TV Academy's merging of sketch and late-night Emmy categories prompts petition, may lead to boycott

Deadline

Broadcast and cable networks are putting together a petition to be sent to the TV Academy later this week signed executives, showrunners and big-name talent calling for the reversal of last month's decision to combine the sketch and late-night variety categories. "Depending on the outcome from the letter, some late-night players are even suggesting a threat to boycott the Emmys entirely," reports Deadline. The move pits traditional late-night shows like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Jimmy Kimmel Live! against variety shows like Saturday Night Live and A Black Lady Sketch Show. “Where is the room for a Desus & Mero or an Amber Ruffin, some of these people who may not get the same exposure,” one late-night source tells Deadline. “The voices that get crowded out when you reduce the opportunities are emerging, inclusive voices.”