A Philosophical Choice About Art
The fundamental reason for using “Outstanding” is rooted in a specific belief about creativity: art is not a sport. While declaring something the singular “Best” implies a direct competition with a clear winner and multiple losers, “Outstanding” offers
a different perspective. The Television Academy's wording suggests a celebration of excellence rather than a definitive ranking. The goal is to identify and honor work that stands apart for its quality, innovation, and impact. In a year with several phenomenal dramas or comedies, the term acknowledges that multiple productions can be exceptional and worthy of recognition, even if only one takes home the statuette. It’s a subtle but significant way to frame the awards as a recognition of a collective group of high achievers, not just a fight to be number one.
The Subjectivity of 'Best'
Choosing a single “Best” in any artistic field is an inherently subjective exercise. How can one definitively say that a dark, complex drama is “better” than a sharp, witty satire? They achieve different goals and connect with audiences in different ways. Using “Outstanding” sidesteps this impossible comparison. It allows voters to ask a slightly different question: “Does this work stand out from the pack as an exceptional example of television?” This reframing is more than just semantics; it changes the nature of the evaluation. It moves away from a zero-sum game and toward a system of identifying merit. Interestingly, this philosophy is now being tested in other ways. For the 2026 awards, the newly combined Outstanding Variety Series category allows voters to vote “yes” or “no” for each nominee, with any show receiving over 90% approval winning an Emmy. This evolution further embraces the idea that multiple shows can be deemed worthy in the same year.
A History of Emmy Lingo
The Television Academy's preference for “Outstanding” is not a recent development. In fact, the term has been part of the Emmy lexicon since its earliest days. The very first award presented at the inaugural ceremony in 1949 was for “Most Outstanding Television Personality.” While some categories have used the term “Best” in the past, a significant shift occurred around 1960, when the Academy more formally adopted “Outstanding” for its major program and performance awards. This decision solidified the organization's identity and distinguished its approach from other major awards bodies. The name “Emmy” itself comes from “Immy,” a nickname for the image orthicon camera tube that was crucial to early television. The choice reflects a focus on the craft and technology of the medium, and the use of “Outstanding” similarly reflects a considered approach to honoring the art it produces.
How Other Awards Compare
The most obvious point of comparison is the Academy Awards, which famously crowns a “Best Picture.” The Oscars have always framed their awards as a competition to find the single best achievement in film for a given year. The Tony Awards also follow this model, awarding the “Best Musical” and “Best Play.” By contrast, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards follow the Emmys' lead, handing out trophies for “Outstanding Performance.” This linguistic split highlights a philosophical divide in the world of entertainment awards. Those that use “Best” lean into the high-stakes, competitive drama of the race. The Emmys, with their use of “Outstanding,” project an image of being an industry organization celebrating the highest levels of its craft. It’s a quieter, arguably more collegial, approach to handing out trophies in a highly competitive business.
