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‘SNL's' 50th season takes on 9-time-champ ‘Last Week Tonight' for the Best Scripted Variety Series Emmy
When Last Week Tonight With John Oliver switched Emmy categories from Variety Talk Series to Scripted Variety Series, it put an end to Saturday Night Live's six-year winning streak. Last Week Tonight, which has claimed nine consecutive program trophies, is now hoping to take home No. 10 this year. But SNL's milestone 50th season should prove to be a worthy competitor.
First things first: there are six submissions this year for Best Scripted Variety Series, which means there will only be two nominees. Television Academy members who vote on this category are instructed to watch an episode of each contender (a requirement that is not present in the other program races), and then vote "yes" or "no" for whether they think each one is worthy of a nomination. The two entries that receive the highest amount of support will receive bids, as long as they are both over 70 percent approval, according to the Emmys rulebook.
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Here's the fine print for what, exactly, constitutes inclusion in this relatively new Emmy category:
A Scripted Variety Series is defined as a variety program that is primarily scripted, or loosely scripted improv, and consisting of discrete scenes, satire, musical numbers, monologues, comedy stand-ups, sketches, etc. Scripted Variety may occasionally feature unscripted elements, but the main intent of the series is scripted or performed entertainment.
Last Week Tonight has the best chance of winning Best Scripted Variety Series this year, per Gold Derby's Emmy predictions. In Season 12, the John Oliver-hosted program skewered important topics like Elon Musk's influence on Donald Trump's presidency, online content moderation, tipping, ICE detention centers, sports betting, the use of tasers by police, and discrimination against trans women in sports. A 10th victory would put Last Week Tonight just one shy of the all-time record-holder, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, which won 11.
SNL celebrated its golden anniversary on NBC with a season full of returning cast members and special guest stars, including Maya Rudolph as Vice President Kamala Harris, Jim Gaffigan as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Andy Samberg as second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden, and Mike Myers as Musk. Notable guest hosts during Saturday Night Live's 50th season were Ariana Grande, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Timothée Chalamet, Lady Gaga, and Scarlett Johansson. (Note that the two primetime specials, SNL50: The Anniversary Special and SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, are competing in the separate category of Best Live Variety Special.)
The other four contenders competing in Best Scripted Variety Series are Fantasmas, which focuses on Julio Torres' search for a golden oyster earring; Studio C, the 20-year-old family-oriented sketch show; After Midnight, the late night quiz spoof hosted by Taylor Tomlinson; and It's Florida, Man, the series that reimagines weird stories from the sunshine state.
Gold Derby's Emmy odds are based on the combined forecasts of more than 4,100 people (and counting), including experts we've polled from major media outlets, editors who cover awards year-round for this website, and the mass of users who make up our biggest predictions bloc. Track the Emmy predictions by exploring all of our charts and graphs, and sound off in our TV forum.
PREDICTED NOMINEES
1. Last Week Tonight With John Oliver — 11/20 2. Saturday Night Live — 2/1
POTENTIAL SPOILERS
3. Fantasmas — 100/1 4. Studio C — 100/1
LONGSHOTS
5. After Midnight — 100/1 6. It's Florida, Man — 100/1
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