# Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series

The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series is a category in the Primetime Emmy Awards. It is awarded annually to the best variety show or similarly formatted program of the year. The award is sometimes known by other names, such as “Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Program” and “Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series.”

## History

From 1979 to 1989 and in 1991, variety series and specials competed together. Single programs dominated as winners during this time until the Outstanding Variety Special category was formed. Since 1994, all of the winners in this category have been late-night talk shows, except in 1997.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart won the award for ten years consecutively (2003–2012), the longest winning streak for a television show in Primetime Emmy Award history. In 2015, this category was separated into two categories – Outstanding Variety Sketch Series and Outstanding Talk Series.

## Winners and nominations
### 1950s

| Year | Program | Network |
| Best Variety Show |||
| 1951 (3rd) |
| 1951 (3rd) | The Alan Young Show | KTTV |
| 1951 (3rd) | Four Star Revue | KNBH |
| 1951 (3rd) | The Ken Murray Show | KTTV |
| 1951 (3rd) | Texaco Star Theater | KNBH |
| 1951 (3rd) | Your Show of Shows | KNBH |
| 1952 (4th) |
| 1952 (4th) | Your Show of Shows | NBC |
| 1952 (4th) | All Star Revue | NBC |
| 1952 (4th) | The Colgate Comedy Hour | NBC |
| 1952 (4th) | The Fred Waring Show | CBS |
| 1952 (4th) | Toast of the Town | CBS |
| Best Variety Program |||
| 1953 (5th) |
| 1953 (5th) | Your Show of Shows | NBC |
| 1953 (5th) | Arthur Godfrey and His Friends | CBS |
| 1953 (5th) | The Colgate Comedy Hour | NBC |
| 1953 (5th) | The Jackie Gleason Show | CBS |
| 1953 (5th) | Toast of the Town | CBS |
| 1954 (6th) |
| 1954 (6th) | Omnibus | CBS |
| 1954 (6th) | The Colgate Comedy Hour | NBC |
| 1954 (6th) | The Jackie Gleason Show | CBS |
| 1954 (6th) | Toast of the Town | CBS |
| 1954 (6th) | Your Show of Shows | NBC |
| Best Variety Series Including Musical Varieties |||
| 1955 (7th) |
| 1955 (7th) | Disneyland | ABC |
| 1955 (7th) | The Ed Sullivan Show | CBS |
| 1955 (7th) | The George Gobel Show | NBC |
| 1955 (7th) | The Jack Benny Program | CBS |
| 1955 (7th) | The Jackie Gleason Show | CBS |
| 1955 (7th) | Your Show of Shows | NBC |
| 1956 (8th) |
| Best Variety Series |||
| 1956 (8th) | The Ed Sullivan Show | CBS |
| 1956 (8th) | The Dinah Shore Show | NBC |
| 1956 (8th) | Ford Star Jubilee | CBS |
| 1956 (8th) | The Perry Como Show | NBC |
| 1956 (8th) | Shower of Stars | CBS |
| Best Music Series |||
| 1956 (8th) | Your Hit Parade | NBC |
| 1956 (8th) | Coke Time with Eddie Fisher | NBC |
| 1956 (8th) | The Dinah Shore Show | NBC |
| 1956 (8th) | The Perry Como Show | NBC |
| 1956 (8th) | The Voice of Firestone | CBS |
| 1957 (9th) |
| Best Series – Half Hour or Less |||
| 1957 (9th) | The Phil Silvers Show (comedy) | CBS |
| 1957 (9th) | Alfred Hitchcock Presents (anthology) | CBS |
| 1957 (9th) | Father Knows Best (comedy) | NBC |
| 1957 (9th) | The Jack Benny Program (comedy) | CBS |
| 1957 (9th) | Person to Person (interview) | CBS |
| Best Series – One Hour or More |||
| 1957 (9th) | Caesar's Hour (comedy) | NBC |
| 1957 (9th) | Climax! (drama) | CBS |
| 1957 (9th) | The Ed Sullivan Show (musical variety) | CBS |
| 1957 (9th) | Omnibus (educational) | CBS |
| 1957 (9th) | The Perry Como Show (musical variety) | NBC |
| Best Musical, Variety, Audience Participation or Quiz Series |||
| 1958 (10th) |
| 1958 (10th) | The Dinah Shore Chevy Show | NBC |
| 1958 (10th) | The Ed Sullivan Show | CBS |
| 1958 (10th) | The Perry Como Show | NBC |
| 1958 (10th) | The Steve Allen Show | NBC |
| 1958 (10th) | Tonight Starring Jack Paar | NBC |
| Best Musical or Variety Series |||
| 1959 (11th) |
| 1959 (11th) | The Dinah Shore Chevy Show | NBC |
| 1959 (11th) | The Perry Como Show | NBC |
| 1959 (11th) | The Steve Allen Show | NBC |
* ↑ In 1956, two separate series categories existed, Best Variety Series and Best Music Series, and an award was given in each category. The Ed Sullivan Show won Best Variety Series, while Your Hit Parade won Best Music Series.
* ↑ In 1957, two separate series categories existed, Best Series – Half Hour or Less and Best Series – One Hour or More, and an award was given in each category. The Phil Silvers Show, a comedy, won Best Series – Half Hour or Less, while Caesar's Hour, another comedy, won Best Series – One Hour or More. For this year (and also in 1965), variety shows competed directly against comedies, dramas, and other shows.

