AND THE ODDS ARE …

If there’s a greater underdog story than 1984’s The Karate Kid, it’s the real-life trajectory of the unlikely TV spinoff that followed the film four decades later. Under the radar on original streaming afterthought YouTube Red, Cobra Kai moved to Netflix in 2020 and landed on its most watched list before — against even greater odds — earning an outstanding comedy nomination. It seems impossible that the show could pull off a win, but its track record for defying expectations shouldn’t be ignored.

Above, from left: Xolo Maridueña, William Zabka, co-showrunner Jon Hurwitz, Dee Snider and co-showrunner Josh Heald.