While the TV Academy’s arcane nomination algorithm is limiting this year’s talk show nominees to only three shows (and sketch/variety to just two), the Television Critics Association is taking the opposite approach, nominating a total of nine shows—tying its own record from 2021.
Unlike at the Emmys, where talk and variety compete in separate categories, the TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Variety, Talk or Sketch is a catch-all, with nightly talk shows like Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Late Night with Seth Meyers competing against other shows like Last Week Tonight and Saturday Night Live.
In a field this wide, the more telling story may be who didn’t make the cut. Among the most notable snubs: After Midnight, which ended its two-season run on CBS last month; Real Time with Bill Maher, once a regular awards-season contender; and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, which continues its long drought at the TCA—Fallon’s flagship has not been nominated by the critics once since this category’s introduction in 2018.
As for those who did get nominated, three shows are first-timers, with Hot Ones, Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney, and SNL50: The Anniversary Special set to face off against three-time winner Last Week Tonight, and five other returning nominees.
The complete list of nominees follows below:
- The Daily Show (Comedy Central)
- Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney (Netflix)
- Hot Ones (YouTube)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC)
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
- Saturday Night Live (NBC)
- SNL50: The Anniversary Special (NBC)
With the summer’s in-person press tour cancelled, the TCA Awards will be presented virtually later this summer.
Well who the fuck would watch either Fuckface Jimmy Fallon or Bunghole Bill Maher? Both are the equivalent of cheap pablum mixed in with shit!