The
Primetime Emmy Award
The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime ...
for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) is a category at the Primetime Emmy Awards. It is awarded annually to the singularly best pre-recorded
varietal
A varietal wine is a wine made primarily from a single named grape variety, and which typically displays the name of that variety on the wine label.The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, 2000.winepros.com.au. ...
, musical or comedic special of the year. It was previously presented as Outstanding Variety Special until it was restructured alongside Outstanding Special Class Program for the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards.
The ''
Kennedy Center Honors
The Kennedy Center Honors are annual honors given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. They have been presented annually since 1978, culminating each December in a gala celebrating five honor ...
'' has won seven awards, including five consecutive wins from 2009 to 2013. It also won twice for
Outstanding Variety Series when the two categories were combined.
Winners and nominations
1950s
1960s
Outstanding Variety or Musical Program
1970s
Outstanding Special – Comedy, Variety or Music
From 1979 to 1989, the category was combined as
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program.
1990s
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
In 1991, the category was combined as
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program.
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program (Special)
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
2000s
2010s
Outstanding Variety Special
Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
2020s
Notes
References
{{Primetime Emmy Award categories
Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)