Emmy Awards Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Emmy Awards
Emmy statuette | Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
Emmy Awards
The Emmy Awards are presented annually to recognize excellence in the TV industry and emerging media. Three sister organizations administer the awards: the Television Academy, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Several Emmy events happen throughout the year, including Daytime, Primetime, Sports, News & Documentary, Technology & Engineering, and College TV. Winners receive a golden Emmy statuette — a winged woman holding an atom. TV engineer Louis McManus designed the trophy, modeled after his wife. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences selected his design in 1948 after reviewing and rejecting 47 other submissions. The Emmy Awards are one of the four major entertainment honors in the United States. The others are the Academy Awards, Grammys, and Tonys. People who have won all four are called "EGOTs," an acronym representing each award. As of 2023, 18 actors, composers, directors, and producers have reached EGOT status.
- First award ceremony: 1949
- Genre: Television
- Most memorable Emmy Awards show moments: Viola Davis' powerful acceptance speech at the 2015 ceremony; all Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series nominees' taking the stage at the same time to support one another; Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's joint appearances
Visit the Emmy Awards website.
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Award Shows

Son Suk-ku, Song Hye-kyo, Kim Hye-soo, and Hong Kyung for 59th Baeksang Arts Awards.

’59th Baeksang Arts Awards’: The K-Drama Nominees From Song Hye-kyo to ‘My Liberation Notes’

JTBC's 'My Liberation Notes' has raked up many nominees for the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards. Son Suk-ku and Kim Ji-won are nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress for their leading roles.

by Gabriela Silva

Published on April 7, 2023

3 min read

Zendaya attends the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California

Celebrity

Zendaya Wore a Staggering $2.7 Million in Statement Necklaces at the SAG Awards

Once again, Zendaya was turning heads on the red carpet — this time with some statement necklaces at the 2023 SAG Awards.

by Perry Carpenter

Prince William and Kate Middleton at the 2019 BAFTAs (1)

Royal family

Kate Middleton Diffused an Awkward Moment at the BAFTAs With 3 Words

Kate Middleton joked about how the crowd behaved during her and Prince William's 2019 BAFTAs entrance, making an observation as she took her seat.

by Mandi Kerr

Jerry Seinfeld Once Refused to Host the Oscars Because It Wouldn’t Be Fun

Jerry Seinfeld once opened up about how he really felt regarding hosting the Oscars someday.

by Antonio Stallings

Published on April 26, 2024

3 min read

Pregnant Vanessa Hudgens standing next to a large Oscar statue

Celebrity

Vanessa Hudgens Debuts Baby Bump on Oscars Red Carpet

Vanessa Hudgens is expecting her first baby with husband Cole Taylor, whom she married in December 2023.

by Megan Elliott

A collection of Oscar statues at the Academy Awards, for which the best actor nominees include Bradley Cooper, Jeffrey Wright, and more in 2024.

Celebrity / TV

2024 Oscars: How Old Are the Best Actor Nominees?

The best actor nominees for the 2024 Academy Awards are 11 years apart or less.

by Mandi Kerr

Taylor Swift’s Grammys Outfit Has Royal Fans Seeing a Kate Middleton Connection

Taylor Swift accessorized a white gown with black gloves at the Grammys not unlike Kate Middleton did at a 2023 red carpet event.

by Mandi Kerr

Published on February 5, 2024

3 min read

Close up of Miley Cyrus on the 2024 Grammys red carpet

Celebrity

Miley Cyrus Turns Heads With Barely There Mesh Dress at 2024 Grammys

Miley Cyrus is nominated for six awards at this year's Grammys, including Album of the Year for 'Endless Summer Vacation.'

by Megan Elliott

U2 performing onstage during rehearsals for the 48th Grammy Awards

Music

U2 at the Grammys Through the Years

Since 1988, Irish rockers U2 have won 22 Grammys. At Sunday's ceremony, they'll perform live from the Sphere in Las Vegas.

by Megan Elliott

Emmys 2021: Airdate, Time, and How to Watch and Stream

After binge-watching our way through the entire pandemic, it’s time to honor TV’s best at the 2021 Emmy Awards. The main ceremony, known as the Primetime Emmy Awards, will air in early Sept. Of the categories eligible, 26 will be shown during the live broadcast for acting, writing, and overall genre awards.

by Cortland Jacoby

Bo Burnham Isn’t Stopping With 6 Emmy Nominations for ‘Inside’ — He Wants a Grammy Too!

