Review: Eugene and Dan Levy hosted positive Emmys show themed around age
As a seasoned observer of the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood, I must say that this year’s Emmys felt like a breath of fresh air. The diversity and inclusion block, led by the charismatic John Leguizamo, was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come but also how much further we still have to go.
Last Sunday evening, I watched the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards unfold live from the Peacock Theater – can you believe it’s been that long? It’s astounding to think about three-quarters of a century worth of these prestigious awards!
But most important, this year’s award was the first to feature Eugene and Dan Levy as co-hosts.
These occurrences represent different, somewhat better or worse versions of a familiar pattern, making them intriguing primarily due to their subtle deviations from past years’ broadcasts. The only exception is the 2020 Emmys, also known as the “lockdown Emmys,” which were exceptional as they coincided with the clean sweep of comedy awards by “Schitt’s Creek,” a series co-created and starring the Levys.
On Sunday evening, they appeared on stage without any prior commotion, all dressed in tuxedos (Eugene’s being double-breasted) and sharing identical eyebrows, and warmly greeted us at the Emmys, often referred to as “the biggest night for honoring film stars from streaming platforms in the realm of broadcast TV.” They then proceeded with their tasks.
In preparation for the event, Dan mentioned they would maintain a cheerful and vibrant atmosphere, while Eugene suggested a more humorous yet compassionate tone. Indeed, this awards ceremony was one of the most amiable in history, with minimal jabs at actors or shows, except for a jest about “The Bear” being a comedy sans humor. It was devoid of contentious issues, cringe-worthy jokes, and physical altercations (Will Smith from “Slow Horses” reassured, “I come in peace”). Despite its lack of controversy, it wasn’t dull; instead, I’d describe it as casually engaging, akin to watching beautiful landscapes unfold. In essence, it was a heartwarming, optimistic production that managed to steer clear of the usual self-congratulatory vibe typical of such events.
The relationship between the father and son on stage was a mix of warmth and uncertainty, with Dan being the more casual one and Eugene appearing somewhat confused at times. They humorously admitted that their Canadian politeness might hinder them in accepting awards, and Eugene in particular seemed to be under a lot of stress. “Dan remarked that Eugene looks less robust than he seems,” Dan added, “he has occasional heart palpitations.
The topic of maturity was evident throughout the event. Dan made a humorous remark about Emmy, 76, watching CBS instead of ABC, alluding to CBS’s audience demographic. He also implied that Eugene would be enthusiastic about the “Matlock” reboot because he belongs to the group that’s “in the know.” When Billy Crystal received applause after mentioning it was 50 years since his first talk show appearance, he playfully wondered, “Are you cheering because I’m old?” Lastly, Selena Gomez referred to co-presenters Steve Martin and Martin Short as “two gentlemen who are on the verge of becoming cat ladies without children.
Typically, the ambiance of nostalgia was seamlessly incorporated into the event’s atmosphere. A somewhat repetitive segment featured a collection of actors who had previously portrayed teachers, cops, lawyers, doctors, coaches, villains, TV moms, and TV dads. After some thematic discussion, they would proceed to announce an award.
One way to rephrase the given text in a natural and easy-to-read manner is:
A sort of diversity block began with a white-tuxedoed John Leguizamo declaring, “I’m one of Hollywood’s DEI hires,” DEI standing for diligence, excellence and imagination, by which standard, he said of the assembly, “we are all DEI hires.” He went on to speak of the days when Latinos rarely played Latinos and available characters were restricted to “the spicy sexpot, the Latin lover, the maid, the gang banger.” (“I used to watch ‘Star Trek’ and think, ‘Wow, in the future there ain’t gonna be no Latin people.”)
Recognizing advancement, the individual who placed an advertisement in the New York Times urging the Academy to increase Latino representation in the industry, commented, “It seems that voicing no complaints doesn’t bring about change. Tonight’s events make me feel almost hopeful and definitely less agitated.
Introducing Cris Abrego, the pioneering Hispanic head of the Television Academy, who championed diversity, handed over the stage to Matt Bomer and Joshua Jackson. They then introduced Governor’s Award recipient Greg Berlanti, who shared his experiences as a closeted gay child in times before the internet and advocacy groups. Back then, he explained, the only way to tell if someone was gay was by noticing if they also enjoyed watching ‘Dynasty’, ‘Dallas’, and knew all four of ‘The Golden Girls’ characters.
Reflecting on the turbulent political landscape beyond the theater, there were subtle acknowledgments in the air. Liza Colón-Zayas, who won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy for “The Bear,” passionately urged her fellow Latinos: “Keep faith, keep voting – vote for your rights.” The cast of “The West Wing” subtly referenced current events, expressing that storylines their writers once deemed implausible are now a reality. Candice Bergen, in her acceptance speech, highlighted recent advancements, reminding us of the backlash faced by her “Murphy Brown” character for raising a child as an unmarried woman. Then-Vice President Dan Quayle’s criticism would be unimaginable from today’s Republican vice presidential candidates, Bergen noted with pride. “My work here is done,” she concluded, adding a playful, “Meow!
If anyone doubted that the Levys would be the only 2020 comedy winners onstage Sunday, they were eventually disabused of the notion. Annie Murphy, Dan’s fictional sister and Eugene’s fictional daughter, was discovered standing with them before the evening’s final award, for best comedy, and after some banter, Catherine O’Hara, as glorious as ever, emerged to present the Emmy — with an envelope stuck to her back, produced after she tore up the one she held in her hand (“Must we really choose just one winner?”). The award went to “Hacks,” as if to continue a theme, a series starring (Emmy winner) Jean Smart, 73, and Hannah Einbinder, 29.
Throughout the entire show, it was none other than the 91-year-old, nominated Carol Burnett who caught everyone’s attention. She was beaming with joy and seemed to be having an absolutely delightful time. In essence, the atmosphere was filled with Carol Burnett’s Unbridled Joy.
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2024-09-16 10:01