With a Glut of Stand-up Comedy One-Offs, It May Be Time to Rethink Emmys’ Specials Category (Column)

Emmys presenter. The Television Academy have confirmed that the awards ceremony will take place virtually for the first time in order to comply with social distancing measures amid concerns over the continued spread of coronavirus in the United States.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Emmy smackdown between Netflix and HBO has taken another dramatic turn. As the Television Academy announced the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards nominations on Tuesday morning, Netflix came out on top swinging with a whopping 160 nominations, followed by rival HBO in second at 107 nods.HBO still had reason to celebrate, however, as limited series “Watchmen” scored 26 nods, the most of any program.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Daytime Emmys completed its third and final pandemic-delayed ceremony on Sunday night, with Amazon Prime Video, HBO and Netflix all landing six wins in the various children’s, lifestyle and animation awards handed out, while Disney Channel and sister network Disney Junior combined for a total of nine wins.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeSome years, it’s easy to predict Emmy nominations and winners. And then there’s 2020.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeProducer/director Reginald Hudlin, whose credits include the 2016 Oscars, will become the first-ever Black executive producer of the Primetime Emmys, Variety has learned exclusively.

Also Read: Tokyo Olympics Boss: Games Would be Canceled Rather Than Pushed to 2022 if Virus Still a ThreatBrett Rapkin directed “The Weight of Gold,” and Phelps is just one subject of the film that also includes interviews with Shaun White, Apolo Ohno, Katie Uhlaender, Steve Holcomb, Jeremy Bloom, Lolo Jones, Bode Miller, Gracie Gold, Jonathan Cheever, Sasha Cohen, David Boudia and Jeret Peterson.HBO Sports will debut the film on HBO and to stream on HBO Max on Wednesday, July 29 at 9 p.m.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeLocal public broadcaster KCET was once again the major winner at this year’s Los Angeles Area Emmys, and then, when combined with its sister station KOCE (“PBS SoCal”), the two outlets further dominated the awards. KCET won eight Emmys this year, the most of any station, followed by Univision’s KMEX-TV, which won five.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeNow that the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has mapped out its rescheduled awards ceremonies for the rest of the year, it’s ready to launch its dedicated online viewing platform for all of the Emmy Awards that it produces.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Emmy nomination ballots are now closed, but in scouring this year’s entries, I was sad to see that “Succession” composer Nicholas Britell didn’t submit the show’s seminal Season 2 rap, “L to the OG.”Featured in the “Succession” episode “Dundee,” the song was one of the cringiest, most memorable moments of the last TV season: At a black-tie dinner celebrating mega-mogul Logan Roy’s 50th year running Waystar Royco, his son Kendall (Jeremy Strong) —

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeJai Rodriguez, one of the original stars of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” has been tapped to host the second of this year’s three Daytime Emmy virtual ceremonies. This one, focusing on digital dramas, is set to live stream on Sunday, July 19, at 9 p.m.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWhen Lynn Shelton died in May, she left behind a legacy that included directing episodes of programs such as “Little Fires Everywhere,” “The Morning Show,” “Dickinson,” “GLOW,” “Shameless,” “Fresh off the Boat,” “The Mindy Project,” “New Girl” and “Mad Men.” She also directed multiple Marc Maron standup specials, including this year’s “Marc Maron: End Times Fun.” However, Shelton has never been nominated for an Emmy — yet.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWith the debut of Quibi, the short form categories at the Emmys may never be the same.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeCould this be the year that the Television Academy voters finally shake up the Emmy race? Given that this is a time in our history like no other, perhaps people are in a different mindset right now — and that could very well impact how they’re choosing nominees.What that might mean is a few surprises when the 2020 Emmy noms are finally announced July 28. At least, let’s hope so.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Emmys are still on for Sept. 20, and besides host Jimmy Kimmel, there’s very little we know about how this year’s ceremony — to be broadcast on ABC — will be handled.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Emmy race for variety talk series took a dramatic turn at the end of March, when the late-night shows all found themselves pivoting to a new, at-home format.

Deaf Havana frontman James Veck-Gilodi has announced a live-streamed show which will be shot at London’s Old St. Pancras Church.The musician will take to the stage at the venue on Sunday, July 19 at 8pm (BST).

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeOf all the major Primetime Emmy categories, the competition program field has been the most in need of a shakeup. This is a not-so-amazing race that rarely changes — although this year, ironically, “The Amazing Race” won’t be a part of it.For the first time since the category launched in 2003, “The Amazing Race” — which won the competition series Emmy 10 times — won’t be among the nominees, as it didn’t air during the eligibility period.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeA few weeks ago, I wrote about how the major Emmy categories should consider expanding their nominations to 10, given the sheer number of viable contenders in this age of peak TV. Indeed, that’s true for the comedy, drama, limited series and competition races, in which there will absolutely be a ton of snubs when the noms are announced on July 28.

Erik Pedersen Managing EditorHBO has acquired and set a premiere date for The Weight of Gold, a feature documentary on the mental health challenges that Olympic athletes often face.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe 47th Daytime Emmy Awards got underway on Friday night, after a particularly unusual path due to the COVID-19 pandemic.