Amazing TV is Celebrated at a “New Normal” Emmys

With. a new host and many high-profile nominees, this Emmy broadcast will be like no other

As the world gingerly tries to return to something approaching normalcy, awards shows are also hoping to resume business as usual in the coming months. But while the Emmys was originally planning to host a regular old shindig following its virtual gala last year, things haven’t exactly panned out that way. Now, organizers are settling on a “new normal” kind of ceremony instead. That means holding the event outside at L.A. Live’s Event Deck (a space directly behind the Microsoft Theater where the Emmys usually take place) and limiting the number of attendees.

Another notable change this year is that someone named “Jimmy” won’t be hosting. That honour instead goes to Cedric the Entertainer, who is happy to be emceeing in front of an actual audience and not another Zoom chat. “I’m very excited that there will be some degree of an audience there, still be some celebs in the room,” he told Variety. “The virtual aspect of last year, even though I thought they did a great job, that probably wouldn’t have been as appealing to me. I’m excited with having some people there. And hopefully, that remains to be true all the way through, until the day.”

According to the comedian, we can also expect to see lots of him throughout the night. Not only is he planning a big opening number, but he’ll be back between trophy presentations as much as possible, which award galas in general seem to have been getting away from lately. Yet, as Cedric sees it: “I don’t want to be the maître d’ walking you in and sitting you, just being a traffic cop.”

Meanwhile, some of the most-nominated shows include Netflix’s The Crown, Disney+’s The Mandalorian and breakout HBO Max comedy Hacks, starring frontrunner Jean Smart.

The 73rd Emmy Awards air Sunday at 5 p.m. on CTV and 5 p.m. & 8 p.m. on CBS