Shows, such as Orange Is the New Black, which exceeds the 30-minute timeframe, will not be considered in the comedy series category. PHOTO: FILE
Comedy series will be defined by shows that are 30 minutes or shorter per episode, while drama series will be for shows over 30 minutes. That means shows, such as Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black, will be no longer considered in the comedy series category.
Producers will be able to petition for eligibility in an alternative category, the Television Academy said. “Our over 17,000 voting members represents a dramatically changing television industry and we want to continue to make sure we honour their creativity in the most relevant and fairways possible,” Bruce Rosenblum, chairman of the Television Academy, said in a statement.
After switching the Primetime Emmy awards show from a Sunday in late September to a Monday in late August last year, the Television Academy is going back to its late September weekend slot with this year’s awards scheduled for September 20. The mini-series category will be renamed ‘limited series’, and will reflect any shows that have two or more episodes running for at least two-and-a-half hours, that tell a “complete, non-recurring story” and will not continue the story or characters in following seasons.
This will mean shows, such as BBC America’s Luther and PBS Masterpiece’s Sherlock will not be eligible in this category, as both feature same characters in ongoing seasons. Other changes include splitting the variety series category into ‘Outstanding Variety Talk’, to be awarded during the live Primetime Emmy telecast, and ‘Outstanding Variety Sketch’, which will be awarded at the separate Creative Arts Emmy awards.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2015.
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