### 1960s

| Year | Program | Producers | Network |
| Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Variety ||||
| 1960 (12th) |
| 1960 (12th) | The Fabulous Fifties | | CBS |
| 1960 (12th) | Another Evening with Fred Astaire | | NBC |
| 1960 (12th) | The Dinah Shore Chevy Show | | NBC |
| 1960 (12th) | The Garry Moore Show | | CBS |
| 1960 (12th) | The Revlon Revue | | CBS |
| 1961 (13th) |
| Astaire Time | | NBC |
| Belafonte, N.Y. | | CBS |
| The Garry Moore Show | | CBS |
| An Hour with Danny Kaye | | CBS |
| The Jack Paar Tonight Show | | NBC |
| Outstanding Program Achievements in the Fields of Variety and Music - Variety ||||
| 1962 (14th) |
| 1962 (14th) | The Garry Moore Show | | CBS |
| 1962 (14th) | Here's Edie | | ABC |
| 1962 (14th) | The Judy Garland Show | | CBS |
| 1962 (14th) | Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall | | NBC |
| 1962 (14th) | Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color | | NBC |
| Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Variety ||||
| 1963 (15th) |
| 1963 (15th) | The Andy Williams Show | | NBC |
| 1963 (15th) | Carol and Company | | CBS |
| 1963 (15th) | The Garry Moore Show | | CBS |
| 1963 (15th) | Here's Edie | | ABC |
| 1963 (15th) | The Red Skelton Hour | | CBS |
| 1964 (16th) |
| The Danny Kaye Show | | CBS |
| The Andy Williams Show | | NBC |
| The Garry Moore Show | | CBS |
| The Judy Garland Show | | CBS |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | | NBC |
| Outstanding Program Achievements in Entertainment ||||
| 1965 (17th) |
| 1965 (17th) | The Dick Van Dyke Show (Season 4) | Carl Reiner, producer | CBS |
| 1965 (17th) | Hallmark Hall of Fame: "The Magnificent Yankee" | George Schaefer, producer | NBC |
| 1965 (17th) | My Name Is Barbra | Richard Lewine, producer | CBS |
| 1965 (17th) | New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts with Leonard Bernstein | Roger Englander, producer | CBS |
| 1965 (17th) | The Andy Williams Show | Bob Finkel, producer | NBC |
| 1965 (17th) | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre | Dick Berg, producer | NBC |
| 1965 (17th) | A Carol for Another Christmas | Joseph L. Mankiewicz, producer | ABC |
| 1965 (17th) | The Defenders | Bob Markell, producer | CBS |
| 1965 (17th) | Hallmark Hall of Fame | George Schaefer, producer | NBC |
| 1965 (17th) | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | Sam Rolfe, producer | NBC |
| 1965 (17th) | Mr. Novak | Leonard Freeman, producer | NBC |
| 1965 (17th) | Profiles in Courage | Robert Saudek, producer | NBC |
| 1965 (17th) | Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color | Walt Disney, producer | NBC |
| 1965 (17th) | Who Has Seen the Wind? | George Sidney, producer | ABC |
| 1965 (17th) | The Wonderful World of Burlesque | George Schaefer, producer | NBC |
| Outstanding Variety Series ||||
| 1966 (18th) |
| 1966 (18th) | The Andy Williams Show | Bob Finkel, producer | NBC |
| 1966 (18th) | The Danny Kaye Show | Robert Scheerer, producer | CBS |
| 1966 (18th) | The Hollywood Palace | William O. Harbach and Nick Vanoff, producers | ABC |
| 1966 (18th) | The Red Skelton Hour | Seymour Berns, producer | CBS |
| 1966 (18th) | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Art Stark, producer | NBC |
| 1967 (19th) |
| The Andy Williams Show | Edward Stephenson and Bob Finkel, producers | NBC |
| The Dean Martin Show | Greg Garrison, producer | NBC |
| The Hollywood Palace | Nick Vanoff and William O. Harbach, producers | ABC |
| The Jackie Gleason Show | Ronald Wayne, producer | CBS |
| The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour | Saul Ilson and Ernest Chambers, producers | CBS |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Art Stark, producer | NBC |
| Outstanding Musical or Variety Series ||||
| 1968 (20th) |
| 1968 (20th) | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In | George Schlatter, producer | NBC |
| 1968 (20th) | The Bell Telephone Hour | Henry Jaffe, executive producer; Robert Drew, Mike Jackson and Mel Stuart, producers | NBC |
| 1968 (20th) | The Carol Burnett Show | Joe Hamilton, producer | CBS |
| 1968 (20th) | The Dean Martin Show | Greg Garrison, producer | NBC |
| 1968 (20th) | The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour | Saul Ilson and Ernest Chambers, producers | CBS |
| Outstanding Variety or Musical Series ||||
| 1969 (21st) |
| 1969 (21st) | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In | Paul Keyes and Carolyn Raskin, producers; Dick Martin and Dan Rowan, stars | NBC |
| 1969 (21st) | The Carol Burnett Show | Joe Hamilton, producer; Carol Burnett, star | CBS |
| 1969 (21st) | The Dean Martin Show | Greg Garrison, producer; Dean Martin, star | NBC |
| 1969 (21st) | The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour | Allan Blye and George Sunga, producers; Tom Smothers and Dick Smothers, stars | CBS |
| 1969 (21st) | That's Life | Marvin Marx and Stan Harris, producers; Robert Morse, star | ABC |

