8 legendary TV shows that never won an Emmy Award

There was no love from the academy for these iconic shows.

While there will always be snubs and surprises, we can normally agree that outstanding programming will always receive its fair share of awards and acclaim. 

That's not the case for these eight shows. Despite being some of the most famous and influential programs in television history, they never received an Emmy Award. Some of them weren't even nominated. 

Do any of these surprise you? Take a look.

1. Batman

Holy snub! Batman burst onto the scene in 1996 and revolutionized the superhero drama with its vivid sets and campy style. The series was nominated for three awards in 1966, including Outstanding Comedy Series, but failed to take home any awards. Frank Gorshin (The Riddler) was nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Comedy, but lost to Don Knotts.

2. Star Trek

With such a huge legacy, it's easy to forget the original series never received an Emmy Award throughout its three-year run. Star Trek did receive 13 nominations over three years, but walked away empty handed each time. We don't think there are any hard feelings though — Star Trek is still doing just fine. 

3. The Brady Bunch

So many classic moments, so many lessons learned, and yet no Emmys for this series. The Brady Bunch wasn't even nominated during its original run, gaining most of its popularity when it went into syndication in the 1970s. 

4. Laverne & Shirley

Laverne & Shirley was one of the most dominant shows in the 1970s, ranking as one of the top four programs during its first four years on air. That popularity didn't necessarily equate to critical success, with the show earning just one Emmy nomination in 1979 for Outstanding Costume Design. 

5. Here's Lucy

Perhaps the academy grew tired of giving so many accolades to Lucille Ball? Despite high ratings and critical acclaim, Here's Lucy was only nominated for two awards throughout its six year run. That's a far cry from the 20 nominations I Love Lucy received in the 1950s. 

Image: Paul Brownstein Productions

6. Good Times

Norman Lear's politically charged sitcoms racked up countless Emmy wins and nominations during the 1970s, but one series was shut out entirely. Good Times never received an Emmy award or nomination during its six-year run. Esther Rolle couldn't even get a nomination for the scene where she breaks down after her husband dies. Now that's not dy-no-mite. 

Image: Sony Pictures Television

7. The Bob Newhart Show

Perhaps Mary Richards turned the academy on with her smile? Both The Bob Newhart Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show were produced by MTM Productions in the 1970s, but the latter program overshadowed the former. The Bob Newhart Show never won an Emmy during its run, while The Mary Tyler Moore Show earned a record-breaking 29 awards.

8. Leave It to Beaver

Because Leave It to Beaver and The Andy Griffith Show ushered in a wave of wholesome content in the 1960s, the two shows are sometimes mistaken for one another. That is, until you count the amount of awards each show won. Leave It to Beaver didn't win any, while The Andy Griffith Show won six (five of them going to Don Knotts). 

Image: NBCUniversal

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2 Comments

RedSamRackham 20 months ago
* Some of these shows could be dismissed as mere brain candy while others among them perhaps were Emmy-worthy. ☺
idkwut2use 39 months ago
Laverne and Shirley TOTALLY deserved to...;-;
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