Will the Emmys Bring Back Cut Categories? History Provides Hope

On Friday, July 17, the Television Academy’s annual announcement of which categories will be presented on which nights, between the Creative Arts Emmys on September 5 and 6, and the Primetime Emmys on Monday, September 14, caused controversy among entertainment professionals and Emmy viewers alike. 

Normally, the Primetime Emmys, the live ceremony telecast on the broadcast networks each year, includes all the acting, directing, and writing categories for Drama, Comedy, Limited or Anthology Series, and late night — plus anything else unique and interesting that it can fit into the show, like Outstanding Reality Competition Program. But this year, the TV Academy said it would be cutting several categories, including awards for writing, directing, and supporting performances in Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, to ensure “this year’s NBC ceremony and future broadcasts remain deeply engaging and tailored to the television audience.”

In response to the news, the DGA, WGA, and SAG-AFTRA put out a joint statement saying “the decision to eliminate these categories from the primetime broadcast devalues the contributions of the talented people the Academy is meant to honor.” So far, the Television Academy has yet to respond, but recent history indicates that decision is likely because the changes to the telecast are not yet set in stone.

In fact, over two years ago, when the TV Academy tried to cut the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series category (which for the record, is on the chopping block again this year) from the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, members of the WGA generated a petition featuring some high profile signatories asking to keep it on the broadcast. The organization eventually reversed its decision.

But what is even more of an indication that there is still plenty of time for the TV Academy to change its mind, and bring the cut categories back, is that last year it added the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category to the telecast two weeks after the categories by show were first announced. No backlash or petitions of fanfare pushed the group to make that move. 

There was an assumption that move was done with the hope that an A-List nominee from the category like Beyoncé or Kendrick Lamar would show up to the ceremony, but as many have pointed out, cutting the Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress In a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie categories alone dispels the notion that the TV Academy is driven by how many famous people it can fit inside the Peacock Theater come September 14.

Ultimately, past history casts a lot of doubt that cutting these categories is something the TV Academy will dig in its heels on, so we could be bound for a positive update. If anything, the backlash has really driven the message to producers that the USP of the Emmys is the acceptance speeches over anything else the organization may be trying to replace those with during the broadcast.