LOS ANGELES 鈥 Broadcast television may be littered with mockumentaries but that doesn鈥檛 mean there isn鈥檛 room for one more.
鈥淲hat someone told me early on is it doesn鈥檛 matter if five people are doing a hospital comedy, just be the best show that is a hospital comedy and people will forget the rest,鈥 says David Alan Grier. 鈥淲hen 鈥楧ie Hard鈥 came, action-adventure-whatever flicks were dead, and it was an old, tired genre. But when it was done well enough, it reinvented and refreshed the genre.鈥
The gang from "St. Denis Medical," from left: Allison Tolman as Alex, Kahyun Kim as Serena, Mekki Leeper as Matt, David Alan Grier as Ron, Kaliko Kauahi as Val, Josh Lawson as Bruce, and Wendi McLendon-Covey as Joyce.
Now, Grier is part of 鈥淪t. Denis Medical,鈥 a comedy about a hospital in central Oregon.
Its administrator, played by 鈥淭he Goldbergs鈥欌 Wendi McLendon-Covey wants to make it a destination medical property. 鈥淪he鈥檚 competent,鈥 says McLendon-Covey, 鈥渂ut she has very unrealistic expectations.鈥
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A hard-working staff, however, keeps St. Denis Medical (named after a decapitated bishop) plugging away, even though it could experience highs and lows all in one day.
鈥淭he Office鈥 trafficked in the mundane. 鈥淪t. Denis,鈥 however, has to deal with a range of stories 鈥 from highly dramatic to absurd.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really attempting to find a balance,鈥 says Executive Producer Eric Ledgin. 鈥淎t the end of the day, a job is a job like any other 鈥 except this happens to be in the highest stakes place possible.鈥
Grier, who plays an ER doctor, is joined by Allison Tolman as a supervising nurse in the department; Mekki Leeper as a newly hired nurse; Josh Lawson as a self-important surgeon; Kaliko Kauahi as the front desk attendant; and McLendon-Covey as the executive director. They all want the hospital to succeed, but understaffing has taken its toll.
Allison Tolman, left, and Kahyun Kim work to keep "St. Denis Medical" going.
Despite her promotion, Tolman鈥檚 character can鈥檛 get away to be with her family. 鈥淓veryone who is visiting the hospital is in extreme circumstances,鈥 Tolman says, 鈥渂ut as extreme as they are they鈥檙e not extreme for us. It鈥檚 just another day and someone has a day off and somebody has a birthday. I find that really charming. Every episode has a moment where that sort of sincerity and that heartfelt core shine through.鈥
Learning from reality
The 鈥淔argo鈥 star got a chance to see a hospital in action before shooting even started. 鈥淏efore I took this role, my father was very ill,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 went home to Texas for several months, so I was really entrenched in the hospital and the healthcare system for the first time in my life. When I got this script, it just felt like kismet. I wanted to make a half-hour comedy because that was what kept us afloat when my dad was so sick. Then, to have it be about these people who saved my father鈥檚 life鈥 it was really a blessing.鈥
Grier, too, has a point of reference. His father was a noted psychiatrist; his siblings have also gone into medical fields. The script, he says, was 鈥済ood, well-written and intelligent. I鈥檓 familiar with the milieu.鈥
From left, Josh Lawson as Dr. Bruce and David Alan Grier as Dr. Ron in "St. Denis Medical."
For McLendon-Covey, who played the mom on 鈥淭he Goldbergs鈥 for 10 seasons, 鈥淪t. Denis鈥 represented a chance to go in another direction: 鈥淲hat I loved about this character is that she is not nurturing at all. Don鈥檛 come near her wanting a hug. She does not want your germs, and she cannot keep a plant alive. But she鈥檚 devoted to this hospital. That鈥檚 her baby.鈥
While Kauahi lugs a large cross through the hospital in an early episode, most situations aren鈥檛 that absurd.
