A film is a film, a series is a series. Comedy is a comedy and tragedy is a tragedy. However, these definitions which are meant to make things more convenient are becoming reasons for complete chaos.
In recent years, the Emmy Awards have faced significant challenges in defining and categorizing TV shows. This issue has become more complicated as shows evolve and genres blend. Originally, categories were clear-cut, but now the lines are blurred.
One major problem is the shifting of shows between categories. For example, PBS’s “Downton Abbey” started as a miniseries but later moved to the drama category when it was renewed for more seasons. Similarly, HBO’s “Big Little Lies” and “The White Lotus” also transitioned from limited series to drama. This kind of category switching creates confusion and controversy.
Netflix’s “Black Mirror” took us by surprise by winning in the TV movie category with some of its episodes. This led the TV Academy to redefine the length requirements for a TV movie. So, was the definition really proper?
The TV Academy tried to simplify things by declaring that half-hour shows were comedies and hour-long shows were dramas. However, there are problems with it.
What exactly is a limited series?
Shows like AMC’s “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live” were planned as limited series but were deemed ineligible because they continued stories from previous shows. According to TV Academy rules, a limited series must tell a complete story within one season without ongoing storylines.
Some shows, initially announced as limited series, later explored additional seasons, further complicating their classification. FX’s “Shogun” was one such example, shifting to the drama category when more seasons were considered.
Given these complexities, many wonder if the “limited series” category still makes sense. And if they don’t, it is high time Emmys remove all the non-sense.