The best Emmy-nominated shows of all time, according to IMDb

The first Emmy Awards show took place at the Hollywood Athletic Club in 1949. Hosted by Walter O'Keefe, tickets to the show were $5, and just six awards were handed out—one of which went to a ventriloquist.

Named after the image-orthicon camera tube, or "immy," which was instrumental in capturing images for television, the Emmys were created by the Television Academy to award excellence in the television industry. The Emmy Award statue was designed to be a winged woman, representing the arts, holding up an atom, representing science. It was modeled after television engineer Louis McManus' wife Dorothy McManus. As time went on, the Emmy Award gained acclaim and grew into one of the most prestigious awards in the entertainment industry.

In celebration of the Emmy Awards Sept. 12, Stacker compiled a comprehensive ranking of the best Emmy-nominated shows based on IMDb user ratings, with ties broken by votes. Data was sourced in May 2022. All drama, comedy, competition, variety, anthology, and limited series that were nominated for at least one Emmy and have more than 2,500 IMDb user votes were considered in the ranking. Nature documentary series were not considered in this list.

Over the years, the Emmys have become an awards show where anything might happen. From an impromptu make-out between "Veep's" Julia Louis-Dreyfus and "Breaking Bad's" Bryan Cranston to an unsuccessful prank to steal Betty Thomas' award to Viola Davis' powerful speech on diversity in the entertainment industry — the Emmy Awards have always brought together visionaries and artists with diverse perspectives.

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- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2001-2005

The dark HBO series "Six Feet Under" captures the lives of a dysfunctional family who own a funeral home in Los Angeles. Led by Oscar-winning "American Beauty" screenwriter Alan Ball, the show received 23 Emmy nominations in its first season alone. The same year, the series won a Golden Globe for best drama series and a Peabody Award for entertainment.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2016-2019

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's British dramedy follows Fleabag, a complicated, viciously funny Londoner played by a magnetic Waller-Bridge. While season one explored Fleabag's trauma, its second season delivered a transcendent and devastating love story as Fleabag falls in love with an attractive priest (Andrew Scott). The Academy took notice, with the second season nominated for 11 Emmy awards and taking home six, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress for Waller-Bridge, and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2004-2009

"Battlestar Galactica" tells the story of a society obliterated by their android enemies, the Cylons. The last of this society remains to venture forth to the fabled 13th planet: Earth. As a much-loved sci-fi series, it's no surprise that this show earned several nominations in special effects, but the show also earned a notable number of nominations for its strong writing.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2005-2007

This historic drama set in the last days of the Roman Republic stars Kevin McKidd as Lucius Vorenus, a Roman soldier serving the republic as it transitions to an empire. It features many well-known figures of the Roman era including Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, making it an easy favorite for history buffs. With recurring nominations in costume design, makeup, and visual effects, this show excels at its ability to transport viewers back in time.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2016-present

While "The Crown" is most notable for its exorbitant production budget of $130 million, making it the most expensive TV series ever made, the Netflix show has earned its place as a TV heavy hitter. Following the intriguing life of Queen Elizabeth II, "The Crown" takes the audience through the difficult ins and outs of navigating royal life. The show's impressive cast and dedicated following earned it 13 Emmy nominations in 2018, with the show winning five that year.

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- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2010-2015

This BBC creation took the U.S. by storm, quickly gaining a massive cult following from American audiences. This unlikely hit transports audiences back to the post-Edwardian era and into the Grantham family's sprawling estate, from which the show gets its title. Led by notable British stars including Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville, the show also helped launch the careers of newcomers like Michelle Dockery.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2007-2015

A period drama that centers on a 1960s New York City ad agency and its talented (and complicated) employees, "Mad Men" aired on AMC for seven seasons. The show earned dozens of Emmy nominations for its acting, writing, and visual style over the course of its run, but its most significant win came when it took home the trophy for Outstanding Drama Series after its first season, making it the first basic cable program to do so.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2003-2019

"Arrested Development" follows the misadventures of the Bluth family in Orange County, California. The once-wealthy family faces trouble when its patriarch is charged with a white-collar crime, which leaves them all penniless. Through five seasons and one movie, "Arrested Development" charmed audiences with its somewhat frustrating humor, and it solidified the careers of many of its actors, including Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, and Portia de Rossi.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 1997-present

