In a year unlike any other, the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards were presented virtually. Celebrities dressed up and accepted awards from their own homes. Jimmy Kimmel hosted the event with help from Jennifer Aniston, Anthony Anderson, and Tracee Ellis Ross. Spread throughout the front row seats were life-size cutouts of some of the nominees, who would have traditionally attended. The night began with a monologue given by host Jimmy Kimmel. He started by welcoming everyone to the “pand-emmys” and thanked the crowd for being there virtually, with fake laughter and applause in the background. 

  The 2020 Emmy’s were a big night for many. Schitt’s Creek, which had never previously won an award, swept the televised awards in comedy. The show aired for six seasons thus far and won in the comedy categories of Outstanding Lead Actor, Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actor, Outstanding Supporting Actress, Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Directing, and Outstanding Comedy Series. Three comedy awards did go to other series, but the seven repeating awards for Schitt’s Creek made for a somewhat awkward beginning. Watchmen also had a very successful night, winning Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor, Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Casting, Outstanding Cinematography, and Outstanding Writing all in the category of Limited Series. As far as drama series, Succession took the lead winning seven Emmys. They won in the categories of Outstanding Writing, Casting, Directing, and Single-Camera Picture Editing as well as Outstanding Drama Series. They also claimed the awards for Outstanding Guest Actress and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

  Arguably the best moment of the night was Zendaya’s first Emmy award for her role as Rue in Euphoria. She won the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, making her the youngest to ever win in this category at just 24 years-old, as well as the second black woman. The actress clearly did not prepare an acceptance speech, commenting how crazy this was for her. “Zendaya winning was really unexpected, but it made me almost emotional to see her win,”  senior Ashley Burnette said. “I know how much that meant to her and how hard she has worked for it.”

 The ceremony also addressed calls for justice and voting. Just two days after the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actress Regina King paid tribute to RBG. Tracee Ellis Ross also urged people to make a plan for voting, stay safe, and wear a mask. Another recurring theme during the broadcast was racial injustice. Both Regina King and Uzo Aduba wore shirts to honor Breonna Taylor, and Sterling K. Brown wore a Black Lives Matter shirt. Actor Anthony Anderson also recognized the record number of black Emmy nominees this year by inviting Kimmel to chant “Black lives matter.” The 2020 Emmy’s were much different this year, but it gave people a  sense of normalcy and a hope that the big event can be held in person next year.