Emmy nominations have been announced and of course Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory are leading the comedic pack along with the usual pair from NBC; 30 Rock and The Office, but who is missing this year? Well, every year? Our animated favorites. Yes, they get nominated in their own little category, but is it fair to not let them compete with the flesh laugh makers? Family Guy has been the only animated series to break the wall down since The Flintstones and they still didn’t win. So that raises the question…Is the Academy prejudice against cartoons?

Simply put, yes. The Emmys are unfair for not acknowledging animated series that have been around for way longer than many of the nominees – The Simpsons and South Park. The Simpsons did what many television shows can’t do, make a movie and still continue to air new episodes. And what about South Park? Their creators swept the Tonys in 2011, so if the “classy” world of theatee can show respect towards the crude ways of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, why not the Emmys?

What could be the reasoning behind not showing these toons a little more respect? In my head they don’t want to lose out on “real” actors respect. I mean how would you feel if you were Tina Fey and a crude Colorado class outshine you in writing? Or if you were Steve Carell and your last stand as office manager was forgotten because of a man named Bob and his burger joint? They’d laugh to the press when asked but you know their egos would be pissed and their love for the Academy would be tarnished.

Another aspect to point out is other comedy shows may be intimidated by the versatility that comes along with being an animated series. They don’t have to worry about major set changes, costume designs and actors leaving because a voice can almost always be imitated. Well, with the exception of Chef from South Park…stupid Scientology and also, RIP Isaac Hayes.

These cartoons have made the step from child’s play to the big time, being some of the most well known in primetime, but aren’t getting their time to shine. Regular kids’ cartoons have the Kid’s Choice Awards, but the toons that don’t have a bedtime are left second class citizens of comedy when it comes to The Emmys. Will we ever see a day when American staple The Simpsons or even new primetime cartoons will be able to go up against the breathing competitors? Well this year alone all of the nominated cartoons have cult like following, so as popularity grows, so will the recognition (hopefully). Because in the end, it’s all a popularity contest, right?