From the comedic minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, this long-running animated series follows the boisterous, troublemaking adventures of foul-mouthed friends Cartman, Kenny, Stan, and Kyle. The show often borders on the offensive but has kept viewers engaged by putting a comedic spin on topical political and social issues that are otherwise very serious.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2019-present

After an avalanche of superhero films and series over the past decade, show developer Eric Kripke swooped in to capture the anti-hero sentiment. The dark show investigates questions like, "What happens when a superhero kills an innocent bystander in the process of saving the city?" and other unaddressed aspects of caped crusading. Karl Urban leads the principal cast. 

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- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 1989-present

Premiering in 1989 and still going strong, "The Simpsons" follows the suburban lives of the Simpson family from Springfield, Illinois, with some offbeat twists and turns. The show is the longest-running, prime-time scripted series in the history of television.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2019-present

Disney's first live-action TV show in its ever-growing roster of adventures set in a galaxy far, far away, "The Mandalorian" follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and "Baby Yoda"—a colloquial name for the adorable puppet creature that is not actually Yoda but another creature of the same species who is a toddler at age 50. "The Mandalorian" was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series and won several Emmys in the award show's creative categories, including Visual Effects, Production Design, and Sound Editing.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2004-2012

Actor Hugh Laurie's highly referenced role as Dr. Gregory House earned him six Emmy nominations. The always-skeptical Dr. House brought the flawed world of medical diagnosis into people's homes while winning audiences over with his keen sense of humanity.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2013-2018

Based on the BBC series of the same name, this U.S. version follows Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), a Democrat from South Carolina who is passed over for secretary of state and exacts his revenge with his equally manipulative wife, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright).

After sexual assault allegations against Spacey surfaced, the show made the executive decision to remove his character from the script and move Wright into the starring role.

- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2006-2013

A show about everyone's favorite murderer with a heart of gold, "Dexter" made gruesome crime scenes complex and bingeable. Michael C. Hall stars as psychopathic Dexter, a blood-spatter analyst by day and killer of wrong-doers at night. Miami has never looked the same. Hall earned five nominations for his starring role.

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- IMDb user rating: 8.7

- Years on the air: 2016-present

This beloved Netflix show satisfied the country's craving for '80s sci-fi kitsch. The story follows a group of childhood friends in a typical Midwestern town, complete with government labs, alternate realities, and monsters.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2013-2018

Each episode of the documentary series "Vice" tells a different story, from bonded laborers to political assassins. Vice Magazine journalists Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi hosted the deep-dive program alongside contributors Ryan Duffy and Thomas Morton. For most of its run, the HBO series earned more Emmy nominations in the news and documentary categories than any other program.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 1987-1989

This oft-forgotten Jim Henson gem features an old, nameless storyteller (John Hurt) who relays various European folk tales to his talking dog. Like most Henson productions, the children's show featured a mix of human actors and puppets. The short-lived program originally aired on NBC during "The Jim Henson Hour," but was rerun on HBO in the '90s where it gained a much bigger audience.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2009-present

It may not have been a hit from the jump, but over the years, ESPN's "30 for 30" documentary series has become one of the most successful sports shows on television. Each 60-minute episode highlights a different athlete, game, or moment in sports history, often shining a light on stories frequently overlooked or generally unknown. The original show has done so well that it spawned a series of spinoffs, shorts, and podcasts that give fans more of the stories they crave.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2013-2018

World-renowned chef Anthony Bourdain's final TV series, "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" introduced viewers to unique foods eaten by some of the world's more unexplored cultures. The travelog won 31 Emmy nominations over the course of its 12-season run, and in 2019 Bourdain earned a posthumous Emmy for Outstanding Informational Series.

The last episode of the show, which was completed after his death, returns Bourdain to his stomping ground on Manhattan's Lower East Side, resulting in a particularly emotional and poignant episode of TV.