### 1970s

| Year | Program | Producers | Network |
| Outstanding Variety or Musical Series ||||
| 1970 (22nd) |
| 1970 (22nd) | The David Frost Show | Peter Baker, producer; David Frost, star | Syndicated |
| 1970 (22nd) | The Carol Burnett Show | Joe Hamilton, producer; Carol Burnett, star | CBS |
| 1970 (22nd) | The Dean Martin Show | Greg Garrison, producer; Dean Martin, star | NBC |
| 1970 (22nd) | The Dick Cavett Show | Jack Rollins, executive producer; Tony Converse, producer; Dick Cavett, star | ABC |
| 1970 (22nd) | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In | George Schlatter, executive producer; Carolyn Raskin and Paul Keyes, producers; Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, stars | NBC |
| 1971 (23rd) |
| Outstanding Variety Series – Musical |||
| The Flip Wilson Show | Monte Kay, executive producer; Bob Henry, producer; Flip Wilson, star | NBC |
| The Carol Burnett Show | Joe Hamilton, executive producer; Arnie Rosen, producer; Carol Burnett, star | CBS |
| Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In | George Schlatter, executive producer; Carolyn Raskin, producer; Dick Martin and Dan Rowan, stars | NBC |
| Outstanding Variety Series – Talk |||
| The David Frost Show | Peter Baker, producer; David Frost, star | Syndicated |
| The Dick Cavett Show | Jack Rollins, executive producer; John Gilroy, producer; Dick Cavett, star | ABC |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Rudy Tellez and Frederick De Cordova, producers; Johnny Carson, host | NBC |
| 1972 (24th) |
| Outstanding Variety Series – Musical |||
| The Carol Burnett Show | Joe Hamilton (executive producer), Arnie Rosen (producer), Carol Burnett (star) | CBS |
| The Dean Martin Show | Greg Garrison (producer), Dean Martin (star) | NBC | NBC |
| The Flip Wilson Show | Monte Kay (executive producer), Bob Henry (producer), Flip Wilson (star) |
| The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour | Allan Blye (producer), Chris Bearde (producer), Sonny Bono (star), Cher (star) | CBS |
| Outstanding Variety Series – Talk |||
| The Dick Cavett Show | John Gilroy (producer), Dick Cavett (star) | ABC |
| The David Frost Show | Peter Baker (producer), David Frost (star) | Syndicated |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Frederick De Cordova (producer), Johnny Carson (host) | NBC |
| Outstanding Variety Musical Series ||||
| 1973 (25th) |
| 1973 (25th) | The Julie Andrews Hour | Nick Vanoff (producer), William O. Harbach (producer), Julie Andrews (star) | ABC |
| 1973 (25th) | The Carol Burnett Show | Joe Hamilton (executive producer), Bill Angelos (producer), Buz Kohan (producer), Arnie Rosen (producer), Carol Burnett (star) | CBS |
| 1973 (25th) | The Dick Cavett Show | John Gilroy (producer), Dick Cavett (star) | ABC |
| 1973 (25th) | The Flip Wilson Show | Monte Kay (executive producer), Bob Henry (producer), Flip Wilson (star) | NBC |
| 1973 (25th) | The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour | Allan Blye (producer), Chris Bearde (producer), Sonny Bono (star), Cher (star) | CBS |
| Outstanding Music-Variety Series ||||
| 1974 (26th) |
| 1974 (26th) | The Carol Burnett Show | Joe Hamilton (executive producer), Ed Simmons, Carol Burnett (star) | CBS |
| 1974 (26th) | The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour | Allan Blye (producer), Chris Bearde (producer), Sonny Bono (star), Cher (star) | CBS |
| 1974 (26th) | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Johnny Carson (star), Frederick De Cordova (producer) | NBC |
| 1975 (27th) |
| Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series ||||
| 1975 (27th) | The Carol Burnett Show | Joe Hamilton (executive producer), Ed Simmons (producer), Carol Burnett (star) | CBS |
| 1975 (27th) | Cher | George Schlatter (producer), Cher (star) | CBS |
| Special Classification of Outstanding Program and Individual Achievement ||||
| 1975 (27th) | The Dick Cavett Show | John Gilroy, producer; Dick Cavett, star | ABC |
| Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series ||||
| 1976 (28th) |
| 1976 (28th) | Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels (producer) | NBC |
| 1976 (28th) | The Carol Burnett Show | Joe Hamilton (executive producer), Ed Simmons (producer), Carol Burnett (host) | CBS |
| 1977 (29th) |
| Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series |||
| 1977 (29th) | Van Dyke and Company | Byron Paul (executive producer), Allan Blye (producer), Bob Einstein (producer), Dick Van Dyke (star) | NBC |
| 1977 (29th) | The Carol Burnett Show | Joe Hamilton (executive producer), Ed Simmons (producer), Carol Burnett (star) | CBS |
| 1977 (29th) | Evening at Pops | William Cosel (producer), Arthur Fiedler (star) | PBS |
| 1977 (29th) | The Muppet Show (Season 1) | Jim Henson (executive producer), David Lazer (executive producer), Jack Burns (producer), Frank Oz (star), Richard Hunt (star), Dave Goelz (star), Eren Ozker (star), John Lovelady (star), Jerry Nelson (star) | Syndicated |
| 1977 (29th) | Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels (producer) | NBC |
| Special Classification of Outstanding Program Achievement |||
| 1977 (29th) | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Frederick De Cordova, producer; Johnny Carson, star | NBC |
| 1977 (29th) | Bicentennial Minutes | Bob Markell, executive producer; Paul Waigner, producer | CBS |
| 1977 (29th) | Life Goes to the Movies (The Big Event) | Jack Haley, executive producer; Malcolm Leo, Richard Schickel and Mel Stuart, producers | NBC |
| 1977 (29th) | NBC: The First Fifty Years (The Big Event) | Greg Garrison, executive producer; Chet Hagan and Lee Hale, producers | NBC |
| 1977 (29th) | The Wonderful World of Disney | Ron W. Miller, executive producer | NBC |
| Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series ||||
| 1978 (30th) |
| 1978 (30th) | The Muppet Show (Season 2) | David Lazer (executive producer), Jim Henson (producer/star), Frank Oz (star), Jerry Nelson (star), Richard Hunt (star), Dave Goelz (star) | Syndicated |
| 1978 (30th) | America 2-Night | Alan Thicke (producer) | Syndicated |
| 1978 (30th) | The Carol Burnett Show | Joe Hamilton (executive producer), Ed Simmons (producer), Carol Burnett (star) | CBS |
| 1978 (30th) | Evening at Pops | William Cosel (producer), Arthur Fiedler (star) | PBS |
| 1978 (30th) | Saturday Night Live (Season 3) | Lorne Michaels (producer) | NBC |
| Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Program ||||
| 1979 (31st) |
| 1979 (31st) | Steve & Eydie Celebrate Irving Berlin | Steve Lawrence (executive producer/star), Gary Smith (executive producer/producer), Dwight Hemion (producer), Eydie Gorm? (star) | NBC |
| 1979 (31st) | The Muppet Show (Season 3) | David Lazer (executive producer), Jim Henson (producer/star: The Muppets), Frank Oz (star: The Muppets), Jerry Nelson (star: The Muppets), Richard Hunt (star: The Muppets), Dave Goelz (star: The Muppets) | Syndicated |
| 1979 (31st) | Saturday Night Live (Season 4) | Lorne Michaels (producer), Dan Aykroyd (star), John Belushi (star), Jane Curtin (star), Garrett Morris (star), Bill Murray (star), Laraine Newman (star), Gilda Radner (star) | NBC |
| 1979 (31st) | Arthur Fiedler: Just Call Me Maestro (Evening at Pops) | William Cosel (producer), Arthur Fiedler (star) | PBS |
| 1979 (31st) | Shirley MacLaine at the Lido | Gary Smith (producer), Dwight Hemion (producer), Shirley MacLaine (star) | CBS |

