As cases and hospitalizations from COVID-19 and the highly contagious Delta variant tick back up, the Primetime Emmy Awards are trying to stay ahead of the risk by scaling back the event considerably next month.
As reported by Deadline on Friday, the Television Academy is moving ‘out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of Emmy nominees, guests and media,’ and reducing the number of guests, production staff and especially media at the September 19th awards ceremony.
The significantly limited red carpet welcoming talent and nominees attending will include just about a dozen media outlets, and in lieu of the traditionally larger on-site media coverage, the TV Academy has partnered with CBS to launch a virtual media center that will allow media outlets to connect directly via live feed with Emmy winners as they are announced.
‘Out of an abundance of caution’: The Television Academy said on Friday that the Primetime Emmy Awards will be scaled back considerably next month
As for the Creative Arts Emmys, which will take place a week earlier from September 10 to 12, red carpet events ahead of the three shows are being canceled altogether.
What’s more, all on-site media, crew and vendors for all events will be required to test negative for Covid-19 and show proof of vaccination for admittance.
Masks will naturally be expected as well at the Los Angeles, California events.
After a virtual Emmys ceremony last September during the first brunt of the pandemic, event organizers hope this cautious approach will ensure no new COVID outbreaks or exposures will be traced back to this year’s festivities.
Cedric the Entertainer will host the Primetime Emmy Awards, which will air live from 8-11 p.m. ET/5-8 p.m. PT on CBS.
Taking action: The number of guests, production staff and especially media at the September 19th awards ceremony will be very reduced
Among the many nominees vying for awards this year: Uzo Aduba, in the Outstanding Lead Actress – Drama category for HBO Max’s recently resuscitated In Treatment
Among the many nominees vying for awards this year are Uzo Aduba, in the Outstanding Lead Actress – Drama category for HBO Max’s recently resuscitated In Treatment, and Jason Sudeikis in the Comedy category for breakout hit Ted Lasso.
It’s also considered to be Anya Taylor Joy’s year this year, as she is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit.
Last month, the Governor’s Ball events held after the Emmys were scrapped, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and spikes in the Los Angeles area.
The cancellations were ‘due to ongoing concerns and public health mandates’ amid a spike in infection numbers in Los Angeles County, officials with the the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Last month: Governor’s Ball events held after the Emmy awards were cancelled amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and spikes in the Los Angeles area
In its place, event officials said that ‘a series of enhanced Emmy Nominee Celebrations’ will take place ‘in advance of the Emmys at its NoHo Arts District campus,’ with ‘these intimate-themed gatherings [set to] honor nominees across the numerous peer groups.’
The Creative Arts Emmys, aimed at honoring TV crafts categories, are slated to be held in front of ‘limited live audiences of nominees and guests’ between September 11 and 12 from the Microsoft Theater at L.A. LIVE, with the broadcast scheduled for FXX on September 18.
The following day, the Primetime Emmys ceremony will be held in front of ‘a limited live audience’ with Cedric the Entertainer hosting. The show will air on CBS and Paramount+.
In 2020, the pandemic pushed both the Primetime Emmys and the Creative Arts Emmys to be virtual.
The shift comes as officials in Los Angeles County in July mandated residents to resume wearing masks at indoor venues amid a spike in local rates in cases and deaths due to the delta variant of COVID-19.
Details: In 2020, the pandemic pushed both the Primetime Emmys and the Creative Arts Emmys to be virtual
The cases have been on the rise this summer since the state reopened on June 15, lifting mandates for masks and how many people can enter a building.
LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis told ABC earlier last month, ‘I’m not pleased that we have to go back to using the masks in this matter but, nonetheless, it’s going to save lives. And right now that to me is what’s most important.’
Solis noted that most of the recent cases were people who were not vaccinated for the virus.
The area was hit hard last winter, with spikes in infection rates and the death toll.
LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement that ‘the level of COVID-19 transmission we are currently experiencing is now leading to significant increases in serious illness and hospitalizations, and requires us to take immediate action to prevent erosion of our recovery efforts.’
Also nominated: Jason Sudeikis in the Outstanding Lead Actor – Comedy category for breakout hit Ted Lasso
It’s considered to be Anya Taylor Joy’s year: She is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for The Queen’s Gambit; seen in the show with Moses Ingram