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 Jimmy Kimmel will host from a
stage in the Staples Center in downtown Los
Angeles, telling jokes without the usual packed
audience of celebrities. Only production staff
and a handful of stars will be allowed in. The
red carpet was canceled.
Still, producers said the show, broadcast live
on Walt Disney Co's <DIS.N> ABC network, aims to
provide a celebratory feel for the industry's
highest honors.
Hoping to avoid the feel of a stilted Zoom call,
staff shipped dozens of movie-quality cameras,
lights and microphones to capture live and
spontaneous reactions from winners in their
living rooms. Producers will monitor 130 live
feeds from about 20 cities, including Los
Angeles, New York, London, Tel Aviv and Berlin.
"They don't want it to be the 'Zoomies,'" said
Michael Schneider, senior editor at Variety.
"They want to avoid that look, and have it look
like a regular production."
Television audiences for awards shows have
slumped in recent years. Last year's Emmys drew
a record-low viewership of 6.9 million.
Producers hope the unpredictability of this
year's format will draw interest, and they admit
things might go wrong.
"Think about having a Zoom with your family and
how complicated that is, getting grandma to look
at the camera and have her whole face on
camera," Kimmel quipped in a promotional video.
"Multiply that by a million, and that's what
we're dealing with here."
A lineup of "special guests" including Oprah
Winfrey, Sterling K. Brown and Jason Bateman is
slated to appear in some form. Casts of some
series will gather together to watch the
broadcast.
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 Producer Reginald Hudlin said
the show scrapped parts of the traditional
format for presenting awards.
"Some are going to work and it's going to be
great," he said. "Some of them might not work.
We said 'let's just experiment.'"
Breanne Heldman, senior TV editor for People
magazine, believes the unusual setup will yield
surprises and a side of celebrities not normally
seen on television. "I think
there could end up being some really beautiful,
touching and romantic moments with people
thanking the people sitting right next to them
on the couch," she said. "It will be intimate
and honest."
While the lack of a red carpet will disappoint
many fans, Heldman expects stars will don
notable attire throughout the show. Some may
wear masks that match their outfits, which could
range from sweatpants or pajamas to high
fashion, she said.
"There will be some women who don't want to pass
up on this big moment and wear the gown,"
Heldman said. "And why not? Put on those Jimmy
Choos. You don't have to walk around in them."
 (Reporting by Lisa Richwine; additional
reporting by Jill Serjeant; editing by Jonathan
Oatis)
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