The producers of the first 2024 Emmy telecast — you know, the one that was intended to take place in 2023 — came out of their show with one perfectly clear takeaway to carry into Sunday’s other 2024 Emmys: nostalgia works .
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“Sometimes with awards shows, there’s a little bit of a mean-spiritedness or inside baseball, but the 75th Emmys really gave us this opportunity to celebrate TV in a way where I think everyone really connected to the nostalgia,” says Dionne Harmon. “For this show, we want to focus on characters that you’ve loved from over the years — your favorite TV moms, cops, villains or coaches all onstage together. So, you’ll get that nostalgia with a new twist.”
Joined by fellow executive producers from Jesse Collins Entertainment, Jesse Collins and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, the Emmys creative team spoke on Thursday morning — one of their final days of prep. And while they say they will be again leaning into the cast reunions that played so well during the last Emmys, they won’t be going as hard. There’ll be three: Happy Days (both Ron Howard and Henry Winkler are on board), a said-to-be robust gathering of Saturday Night Live alums in time for that show’s 50th season kickoff and one they’re saving as a surprise for Sunday.
“It’s a big one,” notes Collins, laughing a little. “I think people will love it. It’s a big Emmy-winning show, and we’re excited that we’re able to pull that one off.”
Reunions at the last Collins-produced Emmys included Ally McBeal, Grey’s Anatomy, Cheers, Martin and The Sopranos .
In terms of avoiding mean-spirited jokes and being overly self-referential about the entertainment industry, a trap that lures so many awards shows and is often cited as a reason for declining viewership, the producers said that their choice of hosts — the father-son duo of Eugene and Dan Levy — will go a long way in keeping things upbeat. “They’re relatable,” says Rouzan-Clay. “Yes, they’re Hollywood royalty, but their relationship is relatable. Anyone who tunes in is going to see that they’re a father and son at the core. Sure, they play those characters, but it’s also who they really are. That relationship is what makes them special as hosts.”
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It also doesn’t hurt that the Levys are Canadian, a famously good-natured people. “They’re very polite,” notes Collins.
The producers realize there’s also added pressure to come in on time. January’s show ended a forgivable one second early, making it a unicorn in awards show runtimes . The trio say they want to come as close to repeating their feat as possible.
As for the formidable time-slot threat of airing against Sunday Night Football , a match-up between the Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans, Collins’ thoughts on the competition are clear: “Come on! You can find out on the ESPN app. There’s an app for that.”
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards will air from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles this Sunday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT on ABC. (For TV lovers in Houston and Chicago, it will stream on Hulu come Monday.)
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