Emmys Voting Reveals Industry's Evolving Priorities in TV

According to the article, the Primetime Emmys telecast has a greater focus on performance categories compared to the Oscars, with 12 acting awards handed out at the main ceremony. However, this has led to the writing and directing awards sometimes being overlooked, as they can become opportunities for bathroom breaks or snack runs.

The article suggests that the writing and directing awards actually reveal a lot about how the industry values the nominated shows. For example, the clever observations and sharp humor of What We Do in the Shadows were recognized through multiple writing nominations, despite the show lacking in acting categories. This is due to the voting procedures, where only writers and directors vote in their respective categories.

The article examines this year's writing and directing nominees, noting that smaller, potentially overlooked comedies like Somebody Somewhere and dramas like Slow Horses have been consistently recognized by the Emmys for their strong writing and directing. The article also highlights how first-year dramas like The Pitt have a good chance of winning writing or directing awards, as the Emmys often reward new shows in these categories.

Overall, the article suggests that the Emmys' focus on writing and directing over acting categories reflects the industry's evolving priorities, with a greater appreciation for the creative talents behind the scenes who bring these shows to life.