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Don’t have a heart attack just yet. Despite the fact that Jimmy Kimmel started the 2020 Emmys ceremony with a packed theater full of laughing people, no one is breaking COVID-19 procedures. Much like everything in Hollywood all of that canned laughter was an act.
Jimmy Kimmel started his Emmys speech telling jokes to a packed theater. But it wasn’t long before he revealed what was really happening. “No one is in the audience. That would mean that I’m up here all alone. Just like prom night,” Kimmel joked.
“This isn’t a MAGA rally,” he then added.
All of that footage of celebrities laughing was actually from last year’s Emmys ceremony that was spliced in to help us all pretend like this is normal. In reality television’s biggest night is staying health conscious. The Academy has sent all 130 nominees their own personal filming rigs where they will be video chatting in from all over the world.
After emphasizing the importance of social distancing for months now, it would only make sense that Hollywood’s most famous would be practicing what they preached. But the bit still tricked some viewers on Twitter (including this reporter):
This Emmys race has been dominated by Netflix and HBO. Though Netflix has the most nominations of any network with 160 nominations, HBO has dominated some of the biggest categories. Watchmen, Succession, Ozark, and The Crown have all received multiple nominations. This year will also see the end of a beloved favorite. As this is the last year that Schitt’s Creek can be nominated for the Emmys, many fans are hoping the fan favorite will finally be getting its due.
As safe as it is, there’s a pretty depressing edge to that audience revelation. This is an event that has historically revolved around community and, you know, being in the same room as other people. It’s almost as if this entire virtual Emmys thing is a waste of everyone’s time. You can watch the Emmys on ABC.
