Everything you're too embarrassed to ask about the Emmys

The 66th Emmy Awards are upon us. Here's everything you need to know about how the best talents on television will be recognized this year:

1) What are the Emmys?

The Emmy is the biggest award given to television performances.  The award is given by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The Emmys are awarded every year on the Sunday before the fall television season premieres.

2) Why are there different kinds of Emmys?

When people talk about "the Emmys," they are most often referring to the Primetime Emmy Awards. The only shows and actors eligible for these awards are those that premiere, obviously, during primetime. In addition to the Primetime Emmys, Emmys are also given in the following categories: Daytime, Sports, News & Documentary, Technology & Engineering, International, and Regional.

3) When are the Emmys?

The 66th Emmy Awards ceremony will take place on August 25, 2014 at 8 p.m. ET. The show will be broadcast on NBC.

4) Who is hosting the Emmys this year?

Seth Meyers of Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Seth Meyers, will host. Meyers probably won't sing and dance like last year's host Neil Patrick Harris, but he should be bring plenty of jokes and laughs.

5) Who are the 2014 Emmy Nominees?

We have a full list of the 2014 Emmy Nominees here.

6) What network has the most nominations this year?

HBO, with a staggering 99, has the most nominations by far. By entering True Detective as a drama instead of a miniseries the network was able to snatch two nominations for Outstanding Drama and three nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama. No other network has more than 50 nominations.

7)  Who has the most Emmys ever?

Saturday Night Live is both the most nominated and most decorated Emmy candidate in history. The show has 156 nominations and 40 wins. The individual with the most Emmy wins is Carl Reiner, with 12.

8) What's an EGOT?

There are four major entertainment awards in American media: the Emmy, the Grammy, the Oscar, and the Tony. The Grammy is given for musical performance; the Oscar for film; and the Tony for stage performances. Remember Tracy Morgan's EGOT obsessionon 30 Rock? To "EGOT" is to win one of each of the major entertainment awards. Only 12 people have ever won all four awards. None of the 2014 Emmy nominees are eligible to EGOT at this year's awards.

9) Could anyone break a record this year?

Yes. If Jon Hamm loses for Lead Actor in a Drama, he will be the most nominated actor in that category without a win. Mad Men, despite being nominated 25 times, has never won an Emmy in an actor category. That could also change this year. If Kerry Washington wins for her role in Scandal, she would be the first black woman to win the Lead Actress in a Drama award. If Matthew McConaughey wins for Lead Actor, he will be the first man to win an Emmy and an Oscar in the same year. (Helen Hunt and Hellen Mirren have already done so in the actress category)

Additionally, Laverne Cox of Orange is The New Black is the first transgender Emmy nominee, and could become the first transgender Emmy winner.

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