As Emmy hosts, Eugene and Dan Levy want to make the show a ‘light and bright’ night

As a die-hard Schitt’s Creek fan, I can’t help but feel a pang of wistfulness reading Dan Levy and Eugene Levy’s heartfelt reflections on the Emmy Awards and their beloved show. Having grown up watching SCTV and Second City Television, it’s incredible to see these two talents come full circle, delivering laughs and touching moments in a series that has captured the hearts of millions.

In 2020, the sixth season of “Schitt’s Creek,” initially aired on Pop TV but gained popularity after Netflix, marked its grand finale. This season remarkably swept the Emmy Awards, with Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy winning for their acting performances, Dan Levy also receiving awards for writing and directing, and the series itself being recognized as the best comedy of the year, a joint creation by the father-son duo, the Levys.

Later on, much like a follow-up or a triumphant encore, Dan and Eugene are back, not quite to where they once reigned supreme – remember 2020 was the year of COVID, so the “Schitt’s” gang collected their awards from a tent in Canada – as they take the stage as hosts for the 76th Emmy Awards. This is just as thrilling for me, fellow fan from start to finish – even considering their earlier work on “SCTV,” where O’Hara and Eugene Levy first made their small screen impact – as any other potential event during the ceremony, airing this Sunday on ABC from the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

In our recent chat via Zoom, we reminisced about the past and discussed future plans. Here’s a summary of some key points from our discussion. (Edited for clarity)

Take me back to 2020.

Eugene: Indeed, 2020 stands out vividly in our minds. It was quite an extraordinary evening, one that doesn’t come around often. Despite the global pandemic, it managed to be enjoyable, strange, and wondrous all at once.

Dan: It was an unprecedented night, unlike any we had ever experienced before. It was extraordinary! As Annie and I walked to the tent we had set up, I found myself reminiscing about our first day on set. I shared with her my mental picture of that day and marveled at how unusual and magical our journey had been. At that point, we had achieved a milestone – getting nominated for our roles in the film – and that was a major accomplishment for us. Before entering the tent, we took a moment to appreciate the incredible nature of it all, having come with no expectations. The night then unfolded in a way none of us could have foreseen. Honestly, I don’t think any of us truly anticipated what would happen next.

Eugene: Isn’t it interesting how they combined all the comedy awards at the start of the show? That was something new to me. Essentially, it was a rapid-fire succession of wins. It’s like a fantasy you might have— “What if we swept every category?” But honestly, I never even consider that possibility. I truly believed that Catherine O’Hara would win, and if she didn’t, then something seemed off. To me, her win was the only guaranteed one. And then came another win, followed by mine, and then Daniel’s.

Dan: The most recent accolade in our department belonged to Annie. By then, everyone else had already won, and as I glanced at Annie, she seemed apologetic, like she was about to spoil something or obstruct someone’s progress. But she went on to win, and her victory left me more bewildered than her, perhaps because of a conversation we had earlier that day and the arduous process of discovering this actress amidst countless auditions, instantly recognizing her talent, and then seeing her honored and celebrated at the pinnacle of television. That night, my joy was mostly derived from observing all the people who had collaborated on our show, with no initial expectations since nobody watched it during its entire run. However, in that moment, it struck me as peculiar – “What’s happening now?” We had persevered for four seasons without any recognition, followed by a couple of nominations in the fifth season, and by the time our sixth season was acknowledged, we had come to accept that the show would remain a quirky cult favorite rather than gaining mainstream popularity.

Eugene: It’s an odd thing to say but COVID kind of came into play, because nobody was going out. I think there was a big discovery of our show with people looking for something somewhat uplifting they could be watching. The whole night was so surreal because we’re all masked up and half the people we invited we had to disinvite because the Ontario government came down with a new law the night before the Emmys where the number of people for an outdoor event, which was at 50, was cut down to 25. It was a very bizarre night but just crazy, crazy exciting.

When you were still mostly based in Canada, did the Emmys loom large in your imagination?

As a movie aficionado, let me share my thoughts on attending the Emmys – it’s like being at the Oscars, just a different league. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend several Canadian award shows, but nothing compares to the grandeur of the Emmys.

So you went to the awards?

Eugene: Indeed, that evening was the ’82 Emmys, where the writing team and I were present. When our show was up for recognition, they screened a sketch I had penned titled “Perry Como: Still Alive,” which elicited hearty laughter from the audience in the theater. However, when the winner was announced, we didn’t take home the prize, and there was an audible sigh of disappointment from the crowd.

How did the invitation to host come your way?

John: Previously, the opportunity was presented but it didn’t seem fitting for some unknown causes. This year, we were asked once more, and I believe all our reservations had vanished. It appeared to be an exciting and significant endeavor – not small, quite substantial in reality.

