Emmy Predictions: Reality Competition Program – Can First Time Nominee Lizzo Stop RuPaul’s Winning Train?
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UPDATED: August 19, 2022
2022 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY:
The new “grrrl” on the block, Grammy-winning R&B singer Lizzo’s Prime Video contest promoting body positivity landed an incredible six Emmy noms, including directing, editing and casting, three key areas that can amount to a winning evening. Unfortunately, though nominated as an executive producer of the series, Lizzo was not nominated for outstanding host. Notable because there are only six instances for topping this category without a corresponding nom for its host, which include the four wins for “The Voice” without Carson Daly and the first series wins for “The Amazing Race” (in 2008) and “Top Chef” (in 2010). The show also made history with Nneka Onuorah, who became the first Black woman ever nominated for outstanding directing reality. Lizzo and her team, continue to break barriers.
Making history last year as the most awarded Black artist in Emmy history, RuPaul’s steamrolling VH1 drag series continues to dominate, which has led to multiple spin-offs that also received acclaim. With eight chances at gold this year and four consecutive wins in this category, we don’t see any indication yet that the bloom is off the rose. However, Lizzo seems like someone that can break up the party.
Bravo! Except for its inaugural season, “Top Chef” has been consecutively nominated for its last 18 seasons. Always known as the “David” that defeated “Goliath,” the cooking show was the one that ended the seven-year winning streak of “The Amazing Race” back in 2010. In addition to doing so, after being snubbed for its first year. However, it’s the only time it’s won, and the network is looking for a chance to get Padma Lakshmi and the other judges and producers onto the stage again. So can the second most nominated show in the category’s history get another opportunity to strike?
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Trae Patton/NBC
Now tied with “Dancing with the Stars” as the fourth most nominated show in the category, “The Voice,” the NBC singing-competition program has become the default checkbox for TV Academy voters, proven by its six total nominations. With its 21st season in the books and tied with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” for the second most wins ever, can the good luck charm of first-time judge Ariana Grande bring it back to the forefront, which would be its first triumph since 2017?
“The Amazing Race” is the most nominated series in the category’s history with 19. The once-dominating entity of the TV Academy had its lowest Emmy nom showing since its inaugural year in 2003, before the creation of the Creative Arts categories for reality series. Since the competition category’s creation, the CBS staple has only missed a nom once, in 2020. With its two noms, which include cinematography, it seemed to benefit from the expansion to six nominees due to submissions. However, the mention may be its reward with buzzier new shows in the mix.
For three consecutive years, the Netflix baking series “Nailed It” has received the same two noms – host for Nicole Byer and competition program. Seemingly a staple in this category now that it wrapped its sixth season, it’s no longer a matter of “if” but “when” will the “baker” get the prize?
The complete television awards season calendar is linked here.
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The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, and air on NBC.
2021 category winner: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1)
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS AND RANKINGS:
VH1
2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions
2022 Creative Arts Emmys Predictions
About the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, are given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards have recognized excellence in American primetime television programming. They are divided into three classes – Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (honors artisan achievements), and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards (recognizes significant engineering and technological contributions). The typical eligibility period is between June 1 and May 31 of any given year. The Television Academy comprises over 25,000 members, representing 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors and various artisans and executives.
The 74th Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, and air on NBC.
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