The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety or Reality Series is awarded to one television series each year. Prior to 2016, specials and series competed together. Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special now separately recognizes specials.
In the following list, the first titles listed in gold are the winners; those not in gold are nominees, which are listed in alphabetical order. The years given are those in which the ceremonies took place.
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Winners and nominations
1970s Outstanding Art Direction for a Single Episode of a Comedy-Variety or Music Series or a Comedy-Variety or Music Special Year Program Episode(s) Nominees Network 1970(22nd) Mitzi's 2nd Special E. Jay Krause NBC The Carol Burnett Show Paul Barnes, Bill Harp, Bob SansomCBS The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour Robert Checchi, Rene Lagler 1971(23rd) Robert Young and the Family James Trittipo, George Gaines CBS The Flip Wilson Show Romain Johnston NBC The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour Robert Checchi, Rene Lagler CBS Love Is Fred Luff Syndicated 1972(24th) Diana! E. Jay Krause ABC The Carol Burnett Show Paul Barnes, Bill Harp, Bob Sansom CBS The Flip Wilson Show Romain Johnston NBC The Glen Campbell Show Robert Checchi, Rene Lagler CBS 1973(25th) The Julie Andrews Hour Brian C. Bartholomew, Keaton S. Walker ABC The Carol Burnett Show Paul Barnes, Bill Harp, Bob Sansom CBS The Flip Wilson Show Romain Johnston NBC 1974(26th) Barbra Streisand...and Other Musical Instruments Brian C. Bartholomew CBS The Andy Williams Christmas Show Lynn Griffin, Rene Lagler NBC The Carol Burnett Show Paul Barnes, Bill Harp, Bob Sansom CBS 1975(27th) Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction or Scenic Design — Single Episode of a Comedy-Variety or Music Series or Comedy-Variety or Music Special Cher "Bette Midler, Flip Wilson and Elton John" Robert Checchi, Robert Kelly CBS An Evening with John Denver Dwight Jackson, Ken Johnson ABC Special Classification of Outstanding Program and Individual AchievementAs a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award. The nominee did not meet the benchmark and no award was given. Bicentennial Minutes Jack Stewart, John Hueners CBS 1976(28th) Cher "Anthony Newley and Tina Turner" Robert Checchi, Raymond Klausen CBS The Carol Burnett Show "The Pointer Sisters" Paul Barnes, Bill Harp, Bob Sansom CBS John Denver: Rocky Mountain Christmas Ken Johnson ABC Mary's Incredible Dream Eugene McAvoy CBS
Outstanding Art Direction for a Comedy-Variety or Music Series Year Program Episode(s) Nominees Network 1977(29th) The Mac Davis Show "Susan Saint James, The Pointer Sisters, Robert Shields and Lorene Yarnell" Romain Johnston NBC The Carol Burnett Show "Glen Campbell" Paul Barnes, Bill Harp, Bob Sansom CBS Donny & Marie "Chad Everett and Florence Henderson" Bill Bohnert, John Told ABC Saturday Night Live "Host: Sissy Spacek" Eugene Lee, Franne Lee, Leo Yoshimura NBC 1978(30th) The Richard Pryor Show "102" Roy Christopher NBC Captain and Tenille "120" Romain Johnston ABC The Carol Burnett Show "The Final Show" Paul Barnes, Bill Harp, Bob Sansom CBS Donny & Marie "Red Foxx, Kris Kristofferson and Paul Lynde" Arlene Alen, Bill Bohnert ABC Saturday Night Live "Host: Steve Martin" Eugene Lee, Franne Lee, Lee Mayman, Leo Yoshimura NBC
