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72nd Primetime Emmy Awards

{{short description|2020 American television programming awards}}

{{Featured list}}

{{EngvarA|date=September 2020}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}

{{Infobox award

| name = 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards

| image = 72nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Poster.png

| caption = Promotional poster

| alt = A poster depicting an Emmy statuette surrounded by a blue and purple ribbon

| date = {{unbulleted list

| September 20, 2020 (Ceremony)

| September 14–17 & 19, 2020 (Creative Arts Emmys)

}}

| location = {{unbulleted list

| Staples Center

| Los Angeles, California{{efn|Winners and nominees attended from other locations.}}}}

| presenter = Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

| most_awards = {{unbulleted list

| Major: Schitt's Creek (7)

| All: Watchmen (11)}}

| most_nominations = {{unbulleted list

| Major: Watchmen (11)

| All: Watchmen (26)}}

| award1_type = Comedy Series

| award1_winner = Schitt's Creek

| award2_type = Drama Series

| award2_winner = Succession

| award3_type = Limited Series

| award3_winner = Watchmen

| host = Jimmy Kimmel

| network = ABC

| producer = {{unbulleted list|Done and Dusted|Hudlin Entertainment|Kimmelot}}

| director = Hamish Hamilton

| viewership = 6.36 million

| runtime = 3 hours, 6 minutes{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/emmy-ratings-down-seahawks-sunday-night-football-nfl-nbc-abc-schitts-creek-watchmen-succession-1234580982/ |title=Emmy Viewership Falls To New Low Of 6.4 Million As Schitt's Creek & HBO Rule COVID-19-Dominated Ceremony – Update |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=September 21, 2020 |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122032922/https://deadline.com/2020/09/emmy-ratings-down-seahawks-sunday-night-football-nfl-nbc-abc-schitts-creek-watchmen-succession-1234580982/ |url-status=live }}

| previous = 71st

| next = 73rd

| main = {{nowrap|Primetime Emmy Awards}}

}}

The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards honored the best in American prime time television programming from June 1, 2019, until May 31, 2020, as chosen by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/2020-rules-procedures-v4.pdf |title=72nd Primetime Emmy Awards – 2019–2020 Rules and Procedures |page=3 |date=April 3, 2020 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108225231/https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/2020-rules-procedures-v4.pdf |url-status=live }} The ceremony was originally to be held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was instead hosted from the Staples Center, while winners gave speeches remotely from their homes or other locations. It aired live on September 20, 2020, following the 72nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 14–17 and 19. During the ceremony, Emmy Awards were handed out in 23 categories. The ceremony was produced by Done and Dusted, directed by Hamish Hamilton, and broadcast in the United States by ABC. Jimmy Kimmel served as host for the third time.

At the main ceremony, Schitt's Creek won all seven comedy categories including Outstanding Comedy Series, becoming the first comedy series to complete a sweep of those categories. Succession and Watchmen each won four awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Limited Series, respectively. Other winning programs include Euphoria, I Know This Much Is True, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Morning Show, Mrs. America, Ozark, RuPaul's Drag Race, and Unorthodox. Including Creative Arts Emmys, Watchmen led all programs with 11 wins and 26 nominations, while HBO took home 30 awards to lead all networks.

Winners and nominees

File:Eugene Levy 2, 2012.jpg, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series winner]]

File:CATHERINE OHARA.jpg, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series winner]]

File:Jeremy Strong 2014.jpg, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series winner]]

File:Zendaya - 2019 by Glenn Francis.jpg, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series winner]]

File:Mark Ruffalo (36201774756) (cropped).jpg, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie winner]]

File:Regina King by Gage Skidmore.jpg, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie winner]]

File:Annie Murphy (cropped).jpg, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series winner]]

File:Billy Crudup 2015 1b.jpg, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series winner]]

File:Julia Garner in 2020, cropped.jpg, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series winner]]

File:Yahya Abdul-Mateen II by Gage Skidmore.jpg, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie winner]]

File:Uzo Aduba 2014 (cropped).jpg, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie winner]]

The nominations for the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards were announced on July 28, 2020, by host Leslie Jones and presenters Laverne Cox, Josh Gad, and Tatiana Maslany.{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/press/noms-200723-v1.pdf |title=Leslie Jones to Host 2020 Emmy Awards Nominations with Presenters Laverne Cox, Josh Gad and Tatiana Maslany |date=July 23, 2020 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101042754/https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/press/noms-200723-v1.pdf |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |url-status=live}} Watchmen led all programs with 26 total nominations between the main ceremony and the 72nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, followed by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel with 20 and Ozark and Succession with 18 each.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/emmy-nominations-2020-program-network-chart-1202997129/ |title=Emmy Nominations by Program & Network/Platform |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=July 28, 2020 |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922141057/https://deadline.com/2020/07/emmy-nominations-2020-program-network-chart-1202997129/ |url-status=live }} Netflix led all networks and platforms with 160 nominations, beating the record of 137 set by HBO the previous year.{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/5872660/emmy-nominations-2020/ |title=Here Are the 2020 Emmy Nominations |last=Gajanan |first=Mahita |date=July 28, 2020 |magazine=Time |access-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101042754/https://time.com/5872660/emmy-nominations-2020/ |url-status=live }} Disney+, Apple TV+, and Quibi all received their first Emmy nominations and wins this year.{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/21448570/emmys-2020-winners-losers-surprises-snubs-virtual |title=6 Winners and 5 Losers from the Virtual 2020 Emmy Awards |last1=VanDerWerff |first1=Emily |last2=Frank |first2=Allegra |date=September 21, 2020 |website=Vox |access-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105211037/https://www.vox.com/culture/21448570/emmys-2020-winners-losers-surprises-snubs-virtual |url-status=live }}

