Alberto E. Rodriguez // Getty Images

73 years of Emmy history

One month afterward network television was born, The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences was founded. The nonprofit organization defended itself to "the advocacy of telecommunication arts and sciences and to fostering artistic leadership in the telecommunication industry." Today, more than than 70 years on, the Academy remains the just major organisation devoted to television and broadband screen entertainment industry.

The Television University is made up of more than 24,000 members who are subdivided into 30 different peer groups of various expertise: performers, writers, directors, producers, and art directors, as well as technicians, executives, and other artisans. It's this body of professionals who are behind Television's biggest, and most recognizable, awards ceremony: the Emmy Awards.

From the Primetime Emmy Accolade's first iteration in 1949, the field of television has grown so extensively that the Emmys take at present been divided into three separate events, all honoring different aspects of the manufacture. The Emmy Awards, both primetime and daytime, laurels the best series, actors, writers, directors, costumes, and so on. These awards are the flagship event and the one that the Academy is best known for. The Creative Emmy Awards, which traditionally air a week before the Primetime Emmys, recognize excellence in technical, creative, and craft categories, while the Engineering science Emmy Awards acknowledge accomplishments in the technology used to make television receiver.

From groundbreaking moments, like Harry Belafonte's 1960 win, to changes in procedure, like the first 1965 morning nomination announcements, to controversial years, like Stephen Colbert's overtly political monologue in 2017, Stacker highlights some of the biggest and near interesting pieces of Emmys trivia. With data pulled from the Emmys' website and other news sources, read on to see how the awards anniversary has grown and evolved over the years.

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1948

The Emmy Awards were conceived in 1948 past the Tv set University'south founding fathers. The group struggled to find an appropriate proper noun for their new trophy, until hereafter Academy president, Harry Lubcke, suggested "Immy," an industry nickname for a Television receiver'south image-orthicon camera tube. The proper name was eventually feminized to "Emmy" to match the winged statuette, the muse of art holding up the electron of science.

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1949

The countdown Emmy Awards ceremony was held on Jan. 25, 1949, at the Hollywood Athletic Club. Hosted past radio fable Walter O'Keefe, tickets to the anniversary toll $5 and just Los Angeles area programs were considered by the governing torso. As such, the very get-go Emmy, given in the category of Most Outstanding Tv Personality, went to ventriloquist Shirley Dinsdale (and her boob sidekick, Judy Splinters) for her work on "The Judy Splinters Testify."

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Lucky Strike // Internet Annal

1950

The first Emmy Awards merely gave out awards in five categories: All-time Pic Made for Idiot box, Most Outstanding Television Personality, Most Pop Television Plan, a technical award, a special ane-fourth dimension honour, and the station award for Outstanding Overall Accomplishment. In 1950, the Academy added several categories, including one for all-time commercial, which went to cigarette company Lucky Strike.

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Harris & Ewing // Wikimedia Eatables

1951

In 1951, the 3rd Almanac Primetime Emmy Awards had an unusual host: a future chief justice in the United States Supreme Court. At the time, Earl Warren was the governor of California. It wasn't until two years later, in 1953, afterward a failed presidential bid, that he was appointed the 14th chief justice of the United states of america Supreme Court.

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1952

Hosted by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the 1952 Emmy Awards were the first to consider shows outside of Los Angeles surface area programming. Previously, merely shows that had been produced or aired in the L.A. area were eligible to win. But in 1952, "Your Show of Shows," which was filmed in New York Urban center and aired nationwide, won the trophy for best diverseness show.

[Pictured: Imogene Coca and Sid Caesar of "Your Show of Shows"]

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CBS Tv set // Wikimedia Eatables

1953

According to Variety columnist Sheilah Graham, the 1953 awards weren't the Emmy's best year. In her write-upwardly she noted, "Nil much happened at the Emmy Awards, apart from the phase proscenium falling down and conking a violinist on the caput, and the mic going out of lodge for 10 minutes, silencing host Art Linkletter." Another commodity in the mag referred to the evening as "bedlam" because the waiters and kitchen staff at the new venue weren't concerned with keeping the volume level down, which interfered with the anniversary itself.

