24th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 24th Emmy Awards, later known as the 24th Primetime Emmy Awards, were handed out on May 6, 1972. The ceremony was hosted by Johnny Carson. Winners are listed in bold and series' networks are in parentheses.
The top shows of the night were All in the Family and Elizabeth R. All in the Family set numerous records during the night, it became the first show to win six major awards,. It also became the first non-anthology drama to receive at least ten major nominations.
A milestone was set when All in the Family and Columbo each received every nomination in a major category, both for writing. This feat has become extremely rare as the field of nominees expanded to five and later six.
Glenda Jackson also made history by receiving three acting nominations for the same performance as Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth R. Rule changes have made this impossible in later ceremonies. In addition, by beating the Big Three TV networks, this was PBS' first win for Outstanding Drama. This show was also the first non-American made show to win this award.
Winners and nominees
Source:Note: Winners are listed in bold type.
Programs
Acting
Lead performances
Supporting performances
Single performances
Directing
Writing
Most major nominations
| Program | Category | Network | Number of Nominations |
| All in the Family | Comedy | CBS | 10 |
| The Mary Tyler Moore Show | Comedy | CBS | 8 |
| Columbo | Drama | NBC | 7 |
| Brian's Song | Special | ABC | 6 |
| Elizabeth R | Drama | PBS | 6 |
| The Six Wives of Henry VIII | Drama | CBS | 5 |
| The Snow Goose | Special | NBC | 5 |
| The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour | Variety | CBS | 5 |
| The Flip Wilson Show | Variety | NBC | 4 |
| Marcus Welby, M.D. | Drama | ABC | 4 |
| 'S Wonderful 'S Marvelous 'S Gershwin | Variety | NBC | 3 |
| The Carol Burnett Show | Variety | CBS | 3 |
| The Homecoming: A Christmas Story | Special | CBS | 3 |
| Julie and Carol at Lincoln Center | Variety | CBS | 3 |
| The Odd Couple | Comedy | ABC | 3 |
| Mannix | Drama | CBS | 3 |
| Sanford and Son | Comedy | NBC | 3 |
| The Glass House | Special | CBS | 2 |
| Jane Eyre | Special | NBC | 2 |
| The Trial of Mary Lincoln | Variety | PBS | 2 |
Most major awards
| Program | Category | Network | Number of Awards |
| All in the Family | Comedy | CBS | 6 |
| Elizabeth R | Drama | PBS | 4 |
| Brian's Song | Special | ABC | 3 |
| 'S Wonderful 'S Marvelous 'S Gershwin | Variety | NBC | 2 |
| The Carol Burnett Show | Variety | CBS | 2 |
| The Mary Tyler Moore Show | Comedy | CBS | 2 |
;Notes