Fans have voiced outrage after several major Emmy Award categories, including acting and guest performances, were presented at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony over the weekend, rather than during the main primetime telecast. The decision has drawn criticism from viewers who feel these categories are devalued by their exclusion from the primary broadcast.
Notable winners at the Creative Arts ceremony included Linda Cardellini and David Harbour, both of whom won their first Emmy Awards for their work on "DTF St. Louis." Cardellini received the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series, while Harbour also won for his performance. The news of their wins, shared via social media posts and the Television Academy's Instagram account, prompted a wave of comments from fans disappointed they could not watch these moments live on television.
"Ridiculous this isn’t on the main broadcast. Would you have also not wanted Jennifer Coolidge’s iconic speech or Owen Cooper’s historic win on the broadcast prior? Put these categories back next year," one viewer commented on a video celebrating Cardellini and Harbour's wins. Similar sentiments were echoed by others, with many urging the Television Academy to reinstate these categories in the main broadcast for future ceremonies.
Other winners at the Creative Arts Awards included Betty Gilpin and Rob Reiner for Guest Actress and Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for "Widow’s Bay" and "The Bear," respectively. Shailene Woodley and Ernest Harden Jr. were recognized as Guest Actress and Guest Actor in a Drama Series for "Paradise" and "The Pitt."
The decision to move these categories to the Creative Arts Emmys was announced in July, coinciding with the release of the full list of nominees. However, the broader fan discussion and frustration have emerged as more casual viewers became aware of the shift, with some initially believing they had missed the main Emmy broadcast.
Industry guilds, including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, and WGA, had previously protested the move. In a joint statement, these guilds argued that excluding these categories from the primetime broadcast "devalues" the contributions of actors and other professionals in the industry. They stated that an awards show intended to celebrate excellence should not reduce the recognition given to the artists whose work is fundamental to television.
An edited version of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards will air on FXX on Saturday, September 12, at 8 p.m. ET, followed by a broadcast on Hulu the next day. The 78th Emmy Awards main ceremony is scheduled to air live on NBC on Monday, September 14, at 8 p.m. EST, with a simultaneous stream on Peacock.