History in the Making: Streaming-First Television Shows up for More Awards Than Ever
Shannon Mullins ‘19/ Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
For the most part, everybody’s heard of the “online-only” television shows that seem to be popping up week after week on the Internet. These shows have become beloved by viewers as well as critics. But it is more than just the opinions held by the general public of people watching these shows. History is in the making even before the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards Show has begun. No streaming-first show has ever won a top series Emmy award and tonight just may be the night that changes.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, an American sitcom created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock and starring Ellie Kemper, has streamed on Netflix since March 6, 2015 and is nominated for 7 different Primetime Emmy Awards tonight, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Transparent, an American comedy-drama series created by Jill Soloway for Amazon, debuted on February 6, 2014 and is nominated for a total of 11 Primetime Emmy Awards tonight, including Outstanding Comedy Series as well as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Transparent also has more nominations than any other comedy. Jeffrey Tambor winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series will be historical on its own – Jeffrey Tambor would be the first actor (male or female) to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series playing a transgender character.
House of Cards, an American political drama series developed and produced by Beau Willimon, premiered February 1, 2013, and streams on Netflix. House of Cards is no stranger to Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and became the first original online-only web television series to receive major Emmy nominations. This show is nominated for 11 Primetime Emmy awards tonight, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Orange is the New Black, an American comedy-drama series created by Jenji Kohan, first premiered on Netflix on July 11, 2013. Orange is the New Black is Netflix’s most watched series and scooped up 12 Primetime Emmy Award nominations for its first season. Tonight Orange is the New Black is nominated for 4 awards including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.
In total, Netflix has 34 Primetime Emmy Award nominations tonight for various shows, including House of Cards, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Orange is the New Black, Marvel’s Daredevil, Bloodline, Virunga, Grace and Frankie, Derek Special, Chef’s Table, Hot Girls Wanted, and Marco Polo. Amazon is up for 12 awards in total: 11 for Transparent and 1 for Bosch (Outstanding Main Title Design). There are two other streaming services with nominations tonight: Yahoo with a nomination for Community (Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program) and Acorn TV has one for Agatha Christie’s Poirot: Poirot’s Last Case.
With numerous streaming services rolling out new television series that are not only binge-worthy but also award-worthy, it is safe to say that streaming-first television shows are more popular than ever before. The Emmy nominations alone illustrate that streaming-first shows are more than just a fad; they are becoming an inventive way to view great television.