### 1980s

| Year | Program | Producers |
| Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program ||||
| 1980 (32nd) |
| Baryshnikov on Broadway | Herman Krawitz (executive producer), Gary Smith (producer), Dwight Hemion (producer), Mikhail Baryshnikov (star) | ABC |
| The Benny Hill Show | Philip Jones (executive producer), Keith Beckett (producer), David Bell (producer), Ronald Fouracre (producer), Peter Frazer-Jones (producer), Dennis Kirkland (producer), John Robins (producer), Mark Stuart (producer), Benny Hill (star) | Syndicated |
| The Muppet Show | David Lazer (executive producer), Jim Henson (producer/performer), Dave Goelz (performer), Louise Gold (performer), Richard Hunt (performer), Kathryn Mullen (performer), Jerry Nelson (performer), Frank Oz (performer), Steve Whitmire (performer) | Syndicated |
| Goldie and Liza Together | George Schlatter (executive producer), Don Mischer (producer), Fred Ebb (producer), Goldie Hawn (star), Liza Minnelli (star) | CBS |
| Shirley MacLaine... 'Every Little Movement' | Gary Smith (producer), Dwight Hemion (producer), Shirley MacLaine (star) | CBS |
| 1981 (33rd) |
| Lily: Sold Out | Lily Tomlin (executive producer/star), Jane Wagner (executive producer), Rocco Urbisci (producer) | CBS |
| The Benny Hill Show | John Robins (producer), Dennis Kirkland (producer), Mark Stuart (producer), Keith Beckett (producer), Benny Hill (star) | Syndicated |
| The Muppet Show | David Lazer (executive producer), Jim Henson (producer/performer), Frank Oz (performer), Jerry Nelson (performer), Richard Hunt (performer), Dave Goelz (performer), Louise Gold (performer), Steve Whitmire (performer), Kathryn Mullen (performer), Brian Muehl (performer), Karen Prell (performer) | Syndicated |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Frederick De Cordova (producer), Peter Lassally (co-producer), Johnny Carson (star) | NBC |
| AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Fred Astaire | George Stevens Jr. (producer) | CBS |
| 1982 (34th) |
| Night of 100 Stars | Alexander H. Cohen (executive producer), Hildy Parks (producer), Roy A. Somlyo (co-producer) | ABC |
| Ain't Misbehavin' | Alvin Cooperman (producer/executive producer), Buddy Bregman (producer) | NBC |
| AFI Life Achievement Award:A Tribute to Frank Capra | George Stevens Jr. (producer) | CBS |
| Baryshnikov in Hollywood | Herman Krawitz (executive producer), Don Mischer (producer), Mikhail Baryshnikov (star) | CBS |
| SCTV Network | Andrew Alexander (executive producer), Doug Holtby (executive producer), Len Stuart (executive producer), Jack E. Rhodes (executive producer), Patrick Whitley (supervising producer), Barry Sand (producer), Don Novello (producer), Nic Wry (co-producer) | NBC |
| 1983 (35th) |
| Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever | Suzanne De Passe (executive producer), Don Mischer (producer), Buz Kohan (producer), Suzanne Coston (producer for Motown) | NBC |
| The 37th Annual Tony Awards | Alexander H. Cohen (executive producer), Hildy Parks (producer), Roy A. Somlyo (co-producer) | CBS |
| The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts | George Stevens Jr., Nick Vanoff (producer) | CBS |
| SCTV Network | Andrew Alexander (senior executive producer/executive producer), Len Stuart (executive producer), Jack E. Rhodes (executive producer), Doug Holtby (executive producer), Patrick Whitley (supervising producer/producer), Nancy Geller (producer), Don Novello (producer) | NBC |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Frederick De Cordova (producer), Peter Lassally (co-producer), Johnny Carson (host) | NBC |
| 1984 (36th) |
| The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts | Nick Vanoff (producer), George Stevens Jr. | CBS |
| Late Night with David Letterman | Jack Rollins (executive producer), Barry Sand (producer), David Letterman (host) | NBC |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Frederick De Cordova (executive producer), Peter Lassally (producer), Johnny Carson (host) | NBC |
| The 38th Annual Tony Awards | Alexander H. Cohen (executive producer), Hildy Parks (producer), Martha Mason (co-producer) | CBS |
| AFI Life Achievement Award:A Tribute to Lillian Gish | George Stevens Jr. | CBS |
| 1985 (37th) |
| Motown Returns to the Apollo | Suzanne De Passe (executive producer), Don Mischer, Suzanne Coston (co-producer), Michael Weisbarth (co-producer) | NBC |
| Great Performances | Robert Manby (executive producer), Diane M. Gioia (supervising producer), Sherman Sneed (producer), Bill Siegler (coordinating producer), Lena Horne (star) | PBS |
| Late Night with David Letterman | Jack Rollins (executive producer), Barry Sand (producer), David Letterman (host) | NBC |
| AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Gene Kelly | George Stevens Jr. (producer) | CBS |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Frederick De Cordova (executive producer), Peter Lassally (producer), Johnny Carson (host) | NBC |
| 1986 (38th) |
| The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts | Nick Vanoff (producer), George Stevens Jr. | CBS |
| Late Night with David Letterman | Jack Rollins (executive producer), Barry Sand (producer), David Letterman (host) | NBC |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Frederick De Cordova (executive producer), Peter Lassally (producer), Johnny Carson (host) | NBC |
| The 40th Annual Tony Awards | Alexander H. Cohen (executive producer), Hildy Parks (producer), Martha Mason (co-producer) | CBS |
| AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Billy Wilder | George Stevens Jr. | NBC |
| 1987 (39th) |
| The 41st Annual Tony Awards | Don Mischer (executive producer), David J. Goldberg (producer) | CBS |
| Late Night with David Letterman | Jack Rollins (executive producer), David Letterman (executive producer/host), Barry Sand (producer) | NBC |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Frederick De Cordova (executive producer), Peter Lassally (producer), Johnny Carson (host) | NBC |
| The Tracey Ullman Show | James L. Brooks (executive producer), Jerry Belson (executive producer), Ken Estin (executive producer), Heide Perlman (executive producer), Richard Sakai (producer), Paul Flaherty (co-producer), Dick Blasucci (co-producer), Tracey Ullman (host) | Fox |
| Liberty Weekend | David L. Wolper (executive producer), Don Mischer (producer) | ABC |
| 1988 (40th) |
| Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration | Don Mischer (executive producer), Jan Cornell (producer), David J. Goldberg (producer), Sara Lukinson (co-producer) | CBS |
| Late Night with David Letterman | Jack Rollins (executive producer), David Letterman (executive producer/host), Robert Morton (producer) | NBC |
| Late Night with David Letterman (6th Anniversary Special) | Jack Rollins (executive producer), David Letterman (executive producer/host), Robert Morton (producer) | NBC |
| The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour | Tom Smothers (executive producer/host), Ken Kragen (producer), Dick Smothers (host) | CBS |
| The Tracey Ullman Show | James L. Brooks (executive producer), Heide Perlman (executive producer), Jerry Belson (executive producer), Ken Estin (executive producer), Richard Sakai (producer), Ted Bessell (producer), Marc Flanagan (co-producer), Tracey Ullman (host), Dick Blasucci (co-producer) | Fox |
| 1989 (41st) |
| The Tracey Ullman Show | James L. Brooks (executive producer), Jerry Belson (executive producer), Heide Perlman (executive producer), Ken Estin (executive producer), Sam Simon (executive producer), Richard Sakai (producer), Ted Bessell (producer), Marc Flanagan (co-producer), Tracey Ullman (host) | Fox |
| The Arsenio Hall Show | Arsenio Hall (executive producer/host), Marla Kell Brown (producer) | Syndicated |
| Late Night with David Letterman | Jack Rollins (executive producer), David Letterman (executive producer/host), Robert Morton (producer) | NBC |
| Saturday Night Live (Season 14) | Lorne Michaels (executive producer), James Downey (producer) | NBC |
| Tap Dance in America (Great Performances) | Don Mischer (executive producer), Jac Venza (executive producer), David J. Goldberg (producer), Rhoda Grauer (producer), Gregory Hines (performer) | PBS |

