The Emmys Failed to Launch Half a Century Ago
Many decisions that were not well thought out have been made in an attempt to “improve” Hollywood awards. The 2022 Oscars, for example, handed out eight awards before the telecast, causing outrage within the film community. (However, this controversy was overshadowed by The Slap incident, and the omitted categories were reinstated the following year.)
But the antics of the 1974 Emmys far surpassed that. In an effort to speed up the event and recognize that shows like M*A*S*H didn’t fit traditional categories (a sentiment echoed about The Bear and other nominated series today), the TV Academy introduced a new format called the “Super Emmys.” These were far from “super,” as they involved a complicated system where acting, directing, and writing winners were announced in advance, and then pitted against each other – comedy versus drama – in six “super categories” presented at the ceremony. For instance, M*A*S*H‘s Alan Alda won “actor of the year” over Telly Savales of Kojak, while Mary Tyler Moore triumphed over The Waltons‘ Michael Learned for “actress of the year,” and so on.
The Super Emmys were universally disliked. “You’re comparing apples and oranges and Volkswagens,” Alda remarked to THR after receiving his Super Emmy. “It was so strange. The mix of competitors was odd.” Similar to the 2023 Oscars, the 1975 Emmy Awards returned to the usual format.
This article was originally published in the September 11 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.