IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel and an alpaca sharing the spotlight. Winners accepting at home in designer pajamas or maybe yoga pants. More than 100 chances for a balky internet connection to bring Sunday’s ceremony to a crashing halt.
Come for the awards, stay for the suspense of the first big Hollywood ceremony to attempt a live — but socially distanced — broadcast amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“What could possibly go wrong?” Ian Stewart said drolly as he and fellow executive producer Reginald Hudlin detailed their efforts to celebrate TV’s best without a theater audience or red-carpet glamour and with daunting technical challenges.
Fortunately, the quick-witted Kimmel “loves live TV and loves chaos,” Stewart said. “I think he’s actually hoping things do go wrong, to tell you the truth.”
The comedian will hold court at the Staples Center for ABC’s 8 p.m. telecast, joined by a handful of yet-to-be-revealed celebrities. Morgan Freeman, Lin-Manuel Miranda, D-Nice, Patrick Stewart and Oprah Winfrey are among those with undisclosed roles in Sunday’s show, along with Isabella the alpaca.
H.E.R. will perform during the “In Memoriam” segment.
The ceremony continues to highlight the TV turf battle, with cable, streaming and, to a far lesser extent, traditional broadcast networks jockeying for recognition and viewers in an increasingly crowded landscape.
The arrival of newcomers including Apple TV+ (with its flagship series “The Morning Show”) has upped the competition.
Nominees will be ensconced at their location of choice, whether home, hotel or otherwise, with formal wear definitely optional. There are custom Emmy PJs being made, while some may have the courage to wear what Hudlin called the “freakiest, funkiest” outfit in their closet or decide on the comfort of athleisure wear.
When the winners’ names are revealed they’ll deliver their speeches in the form of a very glorified Zoom call, which could make for spontaneous moments unavailable in a theater.
“If someone’s kid suddenly takes control of the mic and, suddenly, they are the star of the show, we are going to let that happen,” Hudlin said.