News / TV

TV Academy modifies definitions of two Variety Special categories for 2018

The Television Academy announced some minor modifications to categories in its annual Emmy Awards, and one of the new changes for 2018 does impact the comedy world — especially James Corden, who with his production crew has been cleaning up in the variety categories the past couple of years.

For 2018, the two Emmy categories for all of the variety specials will no longer be split between Variety Special and Special Class Program, but rather, between Variety Special (Live) and Variety Special (Pre-Recorded).

That’s one way to keep the stand-ups and comedy separated from the tributes, primetime musicals and awards shows.

From this year, the only show that would have been impacted by the change: Stephen Colbert’s Election Night coverage live on Showtime, which was nominated in the regular Variety Special category, would have competed against the other live specials. Here, for your memory’s sake, were the 2017 Emmy nominees we’re talking about:

OUTSTANDING VARIETY SPECIAL – 2017

no image placeholder Carpool Karaoke Primetime Special 2017 CBS

Full Frontal With Samantha Bee Presents Not The White House Correspondents’ Dinner TBS

 Louis C.K. 2017 Netflix

 Sarah Silverman: A Speck Of Dust Netflix

 Stephen Colbert’s Live Election Night Democracy’s Series Finale: Who’s Going To Clean Up This Sh*t? Showtime

OUTSTANDING SPECIAL CLASS PROGRAM – 2017

70th Annual Tony Awards CBS

 Hairspray Live! NBC

 The Oscars ABC

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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