The Emmys looked very different this year as nominees set up cameras in their homes to virtually attend the event amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But that didn’t stop the biggest names in television getting glammed up to the nines on Sunday for the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, determined to make the occasion feel special from the comfort of their living rooms, offices and kitchens.
While A-listers were invited to trade gowns and tuxedos for pajamas – Jennifer Aniston pulled out all the stops when she appeared, in-person, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Red carpet stunner: Jennifer Aniston was one of the stars appearing in-person at the Staples Center on Sunday night for the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards
Golden girl: Aniston, 51, looked gorgeous in a low-cut black gown and silver jewelry
Aniston – who is nominated for her role in The Morning Show – sashayed down a hall covered in golden Emmy Awards as she kicked off the show alongside Jimmy Kimmel.
The Friends alum teamed her low-cut slinky black gown with statement silver jewelry and some strappy heels.
Arriving to present an award, Tracee Ellis Ross glittered in a plunging gold gown with dramatic ruffled skirt.
The 47-year-old Black-ish star flashed some leg with a perfectly placed thigh-high slit.
Camera-ready: The Friends alum kicked off the show showing off her bronzed limbs in the elegant gown
Putting out fires: The Morning Show nominee joined host Jimmy Kimmel on stage in the empty Staples Center auditorium
TV beauty: Stylist Chris McMillan got the actress’ locks ready as she gave a closer look at her statement necklace
Euphoria actress Zendaya gave regal vibes in a gown with voluminous rich purple skirt and a strong of violet gemstones around her neck.
This year’s Emmys honoring the best in television promise to be radically different as producers scramble to create Hollywood’s first major pandemic-era awards show.
The coronavirus has turned Tinseltown upside down, bringing productions to a halt even as stay-at-home orders around the world send binge-watching through the roof.
Late night funnyman Kimmel hosts the 72nd Emmys live on Sunday from an empty theater in Los Angeles with winners beaming in from the safety of their homes due to Covid-19.
Taking the plunge: Tracee Ellis Ross dazzled in a gold dress with ruffled skirt
Leggy look: The 47-year-old Black-ish star flashed some leg with a perfectly placed thigh-high slit
Strike a pose: Tracee managed to look incredible even with her face mask on
Dazzling: Zendaya looked beautiful in a jewel-toned gown with black sleeves
Regal hues: The Euphoria star showed off the outfit on her Instagram, giving a twirl
Adding to the unpredictability on a night of firsts, 130-odd nominees who were sent cameras to hook up in their own living rooms have been encouraged to get creative with their speeches.
‘Ratings have been flagging for award shows for years… This is, if nothing else, an opportunity to mix things up, to do an award ceremony in a way unlike any other that’s been done,’ said IndieWire TV awards editor Libby Hill.
‘Even if Sunday night is a complete disaster, it’s at least going to be an interesting disaster. And that’s really all you ask for in 2020.’
Short commute: Reese Witherspoon celebrated the night outside wearing a chic black dress
Reese watched the ceremony with her Little Fires Everywhere costar Kerry Washington
Bring on 2021: The duo through a NYE party with Kerry shimmering in a sequin mini dress
Sweeping the board: The cast of Schitt’s Creek gathered together wearing stylish evening looks as they scooped awards. Pictured is Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara
Celebrations: Stars Annie Murphy and Daniel Levy suited up for the occasion
Capturing this year’s somewhat anarchic zeitgeist, Watchmen leads the charge with a whopping 26 nominations, primarily in the limited series categories.
The eerily prescient comic book adaptation that debuted last October confronts historic US racism, police violence and even mask-wearing. It also wowed critics and audiences alike.
Watchmen speaks so specifically in so many unprecedented ways to the moment in which we’re living right now,’ said Hill.
‘I think people will probably get pretty tired of hearing Watchmen’s name getting called… it’s as much of a lock as we have right now.’
Sitting pretty: Regina King honored murdered Breonna Taylor with her choice of shirt under a striking fuchsia suit
Bath chic: Gabrielle Union wrapped up in a white robe and shower hat
Smiling bright: Comedian Yvonne Orji shined in a sequin-encrusted one-shoulder red gown
Another look: The Insecure star gave fans a better look at the dress on social media
Making a statement: The 36-year-old actress had the Black Power fist shaved into her head
With HBO’s record-breaking Emmys juggernaut Game of Thrones having finally mounted a dragon and soared off to Westeros, the awards in the drama series categories promise to be more fiercely contested this year.
‘It’s a relief for HBO that they have Succession hitting at the right time,’ said Deadline awards columnist Pete Hammond.
The critically adored show about a powerful family’s back-stabbing battle for control of a dynastic media empire won a writing Emmy in its first season, and has amassed 18 nominations this time.
But it is tied with Ozark, a dark money-laundering tale set in the American heartland from Netflix, which despite landing a record 160 nominations this year is still desperate to win its first major series Emmy.
Lurking in the background are British royals saga The Crown and Star Wars tale The Mandalorian, which boasts lavish Thrones-esque production values and has already scooped five Emmys in technical categories this week for newcomer Disney+.
Jason Sudeikis got suited up to present an award but was rudely interrupted by a nurse trying to test him for COVID-19
She means business: Insecure’s Issa Rae opted for a pastel suit and a top knot
Looking sharp: Anthony Anderson donned a metallic suit and hung out with Sterling K. Brown
Fall feels: Christina Applegate looked cozy, bundled up in a black sweater by a roaring fireplace
Sofa chic: Tiffany Haddish showed off her shaved head in a colorful patterned jumpsuit
Glowing: Rachel Brosnahan of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel put in a colorful appearance but didn’t show too much of her outfit
Floral explosion: Actress Rain Valdez looked gorgeous in a white gown with floral applique. She is nominated for her role in Razor Tongue
Comedy this year appears to be a toss-up between previous serial winner The Marvelous Mrs Maisel- Amazon’s quirky tale of a 1950s housewife who becomes a standup comic – and Schitt’s Creek.
The latter, a Canadian comedy about a privileged family forced to live in a rundown motel, failed to earn a single nomination in its first four years, but became a sleeper hit after airing on Netflix and signed off with a heartwarming final season.
Aside from the awards themselves, the night will honor the career achievement of Tyler Perry.
The African-American entertainment mogul has championed greater diversity in Hollywood, and this year paid funeral costs for black victims of police violence including George Floyd.
