The 72nd Emmy Awards looked nothing like it has in previous years. Jimmy Kimmel was the featured host, but there was no audience and no red carpet. The nominees were all sent professional cameras and an operator, if needed, as a way to be able to record themselves when they won and stream their reactions live. There were about 140 cameras from 20 cities around the world that needed to be juggled,a very daunting task.
Each of the potential winners received a glossy black box. Only the winner had a trophy in the box; the others were empty. There were some awards that were delivered to winners via presenters in themed hazmat suits made to look like formal wear.
Kimmel had his funny moments during the show. There was a mix of dark quarantine humor, requests for kindness and humanity, jokes about lack of representation, pleas to get out and vote and poignant commentary about social justice and racial reckoning that really helped to make the show better.
Usually, the host appears in the beginning and then shows up a few times during the show. But this year Kimmel was present from beginning to end. His monologue featured a laugh track and footage from previous award shows. When there was a clip that showed Kimmel in the audience, he showed the empty arena and the cardboard cutouts of the nominees. The best innovation of the show was turning ordinary essential workers into presenters.
The dress code for the Emmys was “come as you are, but make an effort.” Many people thought that the celebrities would show up in their finest PJs, but that wasn’t the case. The A-listers showed up in their evening best as they didn’t want to miss a chance to get dolled up. Some of the best dressed of the evening were Zendaya, Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washnigton and Regina King. But a few celebrities did decide to show up in PJs, including Rachel Brosnahan and Jameela Jamil.
There were some celebrities who made an in-person appearance. Two of these were Jennifer Aniston and Anthony Anderson.
In the United States, 6.1 million viewers watched the ceremony, making it the least-watched Emmys telecast in history according to Variety.com.
H.E.R. performed the memoriam, which included Chadwick Boseman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Naya Rivera, and many others who passed away this year.
Winners included Zendaya for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Drama Series, Mark Ruffalo for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, “Watchmen” for Outstanding Limited Series and “Succession” for Outstanding Drama Series.
“Schitt’s Creek” swept the Comedy Series category, winning Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Writing, Best Director, and Outstanding Comedy Series.