Emmys 2020: Making the Case for ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ and ‘Schitt’s Creek’ for Comedy Series

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large“The Masked Singer” is doubling down. The hit celebrity music competition will introduce its first-ever two-headed costume this fall, the “Snow Owls.”When Season 4 launches on Sept.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeLos Angeles public broadcaster KCET has confirmed the episodic lineup for its 21st annual “Fine Cut Festival,” which features short films from Southern California student filmmakers.Finalists will air on KCET every Wednesday at 10 p.m. starting Sept.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeAdult Swim’s “Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal,” FX’s “Archer” and NBC’s “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” are among this year’s first batch of Emmy victors, as the Television Academy announced juried award winners on Tuesday.The juried categories included nods for choreography, interactive programming and motion design, which will be handed out on Thursday, Sept.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeFor “Drunk History” co-creator and host Derek Waters, it’s pretty bittersweet to still be campaigning for an Emmy now that his show has been canceled.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeAs the 72nd Emmys goes virtual, so will the media that covers it.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeHas variety sketch peaked? This year’s Emmy category got caught in the rule change that limited the number of nominations in proportion to the number of contenders submitted — and with just 14 entries, that meant only three ballot slots.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWhat are we going to do about the variety talk series category? The Television Academy implemented a plan this year to limit or expand a category’s nominations depending on how many contenders were submitted — with the exception of comedy and drama series, which will always get eight slots.

72nd Primetime Emmy Awards are still happening in September, but it'll look markedly different from what's been presented in the past due to COVID restrictions. Host will return to emcee the primetime ceremony on Sunday, Sept.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWith the kids back in school and Labor Day fast approaching, this is traditionally the time of year when the networks kick their fall-season campaigns into high gear. Promos begin airing, billboards pop up all over the country and executives start examining awareness and intent-to-view data on their new shows.But this is fall 2020.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWith less than a month to go before the Primetime Emmys, the telecast’s producers are still building the show and figuring out how to make it as live — and safe — as possible.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeMiss Monster is popping up at iconic spots all over Los Angeles in support of Fox’s “The Masked Singer,” while also promoting a pandemic-appropriate message: Wear a mask.Staring Aug. 20, the “Masked Singer” activation features the show’s “Miss Monster” character at the Santa Monica Pier and taking over the famous Randy’s Donuts sign.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeABC-owned KABC-TV (“ABC7”) has named Pam Chen to serve as the station’s vice president and news director. The move makes Chen the first Asian American news department head at a network-owned station in Los Angeles.Chen replaces Rob Elmore, who had headed up KABC’s news operations since 2015.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Television Academy has finished updating 2020’s Emmy nomination roster, and three overachievers stand out from the pack: Kerry Washington, Daniel Levy and Will Ferrell, all of whom earned four nods this year.Close behind them, Jason Bateman, Jimmy Kimmel, Issa Rae, Maya Rudolph and RuPaul each have three nominations.The TV Academy released the updated numbers after vetting producer credits for all Emmy-nominated narrative programming (comedy and

Tyler Perry and The Perry Foundation have been selected as recipient of the Television Academy’s 2020 Governors Award. The entertainment mogul will be presented with an Emmy statuette during the 72nd Emmy Awards telecast on ABC on Sept.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeTyler Perry and his Perry Foundation will be honored by the Television Academy as the recipient of this year’s Governors Award, which will be handed out during the Primetime Emmys televised event on Sunday, Sept. 20.Perry is the first individual to receive the Governors Award since 2014; last year, the Academy opted not to give out the honor at all.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeNot only has the COVID-19 pandemic upended the entertainment business (and, well, all businesses for that matter), it also put a sudden dent in what had been a more straight-ahead race to Emmy glory this year. A year ago, “Succession” Season 2 launched right in the middle of voting, and quickly turned into a phenomenon.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWhen Disney Plus launched last year, I would occasionally ask its executives about their Emmy plans.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe most unusual of years for the Emmy Awards will include the most unusual of tasks: This year, everyone nominated for a Creative Arts Emmy has been asked to pre-tape an acceptance speech.In a letter to nominees, the Television Academy has asked all of the contenders to record an acceptance speech as if they have just won for the categories in which they are nominated.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeFox is launching its first digital short series. The network has given an eight-episode series order to “Bucket List Bistro,” hosted by Christy Carlson Romano (“Kim Possible”).