Emmys: Netflix’s ‘Special’ Nabs 3 Shortform Nominations in Category Dominated by Established IP

Established television properties once again dominated the shortform categories when the nominations for the 2019 Emmy Awards were revealed Tuesday. 

Companion series to linear shows such as Hack Into Broad City were popular with voters who were likely drawn to the known franchises. The Broad City project received three noms, including one each for stars Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson. Meanwhile, Better Caul Saul Employee Training: Madrigal Electromotive Security, which streams on the AMC website, received two noms. Companion series to FX’s Fosse/Verdon and VH1’s RuPaul’s Drag Race also received mentions. 

Netflix also found its way into the shortform nominations this year with the comedy series Special, which has a shorter run time that made it eligible for the category. The Jim Parsons-produced series, which was created by and stars Ryan O’Connell, received three noms, including for actresses Jessica Hecht and Punam Patel. All told, Netflix received four noms in the shortform categories, including one for the series It’s Bruno! about a man and his dog. 

Another company that received multiple noms was Funny or Die, which saw a nod each for Billy Eichner’s Billy on the Street and Jonathan Van Ness’ Gay of Thrones. 

The shortform Emmy Awards will be handed out during the Creative Arts Emmys. 

A full list of shortform Emmy nominations is below. 

Comedy or Drama Series

An Emmy for Megan (AnEmmyForMegan.com)
Better Call Saul Employee Training: Madrigal Electromotive Security (AMC Online)
Hack Into Broad City (Comedy Central)
It’s Bruno! (Netflix)
Special (Netflix)

Actor

Patton Oswalt (An Emmy for Megan)
Jimmy Fallon (Beto Breaks the Internet)
Jonathan Banks (Better Caul Saul Employee Training: Magrigal Electromotive Security)
Ed Begley Jr. (Ctrl Alt Delete)
Chris O’Dowd (State of the Union)

Actress

Ilana Glazer (Hack Into Broad City)
Abbi Jacobson (Hack Into Broad City)
Jessica Hecht (Special)
Punam Patel (Special)
Rosamund Pike (State of the Union)

Nonfiction or Reality Series

Creating Saturday Night Live (NBC.com) 
Fosse/Verdon (Inside Look) (FX Networks)
Pose: Identity, Family, Community (Inside Look) (FX Networks)
RuPaul’s Drag Race: Out of the Closet (VH1)
RuPaul’s Drag Race: Portrait of a Queen (VH1)

Variety Series

Billy on the Street (Funny or Die)
Carpool Karaoke: The Series (Apple Music)
Gay of Thrones (Funny or Die)
Honest Trailers (YouTube)
The Randy Rainbow Show (YouTube)