Schitt’s Creek and Succession won Outstanding Comedy and Drama, along with several other hefty trophies, at the 72nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday (September 20th.) Jimmy Kimmel took on the hosting duties, his third stint doing so, and surely the most memorable one as the entire show—and awards shows more broadly—get a makeover for the post-COVID-19 era. Red carpets, hectic musical numbers are out, virtual pandemic-friendly entertainment and special guests dialing in from home are in.
While Kimmel beamed in from LA’s Staples Center solo(ish), nominees and guests were broadcast from their homes on ABC. There were several exceptions, including a memorable socially-distant, Lysol-soaked appearance from Jennifer Aniston involving a small fire.
The party got started with Kimmel welcoming us all to the “pan-d’emmys” during a year of “disaster,” “death” and “zoom-school.” As Kimmel pointed out, “The world may be terrible, but television has never been better.” He also explained the strange dynamic of how they created the show, with cameras in the homes of all of the nominees, drinking and partying from home.
Going in, HBO‘s Watchmen led with 26 nominations, while Netflix set a new network record with 160.
Ultimately, Schitt’s Creek won seven major awards, including three for Daniel Levy alone (outstanding actor, writer and supporting actor). Schitt’s Creek’s sweep set a new record for most wins in a single season for a comedy. Watchmen also made history as the first comic-book adaptation to snag a top Emmy for best limited series, the series also won best supporting actor, lead actress and writing. Jeremy Strong snagged best lead in a drama for Succession, while Zendaya won best actress. Succession also won outstanding drama and directing.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Before the show even got started, news broke that Giulana Rancic and Vivica A. Fox had to cancel their fashion pre-show on E! because they both tested positive for COVID.
Emmy interns in hazmat suits delivered statuettes because #2020.
Tracee Ellis Ross presented in person, primarily to encourage people to wear a mask and vote, but finally agreeing to present the actual award in exchange for a gift bag including a census form and bejeweled face mask.
The first seven Emmys went to Schitt’s Creek, setting the stage for a big sweep.
Over on Twitter, actors kept viewers entertained. Ramy Youssef clued us in to what happens when you don’t win, showing a video of an intern in a hazmat suit waving goodbye.
DJ D-Nice, who rose to prominence in the 1980s but has achieved a new level of fame in his “Club Quarantine” on Instagram Live kept the show flowing between takes.
Daniel Levy apologized for getting “political” and encouraged people to vote, love each other and celebrate inclusivity while accepting the award for Outstanding Comedy for Schitt’s Creek.
David Letterman presented the award for Outstanding Variety Talk Series from a backcountry road in a 1986 Emmys tux, with a roster of timely 80’s-era quips.
Regina King encouraged everyone to vote and “be a good human,” as she accepted the Outstanding Lead Actress award in Watchmen. “Rest in power RBG,” she said, acknowledging the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
While accepting the award with I Know This Much Is True, Mark Ruffalo pushed for the “less fortunate and most vulnerable, because that’s what’s great about America.” Like so many others, he encouraged people to “get out there and vote.”
Astronauts checked in from the International Space Station.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II dedicated his Emmy win to all of the Black women in his wife, whom he calls his “early investors” after winning for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series in Watchmen.
Cynthia Erivo toasted the power of television, and the power of unlocking new worlds to the entire world.
H.E.R. performed a searing “Nothing Compares 2 U,” for in memorium.
The Friends reunion at Jennifer Aniston’s crib (holla Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry).
Tyler Perry accepted this year’s Governors Award, and spoke about how he rediscovered the value of his heritage, and built a career on not only celebrating his own heritage, but help others celebrate theirs and more broadly, the “diversity” and “quilt of America.”
Zendaya seemed genuinely shocked and over the moon thrilled after winning outstanding actress in Euphoria. She also gave a shout to the “young people in the street” doing all the hard work.
WINNER’S LIST:
Outstanding Actress, Comedy: Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek
Outstanding Actress, Comedy: Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
Outstanding Writing, Comedy: Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek
Outstanding Director, Comey: Andrew Cividino and Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek
Outstanding Supporting Actor, Comedy: Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek
Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy: Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek
Outstanding Comedy: Schitt’s Creek
Outstanding Variety Talk Series: Last Week Tonight, With John Oliver
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: Regina King, Watchmen
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True
Outstanding Writing in a Limited Series or Movie: Damon Lindelof, Cord Jefferson, Watchmen
Outstanding Directing in a Limited Series or Movie: Maria Schrader, Unorthodox
Outstanding Supporting Actor, Limited Series or Movie: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen
Outstanding Supporting Actress, Limited Series or Movie: Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America
Outstanding Limited Series: Watchmen
Outstanding Competition Series: RuPaul’s Drag Race
Outstanding Lead Actor, Drama: Jeremy Strong, Succession
Outstanding Lead Actress, Drama: Zendaya, Euphoria
Outstanding Supporting Actor, Drama: Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
Outstanding Writing, Drama: Jesse Armstrong, Succession
Outstanding Directing, Drama: Andrij Parekh, Succession
Supporting Actress, Drama: Julia Garner, Ozark
Outstanding Drama: Succession