The Emmys Will Be Virtual This Year Due to the Pandemic

It's official: celebs will accept the awards from their own homes

An Emmy Awards logo is pictured ahead of the 71st Emmy Awards on September 21, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP)
An Emmy Awards logo is pictured ahead of the 71st Emmy Awards on September 21, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP)
AFP via Getty Images

It’s official: due to ongoing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Emmys will be telecast virtually, meaning we won’t get to see glammed-up celebrities strutting on the red carpet and instead will get to watch this year’s winners accepting their awards from the comfort of their own homes.

As Variety reports, Emmy producers broke the news to nominees shortly after this year’s nods were announced by sending them a letter explaining what to expect from the ceremony. “As you’ve probably guessed, we’re not going to be asking you to come to the Microsoft Theatre in downtown LA on September 20th,” the letter reads. “This year, it’s still going to be TV industry’s biggest night out… but we’ll come to you!”

The specifics — including things like which elements of the ceremony will be live and whether or not winners will be informed beforehand — are still up in the air for now, but the letter did offer a little clarity about this year’s dress code. “Our informal theme for the night is ‘come as you are, but make an effort!’” it explains. “If you want to be in formal wear, we’d love that, but equally if you’re in the UK and it’s 3am, perhaps you want to be in designer pajamas and record from your bed! We want to work with you to style your moments, but want you to guide us on your levels of comfort – where you want to be, who you want to be with, what you want to wear etc.”

“We are assembling a top notch team of technicians, producers and writers to work closely with Jimmy Kimmel and with you and your team, to make sure that we can film with you (and loved ones or whomever else you choose to be with) at your home, or another location of your choice,” the letter continues. “We’re going to make you look fabulous – we’re exploring the cutting edge of technology to allow to use good cameras and lighting and look forward to working with you to produce your unique ‘on screen” moments.’”

The Emmys will be hosted by Kimmel and air on ABC on Sept. 20. You can read the complete letter to nominees explaining the virtual ceremony here.

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