### 1990s

| Year | Program | Producers | Network |
| Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series ||||
| 1990 (42nd) |
| 1990 (42nd) | In Living Color | Keenen Ivory Wayans (executive producer), Kevin Bright (supervising producer), Tamara Rawitt (producer), Michael Petok (co-producer) | Fox |
| 1990 (42nd) | The Arsenio Hall Show | Arsenio Hall (executive producer/host), Marla Kell Brown (producer) | Syndicated |
| 1990 (42nd) | Late Night with David Letterman | Jack Rollins (executive producer), David Letterman (executive producer/host), Robert Morton (producer) | NBC |
| 1990 (42nd) | Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels (executive producer), James Downey (producer) | NBC |
| 1990 (42nd) | The Tracey Ullman Show | Jerry Belson (executive producer), James L. Brooks (executive producer), Heide Perlman (executive producer), Sam Simon (executive producer), Marc Flanagan (supervising producer), Marilyn Suzanne Miller (senior producer), Richard Sakai (producer), Ted Bessell (producer), Dinah Kirgo (producer), Jay Kogen (co-producer), Wallace Wolodarsky (co-producer), Tracey Ullman (star) | Fox |
| Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program ||||
| 1991 (43rd) |
| The 63rd Annual Academy Awards | Gilbert Cates (producer) | ABC |
| In Living Color | Keenen Ivory Wayans (executive producer), Tamara Rawitt (producer), Michael Petok (co-producer) | Fox |
| Late Night with David Letterman | Jack Rollins (executive producer), David Letterman (executive producer/host), Robert Morton (producer) | NBC |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Frederick De Cordova (executive producer), Peter Lassally (executive producer), Jeff Sotzing (producer), Jim McCawley (co-producer), Johnny Carson (host) | NBC |
| The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts | George Stevens Jr. (producer), Nick Vanoff (producer) | CBS |
| The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson | Don Mischer (producer), Martin G. Baker (co-producer), David J. Goldberg (co-producer) | CBS |
| Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series ||||
| 1992 (44th) |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Frederick De Cordova (executive producer), Peter Lassally (executive producer), Jeff Sotzing (producer), Jim McCawley (co-producer), Johnny Carson (host) | NBC |
| In Living Color | Keenen Ivory Wayans (executive producer), Tamara Rawitt (producer), Kevin Berg (co-producer) | Fox |
| Late Night with David Letterman | David Letterman (executive producer/host), Jack Rollins (executive producer), Robert Morton (producer) | NBC |
| 1993 (45th) |
| Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels (executive producer), James Downey (producer), Al Franken (producer) | NBC |
| Late Night with David Letterman | Peter Lassally (executive producer), Robert Morton (co-executive producer), Jude Brennan (producer), David Letterman (host) | NBC |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Debbie Vickers (producer), Bill Royce (co-producer), Larry Goitia (line producer), Patti M. Grant (supervising producer), Jay Leno (host) | NBC |
| MTV Unplugged | Alex Coletti (producer) | MTV |
| 1994 (46th) |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Peter Lassally (executive producer), Robert Morton (executive producer), Hal Gurnee (supervising producer), Jude Brennan (producer), David Letterman (host) | CBS |
| Dennis Miller Live | Kevin C. Slattery (producer), Jeff Cesario (producer), Dennis Miller (host) | HBO |
| Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels (executive producer), James Downey (producer) | NBC |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Debbie Vickers (producer), Bill Royce (co-producer), Patti M. Grant (supervising producer), Larry Goitia (line producer), Jay Leno (host) | NBC |
| MTV Unplugged | Joel Stillerman (executive producer), Alex Coletti (producer), Audrey Johns (line producer) | MTV |
| 1995 (47th) |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Debbie Vickers (executive producer), Patti M. Grant (supervising producer), Larry Goitia (line producer), Bill Royce (co-producer), Jay Leno (host) | NBC |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Robert Morton (executive producer), Peter Lassally (executive producer), Hal Gurnee (supervising producer), Jude Brennan (producer), Rob Burnett (producer), David Letterman (host) | CBS |
| Dennis Miller Live | Dennis Miller (executive producer/host), Jeff Cesario (executive producer), Kevin C. Slattery (executive producer) | HBO |
| MTV Unplugged | Robert Small (executive producer), Carol Donovan (executive producer), Joel Stillerman (executive producer), Alex Coletti (producer), Audrey Johns (line producer), Drana Prekelezaj (line producer) | MTV |
| Politically Incorrect | Scott Carter (executive producer), Bill Maher (executive producer), Nancy Geller (co-executive producer), Sue Fellows (producer), Douglas M. Wilson (producer) | Comedy Central |
| 1996 (48th) |
| Dennis Miller Live | Dennis Miller (executive producer/host), Kevin C. Slattery (executive producer), Eddie Feldmann | HBO |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Rob Burnett (executive producer), Jude Brennan (supervising producer), Jon Beckerman (supervising producer), Barbara Gaines, Joe Toplyn, Peter Lassally (executive producer), David Letterman (host) | CBS |
| Muppets Tonight | Brian Henson (executive producer), Dick Blasucci (executive producer), Alex Rockwell (co-executive producer), Paul Flaherty (supervising producer), Kirk R. Thatcher (supervising producer), Martin G. Baker, Patric M. Verrone (co-producer) | ABC |
| Politically Incorrect | Scott Carter (executive producer), Bill Maher (executive producer), Nancy Geller (executive producer), Douglas M. Wilson (supervising producer), Kevin Hamburger, Sue Fellows (consulting producer) | Comedy Central |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Jay Leno (host), Debbie Vickers (executive producer), Patti M. Grant (supervising producer), Larry Goitia (line producer) | NBC |
| 1997 (49th) |
| Tracey Takes On... | Allan McKeown (executive producer), Tracey Ullman (executive producer), Jerry Belson (consulting producer), Dick Clement (supervising producer), Ian La Frenais (supervising producer), Carey Dietrich (producer), Thomas Schlamme (producer), Robert Klane (producer), Jenji Kohan (producer), Molly Newman (producer), Gail Parent (producer), Stephanie Laing (associate producer), Allen J. Zipper (coordinating producer) | HBO |
| Dennis Miller Live | Dennis Miller (executive producer), Kevin C. Slattery (executive producer), Eddie Feldmann, Michele DeVoe (associate producer), Colleen Grillo (consulting producer) | HBO |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Rob Burnett (executive producer), Jon Beckerman (supervising producer), Barbara Gaines (producer), Joe Toplyn (producer) | CBS |
| Politically Incorrect | Scott Carter (executive producer), Bill Maher (executive producer), Nancy Geller (executive producer), Bernie Brillstein (executive producer), Brad Grey (executive producer), Marc Gurvitz (executive producer), Douglas M. Wilson (senior producer), Kevin Hamburger (supervising producer) | ABC (1997) |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Debbie Vickers (executive producer), Patti M. Grant (supervising producer), Larry Goitia (line producer) | NBC |
| 1998 (50th) |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Rob Burnett (executive producer), Barbara Gaines, Maria Pope, Jon Beckerman (supervising producer) | CBS |
| Dennis Miller Live | Dennis Miller (executive producer), Kevin C. Slattery (executive producer), Eddie Feldmann (supervising producer), Colleen Grillo (co-ordinating producer) | HBO |
| Politically Incorrect | Scott Carter (executive producer), Nancy Geller (executive producer), Bill Maher (executive producer), Bernie Brillstein (executive producer), Brad Grey (executive producer), Marc Gurvitz (executive producer), Douglas M. Wilson (senior producer), Kevin Hamburger (supervising producer) | ABC |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Jay Leno (consulting producer), Debbie Vickers (executive producer), Patti M. Grant (supervising producer), Larry Goitia (line producer) | NBC |
| Tracey Takes On... | Tracey Ullman (executive producer), Allan McKeown (executive producer), Carey Dietrich, Stephanie Laing (co-ordinating producer), Dick Clement (supervising producer), Ian La Frenais (supervising producer), Gail Parent (supervising producer), Molly Newman (supervising producer), George McGrath (consulting producer), Jerry Belson (consulting producer) | HBO |
| 1999 (51st) |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Rob Burnett (executive producer), Barbara Gaines, Maria Pope | CBS |
| Dennis Miller Live | Dennis Miller (executive producer), Kevin C. Slattery (executive producer), Eddie Feldmann (co-executive producer), David Feldman, Leah Krinsky, Colleen Grillo (coordinating producer) | HBO |
| Politically Incorrect | Scott Carter (executive producer), Bill Maher (executive producer), Nancy Geller (executive producer), Brad Grey (executive producer), Bernie Brillstein (executive producer), Marc Gurvitz (executive producer), Douglas M. Wilson (co-executive producer), Kevin Hamburger (supervising producer), Joy Dolce (coordinating producer) | ABC |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Jay Leno (consulting producer), Debbie Vickers (executive producer), Patti M. Grant (supervising producer), Larry Goitia (supervising producer) | NBC |
| Tracey Takes On... | Allan McKeown (executive producer), Tracey Ullman (executive producer), Stephanie Laing, Jerry Belson (consulting producer), George McGrath (consulting producer), Dick Clement (supervising producer), Ian La Frenais (supervising producer), Gail Parent (supervising producer), Jenji Kohan (supervising producer) | HBO |

