SubscribeCan 'American Idol' switch Emmy categories to win?
Ever since the Emmy Award for best reality-competition program was created, "The Amazing Race" has zoomed past all rivals, including two of the tube's most popular: "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars."
So our forums moderator Andrew Pickett poses a fascinating question: Can these shows just side-step "Race" by joining a different race altogether? After all, "Moonlighting" and "Gilmore Girls" switched between comedy and drama categories when they didn't like early results.
"The Emmys invented the reality/competition program category for the 2002/03 season when 'Idol' debuted, and it has been nominated all 5 years, but unfortunately for its producers and fans, the Emmy has gone to 'The Amazing Race' every time," notes Andrew.
"If the category was decided on a purely popular vote, then maybe the gold would have been spread around, but the way this and most Emmys are decided is by the producers submitting an episode for voters to watch and then rank -- so comparing a fast-paced global adventure series with warring teams, exotic locations and slick editing with what is basically a talent show, or in the case of 'Dancing with the Stars,' a dancing contest, it's hardly a surprise that 'Race' keeps winning.
"So why should 'Idol' and other talent shows have to compete with true reality game shows like 'The Amazing Race' and 'Survivor' just because they have a winner at the end? In the U.K. where both shows originated, both series along with 'Britain's Got Talent' compete in the entertainment categories. Why can't the same happen in America? Is it time for these shows to be placed in the variety category at the Emmys?
"The variety, music or comedy series has been dominated by talk shows in recent times since the decline of true variety shows in the 1970s. The last time either 'The Daily Show' or 'Letterman' didn’t win was 1997 when 'Tracey Takes On' triumphed. Over the last two years the same five talk-dominated shows have filled the five nominations. So I think it's time to bring back some variety to the variety categories and move 'American Idol,' 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'America's Got Talent' and any other true talent shows away from reality and into variety.
"Of course, the move won’t guarantee an Emmy but the competition would at least be fairer."
Interesting idea, Andrew, but it won't fly. When Gold Derby pitched your idea to John Leverence, chief of the TV academy's awards department, he replied, "Per our rules, reality-competition program includes all game shows or any program that gives a prize or is itself a contest and/or competition. It's a series award, and since the purpose of the series is to crown an American Idol, I think the VMC process is trumped by the R-C product."
(Photos: ABC/Fox)
I'm ashamed I wasted the electrons to stop and read this story. Who cares?
Posted by: Bob | May 01, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Sorry to say..Reality is here to stay. It's cheaper to produce and just look how Idol takes advantage of it's contestants. Pretty soon we'll see PGP replace their soaps with reality shows. They'll have to find an interesting lead. Heidi Montag anyone? just kidding!
Posted by: BG | April 30, 2008 at 02:21 AM
Terrible idea...reality TV needs to die not be pampered with Emmy awards, leave well enough alone...there are way too many categories as it is.
Posted by: JayDF | April 29, 2008 at 08:10 AM