10 Best TV Shows That Never Won An Emmy

These shows aren’t Outstanding enough for the Emmys, apparently.

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FX

Recently, we took a look at the best directors never to win, well, Best Director at the Academy Awards, but that’s not the only award ceremony to have some massive controversies or overlook some worthy winners.

The Emmys are just as guilty of passing over shows (sometimes again and again) for awards they really should’ve won. Just as how the Best Director list discounted wins in non-director categories (writing, producing, Best Picture etc), this list will discount technical awards.

There’s a great deal of skill involved in choreography, stunts, makeup and costumes, but they aren’t necessary a reflection on a show’s quality. Case in point: Suicide Squad won an Oscar for Best Hair & Make Up, with a large portion of the controversy at that decision pointing to the fact that Star Trek: Beyond was a more worthy winner. Both movies were bang average.

It’s categories like writing, acting (lead, support or guest), directing, animation and of course overall awards which will keep shows off this list.

Honourable mention to Community, which won in Outstanding Animation for Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas claymation episode, but other than that only garnered one major nomination (writing), with no love in the comedy series or acting categories.

10. Gilmore Girls

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The CW

The Gilmore Girls is here really representing all the shows on The CW network (previously known as The WB network) that have failed to get any serious look in from the Emmys, which typically favour major networks.

Veronica Mars was similarly overlooked, while Crazy Ex-Girlfriend has only been nominated for its musical and numbers, rather than its hilarious writing. True, there are a lot of low cards in The CW’s deck, but which network doesn’t have those? It shouldn’t influence votes on the good ones, but it appears it does.

The Gilmore Girls sits head and shoulders above most other teen dramas out there, but is level with them at the Emmys, with zero awards to its name. Actually one, but that was for Make-Up, a minor technical award.

Aside from that, it never even earned a nomination. Episodes such as Those Are Strings Pinocchio, Lorelai’s Graduation Day, and Friday Night’s Alright For Fighting all could’ve garnered nominations, as could Lauren Graham or Alexis Bledel’s fantastic performances. Bledel especially made a lasting impression in the role.

Bledel would at least net herself an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in The Handmaid’s Tale in 2017.

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Self appointed queen of the SJWs. Find me on Twitter @FiveTacey (The 5 looks like an S. Do you get it? Do you get my joke about the 5?)