|
 "Hello, and welcome to the
PandEmmys!," said host Jimmy Kimmel, opening the
show, where most celebrities took part remotely
from their sofas and backyards dressed in a
variety of gowns, hoodies and sleepwear.
"It seems frivolous and unnecessary to do this
during a global pandemic," Kimmel said as he
opened the live show from Los Angeles.
"What's happening tonight is not important. It's
not going to stop COVID. It's not going to put
out the fires, but it's fun. And right now we
need fun. ... This has been a miserable year.
It's been a year of division, injustice (and)
disease," he added.
HBO's "Succession," the wickedly juicy tale of a
fractious media family, was named best drama
series, while Jeremy Strong won best actor for
his role as a downtrodden son. "Succession's
seven-Emmy haul included writing and directing.
In one of the most pointed acceptance speeches
of the night, "Succession" creator Jesse
Armstrong made a series of what he called
"un-thank yous."
"Un-thank you to the virus for keeping us all
apart this year. Un-thank you to President Trump
for his crummy and uncoordinated response.
Un-thank you to (British Prime Minister) Boris
Johnson and his government for doing the same in
my country. Un-thank you to all the nationalist
and sort of quasi-nationalist governments in the
world who are exactly the opposite of what we
need right now," said Armstrong.
HBO's alternative-reality show "Watchmen,"
infused with racial themes, won for best limited
series, while actress Regina King won for her
lead performance as the show's kick-ass police
detective.
"Watchmen" was the night's biggest winner with a
total of 11 Emmys, including technical awards
handed out last week. HBO was the biggest
overall winner, with 30 Emmys, followed by
Netflix with 21.
"Watchmen" creator Damon Lindelof dedicated his
Emmy to the victims and survivors of the 1921
massacre of the Black community in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, which partly inspired the series.
[to top of second column]
|
 BLACK LIVES
Several celebrities, including King, presenter
Sterling K. Brown, and "Mrs. America" supporting
actress winner Uzo Aduba, wore Black Lives
Matter-themed t-shirts or urged viewers to vote
in the Nov. 3 U.S. elections.
"Schitt's Creek," a sleeper hit on the small Pop
TV network about a wealthy family forced to live
in a rundown motel, won a total of nine Emmys,
including best comedy series as well as acting
awards for Canadian stars Catherine O'Hara,
Eugene Levy, his son Daniel Levy, and Annie
Murphy. The coronavirus pandemic
meant no red carpet and no physical audience.
Instead, producers sent camera kits and
microphones to all the nominees, scattered in
125 places around the world, who chose how and
where they wanted to be seen.
The "Schitt's Creek" winners got their trophies
delivered to them in a restaurant-style setup in
Ontario, Canada, by a person dressed in a custom
hazmat suit, designed to resemble a tuxedo.
The biggest shock of the night came when former
Disney Channel actress Zendaya, 24, was named
best drama actress for playing a teen drug
addict in HBO's "Euphoria," beating presumed
favorites Laura Linney ("Ozark") and Jennifer
Aniston ("The Morning Show.")
"Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" was named
best variety talk series for the fifth
successive year, and the British comedian
accepted wearing a red Liverpool soccer shirt in
honor of his favorite British team.
(Additional reporting by Lisa Richwine and
Nichola Groom; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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