The 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards nominations are out, and the reality show’sSurvivornomination for Outstanding Reality Competition Program surprised me because it had been shut out of nominations in the past. This year’s crop of nominees is generally following the same route as previous nominations, asthere were no major upsets, but still, there was a surprise.
The Outstanding Reality Competition Program 2025 nominations are Peacock’sThe Traitors,RuPaul’s Drag Race, CBS’The Amazing Race, CBS’Survivor, and Bravo’sTop Chef.Survivornabbed a nomination after getting shut out last year, usurping NBC’sThe Voice, which did not receive a nomination this year.Survivor’s a powerhouse reality show,but I don’t think it deserved a nomination this year.
Survivor Is Nominated After Being Shut Out Last Year
Survivor’s Nomination Is Sixth In Category
Survivor’s nod for Outstanding Reality Competition Program is itssixth nomination in that category since it premieredin 2000. The Emmys didn’t recognize reality programming until 2001, when it first offered an award for Outstanding Reality Program, which was later split into Outstanding Reality-Competition Program and Outstanding Reality Program.
The slate of nominees for Outstanding Reality Competition Program this year are the usual suspects of prestige reality television:Top Chef,The Amazing Race, andRuPaul’s Drag Raceare no strangers to the nominations list.
The Traitorsis the new kid on the block, with the show having received its first nomination, and win, last year, whichleaves little room for other shows to taste victory.
This year,Survivor’s re-entry into the nominations list meant another show,The Voice, wouldn’t make it.The Voice’s snub is the first time they’ve failed to earn a nomination in this category since 2012.
Survivor Should Not Have Been Nominated
Last Season Wasn’t Its Best
Survivorseason 48was overshadowed by theannouncement thatSurvivorseason 50would bring back fan favorites to compete. Much of the news thatSurvivorgarnered was centered aboutSurvivor50, because fans are excited to see who comes back to compete on this historic season.
Meanwhile,back onSurvivor48, fans complained that the season was repetitive, stagnant, and that the show’s timing lacked the dramatic flare fans are used to. Another complaint was that the players failed to resonate with audiences. Despite host Jeff Probst claiming thatSurvivor48 was one of the best, viewership was still low.
The Emmys Should Acknowledge Newer Shows
The Emmys Should Give More New Shows A Chance
Survivor’s nomination meant thatThe Voicewould have to sit this year out, but I thinkthe Emmys would be wise to start recognizing fresher showsas nominees.The Traitorsis a great example of that, as the show was quickly nominated for awards after its first season.
The Emmys capitalized on the strength and popularity ofThe Traitors, acknowledging the series' many impressive qualities.
Other new shows that deserve some Emmy love includeMillion Dollar SecretandLove on the Spectrum, to name a few. It would also be nice for veteran shows likeBelow DeckorProject Runwayto be considered, because despite their longevity, they remain top-notch reality TV viewing.
If the Emmys wanted to really shake things up,they’d start showing love to some of the romantic reality showsthat deliver on drama, suspense, and upsets.Love is Blindis a prime example of a show the Emmys could consider, as well asLove Island, although that show’s raunchy physical challenges might be a turn-off for acclaimed Emmy voters.
The 77th annualPrimetime Emmy Awardsairs on CBS on Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. EDT.
