2020 Emmy Awards
The 2020 Emmy Awards was a virtual ceremony. It was the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony and it was supposed to be held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, but due to Covid-19, the awards show came from actors’ homes across the country.
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 2020 Emmys live on ABC and the broadcast opened with Jimmy appearing to come out to a full audience, “Hello and welcome to the Pand-Emmys!”
Jimmy asked the question, “Why are we have an award show in the middle of a pandemic? And what the hell am I doing here.” “Right now, we need, my God we need fun.”
Jim said television is always there for us. “The world may be terrible, but television has never been better.”
He congratulated Norm Lear in the audience, “Norm Lear,98, you are a miracle.” And Jimmy mentioned that the most-nominated series of the year was Watchmen. When a shot of himself popped up in the audience.
“Hey, was that me.” Jim referring to himself in the audience shots. He shot the whole monologue in front of cardboard cuts of stars in the audience and the audience shots was from former years.
Jason Bateman was the only audience member that was not a cardboard cutout. Jason left and Jimmy called for a standing ovation for himself and it was a good and long one.
He then said, “Instead of bringing nominees to us we went to them.” Jimmy went backstage to a giant Zoom wall of all the nominees. They spoke and waved at Jimmy who said it was 100 different feeds.
Jennifer Anderson came on stage with Jimmy live to announce the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Jim set a fire in front of Jennifer to sanitize the letter with the winner’s name on it. Jennifer used a fire extinguisher to put it out and it didn’t’ go out easy. Jimmy then made Jennifer leave the stage because he told her she’s nominated and can’t win if she isn’t home like the rest of the nominees. Jimmy announced that the 2020 Emmy went to Catherine O’Hara for Schitt’s Creek. Catherine accepted the award from an event stage and the Zoom wall applauded.
Jimmy announced the nominees for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, and we were given a glimpse of the nominees on the Zoom wall. The 2020 Emmy Award went to Eugene Levy for Schitt’s Creek. He accepted from the Schitt’s Creek stage party. He thanked his wife of 43 years, the cast and crew, and Catherine O’Hara. “To my fellow Emmy nominees. It’s an honor to be in your company.”
Tracy Ellis Ross came on stage live with Jimmy to announce the nominees for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. She said she was fragile and tried to leave several times before reading the winner. Jimmy told her if she doesn’t read the winner, she wouldn’t get a gift bag. She decided to read. The 202 Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series went to Dan Levy for Schitt’s Creek, Happy Ending.
Jimmy was joined on the stage by a mailman named Derrick. He had a Russian accent and wanted to take Jimmy’s voting ballot for the election. Derrick gave Jimmy a hand full of mail. Jimmy than announced the nominees for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series and the 2020 Emmy Award went to Andrew Cividino and Daniel Levy for Schitt’s Creek, Happy Ending.
The next category was Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and the Emmy went to Daniel Levy for Schitt’s Creek, Happy Ending. “The Internet is going to turn on me now.” “Thank you, thank you.”
Zendaya was the next on-stage presenter. She introduced a video on Issa Rae talking about her first show and her motivation to push through with her ideas. Issa Rae created, is co-writer, and star of the HBO television series Insecure.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series was next, and the 2020 Emmy went to Annie Murphy for Schitt’s Creek. It was certainly their night. 17 Emmys to this point.
Jason Sudeikis was next on the set and he endured a Covid-19 test live before he announced the nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series. The 2020 Emmy went to Schitt’s Creek. The cast and crew in Canada were right to be on a party set to celebrate all their big wins.
Jimmy has had to come up with a creative way to get the Emmys to the winners this year. All the nominees were mailed a large big black box and the trophy will be in it if they are the winner.
David Letterman did a video entrance in an argument with an Uber driver. He was left on the side of the road dressed in a tuxedo. He began reading jokes from former awards shows and said,“Quality comedy is timeless.”
Outstanding Variety Talk Show was his category. The 2020 Emmy went to Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, HBO. John accepted virtually. His Emmy came out of the big box.
The next category was Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie and the Emmy went to Regina King for Watchmen. Confetti popped off at Regina’s virtual location. An Emmy was handed to her as she sat in her chair at home. She was very moved by the win and congratulated the other nominees in her category. She ended by encouraging people to vote and saying, “Rest in power RBG.”
The 2020 Emmy Award for Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie went to Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True. He was completely shocked, and his wife was overjoyed. He thanked all of his fellow nominees, his cast, and crew. He said to respect each other’s diversity and get out and vote for compassion and kindness.
The next category was Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movies. The 2020 Emmy went to Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson for Watchmen, This Extraordinary Being.
Kerri Washington was having a New Year’s Eve party from her remote location because she’s were ready for 2020 to be over.
The 2020 Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie went to Maria Schrader for Unorthodox. She was completed stunned to win and said, “I’m speechless.” I thank the Academy. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
The 2020 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series went to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for Watchmen. He was deeply moved for the win.
The 2020 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series went to Uzo Aduba for Mrs. America. She was so shocked to win she started laughing. She thanked the writer and creator of the show. She thanked her mother and team, “I am beyond grateful. Thanks so much. Let’s go change the world.” She ran off-screen calling her mother, “Mommy!”
Anthony Anderson joined Jimmy live on stage. We have a record number of Black Emmy nominees this year said Anthony, “This was supposed to be the Blackest Emmys ever. They would have been so Black they would have been hot sauce in your purse Black. But because of Covid-19.”
He made Jimmy say Black Lives Matter several times before announcing the nominees for Limited Series and the 2020 Emmy Award went to Watchmen. The cast and crew were masked and crying with happiness during their acceptance speech. “we dedicated this award to people of Black Wall Street.”
Jimmy honored the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as H.E.R. performed Nothing Compares 2 U during the In-Memoriam segment.
Jimmy checked in with Jennifer Anniston to make sure she made it home. Courtney Cox was with her, and Lisa Kudrow. Jason Bateman walked through. It was a mini Friends reunion.
Jimmy announced the nominees for the category, Outstanding Competition Program, and the 2020 Emmy went to RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Tyler Perry won the 2020 Governor’s Award. Oprah Winfrey and Chris Rock honored Tyler Perry for this award with a video message honoring his work and his incredible life story.
Tyler took the stage live to accept the award. He thanked everyone at Tyler Perry Studios and told a story about his grandmother and a quilt she gave him. He said he did not appreciate the quilt but was later told a story about the type of quilt that his grandmother gave him and felt badly that he didn’t understand or appreciate the quilt at the time. “We are all sewing our own quilts with our thoughts and behaviors.” He ended his profound speech with, “Thank you, God bless you.”
The 2020 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series went to Jeremy Strong for “Succession.”
The Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series went to Zendaya for Euphoria the crowd went wild at her virtual location. She thanked the Academy, “This is pretty crazy. I think I’m going to cry.” “I know this feels like a really weird time to be celebrating.” “Thank You”
Laverne Cox announced the nominees for Best Writing for a Drama Series and the Emmy went to Jesse Armstrong for Succession, This Is Not for Tears.
- Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series went to Andrij Parekh for Succession, Hunting.
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series went to Billy Crudup for The Morning Show.
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series went to Julia Garner for Ozark.
The last award of the night was for Outstanding Drama Series and Sterling K Brown presented. The 2020 Emmy Award went to Succession.
The 2020 Emmy Awards was definitely different as a virtual event. Congratulations to all the winners!
Tanya Hart
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