The 2026 Emmy nominations for best variety series have been announced, and it's a familiar face that takes the top spot. The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Saturday Night Live have all earned their nominations, as predicted by The Hollywood Reporter and likely by many others. However, the dark-horse candidate, Hot Ones, was surprisingly overlooked, leaving a question mark over the decision. This year's Emmy Awards have introduced a new structure to the variety series category, merging scripted and talk series into a single, unified category. This change comes after a decline in submissions for the previous, more segmented categories. The new system aims to streamline the process and potentially increase the number of winners, as it is now considered an 'area award'. The variety series category now awards multiple winners based on individual merit, with a 90% 'Yes' threshold for each nominee. This shift in the Emmys' structure has implications for the future, as the Television Academy will split the categories back into two if both formats reach 20 submissions in the same year. The nominations for The Late Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live! are particularly notable, given their recent challenges. The Late Show faced cancellation due to political tensions and cost-cutting measures, while Jimmy Kimmel Live! navigated a suspension from Disney/ABC over a controversial statement. Both shows have endured a challenging year, and their nominations are a testament to their resilience and continued relevance in the industry. The Emmy nominations highlight the ongoing evolution of late-night talk shows and the changing landscape of television. As the industry adapts to new formats and challenges, the Emmys' new structure reflects a desire to recognize a wider range of talent and content. The nominations for The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight, and Saturday Night Live further emphasize the cultural impact and influence of these shows, solidifying their place in the industry. The 2026 Emmy nominations serve as a reminder that, despite the challenges and changes in the industry, the late-night talk show genre continues to thrive and captivate audiences. As the Emmys approach, the competition among these shows will be fierce, and the winners will undoubtedly leave their mark on the industry. The new structure of the variety series category, with its focus on individual merit and potential for multiple winners, adds an exciting layer of complexity to the awards. The 2026 Emmys promise to be a celebration of the diverse and dynamic world of late-night television, where creativity and resilience are rewarded.