鈥淚 find something really charming about the mundane in the most extreme circumstances,鈥 Tolman says.
Fertile ground
鈥淪t. Denis Medical鈥 should work, Ledgin says, because a hospital is such a 鈥渟takes-y鈥 place. 鈥淭here鈥檚 so much inherent drama and joy and awareness and camaraderie. It felt like such fertile ground.鈥
The mockumentary aspect pulls it away from other medical comedies 鈥 like 鈥淪crubs鈥 鈥 because it 鈥渓imits us and says we are always going to be the much more grounded version,鈥 says Executive Producer Justin Spitzer.
When Tolman took a risk with 鈥淔argo,鈥 she had no idea where it might lead. 鈥淚鈥檓 so blessed that I鈥檝e been working consistently now for 10 years,鈥 she says. 鈥淭he thing about success is that you never actually reach it. You鈥檙e always striving in this business. Maybe Tom Cruise is not striving anymore, but the rest of us, you鈥檙e like, 鈥楢m I doing the right thing?鈥欌
鈥淪t. Denis Medical鈥 airs on NBC beginning Nov. 12.
The 25 TV shows with the most Emmy wins of all time
The 25 TV shows with the most Emmy wins of all time
Television has existed for nearly a century, and it's since become an instrumental part of American life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey, nearly 3 in 4 (74%) Americans as of 2023, with the average American spending two hours and 40 minutes of their day in front of the "idiot box."
Many Americans watch TV to keep up with the news, while others root for their favorite sports teams. For almost as long as there's been broadcast television, however, there has been programming鈥攆rom scripted dramas to comedies and documentary series鈥攖o entertain and inform viewers. These programs are recognized chiefly by the Emmy Awards, which the Television Academy has given out yearly since 1949. Though Regional and Daytime Emmys are awarded to shows that meet those respective requirements, the most cultural discussion takes place around the Primetime and Creative Arts Emmys, which highlight outstanding achievements in the most-watched television programs.
The Primetime Emmys recognize overall series quality, lead and supporting acting, directing, and writing, among other categories. The Creative Arts Emmy awards achievements in more technical fields, such as costumes, makeup, and special effects, as well as alternative programming like docuseries and variety specials. An Emmy win is a lifelong goal for many Hollywood stars and creators, forming the "E" in "EGOT" (winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony).
To celebrate the most Emmy-awarded television shows of all time, rounded up the top 25 using the and other sources. All drama, comedy, competition, variety, reality, and limited series were considered. Shows were ranked by their number of Emmy wins, with ties broken by the number of nominations. The list includes nominations for the 2024 Emmys, but those winners won't be announced until the Sept. 15 ceremony.
Looking at the following list, it's clear to see several distinct eras emerging, from the long-running sitcoms of the '80s and '90s to ushered in by "The Sopranos" and other premium programming. As streaming services like Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video join HBO in spending exorbitant sums on new content, it remains to be seen where television will go in the coming years. But many of us鈥攁bout three-quarters, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data鈥攚ill surely be sticking around to watch!
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#23. 'Succession' (2018鈥2023)
- Wins: 19
- Nominations: 75
HBO's "Succession" didn't reinvent the wheel with its premise of wealthy patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) with failing health deciding to leave his children and other family members vying for power within his global media conglomerate. Even so, the dark comedy delivered with and incredible performances from its ensemble cast, including Alan Ruck as eldest Connor, Jeremy Strong as power-hungry Kendall, Kieran Culkin as cocky Roman, Sarah Snook as savvy Shiv, and Nicholas Braun as the bumbling Cousin Greg.
The series won Best Drama Series for two of its four seasons, as well as writing, directing, and casting Emmys and lead acting awards for Culkin and Snook.
