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2020 Emmy Awards: winners

Schitt's Creek, Succession, Watchmen win big, but Aussies miss out.

“You can’t have a virus without a host,” said Jimmy Kimmel as he stepped onto an Emmys stage with footage of an awards show audience.

Welcome to a most unusual Emmy Awards for 2020.

Initially Kimmel didn’t acknowledge a fake crowd which had been cleverly edited in, laughing at his gags, applauding at appropriate highlights. But he soon fessed up there were cardboard cutouts in a mostly empty auditorium.

“Instead of bringing the nominees to us, we went to them,” he then explained, before showing 130 nominees on a huge screen. This year  there is also no orchestra, instead substituted with a DJ.

Kimmel also made the point that through the lockdown the one reliable was Television, and tonight is about bringing back a bit of fun.

Winners in bold:

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate (Dead to Me)
Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me)
Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek)
Issa Rae (Insecure)
Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish)

“May I please wish you a sound mind and a sound body. And though these are the strangest of days may you have as much joy as I had being holed up in a room with my dear Roses,” said O’Hara.

First award was handed over via a hazmat suit courier…

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson (Black-ish)
Don Cheadle (Black Monday)
Ted Danson (The Good Place)
Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method)
Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek)
Ramy Youssef (Ramy)

“I want to thank our amazing production team, terrific writers, an exceptionally talented cast, who I loved working with for six years,” said Levy acknowledging his win, including son Dan for steering the show.

Writing For A Comedy Series
The Good Place • Whenever You’re Ready • NBC Michael Schur
The Great • The Great • Hulu Tony McNamara
Schitt’s Creek • Happy Ending • Pop TV Daniel Levy
Schitt’s Creek • The Presidential Suite • Pop TV David West Read
What We Do In The Shadows • Collaboration • FX Networks Sam Johnson, Chris Marcil
What We Do In The Shadows • Ghosts • FX Networks Paul Simms
What We Do In The Shadows • On The Run • FX Networks Stefani Robinson

“Getting to write this show, getting to tell these stories has been the most cathartic experience of my life,” said Levy, who led the Writers’ Room with no experience (Aussie Tony McNamara missed out in this category).

Directing for a Comedy Series
The Great “The Great” Matt Shakman
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel “It’s Comedy or Cabbage” Amy Sherman-Palladino
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel “Marvelous Radio” Daniel Palladino
Modern Family “Finale, Part 2” Gail Mancuso
Ramy “Miakhalifa.mov” Ramy Youssef
Schitt’s Creek “Happy Ending” Andrew Cividino and Dan Levy
Will & Grace “We Love Lucy”

“I want to say a special thankyou to Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy,” said Cividino, “they’re role models and Dan for letting me into the world of Schitt’s Creek.”

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
William Jackson Harper (The Good Place)
Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method)
Sterling K. Brown (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Mahershala Ali (Ramy)
Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live)
Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek)

“This is a night to remember, I cannot thank the Academy enough,” said Levy, “This is complete overwhelming.”

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Betty Gilpin (GLOW)
D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place)
Yvonne Orji (Insecure)
Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Marin Hinkle (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live)
Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live)
Annie Murphy (Schitt’s Creek)

“I’m so proud to be a part of theis show that stands for love, kindness, inclusivity and acceptance. Those are 4 things we need more than ever right now,” said Murphy.

Comedy Series
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Dead to Me (Netflix)
The Good Place (NBC)
Insecure (HBO)
The Kominsky Method (Netflix)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime Video)
Schitt’s Creek (Pop TV)
What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Eugene Levy said, “I want to thank (Dan) who took our fish out of water story about the Rose family and transformed it into a celebration of inclusivity, a castigation of homophobia and a declaration of the power of love.”

Wait is that Dave Letterman?

Outstanding Variety Talk Series
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS)
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)

“Thank you again to my staff… I haven’t seen my staff in 6 months,” said Oliver.