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- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2003-2006

Regarded as one of the greatest comedy sketch shows of all time, "Chappelle's Show" became the avenue through which the world met Dave Chappelle. Known for his boundary-pushing comedy that cuts to the socioeconomic core of America's racist past and present, Chappelle was nominated for two Emmys for Writing and Outstanding Variety or Comedy Series.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2000-present

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" took "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David out from behind the camera to spotlight his signature deadpan comedy style. Only winning a couple of Emmys out of its many nominations, what the comedic series lacks in awards, it makes up for in very quotable dialogue.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2018-present

"Succession" is a satirical comedy-drama about a family fighting each other for control of their massive media and entertainment conglomerate. The series was created by British icon Jesse Armstrong and has won Emmy awards for Outstanding Drama.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 1999-2000

The show that launched a thousand careers, "Freaks and Geeks" remains a one-season legend. Conceived from the mind of a young Judd Apatow, the series captured the uncomfortable angst and confusion of teens growing up in 1980s suburbia. The cast includes James Franco, Busy Phillips, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, and Linda Cardellini.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2014-2020

Raphael Bob-Waksberg's animated dramedy "BoJack Horseman" is an imaginative blend of self-deprecation, snappy pop-culture wit, and thorough character development. Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul, and Paul F. Tompkins round out the stacked principal cast, but the series has even more star power in its long list of A-list guests.

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- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2020-present

The ultimate feel-good show, "Ted Lasso" is about an American football coach who moves across the pond to lead a struggling soccer club. His optimistic demeanor and lack of knowledge alienate the professional athletes at first, but his persistence eventually wins them over. When the Jason Sudeikis series was nominated for 20 Emmys after its first season, it broke a record, becoming the most-nominated freshman comedy in Emmy history.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 1990-1991

David Lynch's iconic first television series follows an FBI agent (Kyle MacLachlan) as he investigates the murder of a young woman in the town of Twin Peaks. Known for its unconventional narrative and surreal tone, this series introduced the masses to what is now David Lynch's signature filmmaking style.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2005-present

This sitcom follows the depraved and scheming exploits of Dee, Mac, Charlie, Dennis, and Frank—a group of friends dubbed "The Gang." With many of the outlandish, moral-bending plotlines resulting in slapstick humor, it's not surprising this show earned its Emmy nominations in stunt coordination.

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2015-2017

This Netflix series chronicles the life of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and other drug cartels throughout the region. With the rise of the cocaine trade, the cartels gained power they enforced through bloodshed. The series has been followed by another centered on the drug trade in Mexico, titled "Narcos: Mexico."

- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2015-2022

An off-shoot of TV sensation "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul" follows the life of Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) before the events of "Breaking Bad." Prior to being Saul Goodman, Walter White's morally corrupt lawyer, he was small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill just trying to survive in an exploitative world.

While the spinoff gained recognition through the success of "Breaking Bad," it earned accolades in its own right, pulling in dozens of Emmy nominations over the course of the show.

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- IMDb user rating: 8.8

- Years on the air: 2011-2019

Netflix's sci-fi anthology of dystopian, technology-based scenarios earned a cult following with its particular brand of psychological storytelling. From killer robot bees to a cartoon bear elected to office, each episode encapsulates a different fear that audiences didn't know they had. In 2018, Netflix released a film in addition to the series titled "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch" with multiple endings. This was the streaming service's first foray into interactive entertainment.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9

- Years on the air: 1999-2006

Written by Oscar-winner Aaron Sorkin and Emmy-winner Felicia Wilson, "The West Wing" took audiences inside the personal lives of White House staffers in the presidential West Wing. Over seven seasons, the show earned an incredible 95 nominations with 26 wins.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9

- Years on the air: 2014-present

After earning an Emmy for his work as a writer and contributor on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," John Oliver's distinct voice got the attention of HBO. The series includes Oliver's comedically British take on world news from the prior week.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9

- Years on the air: 2012-2016

The Disney series "Gravity Falls" follows the story of twins who are sent to spend the summer with their great uncle in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls. The animated children's show has an unlikely star-studded cast, including Jason Ritter and Linda Cardellini.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9

- Years on the air: 1989-1998

A live-action sitcom written by Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, "Seinfeld" follows four single friends battling the absurdities of living in New York City. Solidifying the term "New York humor," the show grew a strong national audience and maintains its devoted following decades later.