### 2000s

| Year | Program | Producers | Network |
| Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series ||||
| 2000 (52nd) |
| 2000 (52nd) | Late Show with David Letterman | Rob Burnett (executive producer), Barbara Gaines, Maria Pope | CBS |
| 2000 (52nd) | The Chris Rock Show | Chris Rock (executive producer), Michael Rotenberg (executive producer), Nancy Geller (executive producer), Sue Fellows (co-executive producer), Jeff Stilson (supervising producer), Liz Stanton | HBO |
| 2000 (52nd) | Dennis Miller Live | Dennis Miller (executive producer), Kevin C. Slattery (executive producer), Eddie Feldmann (co-executive producer), David Feldman, Leah Krinsky, Michele DeVoe, Colleen Grillo | HBO |
| 2000 (52nd) | Politically Incorrect | Douglas M. Wilson (executive producer), Bill Maher (executive producer), Nancy Geller (executive producer), Brad Grey (executive producer), Bernie Brillstein (executive producer), Marc Gurvitz (executive producer), Scott Carter (executive producer), Kevin Hamburger (co-executive producer), Sheila Griffiths (executive producer), Jerry Nachman (executive producer), Michael Wilson (supervising producer), Marilyn Wilson (executive producer) | ABC |
| 2000 (52nd) | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Debbie Vickers (executive producer), Patti M. Grant (supervising producer), Larry Goitia (supervising producer), Jay Leno | NBC |
| 2001 (53rd) |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Maria Pope (executive producer), Barbara Gaines (executive producer), Rob Burnett (executive producer), Eric Stangel (producer), Justin Stangel (producer) | CBS |
| The Chris Rock Show | Chris Rock (executive producer), Michael Rotenberg (executive producer), Nancy Geller (executive producer), Sue Fellows (co-executive producer), Ali LeRoi (supervising producer), Jeff Stilson (supervising producer), Liz Stanton (producer) | HBO |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Madeleine Smithberg (executive producer), Jon Stewart (co-executive producer), Kahane Cooperman (supervising producer) | Comedy Central |
| Politically Incorrect | Bill Maher (executive producer), Nancy Geller (executive producer), Bernie Brillstein (executive producer), Brad Grey (executive producer), Marc Gurvitz (executive producer), Kevin Hamburger (executive producer), Marilyn Wilson (executive producer), Jerry Nachman (executive producer), Sheila Griffiths (supervising producer), Dean E. Johnsen (producer), Carole Chouinard (producer) | ABC |
| Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels (executive producer), Ken Aymong (supervising producer), Steve Higgins (producer) | NBC |
| 2002 (54th) |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Rob Burnett, Barbara Gaines and Maria Pope, executive producers; Eric Stangel and Justin Stangel, producers | CBS |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Madeleine Smithberg, executive producer; Jon Stewart, co-executive producer; Stewart Bailey, Kahane Corn and Ben Karlin, supervising producers | Comedy Central |
| Politically Incorrect | Bernie Brillstein, Nancy Geller, Brad Grey, Marc Gurvitz, Kevin Hamburger, Bill Maher and Marilyn Wilson, executive producers; Sheila Griffiths, supervising producer; Carole Chouinard, Dean E. Johnsen and Billy Martin, producers | ABC |
| Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels, executive producer; Ken Aymong, supervising producer; Steve Higgins, producer | NBC |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Debbie Vickers, executive producer; Larry Goitia and Patti Grant, supervising producers; Jay Leno, producer | NBC |
| 2003 (55th) |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Madeleine Smithberg and Jon Stewart, executive producers; Stewart Bailey and Ben Karlin, co-executive producers; Kahane Corn, supervising producers | Comedy Central |
| Late Night with Conan O'Brien | Lorne Michaels and Jeff Ross, executive producers; Daniel Ferguson and Frank Smiley, supervising producers; Tracy King, producer | NBC |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Jude Brennan, Rob Burnett, Barbara Gaines and Maria Pope, executive producers; Jerry Foley, Matt Roberts, Sheila Rogers, Eric Stangel and Justin Stangel, producers | CBS |
| Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels, executive producer; Ken Aymong, supervising producer; Marci Klein and Michael Shoemaker, producers; Steve Higgins, produced by | NBC |
| The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Debbie Vickers, executive producer; Larry Goitia and Patti Grant, supervising producers; Jay Leno, producer | NBC |
| 2004 (56th) |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Ben Karlin and Jon Stewart, executive producers; Stewart Bailey, co-executive producer; Kahane Corn and David Javerbaum, supervising producers | Comedy Central |
| Chappelle's Show | Michele Armour, Neal Brennan and Dave Chappelle, executive producers | Comedy Central |
| Late Night with Conan O'Brien | Lorne Michaels and Jeff Ross, executive producers; Daniel Ferguson and Frank Smiley, supervising producers; Tracy King, producer | NBC |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Jude Brennan, Rob Burnett, Barbara Gaines and Maria Pope, executive producers; Jerry Foley, Matt Roberts, Sheila Rogers, Eric Stangel and Justin Stangel, producers | CBS |
| Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels, executive producer; Ken Aymong, supervising producer; Marci Klein and Michael Shoemaker, producers; Steve Higgins, produced by | NBC |
