Can Jean Smart Become the First Woman in Emmy History to Sweep Every Season of Her Series?

The Television Academy has kept its performers on their toes for decades, but two women stand out as they vie for a historic achievement. Jean Smart, nominated for every season of HBO Max’s “Hacks,” is one victory away from becoming the first woman in Emmy history to sweep every season of her series. Zendaya, already a two-time winner for playing Rue on “Euphoria,” aims to remain undefeated for a third time.

Sustaining a perfect nomination streak requires a delicate balance of factors: a show must stay great, air consistently, and maintain its Television Academy standing while its lead performer competes against an ever-changing field of contenders. Only 39 performers have achieved this feat, including legends like Alan Alda and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Notable near-misses include Bill Cosby, who won acting Emmys for every season of “I Spy,” but his achievement is somewhat diminished by the show’s short run.

Smart and Zendaya’s pursuits are not only about adding to their Emmy tallies but also about cementing their places in television history. A perfect streak exists on a knife’s edge – one missed nomination or loss can erase the possibility forever. This reality makes their quests even more compelling as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of television.

Several performers have been recognized for every season of their current series, including Quinta Brunson and Janelle James, who are each five for five for “Abbott Elementary.” Hannah Einbinder has matched Smart with nominations for all five seasons of “Hacks.” However, recent near-misses illustrate the fragility of this achievement. Sheryl Lee Ralph’s flawless run through four seasons of “Abbott Elementary” came to an abrupt end last year, one year after co-star Tyler James Williams suffered a similar fate.

The unpredictable nature of Emmy voting and the delicate balance between recognition and rejection highlight the harsh reality that sustaining perfection is not just about individual talent but also about staying relevant in an ever-changing television landscape. Even with impressive performances, a performer can be shut out completely, as Jeremy Allen White and Ebon Moss-Bachrach found out when they were left off the “The Bear” nominations list entirely.

Jason Sudeikis and Brett Goldstein from “Ted Lasso” are among those whose performances might carry over into the new season, potentially extending their active perfect streaks following hiatuses. The possibility of “Severance” stars Adam Scott, John Turturro, and Patricia Arquette extending their streaks adds another layer of intrigue.

In an era of television’s intense focus on legacy and historic milestones, Smart and Zendaya’s pursuits take center stage. They are not just fighting for individual recognition but also representing a broader pattern – the struggle to achieve perfection in an unforgiving industry. Their journeys serve as a poignant reminder that sustaining a perfect streak is an elusive goal, one that requires exceptional performances, luck, and circumstance.

The outcome of this year’s Emmy Awards will undoubtedly be historic, regardless of who emerges victorious. For Jean Smart and Zendaya, the stakes are high, and their legacies hang precariously in the balance. As they take to the stage, their names etched alongside those who have achieved greatness before them, the question lingers: Will one or both women join the ranks of television’s elite by securing a perfect streak?