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2016 Emmy Contenders: Reality Competition

By
Carole Horst

Carole's Most Recent Stories

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The Voice Finale Ratings NBC
CREDIT: Courtesy of NBC

13This category continually churns out all manner of drama, comedy and larger-than-life characters, but Emmy voters have been sticking with the same set of nominees for almost a decade.

While no one is arguing about the high production values and quality of “The Amazing Race,” “Project Runway,” last year’s winner, “The Voice,” and “Top Chef,” wouldn’t it be great to see entertaining series such as “MasterChef Junior,” “America’s Got Talent,” “Face Off,” cultural touchstone “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and the growing phenomenon “American Ninja Warrior” — all showcasing talented folks and mostly devoid of backbiting, bleeped words and horrible behavior — getting a nod?

Cablers such as Food Network and HGTV have built their brands with unscripted series, including successful entries in the reality competition arena. Series from those lifestyle networks that are stepping up their, ahem, games, include “Chopped” — which has inspired many a family to test their mettle at home — the deliciously subversive “Cutthroat Kitchen” and “Brother vs. Brother.”

Related

Or will voters find it in their hearts to reward “American Idol” in its final season?

FRONTRUNNERS

The Amazing Race
CBS

America’s Got Talent
NBC

American Idol
Fox

American Ninja Warrior
NBC

Dancing With the Stars
ABC

MasterChef Junior
Fox

Project Runway
Lifetime

So You Think You Can Dance
Fox

Survivor
CBS

Top Chef
Bravo

ON THE BUBBLE
Beat Bobby Flay
Food Network

The Biggest Loser
NBC

Brother vs. Brother
HGTV

Celebrity Family Feud
ABC

Chopped
Food Network

Cutthroat Kitchen
Food Network

Face Off
Syfy

Food Network Star
Food Network

Hollywood Game Night
NBC

RuPaul’s Drag Race
Logo

DARK HORSES
500 Questions
ABC

America’s Funniest Home Videos
ABC

The Bachelor
ABC

Big Brother
CBS

The Fashion Fund
Amazon

Hell’s Kitchen
Fox

Ink Master
Spike

Skin Wars
Game Show Network

Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge
CMT

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