Animators Call Shenanigans on Emmy Eligibility

[Mark Jeffries]

A letter signed by over 50 TV animation persons and written by "Simpsons" showrunner Al Jean criticizes NATAS for allowing "SIX SEASONS AND A MOVIE!" "Community" to submit nominations in both live-action comedy series and animated program (for their annual animated episode), while animated series have to choose either comedy or animated program--NATAS says it's because of the more collaboratory nature of animation (producers, directors, writers and artists are allowed to be listed together on the Animated Program nomination):

 

http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/simpsons-writer-al-jean-rallies-animation-community-emmys-protest-44686 

[M-D November]

I'm assuming the episode they submitted was "Digital Estate Planning" (a/k/a the 16-bit episode)?

[Tom Wolper]

On Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 12:48 PM, M-D November <mdnov...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm assuming the episode they submitted was "Digital Estate Planning" (a/k/a
> the 16-bit episode)?

Quote from Al Jean in the story Mark linked to:

"We have been told that animated program writers could not also submit
their work for writing Emmys, for reasons we never understood, but
supposedly pertaining to the purity of the branches.

"This is why no one was more startled than we when last year
'Community' was able to submit for comedy series, writing, and
animated program, in the face of everything we had been told for two
decades. We were told that for some reason, a one-time waiver was
granted.

"Imagine our surprise when this year we see 'Community' once again
eligible for comedy series, writing, animated program, and short-form
animated program. This letter is in no way intended to be a slight on
the terrific show 'Community,' but a request from us to enjoy the very
same rights they now do. Clearly the Academy’s ban on submitting in
multiple categories is being enforced in an arbitrary and unfair
manner. We therefore request that we also be able to submit our
programs for both animation and comedy series as well as in the
writing category."

So Community submitted their animated episode last year and also,
apparently, Digital Estate Planning.