Sunday, August 30, 2026

Once again, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' leads nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, but 'The Traitors' will likely win for the third time

As I promised at the end of It's Saturday, so here are SNL's eleven Emmy nominations, I'm examining the competition program nominees at the Emmy Awards for the Sunday entertainment feature. Watch 78th Emmys Nominations: Reality Competition Program from the Television Academy.

The nominees for Reality Competition Program are Dancing With the Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race, Survivor, Top Chef and The Traitors.
RuPaul's Drag Race leads nominations with nine (eleven for the franchise), followed by six for The Traitors, five each for Dancing with the Stars and Survivor, and four for Top Chef. The prognosticators at Gold Derby orders the top two like they did last year, when I wrote 'RuPaul's Drag Race' leads nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, but 'The Traitors' will likely win again. Every editor, 95.2% of experts, and 93.5% of users think The Traitors will threepeat. The fans and the professionals diverge on the next most likely, with 4.3% of users rooting for RuPaul's Drag Race to upset, while the remaining 4.8% of experts and 1.8% of users selecting Survivor. Dude, I used to be such a big Survivor fan that I was a moderator of a reality TV forum; I get it, but it's not happening this year. Top Chef trails with the last 0.4% of users, while no one is picking Dancing with the Stars.

Gold Derby also has odds for the next category, which will be presented at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, along with all the rest I'm examining today.

Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program
  • RuPaul Charles – RuPaul's Drag Race (MTV)
  • Alan Cumming – The Traitors (Peacock)
  • Kristen Kish – Top Chef (Bravo)
  • Ariana Madix – Love Island USA (Peacock)
  • Jeff Probst – Survivor (CBS)
Alan Cumming won last year and Gold Derby expects he will win again as the choice of every editor, 92.3% of experts, and 91.9% of users. The professionals and fans split on the next two with 7.7% of experts and 1.9% of fans choosing RuPaul Charles while 5.0% of users picked Jeff Probst. Kristen Kish and Ariana Madix divide the remaining users at 0.6% each. By the way, I predicted "Love Island...will be nominated for at least one Emmy next year after breaking through," and I was right. Sorry, Sharks, who got snubbed. On the other hand, congratulations to Madix; just being nominated is an honor.

Follow over the jump for the behind the camera categories, beginning with the ones I covered in 'Love on the Spectrum' leads Unstructured Reality Program at the Emmy Awards.

Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program
  • The Amazing Race – Jesse Tannenbaum, Alex Stiner and Kayla Kellerbauer (CBS)
  • Love on the Spectrum – Cian O'Clery, Ashley Morgan, Sean Bowman and Emily Frisbie (Netflix)
  • RuPaul's Drag Race – Goloka Bolte, Michelle Redwine and Adam Cook (MTV)
  • Survivor – Jesse Tannenbaum, Caitlin Moore, Penni Lane Clifton and Heidi Hill (CBS)
  • Top Chef – Ron Mare, Joy Barrett, Sena Rich, Heather Allyn and Anna Sturgeon (Bravo)
Love on the Spectrum is the defending winner, so it's the nominal favorite. That written, it's facing stiff competition from, no joke intended, the competiton programs.
Preview image aside, I think two-time previous winner RuPaul's Drag Race has the best chance to upset Love on the Spectrum.

Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program
  • The Amazing Race – Joshua Gitersonke, Bryan T. Adams, Kathryn Barrows, Kurt Carpenter, Petr Cikhart, Stephen Coleman, David D'Angelo, Matthew Di Girolamo, Chris Ellison, Adam Haisinger, Jamie Holland, Kevin R. Johnson, Tim Laks, Regan Letourneau, Daniel Long, Lucas Kenna Mertes, Will Shipp, Alan Weeks, Scott Shelley, Holly Thompson, and Jay Kaufman (CBS)
  • Love on the Spectrum: "Episode 4" – Geoff Thomas and Cian O'Clery (Netflix)
  • Survivor – Scott Duncan, Peter Wery, Russ Fill, Granger Scholtz, Christopher Barker, Cullum Andrews, Tim Barker, Marc Bennett, James Boon, Rory Boon, Paulo Castillo, Rodney Chauvin, Lanza Coffin, Bong Conde, Luke Cormack, Chris Ellison, Ben Gamble, Nixon George, Marcus Hebbelmann, Derek Hoffman, Matthias Hoffman, Kenny Hoffman, Toby Hogan, Derek Holt, Jude Jatau, Dionne Jones, Efrain "Mofi" Laguna, Kyle Mcauley, Ian Miller, Nico Nyoni, Jojo Oducayen, Paul Peddinghaus, Jeff Phillips, Nejc Poberaj, Louis Powell, Jovan Sales, Erick Sarmiento, Dirk Steyn, John Tattersall, Holly Thompson, Nic Van Der Westhuizen, Paulo Velozo, and Dwight Winston (CBS)
  • The Traitors – Siggi Rosen-Rawlings, Matt Wright, Will Antill, Jack Booth, Alex Bruno, Ollie Green, Quin Jessop, Guy Linton, Scott McKee, Joshua Montague, Hazel Palmer, Steve Peters, Paul Rudge, James Spencer, Matt Thomson, Alex Took, and Melvin Wright (Peacock)
  • Welcome to Wrexham: "Do a Wrexham" – Leighton Cox, Ed Edwards, Verdy Oliver, Tom Reece, and Kieren Startup (FX)
The Traitors won this last year, so it's my pick for favorite...
Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program
  • The Amazing Race: "I'm Not a Big Fan of Olives" – Bertram van Munster (CBS)
  • Love on the Spectrum: "Episode 1" – Cian O'Clery (Netflix)
  • RuPaul's Drag Race: "Grand Finale" – Nick Murray (MTV)
  • Top Chef: "Carolina Roots" – Anna Moulaison (Bravo)
  • The Traitors: "Let the Cards Fall as They Will" – Ben Archard (Peacock)
The Traitors won this last year, so it's my favorite here, too.
That The Traitors is my pick to win both of these awards is why I used its promotional Twitter/X image for these categories, even though it doesn't list either of them.

Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Reality Program
  • The Amazing Race – (CBS)
  • Deadliest Catch: "Kings of the Frozen North" – Jared Robbins (Discovery)
  • RuPaul's Drag Race: "Fannie: The Hard Knock Ball Rusical" – David Nolte, Gregory Keslake, Ryan Brady, Erik Valenzuela, and Sal Ojeda (MTV)
  • The Voice: "The Blind Auditions Premiere" – Michael Abbott, Jeff Fusting, Randy Faustino, Tim Hatayama, Shaun Sebastian, Ryan Young, and Phil DeTolve (NBC)
  • Welcome to Wrexham: "Do a Wrexham" – Mark Jensen (FX)
Welcome to Wrexham is the returning winner, so it's my pick to repeat.
While I generally think that, all things being equal, music programs have the advantage in sound categories, The Voice doesn't seem to be running an awards campaign on social media, while The Amazing Race is, so that's whose promotional image I'm using.

Next, the categories I examined in yesterday's It's Saturday, so here are SNL's eleven Emmy nominations.

Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Series
  • The Daily Show: "Episode 30105" – Michael Williams, Jeff Latonero, Matt Muro, Phil Salanto, Michael Schmehl, Tim Quigley, and Rich York (Comedy Central)
  • Dancing with the Stars: "20th Birthday Party" – Charles Ciup, Ron Brasi, Daryl Studebaker, Bettina Levesque, Kary D'Alessandro, Bruce Green, Rob Palmer, Daniel Schade, Nathanial Havholm, Mike Carr, Ed Horton, Easter Xua, Brian Reason, Adam Margolis, Jonas Brueling, Dave Levisohn, Jimmy Garcia, Damien Tuffereau, Emilie Pesante, and Ron Lehman (ABC)
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live!: "Guests: Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Kumail Nanjiani, Josh Meyers, and Musical Guest Reneé Rapp" – Ervin Hurd, David Fernandez, Tim Farmer, Steve Garrett, Mark Gonzales, Greg Grouwinkel, Garrett Hurt, Kris Wilson, Bernd Reinhardt, and Marc Stumpo (ABC)
  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Series Finale" – Karen Obel Cape, Brian Cimino, Joe Debonis, John Harrison, Dante Pagano, and John Hannel (CBS)
  • Saturday Night Live: "Host: Olivia Rodrigo" – Bill DiGiovanni, John Pinto, Paul Cangialosi, Anthony Tarantino, Dave Driscoll, Brian Phraner, and Daniel Erbeck (NBC)
SNL won the past two years and Dancing with the Stars the year before those, so they're my co-favorites. Again, I'll wait until I write the SNL entry to make that call.
I'm kicking this can down the road until I cover competition shows.
SNL listed this category in its promotional images, while Dancing with the Stars is only promoting the program category, which it won't win. On that basis alone, I'm picking SNL. ETA: I found the images DWTS is using to promote all categories on Twitter/X and replaced the one I had originally.  That written, I think I'm right for the wrong reason.

