Geeky shows are finding Emmy accolades

According to Ross Lincoln with Deadline.com, television preferences are constantly changing. But recently, “geek” shows in sub genres science fiction and fantasy have been winners. Shows like Game of Thrones, Orphan Black and Mr. Robot scored big at this year’s Emmy Awards.

Over the last 66 years, the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series has been awarded to a number of notable and beloved shows. At their core, they are all considered dramas, but the sub genres, settings and time periods of the winning shows are vastly different.

But for the past 16 years, 8 television dramas have taken over the competition, many winning more than once and winning consecutively.

Television Show	Years Won	Sub Genre
The West Wing	2000-2003	Political
The Sopranos	2004, 2007	Crime
Lost	2005	Sci-Fi
24	2006	Espionage/Counterterrorism
Mad Men	2008-2011	Period  (1960s)
Homeland	2012	Espionage/Counterterrorism
Breaking Bad	2013, 2014	Crime
Game of Thrones	2015, 2016	Fantasy

Six of the shows, The West Wing, The Sopranos, Lost, 24, Homeland, and Breaking Bad, were set in present day, while Mad Men set in 1960s New York and Game of Thrones set in a fantasy world, reminiscent of the medieval times are in the past.

As Mr. Robot and Orphan Black, both science fiction, were nominees for best drama as well as for acting, writing and other awards, it may be that the academy and the audience are hoping to use TV drama for more of an escape than in years past.

by Suraj Minisandram