And the award for most Emmys goes to …
A bunch of little-known facts about television’s top prize
The Emmys don’t have the cultural cachet of the Oscars, or the shock value of the Golden Globes. They do have their share of stories passed down through the years, though.
Here are some peculiar facts and figures from over the years that you might not know:
Television has a certain anthropological value. For example, The Facts of Life was nominated for outstanding achievement in hairstyling in 1987, for the meticulous way Lisa Welchel, Nancy McKeon, Mindy Cohn, Mackenzie Astin and others showcased the mullet. Little-known fact: George Clooney appeared as a regular character, George Burnett, from 1985 to 1986, and then as a recurring character from 1986 to 1987.
Saturday Night Live has set a new record for most Emmy nominations for a single program, with 171. That surpasses the previous mark set by ER, with 124, and Cheers with 117.
George C. Scott famously turned down his 1971 best actor Oscar for the movie Patton. The Oscars were a petty popularity contest, he said. Yet, that same year, he accepted an Emmy for his performance in Hallmark Hall of Fame’s The Price. Impress your friends! he most Emmys won by an individual is 23, and that individual is — wait for it — Sheila Nevins. Who, you ask? Nevins is in charge of madefor-television movies and miniseries for HBO.
Cloris Leachman has won more Emmys than any other actor, eight, followed by Ed Asner and Mary Tyler Moore, with seven each.
Bill Maher is not alone in being snubbed by Emmy. Dynasty went 0-for-24, during its run from 1981 to 1989.
Kelsey Grammer is the only actor to be nominated for the same character in three different series: Wings (once), Cheers (twice) and Frasier (10 times). Grammer won four Emmys, all for Frasier. On the flip side of that Emmy coin, Jerry Seinfeld was nominated five straight years for Seinfeld — and lost five straight times.
Candice Bergen and Don Knotts have bragging rights over Kelsey Grammer: They each hold the record for most Emmys won by a performer for the same role in the same series, five. Brown won hers for Murphy Brown; Knotts won his for The Andy Griffith Show.
The 2008 HBO miniseries John Adams holds the re- cord for most Emmys won by a made-for-TV movie or miniseries, with 13. Behind the Candelabra could conceivably equal that, if it wins five more Emmys this weekend. That’s conceivable: It’s nominated for made-for-TV movie, writing, directing and actors Michael Douglas, Matt Damon and Scott Bakula.
The West Wing holds the title for most Emmys won by a series in a single season, with nine. The West Wing won those in its first year.
Four series hold the record for most Emmy wins for best drama, with four: Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, The West Wing and Mad Men. Of those, Mad Men could set a new record with a best drama win this weekend. It’s considered a long shot, though: Homeland and Breaking Bad are favoured this time.
The name “Emmy” originated from the “immy,” a shorthand term for the image orthicon tubes common in early TV cameras — back in the day when black and white was the norm and sponsors actually sponsored programs — remember Texaco Star Theater or The Colgate Comedy Hour? — instead of saturating the airwaves with 18 minutes of commercials per hour. Enough with the trivia. The main event, the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, featuring awards in high-profile categories such as drama and comedy series, acting, writing and directing, will be awarded Sunday.