10 Best TV Shows That Never Won An Emmy

The Wire was one of the most definitive shows of its era, but (somewhat famously now) failed to ever win an Emmy. It was grittier than most audiences could handle at the time, opening the door for other starkly realistic shows. With such an unglamorous take on America’s war on drugs, it felt like the entire show was a political statement too.

These are all reasons which might count against it. Even in the drama categories, safer shows tend to take home awards. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is another example of this, only in the comedy category.

Not winning is one thing, and you can possibly chalk that up to stiff competition from The West Wing or Lost. The West Wing, despite having more of a political focus, didn’t delve into boots on the ground policies and poverty the way The Wire did. In short, it was safer politics.

To never even get nominated for Outstanding Drama feels frankly ridiculous though. It was nominated for Outstanding Writing twice, in 2005 & 2008, but considering it could also have been up in 2003, 2004 and 2007, only twice seems far too little for one of the best shows ever written.