Schitt’s Creek’s record-breaking sweep
Apart from becoming the first comedy series to win all four major acting categories in a single season, it also created a record for the most wins by a single comedy series in the same season. For a six-season show that didn’t even get nominated until last year, Schitt’s Creek sure came out swinging in 2020. The sharp-but-sweet Pop TV comedy won in seven out of seven categories in for its final season — including Outstanding Comedy Series, Writing, Directing, and all four acting categories — making it the most-awarded comedy in a single year ever. Schitt’s Creek has long been overlooked by award ceremonies and it was so exciting to see the show get the recognition it deserves for its final season. Dan, Eugene, Catherine and Annie all winning in their respective categories may be the first good thing to come out of 2020.
Succession wins Best Drama
In just two years, the twisted story of media titan Logan Roy and his alternately bumbling and conniving scions has gone from slick guilty pleasure to one of the most addictive, sharply-written, darkly trenchant shows on television. The show secured it’s spot as the best drama on TV after this year’s Emmy’s, and we’re all waiting on the edge of our seats for season three.
Zendaya wins Best Actress for her role in Euphoria
As Rolling Stone said in their recap, of the night’s few genuine upsets, the loveliest was an unexpected win for Zendaya as Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her raw, deeply felt performance in HBO’s Euphoria. The first-time nominee was up against some heavy competition: past Emmy winners Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, and Laura Linney, plus Oscar winner Olivia Colman and assumed favorite Jennifer Aniston, who had a comeback of sorts with her portrayal of an icy news anchor in The Morning Show. But the 24-year-old Zendaya took the statuette, making her the youngest winner in the category’s history. “I know this feels like a really weird time to be celebrating, but I just want to say that there is hope in the young people out there,” a shocked and, well, euphoric Zendaya said. She then raised her hands in celebration as her friends and family — and her fellow nominees — cheered her on.
Watchmen dominates Limited Series categories
Inspired by the 1987 graphic novel of the same name, Watchmen explores an alternate reality where masked vigilantes are hunted as criminals in a gritty narrative that tackles issues of terrorism, police brutality and racism. The show featured incredible visuals, writing and acting from a top-notch cast, and this year’s Emmy’s rewarded it with well-deserved recognition.
