It’s not exactly the same as the Academy Awards’ much-mocked and never fully implemented “Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film” category. Or the fully functional Golden Globe for “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.” But a new kind of redundancy is taking shape on the TV side of Hollywood’s trophy circuit, as the Emmys have announced a “Legacy Award” to honor shows that, frankly, were probably already popular enough to begin with.
As the Hollywood Reporter notes, the Legacy Award will be handed out by the Television Academy to shows that have made “a profound and lasting impact” on audiences. To qualify, shows must have run for a minimum of five seasons and 60 episodes and have “demonstrated continued or sustained relevance, influence, or inspiration to a genre of television, an existing or new audience, or society and culture.” Franchises, presumably including spin-offs and remakes, will be “considered as a whole and awarded as such.”
THR’s examples of shows that could qualify don’t include any genre picks (unless the occasionally fantastical It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia counts), and the trade also notes that it will be decided year to year if the Legacy Award will be presented as part of the actual Emmy Awards broadcast or in some other context.
That said, you have to assume a big part of this new category is the prospect of reuniting a fan-favorite cast to make viewers remember how much they loved the show or franchise being honored.
Mileage will vary depending on the nostalgia factor—is anyone out there really pining for the early days of Grey’s Anatomy, another THR suggestion?—but imagine the highlight reel and the chance to gaze upon, say, William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, and Anson Mount standing side by side onstage. Hey Emmys, did you know Star Trek is celebrating its 60th this year? We’d also like to put forth The X-Files, a show whose “sustained relevance” remains so potent that noted superfan Ryan Coogler is circling a reboot.
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