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- IMDb user rating: 8.9

- Years on the air: 2014-present

Based on the Coen brothers' feature film of the same name, this anthology series follows various stories of crime that inevitably lead back to Fargo, North Dakota. In fact, the Coen brothers co-produced the series with writer Noah Hawley, who wrote each season to exist in a different era with an entirely new cast and story. The show has featured a number of highly acclaimed actors including Billy Bob Thornton, Kirsten Dunst, Ewan McGregor, and Ted Danson.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9

- Years on the air: 2014-2019

Much like "Fargo," "True Detective" is a crime anthology series that switches up stories and casts each season. Written and created by Nic Pizzolatto, the HBO series follows detectives over various eras and has earned excellent reviews from critics for its strong casts and unique cinematography. Casts over various seasons have featured Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Mahershala Ali, Woody Harrelson, and Rachel McAdams.

- IMDb user rating: 8.9

- Years on the air: 1994-2004

With a whopping 62 nominations, "Friends" launched the careers of some of the biggest stars of the 1990s and 2000s, including Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, and Courteney Cox. Throughout all the years since the show has seemingly only gained fans.

- IMDb user rating: 9.0

- Years on the air: 2016-2019

A former member of the Church of Scientology (she joined alongside her family at the age of 9), actress Leah Remini has become an outspoken critic of the divisive movement in recent years. This A&E documentary series digs into the darker side of the religion through the experiences of Remini, her co-host Mike Rinder, and other former members. Each season of the series was nominated for the Outstanding Informational Series or Special Emmy award (it won twice).

- IMDb user rating: 9.0

- Years on the air: 1992-1995

This iconic show from the DC Universe followed the escapades of the dark, moody protagonist, Batman, and his trusty sidekick Robin. While the Batman series of the 1960s largely represented its main characters as campy crime-fighters, this show was praised for its film noir aesthetic and the complexity of its characters.

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- IMDb user rating: 9.0

- Years on the air: 2002-2003

In an odd mashup of genres, "Firefly" is a Western space drama set in the year 2517, when humans have occupied a new star system. It follows the ragtag renegade crew who live aboard a spaceship named Serenity. The show gained accolades for its stunning narrative and its popularity led to the creation of a feature film titled "Serenity."

- IMDb user rating: 9.0

- Years on the air: 2005-2013

Welcome to the Scranton, Pennsylvania, branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Under the guidance of branch manager Michael Scott, a group of oddball office workers brings humor (and heart) to the workplace. Shot as a single-camera mockumentary, the show earned itself 42 nominations and launched the comedy careers of huge stars like Steve Carell, John Krasinski, and Mindy Kaling.

- IMDb user rating: 9.1

- Years on the air: 1959-1964

With a two-note theme song that instantly makes your heart race and raises the hairs on your neck, "The Twilight Zone" set the precedent for shows that blur the boundaries between horror, sci-fi, and drama. With an impressive 156-episode run, the series has become a prominent part of pop culture.

- IMDb user rating: 9.1

- Years on the air: 2010-2017

This modern update of British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original series of stories stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the ever-perceptive detective Sherlock Holmes. Set in current times, "Sherlock" brings his Victorian-era archetypal detective expertise into today's forensic landscape. A TV movie titled "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" was also released in relation to the series.

- IMDb user rating: 9.2

- Years on the air: 1999-2007

"The Sopranos" was an iconic precedent-setting drama from HBO that changed how television shows portray nuanced and complex stories with character development that rivals feature films. 2019 marked the show's 20th anniversary and the announcement of a prequel named "The Many Saints of Newark" starring James Gandolfini's son, Michael Gandolfini.

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- IMDb user rating: 9.2

- Years on the air: 2013-present

After sociopathic scientist Rick Sanchez reunites with his adult daughter and moves in with her family, he takes his grandchildren traveling through alternate dimensions. The adult animated series is created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland and is broadcast on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.

- IMDb user rating: 9.2

- Years on the air: 2011-2019

Based on George R.R. Martin's bestselling fantasy book series "A Song of Ice and Fire," "Game of Thrones" took the world by storm. Arguably one of the most iconic shows of the decade, "Game of Thrones" integrated strong visual effects, character development, and sophisticated writing to create cliffhangers that left viewers on the edge of their seats until the following week. With a whopping 160 nominations, the show won 47 Emmys total in its lifetime of airing.

