2024 Emmy Predictions: Top Unstructured Reality Program

While the Best Structured Reality Program Emmy has been dominated by just two series, “Shark Tank” and “Queer Eye,” since 2014, the unstructured reality category has seen a more diverse set of winners. In fact, the latter award has gone to seven different shows within the same period. Despite this varied history, it’s unlikely that a new winner will emerge in 2024, as most of the current nominees are past champions.

“Welcome to Wrexham” aims for its second consecutive win in this category. It will face competition from “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked!,” which it just beat, and “Love on the Spectrum,” which wasn’t eligible last year. The other contenders include veteran “Vanderpump Rules” and newcomer “Below Deck: Down Under,” a part of a previously nominated franchise.

Let’s take a closer look at each nominee to see if any show can challenge “Welcome to Wrexham” for the win.

This series, “Below Deck Down Under,” originally aired on Peacock but moved to Bravo for its second season. It provides an inside look at the lives of an Australian superyacht’s crew. This is the third of four spin-offs from the 2021 nominee “Below Deck,” following “Below Deck Mediterranean” and “Below Deck Sailing Yacht,” and preceding “Below Deck Adventure.”

“Love on the Spectrum” follows both original and new cast members as they navigate romantic relationships, challenging the stigma against autism. This show won this award two years ago and is based on an Australian series that earned the 2022 International Emmy for Best Non-Scripted Entertainment.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked” has been a companion to “RuPaul’s Drag Race” since 2010. Initially a web series, it earned its first Emmy nomination for its eighth season when it transitioned from YouTube. After five years on VH1, both shows moved to MTV in 2022.

“Vanderpump Rules” broke into this category just last year. This “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” spin-off focuses on Lisa Vanderpump, who, after leaving the parent series in 2019, turned her attention to family and business ventures, including several West Hollywood restaurants. She also produced additional series like “The Valley” on Bravo and “Vanderpump Villa” on Hulu.

“Welcome to Wrexham” earned its second nomination for its second and third seasons, which aired in September 2023 and May 2024, respectively. The show follows actors and Wrexham Association Football Club owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as they guide their Welsh team to a 2022-2023 National League win and struggle to maintain their success.

So, which show will claim the 2024 Emmy for Best Unstructured Reality Program? The absence of new series in the mix for the first time since 2019 may make this year’s competition tighter, but “Welcome to Wrexham” has a considerable edge. Historically, every show that has won multiple times has done so consecutively. “Welcome to Wrexham” also benefits from its widely appealing sports theme and the star power of its two main personalities.

Additionally, “Welcome to Wrexham” is defending its titles in reality directing, picture editing, and sound mixing, whereas most of its competitors haven’t won Emmys outside this category. “Love on the Spectrum” emerges as a substantial threat, given it won three awards during its debut outing. However, it’s likely that “Welcome to Wrexham” will secure another victory.

Source: Gold Derby