Next, the categories I covered in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show leads Outstanding Variety Special (Live) at the Emmys...
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Program (Juried)
  • The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny – Brian Steven Banks, Mariah Montes, Maaliq Amadeus Elliott, Shian Banks, Yvette Shelton, Iraina Crenshaw, Nikki Wright, and Paula Ashby (NBC)
  • Dancing with the Stars: "Disney Night" – Kimi Messina, Marion Rogers, Joe Matke, Florence Witherspoon, Jerilynn Stephens, Amber Nicholle Maher, Brittany Spaulding, and Regina Rodriguez (ABC)
  • RuPaul's Drag Race: "The Rate-a-Queen Talent Show, Part 2" – Suzette Boozer, and Henry Sanchez (MTV)
  • Saturday Night Live: "Host: Glen Powell" – Jodi Mancuso, Cara Hannah, Inga Thrasher, Amanda Duffy Evans, Chad Harlow, Gina Ferrucci, Jennifer Serio, and Katie Beatty (NBC)
  • Wicked: One Wonderful Night – Edward Morrison, R'riyana Kline, Tiffany Bloom, Lillie S. Frierson, Cyndra Dunn, Sharif Poston, Lisa Long, and Deborah Pierce (NBC)
This is the first category I think Bad Bunny's team will lose, as it's competing against SNL, winner of the past two years.
Outstanding Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Program
  • Dancing with the Stars: "Disney Night" – Julie Socash, Angela Moos, Brian Sipe, Vance Hartwell, Josh Foster, Alison Gladieux, Sarah Benjamin Hall, and Donna Bard (ABC)
  • The Oscars – Bruce Grayson, Brielle McKenna, Rochelle Uribe, Julie Hassett, Jeong-Hwa Kim Fonkalsrud, Schuron Womack, Jill Cady, and Michelle deMilt (ABC)
  • Saturday Night Live: "Host: Bad Bunny" – Louie Zakarian, Jason Milani, Amy Tagliamonti, Young Bek, Joanna Pisani, Madison Bermudez, and Waltaya Culmer (NBC)
SNL won the past two years, so it's my favorite.
I still think so, but I'm not making final calls until I cover the competition shows.