- IMDb user rating: 9.3

- Years on the air: 2005-2008

This animated series portrays a world divided into four nations—the Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Air Nomads—with the Fire Nation hoping to overthrow the other three. The Avatar, who can control all four elements, has disappeared but returns to bring back peace to the world. The Nickelodeon series has become known for its innovative incorporation of the Japanese tradition of anime with Western animation.

- IMDb user rating: 9.3

- Years on the air: 2002-2008

Created by former police reporter David Simon, "The Wire" portrays the lives of criminals and corrupt police in West Baltimore. The show, which takes on the perspectives of both drug dealers and law enforcement, gained a dedicated following over its five seasons.

- IMDb user rating: 9.5

- Years on the air: 2008-2013

The best Emmy-nominated show of all time according to IMDb users is Vince Gilligan's drama "Breaking Bad." Following the story of high school-chemistry-teacher-turned-meth-kingpin Walter White, "Breaking Bad" introduced viewers to the ultimate antihero of our time. Pushed into cooking meth by the financial burden of his inoperable lung cancer, the series juggles Walt's unfortunate situation with the moral slippery slope that eventually destroys his life.

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A total of 25 awards will be presented during the Sept. 12 ceremony, including in the glamour categories of acting and best comedy, drama and limited series. Past winners Jean Smart ("Hacks") and Bill Hader ("Barry") are among the contenders.

The overall field is highly competitive, with an unprecedented twist: Netflix’s South Korean phenomenon “Squid Game” is the first non–English language drama to be nominated for an Emmy.

While predicting victors this year is like one of those daunting “Squid Game” contests, Associated Press Television Writer Lynn Elber and AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy foolishly soldier on.

Nominees: “Better Call Saul”; “Euphoria”; “Ozark”; “Severance”; “Squid Game”; “Stranger Things”; “Succession” (in photo); “Yellowjackets.”

KENNEDY:

Should win: “Severance,” the vicious satire of office culture could not have asked for better timing, just as many white-collar workers were making their first tentative steps back — and questioning why. It is just brilliant, unpredictable and haunting.

Will win: Although both my innie and my outie think it should be “Severance,” the winner will be “Succession.” Not a bad step, just an easy one.

ELBER:

Should win: “Severance” captures the zeitgeist of worker discontent, but let’s consider “Squid Game” and its take on soul-destroying poverty. It's wholly original and, yes, gruesome. That didn't hurt four-time winner “Game of Thrones.”

Will win: “Succession” won the last time it competed, in 2020, and the antics of the rich and scheming Roy family are as engrossing a peep show as ever.

Nominees: Jodie Comer, “Killing Eve”; Laura Linney, “Ozark”; Melanie Lynskey, “Yellowjackets”; Sandra Oh (in photo), “Killing Eve”; Reese Witherspoon, “The Morning Show”; Zendaya, “Euphoria.”

KENNEDY:

Should win: Linney hasn’t won for “Ozark” and she deserves it for going from dutiful wife to a cunning mastermind over the four seasons.

Will win: Oh, who richly deserves her first Emmy after four years of “Killing Eve.” Comer and Zendaya have their statuettes; TV academy voters will bid Oh goodbye with one, too.

ELBER:

Should win and will win: Versatile, long-admired actor Lynskey gets her first Emmy for her role as Shauna, who has umm, meaty secrets. Zendaya's second win for her gutsy work in “Euphoria” is deserved, but voters favor change in this category.

Nominees: Jason Bateman, “Ozark”; Brian Cox, “Succession”; Lee Jung-jae, “Squid Game”; Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”; Adam Scott (in photo), “Severance”; Jeremy Strong, “Succession.”

KENNEDY:

Should win: Scott for playing two roles on “Severance,” a worker bee and a grieving widow. The former “Parks and Recreation” star is here an everyman, just sputtering through his day, with damage lurking beneath the suit and tie.

Will win: Odenkirk, never nominated for “Breaking Bad,” should have at least one Emmy at home for “Better Call Saul.” Or Cox, who had a rip-roaring season on “Succession.”