[Pictured: "What'due south My Line?" which won Best Audience Participation Program]

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1954

1954 saw a major alter in nominations for actors and actresses in both lead and supporting roles. Prior to that year, actors and actresses were simply nominated equally individuals. But from the 1954 anniversary on, they were required to be nominated for their work within a specific bear witness.

[Pictured: Vivian Vance, Desi Arnaz, and Lucille Ball]

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Hulton Archive // Getty Images

1955

The 1955 Emmy Awards were the offset Emmys to be circulate nationally. Following a merger between the East Coast-based Television receiver Academy and the West Coast-based Goggle box Academy, the newly formed National Television set Academy sold the broadcasting right to NBC. Viewers all over the country could now lookout the show in existent-time.

[Pictured: Tv hosts Art Linkletter and Ralph Edwards]

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1956

In 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower was honored with the first Governor's Honour in recognition of his use and encouragement of television. Today, the Governor'due south Accolade is given to an individual, company, system, or projection for outstanding achievement in one aspect of TV. The award can be given on a cumulative basis (every bit President Eisenhower's was), or for a unmarried extraordinary act.

[Pictured: The bandage of "Caesar's Hour"]

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1957

In the last year of its run, sketch comedy show "Caesar'south Hour" made Emmy history by winning awards in all iv major interim categories. The first show to do and so, Sid Caesar, Nanette Fabray, Carl Reiner, and Pat Carroll all took home statuettes for their performances equally various characters. In addition, "Caesar's Hour" won Best Series, 1 Hour or More.

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CBS Radio // Wikimedia Commons

1958

The number of Emmy categories has fluctuated over the years, from six in 1949 to 27 today. While today's categories are fairly whittled downward, covering all the basics without a hoard of superfluous extras, that hasn't e'er been the case. For example, at the 1958 Emmys, a truly nonsensical division was added: All-time Continuing Functioning in a Series past a Comedienne, Vocalizer, Hostess, Dancer, M.C., Announcer, Narrator, Panelist, or Any Person Who Substantially Plays Herself (and the male equivalent). Rumor has information technology, the category was created for Lucille Ball, but Dinah Shore won instead.

[Pictured: Dinah Shore and Gail Patrick]

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Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images

1959

Up until the 1959 Emmys, shows of all genres competed against each other for the same awards. During the 11th Emmy Awards, specific categories were put into place, which, for example, separated comedy and drama shows, also equally the actors who performed in them. Most would argue that this stardom, which still stands today, allows for a much more robust and off-white bear witness.

[Pictured: Charlton Heston at the 1959 Emmys]

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Alan Meek // Getty Images

1960

Racial barriers were broken at the 1960 Emmy Awards when Harry Belafonte became the first African American actor or actress to win an Emmy. Belafonte took domicile the statuette for Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series for his special "Revlon Revue."

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Unknown // Wikimedia Eatables

1961

In 1961, "The Flintstones" drawing made history when it became the first animated TV show to be nominated for All-time Comedy Series. No other animated series would attain the same feat until "Family Guy" was nominated in 2009.

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CBS Photo Archive // Getty Images

1962

The only kickoff lady, to date, to win an Emmy Honour, Jackie Kennedy took home her statuette for her famed televised White House tour. Michelle Obama came close to accomplishing the aforementioned feat in 2015 when her "Billy on the Street" segment earned a nod from the Academy.

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CBS Tv // Wikimedia Commons

1963

"The Dick Van Dyke Bear witness" swept the 1963 Emmy awards. The sitcom, which aired for v years, won in the serial, writing, and directing categories. One of the show'southward stars, Mary Tyler Moore, would go on to make her own Emmy history but over a decade later.

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Gene Lester // Getty Images

1964

Ii network presidents, Fred Due west. Friendly of CBS News and Thomas W. Moore of ABC, boycotted the 1964 Emmy Awards. The men believed that NBC, which had nationally aired the program since 1955, was receiving favorable handling from the Television Academy, and that more of its programs and actors were being nominated. As a result, the Emmys began airing on a rotating basis on all major networks.

