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HBO’s Game of Thrones, one of the most talked-about and highly praised series in recent years, garnered an impressive 59 Emmy awards throughout its eight-season tenure, a record only surpassed by Saturday Night Live’s 82 wins across its nearly five-decade run.
However, even shows that are adored and esteemed by audiences don’t always win the favor of Emmy voters at the Television Academy, who occasionally bypass a series for various reasons. Here’s a list of 10 legendary shows that missed out on top accolades at the awards.
1. Star Trek (1966-1969)
Gene Roddenberry’s groundbreaking sci-fi masterpiece laid the foundation for an expansive franchise well before the term became a staple in entertainment. The series was ahead of its time, addressing themes like racism, sexism, and equality when television often shied away from such discussions. Despite its cultural impact, the Emmys overlooked its depth, focusing instead on its surface-level elements. Although the original series received 13 nominations across categories such as Art Direction, Film Editing, and Supporting Actor (Leonard Nimoy was nominated three times), it never secured a win. The Trek franchise didn’t earn an Emmy until 1988, when Star Trek: The Next Generation won for Outstanding Sound Editing, Costuming, and Make-Up.
William Shatner, the original Captain, had to wait until 2004 for his first Emmy, which he earned for a guest appearance on ABC’s The Practice. Shatner humorously recalled preparing for a potential win by watching the presenter’s mouth, anticipating the “Woo.”
2. The Wire (2002-2008)
David Simon’s intricate exploration of Baltimore’s crime landscape is often hailed as one of the greatest TV shows ever made. Yet, during its five-season run, it was largely overlooked by the Emmys, receiving only two nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series in 2005 and 2008. This snub meant that standout performances by actors like Dominic West, Idris Elba, and the unforgettable Michael K. Williams went unrecognized.
Geographic bias might have been a factor. Some speculate that Los Angeles-based Emmy voters lacked interest in a drama set in Baltimore.
3. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-Present)
This raunchy, irreverent comedy follows a group of misfits who (barely) run a Philadelphia bar and holds the title of the longest-running live-action sitcom in U.S. TV history. Despite its sharp satire on moral decay, the series has only received three nominations, all in the obscure category of Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or Variety Program.
The series humorously addressed its lack of recognition in a season nine episode titled “The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award,” where Paddy’s Pub competes for the title of the city’s best bar. Charlie Day, one of the show’s stars, remarked to Indiewire in 2016 that the Emmys still feel like an exclusive event they’re never invited to.
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4. Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
While its predecessor Breaking Bad (2008-2013) amassed a haul of Emmy awards, the spin-off centered on the unpredictable and unethical lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) didn’t secure a single win despite 47 Emmy nominations. The sole Emmy tied to the series was somewhat technical: a 2020 win for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series, awarded to a web short on “legal ethics” featuring Rhea Seehorn. The main series, however, never achieved the same acclaim.
5. Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)
This NBC mockumentary-style comedy, chronicling the quirky bureaucratic escapades in a small Indiana town, launched the careers of Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza. Despite its popularity, it garnered 16 nominations without a single win. Co-creator Michael Schur remarked to Entertainment Weekly in 2015 that Amy Poehler had been nominated so often that “people just assume she’s won.”
6. MacGyver (1985-1992)
In this action-packed series, secret agent Angus MacGyver (Richard Dean Anderson) relied on ingenuity rather than firepower to outsmart his foes. Despite Anderson’s compelling performance and the show’s standout stunt and action sequences, it never clinched an Emmy win. The series received only five nominations, spanning categories like costuming, stunt coordination, make-up, and sound editing. However, it achieved a unique distinction: the term “MacGyver” entered the Oxford English Dictionary as a verb meaning to solve problems creatively using available resources.
7. Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988-1999; 2017-Present)
This iconic cult comedy, beloved by fans, was perhaps too niche for Emmy voters. Created and initially hosted by Joel Hodgson, later by Mike J. Nelson, MST3K featured a stranded space janitor and his robot pals Crow and Tom Servo riffing on a series of terrible films. Despite its unique charm, it earned only two nominations for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program. However, it won the esteemed Peabody Award in 1993, with Tom Servo humorously accepting the honor.
8. Chappelle’s Show (2003-2006)
Dave Chappelle transitioned from '90s comedies like Half-Baked to becoming a provocative and celebrated stand-up artist. In between, he created Chappelle’s Show, a Comedy Central sketch series that delivered some of the most memorable comedy in TV history. Despite its impact, the show received only three nominations: for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series; Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program; and Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program.
9. Married…With Children (1987-1997)
Fox’s inaugural success was a bold take on the family sitcom, featuring Al Bundy (Ed O’Neill), a disgruntled shoe salesman navigating his chaotic home life. Despite seven nominations in categories like editing, costuming, and lighting, the show never won. O’Neill later earned recognition for his role in Modern Family, receiving three nominations but no wins. Christina Applegate, who portrayed the ditzy Kelly Bundy, won an Emmy in 2003 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy for her appearance on Friends.
10. Leave It to Beaver (1957-1963)
This wholesome sitcom, centered on the endearing Beaver Cleaver (Jerry Mathers), was like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life. However, it only earned two Emmy nods: one for Best Writing and another for the now-defunct Best New Program Series of the Year.
