20 TV shows that won the most Emmys during their run

Even though it is still a relatively young series, The Bear  has shown that it is a remarkable critical juggernaut. Though some might question whether it is, in fact, a comedy, there’s no question that it’s a powerful show featuring an electrifying cast. Indeed, several cast members have won awards for the series, including Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri. It has also won several other Emmy Awards for various aspects of its production, including its writing.

Dancing with the Stars, like so many other reality competition TV shows, has proven remarkably enduring. It’s not every show, after all, that would manage to have thirty-three seasons and counting. This is one of those shows that has been both a crowd-pleaser and an award-winner. It has accrued an impressive twenty-one total awards over its seasons, many of which have been received for its technical achievements. This just goes to show that a lot of work goes into making sure that a reality TV series is a true success. 

Few drama series have been as influential or as popular as The Sopranos, which once again showed that HBO was the premium cable network to beat. Given how much critics lavished it with praise, it was inevitable that it would also earn a staggering number of Emmy Awards during its several seasons. It would eventually take home twenty-one of them, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and for its writing and other elements of its production. 

Amazon hit it out of the park with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, a series focusing on the title character, a Jewish housewife who discovers she is a gifted comedian. The show was both quite touching and also very funny. It was a true hit among both audiences and critics. In addition to the critical praise the show received from various outlets, it also accrued numerous accolades throughout its run, including a total of twenty-two Emmy Awards.

As its title implies, Modern Family excelled at showing how the institution of the family has changed in the 21st century. In addition to being socially relevant and conscious, it was a feel-good show that combined rich family stories with a big heart and a lot of laughs. It was beloved by critics and audiences alike and, throughout its eleven seasons, won several awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series and acting awards for Eric Stonestreet, Ty Burrell, and Julie Bowen.

The late Norman Lear was truly a giant of television, and one of his most notable and enduringly beloved series is All in the Family. It’s one of those shows that provides a fascinating glimpse of American life in the 1970s, and Carroll O’Connor’s Archie Bunker remains an enduringly fascinating TV character. The series was popular with both audiences and critics, winning over twenty Emmy Awards during the course of its run, as well as numerous other nominations. 

The medical drama is another of those genres that periodically makes an appearance on the American TV landscape. ER  remains one of the most popular and influential of such dramas, boasting not just a terrific cast, which included George Clooney, but also strong writing, courtesy of show creator Michael Crichton. It managed to be remarkably accurate and thought-provoking, given the extent to which it explored many of the issues often facing those in the medical profession. It was also a critical darling, ultimately earning over twenty Emmy Awards.

From the moment it premiered, it was clear that The Crown was going to be one of Netflix’s jewels. It combined meticulous craftsmanship with a compelling story about the institution of the British Crown, in particular its effect on the late Queen Elizabeth II and her family, and the result was a powerful period piece. It was nominated for a staggering eighty-seven nominations, eventually winning twenty-four, including several wins for Outstanding Drama Series, as well as several acting awards, including for Josh O’Connor, who played a young Prince Charles.

If there’s one woman who can be said to be a living legend, it would be Carol Burnett. She is one of those titanic figures in the history of television comedy whose influence continues to be felt. Her sketch comedy series The Carol Burnett Show was a showcase for some truly remarkable comedic talent, including not just Burnett herself but also such actors as Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, and Vicki Lawrence. Over the course of its long run, it managed to accrue a very respectable twenty-five Emmy Awards, as well as many more nominations.  

Even though Aaron Sorkin has been a remarkably prolific creator and writer, The West Wing  is arguably his magnum opus. It was one of those shows that was very much of its time, with a remarkable optimism about the nature of American politics. It also profoundly impacted politicians coming of age at the time, and its legacy continues to be felt. It was also just a strong TV show in its own right, which helps to explain its twenty-six Emmys, which include Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (for Allison Janney).

Hill Street Blues is rightly regarded as one of the most influential and popular procedurals in the genre's history. Its influence continues to be felt, both in procedural dramas and in various other types of television. It was also one of those series with a strong start among critics, winning several Emmy Awards during its first season alone. It would go on to win a total of twenty-eight, which is an impressive haul for a police drama.

Cheers is one of those sitcoms that was very much of its time. With its colorful cast of characters and its potent (and hilarious) storylines, it’s easy to see why it became one of the most popular shows of the decade and in the history of TV. In addition to repeatedly appealing to millions of viewers, it also accrued an outstanding number of Emmy Awards, eventually totaling twenty-eight. Among its wins were Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Shelley Long, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Rhea Perlman.

American Masters is something of a television institution, having been on the air since the 1980s. It’s easy to see why it should be so enduring, however, since it is a documentary series highlighting and exploring the lives of some of the most important American artists. The fact that it has been produced by PBS makes its longevity even more extraordinary. Among its many wins — twenty-eight in total — are ten for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special. In its own way, the series has become as much of an artistic success as the many figures it has profiled.

RuPaul’s Drag Race is truly a force of nature. This show has not only managed to be remarkably enduring — airing since 2009 — but has also created numerous spinoffs around the world. It’s also become a part of meme culture, which is always the mark that a series has managed to become a true pop culture phenomenon. It has also earned a staggering number of Emmy Awards throughout its run, with its current total sitting at twenty-nine.

The late Mary Tyler Moore became a feminist icon thanks to her appearance on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.  The series was remarkable for the extent to which it featured a single woman who was committed to her career rather than creating a family. It also featured a strong ensemble cast, including such heavy hitters as Ed Asner and Betty White. It managed to accrue a major number of Emmy Awards during its run, eventually winning a total of twenty-nine.

John Oliver is one of those comedians who has developed a well-earned reputation for hard-hitting journalism. His series Last Week Tonight highlights some of the key issues of the present, presented with Oliver’s trademark biting (and often incredulous) sense of humor. Given the extent to which he manages to use humor to actually offer insightful commentary on the politics of the moment, it would be surprising if he hadn’t managed to accrue several Emmys. As of now, the series has managed to rack up thirty wins, along with many other nominations.

Given just how long The Simpsons has been on the air, it’s not surprising that it’s managed to take home quite a few Emmy Awards over the course of its run. Many of its awards have been for Outstanding Animated Program, though there have also been several wins for the members of its cast, including Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Julie Kavner (Marge), and the late Marcia Wallace (Edna Krabappel). Altogether, it’s accrued nearly forty Emmy Awards, and, given that it is still on the air, it’s sure to earn many more.

Frasier was undoubtedly one of the most popular and beloved sitcoms of the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, thanks to its whip-smart writing and phenomenal cast. In addition to being a ratings success, it was also a critical darling, with a total of thirty-seven total Emmy Awards. Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce both won in their categories, and the series also took home the Outstanding Comedy Series award several times. It has thus more than earned its place in the annals of great sitcoms.

While its final season disappointed many of its even most ardent fans, there’s no question Game of Thrones  was a true cultural juggernaut. Its story about the various factions vying for control of the Iron Throne was one that tapped into larger questions about the nature of political power. It also featured some remarkable performances from the likes of Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, and Kit Harrington, all of whom were either nominated or won in their categories. It also won the award for Outstanding Drama Series several times.

Saturday Night Live is nothing short of an American institution. Since its first episode in 1975, it has consistently set the bar for all other sketch comedy. Moreover, it has also proven remarkably adept at tapping into the American zeitgeist, holding up political and cultural figures alike for mockery and amusement. It is one of those series that has had its fair share of ups and downs, but its enormous number of Emmy Awards — currently sitting at ninety — is a testament to its enduring power and artistic accomplishment.