A new Emmy Awards category is announced enough the hodgepodge of suitors, now that Schmidadon!the musical of Apple TV+, should face saturday night liveNBC’s long-running sketch comedy series – and maybe that sassy John Oliver too.
First, some background: For six consecutive years, NBC SNL won the award for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series. But over the past two years, this Variety Sketch Series race has fielded only two contenders: SNL and HBO A dark lady sketch show. (And in 2020, there were only three nominees, adding in Comedy Central’s drunk story.)
Enter the Scripted Variety Series category, novelty 2023.
According to the Emmy rule changes – which were partly designed to make SNL face more challengers – a scripted variety series is defined as “a variety program that is primarily scripted, or loosely scripted improvisation, and composed of low-key scenes, satire, musical numbers, monologues, comedy stand-ups, skits, etc. Scripted Variety The series may at times have unscripted elements, but the primary intent of the series is scripted or acted out entertainment.
As defined above, the category now invites HBOs Last week tonight with John Oliver in the tent alongside people like SNL And A dark lady sketch show (which is now airing season 4).
And now, as reported THR.comApple TV+ has decided to remove Schmidadon! of the Outstanding Comedy Series race (where Season 1 competed) and instead Season 2 is battling for the Scripted Variety Series and its related tech categories. (THE Schmidadon! the cast, however, will still compete in the Comedy categories.)
Schmidadon! Season 1 racked up four Emmy nominations (including for Production Design, Musical Composition, and Choreography) and won Best Original Music and Lyrics (for Cinco Paul’s “Corn Puddin,” which you now have from again stuck in your head. #IYKYK).
Do you think Schmidadon! (and or Last week tonightmoreover) belong to the same category as SNL?