The 75th Primetime Emmys were a celebration of TV history. With so much groundbreaking television showcased, it was amazing to see Black winners take center stage. However, that hasn’t always been the case. More often than not, series and artists that we consider influential, essential parts of the culture fail to receive awards recognition. As we dive into the 2024 Primetime Emmys, with shows like “Mr & Mrs. Smith,” “Abbott Elementary” and “The Bear” leading nominees, we thought it was time to look back at the notable series and stars that have never won a Primetime Emmy.
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‘Martin’
“Martin” is so influential to modern comedy, it seems ridiculous that neither the show or its talented star ever won an Emmy. Seriously, you wouldn’t have shows like “Black-ish,” “Abbott Elementary” or “Insecure” without “Martin.”
Issa Rae
From “Insecure,” to “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” Issa Rae helped showcase a new generation of Black female comedians and it’s wild that the Emmys haven’t rewarded her unique style.
‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’
Seriously, nothing? Not even something for the hit theme song, or the episode where Will’s dad comes back? What makes this even more frustrating is that now Emmy voters are ignoring the dramatic reboot “Bel Air.”
Tim Reid
From “WKRP in Cincinnati,” to “Simon & Simon,” to “Frank’s Place,” Tim Reid is a legit TV legend who’s contributions to the culture have been repeatedly overlooked.
Zazie Beetz
As much as Emmy voters loved “Atlanta” and Donald Glover, they didn’t extend that same love to his co-star Zazie Beetz. Let’s be honest, Earn was always lost without Van by his side.
Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes has been honored has a member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame and with a Founder’s Award by the International Emmys, but somehow she’s never won a Primetime Emmy. Despite the fact that shows like “Bridgerton,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” have become essential parts of our TV watching, she hasn’t been acknowledging for reinventing the modern drama.
‘The Wire’
Of all the series on this list, the most egregious Emmys snub might be “The Wire.” It’s widely considered one of the best series of all-time, but somehow the Television Academy never saw fit to recognize its brilliance. It’s particularly heartbreaking that Michael K. Williams was never acknowledged.
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross is one of the funniest women in Hollywood. She has a comedic timing that can’t be taught. She received six nominations for her work on “Black-ish” and nods for “Girlfriends,” proving that there’s no accounting for good taste.
Arsenio Hall
Jimmy Fallon; Jimmy Kimmel; Seth Meyers; Stephen Colbert; James Corden; and Trevor Noah all owe a huge debt to Arsenio Hall. It’s a shame he was never properly given his Emmy flowers.
‘Roc’
“Roc” brilliantly blended comedy and drama while tackling serious issues in a way that felt authentic not preachy. It’s such an underrated gem.
‘Good Times’
“Good Times” is one of the most impactful TV series of all time. It’s authenticity has allowed it to stand the test of time. It’s unfathomable that John Amos, Esther Rolle and Janet Du’Bois were all snubbed.
Damon Wayans
Though he was nominated multiple times for his writing and performance on “In Living Color,” he never won. He went on to star in several other popular series and still hasn’t been recognized.
‘A Different World’
While it never received an Emmy, “A Different World” inspired generations of young Black people to attend college, a much more important legacy.
‘Living Single’
“Friends” may have gotten all the buzz and acclaim, but we know it was really “Living Single” that kicked off the influx of “friends as chosen family” comedies in the ‘90s.
Diahann Carroll
If “The Wire” is the most egregious snub among series, then the legendary Diahann Carroll being on this list is the worst miss for artists. Seriously, how do you not honor her for “Julia;” “Roots: The Next Generation;” “Dynasty;” “White Collar” or her countless other unforgettable credits? It’s Diahann Carroll for goodness sakes!
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