Since 1995, Cartoon Network programs (not counting Adult Swim, which is run as a separate network) have been nominated 53 times in the Primetime Emmy animation categories and have won 10 times. This year, however, is going to be the first time since 2002 where not a single Cartoon Network series will be nominated for a Primetime Emmy because this is the first year in the network’s history of original programming that none of its programs, either on-air or from HBO Max, are being submitted. And that’s despite the fact that Adventure Time: Distant Lands and Infinity Train could’ve been serious contenders for the Outstanding Animated Program and Outstanding Short Form Animated Program awards, respectively.
The explanation for these snubs, according to Infinity Train creator Owen Dennis, is that there’s a new rule that all Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Animation programs be submitted to the Daytime Emmys instead of the Primetime Emmys. On some levels, this makes a degree of sense — premiering shows streaming rather than on-air means that “daytime” and “primetime” distinctions are arbitrary rather than scheduling-based, and if Cartoon Network shows are submitted to the Daytime Emmys while Adult Swim shows go to the Primetime Emmys, then there are double the chances for WarnerMedia to win animation awards without having shows from different branches competing against each other.
Nonetheless, this is still a rather dramatic change that feels connected with other disappointing changes in Cartoon Network’s direction. For a long time, it was a point of pride that shows like Samurai Jack and Over the Garden Wall could not only compete for the same awards as adult shows like The Simpsons and South Park but could even beat them. Now, by choosing to submit only to the children’s programming categories at the Daytime Emmys, it seems as if Cartoon Network is only solidifying its attempts to cast off the older demographic that’s always been watching and rework itself as a network for young kids.
Adventure Time has been Cartoon Network’s most successful program at the Emmys, with 10 nominations and two wins. This year, either Obsidian or Together Again, two of the best episodes the show ever produced, would have made extremely worthy nominees or even winners.
Infinity Train doesn’t have the same Emmy history as Adventure Time, having been on the air for far less time and missing the nominations last year. However, with an overall weaker selection of contenders in the Short Form category this year, any episode from Books 3 or 4 would have been in good shape to compete.
In the grand scheme of things, a change in WarnerMedia’s Emmy submission policy isn’t a huge deal. Both Adventure Time: Distant Lands and Infinity Train still have the chance to win awards, even if the Daytime Emmys aren’t viewed to be as prestigious as the Primetime ones. Still, Cartoon Network abandoning the Primetime Emmys, even when two of its most mature and artistically ambitious programs ever could have been eligible, is a somewhat disappointing end of an era.
Created by Pendleton Ward, Adventure Time: Distant Lands is available exclusively on HBO Max.
Created by Owen Dennis, Infinity Train stars Ashley Johnson, Jeremy Crutchley, Owen Dennis, Ernie Hudson, Kate Mulgrew, Lena Headey, Robbie Daymond, Bradley Whitford, Ben Mendelsohn, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Kyle McCarley, Isabella Abiera, Diane Delano, Johnny Young, Sekai Murashige and Minty Lewis. All four seasons are now streaming on HBO Max.
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