Emmy voters need to watch more TV: They were more willing to distribute awards 30 years ago, when there were far fewer shows and outlets

Vulture

"It’s tempting to characterize Emmy voters as some sort of monolith willfully ignoring certain shows, when it’s actually a voting body with a lot of members, some of whom probably voted for other shows," says Jen Chaney. "Still, at a time when there are so damn many networks/platforms and series — and many people were quarantining and able to theoretically watch more television for at least part of the last year — it’s disheartening that the Emmy wins were not more surprising or widely dispersed. To put this in a little bit of perspective: Thirty years ago, in 1991, when there were far fewer series and networks/outlets, eight different shows were honored in the major comedy and drama categories. This year, again: There were three. Out of potentially hundreds that could have been nominated and taken trophies home. The people who care about television and awards shows — admittedly, an increasingly niche group — want to see shows and people recognized for taking big swings. They also want to see genuine inclusivity, not just in terms of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and ability, but also via a more tacit acknowledgment of the breadth of shows that currently exist on television. The number of offerings recognized each year should be growing, not shrinking. True risks should be rewarded more often, not less."

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