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Cate Blanchett (Mrs. America)
Shira Haas (Unorthodox)
Regina King (Watchmen)
Octavia Spencer (Self Made)
Kerry Washington (Little Fires Everywhere)

“This is so freaking weird,” said King, who thanked Damon Lindelof, Casey Bloys and others. “Thank you television academy for choosing me to represent the thespian community.” (Sorry Cate Blanchett)

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Jeremy Irons (Watchmen)
Hugh Jackman (Bad Education)
Paul Mescal (Normal People)
Jeremy Pope (Hollywood)
Mark Ruffalo (I Know This Much Is True)

“HBO thank you so much,” said Ruffalo. “I believe that great acting happens between performers in the moment.”

“We have to fight for those who are vulnerable,” he said noting the theme of mental health. (Sorry Hugh Jackman)

Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special
Mrs. America • Shirley • FX Networks Tanya Barfield
Normal People • Episode 3 • Hulu Sally Rooney, Alice Birch
Unbelievable • Episode 1 • Netflix Susannah Grant, Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman
Unorthodox • Part 1 • Netflix Anna Winger
Watchmen • This Extraordinary Being • HBO Damon Lindelof, Cord Jefferson

“I would be remiss if we didn’t recognise all the men and women who died in the Tulsa massacre in 1921,” said Jefferson. “This country neglects and forgets its own history at its own peril, often. We should never forget that.”

Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
Little Fires Everywhere (Episode: “Find a Way”), Directed by Lynn Shelton (Hulu)
Normal People (Episode: “Episode 5”), Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (Hulu)
Unorthodox, Directed by Maria Schrader (Netflix)
Watchmen (Episode: “It’s Summer and We’re Running Out of Ice”), Directed by Nicole Kassell (HBO)
Watchmen (Episode: “Little Fear of Lightning”), Directed by Steph Green (HBO)
Watchmen (Episode: “This Extraordinary Being”), Directed by Stephen Williams (HBO)

“The Emmys already felt like a coronation, and now I’m speechless,” said Schrader from Israel.

Wait is that Bob Newhart?

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Dylan McDermott (Hollywood)
Jim Parsons (Hollywood)
Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend)
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Watchmen)
Jovan Adepo (Watchmen)
Louis Gossett Jr. (Watchmen)

“Man, I’m surprised,” said Abdul-Mateen II. “Thank you to HBO, Damon Lindelof for your words, your creativity…. Watchmen is a story about trauma… police corruption and brutality… but in the midst of all that it was also a story about a guy who came down to earth to reciprocate to a black woman all the love that she deserved… I’m so proud I was able to walk into those shoes.”

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Holland Taylor (Hollywood)
Uzo Aduba (Mrs. America)
Margo Martindale (Mrs. America)
Tracey Ullman (Mrs. America)
Toni Collette (Unbelievable)
Jean Smart (Watchmen)

“Mama I won!” said Aduba. “I want to thank my friends, my family, my kids.” (Sorry Toni Collette)

Limited Series
Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
Mrs. America (Hulu)
Unbelievable (Netflix)
Unorthodox (Netflix)
Watchmen (HBO)

“History is mystery” said Lindelof who acknowledged the story was not his, but the sum of the parts. “Embrace paradox. Never contradict yourself. And finally stop worrying about getting cancelled and ask yourself what you’re doing to get renewed.” He also dedicated the award to the victims and survivors of the Tulsa Massacre.

Oh no, first big tech hiccup of the night as Kimmel pays tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsberg, before the In Memoriam. But the sound returns for H.E.R. singing “Nothing Compares 2 U” as we remember lost lives.

Wait is that Friends?

Reality Competition
The Masked Singer (FOX)
Nailed It (Netflix)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)
Top Chef (Bravo)
The Voice (NBC)

“We love making television, all the kids get to tell their stories on our show,” said RuPaul with a message to viewers in lockdown…. “Don’t give up on love!”

Academy honours actor, writer, producer, and director Tyler Perry with a Governors Award.

“In my grandmother’s quilt there was no patch that represented black people on Television. But in my quilt he grandson is being celebrated by the Television Academy,” said Perry.

Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman (Ozark)
Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us)
Steve Carell (The Morning Show)
Brian Cox (Succession)
Billy Porter (Pose)
Jeremy Strong (Succession)

“Wow,” said Strong. “Brian Cox I share this with you, thank you so much.”

Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show)
Olivia Colman (The Crown)
Jodie Comer (Killing Eve)
Laura Linney (Ozark)
Sandra Oh (Killing Eve)
Zendaya (Euphoria)

“I just want to say there is hope in the young people,” said Zendaya. “I know our show doesn’t always seem like it.”

Writing For A Drama Series
Better Call Saul • Bad Choice Road • AMC Thomas Schnauz
Better Call Saul • Bagman • AMC Gordon Smith
The Crown • Aberfan • Netflix Peter Morgan
Ozark • All In • Netflix Chris Mundy
Ozark • Boss Fight • Netflix John Shiban
Ozark • Fire Pink • Netflix Miki Johnson
Succession • This Is Not For Tears • HBO Jesse Armstrong

“I love writing for this show so much,” said Armstrong. “Thanks to all the writers on Succession, especially all the ones who wrote on this season.”

Directing For A Drama Series
The Crown • Aberfan • Netflix Benjamin Caron
The Crown • Cri de Coeur • Netflix Jessica Hobbs
Homeland • Prisoners Of War • Showtime Lesli Linka Glatter
The Morning Show • The Interview Mimi Leder
Ozark • Fire Pink • Netflix Alik Sakharov
Ozark • Su Casa Es Mi Casa • Netflix Ben Semanoff
Succession • Hunting • HBO Andrij Parekh
Succession • This Is Not For Tears • HBO Mark Mylod

“This distinction has been bestowed on my birthday so thank you for this extraordinary gift,” said Parekh. “I want to dedicate this Emmy to people whose names, like mine are hard to pronounce.”

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul)
Bradley Whitford (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Billy Crudup (The Morning Show)
Mark Duplass (The Morning Show)
Nicholas Braun (Succession)
Kieran Culkin (Succession)
Matthew Macfadyen (Succession)
Jeffrey Wright (Westworld)

“If I haven’t thanked you please call me,” said Crudup.

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Laura Dern (Big Little Lies)
Meryl Streep (Big Little Lies)
Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown)
Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale)
Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve)
Julia Garner (Ozark)
Sarah Snook (Succession)
Thandie Newton (Westworld

“I’m shocked to be honest,” said Garner. “Thank you to the television academy for this award…. thank you Jason and Laura…. there will be light at the end of the tunnel.” (Sorry Sarah Snook!).

Drama Series
Better Call Saul (AMC)
The Crown (Netflix)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Killing Eve (BBC America/AMC)
The Mandalorian (Disney Plus)
Ozark (Netflix)
Stranger Things (Netflix)
Succession (HBO)

Jesse Armstrong said, “It’s very sad not to be with the cast to share it tonight… this is a wonderful achievement for the whole group…..” before he did bid “unthank you” to the virus, Trump, Boris Johnston, quasi-national governments and media moguls.

“I’ll see you all at the sad after Zoom party,” said Kimmel as he signed off.

That’s a wrap.

Some winners were announced in Creative Emmy Awards, noted in bold.

Animated Program
Big Mouth • Disclosure The Movie: The Musical! • Netflix Bob’s Burgers • Pig Trouble In Little Tina • Fox
BoJack Horseman • The View From Halfway Down • Netflix •
Rick And Morty • The Vat Of Acid Episode • Adult Swim
The Simpsons • Thanksgiving Of Horror • Fox

Guest Actor In A Comedy Series
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • It’s Comedy Or Cabbage • Prime Video Luke Kirby as Lenny Bruce
Modern Family • Legacy • ABC Fred Willard as Frank Dunphy
Modern Love • When Cupid Is A Prying Journalist • Prime Video Dev Patel as Joshua
Saturday Night Live • Host: Adam Driver • NBC Adam Driver as Host
Saturday Night Live • Host: Eddie Murphy • NBC Eddie Murphy as Host
Saturday Night Live • SNL At Home #2 • NBC Brad Pitt as Dr. Anthony Fauci

