On the latest Variety Award Circuit presented by Paramount+, Variety TV editors Michael Schneider and Emily Longeretta discuss the series in the limited or anthology and reality competition race for the Emmys this year.
“Adolescence” and “The Penguin” are the top contenders for the limited or anthology series honor, while “The Traitors” is a major player in the reality competition race.
For the limited category, “Everyone was kind of wondering what was gonna be the ‘Baby Reindeer’ of this year,” Longeretta said. “And we got one, and it’s called ‘Adolescence.’”
“Real parallel to ‘Baby Reindeer’ last year, which was also a heavy watch,” Schneider added. “Kind of came outta nowhere and suddenly became a phenomenon. It’s the show that everyone’s talking about. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t seen it hasn’t been impacted by it.”
Each of the four episodes of “Adolescence” was shot in one continuous take. “That just adds such a heavy layer to it. On the below the line awards, this will definitely also dominate,” Longeretta added.
However, before “Adolescence” debuted, “The Penguin” seemed to have it in the bag. While Colin Farrell remains a frontrunner for an acting win, “Cristin Milioti is the other revelation here, and she’s getting a lot of attention,” Schneider said.
Other limited or anthology series contenders include “Dying for Sex,” “Disclaimer,” “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” “Black Mirror” and “Presumed Innocent.”
The reality competition category tends to be stable year after year, with many of the same contenders featured in the conversation. That includes “The Amazing Race.”
“It has won 10 series wins over the course of its long and illustrious career. Although the last time was 2014, it’s been a while,” Schneider said.
Another long-running show in the race is “Survivor,” which has never been crowned winner. “It really is really surprising. Now Jeff’s [Probst] been nominated a few times. He broke back in after many years of not being nominated. He was nominated last year,” Longeretta said. “So of course he could break back in, in that category. This season is incredible.”
But “The Traitors,” which won the race in 2024, remains a standout.
“This season was better than the one that won, so I think that this has a good chance,” Longeretta said.
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “The Voice” are also contenders.
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