EGOT: Breaking Down Each Major Award

Award show season is coming and going!! At this time of year, it can be hard to keep track of which award show is which. The four main entertainment award shows are the Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and Tonys. If you win all four, people call it becoming an “EGOT.” The Blake Beat has the rundown on the similarities and differences between each award.

Emmy Awards: 

The Emmy Awards honor excellence in the television industry, which includes primetime and daytime programming. They are presented by three separate, related organizations: the Television Academy presents Primetime Emmys, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences handles Daytime, Sports, and News, and the International Academy presents awards for programming outside the U.S. Emmy award categories include Lead Actor/Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Comedy Series. Typically, the Emmys are held on a Sunday (Monday when they air on NBC) in mid-September. In 2022, the Children’s and Family Emmy Awards, honoring content for young audiences, officially launched and has been an annual event held in March in recent years. Notable Emmy-winning shows include Saturday Night Live (with the most wins at 113) and Game of Thrones (with 59 wins). The 78th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, September 14th, 2026. 

Grammy Awards:

The Grammy Awards represent excellence in audio recording and music. The Recording Academy presents Grammys for musical achievement, and earning a Grammy is often seen as the top honor for musicians. Grammy award categories include Best New Artist and Song of the Year. In recent years, the Grammy Awards have been typically held in February, often on the first Sunday of the month. Notable multiple-Grammy winners include Beyoncé (who holds the record at 35 wins) and Quincy Jones (28). Michael Jackson holds the record for the most Grammys won in a single night (8). The 69th Annual Grammy Awards are expected to be held on Sunday, February 7, 2027. 

Academy Awards (Oscars):

The Oscars represent excellence in motion pictures (Academy Awards). They are focused on movies, actors, and directors. The Oscars are presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Earning an Oscar is one of the top industry honors. Oscar award categories include Best Actor/Actress and Best Animated Feature. The Oscars (started in 1929) are the oldest of the four awards.  The Oscars are most commonly held on a Sunday in mid-March. Notable Oscar winners include Walt Disney (who holds the record at 22 wins) and Tom Hanks (two consecutive wins for Best Actor in 1993 and 1994). The 99th Annual Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 14th, 2027. 

Tony Awards: 

The Tonys honor excellence in live Broadway theater productions. The Tony Awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League. Tony award categories include awards for Original Score and Featured Actor/Actress – Musical. The Tonys are typically held on a Sunday in mid-June to honor the conclusion of the Broadway spring season. Notable Tony winners include Lin-Manuel Miranda (3) and the show Hamilton (11). The 79th Annual Tony Awards will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026. 

Similarities:

• Each of these award shows is typically held on Sunday evenings to maximize viewership 
• Historically significant 
• Elite recognition in their specific industry
• Academy-based 
• They are rare: Achieving all four (EGOT status) is extremely rare, as only 22 people have achieved this feat

That’s all for now, Bengals! The Blake Beat hopes you learned something new. Will any of you Bengals win an Academy Award one day?