“We are navigating a new world,” veteran events producer Debbie Durkin tells TheWrap.
As the Emmys have risen to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, so too have the events surrounding the annual awards show.
Gifting suites — where talent interact with and receive products in exchange for potential photo placements and mentions — have been a staple of awards season for decades, a chance for brands to get valuable exposure via A-list talent.
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With no in-person awards show this year, the organizers behind the official Emmys gifting suite for the last seven years told TheWrap they did not want to hold one this year out of an abundance of caution for the talent, vendors and workers associated with such an event. They hope to return next year, circumstances permitting.
Also Read: Will the Emmy Awards Have a Red Carpet This Year?
While not an official event, events producer Debbie Durkin has held her end-of-summer EcoLuxe lounge for the last 14 years during Emmys week. In the last few years, the event has been held at the Beverly Hilton, which on other years would be a hub for awards activity. (The Golden Globes are held at the Hilton annually.)
“I called the Hilton and I said what if we did a drive-through on the rooftop of your parking lot,” Durkin told TheWrap. “And the GM called me back and said, ‘Debbie, it’s not glamorous enough for you and what you do. Why don’t we give you the whole front entrance of the Beverly Hilton?'”
Durkin worked with the Hilton and partner Lysol to create the experience.
The hotel’s infamous horseshoe driveway was cordoned off to control the flow of traffic. As talent drove up, they were assigned a masked guide to walk them direct them to each of the brands.
There were about a half-dozen stations, starting with a traditional step-and-repeat with a distanced photographer. Each of the brands had masked representatives who stood six feet away from guests.
Also Read: Emmys Put the Focus on Black Lives, But Also Go Overboard for 'Schitt's Creek'
The interactions at each station were altered: Sunglasses company Mo gifted frames, but it was “you touch it, you take it;” clothier Meraki Allure had its lookbooks pre-opened and offered fabric masks; and KOZ Water and John Paul Pet Products had self-serve gift bags. Instead of the lavish spread from years past, the final station featured Beverly Hilton Hotel Celebrity Brunch-in-a-box — filled with charcuterie items and pastries — which a gloved attendant dropped in guest’s cars as they departed.
“This is our first time, we’re winging it,” Durkin explained. “We are navigating a new world.”
Normally, her event would have two- to three-times as many brands. But it wasn’t just the ongoing coronavirus that scaled things down.
“Seven days ago I lost two sponsors to the California fires. The following day I lost two sponsors to the Oregon fires. And the following day I lost a vendor to COVID — his daughter got COVID,” Durkin explained. And then, there’s the general downturn in the economy as a result of pandemic shutdowns. (Her event supported California firefighters.)
Also Read: Emmy Winners by the Numbers: HBO Is Leading Network, 'Watchmen' Top Series
“Brands are afraid, they’re very afraid,” Durkin explained. Not only that but they’ve been six months out of business. They don’t have marketing budgets left. And most of them don’t have product; if they did have a budget, their products are stuck in China.”
Still, Durkin remains hopeful for the future, although the events she has producing for two decades may look very different.
“COVID to me has been a lens that has forced all of us, as a human race, to look at our lives differently. I’ve always been a purposeful producer. We’re uplifting small business, black-owned businesses.”
Emmy Predictions in All 23 Major Categories, From 'Watchmen' to 'Schitt's Creek' (Photos)
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These are our best guesses for what shows will come out on top at Sunday's 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, but beware: It wouldn't be the Emmys if a few of the winners didn't come out of the blue.
For Steve Pond's full analysis, click here.
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OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
"Curb Your Enthusiasm"
"Dead to Me"
"The Good Place"
"Insecure"
"The Kominsky Method"
"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
"Schitt's Creek"
"What We Do in the Shadows"Predicted winner: "Schitt's Creek"
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OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Anthony Anderson, "black-ish"
Don Cheadle, "Black Monday"
Ted Danson, "The Good Place"
Michael Douglas, "The Kominsky Method"
Eugene Levy, "Schitt's Creek"
Ramy Youssef, "Ramy"Predicted winner: Eugene Levy, "Schitt's Creek"
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OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christina Applegate, "Dead to Me"
Rachel Brosnahan, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Linda Cardellini, "Dead to Me"
Catherine O'Hara, "Schitt's Creek"
Issa Rae, "Insecure"
Tracee Ellis Ross, "black-ish"Predicted winner: Catherine O'Hara, "Schitt's Creek"
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OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Mahershala Ali, "Ramy"
Alan Arkin, "The Kominsky Method"
Andre Braugher, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
Sterling K. Brown, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
William Jackson Harper, "The Good Place"
Daniel Levy, "Schitt's Creek"
Tony Shalhoub, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Kenan Thompson, "Saturday Night Live"Predicted winner: Daniel Levy, "Schitt's Creek"
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OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alex Borstein, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
D'Arcy Carden, "The Good Place"
Betty Gilpin, "GLOW"
Marin Hinkle, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Kate McKinnon, "Saturday Night Live"
Annie Murphy, "Schitt's Creek"
Yvonne Orji, "Insecure"
Cecily Strong, "Saturday Night Live"Predicted winner: Alex Borstein, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
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OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
"The Great" (episode: "The Great")
"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (episode: "It's Comedy or Cabbage")
"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (episode: "Marvelous Radio")
