The 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards nominations are out, and the reality show’s Survivor nomination for Outstanding Reality Competition Program surprised me because it had been shut out of nominations in the past. This year’s crop of nominees is generally following the same route as previous nominations, as there were no major upsets, but still, there was a surprise.

The Outstanding Reality Competition Program 2025 nominations are Peacock’s The Traitors, RuPaul’s Drag Race, CBS’ The Amazing Race, CBS’ Survivor, and Bravo’s Top Chef. Survivor nabbed a nomination after getting shut out last year, usurping NBC’s The Voice, which did not receive a nomination this year. Survivor‘s a powerhouse reality show, but I don’t think it deserved a nomination this year.

Survivor Is Nominated After Being Shut Out Last Year

Survivor’s Nomination Is Sixth In Category

Survivor‘s nod for Outstanding Reality Competition Program is its sixth nomination in that category since it premiered in 2000. The Emmys didn’t recognize reality programming until 2001, when it first offered an award for Outstanding Reality Program, which was later split into Outstanding Reality-Competition Program and Outstanding Reality Program.

The slate of nominees for Outstanding Reality Competition Program this year are the usual suspects of prestige reality television: Top Chef, The Amazing Race, and RuPaul’s Drag Race are no strangers to the nominations list.

The Traitors is the new kid on the block, with the show having received its first nomination, and win, last year, which leaves little room for other shows to taste victory.

This year, Survivor‘s re-entry into the nominations list meant another show, The Voice, wouldn’t make it. The Voice‘s snub is the first time they’ve failed to earn a nomination in this category since 2012.

Survivor Should Not Have Been Nominated

Last Season Wasn’t Its Best

Survivor season 48 was overshadowed by the announcement that Survivor season 50 would bring back fan favorites to compete. Much of the news that Survivor garnered was centered about Survivor 50, because fans are excited to see who comes back to compete on this historic season.

Meanwhile, back on Survivor 48, fans complained that the season was repetitive, stagnant, and that the show’s timing lacked the dramatic flare fans are used to. Another complaint was that the players failed to resonate with audiences. Despite host Jeff Probst claiming that Survivor 48 was one of the best, viewership was still low.

The Emmys Should Acknowledge Newer Shows

The Emmys Should Give More New Shows A Chance

Survivor‘s nomination meant that The Voice would have to sit this year out, but I think the Emmys would be wise to start recognizing fresher shows as nominees. The Traitors is a great example of that, as the show was quickly nominated for awards after its first season.

Other new shows that deserve some Emmy love include Million Dollar Secret and Love on the Spectrum, to name a few. It would also be nice for veteran shows like Below Deck or Project Runway to be considered, because despite their longevity, they remain top-notch reality TV viewing.

If the Emmys wanted to really shake things up, they’d start showing love to some of the romantic reality shows that deliver on drama, suspense, and upsets. Love is Blind is a prime example of a show the Emmys could consider, as well as Love Island, although that show’s raunchy physical challenges might be a turn-off for acclaimed Emmy voters.

Survivor

Release Date

2023 – 2023-00-00

Network

BBC One

•