Bo Burnham’s success with ‘Inside’ doesn’t have to end with his six Emmy nominations. With high streaming numbers and critical acclaim, ‘Inside’ could be nominated for a Grammy for best new artist. Though he could still gain recognition in the Best Comedy Album category, there’s a chance he may be nominated for main awards.

by Cortland Jacoby

‘Friends’ Star, Courteney Cox, Is Still Hurt About Something From Her Time on the Series

Courteney Cox spent 10 years portraying Monica Geller on 'Friends.' While fans of the series can't imagine the show without her, Cox never received the attention of the Television Academy for her work. Now she is, but she's still hurt about her past Primetime Emmy Award snubs.

by Andrea Francese

Jason Sudeikis Says Ted Lasso Would React to Emmy Nominations in the Most Ted Lasso Way

Jason Sudeikis said his title character on 'Ted Lasso' wouldn't have marked the show's 20 Emmy nominations with any sort of celebration but instead he'd leave that to the AFC Richmond team.

by Mandi Kerr

‘Bo Burnham: Inside’ Landed 6 Emmy Nominations — What Are His Odds of Winning?

In two short months, Bo Burnham went from a comedian to a six-time Emmy nominee. Because he handled most of the production for ‘Bo Burnham: Inside’ himself, Burnham is up for a wide range of awards in preproduction, postproduction, performance, and music categories. Here is what fans can expect on Emmy night.

by Cortland Jacoby

How Bo Burnham Could Make Emmy History With ‘Inside’

Bo Burnham may have lost his mind in his Netflix special 'Bo Burnham: Inside' but it quickly paid off. The comedian and performance artist gained rave reviews with his musical ode to an unfunny world. Now he has earned 6 Emmy nominations and could break a record for the award show.

by Cortland Jacoby

Bo Burnham’s Career Was Pretty Impressive Even Before ‘Inside’

Bo Burnham started making comedy videos to keep in touch with his older brother in college. Now the comedian is nominated for six Emmy awards for his critically acclaimed comedy special ‘Inside.’ From acting gigs to hit independent films, the 30-year-old from Massachusetts has come a long way since starting almost fifteen years ago.

by Cortland Jacoby

‘Ted Lasso’: How the Cast Reacted to Their Outrageous 20 Emmy Nominations

How did the cast of 'Ted Lasso' react to being nominated for 20 Emmy Awards? Some were just honored to nominated while others swear they never even considered awards when making the show.

by Mandi Kerr

Emmys 2021: This ‘Pose’ Star Just Made History With Her Nomination

'Pose' has captured the hearts of millions since it first premiered on FX in 2018. The show features a history-making cast of actors, including Emmy winner Billy Porter. Another cast member just joined the Emmy-nominated club

by Chris Malone

Celebrity / TV

Were Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Emmy Nominees Before Elizabeth Olsen?

Elizabeth Olsen earned a high honor in 2021, scoring an Emmy nomination for 'WandaVision.' Learn about her sisters' past with the prestigious award show.

by Becca Bleznak

Celebrity / TV

‘The Office’: Ricky Gervais Is Shocked About 1 Aspect of the American Version Starring Steve Carell

Find out the one thing that shocks 'The Office' creator Ricky Gervais about his American counterpart Steve Carell.

by Lauren Anderson

Celebrity

Why Cicely Tyson Once Called Lenny Kravitz’s Mom on Him and Lisa Bonet

Cicely Tyson shared a close relationship with Lenny Kravitz and his mom, Roxie Roker. See why they 'fell out laughing' over him and Lisa Bonet.

by Elizabeth Randolph

Celebrity / TV

‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’: Cloris Leachman or Mary Tyler Moore — Who Won More Emmys?

'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' stars Mary Tyler Moore and Cloris Leachman are both Emmy winners. But who has more awards?

by Becca Bleznak

‘The Waltons’: When Michael Learned Won Her Emmy for Playing Olivia Walton, the Presenter Made a Big Mistake

The cast of The Waltons had a big night at the 1973 Emmy Awards. But when Michael Learned won for playing Olivia Walton, the presenter made a big error.

by Megan Elliott

Celebrity / TV

Zendaya Was ‘Too Nervous’ to Deal With Her Emmy Nomination — What Record Will She Break If She Wins?

