Emmy Variety Talk And Sketch Categories Merged

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — The 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards won't separately honor variety talk and variety sketch series, and have added a category honoring stunt performers.

The variety talk and variety sketch series were previously awarded in one category until they were split in 2015. The categories have been recombined into one category -- outstanding variety series.

The Television Academy announced Friday its Board of Governors had approved several changes for the 2021 Emmy Awards rules and procedures, as recommended by the Awards Committee, including creating a new category -- outstanding stunt performance by an individual or team in a drama, comedy, limited series or movie -- honoring stunt performers for the first time. There were previously only stunt coordination categories.

The academy also announced that any non-documentary film placed on the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences viewing platform for Oscar consideration will be deemed a theatrical motion picture and thus ineligible for the Emmy competition.

Anthology series will now enter the Emmy competition with limited series, resulting in a new category -- outstanding limited or anthology series. Previously, an anthology series could enter the competition in either the comedy or drama series categories or entrants could break up the series into individually entered, stand-alone movies.

The outstanding short form comedy/drama series and short form variety series categories have merged into one category, outstanding short form comedy, drama or variety series.

"Our annual review of Emmy rules and procedures is more important than ever," said Television Academy Chairman and CEO Frank Scherma. "Our Awards Committee and Board of Governors undertake this annual evaluation with a very thoughtful and analytical approach to ensure that the Emmys remain relevant and in step with our industry's ongoing evolution."

—City News Service