2018 Primetime Emmy® Awards Ballot
Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Special
Aaron Hernandez Uncovered March 17, 2018 - March 18, 2018 A detailed look at Aaron Hernandez’s life, a millionaire athlete with a fiancé and baby, convicted of murder. New details and never-before-seen interviews explain his troubled past and murder allegations.
American Medevac September 17, 2017 During the Vietnam War, CBS News correspondent Morton Dean and cameraman Greg Cooke flew on a harrowing medevac mission to rescue three wounded infantrymen from an enemy infested rice paddy. American Medevac tells the story of finding these men and their emotional reunion, more than 40 years later.
Andre The Giant April 10, 2018 A look at the life and career of professional wrestling’s most beloved legend, André René Roussimoff, a.k.a. "Andre The Giant.” Through interviews and never before seen footage, the film is a revealing and intimate portrait of one of pop culture’s most recognizable, yet misunderstood, figures.
Baltimore Rising November 20, 2017 Baltimore Rising goes deep behind the scenes of a city on edge in the wake of Freddie Gray’s death in police custody, which sparked protests and riots. The film follows local activists, police officers, community leaders and gang affiliates as they fight for change and struggle to hold Baltimore together.
Biggie: The Life Of Notorious B.I.G. (Biography Presents)
September 04, 2017 Biggie: The Life of Nortorious B.I.G. is the first biography to be authorized by the estate of the late Christopher Wallace. This documentary provides interviews with his widow, his mother, close friends and multiple cultural icons.
Billy Graham: An Extraordinary Journey March 04, 2018
Billy Graham: An Extraordinary Journey takes a deep and personal look at the historical Billy Graham – the man, the mission and the message. Featuring interviews with well-known and trusted personalities, the documentary focuses on the journey of one man sharing one message. Charles Manson: The Final Words December 03, 2017 The documentary features exclusive interviews with Charles Manson over the last year of his life, and presents an alternative explanation that could challenge the “Helter Skelter” murder theory. Filmmakers raise serious questions as to whether the ends justify the means in order to convict a notorious villain.
Cold Blooded: The Clutter Family Murders November 18, 2017 - November 19, 2017 Focuses on the infamous crime that shocked the nation and was chronicled in Truman Capote’s seminal book, In Cold Blood, the brutal murder of four members of the Clutter family in their Kansas home seemingly without motive. The true crime documentary takes a fresh in-depth look at the legendary case.
Dahmer On Dahmer: A Serial Killer Speaks
November 11, 2017 - November 12, 2017 Dahmer On Dahmer: A Serial Killer Speaks dives into the mind of America’s most notorious serial killer. Looking back on her exclusive interview with Dahmer, investigative journalist Nancy Glass highlights on- and-off-camera conversations detailing Dahmer’s disturbing crimes through his own words, giving insight into his depraved manner and reasons for killing.
Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated October 17, 2017 This documentary gives an intimate look into Demi Lovato's life. It takes you on a journey as she creates her most important body of work in music, and discovers her most authentic self.
Elizabeth Smart: Autobiography (Biography Presents) November 12, 2017 - November 13, 2017 Fifteen years after her abduction at age 14, Elizabeth Smart takes control of her narrative, sharing her perspective on her captivity, rape, recovery, and advocacy for other victims. A bold redefinition of victimhood, the two-part documentary reveals how Smart outwitted her captors to make her rescue possible.
Elvis Presley: The Searcher April 14, 2018 - April 14, 2018
A two film, three-hour presentation taking the audience on a comprehensive journey from Elvis’ childhood through the final 1976 Jungle Room recording sessions. The film includes stunning atmospheric shots taken inside Graceland, and features more than 20 new, primary source interviews, plus never-before-seen photos and footage from private collections worldwide.
Eric Clapton: Life In 12 Bars
February 10, 2018
Told through his own words and songs, Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars is a moving and insightful film about one of the great artists of the modern era. Gaga: Five Foot Two September 22, 2017 Follow pop provocateur Lady Gaga as she releases a new album, preps for her Super Bowl halftime show, and confronts physical and emotional struggles.
Icarus August 04, 2017 In this documentary, one man risks his safety to reveal the shocking details of Russia's alleged massive doping program for Olympic athletes.
