According to an article posted in The Hollywood Reporter, the TV Academy has deemed the popular Netflix streaming series Orange is the New Black a dramatic series despite appeals from the content provider. As previously reported, the Academy made several dramatic, sweeping changes in their rules beginning with the 2014-2015 Emmy season – one of which instantly proclaimed any hour-long series a dramatic series.
Shows could appeal the ruling to a 9-member panel if they strongly felt their hour-long series was truly a comedy at heart. Orange and Netflix followed with an appeal but was declined today, effectively cementing its status as a drama in the 2015 Emmy race. This decision puts the critically acclaimed show in heavy competition with such favorites as Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey, The Good Wife, and the final season of Mad Men as well as Netflix’s own House of Cards.
Other hour-long series have recently appealed the decision with success. Jane the Virgin, Shameless, and Glee have all been deemed comedies by the TV Academy and will compete as such.
Remember Hudson in Aliens – “Game over ma’an, game over!”