The 72nd edition of Emmys Awards held virtually on Sunday, September 20, 2020. This was caused by the lockdown in its host city of Los Angeles, California, which imposed restrictions as a result of the Corona Virus pandemic.
The Emmy’s, which is one of the major entertainment award in America was the first major show since Covid-19 began.
The Nielsen company said 6.1 million people watched the Emmys on Sunday night, down from 6.9 million in 2019 and the third straight year of record low viewership. But the Emmys faced competition from both NFL football and the NBA Western Conference finals.
Emmy organizers went to painstaking lengths to ensure that cameras and camera operators were in as many nominee homes, backyards, and hotel rooms as possible on Sunday night.
They also hired drivers to deliver trophies to select winners, with the wheel-men and -women decked out in protective hazmat suits designed to look like tuxedos. (This was all explained early in the broadcast via a pre-taped segment sponsored by Kia.)
Over 130 cameras was shipped across America and to other countries to be set up in the homes of nominees ahead of the ceremony.
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the first ever virtual Television Academy award. He broadcasted live from an empty Staples Theatre. This will be the third time he hosts the Award.
Prior to the main event, nominees were announced as well as guidelines for the ceremony. Nominees joined the ceremony via Zoom. Winners also accepted their award equally via Zoom
In a letter sent to nominees by the organizers, they informed them that they will work with them remotely to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
The Television Academy awards aims to recognize and commend performance in the Television industry. This year’s award featured 26 categories. It was said to be a big deal because of the increased nominations. Especially for black actors making more than a third of the nominations.
This confirms the efforts of Television Academy in encouraging racial diversity on small screen. However, this did not do justice to Latino Americans.
Netflix, a big time streaming platform had 160 nominations. A few other streaming platforms also got nominations for the first time.
Some of such platforms are Disney+ with 19 nominations, Apple Tv+ with 18 nominations including Jennifer Aninston, Billy Cruding and Steve Carell program “The Morning Show” and Quibi, a short form streaming platform with 10 nominations, which includes cop spoof revival Reno 911! and dystopian thriller “Most Dangerous Game”.
A number of categories featured and winners are enumerated below.
In the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV movie category with 5 nominees, the winner is Mark Ruffalo in “I know This Much is True”.
In the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV movie category with 5 nominees, the winner is Regina King in “Watchmen”.
In the Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie category with 6 nominees, the winner is Yahya Abdul – Mateen II in “Watchmen”.
In the Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category with 6 nominees, the winner is Uzi Aduba in “Mrs America”.
In the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category with 6 nominees, the winner is Catherine O’ Hara in “Schiff’s Creek”.
In the Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category with 8 nominees, the winner is Dan Levy in “Schiff’s Creek”.
In the Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category with 8 nominees, the winner is Annie Murphy in “Schiff’s Creek”.
In the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category with 6 nominees, the winner is Jeremy Strong in “Sucesion”.
In the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category with 6 nominees, the winner is Zendaya in “Euphoria”.
In the Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category with 8 nominees, the winner is Billy Crudup in “The Morning Show”.
In the Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category with 8 nominees, the winner is Julia Garner in “Ozark”.
In the Outstanding Reality/Competition Series category, with 5 nominees, the winner is “Rupaul’s Drag Race”.
In the Outstanding Variety talk Series category with 5 nominees, the winner is “Last Week Tonight by John Oliver”.
In the Outstanding Limited Series category with 5 nominees, the winner is “Watchmen”.
In.the Outstanding Comedy Series category with 8 nominees, the winner is “Schiff’s Creek”.
In the Outstanding Drama Series category with 8 nominees, the winner is “Sucession”.