Guest Actor In A Drama Series
Black Mirror • Smithereens • Netflix Andrew Scott as Chris Gillhaney
The Mandalorian • Chapter 8: Redemption • Disney+ Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Gideon
The Morning Show • Chaos Is The New Cocaine • Apple TV+ Martin Short as Dick Lundy
The Outsider • Fish In A Barrel • HBO Jason Bateman as Terry Maitland
Succession • Dundee • HBO James Cromwell as Ewan Roy
This Is Us • After The Fire • NBC Ron Cephas Jones as William Hill

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
A Black Lady Sketch Show • Angela Bassett Is The Baddest B***h • HBO Angela Bassett as Mo
The Good Place • You’ve Changed, Man • NBC Maya Rudolph as The Judge
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel • A Jewish Girl Walks Into The Apollo… • Prime Video Wanda Sykes as Moms Mabley
The Politician • Vienna • Netflix Bette Midler as Hadassah Gold
Saturday Night Live • Host: Eddie Murphy • NBC Maya Rudolph as Senator Kamala Harris
Saturday Night Live • Host: Phoebe Waller-Bridge • NBC Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Host

Guest Actress In A Drama Series
The Handmaid’s Tale • God Bless The Child • Hulu Alexis Bledel as Emily
How To Get Away With Murder • Stay • ABC Cicely Tyson as Ophelia Harkness
Orange Is The New Black • God Bless America • Netflix Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset
Succession • Return • HBO Harriet Walter as Lady Caroline Collingwood
Succession • Tern Haven • HBO Cherry Jones as Nan Pierce
This Is Us • Flip A Coin • NBC Phylicia Rashad as Carol Clarke

Television Movie
American Son • Netflix
Bad Education • HBO
Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: These Old Bones • Netflix
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie • Netflix
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend • Netflix

Variety Special (Live)
77th Annual Golden Globe Awards • NBC
Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: “All In The Family” And “Good Times” • ABC
The Oscars • ABC
Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show Starring Jennifer Lopez And Shakira
73rd Annual Tony Awards • CBS

Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones • Netflix
Dave Chappelle: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize For American Humor • PBS
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas • Netflix
Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours To Kill • Netflix
John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch • Netflix
Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah • Netflix

Children’s Program
Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance • Netflix
Star Wars Resistance • Disney Channel
We Are The Dream: The Kids Of The Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest • HBO

Documentary Or Nonfiction Special
The Apollo • HBO
Beastie Boys Story • Apple TV+
Becoming • Netflix
The Great Hack • Netflix
Laurel Canyon: A Place In Time • EPIX

Documentary Or Nonfiction Series
American Masters • PBS
Hillary • Hulu
The Last Dance • ESPN
McMillion$ • HBO
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem And Madness • Netflix

Writing For A Variety Special
Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones • Netflix Dave Chappelle
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas • Netflix Hannah Gadsby
John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch • Netflix John Mulaney, Marika Sawyer
Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything • Netflix Patton Oswalt
Seth Meyers: Lobby Baby • Netflix Seth Meyers

Writing For A Variety Series 
The Daily Show With Trevor Noah • Comedy Central
Full Frontal With Samantha Bee • TBS
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver • HBO
Late Night With Seth Meyers • NBC
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert • CBS

This post updates.

32 Responses

  1. Hopefully they’ll think about doing another series of Schitts Creek now. I agree with everyone else here – I didn’t like it when it first started but came back to it a couple of series later and loved it. Was the same for me with Modern Family. There’s no point flogging a dead horse but it does make you wonder how many series have been axed over the years by nervous networks and not given the time to breathe and develop that could have gone on to be hits.

    1. I’ve just binged all 80 episodes in the last month and loved it. But it’s done. I think they wrapped it at the perfect time in a terrific way, something that cannot be said of my once beloved Arrested Development.

  2. I was really pleased to see my favourite comedy Schitt’s Creek, and my favourite drama Succession both were big winners!
    The 3 hour show was pretty awful though, but I recorded it and zipped through the horrible stuff.
    Apart from those two shows it was a very “diverse” lot – no complaints about race this year!
    Quotas or truly deserved? They’ll never know.

