Emmy preview: Who’s in and who’s out in 9 key categories

‘GoT’ trailer vows war on all fronts

LOS ANGELES, May 25, (RTRS): It’s that time of year again: Emmy season is upon us, and Variety’s coverage will begin in earnest in next week’s issue. But before we kick off a brand new race for TV’s top trophy, we’re taking a look at nine key categories and breaking down which of last year’s nominees are in and out of the race, who might stage a dramatic return and what newcomers have already made an impact on the kudos landscape.

Drama Series - HBO’s “Game of Thrones” won’t return until the summer, ensuring a new winner will be crowned this year. And PBS’ “Downton Abbey” closed its doors last year.What’s back: FX’s “The Americans,” AMC’s “Better Call Saul,” Showtime’s “Homeland,” Netflix’s “House of Cards” and USA’s “Mr. Robot” are all eligible again. Looking to return: Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black” had a timely and revitalized fourth season, if voters remember.What’s new: There’s no shortage of hot freshmen including the formidabor Story” (“Roanoke”) and Starz’s sequel “The White Princess” are eligible. What’s new: FX’s “Feud: Bette and Joan” kicked off a fresh franchise, while HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” “The Night Of” and “The Young Pope” garnered varying degrees of buzz. And although it’s not completely new, Netflix’s “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” enters the category for the first time.

Talk - What’s out: All the 2016 nominees are eligible to return.What’s back: Veterans ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” and “Real Time With Bill Maher” and NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” plus last year’s surprise nominees Crackle’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” and CBS’ “The Late Late Show With James Corden.” Looking to return: CBS’ “Late Show” and Comedy Central’s “Daily Show” were MIA last year with new hosts Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah, but both have serious momentum this year thanks in no small part to their mockery of President Trump. Ditto’s NBC’s “Late Night,” currently hosted by Seth Meyers, which hasn’t been nominated since 2013 (with host Jimmy Fallon).What’s new: TBS’ “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee” landed a writing nom for its freshman season and could jump into the series mix with a sophomore run that again (a running theme this year) went all-in on Trump.

Reality Competition Series - What’s out: Nothing — this has traditionally been one of the toughest Emmy races to crack.What’s back: Everything. CBS’ “The Amazing Race,” NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” and “The Voice,” ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” Lifetime’s “Project Runway” and Bravo’s “Top Chef” remain reality mainstays. Looking to return: Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” was dropped last year after five consecutive noms.What’s new: It’s been on since 2009, but watch out for VH1’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” after RuPaul Charles sashayed away with the hosting trophy last year.

Drama Actor - Who’s out: No one.Who’s back: Netflix leading men Kyle Chandler (“Bloodline”) and Kevin Spacey (“House of Cards”), Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”), Matthew Rhys (“The Americans”), Liev Schreiber (Showtime’s “Ray Donovan”) and reigning champ Rami Malek (“Mr. Robot”).Looking to return: A few previous winners are in contention with new roles, including Damian Lewis (Showtime’s “Billions”) and Kiefer Sutherland (ABC’s “Designated Survivor”).Who’s new: Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us”) scored a SAG nom and Billy Bob Thornton (Amazon’s “Goliath”) bagged a Globe nom.

HBO released the first full trailer for “Game of Thrones” Season 7 on Wednesday.

In the trailer, Cersei tells her brother/lover Jaime that enemies surround them on all sides, but she intends to destroy them all. Meanwhile, we get brief glimpses of Daenerys’ army of the Unsullied and the Dothraki going to battle with Lannister soldiers. Meanwhile, Arya Stark appears to have found her way to the North, where Jon Snow and Sansa rule over Winterfell.

Season 7 will be the penultimate season of the incredibly popular fantasy series. However, five prequel series are currently in the works at the premium cable network, with George RR Martin recently sharing new details on them with fans.

Ellen DeGeneres will appear in a brand new stand up special for Netflix, Variety has confirmed.

“It has been 15 years since I did a standup special. 15 years,” DeGeneres said in a statement. “And I’m writing it now, I can’t wait. I’ll keep you posted when and where I’m gonna shoot my Netflix special. I’m excited to do it; I’m excited for you to see it.”

DeGeneres got her start in stand up comedy before transitioning into acting and then hosting her syndicated daytime show. Now going into its fifteenth season, the show has earned a total of 59 Daytime Emmy Awards. She also had the honor of hosting the Academy Awards, the Primetime Emmys, and the Grammy Awards. Most recently, President Obama presented DeGeneres with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2016.

The new special will mark her first since 2000, when she appeared in “Ellen DeGeneres: The Beginning” for HBO.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night” returns to ABC, “Queen Sugar” announces new additions for Season 2, and Leslie Jones gets her first major award show gig.

For its tenth consecutive year, ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night” will return in conjunction with the 2017 NBA Finals. Kevin Hart, Robert Downey, Jr, Tom Holland, Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson, Jamie Foxx and Billy Crystal are set to appear as guests. The special edition episodes will air during primetime each night of the NBA Finals, beginning on June 1. “Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night” specials will air at 8 pm ET, and following the NBA game on the West Coast on ABC.