2:16 PM PDT, September 17, 2013
The 2013 Emmys are closing in, and ET is breaking down your list of contenders! Today, we turn our attention to the Outstanding Comedy Series category.
Since premiering in 2009, Modern Family has been one of the most popular comedy series on television with viewers and Academy members as well.
The laugh-crazy comedy has reaped 16 Emmys out of a whopping 45 nominations for its first three seasons and was the most-nominated comedy series in 2012 with 14 nods.
Amongst its 16 statuettes, the show -- starring Ed O'Neil, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, and Ty Burrell -- has been anointed with the coveted Outstanding Comedy Series award for all three of its seasons.
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'Modern Family'
ABC
The 2013 Emmys are closing in, and ET is breaking down your list of contenders! Today, we turn our attention to the Outstanding Comedy Series category.
Since premiering in 2009, Modern Family has been one of the most popular comedy series on television with viewers and Academy members as well.
The laugh-crazy comedy has reaped 16 Emmys out of a whopping 45 nominations for its first three seasons and was the most-nominated comedy series in 2012 with 14 nods.
Amongst its 16 statuettes, the show -- starring Ed O'Neil, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, and Ty Burrell -- has been anointed with the coveted Outstanding Comedy Series award for all three of its seasons.
Since premiering in 2009, Modern Family has been one of the most popular comedy series on television with viewers and Academy members as well.
The laugh-crazy comedy has reaped 16 Emmys out of a whopping 45 nominations for its first three seasons and was the most-nominated comedy series in 2012 with 14 nods.
Amongst its 16 statuettes, the show -- starring Ed O'Neil, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, and Ty Burrell -- has been anointed with the coveted Outstanding Comedy Series award for all three of its seasons.
'Veep'
HBO
HBO struck gold by giving former Seinfeld supporting actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus another lead role in a comedy series.
After its debut season, the political satire series Veep garnered three nominations, including a nod for Outstanding Comedy Series.
The show's first and only award to date went to the star herself, as Louis-Dreyfus won her third lifetime individual award and second Outstanding Lead Actress award in 2012.
After its debut season, the political satire series Veep garnered three nominations, including a nod for Outstanding Comedy Series.
The show's first and only award to date went to the star herself, as Louis-Dreyfus won her third lifetime individual award and second Outstanding Lead Actress award in 2012.
'Louie'
FX
A hilarious and at times serious and poignant comedy series, Louie is underdog Louis C.K.'s creative baby.
Loosely based on his own life and written by, produced by and starring the auburn-haired comedian, Louie comes out swinging during awards season. Winner of the Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series in 2012, the FX show was also nominated for Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Lead Actor that year. In 2011, Louie was also singled out with nominations for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Lead Actor.
This year, the show has earned a spot as a contender for Outstanding Comedy Series alongside its usual accolades. Will Louie be lucky this time around?
Loosely based on his own life and written by, produced by and starring the auburn-haired comedian, Louie comes out swinging during awards season. Winner of the Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series in 2012, the FX show was also nominated for Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Lead Actor that year. In 2011, Louie was also singled out with nominations for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Lead Actor.
This year, the show has earned a spot as a contender for Outstanding Comedy Series alongside its usual accolades. Will Louie be lucky this time around?
'Girls'
HBO
Girls immediately positioned itself as a comedy contender in its debut season not just with viewers but with critics as well.
The series, which follows a group of twenty-something girls led by Lena Dunham's "Hannah Horvath," immediately got on well with the Academy and earned five nominations for its first season.
Among that handful of nominations were considerations for the coveted Outstanding Comedy Series award and Outstanding Lead Actress for Dunham.
Although it didn't win those prestigious awards, Girls was handed a nod of approval from the Academy last year with its first-ever Emmy win for Outstanding Casting.
The series, which follows a group of twenty-something girls led by Lena Dunham's "Hannah Horvath," immediately got on well with the Academy and earned five nominations for its first season.
Among that handful of nominations were considerations for the coveted Outstanding Comedy Series award and Outstanding Lead Actress for Dunham.
Although it didn't win those prestigious awards, Girls was handed a nod of approval from the Academy last year with its first-ever Emmy win for Outstanding Casting.
'The Big Bang Theory'
CBS
The Big Bang Theory's Emmy success has been a gradual process, unlike the comedy series' namesake scientific theory of the universe's creation.
Nonetheless, the Chuck Lorre-created CBS comedy has amassed 18 nominations over five seasons despite a mere pair of Emmys, both of which were bestowed upon star Jim Parsons.
As the Academy has continued to warm up to the show over the last three years -- during which it has accrued five nominations per year – Big Bang has also been nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series for its past three seasons.
With its highest ratings ever for the past season, the show looks to be a real contender for the award this year.
Nonetheless, the Chuck Lorre-created CBS comedy has amassed 18 nominations over five seasons despite a mere pair of Emmys, both of which were bestowed upon star Jim Parsons.
As the Academy has continued to warm up to the show over the last three years -- during which it has accrued five nominations per year – Big Bang has also been nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series for its past three seasons.
With its highest ratings ever for the past season, the show looks to be a real contender for the award this year.
'30 Rock'
NBC
With a total of 90 nominations for six seasons, 30 Rock also holds the all-time record for most nominations for a comedy series in a single year, with the 22 nods the show received in 2009.
However, 2009 has served as a landmark year for the wrong reasons for the series. Although 30 Rock -- starring Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin -- has gathered 41 nominations since then, the show has yet to take home an Emmy since 2009.
The emergence of Modern Family as an Emmy comedy powerhouse has overtaken 30 Rock as Outstanding Comedy Series, which it won from 2007 to 2009.
Nevertheless, the fact that it is the final season for 30 Rock, may persuade the Academy to bestow the show with a handful of awards.
Check out our other Emmy Spotlight galleries:
Lead Actress in a Drama
Lead Actor in a Drama
Lead Actress in a Comedy
Lead Actor in a Comedy
Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Supporting Actor in a Drama
However, 2009 has served as a landmark year for the wrong reasons for the series. Although 30 Rock -- starring Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin -- has gathered 41 nominations since then, the show has yet to take home an Emmy since 2009.
The emergence of Modern Family as an Emmy comedy powerhouse has overtaken 30 Rock as Outstanding Comedy Series, which it won from 2007 to 2009.
Nevertheless, the fact that it is the final season for 30 Rock, may persuade the Academy to bestow the show with a handful of awards.
Check out our other Emmy Spotlight galleries:
Lead Actress in a Drama
Lead Actor in a Drama
Lead Actress in a Comedy
Lead Actor in a Comedy
Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Supporting Actor in a Drama