THE Emmy Awards were ripped by presenter Seth Rogen for its “unsafe” Covid protocols.
The star-filled awards show is being filmed in a massive closed tent in Downtown Los Angeles – though it was a requirement attendees got the Covid vaccine.
Meanwhile, host Cedric The Entertainer is being slammed for his “not funny” jokes that are “terrible and not landing with the audience.”
Streaming services are poised for a triumphant night that will cast further shade on the status of broadcast networks, including the big three ABC, CBS and NBC, and once-dominant cable channels such as HBO and Showtime.
This year, about 500 nominees and guests will gather under a glammed-up tent in downtown L.A., with COVID-19 precautions including a vaccine requirement and testing.
There are big names among the presenters, including Angela Bassett, Michael Douglas, Dolly Parton, and Awkwafina, but at least one star, Jennifer Aniston, was candid about staying away because of virus concerns.
Read our Emmy Awards 2021 live blog for the latest news and updates…
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PENCE SPOOF
Cedric The Entertainer did a comedic bit with a fake fly that was meant to mock the bug that landed on former VP Mike Pence’s head during last year’s debates.
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GIRL POWER
The Schitt’s Creek cast also presented the award for Directing For A Comedy Series.
Dan Levy – who won the award last year – read the name between shows B Positive, The Flight Attendant, Hacks, Mom, and three directors for Ted Lasso.
Hacks director Lucia Aniello ended up snagging the trophy.
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WHAT A HACK!
Schitt’s Creek stars Dan and Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy walked out to a room of roaring applause.
Fresh off their year of stealing many of the awards, the foursome did a hilarious comedy sketch where their teleprompter “didn’t work.”
The group then proceeded to present the award for Best Writing In A Comedy Series.
Girls5Eva, Hacks, The Flight Attendant, Pen15 and two Ted Lasso episodes were nominated.
However, there could only be one winner which went to the Hacks team.
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CEDRIC NOT THE ENTERTAINER?
Cedric The Entertainer is being slammed by many fans for “not being funny” with jokes that are “not landing.”
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TRIBUTE TO NORM MCDONALD
While accepting SNL’s latest award, the creator of the series paid tribute to one of the stars who passed away just last week.
“Weekend Updates is one of the best segments we’ve ever had. And I want to pay tribute to someone who was the best to do it.
“Norm McDonald, thank you,” Lorne Michaels said with an emotional tone right before he walked off stage.
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SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE
Ken Jeong presented the award for Best Variety Series.
Like in many years past, Saturday Night Live won the award – which was accepted by its biggest stars and creator Lorne Michaels.
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JOHN WINS AGAIN
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver won another Emmy for their nighttime program.
The critically acclaimed show won for Best Writing For A Variety Series.
“We would like to dedicate this award to Adam Driver, he knows what he did,” one of the show writers joked.
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‘DISRESPECTFUL’
Michael K Williams fans slammed the Emmys as “disrespectful” for not honoring the beloved actor with an award just a few weeks after his tragic death.
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CONTROVERSIAL WIN
Kerry Washington looked beautiful while presenting the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
She gave a special shoutout to actor Michael K Williams – who is nominated in the category for Lovecraft Country but tragically passed away last month.
Kerry said: “Michael was a brilliantly talented actor and a generous human being who has left us far too soon.
“Michael, I know you’re here because you never miss this. Your artistry will endure, we love you.
The Emmy went to Tobias Menzies though many were upset Michael did not end up winning the award.
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THE CROWN SHINES AGAIN
Stephen Colbert presented the results for Best Supporting Actress In A Drama Series.
The late-night host read out Gillian Anderson’s name for The Crown and the actress appeared to not even believe the results.
After a moment of no reaction, she flashed a huge smile and began to laugh.
Gillian accepted the award live from London, England with the rest of the UK nominees.
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NOT WHAT YOU THINK…
Emmy-winning actor Evan Peters spilled his secret to getting drunk on camera.
“In his shot glass that he drinks on camera, there was apple cider vinegar,” the actor said for his role on Mare Of Easttown.
