Indie streaming platform Dropout, formerly known as CollegeHumor, is vying for a spotlight at this year’s Primetime Emmys with an ambitious campaign to secure its first major nominations. With a passionate and niche audience, Variety has learned exclusively about Dropout’s top contenders submitted for Emmy love, including the innovative game show “Game Changer” and the unique interview series “Very Important People.”
“Game Changer,” a standout series hosted by Dropout CEO Sam Reich, turns the traditional game show format on its head. Each episode introduces a new game, but the twist is that the three comedian contestants are clueless about the rules until the game begins. The blend of improv comedy and fierce competition has not only captivated audiences but also spawned three successful spinoffs: “Dirty Laundry,” “Make Some Noise” and “Play It by Ear.”
Two of the season’s funniest episodes, “Sam Says 3” (featuring Jacob Wysocki’s epic ‘Super Saiyan’ transformation) and “Bingo” (featuring two separate, secret trios of contestants), are the episode submissions available on the TV Academy’s viewing platform. “Game Changer” was submitted for the first time last year when the TV Academy moved the outstanding game show category from the Daytime to Primetime ceremonies. It’ll face heavyweight staples in the category, such as the syndicated programs “Family Feud,” “Jeopardy,” and “Wheel of Fortune.”
Reich and Mulligan serve as executive producers for the multi-cam show alongside David Kerns, Adam Frucci, Kyle Rohrbach, Chloe Badner, Justin Cyrul and Paul Robalino.
Read: All Primetime Emmy predictions in every category on Variety’s Awards Circuit.
Meanwhile, “Very Important People,” hosted by Vic Michaelis, offers a fresh take on the interview format. Each episode features a comedian undergoing a transformation into a completely new character, conceived on the spot. This inventive approach to character creation has made “Very Important People” a standout in the short-form category, especially as it goes head-to-head with past winners like “Carpool Karaoke: The Series” from Apple TV+. Michaelis (who uses they/them pronouns) also starred in the Hallmark Channel’s “Round and Round,” further showcasing their versatility required for Emmy recognition.
However, there’s been a bump in the road for Dropout in the Emmy space. The beloved tabletop RPG comedy “Dimension 20: Dungeons and Drag Queens,” starring Brennan Lee Mulligan, faces a setback as it falls short of the eligibility requirements for both the outstanding limited or anthology series (which it planned to submit) and variety categories due to its four-episode season.
In a significant shift, the TV Academy merged the short-form performer categories earlier this year in response to dwindling submissions, reflecting a broader evolution in how digital content is recognized.
As Dropout redefines itself in the competitive streaming landscape, these Emmy pushes could mark a pivotal moment in its journey from “college humor” to a primetime contender. With a blend of bold programming and strategic positioning, Dropout is not just playing the game — it’s changing it.
The full list of Dropout’s Emmy submissions is below.
“Game Changer”
- Outstanding Game Show
- Outstanding Host for a Game Show — Sam Reich
- Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming
“Very Important People”
- Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Variety or Drama Series
- Outstanding Performance in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series — Vic Michaelis
On Wednesday, Dropout announced plans to rollout a series of live recorded standup comedy specials beginning with the June 12 launch of Hank Green‘s “Pissing Out Cancer,” taped at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. Six more specials will debut on Dropout as part of “Dropout Presents” throughout the year led by Dropout talent, including Mulligan and Adam Conover.
Source Agencies
