REFLECTING ON THE 2020 EMMYS WINNERS

Photo Courtesy of: FX; NBC; BBCAmerica/Sid Gentle; NETFLIX; HBO;Poptv

The Winners (and Snubs) Of This Year’s Memorable Awards Night

by Kiana Carver

We might be in a pandemic, but the show must go on. COVID-19 did not stop one of Hollywood’s biggest television events, the annual Emmy Awards on Sept. 20. Instead, this year’s host, Jimmy Kimmel, did his opening monologue to an empty theater, the nominees live streamed from their respective homes, and awards were given by presenters donning hazmat suits. Here are the moments you should know about.

If Schitt’s Creek wasn’t on your radar before the Emmys, it definitely is now. The Canadian sitcom swept all of the comedy categories, including Best Comedy Series, Best Comedy Actor, Best Comedy Actress, Best Comedy Supporting Actor, Best Comedy Supporting Actress, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series. Schitt’s Creek had its series finale this year. The show was praised by fans and critics alike for its obnoxious, yet lovable characters, and its strong LGBTQ+ representation.

“This has been the greatest experience of my life” said show creator and star Dan Levy in his acceptance speech.

Another big winner this year was the HBO drama Succession. Succession is a satire about a powerful family who owns a media conglomerate, which alludes to the Fox Corporation and the Murdochs. This series definitely found its footing in its second season, quickly becoming a fan favorite. It took home Best Drama Series, and star Jeremy Strong won the Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series award.

Another HBO show that got a nod from the Emmys was Euphoria. Euphoria star Zendaya received the Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series, being the youngest woman to ever win the award. She competed against established stars like Sandra Oh, Olivia Colman, and Jennifer Anniston, proving that there is no age-limit on talent. 

Sophia Flissler (COM ‘22) was surprised but excited to see Zendaya win, hoping that it would give Euphoria more recognition. “I like Euphoria because of its ability to tackle complex issues. Though it can be heavy at times, I think nearly every viewer can see themselves in at least one character,” she said.

While many fans online were happy about this year’s wins, there were a few big snubs. Ramy, a Hulu original series, was nominated for a few awards in the Comedy categories. Show star and creator, Ramy Youssef, jokingly tweeted “when you lose the Emmy” along with a video of the award presenter outside his house in a hazmat suit walking away.

The Good Place had its series finale this year, but was unfortunately overshadowed by Schitt’s Creek in the comedy categories. 

“I think that The Good Place should’ve gotten a nod because what it’s grappling with, themes of morality and humanity, is important in these current times,” said Flannery Abbey (CAS ‘21). While both shows are enjoyable, The Good Place invites the audience to contemplate what it means to be a good person. 

As always, the Emmys pointed television fans in the direction of which shows to keep up with. Although Hollywood seems to be on halt due to the pandemic, viewers now have a plethora of binge-able award-winning shows to choose from, and an abundance of time.