Who knew? Canadian sitcom Shitt’s Creek wins big at the Emmys (Photo: PopTV)
I didn’t know what to expect as I dialed up Sunday’s Emmy awards show.
First off, I guess I have to start watching “Schitt’s Creek.” Honestly, I haven’t watched one episode of the Canadian sitcom, but I am a huge fan of Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara.
Levy’s role in “Splash” (Tom Hanks, John Candy, Daryl Hannah) still knocks me out.
I didn’t get the concept of Creek when it first aired six years ago and until they were available on Netflix, many people didn’t get it at all.
Still, what an amazing number of Emmy awards to win–seven. And, yes, that set a new record.
Commercial TV Bows to Cable, Streaming Networks at 71st Primetime Emmys
Two out my three favorites won: The terrific Billy Crudup in Apple TV’s “The Morning Show” and Julia Garner in Netflix’s “Ozark.”
Dylan McDermott and Jim Parsons, both in Ryan Murphy’s “Hollywood” were simply amazing.
McDermott, after dozens of failed TV series, found his gold in this show. He was just sensational; a career high.
Jon Hamm, Viola Davis, Tracy Morgan Make Emmys Touching, Historic (see!)
Parsons, was equally as stellar playing a real person no less (Hollywood agent Henry Wilson). To me, they were both robbed.
Crudup, whose been around for years, delivered a searing portrayal of network exec Cory Ellison. Just right on the mark.
Honestly, it was as good a performance as I’ve ever seen and his performance of the Stephen Sondheim song (from Sweeney Todd) “Not While I’m Around” (with Jennifer Anniston, both in character) was one of the big TV highlights of the year.
An Awesome performance by Crudup and Anniston.
Jimmy Kimmel was reasonably on the money, but I admit, I just don’t find him funny.
Primetime Emmys Face Category Bloat, Unfair Competition
Kimmel dubbed the Emmy Awards the “Pand-Emmys” as he opened the show in front of a fake audience on Sunday.
The talk show host took to the stage at Los Angeles’ Staples Center in front of delighted star-studded crowd. But when his own face appeared laughing at one of his jokes, he revealed the footage was from previous ceremonies.
The seats inside the venue were filled intermittently with celebrity cutouts – and the real Jason Bateman.
Jimmy joked: “Of course we don’t have an audience. This is the Emmys, not a MAGA rally.”
To kick off the ceremony, Kimmy enlisted his friend Jennifer Aniston to hand out the first award of the evening. But the pair managed to set the stage on fire.
To me, he’s more of an observational comic–like Seinfeld–but his delivery always comes off a tad awkward.
Still, he soldiered on a show that just had too much poorly written material. Jason Bateman in the audience was funny, but the bit went on a bit too long.
HBO’s “Succession” had its usual big win; Mark Strong and writer/creator Jeremy Strong.
It’s a great show, just now being discovered by many. It will go down as one of HBO’s greats, maybe even up there with The Sopranos.
The In-Memoriam segment was nice, with H.E.R. performing Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
Chadwick Boseman, Naya Rivera and Regis Philbin were among those remembered.
Kimmel worked in a tribute to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died on Friday (Sept. 18).
The tribute also included Dame Diana Rigg, Kirk Douglas, Brian Dennehy, Jerry Stiller, John Witherspoon, Diahann Carroll and Carl Reiner.
But, awkwardly, left out was “Saturday Night Live’s” Hal Wilner.
An amazing mistake, but, then, one or two are always left out.
Reading some reviews of the show, the first thing everyone seemed to comment on was the rather amazing technological feat pulled off, and I have to agree.
There were surprisingly few tech errors. Everyone sounded pretty good (except for maybe Mark Ruffalo), but, all in all, it all went surprisingly well.
Hopefully next year, the Emmys will be able to get back on track.
As much fun as it was, 2020 was a year to instantly forget!
I miss the audience, the interaction and the glamour of pre-pandemic shows. Hopefully, we’ll get back there again soon.
Here is a list of selected winners at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards.
Outstanding Comedy Series:
‘Schitt’s Creek’
Outstanding Limited Series:
‘Watchmen’
Outstanding Competition Program:
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
Outstanding Variety Talk Series:
‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:
Jeremy Strong – ‘Succession’
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:
Zendaya – ‘Euphoria’
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:
Billy Crudup – ‘The Morning Show’
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:
Julia Garner – ‘Ozark’
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:
Eugene Levy – ‘Schitt’s Creek’
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:
Catherine O’Hara – ‘Schitt’s Creek’
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
Dan Levy – ‘Schitt’s Creek’
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:
Annie Murphy – ‘Schitt’s Creek’
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie:
Mark Ruffalo – ‘I Know This Much Is True’
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie:
Regina King – ‘Watchmen’
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie:
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II – ‘Watchmen’
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie:
Uzo Aduba – ‘Mrs America’