"Modern Family" (episode: "Finale Part 2")
"Ramy" (episode: "Miakhalifa.mov")
"Schitt's Creek" (episode: "Happy Ending")
"Will & Grace" (episode: "We Love Lucy")Predicted winner: "Schitt's Creek" (episode: "Happy Ending")
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OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
"The Good Place" (episode: "Whenever You're Ready")
"The Great" (episode: "The Great")
"Schitt's Creek" (episode: "Happy Ending")
"Schitt's Creek" (episode: "The Presidential Suite")
"What We Do In the Shadows" (episode: "Collaboration")
"What We Do In the Shadows" (episode: "Ghosts")
"What We Do In the Shadows" (episode: "On the Run")Predicted winner: "The Good Place" (episode: "Whenever You're Ready")
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OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
"Better Call Saul"
"The Crown"
"The Handmaid's Tale"
"Killing Eve"
"The Mandalorian"
"Ozark"
"Stranger Things"Predicted winner: "Succession"
"Succession" -
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jason Bateman, "Ozark"
Sterling K. Brown, "This Is Us"
Steve Carell, "The Morning Show"
Brian Cox, "Succession"
Billy Porter, "Pose"
Jeremy Strong, "Succession"Predicted winner: Jeremy Strong, "Succession"
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OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jennifer Aniston, "The Morning Show"
Olivia Colman, "The Crown"
Jodie Comer, "Killing Eve"
Laura Linney, "Ozark"
Sandra Oh, "Killing Eve"
Zendaya, "Euphoria"Predicted winner: Laura Linney, "Ozark"
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OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Nicholas Braun, "Succession"
Billy Crudup, "The Morning Show"
Kieran Culkin, "Succession"
Mark Duplass, "The Morning Show"
Giancarlo Esposito, "Better Call Saul"
Matthew Macfadyen, "Succession"
Bradley Whitford, "The Handmaid's Tale"
Jeffrey Wright, "Westworld"Predicted winner: Kieran Culkin, "Succession"
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OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Helena Bonham Carter, "The Crown"
Laura Dern, "Big Little Lies"
Julia Garner, "Ozark"
Thandie Newton, "Westworld"
Fiona Shaw, "Killing Eve"
Sarah Snook, "Succession"
Meryl Streep, "Big Little Lies"
Samira Wiley, "The Handmaid's Tale"Predicted winner: Julia Garner, "Ozark"
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OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
"The Crown" (episode: "Aberfan")
"The Crown" (episode: "Cri de Coeur")
"Homeland" (episode: "Prisoners of War")
"The Morning Show" (episode: "The Interview")
"Ozark" (episode: "Fire Pink")
"Ozark" (episode: "Su Casa es mi Casa")
"Succession" (episode: "Hunting")
"Succession" (episode: "This Is Not for Tears")Predicted winner: "Succession" (episode: "This Is Not for Tears")
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OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
"Better Call Saul" (episode: "Bad Choice Road")
"Better Call Saul" (episode: "Bagman")
"The Crown" (episode: Aberfan")
"Ozark" (episode: "All In")
"Ozark" (episode: Boss Fight")
"Ozark" (episode: "Fire Pink")
"Succession" (episode: "This Is Not for Tears")Predicted winner: "Succession" (episode: "This Is Not for Tears")
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OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES
"Little Fires Everywhere"
"Mrs. America"
"Unbelievable"
"Unorthodox"
"Watchmen"Predicted winner: "Watchmen"
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OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
Jeremy Irons, "Watchmen"
Hugh Jackman, "Bad Education"
Paul Mescal, "Normal People"
Jeremy Pope, "Hollywood"
Mark Ruffalo, "I Know This Much Is True"Predicted winner: Paul Mescal, "Normal People"
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OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
Cate Blanchett, "Mrs. America"
Shira Haas, "Unorthodox"
Regina King, "Watchmen"
Octavia Spencer, "Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker"
Kerry Washington, "Little Fires Everywhere"Predicted winner: Regina King, "Watchmen"
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OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, "Watchmen"
Jovan Adepo, "Watchmen"
Tituss Burgess, "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend"
Louis Gossett Jr., "Watchmen"
Dylan McDermott, "Hollywood"
Jim Parsons, "Hollywood"Predicted winner: Jim Parsons, "Hollywood"
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OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE
Uzo Aduba, "Mrs. America"
Toni Collette, "Unbelievable"
Margo Martindale, "Mrs. America"
Jean Smart, "Watchmen"
Holland Taylor, "Hollywood"
Tracey Ullman, "Mrs. America"Predicted winner: Jean Smart, "Watchmen"
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OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A LIMITED SERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
"Little Fires Everywhere" (episode: "Find a Way")
"Normal People" (episode: "Episode 5")
"Unorthodox" "Watchmen" (episode: "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice")
"Watchmen" (episode: "Little Fear of Lightning")
"Watchmen" (episode: "This Extraordinary Being")Predicted winner: "Watchmen" (episode: "This Extraordinary Being")
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OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A LIMITED SERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
"Mrs. America"
"Normal People"
"Unbelievable"
"Unorthodox"
"Watchmen"Predicted winner: "Watchmen"
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OUTSTANDING VARIETY TALK SERIES
"The Daily Show With Trevor Noah"
"Full Frontal With Samantha Bee"
"Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
"Last Week Tonight With John Oliver"
"The Late Show With Stephen Colbert"Predicted winner: "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver"
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OUTSTANDING COMPETITION PROGRAM
"The Masked Singer"
"Nailed It!"
"RuPaul's Drag Race"
"Top Chef"
"The Voice"Predicted winner: "RuPaul's Drag Race"
With Emmy favs “Game of Thrones” and “Fleabag” gone, who will take their place?
These are our best guesses for what shows will come out on top at Sunday's 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, but beware: It wouldn't be the Emmys if a few of the winners didn't come out of the blue.
For Steve Pond's full analysis, click here.
Lawrence Yee
Lawrence Yee has been deputy editor at TheWrap since 2019. He was previously editor in chief at FANDOM and deputy editor at Variety.