[Pictured: The cast of "The Dick Van Dyke Show"]

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1965

In 1965, the Tv set Academy held its start forenoon nominations announcement event on the West Coast. In that get-go year, a press release was handed out to local reporters and the Academy'due south then-president, Robert Lewine, was on mitt to reply questions well-nigh nominations and the upcoming ceremony. Today, the morning announcements are a much more showy affair, which lends the awards a more prestigious air.

[Pictured: Barbra Streisand with the Emmy she won for Outstanding Functioning]

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Chris Ware // Getty Images

1966

In 1965, the Emmys changed their format, drastically cutting the categories from 26 to xi and allowing for multiple winners in each. The change ended up being a disaster, and in 1966 the Emmys returned to their original format.

[Pictured: British entrepeneur Peter Cadbury with the Emmy he won for "Wyvern at War"]

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Hulton Archive // Getty Images

1967

In 1967, Don Knotts set the record for nigh Emmy wins by a unmarried role player in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. His '61,'62, '63, '66, and '67 wins for his piece of work as Sheriff Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show" is a record that is still untouched today.

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ABC Television // Getty Images

1968

The outset player to win a posthumous Emmy award, Marion Lorne received top honors for her work as bumbling Aunt Clara on "Bugged." Lorne passed abroad only 10 days earlier the 1968 Emmy awards, and her co-star, Elizabeth Montgomery who played Samantha Stephens, accepted the trophy on her behalf.

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National Educational Television Network // Youtube

1969

The 1969 awards marked the first time that the Outstanding Drama Serial statuette went abode to a studio that was not ane of the large three. PBS predecessor, the National Educational Television Network, won the night with top honors for its show "Internet Playhouse." The anthology series would keep to exist nominated two more times.

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British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

1970

In the commencement 21 iterations of the Primetime Emmy Awards, shows from the "large three" boob tube networks—ABC, CBS, and NBC—had been the primary victors. But in 1970, their bays sweep came to a halt when Susan Hampshire of "The Forsyte Saga" won the statuette for Outstanding Lead Extra in a Drama Series: "The Forsyte Saga" aired on PBS.

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British Dissemination Corporation (BBC)

1971

Susan Hampshire at the 1971 Emmy Awards won Outstanding Atomic number 82 Actress in a Drama Series for her delineation of Sarah Churchill in "The Showtime Churchills." The serial centered around the start duke of Marlborough John Churchill and his wife.

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ABC Photograph Athenaeum // Getty Images

1972

By the early 1970s, the Emmy Awards were experiencing some growing pains. The New York Times writeup of that year's event said, "the Emmy Awards managed to hit a new low for awards shows. And getting lower than that would exist just about impossible." The article'due south author wasn't impressed with the hosting ("too familiar"), the presenters ("couples that were either odd or irrelevant"), or the credence speeches ("1 even confided that he had to go to the bathroom").

[Pictured: Julie Andrews belongings her Emmy Award]

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1973

In 1973, Bob Fosse made Hollywood history with an unprecedented winning streak. In the span of less than ii months, he won two Tony awards for "Pippin," an Oscar for "Cabaret," and three Emmys at the 25th Annual Emmy Awards for his choreography and directing work on "Liza with a Z."

[Pictured: Joel Greyness and Liza Minnelli]

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ABC Photograph Athenaeum // Getty Images

1974

Originally, both daytime and primetime TV shows were eligible for the Emmy Awards. However, in 1974 the first annual Daytime Emmy Awards took place. Game shows, soap operas, talk shows, and children's shows were all moved to the newly minted ceremony, which helped to slim downward the number of possible nominees for each category.

[Pictured: Thespian Hal Holbrook holds his Emmy award]

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1975

It seems that producers hadn't learned much from their format change-upwards flop in 1966, because in 1974 they tried it again. That year's Emmy Awards, dubbed "The Super Emmys," pitted winning performers from dissimilar genres (e.k., lead histrion in a comedy series vs. lead actor in a drama serial) against each other. The winner would exist crowned the actor or extra of the year. The press and public hated the move, and by the 1975 ceremony typical order had been restored.

