Emmys 2020 backstage: 'Schitt's Creek' stars talk possible movie, Zendaya explains her tears
If you thought the virtual 2020 Primetime Emmys ceremony was unusual, try the virtual backstage where the winners were interviewed following their wins.
The cast of "Schitt's Creek" had to deal with audio reverb while answering questions, removing their face masks to address reporters via Zoom. "Succession" star Jeremy Strong looked into the virtual audience and asked, "Do I get to see people, or am in an echo chamber by myself?"
Despite a few glitches, there were moments of true emotion and joy backstage on a night hosted by Jimmy Kimmel in Los Angeles' Staples Center with nominees scattered around the country, and the world. Here's what the winners had to say.
The winners: Emmys 2020: 'Succession' wins best drama, 'Schitt's Creek' sweeps comedy categories
Zendaya explains her Emmys tears
Zendaya, 24, made Emmys history as the youngest best-actress winner for her HBO drama "Euphoria," and the happy reaction was appropriately euphoric.
The actress appeared in the same room, free of the wildly cheering and hugging family members seen in her acceptance speech. "My family is now off to the side, trying to be quiet. I definitely felt this wrapping around of love around me as I was sitting here."
And there were rare tears during her speech. "I don't usually cry," said Zendaya. "But I got through it without letting it take completely over. It was obviously a very emotional moment."
Highlights: Emmys 2020: The best and worst moments on a weird, virtual night, from 'Friends' reunion to hazmat suits
John Oliver wore his Sunday sweatshirt to the show, dreams of sewage plant
Oliver explained his highly casual attire for the show: a baggy sweatshirt for his beloved Liverpool F.C. soccer team, who won in dramatic fashion in England's premiere league earlier in the day.
"I basically have two lanes – one, dress smart like I'm told to, or dress like I do at home, which is this," said Oliver, who won his fifth award for hosting "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver."
"I went with comfort; I was just going with what I was wearing this morning," he said.
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While winning the award was a thrill, Oliver said he is holding out hope of having a sewage plant in Danbury, Connecticut, named in his honor. The city's council is still working to see if the naming can take place, after back and forth insults between Oliver and the town's mayor.
"As nice as this is, and it's very, very nice, my dream this year is to have a sewage plant named after me in Danbury, Connecticut," said Oliver. "And I'm close."
After the 'Schitt's Creek' Emmys sweep, it would take a 'really freaking good' idea to come back with a movie
"Schitt's Creek" groundbreaking status as the first series to sweep all seven of its categories still hadn't settled in for star and executive producer Daniel Levy when he appeared with cast mates, including his father, Eugene Levy, and other producers from the recently concluded Pop TV series.
"It is absolutely incredible. I think my dad said it best earlier tonight, that it feels like a dream that you just don't want to wake up from," he told reporters regarding the show's final season. "And that's really how it's felt for all of us. It still feels very strange."
More: 'Schitt's Creek' set seven-Emmy record because the comedy is simply the best
He hesitated when asked about prospects for a "Schitt's Creek" movie. "Some people have been asking that and to be honest … if there is an idea that ever pops into my head and (is) worthy of these wonderful people – it has to be really freaking good at this point, because this is a really nice way of saying goodbye."
Levy said he "would love to work with these beautiful people again" and at least one cast member, Karen Robinson who plays Ronnie Lee, is all in for a "Schitt's Creek" film revival.
"I hope there's a movie," she said. "I need the job."
How Uzo Aduba explained the virtual Emmys ceremony to her mother
In her Emmys acceptance speech, Aduba said she was excited to tell her mom, who was at home with her, about her win for playing Shirley Chisholm in FX on Hulu's "Mrs. America." She had some explaining to do earlier, clarifying the virtual ceremony, she told reporters.
"She was excited earlier tonight (but) she was not fully grasping" the nature of Aduba's online appearance, the actor said. "She was like, 'What do you mean the Emmys are going to be in the house? Are people coming here?' And I was like, 'Nobody’s coming here. Imagine a really big Zoom (meeting) tonight.'"
When Aduba won, her mother "was downstairs. She was so excited, so proud," she said. "She’s a huge Shirley Chisholm fan. That was icing on an already well-frosted cake. We high-fived. We hugged. It was the best feeling."
Jeremy Strong hopes his 'Succession' cast mates crash his mellow party
Although the members of the "Succession" cast have been spending time apart as they wait to film Season 3 later this year, the actors have been staying in touch on a "group thread" that was particularly active after Strong's Emmy win.
"People are threatening to crash my hotel room on the balcony tonight," said Strong, who's staying at the Bowery Hotel in New York. "I hope they do."
But until that happens, Strong says he's found himself quietly proud of his win.
"I discovered tonight, happily, that rather than a sort of giddy feeling of exhilaration, I actually feel a sense of groundedness and serenity now," he said. "I'm pretty gobsmacked that this happened."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zendaya Emmy makes history; Uzo Aduba, John Oliver on their wins