If You're Not In The Obit, Eat Breakfast June 05, 2017 Writer-comedian Carl Reiner asks, “What’s the secret to living into your 90s—and loving every minute of it?” Reiner chats with nonagenarians Mel Brooks, Dick Van Dyke, Kirk Douglas, Norman Lear, Betty White and admirers like Jerry Seinfeld about how the twilight years can be the happiest and most rewarding.
Into The Night: Portraits Of Life And Death March 26, 2018 Into The Night: Portraits Of Life And Death, explores the various ways we think about death -- not death in general, but our own in particular.
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - Featuring A Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention Of Tony Clifton November 17, 2017 Through the lens of his immersive performance as Andy Kaufman, Jim Carrey ponders the meaning of life, reality, identity and career.
John McCain: For Whom The Bell Tolls
May 28, 2018 This is an improbable story of triumph, defeat and resilience, six decades of, in John McCain’s words, "imperfect service to my country," in which mistakes are redeemed by the risks taken and sacrifices made. It's a lesson in patriotism at a time when the meaning of that virtue is disputed.
Jonestown: The Women Behind The Massacre February 26, 2018
This powerful special focuses on four women within Jim Jones’ inner circle and their influence on the 1978 Jonestown Massacre that left 918 people dead. It explores the dynamics of sex and power in The People’s Temple between Jones’ wife, secretaries and mistresses who planned the infamous mass murder/suicides.
Lake Of Betrayal March 12, 2018
Lake Of Betrayal explores an untold story from American history about a one-sided battle pitting an impoverished Native American nation against some of the strongest political, social and commercial forces in the country during the era of Indian termination of the 1950s and 60s. March Of The Penguins 2: The Next Step March 23, 2018
Luc Jacquet returns to the Antarctic to revisit the Emperor Penguins who call the frozen continent home. A decade after the first film, Jacquet spent two months shooting in the Antarctic winter using 4K cameras, airborne drones, and under-ice diving to show the astonishing lives of these mysterious creatures.
Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed The World
September 12, 2017 A fresh look at Martin Luther's harrowing quest to challenge the powerful, setting history on a new trajectory—toward equality, women's rights, universal education, and dignity for people from all walks of life.
Mister Rogers: It's You I Like March 06, 2018
Mister Rogers: It's You I Like celebrates Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, the pioneering series that became an iconic and enduring children’s television production. The retrospective features interviews with celebrities who have been influenced and inspired by Fred Rogers. Cast members from the series also share their personal perspectives and insights.
More Than T
June 23, 2017 Beyond the headlines and debates about gender, witness the multidimensional lives of seven transgender and gender nonconforming individuals.
New Wave: Dare To Be Different March 30, 2018
U2, Talking Heads, Duran Duran, Blondie and most top 80’s musical artists might be unknown if not for tiny radio station, WLIR. The biggest artists of the era tell how ‘LIR battled the FCC, record labels, mega-radio and the “rules” to create a musical movement that changed American culture forever.
Obey Giant November 11, 2017 Obey Giant takes us into the underground world of street art, profiling the rise of artist Shepard Fairey from his roots in punk rock and skateboarding, to presidential politics—through his iconic Obama HOPE poster and the controversy that surrounded it.
Operation Odessa March 31, 2018
This is a true crime documentary featuring a Russian mobster, a Miami playboy and a Cuban spy who sold a Soviet submarine to a Colombian drug cartel for $35 million. Following three friends who hustled the Russian mob, the Cali cartel and the DEA for the score of a lifetime. Paradox
March 23, 2018 Neil Young and his band of outlaws sow seeds of strange mischief and musical wonder under Western skies in this dreamlike film.
Rise Up: The Movement That Changed America April 04, 2018
From LeBron James and Stanley Nelson, RISE UP reveals how strategy and sacrifice drove the greatest successes of the Civil Rights movement. Told by the women and men who led the way, this is a timely story of what it takes to achieve change in the face of withering resistance.
Rolling Stone: Stories From The Edge
November 06, 2017 - November 07, 2017 Rolling Stone: Stories From The Edge chronicles the last 50 years of American music, politics and popular culture through the story of the magazine. Drawing on interviews with some of Rolling Stone’s greatest writers, the documentary looks at how the magazine defined the zeitgeist and endured for a half-century.
