From time to time, I find myself engrossed in a series such as “The Wire,” a critically-acclaimed masterpiece often hailed as one of the greatest – if not the greatest – TV shows ever made. Yet, astonishingly, it never received an Emmy award of any kind. It’s hard to comprehend how this could be possible for such a timeless and impactful show. Streaming on HBO Max, “The Wire” is hardly unique in this regard; many other exceptional series have also failed to win an Emmy despite their greatness. This list is dedicated to shows that share the same unjust fate as “The Wire.
It’s important to clarify that we’re discussing Primetime Emmy Awards, not Creative Arts Emmy Awards. While some of these programs may have received Creative Arts Emmys, they are not in contention for the Primetime awards.
Parks And Recreation
Over the course of seven exhilarating seasons, I found myself consistently chuckling along with “Parks and Recreation” on NBC. This brilliant ensemble, graced by Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, and Rob Lowe, was a powerhouse that made it one of the most acclaimed sitcoms of its time. Remarkably, despite receiving eight Emmy nominations, it never took home the coveted award.
Chappelle’s Show
Despite airing on Comedy Central for just three seasons, Chappelle’s Show made a significant impact globally, to the point where it might be argued that it revolutionized sketch comedy forever. The humor from this show continues to inspire numerous memes and is often quoted in everyday conversations. Despite receiving two Emmy nominations, it didn’t take home either award.
Better Call Saul
Among the shows overlooked at the Emmys, none seems to ignite fan passion quite like those who adore “Better Call Saul”. Over six seasons, this highly praised series, cherished by viewers, amassed 30 Emmy nominations, even earning multiple nods for Outstanding Drama. However, despite these accolades, it never claimed an Emmy victory. This omission stands out as a particularly glaring example of a genuinely prestigious show that wasn’t broadcast on HBO in this list of snubs.
Star Trek
It’s interesting to note that when Star Trek initially aired in the mid-60s, it wasn’t the most widely watched program. However, it’s astonishing that this groundbreaking series, which only ran for three seasons, was nominated for 13 Emmys. Remarkably, it didn’t win any of these nominations. Despite not receiving an Emmy award, the show’s cultural impact and popularity have certainly not diminished.
Yellowstone
In late 2024, one of the more recent shows I’ve been following, Yellowstone, concluded an incredibly successful run without securing an Emmy. Despite being politically polarizing, it’s undeniable that this show is exceptional. Over its five-season span, the Kevin Costner-led series never received a Primetime Emmy nomination. However, Costner did take home a Golden Globe award for his performance.
Good Times
One of television’s most revolutionary sitcoms, Good Times, might have been considered too daring by the Emmys. The show wasn’t just amusing; it was also heartfelt and profound. Unfortunately, it didn’t manage to win an Emmy, which is far from “awesome”!
Blue Bloods
Tom Selleck is a winner of an Emmy Award. He earned this honor in 1984 for his outstanding performance as Thomas Magnum in the popular series “Magnum P.I.” Interestingly, despite delivering a remarkable portrayal as Frank Reagan on “Blue Bloods,” he was never nominated for an Emmy in that role. Surprisingly, “Blue Bloods” itself, which ran for 14 seasons and boasted a devoted fanbase, never received any Emmy recognition whatsoever, leaving fans disappointed when it was eventually taken off the air.
Grace And Frankie
Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin shone in the series “Grace and Frankie” for an impressive run of seven seasons, all available on Netflix with a subscription. While Netflix has earned many Emmys, this exceptional show never took home one. Despite not winning, both Fonda and Tomlin were frequently nominated, but left each time empty-handed. Yet, they remain two of the greatest actresses in history.
Enlightened
About ten years ago, Mike White captivated the nation with his HBO series White Lotus. However, before that, he had created the underrated show Enlightened, which starred Laura Dern. Unfortunately, this remarkable series didn’t receive as much Emmy recognition as it deserved.
