^{Credit: South Park (Comedy Central)}

Over the years, many animated characters have appeared on the Primetime Emmy telecast, including Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, the Simpsons, the Griffins, Hank Hill, Rick and Morty, and the South Park gang. Yet, the Outstanding Animated Program category has been routinely reserved for the Creative Arts ceremony, or as Trey Parker might say, “The Crappy Emmys.” Okay, that may be a little harsh, as a lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes of the Creative Arts Emmys. Be it Primetime, Daytime, or Creative Arts, an Emmy is an Emmy with all statuettes created equal. Let’s be honest, however. The Creative Arts Emmys are never going to attract more press or celebrities than the Emmy ceremony that’ll air on NBC and stream on Peacock in September.

So why isn’t animation invited to the party, especially since comedy, drama, reality TV, and variety are all represented at the main ceremony? The short answer is ratings. This isn’t to say that animated programs don’t have vast viewership. I’d even argue that animation has a wider audience than most late-night comedy shows, which are sadly becoming scarcer than daytime soaps. Even so, the Emmys want stars like Stephen Colbert walking down the red carpet and giving speeches. As Trey Parker told Variety in 2008, “You can’t have Cartman walking down the aisle to pick up the award.”

Parker’s comment echoes something that Simpsons producer James L. Brooks said in 1991. The Simpsons had appeared at the 42nd Primetime Emmy Awards a year earlier, but Animated Program was still restricted to the Creative Arts Emmys. Brooks was also frustrated that the TV Academy continually denied their request to be submitted as a comedy series. Brooks said at the time, “We were good enough to be exploited; we weren’t good enough to be included.” If even the Simpsons at the peak of its popularity couldn’t bring change, what will?

It isn’t surprising that animation is restricted for the Creative Arts Emmys, which mainly focus on unseen talent like visual effects artists, costume designers, and set designers. Animators are similarly unsung heroes. Even the ones who achieve massive success like Genndy Tartakovsky aren’t necessarily household names. A random person on the street may know Dexter’s Lab or Samurai Jack, but not the man who created it. There are only a handful of animators who can be considered “celebrities” in the traditional sense. One is Simpsons creator Matt Groening. Another is Seth MacFarlane, who did get to attend the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards in 2009 when Family Guy was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series. Then there are Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park.

If the Emmys care about ratings above all else, 2026 is the year to etch out a place for animation on the main telecast. Why? Because South Park will more than likely win for its most controversial, talked-about, and funniest episode in years: “Sermon on the 'Mount.” In a climate where Donald Trump is the easiest target for comedians, there are really only two parodies that stand out. One in Saturday Night Live, which did earn Alec Baldwin an Emmy for his Trump impression. The other is South Park, which commenced its twenty-seventh season with Saddam Hussein essentially being reincarnated into a former reality TV host turned politician who falls into bed with Satan.

It was childish, smartass, not-even-remotely subtle, and exactly what the country needed in July 2025. It was especially daring in the wake of The Late Show’s cancellation, both having parent company Paramount in common. Even after the Trump administration trashed the episode, the White House went quiet over the ensuing weeks as it became clear that nobody – not even the president – can beat South Park. In a world where satire and reality are becoming interchangeable, South Park reminded us that parody is alive and is still a powerful force.

Parker echoed this at the 19^th Television Honors, where he said, “We've always known that our job was- we're supposed to be the joker. You need that. You need someone just making fun of things. It's a great thing to be able to be. And unfortunately, right now, we have a president who thinks his job is to be the joker." For all of the “lowbrow” humor that South Park is known for, it’s also a source of wisdom, which is reflected in Parker’s speech. Now imagine if Parker gave a similar speech at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Chances are that Parker and Stone won’t attend this year’s Creative Arts Emmys, which they stopped going to early in South Park’s run. Part of that’s because they just figured The Simpsons would always win. Eventually, South Park would join the winner’s circle, picking up five Emmys thus far. Even then, Stone and Parker didn’t return to the Creative Arts Emmys primarily because they find them boring. The duo has attended other award shows, including the 65th Tony Awards when The Book of Mormon won Best Musical. They also made a mockery of the Academy Awards, showing up in designer dresses when “Blame Canada” was nominated for Best Original Song.

I’m willing to wager that if Outstanding Animated Program is moved to the main Emmys, Stone and Parker might show up, especially with a South Park win seeming preordained. Both seem more invested in this year’s Emmy race than usual, attending an FYC event in May. South Park already won at the Critics’ Choice Awards this year. It also got nominated at the Annie Awards. While it lost that prize to Common Side Effects, the fact that ASIFA-Hollywood nominated South Park at all is telling, considering how that group has mostly overlooked the show in the past. South Park was also nominated at the PGA Awards in a historic first for animation. The Emmy seems like the inevitable final destination in this victory lap. I honestly believe that had South Park been submitted as a comedy this year, it would’ve gotten nominated.

That said, upsets happen. In recent years, this category has leaned more towards the shows with the highest quality animation, such as Arcane, Blue Eye Samurai, and The Simpsons for "Treehouse of Horror XXXIII." If voters are focusing on craft, the Emmy could go to Star Wars: Visions for “Black,” which Shinya Ohira of Studio Ghibli directed. Maybe voters will favor Bob’s Burgers for its 300^th episode, or they’ll give Smiling Friends a farewell hug for "Le Voyage Incroyable de Monsieur Grenouille." I don’t see "Homer? A Cracker Bro?" from The Simpsons or "There's Something About Morty" from Rick and Morty surprising, but neither is outside the realm of possibility.

It would be reminiscent of the 2009 Primetime Emmys when Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics was randomly moved to the main telecast. That’s because “Motherlover” was nominated, leading everyone to believe Justin Timberlake and the Lonely Island might get on stage to accept an Emmy for that viral hit. Instead, the Emmy went to "Hugh Jackman Opening Number" from the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Funnily enough, Rick and Morty co-creator was among that song’s co-writers. After that, the Music and Lyrics category was banished back to the Creative Arts ceremony.

It wouldn’t be the first time South Park lost in an upset either. After winning its first Emmy in 2005 for "Best Friends Forever,” many assumed that South Park would win again for “Trapped in the Closet,” aka the Tom Cruise/Scientology episode. The episode was even referenced on the main Emmy telecast, as an animated Conan O'Brien stumbled into Stan's closet. Yet, the Emmy went to The Simpsons for "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story." In the wake of this win, Simpsons showrunner Al Jean said, "This is what happens when you don't mock Scientology." Hollywood has its fair share of Scientologists, including Bart Simpson’s voice actress, Nancy Cartwright. Some voters didn’t want to back the message that Scientology is a scam (allegedly). However, they’re more inclined to back the message that the president has a micro-penis (allegedly).

If animation were moved to the main ceremony this year, it’s safe to assume that it’d be because the producers want to hear Parker and Stone speak. If one of their animation peers ultimately gets on stage instead, be it Matt Selman, Loren Bouchard, Dan Harmon, Shinya Ohira, or Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack, it would still be a historic moment for animation. One that we may never see again. I personally believe that Outstanding Animated Program should be a permanent staple of the main Emmy ceremony. If there was ever a year to invite animation to the party, though, this is it.

Nick Spake is the Author of Bright & Shiny: A History of Animation at Award Shows Volumes 1, 2, and 3. Available Now!The