Recapping the 72nd Emmy Awards

On Sept. 20, the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards were presented by The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, was streamed live on ABC and broadcast internationally.  

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was not held in the normal theatre setting. Instead, it was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles without an audience. Winners accepted awards virtually and made speeches on Zoom from their homes. Some also took the opportunity to speak on social and political issues.  

“On the one hand, I appreciated that the actors acknowledged what was going on in the world,” said Dr. Lori Bindig, Department Chair of Communication Studies at Sacred Heart University. 

Regina King and Uzo Aduba were among some actors and actresses who expressed their pride and care toward the social justice struggles in the United States. King and Aduba both represent the Black community and wore T-shirts with the late Breonna Taylor on it. Taylor was shot and killed by police in March. 

“The cops still haven’t been held accountable,” King said. “She represents just decades, hundreds of years of violence against black bodies. Wearing Breonna’s likeness and representing her and her family and the stories that we were exploring, presenting and holding a mirror up on ‘Watchmen,’ it felt appropriate to represent with Breonna Taylor.” 

Aduba admired King’s decision to use the opportunity to make a statement and said, “I loved when I saw her shirt and standing in it with such strength and power, which we all know she has.”

The Canadian sitcom “Schitt’s Creek” made Emmy history. The show took home nine awards in total, both for the show itself and individual actors and actresses.  

“It is absolutely incredible. I think my dad said it best earlier this evening: it’s a dream you don’t want to wake up from, to be honest. What an absolutely unbelievable way to end our series,” said Dan Levy. 

Some of the awards “Schitt’s Creek” won include Best Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.  

“I definitely think ‘Schitt’s Creek’ was deserving of every award they won; it’s such a uniquely hilarious and comforting show with a diverse cast of characters,” said Castle Yuran, student success coordinator at Sacred Heart University. “Not to mention it was created by the father and son duo who starred in it.”

History was made yet again at this year’s Emmys when 24-year-old Zendaya took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Zendaya earned the award for her performance in the HBO drama “Euphoria.” This is Zendaya’s first Emmy, and she is the youngest to ever receive the award. 

In “Euphoria,” Zendaya plays the role of Rue Bennett, a teenage drug addict who constantly struggles to recover from her addiction. Although Zendaya had to limit the amount of people she could celebrate with due to the coronavirus pandemic, she still accepted the award with tears of joy.

“I usually don’t cry,” Zendaya said backstage during a virtual interview. “I go through it without letting it take over me. It was a very emotional moment. I still can’t believe it myself. It’s pretty crazy.” 

About the author

Staff Writer

Leave a Reply