1980s Outstanding Art Direction for a Variety or Music Program Year Program Episode(s) Nominees Network 1980(32nd) Baryshnikov on Broadway Dwight Jackson, Charles Lisanby ABC The Big Show "Sarah Purcell and Flip Wilson" Brian C. Bartholomew, Tom Bugenhagen, Bob Keene NBC The Muppet Show "Beverly Sills" Malcolm Stone Syndicated Shirley MacLaine... "Every Little Movement" Debe Hendrick, Romain Johnston CBS 1981(33rd) The 53rd Annual Academy Awards Roy Christopher ABC Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters "Charley Pride" Romain Johnston, Jim Wagner ABC Diana Dwight Jackson, Charles LisanbyCBS Lynda Carter's Celebration Walter L. Goodwin, Ray Klausen The Muppet Show "Brooke Shields" Malcolm Stone Syndicated The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson "Charles Nelson Reilly" John Shrum NBC 1982(34th) The 54th Annual Academy Awards Ray Klausen ABC Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters "Tom Jones and R.C. Bannon" Romain Johnston, Jim Wagner ABC Baryshnikov in Hollywood Roy Christopher CBS Olivia Newton-John: Let's Get Physical Kim Colefax ABC Working (American Playhouse) Dwight Jackson, Charles Lisanby PBS 1983(35th) The 55th Annual Academy Awards Michael Corenblith, Ray Klausen ABC George Burns and Other Sex Symbols Rene LaglerNBC Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever Bob Keene Sheena Easton... Act One Romain Johnston Solid Gold Christmas Special '82 Rene Lagler, Larry Wiemer Syndicated 1984(36th) The 56th Annual Academy Awards Roy Christopher ABC The 6th Annual Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts Ray Klausen CBS Live... and in Person "101" Debe Hale, Rene Lagler NBC Lynda Carter: Body and Soul Debe Hale, Romain Johnston CBS On Stage America "Premiere" Debe Hale, Rene Lagler Syndicated 1985(37th) The 57th Annual Academy Awards Rene Lagler, Jeremy Railton ABC The American Music Awards Ray Klausen ABC Motown Returns to the Apollo Bob Keene CBS The 1st Annual MTV Video Music Awards Charles Lisanby Syndicated The 11th Annual People's Choice Awards William H. Harris, Anthony Sabatino CBS 1986(38th) The 58th Annual Academy Awards Roy Christopher ABC Alice in Wonderland "Part 2" Ross Bellah, Audrey Blasdel-Goddard, Hub Braden, Phillip M. Jefferies, Robert De VestelCBS The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts Rebecca Holler Barkley, Ray Klausen The Magic of David Copperfield... In China John Shaffner, Joe Stewart, Jack Hart The 12th Annual People's Choice Awards William H. Harris, Anthony Sabatino 1987(39th) Liberty Weekend — Closing Ceremonies Charles Lisanby ABC The 59th Annual Academy Awards Roy Christopher, Gregory S. RichmanABC Diana Ross: Red Hot Rhythm and Blues Romain Johnston Happy Birthday, Hollywood Randy L. Blom, Paul Galbraith, Ray Klausen The Magic of David Copperfield IX: The Escape from Alcatraz John Shaffner, Joe Stewart, Jack Hart CBS 1988(40th) Barry Manilow: Big Fun on Swing Street Charles Lisanby CBS Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour Romain Johnston NBC The Magic of David Copperfield X: The Bermuda Triangle John Shaffner, Joe StewartCBS We the People 200: The Constitutional Gala Rene Lagler Women of the Night II Jane Fletcher HBO 1989(41st) The Tracey Ullman Show "All About Tammy Lee Maggie in Peril, Part 2" Portia Iversen, Bernie Yeszin Fox The Glenn Miller Band Reunion Roy Christopher, Greg Richman PBS The Magic of David Copperfield XI: The Explosive Encounter John Shaffner, Joe StewartCBS The Pat Sajak Show "Jeffrey Osborne" Fred Cooper, Fred M. Duer, William H. Harris, Anthony Sabatino Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special Jimmy Cuomo, Ric Heitzman, Debbie Madalena, Gary Panter, Paul Reubens, Wayne White
