Here’s Why All 5 Variety Series Nominees Could Win at the 2026 Primetime Emmys
It could be a long segment, but at least it should be funny.
The Television Academy has introduced a rule change for the 2026 Primetime Emmys, combining the best scripted variety series and best talk series categories into a single award called best variety series. This means that, unlike previous years, there won't be separate votes for each category. Instead, the Academy is implementing an area award system, where nominees will receive a set of "yes" or "no" votes from voters, based on whether they believe the show deserves an Emmy.
If a show garners at least 90% "yes" votes, it will be awarded an Emmy. If no show reaches this threshold, the one with the highest approval percentage will take home the trophy.
All five variety series nominees have valid reasons to be considered for the award: The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and Saturday Night Live. Four of these shows have previously won an outstanding series Emmy award in the past. However, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been a notable exception, having lost each of the last 15 years to its competition, including The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
