The 73rd Emmy Awards are fast approaching—and this time, festivities will largely be in-person after last year’s mostly virtual extravaganza. While several of the most-nominated shows, from The Crown to WandaVision, feel like they debuted a lifetime ago, it will be the first major awards show to recognize series such as Mare of Easttown and Hacks.
As such, the Emmys remain required viewing for passionate TV fans wondering which shows will win top honors. Here’s everything you need to know about watching the 2021 Emmys, from how to stream the red carpet coverage to who will emcee this year’s affair.
When are the Emmys?
This year’s Emmy Awards take place on Sunday, September 19 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Nominees will also likely appear from other points in the world, due to pandemic safety protocols.
How can I watch the Emmys?
The Emmys will air live on CBS and stream live on Paramount+, the ViacomCBS-owned streaming service. Paramount+ offers a free trial option, as does other streaming services, including Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Sling.
Who is hosting the Emmys?
Following late night host Jimmy Kimmel, this year’s emcee is Cedric the Entertainer. It may be the veteran comic’s first time as Emmys host, but he’s a natural fit for CBS as star of the network’s sitcom The Neighbourhood. Cedric acknowledged the pressures of hosting an awards show in a landscape teeming with viewing options during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “The attitude you’ve got to take with anything these days is that people have unlimited choices for what to do with their time,” he explained. “So if you do turn on the Emmys, I have to make it so that you’re not going to want to change the channel.”
Will there be an Emmys red carpet?
While the red carpet is still expected to be pared down given the pandemic, a few red carpet options await viewers. The Live From E! Red Carpet coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. Their E! After Party, featuring a breakdown of the night’s events, airs at 11 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. PT.
How else will the coronavirus pandemic affect the Emmy Awards ceremony?
A full calendar year has passed since the 2020 Emmys—Hollywood’s first major awards show since the pandemic. In that time, the industry has learned what works (show Sudeikis in a tie-dye hoodie, stat!) and what falls flat (Tina Fey and Amy Poehler should never be forced onto opposite coasts). That should allow the 2021 Emmys to be the most successful pandemic era awards event yet…right?
Here’s what we know: several Emmy-nominated casts will be appearing remotely due to their filming schedules. That includes the London-based cast of The Crown, as well as those nominated for Top Chef and Jimmy Kimmel Live, producers told Variety. Still, in-person attendance will be at the discretion of each nominee. “We do have some people wanting to dial in, and we understand that,” said TV Academy president TV Academy president Maury McIntyre. “Fortunately, I think you are seeing a cessation of some of the virulence of the virus here in LA. We pray that it continues. It’s only about 500 in the tent, but 500 is still a lot for some people. So I think we all recognize that.”
The Emmys will also forego its usual theatrical seating, opting for tables where nominees can eat and drink during the ceremony. Mask guidelines will reflect those seen at the recent Creative Arts Emmys. When attendees are on-camera or the red carpet, masks are not required. However, when the Emmys go to commercial, producers request that audience members place them back on, according to Variety.
Who has the most Emmy nominations?
A trio of shows are expected to dominate the 2021 Emmy Awards. That would be Netflix’s The Crown with 24 nominations in drama categories, Apple’s Ted Lasso with 20 nominations in comedy, and Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit with 18 nominations in the limited series fields. Gaining a flurry of below-the-line category support, The Mandalorian tied with The Crown for most nominations of the year with 24. The year’s other highly-nominated Disney+ is WandaVision, which picked up 23 nods. Saturday Night Live secured 21 nominations, while the now-cancelled Lovecraft Country ran away with 18 nods for its lone installment. For those keeping track at home, HBO and HBO Max garnered the most nominations with 130, followed by Netflix’s 129.
The full list of 2020 Emmy nominations can be found here.
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