Emmys Best Comedy Series gallery: Every winner in Emmy Awards history

Best Comedy Series

Best Comedy Series Win: 2021, 2022

Streaming network Apple TV Plus came on strong on its first at-bat, with “Ted Lasso” winning seven Emmy Awards including comedy series, actor (Jason Sudeikis), supporting actress (Hannah Waddingham) and supporting actor (Brett Goldstein). The feel-good show follows the titular American football coach who travels to England to coach soccer, a sport he knows nothing about.

‘Schitt’s Creek’ (Pop TV)

Best Comedy Series Win: 2020

The heartwarming Canadian series about a rich family who loses everything and moves to a tiny town was skunked by the Television Academy for its first four seasons. It finally broke through for Season 4 with four Emmy bids — series, actor (Eugene Levy), actress (Catherine O’Hara) and costumes — but lost them all. For its fifth and final season in 2020, “Schitt’s Creek” rebounded by taking home a record nine Emmys for a comedy series, including going 7-for-7 at the Primetime ceremony, the first program to ever do so.

‘Fleabag’ (Amazon)

Best Comedy Series Win: 2019

Even though Season 1 of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s quirky comedy was completely snubbed by the TV academy, Season 2 proved to be the one to beat as it took home six total Emmys: series, actress, writing, directing, casting and editing.

‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ (Amazon)

Best Comedy Series Win: 2018

Amy Sherman-Palladino’s period comedy about a Jewish wife who discovers her love of stand-up comedy swept the Emmys in its first year of eligibility. It also earned Amazon the distinction of being the first streaming service to win in this category.

‘Veep’ (HBO)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 2017, 2016, 2015

The satirical adaptation of the British series “The Thick of It” centers on Selina Meyer, a narcissistic and hapless vice president and her turbulent political career. For her role as Selena Meyer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has won a record-setting six consecutive Emmys for Best Comedy Actress.

‘Modern Family’ (ABC)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010

This family comedy is the first series since “Frasier” to win five consecutive Emmys for Best Comedy. The show also dominated the supporting categories for a number of years, winning multiple statues for stars Ty Burrell, Eric Stonestreet and Julie Bowen.

’30 Rock’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 2009, 2008, 2007

Tina Fey created and starred in this long-running series that takes place behind the scenes of a popular sketch comedy series. The show was never a ratings hit, something Fey acknowledged as she accepted the show’s first Best Comedy Emmy in 2007 when she thanked the series’ “dozens and dozens of viewers.”

‘The Office’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 2006

This long-running adaptation of the popular BBC series followed the misadventures of a group of employees in a Pennsylvania paper company. Series star Steve Carell earned six consecutive nominations in the Comedy Actor category, but astonisingly never won.

‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ (CBS)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 2005, 2003

Ray Romano’s stand-up act inspired this long-running series about a hapless father whose parents live right across the street from him. This was the most recent multi-camera sitcom to win the Emmy for Best Comedy Series.

‘Arrested Development’ (Fox)

Best Comedy Series Win: 2004

The cult favorite about a dysfunctional famil that loses its wealth was cancelled after only three seasons. Netflix revived the show for a fourth season in 2013, and has just announced that a fifth season will air in 2018.

‘Friends’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 2002

The popular series about a group of 20-somethings living in New York won its first series award for its eighth season, which also marked the first season that the show hit number one in the TV ratings.

‘Sex and the City’ (HBO)

Best Comedy Series Win: 2001

This series about a group of upper-class women in New York was the first premium cable series to win in this category. The series spawned two feature films that starred the original cast.

‘Will and Grace’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 2000

The groundbreaking sitcom about the friendship between a gay man and a straight woman is one of only three shows– along with “All in the Family” and “The Golden Girls” — to win acting Emmys for all of its main cast. The series will return in 2017 for a 12-episode revival. 

‘Ally McBeal’ (Fox)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1999

This quirky legal comedy was the first hour-long program to win in this category. Creator David E. Kelly set another record that year, as his show “The Practice” also won Best Drama Series, making him the first producer to win both the Best Comedy and Drama Series Emmys in the same year.

‘Frasier’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994

This “Cheers” spinoff centered around the erudite psychiatrist set a number of records during its 11-year run: it was the first series to win five consecutive Comedy Series trophies, and still holds the record for most Emmys (37) for a comedy.

‘Seinfeld’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1993

Everyone’s favorite show about nothing is regularly listed as one of the great sitcoms of all time. However, the show won its first and only series prize in 1993. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

‘Murphy Brown’ (CBS)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1992, 1990

Candice Bergen won a record-setting five Emmys for her role as an acerbic investigative journalist in this series set in a Washington D.C. newsroom.

