One of the most-deserving TV programs of all time can't even be nominated.
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences made certain Star Trek: The Original Series can NEVER win the newly announced Emmys Legacy Award because of the ridiculous criteria necessary to be considered. The award was created to honor "television programs that have made a 'profound and lasting impact' on audiences and remain relevant to society, culture and the industry," according to a press release from the ATAS.
Based on TOS' irrefutable influence on pop culture, to say nothing of its lasting impact on TV history, the late Gene Roddenberry’s beloved science fiction series should be a LOCK to win, but it never will. The Original Series can't even be nominated for an award it clearly deserves because of the illogical criteria someone(s) at the Television Academy put into place. Now, here are the qualifications a television program must meet to be considered (per the ATAS):
"A minimum of 60 episodes aired across a minimum of five seasons. Continued or sustained relevance, influence or inspiration: To a genre of television. To an existing or new audience. To society and culture. Franchise properties must be considered as a whole and awarded as such. Award may only be bestowed on a program once."
Those at the ATAS might as well spit in the faces of the franchise and its fans, too. Yes, Star Trek: TOS will never receive an Emmy Legacy award on its own because the show only lasted three seasons, which is two short of the five-season minimum.
It seems to me that the ATAS' phasers were set to foolish when they designed the rules which ended up excluding one of the most beloved shows of all time from even being able to contend for this upcoming honor. However, there is a loophole. (Continued...)