The biggest record the 2020 Emmys will pull off is having an awards show during a pandemic.
AKA without a red carpet. Most likely, anyway.
While it’ll be interesting to see how the Emmys pulls off a virtual awards show, you could probably make a game out of how many times masks and socially distancing are mentioned.
Take your bets now as I review some nomination numbers.
Streaming is king, as we know. Netflix has the most nominations, beating out usual-leader HBO. Each online platform saw increases in the number of nominations except for YouTube and Prime Video. And, two-thirds of Prime’s nominations are for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
Even Quibi, the new short-form streaming platform, received Emmy nominations. And seriously, who’s watching that platform?
With non-cable networks (what I call the Farmer Five), three out of five have less nominations than 2019. Only PBS and ABC have more nominations in 2020 than in 2019.
Thirteen programs have more than 10 nominations, and seven of those 13 programs are on streaming networks.
Out of all the categories, 27 include multiple nominations from the same show. Three categories include three nominations from one show. Talk about stuffing the categories.
There are 47 first-time nominees. Out of those, seven have been nominated for an Oscar, and five have won at least once.
Since there are a fair number of newer shows in the mix this year, no actor or actress is going to break a record for most wins. But Sandra Oh (“Killing Eve”) and Steve Carell (“The Morning Show”) both have 11 nominations to date and zero wins. Both were on hit shows (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Office”) but have made their name in other ways, including these shows. Can either win this year?
We’ll find out Sept. 20 when the 72nd Emmys air on ABC.
