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.”
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