Seeing Allred February 09, 2018
Explore the public and private sides of feminist firebrand attorney Gloria Allred, who's battled some of the biggest names in politics and business.
Spielberg October 07, 2017 Spielberg pulls back the curtain on the remarkable career of filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Featuring interviews with Spielberg, family members, friends and colleagues, the film is a remarkably intimate portrait, combining personal narrative with an in-depth exploration of Spielberg’s creative process and craftsmanship.
The Story Of Diana August 09, 2017 - August 10, 2017
Marking the 20th anniversary of the tragic passing of the Princess of Wales, The Story Of Diana examines the complex and enduring power of an icon through the voices of her friends, her public, and the rapt media who followed her every move.
The Story Trek: After The Storm: Refugio Strong
January 16, 2018 Veteran reporter Todd Hansen revisits Refugio Texas, a town in the direct path of Hurricane Harvey. He hears shocking stories of how people survived that frightening night. Todd learns of another tragedy that hit the town just weeks after the hurricane. He is inspired by how the community pulls together.
Tickling Giants December 18, 2017
This is the story of Bassem Youssef, an Egyptian political satirist known as "The Jon Stewart of Egypt," showcasing a celebration of free speech in the face of a repressive regime. Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie
April 27, 2018 Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie surveys 60 years of women in culture through the lens of this 11.5 inch, Zelig-like plastic icon. Featuring interviews with Gloria Steinem, Roxane Gay, Peggy Orenstein, Mattel insiders and cultural historians, the documentary reveals the progression and regression in the fight for gender equality.
Too Funny To Fail
October 21, 2017
A look behind one of the most spectacular failures in television history, the creators, network execs, and cast (including then unknowns Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert) recount the strange and hilarious history of The Dana Carvey Show, the irreverent primetime sketch comedy show that aired for only seven episodes on ABC.
Waco: Madman Or Messiah January 28, 2018 - January 29, 2018 From archives of never-before broadcast audio and rare footage, recovered from 247 FBI negotiation tapes, this is the definitive account of David Koresh and the Branch Davidians in the years leading up and including the 51-day standoff with the FBI in 1993 which ended in tragedy in Mount Carmel, TX.
Wait For Your Laugh May 01, 2018
The untold story of fame, love, tragedy & 90 years of American entertainment through the eyes of the woman who did it all - Rose Marie.
Wasted! The Story Of Food Waste May 28, 2018 Every year, 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted. $218 billion worth of food goes untouched, yet 800 million people around the globe are starving… Wasted! follows the world’s most influential chefs and innovators in their fight to solve one of the greatest problems of the 21st Century.
Whitney: Can I Be Me
August 25, 2017 Whitney: Can I Be Me offers an uncensored look into Six-time Grammy® winner Whitney Houston’s life and how her death impacted those around her and the world of music.
WWE 24: Empowered March 19, 2018
A look at the journey of WWE’s female Superstars. The Zen Diaries Of Garry Shandling March 26, 2018 - March 27, 2018
The Zen Diaries Of Garry Shandling features conversations with the legendary comedian’s family and friends, personal journals, private letters and candid home audio and video that reveal his brilliant mind and restless soul. Like its subject, the film transcends easy definition - hilarious, sad, fascinating and, above all, completely authentic.
End of Category Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Series
America Divided America Divided explores the most provocative topics at the heart of today’s cultural and political discourse. The four-part second season tackles sexual harassment, Native American rights, sanctuary cities, coal mining and Confederate monuments, all topics inciting conversation as well as controversy across America today.
America's War On Drugs America's War On Drugs uncovers how the CIA, in its fight against communism, allied itself with the mafia and foreign drug traffickers. This 50 year history of lies and unintended consequences is told through the firsthand accounts of CIA and DEA officers, drug traffickers, gang members, noted experts and insiders.
American Dynasties: The Kennedys A six-part documentary series revealing how the personalities, relationships, motivations and convictions of one dynasty helped shape the politics of a nation. It explores how the family’s aspirations informed and influenced seismic national and global events during one of the most transformative periods of American history.
American Experience American Experience brings to life the incredible characters and epic stories that have shaped America’s past and present, a wide and varied collection of our country’s historical moments.