#20. '24' (2001鈥2010)
- Wins: 20
- Nominations: 68
The central conceit of Fox's "24" is as well known as it is outlandish. Each episode tracked an hour of real time, with a full season of the show detailing a complete day in the life of Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer, an agent of the fictional Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit. Though the characters rarely ate, slept, or used the bathroom on camera, "24" earned praise for its nonstop action and gripping performances. The series also attracted criticism for the way it on screen.
"24" would go on to win 20 Emmys in categories like stunt coordination, music composition, editing, and directing, along with one win for Outstanding Drama Series and one for Sutherland in the Oustanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category, both in 2006.
#19. 'NYPD Blue' (1993鈥2005)
- Wins: 20
- Nominations: 84
The is an established TV genre, from the long-running "NCIS" and "Law & Order" franchises to more recent hits like "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and "Blue Bloods." But "NYPD Blue" ranks among the most beloved, earning critical acclaim spanning its 12 seasons on ABC. In 2013, Variety lamented that broadcast television "lost its edge" and the series consistently ranks on lists of the best series of all time.
"NYPD Blue" racked up 20 Emmy wins for writing, directing, casting, editing, and art direction, taking home the trophy for Outstanding Drama Series in 1995. Though the show saw multiple actors take on leading roles, including Amy Brenneman and Jimmy Smits, the best of the best was Dennis Franz, who won four Lead Actor Emmys for his portrayal of Det. Andy Sipowicz.
#17. 'The Sopranos' (1999鈥2007)
- Wins: 21
- Nominations: 112
Few television shows have had as transformative an impact on the entertainment industry as "The Sopranos," which over its six seasons. Starring James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, a mob boss balancing the demands of his particular line of work with his obligations to his family, "The Sopranos" was named by the Writers Guild of America and the best television show of all time by and .
"The Sopranos" won Emmy awards for writing, casting, editing, and makeup, and took home the Outstanding Drama Series trophy in 2004 and 2007. Many stars of the series also won Emmys: Drea de Matteo (as Adriana La Cerva), Michael Imperioli (as Christopher Moltisanti), and Joe Pantoliano (as Ralph Cifaretto) all earned supporting acting awards, while Gandolfini and Edie Falco (as Carmela Soprano, Tony's wife) each won three lead acting Emmys.
#16. 'Dancing with the Stars' (2005鈥損resent)
- Wins: 21
- Nominations: 124
One of two reality shows on this list, "Dancing with the Stars" premiered on ABC in 2005 and has aired yearly since then. On the American adaptation of the British TV show "Strictly Come Dancing," each season sees a celebrity paired up with a professional dancer. Pairs are eliminated by combining the lowest audience votes and judges' scores until only one pair stands. Past series winners have included professional athletes like NBA all-star Iman Shumpert and Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez and pop icons from Donny Osmond to Drew Lachey.
Over the course of more than 30 seasons, "Dancing with the Stars" has earned Emmy wins for lighting design, technical direction, and choreography, with pros-turned-judges like siblings Derek and Julianne Hough taking home trophies in the latter category.
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#15. 'All in the Family' (1971鈥1979)
- Wins: 22
- Nominations: 55
Created by TV legend Norman Lear, "All in the Family" was a sitcom that followed a working-class American family as they dealt with issues such as racism, abortion, , and the Vietnam War, all of which were considered taboo at the time. But audiences were hooked. "All in the Family" was the for five years, and by 1975, to keep up with the Bunkers.
The series, which starred Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Sally Struthers, and Rob Reiner, aired for nine seasons and earned 22 Emmys, including awards for writing, directing, and sound mixing. "All in the Family" also won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series twice and each of the aforementioned stars took home at least one Emmy, with O'Connor's four wins leading the pack.
#13. 'Modern Family' (2009鈥2020)
- Wins: 22
- Nominations: 85
"Modern Family" presented three types of families: one nuclear, one stepfamily, and one with same-gender parents. The ABC sitcom, which used that had become successful with "The Office," garnered critical acclaim. It won 22 Emmys for acting, directing, writing, sound mixing, and casting, and it received the Outstanding Comedy Series award five years in a row from 2010 to 2014.