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MTM Enterprises // Getty Images

1976

One of Boob tube's most-loved ensemble programs of all time, "The Mary Tyler Moore Testify," is as well among the top Emmy-winning shows of all time. During its six-year run, the show won 29 Emmys in categories from writing to acting to directing. In 1976, the show took habitation its second of three consecutive trophies for Outstanding Comedy Serial.

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1977

In 1977, ABC's wildly popular miniseries, "Roots," received an unprecedented 37 Emmy nominations. While the prove only ended up bringing home six trophies, it'south a feat that nevertheless hasn't been touched by whatever other plan. "Game of Thrones" came close with its 32 nominations in 2019.

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1978

While the Emmy Awards don't necessarily shy away from the political, they've never embraced politics quite equally fully as they did in 1978. During that yr'due south awards ceremony, the show was halted for xxx minutes and so that President Jimmy Carter, Israeli Prime number Minister Menachem Brainstorm, and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat could broadcast the news of the signing of the Camp David Accords.

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Colin Davey // Getty Images

1979

An iconic and hilarious Emmy moment took place in 1979. After finally being recognized for his piece of work as a writer on "M*A*S*H," Alan Alda was and so excited that he cartwheeled down the aisle to have his trophy. Video of the histrion'due south silly stunt can nevertheless be plant on YouTube.

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1980

The 1980 Primetime Emmy Awards were a rather placidity and somber affair. In an endeavor to end a 7-week walkout, Screen Actors Gild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists television actors boycotted the almanac anniversary. In fact, Powers Boothe was the only actor to accept his statuette on stage. [Pictured: David Doyle and Emmy-winner Ed Asner]

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1981

Surprisingly, Emmy Awards aren't free, even for the winners. Those who desire to accept their statuette abode have to pony up a cool $400 for the gold-dipped metal. Fifty-fifty a lucky few outside of the television business have had the opportunity to bring one home—in early 2019 Mickey Rooney's 1981 Emmy, which he won for his portrayal of Nib Stacker in the movie "Neb," went upward for public auction.

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Mike Lawn // Getty Images

1982

Iconic actress Ingrid Bergman won her final award at the 1982 Primetime Emmys. Given in the category of Best Performance past an Actress in a Miniseries or Move Picture Made for Tv, the award recognized Bergman'due south work in "A Adult female Called Golda." The trophy was the fourth posthumous Emmy e'er awarded.

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20th Century Fox Television receiver

1983

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1984

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1985

The 1985 Primetime Emmy Awards were marred by ane huge scandal. When it was announced that Betty Thomas had won the honour for Outstanding Supporting Extra in a Drama Series for her work on "Hill Street Blues," a random man took to the stage to take the award—even though Thomas was in the audience. The mystery man turned out to be Barry Bremen, too known equally "the great imposter." He'd pulled like stunts before, but the near theft shook up the audition plenty that Bremen was booked past police.

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Ruebsamen, James // Los Angeles Public Library Photograph Drove

1986

In 1986, Red Skelton, the comedy legend, won the Governor'south Award for his lifelong service to the entertainment manufacture. The award is the highest one given by the Academy of Television. The Los Angeles Times called Skelton's win "a rare and wholly welcome acquittance of an authentic comedy genius, who remains a hero in the American heartland."

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Garner-Duchow Productions

1987

Television receiver movie "Promise" made history at the 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards when information technology received v statuettes. The film took domicile the gilt for Outstanding Lead Histrion in a Miniseries or Special, Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or Special, Outstanding Supporting Extra in a Miniseries or Special, Outstanding Writing in a Miniseries or Special, and Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special. To date, no made for Idiot box motion-picture show has ever won more than Emmys.

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Alan Light // Wikimedia Commons

1988

Following a rule alter in 1988, cable television shows finally became eligible for the Emmys. HBO ("Mandela," "The World Co-ordinate to Me") and Showtime ("It's Garry Shandling's Testify") both had shows nominated in that commencement twelvemonth. This likewise marked the end of the CableACE Awards.

