At last night’s Emmy Awards, we saw once again the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences do what they do best: Hand out awards to repeat winners. The Academy is notorious for finding favorites and sticking with them, although in many cases, it’s hard to argue. It might have been nice to see the award for Best Variety Show go to someone other than Jon Stewart, but I wouldn’t dare suggest that he didn’t deserve it. Likewise, “Mad Men” won for the fourth year in a row, and while my personal preference might have been “Friday Night Lights,” I can’t argue with “Mad Men,” either, which had what I thought was its best season. I am curious how things will shake out next year when “Mad Men” won’t be eligible: I think “Breaking Bad” will finally get its due in the category. The second win for “Modern Family” I find harder to explain: It might have deserved it in its first year (when it won), but against “Parks and Recreation,” it shouldn’t have had a chance with a weaker second season.
But, really, how often does the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences hand out the same award to the same player? Three times is so common that, at a certain point, I decided not to include three-time winners on this list. But among those who have won four or more times, there were 28 in the major categories.
9 Wins
“The Daily Show”: Best Variety Show (2003 - 2011)
“The Amazing Race”: Best Reality Competition (2001-2009, 2011)
6 Wins
“The Late Show with David Letterman”: Best Variety Show (1994, 1998-2002)
5 Wins
“Frasier”: Best Comedy Winner (1994-1998)
Mary Tyler Moore: Best Actress (Comedy) for “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1964, 1966), “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1973 -1974, 1976)
Don Knotts: Best Supporting Actor on “The Andy Griffith Show” (1961-1963, 1966-1967)
Candice Bergen: Best Actress (Comedy) for “Murphy Brown” (1989-1990, 1992, 1994-1995)
Peter Falk: Best Actor (Drama) for “Colombo” (1972,1975-1976, 1990) and “The Dick Powell Theater” (1962)
4 Wins
Michael J. Fox: Best Actor (Comedy) for “Family Ties” (1986-1988) and “Spin City” (2000)
Tyne Dailey: Best Actress (Comedy) for “Cagney and Lacy” (1983-1985, 1988)
Carol O’Connor: Best Actor (Comedy) for “All in the Family” (1972, 1977-1979)
John Larroquette: Best Supporting Actor (Comedy) for “Night Court” (1985-1988)
David Hyde Pierce: Best Supporting Actor (Comedy) for “Frasier” (1995, 1998 -1999, 2004)
“Mad Men”: Best Drama (2008-2011)
Lucille Ball: Best Actress (Comedy) for “Lucille Ball” (1953) and “I Love Lucy” (1956) and “The Lucy Show” (1967-1968)
Michael Learned: Best Actress (Drama) for “The Waltons” (1973 - 1974, 1976) and “Nurse” (1982)
Dennis Franz: Best Actor (Drama) for “NYPD Blue” (1994, 1996-1997, 1999)
Rhea Perlman: Best Supporting Actress (Comedy) for “Cheers” (1984,1986, 1989)
Doris Roberts: Best Supporting Actress (Comedy) for “Everybody Loves Raymond” (2001-2003, 2005)
“Hill Street Blues”: Best Drama (1981-1984)
“Playhouse 90”: Best Drama (1957-1960)
Nancy Marchand: Best Supporting Actress (Drama) for “Lou Grant” (1978, 1980-1982)
“West Wing”: Best Drama (2000 - 2003)
Kelsey Grammer: Best Actor (Comedy) for “Frasier” (1994 - 1995, 1998, 2004)
“The Dick Van Dyke Show”: Best Comedy Winner (1963 - 1966)
“All in the Family”: Best Comedy (1971-1973, 1978)
Jeff Probst: Best Reality Show Host for “Survivor” (2008-2011)
Helen Hunt: Best Actress (Comedy) for “Mad About You” (1996-1999)
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John Larroquette in Night Court was the greatest. His son co-hosts a comedy podcast called (unfortunately) Uhh Yeah Dude, which has a late-night stoner vibe that cracks me up regularly.
Posted by: sansho1 at September 19, 2011 11:58 AM
Gotta second Maryscott on that. Also, Helen Hunt is terrible. So was Mad About You.
Posted by: KatSings at September 19, 2011 12:41 PM
To review:
When you notice a typo or a spelling error on a post the non-asshole thing to do is drop the author (or Dustin) a quick email about it.
To point it out in the comments makes you look like, well, an asshole.
Posted by: tamatha at September 19, 2011 1:16 PM
Yeah, you jerks! Also, another non-asshole thing would be just to write all of Rowles posts for him, so he can never get upset by anyone pointing out his egregious spelling errors.
Posted by: Joey Jo Jo Jr at September 19, 2011 4:41 PM
"Wow, you've got some really bad spelling errors, there."
Let's discuss your punctuation first. Or should I say:
Let's discuss your punctuation, first.
Posted by: I Love Beets at September 19, 2011 6:37 PM
Quick note: One of Rhea Perlman's four wins is missing (1985).
Posted by: csb at September 19, 2011 7:15 PM
I love I Love Beets. That is all.
Posted by: Craig at September 19, 2011 7:15 PM
Hmmm ... perhaps the MORE non-asshole thing to do is FUCKING PAY ATTENTION IN ENGLISH CLASS AND LEARN TO FUCKING SPELL!!! Especially if your livelihood involves writing.
Just sayin .....
Posted by: handy_man at September 19, 2011 7:42 PM
Handy_man, why bother, that's why I employ administrative staff to type for me. English lit majors work cheap in today's economy. Hell english lit majors work cheap in any economy.
Posted by: clancys_daddy at September 19, 2011 10:34 PM
Spllng is a uslss talnt. Hman brains gnerlly fill in the blnks.
Thanks for cheering me up after an abysmal day.
Posted by: Sitting Pat at September 19, 2011 11:38 PM
Dammit. Does this mean no Hamm at the Emmys next year? WHY WOULD I EVEN WATCH IT THEN.
Wow, you've got some really bad spelling errors, there.