The Emmys telecast this year was not only a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the prestigious awards but also an impressive feat in terms of timing. In a conversation with Variety, the Emmys telecast producers shared the behind-the-scenes secrets that helped them pull off a show that ended on time, to the delight of viewers.
A Love Letter to Television
According to producer Dionne Harmon, the intention behind this year’s Emmys was to create a love letter to television. The producers aimed to sprinkle reunions and nostalgia throughout the show, and they were thrilled that the audience received it with such enthusiasm.
Jesse Collins, another producer, admitted to feeling a little anxious about the ambitious plans for the show. However, in the end, they felt good about their choices and were relieved that everything came together so well.
Meeting the Challenge
Producing an awards show is no easy task, especially one as jam-packed as the Emmys. With 27 awards to hand out and multiple segments dedicated to TV history, timing becomes crucial. The producers relied on host Anthony Anderson to fill any gaps in time with his improvisation skills.
Collins explained that they had moments where they were running ahead of schedule. To balance it out, they made adjustments on the fly, adding or removing lines with Anderson’s help. Harmon added that they had a toolbox filled with different versions of packages and scripts that they used to add or subtract time as needed.
Unexpected Surprises
One last-minute surprise that helped them stay on schedule was the absence of “The Bear” creator and co-showrunner Christopher Storer due to Covid. This resulted in the elimination of his acceptance speeches, which saved time.
The producers also introduced a unique gimmick at the beginning of the show involving Anthony Anderson’s mother, Doris Bowman. Instead of play-off music, Bowman was ready in the audience to heckle any winner who took too long with their acceptance speech. Her presence helped to keep the speeches concise and on track.
Keeping Pace with Innovation
To ensure that acceptance speeches remained short and sweet, the show incorporated a “thank you scroll” at the bottom of the screen. Nominees had the opportunity to send additional thanks in advance, relieving the pressure of remembering everyone on stage.
Allison Wallach, Fox Entertainment’s president of unscripted programming, praised the collaboration between Fox, the TV Academy, Jesse Collins’ team, and host Anthony Anderson. She described the show as a fitting 75th-anniversary celebration for the Emmys, highlighting the power of television.
Unforgettable Reunions and Terrific Performances
The Emmys also featured some remarkable reunions and performances. Sets from original shows, such as “All in the Family” and “Martin,” were brought to life with the help of an amazing production team. The authenticity and nostalgia created a memorable experience for both the audience and cast members.
One of the most challenging scenes to pull off was the “I Love Lucy” chocolate conveyor belt re-creation, which required meticulous rehearsal. The producers also highlighted the dance routine performed by the “Ally McBeal” stars as one of the standout moments of the show.
A Night to Remember
The Emmys telecast faced competition from a major NFL wild card game and news coverage of the Iowa caucus. Despite the challenges, the producers were happy with the show and hoped for a fortunate rating outcome.
Looking forward, the Jesse Collins Entertainment team expressed their desire to produce the next Emmy telecast. They found the experience to be a lot of fun and were grateful for the opportunity to showcase the power of television.
To see photos of the Emmys producers, click here.