How Emmy Hosts Eugene and Dan Levy Could Cap Off a Memorable — And History-Making — Evening
‘Tis the time of year as we finally get to the Primetime Emmys, just as Oscar season kicks into high gear. But like I frequently point out as my film colleagues jet off to the likes of Venice, Telluride and Toronto, back here in TV land it’s always awards season.
Case in point: Last week as we were putting together our coverage plans for the Primetime Emmys on Sept. 15, I received an invite to a “Baby Reindeer” screening, featuring a Q&A panel with the show’s stars. It takes place on Sept. 12, three days before the Emmys. Wait, voting is done and we’re still doing FYC events?
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Ahh, my friend, we’re already on to the winter campaign season. The Golden Globes, SAG Awards and other guild kudos are right around the corner! So yes, enjoy your screenings and fancy dinners in scenic locales, film team. Us TV folk are living life “Groundhog Day” style, heading back to the NeueHouse and the Pacific Design Center for an encore of what we just did.
But since it was nearly 120 degrees last week in Los Angeles, it still feels like summer awards season out there. So, as we prepare to bake on the red carpet this coming weekend, let’s preview the 76th Emmys one final time, shall we?
If everything feels a bit anti-climactic at this moment, it’s because, as you may recall, this is our second Emmys telecast of the year. And since it’s the same team producing the September show that produced it in January — Jesse Collins Entertainment — announcements have been a bit later than usual. The return of Collins and fellow exec producers Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay wasn’t announced until mid-July, while hosts Eugene and Dan Levy weren’t revealed until a few weeks ago.
That means there hasn’t been much time to share details about this year’s show, and as of press time both the producers and hosts have been mum about the telecast. (The Jesse Collins Entertainment team plans to meet with the press and preview this year’s show on Thursday). I’m not too worried though — Collins and crew knocked it out of the park with January’s nostalgia-filled 75th Emmys celebration, and there’s plenty to do as an encore.
Hey, maybe they’ll take my “duo” advice from earlier this summer, when I suggested a show filled with classic pairings. After all, they’ve done exactly that with the hosts. With Eugene and Dan Levy as the first father/son hosting partnership on the Emmys, there are all sorts of family and romantic pairings — both on and off the camera — that could make this another memorable show.
Beyond that, there should be plenty of potentially history-making moments on this year’s Emmys, depending on what direction voters went. Last year “The Bear” landed the most wins in a single year for a comedy with 10. Given that Season 2 already broke the record for most comedy nominations in one year with 23, there’s a real possibility it surpasses last year’s benchmark.
HBO’s “Game of Thrones” holds the record for most wins in a year, with 12 in 2015, 2016 and 2019. Could FX’s “Shogun,” via its 25 nominations beat that? And speaking of “Shogun,” will series star Anna Sawai become the first Asian performer to win the best drama actress Emmy?
Also, something to look out for: “Baby Reindeer” star Nava Mau could become the first trans performer to win a major Emmy, should she pick up the limited series supporting actress prize.
As for FX, there’s a real possibility it could best Netflix and HBO/Max to be this year’s top network (well, even though FX as we now know it isn’t really a network anymore) victor.
Then there are the all-time snubs to keep an eye out for: Will Larry David really end “Curb Your Enthusiasm” without a single Emmy for the show? (“Curb” has only won two in its entire run.) Is there any chance “Reservation Dogs” can get anything before it goes away too? Will Imelda Staunton be the only Queen Elizabeth II to not receive an Emmy for “The Crown”?
There’s a lot to digest… and after this weekend, perhaps a lot more to talk about as we hop back on the FYC train.
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