Talk about going out with a bang! It was a comedy sweep for the final season of “Schitt’s Creek” at the 72nd (and first virtual) Emmy Awards. The series won seven of the 15 awards for which it was nominated including Outstanding Series, adding to the pair for makeup and casting it won in the Creative Arts categories.
Celebrating together at a festive gathering in Toronto, Canada, Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy, Catherine O’Hara, and Annie Murphy won for their acting, and Dan picked up two more trophies for directing (shared with Andrew Cividino) and writing.
“I guess it’s kind of ironic that the straightest role I ever played lands me an Emmy for a comedy series,” the senior Levy said. “Now I have to question what I’ve been doing for the past 50 years. Getting to work on camera with both my kids, Daniel and Sarah, for six years is such a joy. I love you both and could not be prouder.”
He later thanked Daniel “For taking this fish out of water story about the Roses and transforming it into a celebration of inclusivity and castigation of homophobia and a declaration of the power of love.”
His son, clad in a kilted suit, continued in that vein.
“Our show at its core is about the transformational effects of love and acceptance and that is something we’ve needed now than ever before,” he said. “For any of you who have not registered to vote, please do so,” he added before apologizing for “making this political, but I had to.”
“Ozark’s” Julia Garner, who won in the supporting drama actress category, slipped a message of encouragement and reassurance into her speech. “Let’s try to make this world better,” she said. “There will be life at the end of the tunnel.”
“I’m speechless!” Maria Schrader declared from Berlin after winning for directing “Unorthodox,” but did thank the creators, cast and crew. Damon Lindelof accepted two of the 11 awards “Watchmen” won, for Outstanding Limited Series and writing (with Cord Jefferson).
Nominated for 20 Emmys, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” was shut out of the major categories but won for sound mixing, cinematography, music supervision and period makeup at the Creative Arts ceremonies.
Maya Rudolph was a double winner for her guest appearance on “Saturday Night Live” as Kamala Harris and voiceover as Connie the Hormone Monstress in the animated show “Big Mouth.” Also previously announced, and 98-year-old Norman Lear earned his fifth Emmy for “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: ‘All in the Family’ and ‘Good Times,’” making him the oldest person ever to win.
Host Jimmy Kimmel mentioned the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg to segue to the memorial tribute to people in the television industry who died this year. Actress Regina King ended her acceptance speech for “Watchmen” by saying, “Rest in power, RBG.”
The Emmys had a charity winner, too. The show raised $2.8 million for No Kid Hungry.
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