33rd Primetime Emmy Awards

33rd Primetime Emmy Awards
Date
  • September 13, 1981
    (Ceremony)
  • September 12, 1981
    (Creative Arts Awards)
LocationPasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, California
Presented byAcademy of Television Arts and Sciences
Hosted byShirley MacLaine
Edward Asner
Highlights
Most awardsHill Street Blues (6)
Most nominationsHill Street Blues (14)
Outstanding Comedy SeriesTaxi
Outstanding Drama SeriesHill Street Blues
Outstanding Limited SeriesShōgun
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy ProgramLily: Sold Out
Television/radio coverage
NetworkCBS
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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 (14) and wins (6) by a non-miniseries. NBC's ratings juggernaut Shōgun received eight major nominations, but only won one, for Outstanding Limited Series.