[Pictured: Extra Ann Jillian arrives at the 1988 Emmys]

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20th Century Fox Tv set // Getty Images

1989

"The Tracey Ullman Show" was Fox Broadcasting Company's 2nd original series. Premiering in 1987, the one-act multifariousness show brought the network information technology'due south kickoff Emmy win when it took domicile the 1989 trophy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program.

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ABC Photo Archives // Getty Images

1990

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1991

Winning an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) remains one of the nearly elusive distinctions in the amusement industry. To appointment, only 16 people accept accomplished what'southward been dubbed the grand slam of show business organisation. In 1991, John Gielgud became the fourth person to do then after winning his Outstanding Pb Actor in a Miniseries or Special Emmy for his function in "Summer's Lease Masterpiece Theater."

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1992

While the Emmy Awards are designed to recognize the all-time of television, that doesn't always mean that they laurels the near iconic boob tube piece of work. Accept for instance, "The Tonight Bear witness Starring Johnny Carson." A Goggle box staple, information technology aired with Carson at the helm for almost xxx years. However, it only won the Emmy for Near Outstanding Diverseness, Music or Comedy Program in 1992—the twelvemonth of Carson'southward retirement.

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SCOTT FLYNN // Getty Images

1993

Another groovy instance of iconic TV shows not always being the most decorated Telly shows is "Seinfeld." In 1992 "Seinfeld" won its only Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. When he accustomed the award, "Seinfeld" creator Larry David quipped, "This is all well and skillful, only I'm nonetheless bald."

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KIM KULISH // Getty Images

1994

Following its first season, "Fraiser" took abode 2 major awards at the 1994 Primetime Emmys: Outstanding Comedy Series, and Outstanding Pb Role player in a Comedy Series. Kelsey Grammer's individual win placed him in an exclusive club: He became the showtime histrion to receive multiple Emmy nods for playing the same character in three different series (Dr. Fraiser Crane in "Thanks," "Wings," and "Fraiser").

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JEFF HAYNES // Getty Images

1995

In 1995, Candice Bergen won her fifth and final Emmy for her titular function in "Tater Chocolate-brown." Unusually, Bergen withdrew her proper noun from Emmy consideration for the adjacent 3 seasons of the show, feeling that she was being unfairly singled out among the series regulars. The move gear up the stage for Julia Louis-Dreyfus to hold the championship for the actress with the Most Outstanding Pb Actress in a Comedy Series wins.

[Pictured: Richard Frank and Betty White announce the 1995 Emmy nominees]

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1996

At the 1996 Primetime Emmy's, Angela Lansbury was nominated, once again, for Oustanding Atomic number 82 Actress in a Drama Serial for her role as Jessica Fletcher in "Murder, She Wrote." It was the show's 12th and final flavor and Lansbury's 12th and final nomination for the role. That twelvemonth, Lansbury set the record for being the most nominated extra in the category (she'd had 18 total nominations), equally well as the most nominated extra without a win. Equally of 2020, Lansbury has withal to add an Emmy to her impressive trophy shelf.

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TIZIANA SORGE // Getty Images

1997

For twenty years, the Primetime Emmy Awards had been held in the aforementioned location. Beginning with the 29th annual ceremony in 1977, TV'due south greatest had been gathering at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to celebrate their achievements. The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards marked an finish to that residency. The following year, the awards would move on to the Shrine Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.

[Pictured: Demi Moore presents an Emmy to Alfre Woodard]

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Intel Gratuitous Printing // Wikimedia Commons

1998

Now a standard part of whatever NFL game, the yellowish first-downward line made its debut on Sept. 27, 1998, during a Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals game. That same year, the line, which is a partnership betwixt technical company Sportvision and ESPN, won two technical awards at the 50th Annual Primetime Emmys.

