33rd Primetime Emmy Awards


The 33rd Primetime Emmy Awards were held on Sunday, September 13, 1981. The ceremony was broadcast on CBS. It was hosted by Shirley MacLaine and Edward Asner.
For the third consecutive year, the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series went to Taxi. The top show on the drama side was Hill Street Blues which, in its first season, tied the record for most major nominations and wins by a non-miniseries. NBC's ratings juggernaut Shōgun received eight major nominations, but only won one, for Outstanding Limited Series.

Winners and nominees

Programs

Outstanding Comedy SeriesOutstanding Drama Series

  • Taxi,
  • * Barney Miller,
  • * M*A*S*H,
  • * Soap,
  • * WKRP in Cincinnati,
  • Hill Street Blues,
  • * Dallas,
  • * Lou Grant,
  • * Quincy, M.E.,
  • * The White Shadow,
    • Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy ProgramOutstanding Drama Special
  • Lily: Sold Out,
  • * AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Fred Astaire,
  • * The Benny Hill Show,
  • * The Muppet Show,
  • * The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,
  • Playing for Time,
  • * Evita Peron,
  • * Fallen Angel,
  • * The Shadow Box,
  • * The Women's Room,
    • Outstanding Limited Series
  • Shōgun,
  • * East of Eden,
  • * Masada,
  • * Rumpole of the Bailey,
  • * Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,

    • Acting

    Lead performances

    Supporting performances

    Directing

    Writing

    Most major nominations

    ;By network
    ; By program
    ;By network
    ; By program
    ;Notes