TV Academy: All Emmys to be presented live

[August 13, 2009]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The television academy is scrapping its "time-shifting" plans and will present all 28 Emmy Awards during the September telecast.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced last month that it would pre-tape eight awards presentations and acceptance speeches, including some in the writing category. Members of the Writers Guild of America blasted the academy for the plan in a letter signed by some of the top TV show-runners.

The academy says the decision was made to "mend relationships within the television community" and allow the telecast producer to focus on "creative elements" during the live show.

The Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild issued separate statements Wednesday applauding the decision.

"We appreciate that the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has decided to present all 28 awards live on this year's Primetime Emmy Awards," the WGA statement read. "We look forward to developing a more collaborative relationship between the Writers Guild and the Academy."

The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards will air at 8 p.m. Sept. 20 on CBS.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.