American Masters
Illuminating the lives and creative journeys of our nation’s most enduring artistic giants, these individually crafted programs reflect the particular style and attention each subject deserves, capturing the extraordinary mosaic of our creative heritage and broadening appreciation for our nation’s traditions and character.
Black Love Created by newlywed filmmakers to highlight love stories from the Black community. The series pulls back the curtain on how love begins and the reality of life-long love. Features love stories from some successful people in entertainment as well as everyday couples, each offering a unique take on love.
Blue Planet II Blue Planet II takes viewers on a journey into the trippy mesmerizing world of our oceans – the most undiscovered place on our planet. By using cutting-edge breakthroughs in science and technology to explore this final frontier, the series reveals otherworldly places and extraordinary new animal behaviors.
Bobby Kennedy For President
Historic footage and leading voices of the era examine the "Bobby Phenomenon" of the 1960s and the legacy of the man who helped redefine the country. Breaking The Day Ordinary people tend to avoid risk in their lives, but some use the danger to define them. Follow the stories of eight individuals, each preparing for a day that has the potential to be their greatest achievement or most crushing defeat.
Chef's Table Chef's Table features six of the world’s most renowned international chefs, and offers viewers the opportunity to go inside the lives and kitchens of these culinary talents.
The Circus
Political insiders John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Alex Wagner take you behind the scenes of the wildest political show on earth. With an embattled White House, this real-time documentary series covers the inside story from every angle, revealing the high-stakes impact throughout our divided states of America.
The Confession Tapes This true crime documentary series investigates cases where people convicted of murder claim their confessions were coerced, involuntary or false.
Criminal Confessions Criminal Confessions delves into the psychological showdown that transpires inside actual police interrogation rooms between investigators and suspects and dissects what it takes to yield a confession.
Death Row Chronicles Death Row Chronicles is a documentary series that tells the definitive story of Death Row Records, the notorious rap label founded by Marion “Suge” Knight that turned Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur into pop superstars.
The Defiant Ones A four-part documentary series about the legendary careers and improbable partnership of music producers and moguls Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre—one the son of a Brooklyn longshoreman, the other straight out of Compton—and the musical stars, hits, and controversy they’ve inspired from the late ‘70s through today.
Dirty Money From crippling payday loans to cars that cheat emissions tests, this investigative series exposes brazen acts of corporate greed and corruption.
The Disappearance Of Natalee Holloway Following real-time investigations inside the biggest missing cases of the past century, this series shadows Dave Holloway and private investigator T.J. Ward in the latest and perhaps final chapter of a decade-long pursuit to uncover what really happened to Natalee in Aruba in 2005. Evil Genius The truth behind an extraordinary criminal case, known as the “pizza bomber heist,” is brought to light in Evil Genius. In 2003, a robbery gone wrong and a terrifying public murder capture the nation’s attention, and a bizarre collection of Midwestern hoarders, outcasts, and lawbreakers play cat-and- mouse with the FBI.
First In Human Narrated by Jim Parsons, First In Human gained access inside NIH’s Building 10 to follow four patients battling untreatable diseases as they undergo a “First in Human” trial. If these initial tastings of new therapies are successful, both doctor and patient are writing the next chapter of medical history.
Flint Town Over a two-year period, filmmakers embedded with cops in Flint, Michigan reveal a department grappling with volatile issues in untenable conditions.
The Fourth Estate This documentary series about The New York Times in the Trump era illuminates critical issues facing journalism today. Through exclusive interviews, the series chronicles the tenacious men and women in the trenches; fighting for the freedom of the press and America's right to know.
History Of Comedy
The definitive look at the comedic art form, History of Comedy explores comedy through topics including race, headlines, hardship, parody, and politics. Using archival footage and interviews with comedy legends, the series investigates how comedy has influenced and been affected by the political and social landscape throughout history.
James Cameron's Story Of Science Fiction (AMC Visionaries) A uniquely intimate, insiders’ look at the origins of the genre that is a cornerstone of popular culture. James Cameron explores science fiction’s roots, futuristic vision and our fascination with it. It’s a journey of discovery and exploration, helping us understand where the ideas originated and where they’re taking us.
Last Chance High At Chicago's Moses Montefiore Academy, dedicated staff hopes to change the lives of the nation's most at-risk students.
