A version of this story about Bruce Springsteen and “Springsteen on Broadway” first appeared in the Down to the Wire issue of TheWrap’s Emmy magazine.
The Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) category is often the province of comedy specials, from stand-up (Dave Chappelle, Louis C.K.) to politics (Stephen Colbert live on election night, specials from Full Frontal’s Samantha Bee) to icons (Carol Burnett, Steve Martin & Martin Short).
But this year it has a different look — or, perhaps, a different sound, because three of the five nominees are specials featuring huge music stars. There’s Beyoncé’s “Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé,” James Corden’s “Carpool Karaoke: When Corden Met McCartney Live From Liverpool” and director Thom Zimny’s “Springsteen on Broadway,” a concert film from the Tony-winning show.