After new rules issued last month announced that a comedy would be defined as a series with episodes of 30 minutes or less and drama would be episodes an hour long, the TV Academy has released the first decisions by a panel established to evaluate category eligibility.
The nine-member panel, which includes five industry leaders appointed by the academy chairman and four appointees by the board of governors, ruled that Showtime’s “Shameless,” CW’s “Jane the Virgin” and Fox’s “Glee” can be considered comedies, despite their length. A two-thirds vote of the panel was required to reach each decision.
Each of the series will compete in the comedy category for all other awards, including performer, writer, director, etc.
“This show was always conceived as a comedy; pitched to the network and studio as a comedy; and marketed to viewers as a comedy,” said “Jane the Virgin” showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman. “We are thrilled with the television academy’s decision.”
“Shameless” has competed in both drama and comedy, but made the switch to comedy last year. Series star William H. Macy got his first nomination last year in the comedy category.
The TV Academy did not comment on any other potential petitioners, such as Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black,” which competed last year as a comedy.
Nominations for the 2015 Emmy Awards will be announced on July 16. The Emmys, which will be hosted by Andy Samberg, will air Sept. 20 on Fox.
