Oh Schitt, It’s The Emmys Again

On September 20, the best American and Canadian television shows were exhibited and recognized at the annual prestigious Emmy Awards. 

Drawing only 5.1 million viewers—down 19% from last year—and scoring the lowest ratings in its history, this year’s ceremony was undoubtedly a reflection of the times. This was not a big surprise, considering it was simultaneously competing with the NBA Playoffs on ESPN. The majority of the nominees were virtually present at the event while Jimmy Kimmel made his COVID-related puns and political jabs to his limited in-person audience, pausing in between each punchline like in an old episode of Friends. 

Still, like all other people-centric activities of the year, the Emmys trudged along diligently. Despite the less-than-ideal circumstances, several significant wins still marked massive television milestones that night.

Arguably, the main highlight was 24-year old Zendaya winning “Lead Actress in a Drama Series” for her role as Rue Bennett in the show Euphoria. Not only was she the youngest woman to win this award, but she was also the second Black woman ever to win in this category. This raised questions over the representation of POC—or lack thereof—in award shows like the Emmys.

Schitt’s Creek, a Canadian comedy series revolving around a filthy rich, out-of-touch couple falling upon hard times, ended up with the most wins of the night. Its sixth and final season set a record for the most Emmys ever won by a comedy series in a given year. It is likely that Netflix’s acquisition of the show’s streaming rights helped propel it from being just another satire to a television sensation.

Succession was another series that won big, arguably taking the position of Game of Thrones as “global HBO Phenomenon” which it had claimed for nearly a decade. Though famous for its controversial characters, Succession’s unique cinematography and tense corporate setting have drawn itself comparisons to legendary shows like The Sopranos, Mad Men, and The Office.

Despite its unglamorous programming this year, the Emmys have set a notable precedent for award shows to be held during the pandemic. Lessons learned from the event will likely influence the upcoming Academy Awards and Golden Globes.

by ATHENA LI