Mad About You has won 12 Emmys. Why is that shocking? Well, because I have never even heard of it. So, let's dig in!
The Helen Hunt-led sitcom lasted seven seasons and was memorable enough to earn a reboot/revamp in 2019. It had to be on the list because so many other '90s shows really blazed a trail for television, and I found it interesting that an American show I had never heard of pulled so many trophies. Not every show leaves a lasting impression.
15.EMMY SNUB: BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
Anything that falls under that "Adult Swim-like" category will have a tough time getting an Emmy. BoJack Horseman lasted six seasons and dealt with heavy topics and plenty of adult comedy. The animation alone deserved something, but alas, the show went Emmy-less.
Netflix shows generally don't get enough love during awards season, and Bojack is no different.
16.EMMY WINNER: High School Musical (2006)
What!?!?!?!? I was today years old when I learned East High School has an Emmy in their trophy case.
The TV movie won two Emmys in 2006: Outstanding Children's Program and Outstanding Choreography. I guess the National Active members of the Television Academy were all in this together.
17.EMMY SNUB: New Girl (2011-2018)
New Girl is a sitcom that has Zooey Deschanel's fingerprints all over it. The single-camera comedy style isn't exactly reinventing the wheel, but it truly has its own feel. The show lasted seven seasons but never won an Emmy.
It earned five nominations.
18.EMMY WINNER: The Amazing Race (2001-present)
I will never understand why people fell in love with this show. Its impressive cult following has helped it get 36 seasons and tons of international spin-offs. It still draws about two million viewers, proving reality competitions are not quite out of the race yet.
It has an unreal 97 nominations and 15 Emmys, proving it's on top of the mountain for reality competitions.
19.EMMY SNUB: Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)
The mockumentary sitcom was top-rated and had a loaded cast of funny people. Amy Poehler, Aubrey Plaza, Nick Offerman, and others offered a program to rival The Office. Despite seven seasons, the show couldn't find its feet in any particular spot within the comedy Emmy categories.
A whopping 14 nominations never led to a win.
20.EMMY WINNER: The Shield (2002-2008)
The crime drama The Shield earned one Emmy and shocked the world. In 2002, Michael Chiklis won Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series, leaving everyone stunned.
It was highly unusual because the show itself really wasn't a standout compared to any other crime drama, and Chiklis was not the "usual suspect" when it came to a male lead.
21.EMMY SNUB: Empire (2015-2020)
Empire had its fans in a chokehold. The music drama had incredible star power and some tasty drama to keep viewers hooked. At one point, the show pulled 17 million viewers, which is quite astounding in today's age of TV.
It earned eight nominations but never closed the deal.
22.EMMY WINNER: Road to Avonlea (1990-1996)
If you've never heard of this, don't worry; that makes two of us. It was a period piece with plenty of adventure and family elements. Nothing about it screams award-winner, especially with so many other '90s dramas at the time.
The Canadian show won four Emmys, including Christopher Lloyd's Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series award. Great Scott!
23.EMMY SNUB: Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
The science fiction series was an earth-shaker for sci-fi fans. The original series produced classic moments and memorable characters that are still remembered as tremendous and original TV characters. I'd argue the show's success paved the way for creating networks strictly for science fiction TV, streaming, and programming, like the Syfy channel.
Despite a dozen nominations, no trophies got beamed up in the '60s, although they did receive an honor with the 2018 Governor's Award.
24.EMMY WINNER: The Practice (1997-2004)
With so many popular crime dramas in the '90s, it's a bit surprising that The Practice was as popular as it was. We're talking Law & Order, The Sopranos, and countless other dramas around the same time, but The Practice overruled them all.
The Practice has 15 Emmys, including 2004 Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series winner James Spader.
25.EMMY SNUB: Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
Maybe the most crushing one on this list is Better Call Saul. With the success of Breaking Bad, the assumption would have been that a spin-off show about Saul Goodman would do just as well. Bob Odenkirk delivered an expected all-out performance, and critics adored it, but it never won an Emmy in six seasons.
The show earned 53 nominations but not a single win.
26.EMMY WINNER: The Monkees (1966-1968)
The band? Yes. The Monkees had their own comedy TV show in the '60s. It was good enough to get two seasons; as you'd guess, the music carried the show into awards season. It's wild to imagine an artist or group doing a sitcom instead of a reality show. It'd be fun to see!
The Monkees is a two-time Emmy award-winning show. I'm a believer.
What great show do you think deserves all the Emmy awards this year? Comment below!
