EMMYS: ‘Jane The Virgin’, ‘Shameless’ & ‘Glee’ Ruled Eligible To Run As Comedies

Never mind. Despite the recent rule revisions by the TV Academy, there won’t be a significant change in the makeup of the Emmy comedy field this year, with a number of hourlong dramedies competing alongside half-hour comedy series.

After adopting a new definition for comedy series as a 30-minute program last month, the TV Academy left the door open for hourlong comedic shows to argue their case in a petition to an Industry Panel. The panel has made its first rulings, allowing Shameless, Jane The Virgin and Glee to be submitted as comedy series. A two-thirds vote of the panel was required to reach each decision. No word on the status of the other high-profile hourlong series whose switch to comedy alongside Shameless raised eyebrows last year, Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black. Its petition is believed to still be pending.

Fox’s Glee, now in its final season, has competed as comedy since its launch. Showtime’s Shameless was submitted as a drama for the first three seasons until moving to comedy with last year’s Emmy Awards. Both Orange and Shameless have done very well on the awards circuit since switching to comedy, as has the CW breakout Jane The Virgin.

Each of these three series will compete in the comedy category for best series and all other awards, including performer, writer, director, etc. Nominations for the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced the morning of Thursday, July 16.