Anyone bored by this year’s Emmy winners just hasn’t been paying attention. This was a revolution. The idea that “Shōgun” could enter the drama race and then break the history books with 18 wins was astounding — and sure didn’t seem possible even a year ago. The fact that “Hacks,” in its third season, could upset “The Bear” — even as the incumbent still smashed the record for most wins for a comedy in a single year — has changed the balance of power in that race.
And then there was perhaps the biggest shift of the night: “The Traitors” ending the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” streak in reality competition series. That’s a field where “The Amazing Race” won 10, “Drag Race” won five and “The Voice” has four — so there wasn’t much movement in the category. “The Traitors” has at least busted things up, making for a more dynamic playing field.
Davids slaying Goliaths? Why, here you go: “Fargo” star Lamorne Morris beat Robert Downey Jr. (“The Sympathizer”), while “The Bear”’s Liza Colón-Zayas took down Meryl Streep (“Only Murders in the Building”) and Carol Burnett (“Palm Royale”).
This was most certainly an Emmys to remember. FX besting HBO and Netflix for the first time, landing the year’s victory among programming outfits. The Cinderella story of Richard Gadd and “Baby Reindeer,” which earned six trophies. And “Slow Horses” writer Will Smith winning the drama writing Emmy with the line of the night: “Despite my name, I come in peace.”
And in maybe the most heartening news of all, viewership was up 54% from January’s delayed 2023 show. It was still a rather small 6.87 million viewers, but at least the number is heading in the right direction. And with most awards-show followers waiting to watch clips on social media the next day, any uptick in viewership is a huge accomplishment.
It’s a reminder that there still is a substantial audience invested in their favorite entertainment programming. And it’s an encouraging sign for next year, as there’s some new life to the competition. With “Shōgun” not returning, the drama race once again shifts — and attention will be back on new seasons of heavy hitters like “House of the Dragon,” “Severance” and “Squid Game.” Also on deck for 2025 — it’s just a question of when — are “The Last of Us” and “The White Lotus.” Shows on the rise include “Slow Horses,” which may be even more of a force next year.
And then what if … FX takes the bait and moves “The Bear” Season 3 to drama? With “Hacks” emerging victorious this week, such a move might be advantageous. After all, “Hacks” will be back in the laffer field next year, and FX will still have the final season of “What We Do in the Shadows” in the running for a comedy series nom. Other returning nominees include “Only Murders in the Building” and another season of “Abbott Elementary.”
Both the drama and comedy races will have room for new entrants, given the end of the line for “The Crown,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Reservation Dogs.” But with a crunch of new and returning shows finally making their way to TV this fall (the result of so many being delayed due to the Hollywood strikes), the competition will be fierce.
Will the unscripted and variety fields experience a similar disruption? If history is any indication, “The Traitors” will likely enjoy several years at the top before another upstart takes its crown.
The real question for next year is what the TV Academy intends to do with the talk series and scripted variety series categories. The idea of scripted variety — with just “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” and “Saturday Night Live” — just doesn’t work. And yet, given that this season marks the 50th anniversary of “SNL,” there will be renewed interest in the late-night sketch show. Where does it go, and where should it compete? And if “Last Week Tonight” heads back to the talk race, will the other shows stage a revolt? Plenty of intriguing questions ahead. But for now, viva la Emmy revolución!