ELBER:

Should win and will win: A category of heavyweights for sure, with all the above worthy. But Cox triumphs as the wily magnate scrabbling to control his empire and out-maneuver his equally venal brood.

Nominees: “Abbott Elementary”; “Barry”; “Curb Your Enthusiasm”; “Hacks”; “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”; “Only Murders in the Building” (in photo); “Ted Lasso”; “What We Do in the Shadows.”

KENNEDY:

Should win: The mockumentary “Abbott Elementary,″ a true workplace comedy in the vein of “The Office” or “Superstore.” How it is so specific to a group of underfunded teachers in Philadelphia and yet universal is the magic.

Will win: “Only Murders in the Building,” an uncontroversial and uninspired choice, as safe as an Upper West Side doorman building. Who can look at Martin Short, Steve Martin and Selena Gomez and tell them they get no Emmy?

ELBER:

Should win: Raise your hand if you know the answer. “Abbott Elementary” is the rare sitcom that clicked from the start, with its characters, stories and heart all in the right place.

Will win: “Abbott Elementary,” despite the odds against an old-school network entry winning against flashier cable and streaming rivals. It hasn't happened since “Modern Family” won in 2014.

Nominees: Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”; Quinta Brunson (in photo), “Abbott Elementary”; Kaley Cuoco, “The Flight Attendant”; Elle Fanning, “The Great”; Issa Rae, “Insecure”; Jean Smart, “Hacks.”

ELBER:

Should win: Brunson's idealistic young schoolteacher is endearing and, as she begins to learn how to survive bureaucracy, growing before our eyes. Plus, teachers deserve respect.

Will win: Smart. Back-to-back wins have become rare in the age of peak TV (read: unending stream of shows), but her portrayal of a veteran comedian refusing to say uncle reached new levels of vulnerability and grit.

KENNEDY:

Should win and will win: Smart, her character vicious in anger, driven in her career, but this season also sowing a maternal and soft side. Besides, her other Emmy for “Hacks” is lonely.

Nominees: Donald Glover, “Atlanta”; Bill Hader (in photo), “Barry”; Nicholas Hoult, “The Great”; Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso”; Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”; Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building.”

ELBER:

Should win: Can we get a twofer for Martin and Short, whose chemistry and playfulness makes the series? (With a nod to co-star Selena Gomez; her droll tolerance of the pair adds the perfect note.)

Will win: Hader's portrayal of a hitman-turned-actor who can't escape his past is the core of a viciously satirical, addictive brew. A third Emmy is his reward.

KENNEDY:

Should win: Hoult, playing a vain, unpredictable, glass-breaking, headbutting and unethical Peter III of Russia in “The Great,” sucking the oxygen from every scene. It's a frat-boy role but hard to nail like Hoult. “Let us hope my seed has found purchase,” he says after an encounter with the queen, and I agree.

Will win: Hader. Everyone loves Hader.

Nominees: “Dopesick”; “The Dropout”; “Inventing Anna”; “The White Lotus” (in photo); “Pam & Tommy.”

ELBER:

Should win: “Dopesick” is a granular dissection of the roots of America's devastating opioid crisis focused on both its victims and villains. Television at its relevant best.

Will win: “The Dropout." Let's face it: Seeing a Silicon Valley's high-flier brought down a peg or further is a guilty pleasure, and the story of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes' spectacular fall is punchily told.

KENNEDY:

Should win: “The Dropout,” agreed, a rise and fall — as well as a trip back to her teenage years — so well told that viewers could almost feel sorry for Holmes, or at least understand how her fraud could happen.

Will win: “The White Lotus,” a satire of wealth, entitlement and privilege was this cycle's lite “Big Little Lies,” and it was the splashiest show about rich white people being horrible, which weirdly all the nominees this time had elements of.

Nominees: Colin Firth, “The Staircase”; Andrew Garfield, “Under the Banner of Heaven”; Oscar Isaac, “Scenes from a Marriage”; Michael Keaton (in photo), “Dopesick”; Himesh Patel, “Station Eleven”; Sebastian Stan, “Pam & Tommy.”

ELBER:

Should win and will win: Keaton, for his restrained portrayal of a small-town doctor who's ensnared by opioids at incalculable cost, to him and his patients. The Oscar-winning star is a gift to the small screen.