Marcia Clark Investigates The First 48 Expert prosecutor and former defense attorney Marcia Clark delves into some of America’s most shocking crimes that have remained unsolved or that ended with controversial outcomes. Each episode focuses on a specific case and examines the first 48 hours after the crime to reveal new angles and unravel enduring mysteries.
The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen
The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen tells the story of the first 75 volatile years of the United States and the trailblazers, from Daniel Boone to Davy Crockett, who dared to venture across millions of unknown acres to transform a vast wilderness into a nation. The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All
This series re-examines a true crime tragedy through the lens of one of the convicted killers. It features new and exclusive in-depth interviews with Erik Menendez as well as never before seen photos, plus new interviews with prosecutors, family, friends and experts.
Murder In The Heartland
Murder In The Heartland documents a town and its people through a murder that tore through it. The townspeople not only become our storytellers, but they also hold the clues to the puzzle that has forever changed their lives and how they understand their home.
1968
1968 is an in-depth chronological look at the year that changed everything, diving deep into the Vietnam War, the civil unrest, the political landscape, and the popular culture of the most impactful year of one of the most important decades in history.
The Nineties The Nineties takes us back to the presidencies of George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, technological triumphs, terrorist tragedies, the grunge revolution and the ascendance of hip-hop, interracial conflict across the country, and the genre-bending new era of television that set the stage for the way we live today.
OHNI Case Files The surgical team at Osborne Head and Neck Institute face the most challenging cases of their careers. Watch as they take on impossible odds to help give people back their lives.
Poetry In America
Poetry In America gathers distinguished athletes, poets, politicians, musicians, scientists, artists, and citizens of all ages to explore 12 unforgettable American poems. Visually dazzling and emotionally intense, each episode invites viewers to see, to hear, to share— and to be changed by— the power of poetry.
The Putin Interviews Oliver Stone was granted access to Russian president Vladimir Putin conducting interviews over two years, with no topic off-limits, providing insight into Putin's personal and professional lives.
The Radical Story Of Patty Hearst
The transformation of Patty Hearst from kidnapped heiress to terrorist is a saga of privilege, celebrity and violence that gripped the nation. Over forty years later, this six-part documentary series includes firsthand accounts that shed light on one of the most bizarre stories in modern American history.
Rapture
Groundbreaking artists share their life stories in this documentary series that captures hip-hop's impact on global culture. Road To 9/11
This series provides an overview of events that led to the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history. Weaving together the complex global connections that developed over two decades, the story is told by over 50 investigators and officials who recognized the growing threat, but were unable to prevent the attack.
Robert Kirkman's Secret History Of Comics (AMC Visionaries) This six-part one-hour documentary series takes a deeper look into the amazing stories, people and events that have transformed the world of comic books and features interviews with icons like Stan Lee, Patty Jenkins, Lynda Carter, Kevin Smith, Famke Janssen, J.K. Simmons, Michelle Rodriguez, and Todd McFarlane, among many others.
The Toys That Made Us The minds behind history’s most iconic toy franchises discuss the rise – and sometimes fall – of their billion-dollar creations.
The Trade From Columbus, Ohio to Guerrero, Mexico and countless cities in between, the opioid epidemic has ravaged communities on both sides of the border. The Trade spotlights the crisis through the eyes of those most affected: the growers, addicts, cartel bosses and law enforcement hopelessly caught in its web.
Two Sides Two Sides encourages viewers to dissect and generate a healthy conversation about high profile cases of fatal police encounters. The series dissects and presents both sides of the story for Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, John Crawford and Ezell Ford.
Unsung Unsung shines a spotlight on talented and influential recording artists who have impacted both the music and culture of their time, and of our own.
Vanity Fair Confidential Vanity Fair Confidential takes viewers deep inside the Vanity Fair vaults for a closer look into some of the esteemed publication’s most shocking stories, featuring exclusive interviews with those closest to each case – including insights from the Vanity Fair writers and editors who worked on the original articles.
Wild Wild Country
When a controversial cult leader builds a utopian city in the Oregon desert, conflict with the locals escalates into a national scandal.
The Zodiac Killer: Case Closed The Zodiac Killer, one of the most famous and unidentified serial murderers in American history, sent cryptic messages that stumped and defied even the best code-breakers across generations, but new clues lead a team of investigators and code-breakers into cracking the infamous Zodiac Killer's code. End of Category