The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for Variety Special is awarded to one television special each year. After being grouped together, the category was initiated alongside Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series in 2009. From the 1980s to 2000s, specials competed alongside series for Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program.
In the following list, the first titles listed in gold are the winners; those not in gold are nominees, which are listed in alphabetical order. The years given are those in which the ceremonies took place:
Winners and nominations
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy-Variety or Music Special
^As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award.
^As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award. The nominee did not meet the benchmark and no award was given.
^As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award.
^As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award.
^As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award.
^As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award.
^As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award.
^As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award. The nominee did not meet the benchmark and no award was given.
^As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award. The nominee did not meet the benchmark and no award was given.
^As a juried award, nominees had to garner 50% approval to win the award.
^12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief was simulcast live on 39 U.S. television stations and more than 25 websites. The Emmys listed no individual network with this nomination.
