The Television Academy put together an interesting award show last night. The 72nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards featured a combination of pre-recorded and live segments starring celebrities and frontline pandemic workers. Our new normal has called upon all industries and individuals to adapt to the moment. Last night’s ceremony showcased the creativity, versatility, and massive reach of television.
And the Emmy Goes To...
Comedy Series
The little Canadian show that did, Schitt’s Creek, was the biggest winner sweeping all seven comedy categories. Fittingly, the Schitt’s Creek Emmy viewing party looked like a mini Golden Globes, both in setting and merriment.
Father-son duo Eugene and Daniel Levy created the series that completed its six-season run earlier this year. The show has had many homes, best explained by Eugene Levy in one of his acceptance speeches. The CBC co-production came to televisions in the States on Pop TV, and then Netflix made the modern take on wholesome-family sitcom a global success. The Rose family from pilot to finale is a non-stop hilarious and somehow relatable bunch.
Yes, Dead to Me is also amazing. Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are phenomenal actresses. And yes, Issa Rae and her Insecure team deserve to be recognized for producing some of the best television – period. But in the dumpster-fire year of 2020, Schitt’s Creek is a nice balm.
Limited Series or Movie
Overall, Watchmen was the big Limited Series winner. Regina King continues to be an Emmy favorite, winning her fourth statue last night for her Lead Role in the HBO series. I love Regina King; she always has a captivated audience in me.
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie went to Mark Ruffalo for his dual role in HBO’s I Know This Much Is True. Ruffalo is a great talent. But Paul Mescal blew me away in Normal People. And I would have loved to see him win.
Drama Series
As was expected, Succession dominated the Drama Series awards winning Lead Actor, Writing, Directing, and Series. Three of the six supporting actor nominees were from Succession. Billy Crudup is a seasoned actor, and I’m sure deserving of his win for The Morning Show. Still, I can’t help but wonder if voters split over the Succession trio Nicholas Braun, Kieran Culkin, and Mathew Macfadyen. Julia Garner again received the Emmy for Supporting Actress for her role in Netflix’s Ozark. So you know nothing new and exciting happening in the Drama categories.
Oh, wait. Zendaya happened. At the age of 24, she is the youngest to win Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Her win for HBO’s Euphoria makes her the second Black actress to win the category in the 72-year history of the Emmys.
The Shows I Might (Finally) Give a Go
Watchmen
Like I said, I love Regina. And I haven’t watched any Lindelof television offerings since Lost – that needs to be rectified.
Succession
Do I want to sit through a drama heavily based on the Murdoch clan? IDK but I suppose I can try watching the first episode.
Stranger Things
It was exciting to see this and The Mandalorian as nominees for Outstanding Drama Series. Perhaps Game of Thrones enlightened the Television Academy, and they will include genre shows more regularly.
Most people assume I’ve already seen Stranger Things. It is understandable. Sci-fi mixed with all things ’80s sounds right up my street. But that’s just it. My ’80s childhood pop-culture is precious to me. I’ve been hesitant to watch in case the show messes with that. Since season 4 has been delayed until 2021, now might be the best time for me to watch.
The Magnificent Mrs. Maisel
I’m very much over the Amy Sherman-Palladino style. Rewatching Gilmore Girls’ original run can be viewed without the gaze of our current time. However, the four-part miniseries, Gilmore Girl: A Year in the Life, that continued the adventures of Lorelai and Rory was both a slap to fan’s faces (10 minutes to a musical number nobody gives a damn about when you have a limited runtime) and extremely tone deaf. Rory is a hot mess. Despite having good choices, she is adrift and both she and Lorelai seem to be in denial about this. But, I digress. I did tell a close friend I’d consider giving Maisel a try, but honestly, it’s not high on my list.
The Morning Show
Originally, I wasn’t interested because it basically seemed like a fictionalized retelling of behind the scenes of the Today show during the Matt Lauer ousting. Did I enjoy the real-life handling of the situation? Yes. Do I really want to sit through the dramatization of it? Meh. Of all the stars attached to the show, the only one that really had me curious to watch was Billy Crudup. Considering he walked away with an Emmy last night for Supporting Actor, I’m hopeful.
Favorite Moments
The clips from celebrity friends and fans of each Outstanding Comedy Series nominee were heartfelt and hilarious. Gabriel Union channeling Issa Rae and ending her bit with #teamlawrence – I was feeling it.
Uzo Adubo winning her third Emmy and yelling off-camera to her mom was everything.
Andrij Parekh talking directly to his fellow hyphenated Americans that, like him, have difficult to pronounce names really hit me on a personal level.
Jesse Armstrong accepting the Outstanding Drama Emmy for Succession with a list of unthank-yous was my personal favorite “political” speech of the night.
Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon having a New Years’ party because “We’re ready for this year to be over,” echoed the sentiments of every person on the planet.