But as its 11-season run went on, audiences grew tired of the show's Emmys streak, which included two awards each for Ty Burrell (as Phil Dunphy), Julie Bowen (as Claire Dunphy), and Eric Stonestreet (as Cam Tucker). Toward the end of the series, these , with when "Modern Family" wasn't nominated in the Outstanding Comedy Series category for the first time in 2018.
#11. 'ER' (1994鈥2009)
- Wins: 23
- Nominations: 124
TV's counterpart to the police procedural is the medical drama, of which there have been countless iterations and new spins. But "ER" is one of the greatest and longest-lasting. The NBC series' 15 seasons make it the second-longest-running prime time medical drama鈥攕urpassed only by "Grey's Anatomy"鈥攊n the U.S.
"ER" helped catapult the career of George Clooney, who received two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor for his work on the show. Surprisingly, the only acting Emmys the show can claim are two guest acting awards: one for Sally Field in 2001 and another for Ray Liotta in 2005. All told, "ER" won 23 Emmys, taking home the Outstanding Drama Series trophy once in 1996.
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#10. 'The Carol Burnett Show' (1967鈥1978, 1991)
- Wins: 25
- Nominations: 70
"The Carol Burnett Show" is one of two sketch comedy programs on this list. The series ran for 290 episodes, most of which were from its original run in the 1960s and '70s, and four of which comprised its . The original CBS variety show made Carol Burnett a household name and established her as a comedy legend. "The Carol Burnett Show" earned 25 Emmy wins in its original run, including awards for writing, directing, and three Oustanding Variety/Musical Series trophies.
Burnett made Emmys history in 2024 when the 91-year-old comedian earned a nod for her performance on the Apple TV+ dramedy "Palm Royale." With her Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series nomination, she became the .
#9. 'The West Wing' (1999鈥2006)
- Wins: 26
- Nominations: 95
While some shows launch their stars further into stardom, "The West Wing" is perhaps most responsible for the ascendance of Aaron Sorkin, the creator of the series and the lead writer for nearly all of its first four seasons. The NBC drama cemented Sorkin as the king of clever and quick dialogue, and the originator of the signature walk-and-talk style shots.
"The West Wing" followed the cabinet of fictional President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and has been influential not just in entertainment but also in the political world (for better or ). The series won 26 Emmys over its seven-season run, including a four-year streak for Outstanding Drama Series from 2000 to 2003.
#8. 'Hill Street Blues' (1981鈥1987)
- Wins: 26
- Nominations: 98
Throughout 140 episodes, "Hill Street Blues" followed workers' lives at a police station on the eponymous road in an unnamed city. The series was influential for its gritty and realistic portrayal of city life, with NPR noting it "" when it debuted in the '80s.
That rebellious attitude helped the NBC police procedural win a slew of Emmys throughout its seven seasons. In 1981, "Hill Street Blues" broke the record for the with eight until "The West Wing" outdid it in 2000 with nine Emmys. And at the 1982 ceremony, for the only time in Emmys history, all five nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series hailed from "Hill Street Blues" (with Michael Conrad winning the award).
#7. Cheers (1982鈥1993)
- Wins: 28
- Nominations: 117
The bar "where everybody knows your name" became a household staple throughout the '80s and early '90s as "Cheers" dominated the airwaves. Led by performances from Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, and Rhea Perlman, among others, "Cheers" became a staple of NBC's must-see TV lineup.
Rumor has it the sitcom was during its first season due to low ratings, but "Cheers" triumphed like former Boston Red Sox pitcher Sam Malone (Danson) in the ninth inning. Ultimately, its series finale brought in 80.4 million viewers and became the . In its 11 seasons, "Cheers" earned 28 Emmy wins, including three for Outstanding Comedy Series and acting honors for Danson, Perlman, Harrelson, Kirstie Alley, and Bebe Neuwirth. It also launched the spin-off "Frasier" (starring Grammer), another massive Emmys winner that appears on this list.
