Renowned TV hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and John Oliver, have rallied together to express their deep disappointment and frustration over the decision by the Television Academy to exclude the best writing for a variety series/special category from the Primetime Emmy Awards broadcast. In a heartfelt letter, the hosts emphasized the crucial role of writers in creating exceptional television, citing the 148-day writers’ strike that halted late-night television production as evidence of their importance.
The letter, accompanied by a petition signed by over 1,400 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), urged the Academy to reinstate the outstanding writing for a variety series/special category in the Primetime Emmy Awards telecast. The petitioners argued that by erasing this category from the broadcast, the Academy was dismissing writing as the foundation of excellence in television, thereby devaluing their profession as a whole.
The hosts and writers emphasized that their programs rely heavily on the skilled work of their writers and that the omission of this category would undermine the entire television industry. They implored the Television Academy to do the right thing and reconsider its decision, emphasizing that it was essential to recognize the outstanding writing talent in the field.
Several popular TV programs, including Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, Late Night With Seth Meyers, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, are nominated for outstanding writing for a variety series. Additionally, a notable variety of special nominees include Chris Rock: Selective Outrage and Wanda Sykes: I’m An Entertainer.
Jimmy Kimmel (Via Jimmy Kimmel/Twitter)
The controversy has sparked widespread debate and support on social media, with many individuals and organizations rallying behind the writers and TV hosts. The Twitter post from the Writers Guild of America West, which included the hashtag #WGAstrong, garnered significant attention and support, with users expressing their solidarity with the petitioners’ demands.
The elimination of this category from the Emmys broadcast has sparked concerns about the decreasing recognition of writing talent in the television industry. Many experts argue that the industry’s focus on visual production and flashy special effects often overshadows the crucial work of writers, who are often the driving force behind successful television programs.
As the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony approaches, the controversy surrounding the exclusion of the outstanding writing for a variety series/special category is likely to continue to gain attention and generate debate. The decision by the Television Academy has far-reaching implications for the television industry, and the petitioners’ demands for reinstatement of this category are likely to be closely watched by industry professionals and fans alike.
