‘Watchmen’ wins big at virtual Emmys
Watchmen, a dark superhero series that tackles US racism, triumphed at the Emmys as the stars beamed in live to an empty Los Angeles theatre for Hollywood’s first major Covid-era awards show.
Fellow HBO show Succession – the saga of a powerful, backstabbing family – won big in the drama categories, while offbeat Canadian hit Schitt’s Creek performed a clean sweep of yesterday night’s comedy prizes.
With four victories in major categories, Watchmen amassed a total of 11 Emmys – television’s equivalent of the Oscars.
A timely blend of sociopathic superheroes and political satire based on a seminal 1980s graphic novel, the show won rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.
Its creators dedicated their win for best limited series to black American victims of the 1921 Tulsa massacre.
“The only way to put the fires out is to fight them together,” said showrunner Damon Lindelof.
“History is mystery – it’s broken into a million puzzle pieces. We know finding them will hurt. Sometimes we caused that hurt, maybe we even benefited from it,” added Lindelof, who is white.
The series depicts white supremacists, police brutality and rows over mask-wearing – all subjects of intensely polarised national debate as the United States gears up for November’s presidential election.
“Have a voting plan,” said the show’s star Regina King, as she accepted her prize.
Nominees and winners for the 72nd Emmys dialled in from their homes and socially distanced gatherings via video call, as Los Angeles is still under tough coronavirus-related restrictions.
They were handed trophies in a variety of ways – deliverymen knocking on front doors and even a
“decapitated hand” emerging from a mysterious box, as winner John Oliver called it.
On a banner night for HBO, former Disney child star Zendaya pulled off a surprise win for best drama actress with the bleak, hardhitting Euphoria – she is the youngest woman ever to claim the award.
The cast of Schitt’s Creek gathered in Toronto for a night to remember, as they swept the “virtual” ceremony’s comedy prizes.
Catherine O’Hara was given the night’s first statuette for best comedy actress by a presenter in a hazmat suit.
Eugene Levy, her on-screen husband, scooped best actor. Annie Murphy also won for supporting actress – the first ever comedy acting clean sweep for a series.
Racism and politics were prominent themes all night, with actors and creators donning tee-shirts bearing slogans for black victims of police violence and the Tulsa massacre.
Mark Ruffalo, who won for limited series I Know This Much Is True, spoke for many in famously liberal Hollywood by appearing to warn voters over Trump’s re-election bid.
“We have a big, important moment ahead of us – are we going to be a country of division and hatred ... or are we going to be one of love, strength, and fighting for all of us?” he asked.
Another major theme was the pandemic itself, which has turned Tinseltown upside down, bringing productions to a halt even as binge-watching skyrocketed during the crisis.
Host Jimmy Kimmel opened the Emmys from a theatre filled with cardboard cutouts of A-listers, quipping: “Hello and welcome to the pand-Emmys.”
Around 130 nominees – who wore gowns, tuxedos, casual wear and everything in between – were sent cameras to hook up in venues of their choosing.
Reviews marvelled at the show’s lack of technical hitches, with Variety praising the “surprising triumph of producing” and Deadline calling it “an awards show for the ages”.