‘Cheers’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1991, 1989, 1984, 1983

The series about the happenings in a Boston bar was literally saved by the Emmys. The show’s first season ranked near the bottom of the ratings, but its success at the Emmys that year led a spike in the ratings. After Season 3, the show never fell out of the Top 10.

‘The Wonder Years’ (ABC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1988

The series about a young boy growing up in the 1960s was a surprise winner at the Emmys, considering that the show had only aired six episodes during the eligibility period.

‘The Golden Girls’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1987, 1986

The beloved sitcom about a group of older women sharing a Miami home has aired continuously in syndication since it ended in 1992. It is one of only three shows — along with “All in the Family” and “Will and Grace” — to earn acting Emmys for all of its core cast members.

‘The Cosby Show’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1985

Bill Cosby’s self-titled series about an affluent black family was the number one show on television for five consecutive years. Many syndicators stopped airing reruns of the show in 2014 after numerous sexual assault allegations were made against Cosby.

‘Barney Miller’ (ABC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1982

After seven seasons on the air, the comedy about a group of New York detectives won its first series Emmy for its final season.

‘Taxi’ (ABC)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1981, 1980, 1979

While never a ratings hit, this series about a group of disillusioned cab drivers won three consecutive Emmys for Best Comedy Series.

‘All in the Family’ (CBS)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1978, 1973, 1972, 1971

Norman Lear’s groundbreaking series about a blue collar family led by a bigoted patriarch spent five consecutive years as the highest rated show on television. The series was one of the first to use comedy to address controversial topics such as racial prejudice, homosexuality, impotence and menopause. It is also one of only three shows — along with “The Golden Girls” and “Will and Grace” — to win Emmys for all of its core cast members.

“The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ (CBS)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1977, 1976, 1975

Often cited as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, the series was one of the first to feature an independent, single woman as its protagonist. With 29 wins, it held the record for most Emmys won by a series for more than 25 years.

‘M.A.S.H.’ (CBS)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1974

The long-running show about a group of military physicians serving during the Korean War remains one of television’s most beloved series. The final episode remains one the most-watched programs in the history of television.

‘My World and Welcome to It’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1970

Despite lasting only one season, this whimsical series based on the work of James Thurber won Emmys for Comedy Series and for Lead Actor William Windom.

‘Get Smart’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1969, 1968

This spoof of the spy genre not only won consecutive Emmys in this category, but also won three consecutive Best Actor trophies for star Don Adams as the bumbling Maxwell Smart.

‘The Monkees’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1967

This short-lived series about a struggling rock group looking for its big break was directly inspired by “A Hard Day’s Night,” the classic musical film which starred The Beatles.

‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ (CBS)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1966, 1964, 1963

The classic show about a television writer was loosely based on creator Carl Reiner’s experiences writing for Sid Caesar. It also introduced audiences to a young Mary Tyler Moore, who broke the mold of the typical television housewife by wearing capri pants in many episodes.

No specific award was given for Best Comedy Series at the 1965 Emmys.

‘The Bob Newhart Show’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1962

Newhart’s first foray in television was this Emmy-winning variety show, which ran for a single season. Newhart, who was not a producer on the show, would have to wait more than 50 years to win his first Emmy, as a guest star on “The Big Bang Theory.”

‘The Jack Benny Program’ (CBS)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1961, 1959

Comedian Jack Benny’s radio program began in the 1930s and made the switch to television in 1950. The show featured guest appearances from a number of Hollywood stars, including Jimmy Stewart, Ronald Colman and Bob Hope.

‘The Art Carney Special’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1960

This series starred the Emmy and Oscar-winning actor as a host of a variety show. Although billed as a “special,” the series ran for more than two years.

‘The Phil Silvers Show’ (CBS)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1958, 1957, 1956

Comedian Phil Silvers became a bona fide star with his role as the scheming Sergeant Bilko, a role that won him an Emmy in 1955.

‘Make Room for Daddy’ (ABC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1955

Comedian Danny Thomas starred in this series about a nightclub performer trying to balance work and raising a family. The series eventually switched networks and was re-titled “The Danny Thomas Show.”

‘I Love Lucy’ (CBS)

Best Comedy Series Wins: 1954, 1953

The classic sitcom was one of the pioneers of the format, particularly in its utilization of multiple cameras to film the show in front of a live audience. The program also won Emmys for Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance, and is regularly listed as one of the greatest TV series of all time.

‘The Red Skelton Show’ (NBC)

Best Comedy Series Win: 1952

The first series to win an Emmy in the category was this variety show starring Skelton, who was famous for his work in radio and on stage. The show ran for almost 20 years, airing over 600 episodes.