For TV enthusiasts, the Emmy Awards represent something like the championship matches for television. A single Emmy win is a tremendous achievement, but to walk away with a clutch of statuettes over a number of years? Well, that qualifies a television show to be in a league of its own. Of course, we have identified TV shows that have reached this level of Emmy excellence. These are from number 10 down to number one.
10. The Carol Burnett Show (25 wins)
This legendary variety show is what made Carol Burnett TV royalty, setting the path for all future variety shows that were designed to follow in her footsteps. It has collected an impressive 25 Emmys, three being for Outstanding Variety/Musical Series, still among the greatest impacts in comedy writing to this very day. Burnett is not finished breaking records—most recently in 2024, being the oldest actress nominated for comedy acting in Palm Royale.
9. The West Wing (26 wins)
Dreaming of a White House filled with brilliant, empathetic leaders? That’s what Aaron Sorkin delivered with The West Wing. The show accumulated 26 awards, including four straight Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series. Its cutting dialogue, all-star cast (Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford), and impact on political dramas render it one of the greats of TV.
8. Hill Street Blues (26 wins)
Prior to gritty cop shows becoming ubiquitous, Hill Street Blues changed the game. Its gritty, street-level observation of city life and emphasis on ensemble storytelling made it earn 26 Emmys. The show opened the door for almost every police procedural that came after and introduced a new standard of dramatic television during the 1980s.
7. Cheers (28 wins)
What began as a stumbling first-season sitcom became one of TV’s favorite shows. With 28 Emmy wins, Cheers made a Boston tavern the most renowned watering hole in America. Stars Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, and Kelsey Grammer became household names—and Grammer’s character even fronted Frasier, another Emmy giant.
6. The Mary Tyler Moore Show (29 wins)
Mary Richards wasn’t only hilarious—she was a trailblazer. During the 1970s, her character addressed topics such as equal pay and independence and redefined what women could be on television. With 29 Emmys and an incredible supporting cast (Edward Asner, Betty White, Cloris Leachman), the show showed that sitcoms could be both progressive and funny.
5. RuPaul’s Drag Race (29 wins)
Few programs have transformed pop culture like RuPaul’s Drag Race has. With 29 Emmys, it didn’t merely entertain—it brought drag artistry to the world. RuPaul himself is the most awarded reality host with the most wins, and the legacy of the show can be observed on the runway, in music, and even in everyday slang.
4. The Simpsons (37 wins)
Homer’s catchphrases, Lisa’s sax, Bart’s pranks—The Simpsons has been a part of our pop culture landscape for over three decades. In that time, the longest-running animated sitcom has won 37 Emmys, 12 of them for Outstanding Animated Program. And with new episodes continuing to air, Springfield isn’t going out of style on television anytime soon.
3. Frasier (37 wins)
Spin-offs rarely outdo their progenitors, but Frasier is the exception to this rule. After following Kelsey Grammer’s finicky psychiatrist to Seattle, the show was an Emmy titan with 37 victories. Its witty repartee and urbane humor made it a critical darling and enduringly popular—so much so that it was recently revived.
2. Game of Thrones (59 wins)
Few programs have dominated television the way Game of Thrones has. It won 59 Emmys, sweeping categories from acting to special and visual effects. Although Peter Dinklage was the sole actor to win for his performance, the sweeping storytelling and sprawling cast made it one of the most Emmy-honored dramas ever.
1. Saturday Night Live (90 wins)
No surprise here—SNL is the king of the Emmys, with a staggering 90 wins. For nearly 50 years, it’s been a launching pad for comedic legends like Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Kate McKinnon, and Maya Rudolph. Only a handful of cast members have taken home acting Emmys, but hosting the show after moving on often leads to gold.
What distinguishes these series is not merely the hardware—they revolutionized television. From redefining genre to producing cultural touchstones, they rewrote the way we watch and what we demand from television. And as newer players such as Shōgun and The Bear broke through during recent Emmy seasons, the history of TV greatness continues to be written.