Eugene: Both of us were a bit anxious since this was quite a challenging endeavor – exposing ourselves, so to speak, and wondering if it was worth the effort. We could’ve just enjoyed the fall season from the comfort of our couches, watching it on TV. However, something compelled us to take part – maybe we felt we could pull it off, and it could be enjoyable. After all, we had previously opened the SAG Awards and had a great time doing so, with everything turning out successfully. It seemed like a good fit for us, so we decided to give it a try. And who knows what might happen?

Have you done other things together since the end of “Schitt’s Creek”?

Eugene: Well, we did some presenting. I know we presented at the SAG Awards two years ago.

Dan: You and Catherine did that, no?

Eugene: Negative, it was the four of us – you, me, Annie, and Catherine. This was during times when the teleprompter wasn’t active, and we had that special moment.

Dan: That was the Emmys.

Eugene: That was the Emmys.

Dan: You said the SAG Awards.

Eugene: No, I said the Emmys. I think. But working together, not since the show.

Did you experience a sense of letdown when you completed “Schitt’s Creek” and realized that we wouldn’t be returning for another season?

Dan: We didn’t want the series to end, but it had to because that was where the story concluded. We received a fifth season renewal following the fourth season, and it seemed like, “Alright, I can wrap up the story in two seasons.” Any more might have resulted in one of those shows that overstayed their welcome. The shows I revisit again and again are those that ended perfectly. They left me yearning for more. It was crucial for us, I believe, to satisfy the audiences we highly respected – they’re the ones who got us here, by discovering it on Netflix and spreading the word through memes, GIFs, and shares. This show thrived thanks to its fans, so it was essential not to disappoint them with a “meh” ending. We aimed to make each season surpass the last one. I think our final episode is among the best we ever produced. How fortunate!

The 2020 Emmys were kind of like a bonus episode.

Dan: Absolutely, it’s ironic that Moira Rose never won an Emmy and yet we did, like a delightful cherry on top. However, I often find myself dozing off, hoping, yearning for an idea that would reunite us all. Alas, such an idea has yet to materialize. Contrary to popular belief in the media — whenever you suggest “maybe,” it becomes a big headline — there’s no reunion planned. But let me assure you, it’s not due to a lack of affection.

But “deflation” like the last day of high school?

Eugene: Oh my God, yes.

Dan: I cried for 24 straight hours.

Eugene: For an entire week during filming, tears flowed freely. Each time we reached a closing point – the final scene in our motel room, or with the family – it was incredibly emotional. This was because everyone felt deeply connected to the ending. By the time we filmed the wedding sequence, there wasn’t enough tissue in the studio to handle all the tears.

How have you been preparing for this upcoming job?

Dan: Certainly, a substantial amount of writing is involved. Our small team of scribes is diligently working with us. We aim for a festive tone, yet we don’t want it to be overly challenging. There should still be an element of sharpness, though. I’ve been informed that people are quite enthusiastic because we’re not going for the harsh comic style. Instead, there will be a sense of warmth permeating the atmosphere. Our goal is to harmoniously blend these qualities without becoming dull, and progress is being made in this direction. We’re making steady progress.

Eugene: Additionally, we’re not just honoring the nominees but also acknowledging the power of television, which launched our careers. It’s odd when humor is directed at those who are nominated, as they’ve labored hard for this moment – it’s their night, after all. Respect should be paid to the awards ceremony itself, or else, why are we gathered here? While we may not be professional comedians, our dynamic together is amusing. It all started on “Schitt’s Creek,” and it appears that relationship still thrives. It seems to benefit us both, and I suppose whoever suggested this collaboration had a good idea.

So you’ll be doing a version of David and Johnny or Dan and Eugene?

Dan: In some aspects, they seem connected; one could be seen as an expansion of the other. Absolutely, there’s a pleasant flow. We aim to maintain a lively and vibrant atmosphere for these remaining two weeks, leaving room for surprises, but that’s our objective.

How does the pressure of being nominated compare to the pressure of running this three-hour ship?

Dan: In the end, your goal is really to make it past the speech, and everything else should become smoother afterward.

Eugene: You’re helping establish our unique vibe, and that’s crucial. We’re just being who we are, and things can get a bit complicated when we’re deep in the thick of it, but in the end, we need to stay true to ourselves and do what makes us laugh. We’re fortunate to be working with some fantastic individuals, and surprisingly, we’re genuinely enjoying this journey. Listen, it’s a new experience, and it’s quite a significant production; I believe the secret is not to overthink it, as that could derail us. So, jump in, jump out, avoid obstacles, sign off, and God bless.

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2024-09-11 13:33