The popular YouTube interview program “Hot Ones,” hosted by Sean Evans, has successfully petitioned to be included in the outstanding talk series category at the upcoming Emmy Awards. It will compete against established late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and Stephen Colbert, Variety confirmed.

Created by Chris Schonberger and produced by Complex Media, “Hot Ones” has amassed over 3 billion views since its debut in 2015. The show features celebrity guests being interviewed while consuming progressively spicier chicken wings. Seasons 21-23, totaling 36 episodes, fall within the Emmy eligibility window from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024.

Notable episodes during this period include appearances by Jennifer Lawrence (15 million views), Conan O’Brien (9.5 million views), Stephen Curry (8.2 million views), and *NSYNC (6.7 million views). In 2022, “Hot Ones” received a Daytime Emmy nomination for outstanding talk show entertainment, with Evans nominated for talk show host the previous year.

According to Variety, the inclusion of “Hot Ones” in the outstanding talk series category marks a potential disruption, as the category lacks a clear frontrunner. Meanwhile, the YouTube series “Good Mythical Morning” by Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal will compete in the outstanding short-form comedy, drama, or variety series category after a previous unsuccessful attempt in 2018.

British creator Amelia Dimoldenberg, known for her series “Chicken Shop Date,” is also entering the short-form race for the first time. The series features Dimoldenberg meeting celebrities for casual conversations at local chicken shops.

While YouTube has not formally submitted entries for the Emmys on behalf of its creators, Variety says the inclusion of these popular web programs indicates a growing desire for recognition by the TV Academy. In a recent The Hollywood Reporter guest column, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said the Emmys should allow more content creators into the Primetime space.