72nd Primetime Emmy Awards

Welcome to DigitalHit's coverage of the 72nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which took place on September 20th, 2020. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, these are the first socially-distanced Emmy Awards. The nominees have all been sent camera and broadcast packages and will be participating in the ceremony from home. It should be an interesting night. Fingers crossed for the IT team.

8:00 PM

Host Jimmy Kimmel comes out for his monologue, playing off of audience shots from past Emmys.

"Welcome to the PandEmmys." He jokes about why we need to have an awards show during a pandemic, but then transition into how televison shows have kept people during the quarantine. When Kimmel notices himself in the audience, he realizes he's playing to an empty theatre, except for Jason Bateman.

"Of course we don't have an audience. This isn't a MAGA rally," says Kimmel.

8:09 PM

Jimmmy introduces the first presenter, Jennifer Aniston, who's there but socially-distanced. The first category is Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to the fantastic Catherine O'Hara for Schitt's Creek. I couldn't be happier for her win. If you haven't seen the show, what are you waiting for?

8:20 PM

We see a pre-recorded bit where interns are trained to deliver the awards in a Kia while wearing a hazmat suit. It's nice to see product placement advertising has survived the pandemic.

8:23 PM

"Welcome back to the No People's Choice Awards," says Kimmel before he introduces Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to Eugene Levy. Again, I'm freakin' happy with this win. The Schitt's Creek cast are together in a socially-distanced location. His son, and show co-creator, Dan Levy is crying tears of joy.

8:27 PM

Tracee Ellis-Ross is at Jimmy's location. She declines to present because there are more important things in the world right now, until Kimmel mentions there's a gift bag. She then presents Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to Dan Levy for Schitt's Creek. Holy cow, I was hoping they'd win one award tonight.

8:37 PM

Riffing on Trump and the crazy issues with the USPS, the next batch of envelopes is delivered by a Russian mailman. Kimmel then presents Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to Andrew Cividino and Dan Levy for Schitt's Creek.

8:43 PM

Kimmel says the essential workers will hand out some of the awards. A teacher presents Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to Daniel Levy for... Schitt's Creek. Wow. I think they're having a good night.

8:46 PM

Zendaya is out next and she talks about people's voices and how TV can tell their stories. Issa Rae talks about her show pitch and how a white executive tried to tell her what black audiences wanted and expected.

8:53 PM

A UPS driver presents Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to Annie Murphy for Schitt's Creek. She says she's so proud to have been part of a show that celebrated love, friendship, kindness, and inclusivity.

8:55 PM

Jason Sudeikis is presenting, but first gets a Covid test. He presents Outstanding Comedy Series. And the Emmy goes to Schitt's Creek for a sweep of the comedy categories.

9:01 PM

Kimmel jokes that one out of four living Canadians has now got an Emmy. He adds that if Schitt's Creek had won one more, they could have traded it in for the Stanley Cup.

9:07 PM

Kimmel wonders if Trump has tweeted about the show yet but adds, "He's probably at church." David Letterman, who says he's wearing the tux he wore when he hosted the Emmys in 1986. He then presents Outstanding Variety Talk Show. And the Emmy goes to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

9:13 PM

The next category is Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. And the Emmy goes to Regina King for Watchmen.

9:22 PM

It's time for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. And the Emmy goes to Mark Ruffalo for I Know This Much is True.

9:26 PM

Randall Park strolls out with an alpaca. "When you read an email quickly, you can mistake 'You're presenting with an alpaca' for 'You're presenting with Al Pacino'," quips Park. He presents Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie. And the Emmy goes to Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson for Watchmen.

9:35 PM

Chris Cassidy, commander of the International Space Station sends a message of unity before Kimmel presents Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie. And the Emmy goes to Maria Schrader for Unorthodox.

9:39 PM

A female rancher and farmer from Montana presents Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. And the Emmy goes to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for Watchmen.

9:42 PM

Various performers discuss what they've been doing during quarantine.

9:49 PM

A cross-country trucker discusses how she and other have been working during the pandemic. She then presents Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. Tracy Morgan sits in for Tracey Ullman. And the Emmy goes to Uzo Aduba for Mrs. America.

9:53 PM

Jimmy Kimmel introduces Anthony Anderson. He does a bit about how many Black nominees there are but the night was changed by the pandemic and ruined a great moment. He then introduces the nominees for Outstanding Limited Series. And the Emmy goes to Watchmen.

9:59 PM

Cynthia Erivo talks firther about telling diverse stories before a clip of screenwriter Lena Waithe discussing the issue of representation.

10:02 PM

Kimmel pays tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg before introducing Her performing "Nothing Compares to U" for the In Memoriam segment. I like how they've incorprated their photos with backgrounds relating to their careers.

10:11 PM

Jimmy intros the accountants from Ernst & Young before checking to see if Jennifer Aniston made it home safely. She's joined by Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and Jason Bateman. Jimmy then presents Outstanding Competition Series. Kimmel says, "Past losers of this category have gone on to become President of the United States. And the Emmy goes to Rupaul's Drag Race.

10:15 PM

The President of the Television Academy, Frank Scherma, discusses how TV shows have connected distanced people with a shared discussion. He also announces that Tyler Perry hs won the Governors Award and Oprah Winfrey and Chris Rock pay tribute to him. Perry is there to accept the award.

10:28 PM

Kimmel presents Outstanding Lead Actor for a Drama Series. And the Emmy goes to Jeremy Strong for Succession.

10:35 PM

Kimmel is presenting Outstanding Lead Actress for a Drama Series. And the Emmy goes to Zendaya for Euphoria.

10:38 PM

Kimmel introduces Laverne Cox, who's presenting Writing for a Drama Series. And the Emmy goes to Jesse Armstrong for Succession.

10:41 PM

Kimmel presents Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. And the Emmy goes to Andrij Parekh for Succession.

10:48 PM

Sibling doctors now introduce the nominees for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. And the Emmy goes to Billy Crudup for The Morning Show.

10:50 PM

Kimmel chats with a cardboard cutout of Regina King, before introducing an NYC nurse who's presenting Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. And the Emmy goes to Julia Garner for Ozark.

10:53 PM

Yara Shahidi introduces a clip of America Ferrera discussing the importance of diverse voices and how a casting director once told her to do an audition "more Latina."

10:59 PM

Kimmel is now presenting the final presenter, Sterling K. Brown. He does a bit pretending This Is Us has won. He then realizes he's presenting and they weren't even nominated. He's presenting Outstanding Drama Series. And the Emmy goes to Succession.

11:04 PM

Jimmy Kimmel wishes us a good night.