Saying our entry into a brand-new decade was shaky would be the understatement of the century. 2020 has shut down the entire planet, sending members of the human race to their rooms to think about what they have done. While quarantined, some of us stared at our walls; some signed-up to new streaming services; some re-watched our favourite shows on endless loops. This year, more than any other, TV has been crucial to helping us escape and keep entertained.
Last Sunday, the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards took place, and it was certainly one to remember. There were no celebrities cramming up the red carpet. No flashing cameras or luxurious theatre chandeliers. Instead, all the nominees were live online along with their families, hoping to have an Emmy delivered to their door. The shiny trophies were awarded via remote-controlled boxes, a creative wrinkle to this year’s format. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel hosted the show, but amidst the pandemic, many jokes didn’t carry the fun they usually do.
But that doesn’t mean comedy is dead. Schitt’s Creek, the Canadian hit series directed by Dan and Eugene Levy, swept the Comedy category, winning all five awards for outstanding actor, actress, direction, script, and series. The first sweep in history. To celebrate, the cast along with the producers and writers sipped champagne and shed happy tears on their Zoom feeds. Schitt’s Creek was nominated for the 2019 awards but didn’t end up winning anything. It’s safe to say they bounced back this year.
Meanwhile, actress Jennifer Aniston joined Kimmel for a few moments on stage, before later joining us live from her home. Aniston, along with long-time friends Courtney Cox and Lisa Kudrow, entertained the virtual audience by re-enacting the roommates from their hit show, Friends.
Ex-Disney star Zendaya won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She played the role of a recovering teen in Euphoria, a breakout HBO drama that deals with adolescent drug use and abuse. To win the award, the 24-year-old had to edge out some talented actresses like Aniston, Olivia Colman, Laura Linney, Jodie Comer, and Sandra Oh. It was a proud moment for Zendaya and her family, considering she’s the youngest actress to receive an Emmy for a lead drama role in the event’s 72-year history.
There were many awards, categories, and shows that shared the screen and earned their trophies. Emmys 2020 was a unique experience considering the circumstances it took place in. In these turbulent times, the awards show entertained us and gave us a sense of normalcy, even if for only a few hours.
