Best Television Special

Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York showcases a pivotal performance from the band's career. Recorded at Memorial Ball Room in Reykjavik, Iceland, this live album features stripped-down versions of their iconic songs and several previously unreleased tracks. Kurt Cobain’s emotionally raw vocals and t...

Beyoncé’s *Lemonade* is a visually rich HBO television special presented as a visual album exploring themes of Southern Black womanhood, family, and infidelity. The project utilizes music, poetry, and cinematic imagery to create a powerful narrative. It's notable for its ambitious scope and innovati...

The 1965 television special A Charlie Brown Christmas adapts the beloved Peanuts comic strip. It’s recognized for its poignant exploration of the true meaning of Christmas, contrasting commercial celebrations with sincere reflection. The soundtrack, featuring jazz music, adds to its enduring appeal....

The 9/11 television special documents the unfolding events of September 11, 2001, through raw, firsthand video captured by CBS News producers within the World Trade Center. This unique record offers a visceral account of the attacks and their immediate aftermath. It is notable for its unprecedented...

The television special “Liza with a ‘Z’” captures Liza Minnelli at the height of her stage presence in 1972. The show’s significance lies in its innovative choreography by Bob Fosse and its immediate recognition through four Primetime Emmy Awards – a rare achievement for a television special at the...

The 1968 “Comeback Special” features Elvis Presley’s historic televised concert, broadcast by NBC. It represents a significant moment in music history as it showcased his renewed commitment to live performance following a period of film dominance. The special provided a rare glimpse into Presley's m...

The Grinch Stole Christmas! is a beloved 1966 animated television special based on Dr. Seuss’s classic story. Chuck Jones directed this adaptation featuring iconic voice acting by Boris Karloff. It tells the tale of the grumpy Grinch who attempts to ruin Christmas for the Whos of Whoville, highlight...

The Beatles Anthology offers an extensive look at the iconic British rock group’s life and work. Featuring substantial amounts of previously unseen film and audio recordings, it details the band's evolution from their early days to their final breakup. Primarily intended for fans of The Beatles, mus...

Beyoncé’s Homecoming captures her electrifying 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival headlining set. The special is notable for its celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through music, visuals, and a powerful tribute to Black student life. It offers a significan...

The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a beloved animated television special originating from the Peanuts comic strip. Created in 1966, it depicts Charlie Brown’s persistent hope for the Great Pumpkin to rise from the pumpkin patch on Halloween night. This story resonates with children and adults who a...

Bill Hicks’ “Relentless” offers a raw and uncompromising look at the comedian’s perspective on society, religion, and consumerism. Recorded in London in 1992, this television special showcases his distinctive blend of sharp wit and challenging observations. It is notable for its intellectual depth a...

The six-part ESPN documentary series *O.J.: Made in America* meticulously examines the life of former NFL star Orenthal James Simpson, from his early successes to his highly publicized murder trial and subsequent conviction. Ezra Edelman’s work utilizes extensive archival footage and interviews with...

Bo Burnham’s Inside (2021) is a Netflix television special presenting a deeply personal and innovative comedy performance. Filmed within a single room during lockdown, it showcases Burnham's remarkable musical talent and sharp observational humor reflecting on isolation, the internet, and contempora...

“The Last Dance” is a 2020 ESPN documentary series offering unprecedented access to Michael Jordan’s career, particularly his final season with the Chicago Bulls. The series details the team's 1997-1998 championship run through archival footage and interviews, providing insights into Jordan’s compet...

The Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever television special documented the iconic Detroit-based music label’s history. Featuring performances from Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, and Michael Jackson, it showcased a remarkable reunion of Motown talent. The broadcast notably included Mich...

Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York is a seminal 1993 television special showcasing the band's raw and intimate performance. Featuring stripped-down versions of their hits alongside covers by artists like David Bowie and Bob Dylan, it demonstrated Nirvana’s musical depth and evolution. The recording...

The HBO television special “Simon & Garfunkel: The Concert in Central Park” captures a pivotal moment in music history. It documents the iconic 1981 reunion performance by the folk-rock duo at New York’s Central Park. Featuring beloved classics and showcasing their enduring harmonies, the concert re...

The Madonna: Blond Ambition World Tour Live television special captures the electrifying energy of Madonna’s 1990 tour finale. Broadcast by HBO, it documents her ambitious stage production featuring striking visuals and a dynamic performance style. This recording provides a rare glimpse into one of...

The 1965 CBS television special, My Name Is Barbra, marked Barbra Streisand’s groundbreaking first solo performance on national television. Featuring a diverse musical program encompassing pop, Broadway standards, and jazz, the show garnered widespread acclaim and secured five Emmy Awards. It remain...

Roots is a 1977 ABC miniseries adapting Alex Haley’s seminal novel. The program chronicles Kunta Kinte's journey from Gambia to America through multiple generations, powerfully illustrating the transatlantic slave trade and its enduring impact. It captivated a wide audience and remains a significant...

Jerrod Carmichael’s Rothaniel is a comedy television special presented by the acclaimed stand-up performer. The show gained significant attention through Carmichael's deeply personal and public declaration of his sexual orientation. It offers an intimate exploration of identity and family relationsh...

George Carlin’s “Back in Town” showcases the iconic comedian's sharp, observational stand-up routines recorded in New York City during 1996. The special offers a potent distillation of his signature style—a fearless examination of American society and language through a deliberately provocative lens...

Beyoncé’s *Lemonade* is a groundbreaking 2016 HBO television special serving as an accompaniment to her celebrated visual album. The project explores themes of Southern Black womanhood, family, and infidelity through interwoven music, film, and performance art. It's notable for its ambitious cinemat...

“Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” represents the final episode of the long-running CBS television series *M*A*S*H. This 1983 special offers a poignant conclusion to the stories of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital unit during the Korean War. It achieved unprecedented viewership for its time, provi...

Dave Chappelle’s “Killin’ Them Softly” is a significant 2000 stand-up comedy performance broadcast by HBO. The special showcased Chappelle's sharp observational humor and distinctive delivery during this pivotal moment in his career. It established him as a leading voice in contemporary comedy. This...

Live Aid was a monumental 1985 multi-network television special featuring simultaneous benefit concerts in London and Philadelphia. It united iconic musicians like Queen, Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder to raise critical funds for famine relief efforts in Ethiopia. The event demonstrated the power...

The Rankin/Bass television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, tells the story of an outcast young reindeer who discovers his unique nose is actually a gift. Premiered in 1964, this animated classic became a beloved holiday tradition through its imaginative depiction of Santa’s workshop and exp...

The Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour television special captures a recording of her monumental global concert event. It presents a comprehensive look at the extensive and highly successful “Eras” tour, showcasing performances from across Swift’s diverse musical career. This broadcast is available for str...

Dave Chappelle’s “For What It’s Worth” is a 2004 live stand-up performance showcasing his sharp social commentary and observational humor. The special, originally broadcast on Showtime, remains notable for its candid discussions about race, politics, and American culture. It's appreciated by fans of...