KENNEDY:

Should win: Isaac, who in “Scenes from a Marriage” whipsaws from being tightly controlled to impulsive, a little befuddled, liable to snap and always human as his heart broke.

Will win: Keaton, who always it seems is an underestimated talent, shining in a role perfectly suited to him: a sweet local doctor gradually understanding the horror he has helped create. A little too perfect, but, hey.

Nominees: Toni Collette, “The Staircase”; Julia Garner, “Inventing Anna”; Lily James, “Pam & Tommy”; Sarah Paulson, “Impeachment: American Crime Story”; Margaret Qualley, “Maid”; Amanda Seyfried (in photo), “The Dropout.”

ELBER:

Should win: Qualley did justice to a rarely seen screen character — a struggling, blue-collar single mom — with a nuanced, breakout performance in “Maid.”

Will win: Seyfried, whose portrayal of an ill-fated Silicon Valley whiz kid in “The Dropout” was a pull-out-the-stops barn burner.

KENNEDY:

Should win and will win: We’ll no doubt see all these actors again at the Emmys, but this year it is all about Seyfried, who played a fraudster with a Yoda-loving, Mandarin-speaking, munching-on-a-scorpion and dancing poorly essence.

Are you ready for some football? Fine, but the return of the NFL is why the 2022 Emmy Awards have been drop-kicked from their usual Sunday berth to Monday.

Television's top awards rotate among the top four networks, and this year's broadcast home, NBC, has reserved the second Sunday night in September for Tampa Bay vs. Dallas. After the Emmys slogged through two years of pandemic-restricted ceremonies, a day's delay seems a minor annoyance.

The industry is expected to put on its Monday best, swan down the red carpet and celebrate itself and the wealth of shows across streaming services, cable and, to a degree that pales compared to years' past, old-school network fare.

But what's a Hollywood awards show without a TV audience? A low-rated disappointment, and that's where you come in. If you decide to do your bit and tune in, here's a roadmap to everything you need to know about the 2022 Emmys.

The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards are set for Monday, Sept. 12, at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles. The roughly three-hour ceremony will begin at 8 p.m. EDT and air live on NBC and, for free, on the streaming service Peacock.

But the Emmys, with 118 total awards, aren’t a one-day affair. Winners in 25 key categories including best drama and comedy series will be announced during the broadcast ceremony, with the rest divvied up between the Sept. 3 and 4 creative arts awards. An edited version of the weekend ceremonies, with categories including sound editing and cinematography, will air at 8 p.m. EDT Sept. 10 on FXX.

The honor usually goes to a comedian with a link to the network airing the event, and NBC stayed the course: It chose “Saturday Night Live” veteran Kenan Thompson, a first-time Emmy host who’s been preceded in the emcee job by a number of “SNL” stars. The ceremony has tried going without a host, most recently in 2019, but the results weren’t always pretty. Or entertaining.

Some previous winners are vying again for best series honors, including “Ted Lasso,” a freshman when it won 2021’s best comedy series, and “Succession,” which claimed the 2020 best drama award. (The series didn’t air during the eligibility window for 2021, when “The Crown” won.)

There are also formidable newcomers, including the dystopian drama “Squid Game” and comedy crime romp “Only Murders in the Building.”

Among the nominated actors, those hoping to be repeat victors include Jason Sudeikis of “Ted Lasso,” Jean Smart of “Hacks” and Zendaya of “Euphoria.” Check out the full list of Emmy nominees.

So many, where to begin? The farewell season of “This Is Us” got a single nomination, for original music and lyrics, after reaping Emmys for several cast members in years past. It was a similar case for the last year of “black-ish,” which ended its groundbreaking run with just two creative arts nominations. On the flip side, it was far from a slam dunk that Dave Chappelle's “The Closer,” with its controversial anti-transgender comments, would earn a best variety special nomination. It did.

The more than 17,000 voting members of the TV academy are eligible to decide nominees and winners in 14 categories, including drama, comedy and limited series. The acting awards, including lead, supporting and guest actors, are determined by peer groups, as are directing, writing and other individual areas of achievement. The number of nominees in most categories generally is tied to the number of submissions, with exceptions including best comedy and dramas series: They get eight nominees each.