  3. I am uber delighted that Schitt’s Creek swept – i didn’t think it would or could – but weirdly it was met with overwhelming affirmation at the end of its 6 season run. No nominations until Season 5, then an unlikely sweep in its final season. Emmy rarely bestows big wins on a show in its final year – normally it has given enough to a show during its run ala Modern Family, Frasier etc.

    I loved Schitt’s Creek – from Ep 1 immediately! My favourite show for years. I think it is a classic. So happy for all the wins; but most of all for the luminous and brilliant Catherine O’Hara. She makes me cry with laughter – I laugh out loud more about her than any character since Jim Parsons’ ‘Sheldon’. So thrilled she won.

  4. OK, i need to get into Succession, wierd that a show has so much success without creating much of an impact on pop culture and watercooler talk. The other 7 nominated drama titles are all household names.

    1. This is because the three commercial networks here in Australia no longer have an interest in seeking out quality productions. Their only pursuit is pseudo reality nonsense and their numbers (ratings) are dwindling or backfiring, think Plate of Origin. I’ve heard good things about Succession and Yellowstone but my dollars are stretched as it is with Netflix and Amazon Prime.

      Congratulations to Schitt’$ Creek. As others have pointed out it’s a slow burner but the humour and warmth shines from the small screen.

      1. I still find Yellowstone to be overrated. I’m watching it weekly (S2E7 I’m up to) and I’m waiting for it to have that moment to justify why everyone seems to love it so much. It’s very patchy. The amount of general public love it gets is lost on me… it’s just not as premium a drama as it likes to think it is in my eyes. A lot of that is to do with Costner. I think he’s miscast and thoroughly unlikable as a character.

        1. Apart from Kevin Costner, who is also a producer, Yellowstone is almost a Dallas knock off with a bit of nudity (toned down in season 2) and coarse language included to spice things up a bit.
          Apart from a too predictable story line in places I don’t mind Yellowstone, even though Kevin does like giving a narrative about a depreciating American culture and the loss of wilderness areas.

  5. Schists Creek was a slow burner. It too until the end of season 2 for the warmth of the characters to come to the forefront. By the time it reached season 6 (this award season) it had developed into one of the best comedies I have ever watched and thoroughly deserved all of the awards given. Judge it on the first few episodes at your own peril!

  6. God the Emmy’s love Uzo Aduba… she won a few times for OITNB (in which she was good, but the best of the bunch? Hmmm)… and her winning for Mrs. America is completely bizarre. Again she was ok… but to pick her out of that amazing cast is a bit strange. Toni Collette was robbed. She was phenomenal.

    1. That’s what happens when left-wing politics & politically correct nonsense invade the arts, instead of the best man/woman winning, they have to meet diversity quotas!

    1. Agreed. Overhyped and overrated… especially now with all the attention it’s gotten. Just like the Big Bang Theory… Ugh. Remember when Jim Parsons was winning every year as Sheldon and they won the best Comedy series… that garnered a bigger laugh than what the show could ever try to muster from me.

    1. I enjoy it while at the same time thinking it is nothing to write home about, however I feel the characters in the show are quintessential small town/rural U.S/Canada and they relate to it far more than what this Aussie does. Kind of like us here, a lot of people would most likely know someone from somewhere that was very or a bit like a Kath and Kim character, where as that part of the world would struggle with it. So yep while not my all time favourite I do get fair enjoyment from it, much like I did the Canadian show Corner Gas (2004-05), which has a very similar smalltown/rural feel to it as Schitt’s Creek does for mine (which probably helps me see it as it is).

  7. Schitt’s Creek is such a great show and thoroughly deserves all the awards. Moira Rose has become an iconic character with all those quirky quotes she delivers. The show starts off slowly but by season 5 and 6 it delivers in spades.

  8. All of Schitt’s Creek awards remind me when Jane Lynch hosted the Emmys when Modern Family won everything. On return from a commercial break she says “And welcome back to the Modern Family Awards”.

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