I'm closing with three categories I covered in 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert's final Emmy nominations...
Outstanding Production Design for a Variety or Reality Series
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live!: "Guests: Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Kumail Nanjiani, Josh Meyers, and Musical Guest Reneé Rapp" – David Ellis, Hillarie Brigode, and Heidi Miller (ABC)
  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: "Guests: John Krasinski, and Special Appearances" – Jim Fenhagen, Larry Hartman, Brendan Hurley, and Riley Mellon (CBS)
  • RuPaul's Drag Race: "RDR Live Returns!" – Jen Chu, Tyler Stone, and Melissa Arcaro (MTV)
  • Saturday Night Live: "Host: Jack Black" – Akira Yoshimura, Keith Ian Raywood, N. Joseph DeTullio, Ken MacLeod, Melissa Shakun, and Kimberly Kachougian (NBC)
  • The Traitors: "The Black Banquet" – Stuart Frossell, Luke Fuller, Georgia Picton, Alex Robertson, Rosie Westwood, and Celina Hodge (Peacock)
SNL has won this award five of the past six years with only RuPaul's Drag Race breaking the streak, so I think SNL is the favorite.
Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Series
  • Dancing with the Stars: "20th Birthday Party" – Noah Mitz, Madigan Stehly, Hannah Kerman, Will Gossett, Patrick Brazil, Joe Holdman, Matt Benson, Matt McAdam, Alan Pineda, and Kevin Faust (ABC)
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live!: "Guests: Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Kumail Nanjiani, Josh Meyers, And Musical Guest Reneé Rapp" – Craig Housenick, Darien Koop, James Worman, Ruben Escobar, and Guy Jones (ABC)
  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: "Guests: Bruce Springsteen, Special Surprise Guests" – Michael Scricca, Hillary Knox, Constantine Leonardos II, and Tom Carroll (CBS)
  • Saturday Night Live: "Host: Ariana Grande" – Geoffrey Amoral, Rick McGuinness, Trevor Brown, Tim Stasse, William McGuinness, Frank Grisanti, and Reginald Campbell (NBC)
  • The Voice: "Finale Part 2" – Oscar Dominguez, Johnny Bradley, Ronald K. Wirsgalla, Erin Anderson, Daniel K. Boland, Phillip "Gene" Webber, Andrew Munie, Vanessa Arciga, Jeff Shood, and Terrance Ho (NBC)
SNL has won this award the past two years with only Dancing with the Stars among the current nominees winning this decade, so those are my choices for favorite.
Again, I'm waiting until I cover the competition programs to make final calls.
Another day has not changed my mind, so I'm keeping all my calls.

I'm closing with a final category I haven't covered before.

Outstanding Picture Editing for a Structured Reality or Competition Program
  • The Amazing Race – Eric Beetner, Kevin Blum, Kellen Cruden, Christina Fontana, Jay Gammill, Eric Goldfarb, Katherine Griffin, Darrick Lazo, Ryan Leamy, Josh Lowry, Steve Mellon, Michelle Ivan Messina, Jennifer Nelson, Paul C. Nielsen, and Steven Urrutia (CBS)
  • RuPaul's Drag Race: "You Can't Keep a Good Drag Queen Down!" – Jamie Martin, Paul Cross, Ryan Mallick, and Michael Roha (MTV)
  • Survivor – David Armstrong, Brian Barefoot, Chad Bertalotto, Bill Bowden, Evan Mediuch, Plowden Schumacher, Andrew Bolhuis, Andy Castor, James Ciccarello, Michael Greer, Frederick Hawthorne, Arek Hope, Catherine M. Johnson, Finian Shea Johnson, Raz Karakashian, Josh Lowry, Bob Mathews, Joubin Mortazavi, Tori Rodman-Geuthier, Francisco Santa Maria, Eric B. Shanks, and Jacob Teixeira (CBS)
  • The Traitors: "The Death Conga" – David Moon, Patrick Owen, Matt Pratt, and James Seddon-Brown (Peacock)
  • The Voice – Sean Basaman, John M. Larson, Robert M. Malachowski Jr., Matt Antell, John Baldino, Matthew Blair, Melissa Silva Borden, William Fabian Castro, Michael Chaskes, Norwood Cheek, Andrew Ciancia, Glen Ebesu, Rick Enrique, Greg Fitzsimmons, Stephen R. Frederick, Brian Freundlich, Noel A. Guerra, John Homesley, Omega Hsu, Niki Hunter, Ryan P. James, Lise Kearney, Alyssa Dressman Lehner, Terri Maloney, James J. Munoz, Rich Remis, Barry Murphy, Robby Thompson, Matt Wafaie, and Eric Wise (NBC)
Despite the publicity image, I think it's among the last three winners, The Traitors, RuPaul's Drag Race, and The Voice, in that order.

Even with all the recycling, that was still work. Speaking of work, my final semester of full-time teaching begins tomorrow — I promise! Stay tuned for something short I can share to social media that evening to end August.

Previous posts about the 2026 Primetime and Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)