Veronica Mars
Millions admired Kristen Bell as their hero when she played the role of detective Veronica Mars in the eponymous series. The show is renowned for its passionate fanbase, but regrettably, this fervor did not result in Emmy Award nominations.
My So-Called Life
Among all the shows listed, “My So-Called Life” is most clearly explained as to why it didn’t receive an Emmy award. Although this series played a significant role in establishing the careers of actors Claire Danes and Jared Leto, it had a short run of just 19 episodes and gained its dedicated audience primarily after the program was discontinued.
Empire
In the hit music-centric TV series Empire, Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson spearheaded an exceptional ensemble cast. Despite receiving praise from critics and airing over six seasons, the show unfortunately never received an Emmy award. Fans believe that both Howard and Henson deserve numerous awards for their stellar performances. Henson has been nominated twice, but without a win, it’s still a source of disappointment among fans.
The Wire
A significant number of individuals firmly believe that not just during its initial broadcast in the early 2000s, but also as the best television show ever made, “The Wire” reigned supreme on TV. Despite struggling with low ratings for five seasons, it has since garnered a dedicated fanbase and recognition. Ironically, despite the acclaim it garners today, it was only nominated for awards twice. Perhaps Clay Davis would find that surprising.
The Good Place
Kristen Bell and Ted Danson were the stars of the TV series “The Good Place“. This show had difficulty attracting viewers for reasons that are tricky to explain. It was actually quite humorous and distinct in its concept and comedy. Perhaps this uniqueness is why it never received an Emmy, even though it definitely deserved one.
Narcos
Netflix’s series “Narcos” stands out as an exceptional peak-time TV program that surprisingly missed recognition at the Emmys despite stiff competition. While other shows were strong contenders, “Narcos” arguably surpassed many of them. Wagner Moura’s portrayal of Pablo Escobar was undeniably award-worthy, and Pedro Pascal delivered an impressive performance as well. It’s hard to pinpoint why the show didn’t receive any awards, whether it was the controversial subject matter or its use of two languages. Regardless of the reasons, “Narcos” deserved to win something.
The Leftovers
HBO emerged as a trailblazer in premium television during the 2000s, boasting hit series such as “The Sopranos,” “Game of Thrones,” “Six Feet Under,” and “The Leftovers.” Unlike its predecessors, however, “The Leftovers” didn’t manage to secure an Emmy Award. Despite high expectations that it would follow in the footsteps of other HBO shows by sweeping all the awards, this did not happen, leaving viewers somewhat disappointed.
The Brady Bunch
To be honest, it’s surprising that The Brady Bunch didn’t win an Emmy considering its enduring popularity. This show has been cherished by countless generations, making it a household name across America. It’s almost as if the critics and Emmy voters haven’t quite caught up to what viewers have loved about this timeless family sitcom.
The Comeback
Among the various shows that ex-Friends cast members have been part of, perhaps the least recognized is “The Comeback,” starring Lisa Kudrow. This show didn’t immediately take off when it premiered on HBO in 2005 for 13 episodes, but it showed resilience and returned for a second season in 2014. However, it’s not a comeback… (in the traditional sense) because it was never really gone.
Newhart
The 1980s series “Newhart,” starring Bob Newhart, boasts one of the most remarkable television finales ever. Remarkably, it received a staggering 25 Emmy nominations, but it didn’t take home the award. It’s almost unbelievable that such an exceptional show and one with so many nominations never managed to win even a single one. To make matters worse, Bob Newhart’s first successful sitcom, “The Bob Newhart Show,” also failed to secure a win.
Parenthood
NBC’s television series “Parenthood,” while only somewhat inspired by the 1989 film featuring Steve Martin, unexpectedly thrived on the Peacock Network. Much like the movie, it skillfully blended humor and heartrending scenes, maintaining this balance for six seasons. Remarkably, despite possessing all the elements of a multi-Emmy winner, it failed to garner any awards, receiving only one nomination – for a guest star (Josh Ritter).
