Awards HQ Sept. 17: Emmys Weekend Final Predictions, Producers on How the Show Will Look, Last Minute Surprises

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeNetflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings has been given the Television Academy’s Charles F. Jenkins Lifetime Achievement Award, one of several Engineering Emmys that the org announced on Thursday.The Charles F.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeCould “Squid Game” beat the most challenging TV contest of them all? The Korean-language survival drama, which has quickly become one of the most-watched Netflix series of all time, is indeed eligible for Primetime Emmy consideration, the Television Academy confirmed to Variety.According to an Academy spokesperson, because “Squid Game” was produced under guidance from Netflix, which is an American company, and it was always intended to be distributed in

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeAlan Kalter, the “voice” of CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman” for most of its run, has died, Variety has confirmed. He was 78.According to Rabbi Joshua Hammerman of Temple Beth El in Stamford, Conn., Kalter died at Stamford Hospital, with wife Peggy and his daughters Lauren Hass and Diana Binger at his side.Kalter took over as Letterman’s announcer on Sept.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargePBS dominated the documentary portion of this year’s News and Documentary Emmys, landing ten awards overall — including three for “POV” and two for “Frontline,” which are two of the public broadcaster’s long-running, signature series.Netflix followed with four wins, then Showtime with three.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeCNN was the major winner on night one of the 42nd annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards, winning seven awards, while CNN exec VP Ken Jautz was named one of this year’s charman’s awards honorees. PBS’ “Frontline” was the most-honored program, with three Emmys.The winners of the news categories were announced Tuesday night by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeOzy Media CEO Carlos Watson has informed the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences that he will no longer host the documentary portion of the 42nd News & Documentary Emmy Awards on Wednesday night.Watson’s decision to step down comes following a New York Times report on Monday questioning the validity of Ozy’s various traffic claims, and revealing that Ozy co-founder Samir Rao had posed as a YouTube executive, touting Ozy’s success, during a

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeAs the Tony Awards return for the first time in more than two years, CBS and White Cherry Entertainment’s Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss faced a challenging task: How to hand out awards, celebrate the best in recent theater and — perhaps most crucially — hammer home the fact that Broadway is back and open for business.One result: Taking advantage of multiple platforms in the ViacomCBS universe by expanding the show to four hours (from its normal three

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWhen former “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” writer Elisabeth Kiernan Averick joined the staff of “The Simpsons” a few years ago, she knew eventually she’d be called upon to write a musical episode. That episode is Sunday’s Season 33 premiere, “Star of the Backstage,” in which Marge stages a revival of her high school musical, “Y2K: The Millennium Bug.”At first, Marge fondly remembers serving as the show’s stage manager back then.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWhen former “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” writer Elisabeth Kiernan Averick joined the staff of “The Simpsons” a few years ago, she knew eventually she’d be called upon to write a musical episode. That episode is Sunday’s Season 32 premiere, “Star of the Backstage,” in which Marge stages a revival of her high school musical, “Y2K: The Millennium Bug.”At first, Marge fondly remembers serving as the show’s stage manager back then.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeYou thought the 2021 Emmys race was stacked? That was nothing. Get ready for a 2022 awards traffic jam.And yes, it all starts with the Roy family.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeEmmy telecast producers Ian Stewart and Reginald Hudlin are still fuming over Seth Rogen’s unplanned comedy routine at the start of Sunday’s ceremony, in which he roasted the show for a perceived lack of COVID protocols behind the scenes.The routine was delivered a bit tongue-in-cheek, but with enough credulity to cause a stir on social media — where viewers took the cue to lambast the Emmys.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeTelevision’s British invasion was on full display Sunday night at the 73rd Emmys. Netflix’s “The Crown” and Apple TV Plus’ “Ted Lasso” — series both set in the U.K.

Saturday Night Live picked up its fifth straight win in the Variety Sketch Series category.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeOthers have been nominated before but are on tap to finally win one, such as Kathryn Hahn for “WandaVision” — and on a terribly tragic and bittersweet note, the late Michael K. Williams, for “Lovecraft Country.” I couldn’t wait to see him land that Emmy, so overdue given his body of work.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWhen Frank Scherma was elected as chairman and CEO of the Television Academy three years ago, he came to office with grand plans to reform the organization. What he didn’t plan on was a global pandemic interrupting that focus.That’s why, as Scherma confirmed to Variety on Wednesday morning, he plans to run for re-election in November in a bid to continue as chairman/CEO for another two-year term.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeApple TV Plus’ “Ted Lasso” led this year’s TCA Awards, grabbing three wins including Outstanding New Program, Outstanding Achievement in Comedy and Program of the Year.“I May Destroy You” creator, writer, executive producer and star Michaela Coel earned Individual Achievement in Drama, while Kate Winslet’s “Mare Of Easttown” won Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries, or Specials.Also on the board: “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” won

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeHBO’s “Mare of Easttown” was one of the bright lights for HBO this Emmy season, one reason it’s probably no surprise that HBO and HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys hasn’t closed the door on the idea of bringing back another season of the series created by Brad Ingelsby and starring Kate Winslet, also an exec producer on the project.“Brad and Kate and the producers are all talking to see if they think there’s a place to go,” Bloys revealed to

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeNow that the three Creative Arts Emmys ceremonies have wrapped, attention turns to the big event: Next Sunday’s Primetime Emmys telecast on CBS.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeGo ahead and put your money on another Emmy competition program win next Sunday for “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” If the Creative Arts Emmys are any indication, and they usually are, Television Academy voters are ready to give the VH1 show a fourth consecutive victory in the category.That would tie “RuPaul’s Drag Race” with “The Voice” as the second-most honored series in the competition category since it began in 2003.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeAdd ABC to the list of brands that have ditched their 3D identities and returned to a traditional flat graphic logo. (Think Pizza Hut, Subway and Burger King, all of which recently reverted to simple logos that are a bit more minimalist and avoid extra flourishes or textures.)The network worked with branding agency Trollbäck to come up with the refresh, which launched on-air during the “Bachelorette” finale Aug.