| 2005 (57th) |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Ben Karlin and Jon Stewart, executive producers; Stewart Bailey, co-executive producer; Kahane Corn and David Javerbaum, supervising producers | Comedy Central |
| Da Ali G Show | Sacha Baron Cohen, Peter Fincham and Dan Mazer, executive producers; Jeff Stilson, supervising producer; Erin O'Malley, producer | HBO |
| Late Night with Conan O'Brien | Lorne Michaels and Jeff Ross, executive producers; Daniel Ferguson and Frank Smiley, supervising producers; Tracy King, producer | NBC |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Jude Brennan, Rob Burnett, Barbara Gaines and Maria Pope, executive producers; Jerry Foley and Matt Roberts, supervising producers; Sheila Rogers, Eric Stangel and Justin Stangel, producers | CBS |
| Real Time with Bill Maher | Scott Carter, Brad Grey, Sheila Griffiths, Marc Gurvitz and Bill Maher, executive producers; Dean E. Johnsen, supervising producer; Billy Martin, producer | HBO |
| 2006 (58th) |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Ben Karlin and Jon Stewart, executive producers; Stewart Bailey and Kahane Corn, co-executive producers; David Javerbaum, supervising producer | Comedy Central |
| The Colbert Report | Stephen Colbert, Ben Karlin and Jon Stewart, executive producers; Rich Dahm and Allison Silverman, supervising producers | Comedy Central |
| Late Night with Conan O'Brien | Lorne Michaels and Jeff Ross, executive producers; Daniel Ferguson and Frank Smiley, supervising producers; Tracy King, producer | NBC |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Jude Brennan, Rob Burnett, Barbara Gaines and Maria Pope, executive producers; Jerry Foley and Matt Roberts, supervising producers; Sheila Rogers, Eric Stangel and Justin Stangel, producers | CBS |
| Real Time with Bill Maher | Scott Carter, Brad Grey, Sheila Griffiths, Marc Gurvitz and Bill Maher, executive producers; Dean E. Johnsen and Billy Martin, co-executive producers | HBO |
| 2007 (59th) |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Jon Stewart, Ben Karlin and David Javerbaum, executive producers; Kahane Corn and Josh Lieb, co-executive producers; Rory Albanese, Jim Margolis, supervising producers | Comedy Central |
| The Colbert Report | Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Ben Karlin, executive producers; Meredith Bennett, Allison Silverman and Richard Dahm, co-executive producers | Comedy Central |
| Late Night with Conan O'Brien | Lorne Michaels and Jeff Ross, executive producers; Frank Smiley and Daniel Ferguson, supervising producers; Tracy King, producer | NBC |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Barbara Gaines, Maria Pope, Jude Brennan and Rob Burnett, executive producers; Jerry Foley and Matt Roberts, supervising producers; Eric Stangel, Justin Stangel and Sheila Rogers, producers | CBS |
| Real Time with Bill Maher | Bill Maher, Scott Carter, Sheila Griffiths, Brad Grey and Marc Gurvitz, executive producers; Dean E. Johnsen and Billy Martin, co-executive producers | HBO |
| 2008 (60th) |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Jon Stewart (executive producer), David Javerbaum (executive producer), Rory Albanese (co-executive producer), Kahane Cooperman (co-executive producer), Josh Lieb (co-executive producer), Jim Margolis (supervising producer), Jennifer Flanz (supervising producer) | Comedy Central |
| The Colbert Report | Jon Stewart (executive producer), Stephen Colbert (executive producer), Allison Silverman (executive producer), Meredith Bennett (co-executive producer), Rich Dahm (co-executive producer), Tom Purcell (supervising producer) | Comedy Central |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Barbara Gaines (executive producer), Maria Pope (executive producer), Jude Brennan (executive producer), Rob Burnett (executive producer), Jerry Foley (supervising producer), Matt Roberts (supervising producer), Eric Stangel (producer), Justin Stangel (producer), Sheila Rogers (producer) | CBS |
| Real Time with Bill Maher | Bill Maher (executive producer), Scott Carter (executive producer), Sheila Griffiths (executive producer), Brad Grey (executive producer), Marc Gurvitz (executive producer), Billy Martin (executive producer), Dean E. Johnsen (co-executive producer) | HBO |
| Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels (executive producer), Steve Higgins (produced by), Ken Aymong (supervising producer), Michael Shoemaker (producer), Marci Klein (producer) | NBC |
| 2009 (61st) |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Jon Stewart, host/executive producer; David Javerbaum, Rory Albanese and Josh Lieb, executive producers; Kahane Corn, co-executive producer; Jennifer Flanz, Jim Margolis, Steve Bodow and Adam Lowitt, supervising producers; Jill Katz, producer | Comedy Central |
| The Colbert Report | Stephen Colbert, executive producer/host; Jon Stewart and Allison Silverman, executive producers; Rich Dahm, Meredith Bennett and Tom Purcell, co-executive producers | Comedy Central |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Barbara Gaines, Maria Pope, Jude Brennan and Rob Burnett, executive producers; Jerry Foley and Matt Roberts, supervising producers; Eric Stangel, Justin Stangel and Sheila Rogers, producers; David Letterman, host | CBS |
| Real Time with Bill Maher | Bill Maher, executive producer/host; Scott Carter, Sheila Griffiths, Brad Grey, Marc Gurvitz and Billy Martin, executive producers; Dean E. Johnsen, co-executive producer | HBO |
| Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels, executive producer; Ken Aymong, supervising producer; Michael Shoemaker and Marci Klein, producers; Steve Higgins, produced by | NBC |

