2024 Emmy Experts predict Best Variety Scripted Series: ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ is unanimous pick

Having trouble predicting what will win Best Variety Scripted Series at the upcoming Emmy Awards? Let’s consult Gold Derby’s 2024 Emmy Experts! These savvy pundits from major media outlets have chimed in with their predictions, and all of them believe the trophy will go to HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” The only other shows eligible in this four-horse race are NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” CBS’s “After Midnight” and HBO’s “Painting with John.” Two of them will be nominated on July 17, while the other pair will be snubbed.

As of this writing, all nine of our Emmy Experts predict a victory for “Last Week Tonight”: Ben Travers (Indiewire), Christopher Rosen (Gold Derby), Clayton Davis (Variety), Jazz Tangcay (Variety), Joyce Eng (Gold Derby), Matt Roush (TV Guide Magazine), Ray Richmond (Gold Derby), Shawn Edwards (WDAF-TV Fox) and Susan King (Gold Derby).

Some of the topics covered by John Oliver during his show’s 2024 episodes include U.S. Supreme Court corruption, student loans, Medicaid, UFOs, book banning and corn (yes, corn). The comedian is no stranger to the Emmy Awards, winning 19 trophies through the years for writing and producing “Last Week Tonight” and writing “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.”

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Also looking strong for a nomination, according to our pundits’ rankings, is “Saturday Night Live.” The 49-year-old program is an Emmy staple, winning a whopping 84 statues through the years, not counting for any of its specials and spin-offs. The show dominated the Best Variety Scripted Series between 2022 and ’17, until “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” was forced into the category in 2023. Popular “SNL” hosts this year include Maya Rudolph, Ryan Gosling, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Emma Stone.

As for the other two programs, “After Midnight” and “Painting with John” are both looking for their first Emmy nominations in the category. “After Midnight” is CBS’s version of the classic Comedy Central game show that introduces Taylor Tomlinson in the host role, while “Painting with John” is an inspirational series that showcases artist John Lurie as he paints watercolors and reflects on different aspects of life.

Some of the most recent Emmy winners in the Best Variety Scripted Series category include “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” in 2023, “Saturday Night Live” in 2022-17, “Key & Peele” in 2016 and “Inside Amy Schumer” in 2015. Find out who will be in the running to join this esteemed list when the Primetime Emmy nominations are announced on July 17, 2024.

PREDICT the 2024 Emmy nominees through July 17

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