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.
Entertainment
2 years ago
Emmy Nominations 2022: Only 3 of 15 Actor Categories Don’t Pit Co-Stars Against One Another
Entertainment
3 years ago
RuPaul Makes Emmys History for Most Wins by a Black Artist
Entertainment
3 years ago
Emmys 2021: The 3 Most Awkward Moments You Missed During the Show
Entertainment
3 years ago
Emmy Awards: 10 Married Couples Who’ve Both Won Emmys
Entertainment
2 years ago
Which TV Show Has Won the Most Daytime Emmy Awards?

Award Shows

Jason Aldean with a guitar performing at the 2023 ACM Awards

Music

Where Can You Watch the 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards?

Reba McEntire will host this year's ACM Awards live from Frisco, Texas. The event streams live on Prime Video.

by Megan Elliott

Published on May 16, 2024

2 min read

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

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

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

‘Ted Lasso’ Star Brett Goldstein Has to Beat 3 of His Co-Stars to Take Home the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy

'Ted Lasso' star Brett Goldstein has to beat out three of his co-stars in the supporting actor category — here's what the odds look like for this year's Emmys.

by Lauren Anderson

HBO Has the Most Emmy Nominations, but Will the Network Score the Most Trophies?

Netflix and HBO are battling for the most awards at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards. While HBO has more nominations, some experts think Netflix will leave the night with more trophies.

by Andrea Francese

Emmys 2021: How Many Nominations Did ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ Receive?

'WandaVision' landed Marvel Studios 23 Emmy nominations in 2021, but it's not the only series that was up for honors. How many nominations did 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' receive?

by Amanda Mullen

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

These Hollywood couples both have big wins from the Primetime Emmy Awards over the years — can you guess who they are?

by Lauren Anderson

Celebrity

Emmys 2021: What is Cynthia Erivo’s Net Worth?

Cynthia Erivo earned a 2021 Emmy Awards nomination for outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie.

by Elizabeth Randolph

In 2001 ‘Sex and the City’ Made Emmy History and Changed Everything

The cast of 'Sex and the City' is back at it again, filming for their upcoming reboot. Twenty years ago, the cast and crew were celebrating a milestone win at the Emmy Awards. 'Sex and the City' was the first cable show to win the Oustanding Comedy Series category, signaling a major change in what networks dominated the awards circuit.

by Andrea Francese

Emmy Predictions 2021: For ‘The Crown’ to Sweep the Drama Acting Categories Tobias Menzies Has to Beat Out 1 Clear Frontrunner

The Emmys gave the stars of The Crown major recognition this year with nominations in all six drama acting categories. While Josh O’Connor (Prince Charles), Emma Corrin (Princess Diana), and Gillian Anderson (Margaret Thatcher) are all predicted to win, Tobias Menzies (Prince Philip) has some stiff competition in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama category.

by Perry Carpenter

K-Dramas Can’t Win an Emmy — Except for This 1 Exception

Television series like 'Ted Lasso,' 'Cobra Kai,' and 'The Boys' meet the criteria for the 2021 Emmys, but K-dramas and foreign language series are ineligible due to one rule.

by Gabriela Silva

Michael K. Williams Could Finally Earn His First Emmy Award for Now-Canceled ‘Lovecraft Country’

The late Michael K. Williams could be recognized for the first time at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards for his role in 'Lovecraft Country.'

by Lauren Anderson

Emmy Awards 2021: When Are the Emmys? How to Watch the Award Show Without Cable

The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards are coming soon -- and fans can't wait to see if their favorite TV series in 2021 wins any awards. Here's the date and time of the Emmys, plus how to watch the live show for those who don't have cable.

by Lauren Weiler

MJ Rodriguez Isn’t the First Transgender Person to Be Nominated for an Emmy Award, but a Win Would Be Historic

'Pose' star Mj Rodriguez could make Emmys history if she wins. Rodriguez is nominated in a leading actor category. And, though Laverne Cox and Rain Valdez have earned past nominations, Rodriguez would be the first transgender star to win.

by Candace Powell

‘The Kominsky Method’: Could Paul Reiser Win His 1st Emmy Ever for the Netflix Hit?

This could be 'The Kominsky Method' star Paul Reiser's year to win an Emmy Award after 11 nominations and no wins. Find out what the actor is thinking about the prospect.

by Lou Haviland

Celebrity

Which Celebrity Has Hosted the Emmys the Most? Hint: It’s Not Who You Think

Many celebrities have hosted the Emmy awards more than once. Johnny Carson, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jimmy Kimmel are among the hosts who have returned.

by Emma McKee

‘Ted Lasso’ Star Jason Sudeikis Has Some Stiff Competition at the 2021 Emmy Awards — Himself!

The academy nominated 'Ted Lasso' 20 times in the 2021 Emmy Awards, but in one category star Jason Sudeikis actually faces off against himself for the coveted statuette.

by Rachel Hunt

Dan Levy Could Win Another Emmy in 2021, but Not for ‘Schitt’s Creek’

'Schitt's Creek' swept the 2020 Emmys, nabbing a few for Dan Levy as a star and creator of the show. The 2021 Emmys could reward Levy again, although it won't be for 'Schitt's Creek' this time. Levy's hosting of 'Saturday Night Live' earned him a nomination for Outstanding Guest Star in a Comedy and here's why he could win again.

by Fred Topel

‘Emmys 2021’: Sterling K. Brown Is Nominated For More Than Just ‘This Is Us’

'This Is Us' made Sterling K. Brown a household name. This year, he's nominated for Outstanding LEad Actor in a Drama Series — but he's also nominated for the CNN project 'Lincoln: Divided We Stand'.

by Candace Powell

Emmy Predictions 2021: Will Paul Bettany Take Home an Award for ‘WandaVision’?

'WandaVision' star Paul Bettany could take home his first Emmy Award for his portrayal of Vision. Does he have what it takes to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series?

by Amanda Mullen

Emmys 2021: ‘WandaVision’ Stole the Emmy for Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes

At the first ceremony of the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys, ‘WandaVision’ took home three Emmys for Disney+ and Marvel Studios. In addition to being nominated for period categories, it won Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes. The award was accepted by Costume Designer Mayes C. Rubeo, who also works on the ‘Thor’ movies.

by Andrew Addessi

Emmys 2021: ‘WandaVision’ Snagged the Second Most Emmy Nominations of any TV Series

The Marvel Studios’ show ‘WandaVision’ already made history with ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ and secured Marvel’s first Emmy awards for a short-form television series. Looking to claim even more awards on Sept. 19, ‘WandaVision’ got the second-most nominations for any TV series.

by Andrew Addessi

Could Elizabeth Olsen Snag Her First Emmy Award for ‘WandaVision’?

'WandaVision' star Elizabeth Olsen received her first Emmy nomination in 2021, but does she stand a chance of taking home the trophy for Oustanding Actress in a Limited Series?

by Amanda Mullen