Y'all may besides like:The best streaming services for football in 2021

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SCOTT NELSON // Getty Images

1999

Tv set writer David E. Kelley is the man behind some of TV'south greatest hits, similar "Large Picayune Lies," "Ally McBeal," "Boston Legal," and "The Practice." In 1999, he made history when he took abode trophies for Outstanding One-act Series ("Marry McBeal") and Outstanding Drama Series ("The Do"). He'd later get on to exist inducted into the Academy of Boob tube's Hall of Fame in 2014.

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Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

2000

Often ranked amid the greatest television shows of all time, "The Sopranos" took domicile some major Emmy gilt over its six-season run. In 2000, James Gandolfini brought HBO its first atomic number 82 histrion laurels when he was recognized for his work every bit Tony Soprano. A twelvemonth earlier, Edie Falco earned the cable network its first lead actress honour for her portrayal of Carmela Soprano.

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Brian Pobuda // Getty Images

2001

The most-nominated testify in Emmy history is "Sat Night Alive." Over its 43-year run, the show has racked up 270 nominations and over 60 wins. In 2001, the variety sketch comedy series was nominated for both Outstanding Diversity, Music or Comedy Serial and Outstanding Writing in a Diversity, Music or Comedy Series.

[Pictured: Cast and crew of the "Sex and the Urban center" backstage after winning Outstanding Comedy Series]

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Vince Bucci // Getty Images

2002

In 2002, Oprah Winfrey became the outset winner of the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award. Presented to her by Tom Hanks, the award is one of the highest honors given by the University of Goggle box Arts and Sciences. It recognizes the social and political work done past some of TV's biggest stars.

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Vince Bucci // Getty Images

2003

Marker a sudden (although not unprecedented) change, the 2003 Emmys did not accept a host. The 54th Annual Primetime Emmys aired on Fox, and history repeated itself when Fox hosted the evidence once again in 2019, again without a host.

[Pictured: Actress Jane Kaczmarek congratulates actor Michael Chiklis]

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Vince Bucci // Getty Images

2004

We've discussed the about Emmy nominated show of all time, but what well-nigh the most Emmy-nominated individual of all time? That honor goes to "Sabbatum Night Live" creator and executive producer, Lorne Michaels. To date, Michaels has earned 94 nominations for his work on a variety of shows. As of 2020, he has won 19.

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Scott Gries // Getty Images

2005

Ellen DeGeneres has been tasked with hosting the Emmys during hard years. For example, she hosted the 2001 Emmy Awards, which were held a month and a half subsequently 9/xi, as well as the 2005 Emmy Awards, which took place 3 weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. She'southward been lauded for her power to smooth a light on the tragedy and advocate for victims, while still entertaining audiences with humor.

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Vince Bucci // Getty Images

2006

Typically, the Emmy Awards have a two-step voting process: Thousands of initial entries are voted upon past the Academy'due south professional members; then, out of the acme five nominees, a winner is chosen by a smaller console of peer-group members. Merely in 2006, in an effort to be more inclusive, an intermediate stride was added, which whittled that huge initial grouping downwardly to 10–15 before the professional members voted on the five official nominees. This resulted in some major shows, like "Desperate Housewives" and "Gilmore Girls" existence snubbed.

[Pictured: Julia Louis-Dreyfus accepts the laurels for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Serial]

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2007

There have been some shocking Emmy winners throughout the years, but perhaps two of the most off-the-wall winners came in 2007. At the Technology and Applied science Emmy Awards, 2 video game controllers, Sony's DualShock Analog controller and Nintendo'south NES/Famicom controller, walked away with elevation honors.

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Kevin Winter // Getty Images

2008

At the 2008 Emmys, a new category was announced: Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program. The five nominees, Tom Bergeron, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Jeff Probst, and Ryan Seacrest, were as well that year's hosts. At the stop of the night, it was Jeff Probst who went home with the bays.

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Michael Loccisano // Getty Images

2009

And now, for the individual with the most Emmy wins of all time, Sheila Nevins. The producer and president of HBO Documentary Films, Nevins has more than xxx individual Primetime Emmy wins nether her belt and dozens more Creative Emmy Wins. In 2009, she was awarded the Governor's Honor during the Creative Emmy Awards ceremony for her affect on television.

