Honestly, if you were watching TV back in 2014, the Golden Globes felt like a fever dream. This scrappy little show about a Brooklyn police precinct—barely halfway through its first season—walked onto that stage and snatched Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. It didn't just win; it beat out heavyweights like Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory. People were baffled. But looking back at Brooklyn Nine-Nine the awards history, that early validation was exactly what kept the 99th precinct from being shut down before it even got started.
It's weird. Usually, comedies take a few years to find their legs with award voters. Brooklyn Nine-Nine did it in twelve episodes.
The Night Everything Changed for the 99
That 2014 Golden Globes ceremony was a massive turning point. Andy Samberg, playing the juvenile but brilliant Detective Jake Peralta, took home Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy. He looked genuinely shocked. You could tell he hadn't prepared a speech because he basically just thanked his "team" and stumbled through it. It was adorable. It was also a huge middle finger to everyone who thought he was just "the SNL guy."
But let’s be real. While Samberg got the trophy, the critics were already obsessing over someone else.
Andre Braugher: The Emmy Enigma
If there is one thing about Brooklyn Nine-Nine the awards journey that still stings for fans, it's the Emmy situation. Andre Braugher, who played Captain Raymond Holt with a deadpan gravitas that shouldn't have been that funny (but was), was nominated for a Primetime Emmy four times.
👉 See also: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
- 2014: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Nominated)
- 2015: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Nominated)
- 2016: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Nominated)
- 2020: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Nominated)
He never won the Emmy for this role. It feels like a robbery. To be fair, he did win two Critics’ Choice Television Awards for Best Supporting Actor in 2014 and 2016. The critics saw what the Emmy voters somehow missed—that Holt was the glue holding the entire comedic structure together.
Beyond the Big Three: GLAAD and Diversity
The show’s trophy case isn't just full of "Best Comedy" statues. One of the most significant wins in the history of Brooklyn Nine-Nine the awards happened in 2018. The show won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.
This wasn't just a "participation trophy." The show earned it by handling Rosa Diaz’s coming out story and Captain Holt’s marriage to Kevin with actual soul, not just punchlines. When Stephanie Beatriz (Rosa) and Melissa Fumero (Amy) accepted awards at the Imagen Awards, it highlighted how the show moved past lazy Latino stereotypes.
The 99th precinct actually looked like Brooklyn. That mattered.
✨ Don't miss: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Explained (Simply)
The Technical Wins You Probably Missed
You probably don't think about "stunt coordination" when you think of Jake Peralta sliding across a floor in his socks. But the industry did. Norman Howell, the show's stunt coordinator, actually won two Creative Arts Emmy Awards (2014 and 2015) for his work on the series.
Think about the "Halloween Heist" episodes. Those require a level of physical comedy and timing that most sitcoms don't even attempt.
A Quick Reality Check on the Numbers
People think this show was an "award juggernaut." It kinda wasn't. It was more of a "critical darling."
As of the show’s end, it had roughly 15 wins out of over 80 nominations. It was always the bridesmaid at the Emmys, despite being the internet's favorite show. It won a Shorty Award for its social media presence and a Gracie Award for Stephanie Beatriz's performance. It was a mosaic of mid-sized wins that proved the show was doing something right in every department.
🔗 Read more: Big Brother 27 Morgan: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Why the Awards Actually Saved the Show
In 2014, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was struggling with ratings on FOX. Most analysts agree that the double Golden Globe win basically forced the network to renew it. If they hadn't won, we probably wouldn't have gotten eight seasons. We wouldn't have gotten "The Box" (the Sterling K. Brown episode that earned him an Emmy nod) or the legendary "Backstreet Boys" lineup.
The awards weren't just about ego; they were about survival.
Take Action: How to Celebrate the 99 Today
If you’re feeling nostalgic or just want to see what all the award-season fuss was about, here is your roadmap:
- Watch "The Box" (Season 5, Episode 14): This is the peak of the show’s dramatic-comedy crossover. It’s the episode that almost won Sterling K. Brown an Emmy and showed exactly why Braugher was a master.
- Binge the Halloween Heists: To see the Emmy-winning stunt coordination in action, watch the heist episodes from Seasons 1 through 5. They are masterpieces of blocking and physical humor.
- Check out the 2018 GLAAD Speech: If you want to see the cast's heart, find the video of Beatriz and Peretti accepting their GLAAD award. It explains why the show's legacy is bigger than just jokes.
You can find the entire series streaming on Peacock or Netflix (depending on your region). Dive back in and see for yourself why the critics couldn't stop talking about the 99.