G'Day,
As I'm sure everyone's aware Family Guy became the 2nd animated show ever nominated for best comedy series this year.

This has been discussed on many different levels, however I thought it would be interesting to start musing on the broader implications of that nomination.

With the emmys if you submit yourself for comedy series you can't submit yourself for animated series (I'l assume that tjis rule wasn't in place when the Flintstones was nodded). Other than two ill fated attempts to break through by The Simpsons in the 90's and Family Guy last year this has meant all animated series have not been eligible in the comedy category.

Now, will other producers think "well if Family Guy can do it, why can't our show?". I am most specifically thinking of The Simpsons (which has mocked Family Guy in the past for just replicating their formula). And hey the academy might finally want to acknowledge The Simpsons in a big way. South Park may also be content with it's 3 wins for animated series and feel they have nothing to lose. I can't think of another show that would have the delusion that they have a shot (perhaps Futurama when it's back).

So dow we think other shows will follow Family Guy's suit?

Do any of them have a shot?

Would a max exodus of animated series contenders lead to the rules being revised?

What would become the frontrunner if these powerhouses of the past left the animated category?

To be honest, I think there is a good chance we will see The Simpsons nominated for comedy series next year.

I don't think they opened the floodgates. I think this past year was a very weak year for comedies. Family Guy just happened to be around to fill the void. That has changed this year with some new freshmen shows like Modern Family, Glee, Cougar Town, Nurse Jackie, etc. Family Guy MIGHT make it in again this year depending on whether or not voters embrace the new shows but I really don't see the Emmys embracing MORE animated series especially ones that are already around. Now Family Guy might have opened the door if a new animated show were to come around and generate good praise/buzz...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jss0058,

Simpsons is way past its prime.. If a new animated show was well-received it could get in, but the Emmys are going to go forward.. Not back.

Family Guy has a cool factor that may get it in again, but the field is stronger so far this year.

The Simpsons will have to produce some episodes a hell of a lot better than the ones so far this season to even be in the discussion.

G'Day,
well the floodgates I was talking about was more about producers following Family Guy's lead and choosing comedy series over animated series. I'm assuming there would have been a little bit of jealosy over at the Simpsons with Family Guy making it in. I of course agree that we will not see more than 1 animated series in the line-up (and even that is not a given).

I know the Simpsons is past it's prime and would not support a nomination. But last year Family Guy was pretty bad and past it's prime and it was still able to get in (a prime that was no where near as high as the Simpsons). If the Simpsons got in I don't really think it would be about merit but rather as the academy acknowledging the deacdes of work that the Simpsons have brought to the medium of television (sort of like a life achivement nomination). I'm also assuming that the nominations will be decided on popular vote not on episodes. I really don't think Family Guy has a much better chance than the Simpsons.

First off, you are speaking so subjectively.

If the Emmys thought Simpsons was a better show it would have been the show to break through this barrier. Emmys chose Family Guy because they feel it is a better show (if not overall, at least in recent seasons).

Simpsons is geared towards kids and Family Guy towards adults, so you can't really compare the two. Unless you want the Emmys to make a category for Outstanding Prime Time Children's Animated Comedy Series. The two shows are not comparable when you are talking Awards.

^^They didn't choose Family Guy over The Simpsons this year because the latter wasn't submitted for Comedy Series.

Why they didn't nominate it back in the '90s when it was, I'll never understand.

quote:

Originally posted by dannyboy:
First off, you are speaking so subjectively.

If the Emmys thought Simpsons was a better show it would have been the show to break through this barrier. Emmys chose Family Guy because they feel it is a better show (if not overall, at least in recent seasons).

I never said I thought Simpsons was more deserving than Family Guy. I wouldn't neominate either series based on last year's material and would have to see this years episodes to make a call. I was just saying that the academy might want to acknowledge the Simpsons and that the producers might want to submit it for the big one this year. I clearly stated that a Simpsons nomination would not, in my opinion, be based on merit. And the academy has never chosen Family Guy over the Simpsons in anything (sorry they beat them for song in 2002). Family Guy was on the ballot last year and The Simpsons was not. Which is why I reject the premise that Family Guy has a shot but the Simpsons does not.

quote:

Simpsons is geared towards kids and Family Guy towards adults, so you can't really compare the two. Unless you want the Emmys to make a category for Outstanding Prime Time Children's Animated Comedy Series. The two shows are not comparable when you are talking Awards.

Firstly I completly reject the premise that the Simpsons is made for kids (it is made for people who grew up with the show as kids and are now adults). However even if that is correct, you're argument is silly. Just becase something is made for children does not make it less than. The more adult in content does not make something better in quality. Which is why WALL-E last year was able to win the LA film critics prize. Just because it wasn't an adult film like Pineapple Express does not mean the two were incomparable in terms of awards. I think we need to escape boxing films and shows into the category of "kids" as a means to demean their worth.

Oh and the academy have had no problem in comparing Family Guy and the Simpsons in terms of awards:
In 2000 and 2006 The Simpsons beat Family Guy in the animated series category and in 2007 Family Guy couldn't even get nominated by the academy alongside the Simpsons in the category. And this is not a children's emmy category but for all animation.

quote:

Originally posted by adamunc: Why they didn't nominate it back in the '90s when it was, I'll never understand.

I'd guess it was the tougher field of comedy contenders and fewer nominiees. If they had only 5 noms last year I suspect Family Guy would have missed out.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Noble,

I'm happy that "Family Guy" was nominated, It had been consistently funny, although last season was far from their best.

I hope that "The Simpsons" submits to Comedy Series when their last season comes. Of course, they should bring back all the old writers which mined them comedy gold in the 90s. Imagine if they submit an episode where say Grampa is at his deathbed and him and Homer bond or something like that. An episode like that could propel them to win.

It didnt open the flood gates but we will see what happens next year