[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Television Academy’s Emmy® Awards nominations announcement is the latest awards show to go virtual from home. Following tradition, the nominees were announced live on ABC’s “Good Morning America” with a twist. This year’s live telecast was reimagined as a virtual event due to production restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”6341″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The 72nd annual Emmy Award Nominations were announced by this year’s hosts from their respective homes via video conferencing apps. The hosts included Supermarket Sweep star and Saturday Night Live alumnus Leslie Jones with presenters Laverne Cox (Inventing Anna), Josh Gad (Central Park), Tatiana Maslany (Perry Mason) and Television Academy Chairman and CEO Frank Scherma.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The Nominations Highlights” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This year’s nominations recognized a host of groundbreaking new programs and up-and-coming talent, along with beloved performers and hit shows that have been integral in helping television viewers navigate a changing world.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Netflix leads the nominations with 160 and sets a record previously held by HBO in 2019 with 137 nominations. HBO had the second-most nominations with 107. Rounding out the top five are NBC with 47, ABC with 36 and FX with 33.

HBO’s Watchmen takes the top spot for program nominations with 26 followed by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (20), Ozark (18), Succession (18), The Mandalorian (15), Schitt’s Creek (15), Saturday Night Live (15) and The Crown (13).

Half of this year’s nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series are new to the category, including Dead to Me, Insecure, The Kominsky Method and What We Do in the Shadows. Returning favorites include Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Good Place, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Schitt’s Creek.

Outstanding Comedy Series category: half of this year’s nominees are new to the category, including Dead to Me, Insecure, The Kominsky Method and What We Do in the Shadows. Returning favorites include Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Good Place, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Schitt’s Creek.

Outstanding Drama Series category: newcomer The Mandalorian joins returning nominees Better Call Saul, The Crown, The Handmaid’s Tale, Killing Eve, Ozark, Stranger Things and Succession.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category: Ramy Youssef is new to the category, joining previous nominees Anthony Anderson, Don Cheadle, Michael Douglas, Eugene Levy and two-time Emmy winner Ted Danson.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category: nominees include first-time nominee in this category, Linda Cardellini, who joins previous category nominees Christina Applegate, Catherine O’Hara, Issa Rae and Tracee Ellis Ross, along with 2018 Emmy winner Rachel Brosnahan.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category: Zendaya receives her first-ever Emmy nomination. Emmy winner Jennifer Aniston and previous Emmy nominee Olivia Colman are nominated for the first time in this category. They join returning nominees Laura Linney and Sandra Oh, and last year’s Emmy winner Jodie Comer.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category: Jeremy Strong receiveshis first Emmy nomination while former Emmy nominees Steve Carell and Brian Cox receive their first nominations in this category, joining returning nominees Jason Bateman and previous Emmy winners in this category Sterling K. Brown and Billy Porter.

For the complete list of Emmy Award nominees visit emmy.com.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

“Despite the unprecedented challenges facing the entertainment industry, it has been an extraordinary year for television. Television has inspired, united and comforted a global audience this season. We are honored to be recognizing so many of the talented programs, producers, directors and craftspeople behind the remarkable storytelling that has brought us together while we remain apart.” — Television Academy Chairman and CEO Frank Scherma

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Will the Emmy Awards Show Go Virtual in September?” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While it’s too soon to answer this question, like other entertainment awards shows as the Golden Globes and the Obie Awards, our best guess is yes. Here’s what we do know:

The 72nd Emmy Awards will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, who also serves as executive producer for television’s biggest night. Recently announced executive producers for the telecast include Guy Carrington, Reginald Hudlin, David Jammy and Ian Stewart. The show will be broadcast, SUNDAY, SEPT. 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT/5:00-8:00 p.m. PDT), on ABC. The 2020 Creative Arts Awards will air on FXX on Saturday, September 19 at 8:00 p.m. EDT/PDT.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”7355″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Television programs and the Emmy Awards not to our beloved shows and actors has Socially Sparked our lives in countless ways. The global pandemic has turned our world and our lives upside down and inward — lockdown, stay-at-home, quarantine, social distancing and travel bans – making television our number one outlet to escape our temporary reality. Stay tuned for news on how the Television Academy chooses to air the 72nd annual Emmy Awards this September. Congratulations to all the nominees. — Forever Socially Sparked!  Tweet us @sosparkednews & @asparks01[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]