Schitt’s Creek, Watchmen win big at virtual ‘PandEmmys2020’
Emmys 2020 went virtual on Sunday with no red carpet and no physical audience. Instead, producers sent camera kits and microphones to nominees, in 125 places around the world. Listing 2020’s many miseries in his monologue, host Jimmy Kimmel began the 72nd Emmy’s with “Hello, and welcome to the PandEmmys!” as celebs participated remotely, dressed in a variety of gowns, hoodies and sleepwear.
Schitt’s Creek, about a wealthy family forced to live in a rundown motel, won nine Emmys, including best comedy series and acting awards for Canadian stars Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, his son Daniel Levy, and Annie Murphy. The winners got their trophies delivered to them in a restaurant-style setup in Ontario, Canada, by a person in a custom hazmat suit.
At 24, Zendaya became the youngest winner in the lead actress in a drama series category, for Euphoria. Addressing Sam Levinson, creator of the show, who based it on his own battle with addiction, Zendaya said, “I’m so grateful you trusted me with your story.”
HBO’s alternative-reality show Watchmen, infused with racial themes, was the night’s biggest winner with a total of 11 Emmys. HBO’s Succession, about a fractious media family, was named best drama series. In one of the most pointed acceptance speeches of the night, Succession creator Jesse Armstrong said, “Un-thank you to the virus for keeping us all apart this year. Un-thank you to President Trump for his crummy and uncoordinated response. Un-thank you to (British Prime Minister) Boris Johnson and his government for doing the same in my country.”