The socially distanced awards show had cardboard cut-out celebrities, trophies delivered via interns in hazmat suits and more.
A cracker opening monologue, laughter and cheers from the beautifully dressed people in the seats, a standing ovation for the host …
He revealed all the celebrities shown smiling in the crowd shots between his jokes were actually a camera trick. File footage.
Ozark star Jason Bateman argued he should be allowed to stay because he had very clean hands, which does not seem like COVID-safe compliance.
We also learned that the many nominees were safely at home and would be beamed in from around the world via more than 100 different video calls.
They would have their gongs delivered to their homes by a Television Academy employee wearing a tuxedo-style hazmat suit.
Watchmen’s Regina King summed up the general mood when a doorbell ring at her home meant she had won her category:
The first seven Emmys, all in comedy categories, went to the Canadian series which follows the formerly wealthy Rose family as they are forced to relocate to the less-than-ritzy titular town.
The Television Academy, which runs the Emmys, told the New York Times Daniel Levy’s success represented the biggest haul for a single nominee during the main broadcast.
Here’s everything you need to know about « the best sitcom you haven’t quite got around to watching yet ».
Jackman was up for his role in Bad Education but lost the Best Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie gong to Mark Ruffalo from I Know This Much Is True.
She was nominated for her role as a tough and determined detective in the crime drama Unbelievable.
And Sarah Snook was nominated for her role in Succession but missed out in the Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category. That one went to Ozark’s Julia Garner.
The 24-year-old had a large family contingent on hand when she was named Best Lead Actress in a Drama for her role as Rue in the series Euphoria.
« But I just want to say there is hope in the young people out there. I know our TV show doesn’t always feel like a great example of that. »
She beat Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Sandra Oh (Killing Eve), Laura Linney (Ozark), Olivia Colman (The Crown), and Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show).
Looking at the talent on that list, that’s a pretty impressive feat from such a young actress.
Aside from Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (Regina King), Watchmen scored Best Limited Series, Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Best Writing In a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Sequel.
An acclaimed series about the infighting among an ailing media mogul’s children (that is apparently NOT based on the Murdochs), Succession won the coveted Best Drama Series Emmy.
It beat Better Call Saul, The Crown, The Handmaid’s Tale, Killing Eve, Star Wars: The Mandalorian, Ozark and Stranger Things.
Various cast and crew were shown celebrating on a series of video calls, with writer Jesse Armstrong refusing to be interrupted by a « room service » phone call to his London hotel room while accepting the main award.
Succession also scored Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Jeremy Strong), Best Writing in a Drama Series and Best Directing in a Drama Series.
Strong’s acceptance speech, like most during the ceremony, featured a kiss from someone off-camera (presumably his wife) and a bit of awkward video-call applause from his fellow nominees.
In one skit, he was joined by an employee of the United States Postal Service named « Derrick » who spoke with a thick Eastern European accent (you’ll recognise him if you’ve seen Barry).
Kimmel didn’t seem too convinced when the postie suggested he was from « St Petersburg … Florida ».
While British writer Jesse Armstrong was accepting the Best Drama Series award for Succession, he gave us something a little different: a list of « un-thank yous », including to the coronavirus itself.
« Un-thank you to President Trump for his crummy and uncoordinated response. Un-thank you Boris Johnson and his government for doing the same in my country. »
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