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ROYAL FLUSH
America Ferrera presented the award for Best Directing In A Drama Series.
“Six of the people nominated are women, oh sorry three of the six nominees are women. I wish it was six,” America said before reading the winner’s name.
Jessica Hobbs scored the trophy for her work behind-the-camera in The Crown.
“Not a lot of women have won this award so I’m standing on the shoulder of a lot of women.
“I’d like to pay particular tribute to my mom, who at 77 is still directing,” Jessica gushed in her acceptance speech.
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CROWNED WINNER
Mindy Kaling looked gorgeous as she presented the award for Best Writing In A Drama Series
Peter Morgan won the award for his work on The Crown and accepted the ward from a party that happened overseas.
“We’re thrilled, thank you so much,” he said with a clapping crowd in the background.
He ended on a fun note: “We’re going to party, goodnight!”
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CEDRIC SPOOFS TOM BRADY
Cedric The Entertainer poked fun at the Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski post-Super Bowl celebration that took place earlier this year.
The comedian edited himself onto a small boat as the NFL stars tossed their trophy from yacht-to-yacht.
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EVAN’S VICTORY
Evan Peters won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Limited Series for his role in Mare Of Easttown.
He was ecstatic in his speech, holding his trophy high and thanking Kate Winslet for being Kate Winslet.
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JULIANNE’S MOVING SPEECH
As she accepted her first Emmy win, Julianne Nicholson began to get emotional as she thanked her costar.
“Kate Winslet, man you’re good at acting. But turns out you’re good at caring for a whole production.
“You led all of us the whole way with such care. So I owe this to you and all of the ladies out there finding it hard to be happy sometimes.
“Knowing life can be hard sometimes… to never give up,” she said in her speech.
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STRIKE A POSE
To present the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or TV movie, Pose’s Billy Porter and MJ Rodriguez gave a heartfelt speech before reading out the winner’s name.
As MJ opened the envelope, Julianne Nicholson’s name was read for her intense performance alongside Kate Winslet in Mare Of Easttown.
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DESIGNER DUDS
Couture designer Christian Siriano congratulated one of his muses for the evening on her big win.
“HANNAH you did it!!!!! Congratulations on your #EMMY WIN!! A honor to create this gown for you,” he wrote with a picture of her stunning pink dress.
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VAXXED & READY
Host Cedric The Entertainer revealed that all attendees had to prove they were vaccinated to go to the Emmys.
“We all had to get vaxxed to come here. I got the Pfizer vax. I didn’t have an issue like Nicki Minaj’s cousin,” he joked.
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BRETT BLEEPED
When Brett Goldstein gave a very shocked and excited speech for scoring his first Emmy, he was bleeped several times for swearing.
Fans were a fan of the move, with many noting it stays in character with Roy Kent.
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TED LASSO WINS BIG
The Emmy for supporting actor in a comedy series went to Brett Goldstein for Ted Lasso.
The show swept both supporting acting comedy categories.
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FIRST AWARD OF THE NIGHT
Hannah Waddingham won the first award of the evening for Best Comedic Actress her performance in Ted Lasso.
“Jason, you changed my life with this role and my little girl’s. I cannot thank you enough,” she told the show’s star and writer.
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SETH SLAMS SHOW
Seth Rogen presented the first award of the night and slammed the show for not following strict enough Covid protocols.
“There is WAY too much of us in this little room. They said it was outdoors, it’s not! I would not have come to this.
“We’re all packed in a little medicated tent what is this?” the comedian asked.
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THAT’S A RAP!
Cedric The Entertainer started the show with an energetic rap that included name drop from all of the year’s biggest shows including Ted Lasso and The Queen’s Gambit.
Mandy Moore, Anthony Anderson, Rita Wilson and other TV stars joined in on the song.
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FEATHERED AND FABULOUS
Cynthia Erivo looked incredible in a skintight white dress that had a dramatic blue and green feathered mermaid bottom.
Credit: Getty