#5. 'RuPaul's Drag Race' (2009鈥損resent)
- Wins: 29
- Nominations: 71
"RuPaul's Drag Race" started its engine 15 years ago and has been shattering boundaries and influencing pop culture, from to , ever since. The mother of drag culture, RuPaul, combined the successful formats of competition shows like "American Idol" and "Project Runway," but added in the complex work that goes into drag performance, from makeup to lipsyncing to dance and comedy. "RuPaul's Drag Race" launched on Logo in 2009 and eventually made its way to MTV in 2023, launching numerous spin-offs and international iterations along the way.
The show earned RuPaul a record eight consecutive Emmys for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program from 2016 to 2023. The series also won the Emmy for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program four years in a row from 2018 to 2021. And it became the first show to win both awards in the same year in 2018, a feat repeated in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Some of the most successful drag queens are graduates of "RuPaul's Drag Race," including Jinkx Monsoon, Trixie Mattel, Bianca Del Rio, and Bob the Drag Queen.
#3. 'Frasier' (1993鈥2004, 2023-present)
- Wins: 37
- Nominations: 110
It's not often that a spin-off becomes even more beloved and successful than the original show that birthed it, but such is the case with "Frasier." The series follows the life of "Cheers" character Frasier Crane, a psychiatrist returning to his native Seattle, with Kelsey Grammer reprising his role as the title character. The show, which initially ran in the '90s and early '00s, was praised for its .
It lasted 11 seasons initially and earned Grammer four Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and five trophies for the show in the Oustanding Comedy Series category. "Frasier" actually held the record for most Emmy wins for a fictional series until 2016 when it was overtaken by the next show on this list.
In 2023, "Frasier" was revived for Paramount+, with Grammer once again returning in the role. The sequel series, renewed for a second season in July 2024, is already up for three Emmys in 2024.
#2. 'Game of Thrones' (2011鈥2019)
- Wins: 59
- Nominations: 159
An adaptation of George R. R. Martin's sprawling, unfinished series, "A Song of Ice and Fire," HBO's "Game of Thrones" places among the most beloved fantasy series in television history. Over eight seasons, viewers were introduced to an expansive roster of characters in Westeros and quickly learned not to get too attached, as even fan favorites weren't spared from the possibility of sudden death and destruction.
"Game of Thrones" won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series four times out of nine nominations and was also recognized for its directing, writing, costumes, makeup, and many more fields. Of all the performers in the ensemble cast, Peter Dinklage (as Tyrion Lannister) is the only one to win an acting Emmy, taking home four Supporting Actor awards in total.
#1. 'Saturday Night Live' (1975鈥損resent)
- Wins: 84
- Nominations: 331
Thousands of sketches. Hundreds of celebrity guests. Countless laughs. This is the legacy of "Saturday Night Live," NBC's decadeslong sketch show that has launched superstars in comedy. From controversial events broadcast live to millions of viewers to presidential elections satirized by the show's ever-changing cast, Lorne Michaels' "SNL" has established its place as a top influence on American culture for almost 50 years and across nearly 1,000 episodes.
The NBC series has won more Emmy awards than any other television show. But it may surprise you to learn that throughout its run, only for their performances on "SNL": Chevy Chase (1977), Gilda Radner (1978), Dana Carvey (1993), and Kate McKinnon (2017 and 2016). In fact, more former cast members have won an Emmy hosting: Jimmy Fallon (2012 and 2014), Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (2016), Eddie Murphy (2020), and Maya Rudolph (2021). At the September 2024 Emmys, Bowen Yang could be added to the former group and Kristen Wiig could join the latter (or Rudolph could nab another hosting win). One thing is for certain though, it will be a long time before another show outdoes "SNL's" Emmys record.
Story editing by Jaimie Etkin. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Michael Flocker.
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