Actor Zendaya is up for an Emmy for her role in 'Euphoria.' Here's how she reacted, and how her potential win could make history.

by Becca Bleznak

‘Better Call Saul’s Peter Gould Is Disappointed About Rhea Seehorn’s Lack of Emmy Nomination

Like many fans, sowrunner Peter Gould is upset with Rhea Seehorn's lack of a nomination for her role as Kim Wexler in 'Better Call Saul.'

by Lauren Anderson

Why ‘Modern Family’ Was an Iconic Series, According to the Show’s Sound Mixer Peter Bawiec

Sound mixer Peter Bawiec spoke to Showbiz Cheat Sheet about his work on 'Modern Family' and what makes the show so beloved by fans.

by Lauren Anderson

Entertainment

Emmy Awards

Emmy Nominations 2022: Only 3 of 15 Actor Categories Don’t Pit Co-Stars Against One Another

RuPaul Makes Emmys History for Most Wins by a Black Artist

Emmys 2021: The 3 Most Awkward Moments You Missed During the Show

Emmy Awards: 10 Married Couples Who’ve Both Won Emmys

Which TV Show Has Won the Most Daytime Emmy Awards?

’59th Baeksang Arts Awards’: The K-Drama Nominees From Song Hye-kyo to ‘My Liberation Notes’

Zendaya Wore a Staggering $2.7 Million in Statement Necklaces at the SAG Awards

Kate Middleton Diffused an Awkward Moment at the BAFTAs With 3 Words

Jerry Seinfeld Once Refused to Host the Oscars Because It Wouldn’t Be Fun

Vanessa Hudgens Debuts Baby Bump on Oscars Red Carpet

2024 Oscars: How Old Are the Best Actor Nominees?

Taylor Swift’s Grammys Outfit Has Royal Fans Seeing a Kate Middleton Connection

Miley Cyrus Turns Heads With Barely There Mesh Dress at 2024 Grammys

U2 at the Grammys Through the Years

Emmys 2021: Airdate, Time, and How to Watch and Stream

Bo Burnham Isn’t Stopping With 6 Emmy Nominations for ‘Inside’ — He Wants a Grammy Too!

‘Friends’ Star, Courteney Cox, Is Still Hurt About Something From Her Time on the Series

Jason Sudeikis Says Ted Lasso Would React to Emmy Nominations in the Most Ted Lasso Way

‘Bo Burnham: Inside’ Landed 6 Emmy Nominations — What Are His Odds of Winning?

How Bo Burnham Could Make Emmy History With ‘Inside’

Bo Burnham’s Career Was Pretty Impressive Even Before ‘Inside’

‘Ted Lasso’: How the Cast Reacted to Their Outrageous 20 Emmy Nominations

Emmys 2021: This ‘Pose’ Star Just Made History With Her Nomination

Were Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Emmy Nominees Before Elizabeth Olsen?

‘The Office’: Ricky Gervais Is Shocked About 1 Aspect of the American Version Starring Steve Carell

Why Cicely Tyson Once Called Lenny Kravitz’s Mom on Him and Lisa Bonet

‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’: Cloris Leachman or Mary Tyler Moore — Who Won More Emmys?

‘The Waltons’: When Michael Learned Won Her Emmy for Playing Olivia Walton, the Presenter Made a Big Mistake

Zendaya Was ‘Too Nervous’ to Deal With Her Emmy Nomination — What Record Will She Break If She Wins?

‘Better Call Saul’s Peter Gould Is Disappointed About Rhea Seehorn’s Lack of Emmy Nomination

Why ‘Modern Family’ Was an Iconic Series, According to the Show’s Sound Mixer Peter Bawiec

Star of Lifetime’s ‘The Clark Sisters’ Slams Emmy Awards for Nomination Snub

Instagram Can’t Get Enough of Kerry Washington’s Dad in a Priceless Video Post

Kerry Washington Revealed Which 2020 Emmy Nomination Means the Most to Her