NCIS
Over numerous years, the television series “NCIS” dominated the viewership charts. Remarkably, even after over 20 seasons on television, this highly-watched show has never received an Emmy award. Incredibly, it’s only been nominated for a total of three Emmys throughout its entire run. That’s quite astounding!
Hannibal
Horror television series such as “Hannibal,” similar to their cinematic counterparts, frequently struggle to garner recognition from the entertainment industry’s most prestigious awards. However, despite its exceptional quality and sheer terror, this remarkable show has never been honored with an Emmy Award.
Oz
One of the initial pioneers in premium television is the series known as “Oz.” This groundbreaking show, renowned for its powerful and unfiltered portrayal, boasts a remarkable cast. Although it may have been slightly ahead of its era, it unfortunately didn’t receive the recognition it truly deserved during its broadcast. Among these accolades that eluded it is an Emmy award.
Leave It To Beaver
This one was essential to include. “Leave It To Beaver” significantly shaped and defined the family sitcom genre, yet it didn’t receive the recognition it deserved from the Emmys despite its immense popularity during its run. The awards were relatively new at that time.
Supernatural
Scarcely any TV series can boast a fanatical following equal to that of Supernatural. For an impressive run of 15 seasons, it consistently drew viewers back for more, despite cast changes and even a shift in network. Regrettably, the Emmys failed to recognize its merit.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Despite the unique charm and consistent humor of “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” it surprisingly didn’t manage to secure even a single Emmy award. Ellie Kemper’s portrayal of Kimmy Schmidt was indeed exceptional, deserving of an Emmy, but, unfortunately, after three seasons and an impressive tally of twenty nominations, it remained empty-handed.
New Girl
146 individual episodes spanned across 7 exciting seasons for the series “New Girl”. Despite Zooey Deschanel receiving widespread acclaim for her humorous portrayal of the main character, neither she nor the show managed to secure an Emmy award. The show was nominated a total of five times, with Deschanel being recognized once in the Lead Actress category, but alas, no Emmys were taken home.
Mindhunter
It’s truly disappointing that the series “Mindhunter” was limited to just two seasons. Many believe it was unfairly ended without a satisfying conclusion by Netflix. Although fans continue to harbor hopes for a future return of the show, as things stand now, we must make do with only the brilliantly crafted two seasons. Regrettably, those outstanding seasons failed to garner any Emmy awards.
Sons Of Anarchy
While some may argue that “Sons of Anarchy” didn’t deserve an Emmy, such a statement isn’t entirely fair. The series boasted some powerful scenes, like Opie’s demise and the finale, which were undeniably impactful. In fact, it can be said that this show wrapped up exceptionally well. Over 92 episodes spanning seven seasons, viewers found themselves laughing, crying, and feeling deeply connected to SAMCRO. However, it seems the show never managed to capture the attention of Emmy voters, although it did secure a few Creative Arts Emmy nominations, just missing out on a Primetime Emmy nod.
Bates Motel
In terms of outstanding horror series, few can compare to the brilliance of “Bates Motel”. Over five chilling seasons, this show left fans trembling with fear, yet it appears to have consistently failed to impress Emmy voters enough for an award. Despite Vera Farmiga’s exceptional performances, she was only nominated a couple of times, unfortunately never taking home the prize.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It’s astonishing to grasp the lasting popularity and longevity of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” a show that debuted as far back as 2005. Remarkably, the actors now own football clubs in England. What’s more, it’s unbelievable that despite their impressive run, the main characters haven’t managed to win a single Emmy award yet.
Gilmore Girls
Among the timelessly beloved series in this lineup, “Gilmore Girls” remains a favorite among viewers even after being off the air for over a decade. Fans are constantly seeking new shows starring the “Gilmore Girls” cast, but unfortunately, none of the actors received an Emmy award for their roles in this show. Intriguingly, just like the other series on this list, “Gilmore Girls” was entirely overlooked when it came to Emmy recognition.
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2025-06-29 23:42