### 2010s

| Year | Program | Producers | Network |
| Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series ||||
| 2010 (62nd) |
| 2010 (62nd) | The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Jon Stewart, executive producer/host; Rory Albanese and Josh Lieb, executive producers; Kahane Cooperman, co-executive producer; Steve Bodow, Jennifer Flanz, Hillary Kun, Adam Lowitt and Jim Margolis, supervising producers; Jill Katz, producer | Comedy Central |
| 2010 (62nd) | The Colbert Report | Stephen Colbert, executive producer/host; Jon Stewart and Allison Silverman, executive producers; Tom Purcell, Meredith Bennett and Rich Dahm, co-executive producers; Tanya Bracco and Emily Lazar, supervising producers | Comedy Central |
| 2010 (62nd) | Real Time with Bill Maher | Bill Maher, executive producer/host; Scott Carter, Sheila Griffiths, Brad Grey, Marc Gurvitz and Billy Martin, executive producers; Dean E. Johnsen, co-executive producer | HBO |
| 2010 (62nd) | Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels, executive producer; Steve Higgins, produced by; Marci Klein, producer; Ken Aymong, supervising producer | NBC |
| 2010 (62nd) | The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien | Conan O'Brien, host; Jeff Ross, executive producer; Frank Smiley, Daniel Ferguson and Rachel Witlieb Bernstein, supervising producers; Tracy King, producer | NBC |
| 2011 (63rd) |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Jon Stewart, executive producer/host; Rory Albanese and Josh Lieb, executive producers; Kahane Cooperman, Steve Bodow, Jennifer Flanz and Jim Margolis, co-executive producers; Pamela DePace, Hillary Kun and Adam Lowitt, supervising producers; Jill Katz, producer | Comedy Central |
| The Colbert Report | Stephen Colbert, executive producer/host; Jon Stewart and Tom Purcell, executive producers; Meredith Bennett and Rich Dahm, co-executive producers; Tanya Michnevich Bracco; Emily Lazar, Barry Julien and Paul Dinello, supervising producers | Comedy Central |
| Conan | Jeff Ross, executive producer; Tracy King and Mike Sweeney, producers; Frank Smiley, Daniel Ferguson and Rachel Witlieb Bernstein, supervising producers; Conan O'Brien, host | TBS |
| Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | Lorne Michaels, executive producer; Michael Shoemaker, producer; Gavin Purcell, supervising producer; Jimmy Fallon, host | NBC |
| Real Time with Bill Maher | Bill Maher, executive producer/host; Scott Carter, Sheila Griffiths, Brad Grey, Marc Gurvitz and Billy Martin, executive producers; Dean E. Johnsen, produced by | HBO |
| Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels, executive producer; Steve Higgins, produced by; Ken Aymong, supervising producer | NBC |
| Outstanding Variety Series ||||
| 2012 (64th) |
| 2012 (64th) | The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Jon Stewart, executive producer/host; Rory Albanese, executive producer; Kahane Cooperman, Steve Bodow, Jennifer Flanz, Adam Lowitt and Jim Margolis, co-executive producers; Pamela DePace, Hillary Kun, Timothy Greenberg and Stuart Miller, supervising producers; Jill Katz, producer | Comedy Central |
| 2012 (64th) | The Colbert Report | Stephen Colbert, executive producer/host; Jon Stewart and Tom Purcell, executive producers; Meredith Bennett and Rich Dahm, co-executive producers; Paul Dinello, Barry Julien, Matt Lappin, Emily Lazar and Tanya Michnevich Bracco, supervising producers | Comedy Central |
| 2012 (64th) | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Jimmy Kimmel, executive producer/host; Jill Leiderman, executive producer; Doug DeLuca, Erin Irwin and Jason Schrift, co-executive producers; Ken Crosby and Jennifer Sharron, producers; David Craig, produced by | ABC |
| 2012 (64th) | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | Lorne Michaels, executive producer; Hillary Hunn, Jamie Granet Bederman and Katie Hockmeyer, supervising producers; Gavin Purcell, producer; Michael Shoemaker, produced by; Jimmy Fallon, host | NBC |
| 2012 (64th) | Real Time with Bill Maher | Bill Maher, executive producer/host; Scott Carter, Sheila Griffiths, Brad Grey, Marc Gurvitz and Billy Martin, executive producers; Dean E. Johnsen, co-executive producer | HBO |
| 2012 (64th) | Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels, executive producer; Ken Aymong, supervising producer; Erik Kenward and John Mulaney, producers; Steve Higgins, produced by | NBC |
| 2013 (65th) |
| The Colbert Report | Stephen Colbert (host/executive producer), Tom Purcell (executive producer), Jon Stewart (executive producer), Meredith Bennett (co-executive producer), Rich Dahm (co-executive producer), Barry Julien (co-executive producer), Tanya Michnevich (supervising producer), Emily Lazar (supervising producer), Paul Dinello (supervising producer), Matt Lappin (supervising producer) | Comedy Central |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Jon Stewart (host/executive producer), Rory Albanese (executive producer), Steve Bodow (co-executive producer), Kahane Cooperman (co-executive producer), Jennifer Flanz (co-executive producer), Adam Lowitt (co-executive producer), Tim Carvell (supervising producer), Pamela DePace (supervising producer), Timothy Greenberg (supervising producer), Hillary Kun (supervising producer), Stuart Miller (supervising producer), Jill Katz (producer) | Comedy Central |
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Jimmy Kimmel (host/executive producer), Jill Leiderman (executive producer), Doug DeLuca (co-executive producer), Jason Schrift (co-executive producer), Erin Irwin (co-executive producer), David Craig (producer), Jennifer Sharron (producer), Tony Romero (producer), Molly McNearney (producer), Gary Greenberg (producer), Josh Weintraub (producer), Ken Crosby (producer) | ABC |
| Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | Lorne Michaels (executive producer), Jamie Granet (supervising producer), Rob Crabbe (supervising producer), Katie Hockmeyer (supervising producer), Hillary Selesnick Hunn (supervising producer), Jim Juvonen (supervising producer), Gavin Purcell (producer), Michael Shoemaker (producer), Jimmy Fallon, host | NBC |
| Real Time with Bill Maher | Bill Maher (executive producer), Scott Carter (executive producer), Sheila Griffiths (executive producer), Brad Grey (executive producer), Marc Gurvitz (executive producer), Billy Martin (executive producer), Dean E. Johnsen (co-executive producer), Matt Wood (producer) | HBO |
| Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels (executive producer), Steve Higgins (producer), Erik Kenward (producer), Ken Aymong (supervising producer), Lindsay Shookus (producer), Erin Doyle (producer) | NBC |
| 2014 (66th) |
| The Colbert Report | Stephen Colbert, executive producer/host; Jon Stewart and Tom Purcell, executive producer; Meredith Bennett, Emily Lazar, Barry Julien and Richard Dahm, co-executive producers; Tanya Bracco, Paul Dinello and Matt Lappin, supervising producers | Comedy Central |
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Jon Stewart, executive producer/host; Steve Bodow, Jennifer Flanz, Adam Lowitt and Rory Albanese, executive producers; Tim Greenberg, Hillary Kun and Tim Carvell, co-executive producers; Pamela DePace, Justin Melkmann and Stuart Miller, supervising producers; Kahane Cooperman and Jill Katz, producers | Comedy Central |
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Jimmy Kimmel, executive producer/host; Jill Leiderman, executive producer; Doug DeLuca, Jason Schrift and Erin Irwin, co-executive producers; David Craig, Producer; Molly McNearney, Tony Romero, Gary Greenberg, Jennifer Sharron, Josh Weintraub, Ken Crosby and Seth Weidner, producers | ABC |
| Real Time with Bill Maher | Bill Maher, executive producer/host; Scott Carter, Sheila Griffiths, Brad Grey, Marc Gurvitz and Billy Martin, executive producers; Matt Wood, producer; Dean E. Johnsen, produced by | HBO |
| Saturday Night Live | Lorne Michaels, executive producer; Ken Aymong, supervising producer; Lindsay Shookus and Erin Doyle, producers; Steve Higgins and Erik Kenward, produced by | NBC |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Lorne Michaels, executive producer; Jamie Granet Bederman, Rob Crabbe, Katie Hockmeyer, Jim Juvonen and Brian McDonald, supervising producers; Gavin Purcell, producer; Josh Lieb, produced by; Jimmy Fallon, host | NBC |

## Programs with multiple awards

Totals include wins for Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Scripted Variety Series.

## Programs with multiple nominations

Totals include nominations for Outstanding Talk Series and Outstanding Scripted Variety Series.