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Kevin Wintertime // Getty Images

2010

Betty White has had an impressive Emmy run over the years. She'southward the only actress to receive nominations in six different decades (the '50s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s) and to win in four ('70s, '80s, '90s, and '10s). In 2010 she took home the statuette for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for the episode of "Saturday Nighttime Live" that she hosted. The win made the actress, who is older than the awards themselves, the oldest actress to e'er win an Emmy at 88.

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Kevin Wintertime // Getty Images

2011

On more than one occasion over the years, the Emmys have been criticized for their lack of diversity and inclusion. But in recent years the awards ceremony has taken major steps to correct their previous oversight. For example, in 2011 the governing body appear the anniversary's 2nd-ever lesbian host, "Glee" actress Jane Lynch.

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Kevin Winter // Getty Images

2012

There was a British Invasion at the 2012 Emmy Awards. London-built-in Damian Lewis won Outstanding Leading Player in a Drama Series for his part in "Homeland" and Dame Maggie Smith, who played Violet Crawley in "Downton Abbey," won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Serial.

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Jesse Grant // Getty Images

2013

In 2013, Netflix'southward original programming finally became eligible for the Emmy Awards. In the get-go year, "House of Cards," "Hemlock Grove," and "Arrested Development" all earned nominations, and the streaming service ended upwardly taking habitation a handful of trophies. In 2018, Netflix surpassed HBO in the number of nominations within a unmarried twelvemonth, catastrophe the cable network's 17-year run of being the most-nominated network. [Pictured: The cast of "Arrested Development"]

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Kevin Wintertime // Getty Images

2014

Historically, the Emmys take aired on a Sunday night in September. Just in 2014, they aired on a Monday in August in order to avert disharmonize with the VMAs and Sunday Nighttime Football. This was the first time since 1976, and only the second time in history, that the primetime ceremony hadn't been held on a Sunday.

[Pictured: "Breaking Bad" wins Outstanding Drama Series]

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Mark Davis // Getty Images

2015

Another major diversity hurdle was surmounted in 2015 when Viola Davis won the Emmy for Outstanding Pb Actress in a Drama Series for her role in "How to Go Away with Murder." Although Isabel Sanford had won the corresponding comedy category back in 1981 for her role in "The Jeffersons," the drama category had been won by white performers for 67 years. Davis's moving acceptance speech, which talked about race and opportunity, brought many in the audience to tears.

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Frazer Harrison // Getty Images

2016

At the 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards, "Game of Thrones" took home the trophy for Outstanding Drama Series post-obit its fifth season. By the end of its eight seasons, the HBO drama had amassed 164 Emmy nominations. "Game of Thrones" won a total of 59 times. Peter Dinklage took the Emmy for All-time Supporting Histrion four times.

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Kevin Winter // Getty Images

2017

Stephen Colbert hosted the 2017 Emmy awards, and his opening cameo included a number of jokes well-nigh President Donald Trump, which fix an unusually political tone for the rest of the evening. Notably, old White House printing secretary, Sean Spicer, made a brief advent on stage and Alec Baldwin offered the president his Emmy, which he earned for his comedic portrayal of the commander in chief on "Saturday Dark Alive."

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Kevin Winter // Getty Images

2018

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Santiago Felipe // Getty Images

2019

In 2019, Billy Porter made history when he became the first openly gay winner for Outstanding Lead Thespian in a drama serial for his performance in FX's "Pose."  Porter'southward credence speech was amongst the most memorable moments of the night. He quoted James Baldwin, reminding Hollywood, and the earth, of everyone's right to be and to be seen.

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2020

"Watchmen," "Succession," and "Schitt's Creek" dominated the 2020 Emmys, which were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it's mostly the shows and outsize personalities backside them that accept center phase at the Emmys, in 2020 it was the anniversary itself that was notable, both for the never-earlier-washed format and for the combination of intimate glimpses into Hollywood'due south living rooms and surreality of a mega-watt production moved to computer screens.

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