Answers to popular questions about the Emmys, Hollywood's biggest awards and classic American films, linked to our entertainment coverage. For the latest stories, see our Entertainment section.
- Who votes for the Emmy Awards?
- What is the difference between Emmys and Primetime Emmys?
- What are the Creative Arts Emmy Awards?
- What show won the most Emmys of all time?
- Who won Best show Emmys 2026?
- What is the difference between Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony?
- Who got all EGOT?
- Is Top Gun 1 based on a true story?
- How many films are in the Top Gun series?
- What was the name of the ship in the original Alien?
Who votes for the Emmy Awards?
The Primetime Emmys are decided by members of the Television Academy. In the nomination round, members vote within their own peer groups, so actors nominate performers and writers nominate writing. In the final round, eligible members across the academy vote in most categories. Ballots are tabulated by an independent accounting firm before the ceremony.
Source: Television Academy. Our coverage: 'Widow's Bay' Rewrites the Emmy Comedy Record With 14 Wins
What is the difference between Emmys and Primetime Emmys?
"Emmys" covers several separate competitions. The Primetime Emmys, run by the Television Academy in Los Angeles, honor evening entertainment such as comedy and drama series. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences runs the Daytime, News and Documentary, and Sports Emmys, and the International Academy presents the International Emmys for programs made outside the United States.
Source: Wikipedia. Our coverage: 'Widow's Bay' Rewrites the Emmy Comedy Record With 14 Wins
What are the Creative Arts Emmy Awards?
The Creative Arts Emmys are the part of the Primetime Emmy Awards that honors craft and technical work, such as casting, cinematography, editing, music, sound, costumes and visual effects, plus guest acting roles. They are presented at separate ceremonies before the main telecast. Many of the 14 Emmys that "Widow's Bay" won in 2026 came in Creative Arts categories.
Source: Wikipedia. Our coverage: 'Widow's Bay' Rewrites the Emmy Comedy Record With 14 Wins
What show won the most Emmys of all time?
"Saturday Night Live" holds the record for the most Primetime Emmy Awards won by a single program, counting both the main ceremony and the Creative Arts Emmys over its run since 1975. Among drama series, "Game of Thrones" holds the record with 59 wins. In 2026 "Widow's Bay" set a single-year record for a comedy series with 14 wins.
Source: Wikipedia. Our coverage: 'Widow's Bay' Rewrites the Emmy Comedy Record With 14 Wins
Who won Best show Emmys 2026?
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2026, Apple TV's horror-comedy "Widow's Bay" won outstanding comedy series, the final award of the night, capping a record 14 wins for a comedy in a single year. Matthew Rhys won lead actor in a comedy series, and creator Katie Dippold won for writing. Jean Smart became the first woman to win for every season of a show.
Source: Television Academy. Our coverage: 'Widow's Bay' Rewrites the Emmy Comedy Record With 14 Wins
What is the difference between Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony?
Each award honors a different art form. Emmys recognize television, Grammys recognize recorded music, Oscars, formally the Academy Awards, recognize film, and Tonys recognize live Broadway theater. A performer or creator who wins all four in competitive categories has achieved an "EGOT," one of the rarest feats in American entertainment.
Source: Wikipedia
Who got all EGOT?
Fewer than two dozen people have won competitive Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. Composer Richard Rodgers was the first to complete the set, in 1962. Others include Rita Moreno, Mel Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg, Audrey Hepburn, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Viola Davis and Elton John, who completed his set in 2024.
Source: Wikipedia
Is Top Gun 1 based on a true story?
Not exactly. "Top Gun" (1986) is fiction, but it was inspired by "Top Guns," a 1983 California magazine article by Ehud Yonay about the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School at Naval Air Station Miramar near San Diego. The characters were invented, but the school and its training were real. Tom Skerritt played the school's commander, Mike "Viper" Metcalf.
Source: Wikipedia. Our coverage: Tom Skerritt, the Steady Face of 'Alien,' 'Top Gun' and 'Picket Fences,' Dies at 93
How many films are in the Top Gun series?
There are two films: "Top Gun" (1986), directed by Tony Scott, and "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022), directed by Joseph Kosinski, which earned nearly $1.5 billion worldwide. Tom Cruise starred in both, and Tom Skerritt played Commander Mike "Viper" Metcalf in the original. A third film has been reported to be in development.
Source: Wikipedia. Our coverage: Tom Skerritt, the Steady Face of 'Alien,' 'Top Gun' and 'Picket Fences,' Dies at 93
What was the name of the ship in the original Alien?
The ship in Ridley Scott's 1979 film "Alien" is the Nostromo, a commercial towing spaceship hauling ore back to Earth. Its crew of seven is led by Captain Dallas, played by Tom Skerritt, with Sigourney Weaver as warrant officer Ellen Ripley. The name comes from Joseph Conrad's 1904 novel "Nostromo."
Source: Wikipedia. Our coverage: Tom Skerritt, the Steady Face of 'Alien,' 'Top Gun' and 'Picket Fences,' Dies at 93
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