1990s Year Program Episode(s) Nominees Network 1990(42nd)The 62nd Annual Academy Awards Roy Christopher, Greg Richman ABCThe 17th Annual American Music Awards Randy Blom, Elina Katsioula, Ray KlausenABCJulie & Carol: Together Again Rene LaglerSammy Davis Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration Robert A. Coltrin, Bob Keene The Tracey Ullman Show "Creative Differences," "Tea," "Jinx Haber Revisited" Anne Ahrens, Richard James Lawrence, Stephen Lineweaver Fox 1991(43rd)The Magic of David Copperfield XIII: Mystery on the Orient Express John Shaffner, Joe Stewart CBSThe 63rd Annual Academy Awards Raymond Klausen, Keaton S. Walker ABC Carol & Company "Spudnik" Portia Iversen, David Sackeroff NBC 1992(44th)The Magic of David Copperfield XIV: Flying — Live the Dream John Shaffner, Joe Stewart CBSThe 64th Annual Academy Awards Roy Christopher, Chris Idoine, Greg Richman ABC The Carol Burnett Show "405" Roy Christopher, Debe Hale, Ron Olsen CBSThe 6th Annual Soul Train Music Awards Alan Okazaki, Tony Sabatino, Scott M. Storey SyndicatedThe 45th Annual Tony Awards John Falabella, Anna Louizos, Rosaria Sinisi CBS 1993(45th)The Magic of David Copperfield XV: Fires of Passion David Eckert, John Shaffner, Joe Stewart CBSThe 65th Annual Academy Awards Tony Buderwitz, Jerry Dunn, Bob Keene ABCLiza Minnelli Live from Radio City Music Hall Michael Hotopp NPTThe 1992 Tony Awards John Falabella, Anna Louizos, Rosaria Sinisi CBSTosca: In the Settings and at the Times of Tosca Aldo Terlizzi PBS 1994(46th) Porgy and Bess (American Playhouse / Great Performances) John Gunter, Eric Walmsley PBS The 66th Annual Academy Awards Randy L. Blom, Roy Christopher, Elina Katsioula ABC Late Show with David Letterman "101" Kathleen AnkersCBS The Tony Awards Roy Christopher, Chris Idoine, Stephan G. Olson Wheel of Fortune "Wheel of Fortune in Miami" Richard Eisbrouch, Renee Hoss-Johnson, Dick Stiles Syndicated 1995(47th) Late Show with David Letterman "379" Kathleen Ankers CBS The 67th Annual Academy Awards Randy L. Blom, Roy Christopher, Elina Katsioula ABC Barbra Streisand: The Concert Marc Brickman, David George HBO Disney's Greatest Hits on Ice Artie Contreras, Charles Lisanby, Keaton S. WalkerCBS The Magic of David Copperfield XVI: Unexplained Forces David Eckert, John Shaffner, Joe Stewart 1996(48th) Muppets Tonight "Host: Tony Bennett" Jim Dultz, Val Strazovec, Jenny Wilkinson ABC The 68th Annual Academy Awards Rebecca Holler Barkley, Ray Klausen, Keaton S. Walker ABC The Best of Tracey Takes On... Chez Cherry, Toby Corbett, Keith Neely, Sandy Struth HBO Magicians' Favorite Magicians Rob Allen, Romain Johnston CBS The Tonight Show with Jay Leno "914" R. Brandt Daniels, Dennis Craig Roof NBC 1997(49th) Centennial Olympic Games: Opening Ceremonies Steve Bass, Bob Keene NBC The 69th Annual Academy Awards Roy Christopher, Michael G. Gallenberg, Elina Katsioula ABC Bette Midler: Diva Las Vegas Bob DeMora HBO Muppets Tonight "Host: Jason Alexander" Jim Dultz, Val Strazovec, Jenny Wilkinson ABC Tracey Takes On... "Vegas" Chez Cherry, Toby Corbett, Kristen Messina HBO 1998(50th) Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella Julie Kaye Fanton, Edward L. Rubin, Randy Ser ABC The 70th Annual Academy Awards Dorothy Christopher, Roy Christopher, Stephan G. Olson, Keaton S. Walker ABC The 40th Annual Grammy Awards Bob Keene, Brian Stonestreet CBS Stomp Out Loud Maggie Goldman, Steve Kimmel, Ben OshmanHBO Tracey Takes On... "Smoking" Chez Cherry, Chip Dox, Evette Knight 1999(51st) The 71st Annual Academy Awards Roy Christopher, Stephan G. Olson ABC The 41st Annual Grammy Awards Bob Keene, Brian Stonestreet CBS The Three Tenors: Paris 1998 René Lagler PBSTracey Takes On... "Obsession" Toby Corbett, Suzuki Ingerslev, Evette KnightHBO "Scandal" Chez Cherry, Suzuki Ingerslev, Evette Knight
2000s