Emmy Showdown 2025: Beyoncé’s “Beyoncé Bowl” vs. SNL50 in High-Stakes Variety Special (Live) Race

The 2025 Emmy Awards just got even more exciting as the Best Variety Special (Live) category, originally slotted for the Creative Arts Emmys, has been officially upgraded to the Primetime Emmys telecast. The move signals the significance of this year’s star-powered nominees, and the potential for a Beyoncé Emmy breakthrough has taken center stage.

Primetime Promotion Signals a Big Moment

Set to air September 14 on CBS and stream on Paramount+, the 2025 Primetime Emmys will now host one of the year’s most buzzworthy categories. Leading the charge are:

• SNL50: The Anniversary Special (front-runner)

• Apple Music’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show starring Kendrick Lamar

• The Oscars (2025)

• Netflix’s Beyoncé Bowl

• SNL50: The Homecoming Concert

With two entries in the race, Saturday Night Live is positioned strongly thanks to its historical Emmy dominance and cultural legacy. But all eyes are on Queen Bey — and her relentless campaign to finally take home Emmy gold.

Beyoncé’s Aggressive Emmy Push

Despite 32 Grammy wins, Beyoncé has yet to win an Emmy Award, having lost eight previous Primetime races and one Daytime Emmy. But this year, she’s all in.

Her Netflix-exclusive halftime show, Beyoncé Bowl, performed during the NFL’s Christmas Day game, has earned four nominations, including:

• Best Variety Special (Live)

• Best Directing for a Variety Special

To support the campaign, Netflix has gone big — from billboards and bus stops across Los Angeles to an exclusive FYC event at SoFi Stadium. Voters were treated to a private screening of the performance followed by a Cowboy Carter Tour preview in luxury suites. While some criticized the spectacle as “pay-to-play,” the Television Academy approved the screening.

With the Emmy telecast now featuring her category, speculation is swirling: Will Beyoncé attend the ceremony — and finally break her losing streak?

Who Really Has the Edge?

While Beyoncé’s campaign has been bold, SNL50: The Anniversary Special remains the favorite, with 12 nominations and massive support across the board. Its companion special, The Homecoming Concert, is also in the running with six nods.

However, history shows that Super Bowl Halftime Shows have Emmy strength too — most notably the 2022 win for the Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg/Mary J. Blige performance. Could Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 show follow suit?

Even so, Beyoncé’s Beyoncé Bowl was praised for:

• Stunning visuals

• Vocal performance

• Bold Texan identity

• Tightly directed production

With nominations in both performance and directing, Beyoncé has multiple chances to secure her long-awaited Emmy victory.

Final Thoughts

With the Primetime Emmys fast approaching, the Variety Special (Live) category is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated showdowns of the night. Whether it’s SNL’s legacy, The Oscars’ prestige, or Beyoncé’s Emmy dream, the winner will make history.

Tune in live on September 14 — because this is more than an awards race. It’s a cultural moment.