Yidio Emmy Spotlight: Outstanding Variety, Comedy Or Musical Series
by Morgan Glennon
In the Yidio Emmy spotlight we take a gander at some of the toughest races in this year’s Emmy Awards. Today, we’re looking at a category that laughs us softly to sleep at night: Outstanding Variety, Comedy or Musical Series.
Past Winners:
The Daily Show has won this category since the beginning of time. In a cave somewhere there is probably a stick figure painting of Jon Stewart accepting this award. That might be a bit of an overstatement but the sharp news satire has won the award for 8 consecutive years since 2003. Will it win again this year?
The Nominees:
"The Colbert Report"
"Conan"
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"
"Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"
"Real Time with Bill Maher"
"Saturday Night Live"
Handicapping the Race:
"The Daily Show" had, as always, a phenomenal year. The reason the show keeps winning Emmys every year is that it's so good at what it does. Despite being at it for over ten years, Jon Stewart's news satire is still as biting and funny as ever. But perhaps the Emmys might not want to be predictable and hand them the award for a 9th consecutive year?
That could leave open a shot for spinoff and network cohort Stephen Colbert and "The Colbert Report" to finally nab a statue. "The Colbert Report" is perhaps close enough to "The Daily Show" to be familiar and comfortable for Emmy voters. Besides, "The Colbert Report" has pulled off some truly amazing feats in the last few years. This year alone he testified before Congress about the working conditions of migrant workers and started his own SuperPAC. Might it finally be Colbert's time to step out of "The Daily Show's" shadow?
Or perhaps it will go to friend and one time (fake) foe of both shows, "Conan". The Emmys do seem to love Coco. Last year the Emmys placed themselves firmly in Team Coco territory when they nominated the Conan-lead Tonight Show. Now that "Conan" is airing on TBS and O'Brien is an internet folk hero and documentary subject, this could be the perfect time to reward his long years of late night excellence.
In the late night realm Jimmy Fallon has also had a banner year. He's played side by side with musical guests, impersonated Charlie Sheen and teamed up with Justin Timberlake to release a sequel to their "History of Rap". With all the viral buzz this could possibly be his year.
"Real Time With Bill Maher" is often nominated but will probably end up being too staunchly partisan to win, even if Hollywood does lean liberal.
"Saturday Night Live" has seen star Kristen Wiig on the ascent after "Bridesmaids" but the season of the show itself might have been too rocky to earn a win.
Prediction:
I have a deep, abiding and personal love for "The Daily Show" so it's hard for me to say this, but I think "The Colbert Report" should get a chance this year. Sadly, I doubt this will be Colbert's year, despite the show thinking up some of the funniest and most original reoccurring gags. At least Colbert will have the SuperPAC donations to keep him warm at night, even if he doesn't have an Emmy to snuggle up to. Despite Fallon's viral popularity, he might still be a little bit too young and "new" for the sometimes stogy Emmys. Which leaves "Conan" as "The Daily Show's" biggest competition.
Team Coco goodwill is not at the all time high it was last year when TDS still won the category, but O'Brien is still an internet folk hero that inspires rapid loyalty. More than that though, O'Brien has been toiling in late night for nearly 20 years, always true to his own brand of absurdist comedy. This might be the Emmy's chance to finally reward all his hard work.
That said, this is the Emmys: "The Daily Show" is going to win.
Who do you think will take home Emmy gold on Sunday?