The winners were announced on September 20. Schitt's Creek became the first series to sweep all seven comedy categories and the second to ever complete a sweep, following Angels in America as a miniseries in 2004. It also became the first Canadian program to win the overall comedy or drama series award and set a record for most Emmys for a Canadian series.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/arts/canada-just-dominated-the-emmys-and-we-should-all-give-a-schitt-1.5732138 |title=Canada Just Dominated the Emmys — and We Should All Give a Schitt |last=Knegt |first=Peter |date=September 21, 2020 |website=CBC.ca |access-date=January 4, 2022 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105041102/https://www.cbc.ca/arts/canada-just-dominated-the-emmys-and-we-should-all-give-a-schitt-1.5732138 |url-status=live }} Additionally, it became the first comedy series to win all four main acting categories in a single year and the first show overall to sweep the acting categories since Angels in America.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/emmys-schitts-creek-sets-record-for-most-wins-in-a-single-season-for-a-comedy |title=Emmys: Schitt's Creek Sets Record for Most Wins in a Single Season for a Comedy |last=Feinberg |first=Scott |date=September 20, 2020 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428062552/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/emmys-schitts-creek-sets-record-for-most-wins-in-a-single-season-for-a-comedy |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2020/09/emmys-2020-schitts-creek-pulls-off-historic-sweep-of-virtual-ceremony-from-canada.html |title=Emmys 2020: Schitt's Creek Pulls Off Historic Sweep of Virtual Ceremony ... from Canada |last=Kuperinsky |first=Amy |date=September 21, 2020 |website=NJ.com |access-date=January 4, 2022 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122032904/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2020/09/emmys-2020-schitts-creek-pulls-off-historic-sweep-of-virtual-ceremony-from-canada.html |url-status=live }} Combined with its two Creative Arts Emmys, the show became the most awarded comedy in a single year with nine wins, breaking The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel{{'}}s record of eight from 2018 and 2019.

Dan Levy won four awards for Schitt's Creek to tie Moira Demos and Amy Sherman-Palladino for the most wins for an individual in one year,{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/09/emmys-2020-schitts-creek-history |title=Emmys 2020: Schitt's Creek Makes Emmy History with Complete Sweep |last=Desta |first=Yohana |date=September 21, 2020 |work=Vanity Fair |access-date=September 21, 2020 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118044918/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/09/emmys-2020-schitts-creek-history |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/schitts-creek-wins-emmy-outstanding-comedy-series-daniel-levy-eugene-levy-catherine-ohara-pop-tv-news-1234580386/ |title=Schitt's Creek Completes Historic Emmy Sweep with Comedy Series Win for Final Season, Breaks Record |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=September 20, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 4, 2022 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105041056/https://deadline.com/2020/09/schitts-creek-wins-emmy-outstanding-comedy-series-daniel-levy-eugene-levy-catherine-ohara-pop-tv-news-1234580386/ |url-status=live }} while he and Eugene Levy became the first father-son duo to win Emmys in the same year.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-09-20/emmys-2020-eugene-levy-dan-levy-father-son-win |title=Emmys 2020: Eugene and Dan Levy Make History with Their Wins |last=Zornosa |first=Laura |date=September 20, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 4, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105041102/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-09-20/emmys-2020-eugene-levy-dan-levy-father-son-win |url-status=live }} For her work on Euphoria, Zendaya became the youngest winner in the Lead Actress in a Drama Series category at 24 years old, breaking Jodie Comer's record from the previous year.{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/09/emmys-2020-zendaya-win |title=Emmys 2020: Zendaya Makes History as Youngest Drama-Actress Winner |last=Desta |first=Yohana |date=September 20, 2020 |website=Vanity Fair |access-date=January 4, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123084404/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/09/emmys-2020-zendaya-win |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/21/entertainment/black-actors-emmys-wins/index.html |title=Emmys Made History with Black Actor Wins |last=France |first=Lisa Respers |date=September 21, 2020 |website=CNN |access-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105211034/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/21/entertainment/black-actors-emmys-wins/index.html |url-status=live }} She also became the second black actress to win the category, following Viola Davis in 2015.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/schitts-creek-zendaya-records-72nd-primetime-emmy-awards-9452715/ |title=Schitt's Creek, Zendaya & Other Record-Setters at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=September 20, 2020 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105211037/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/schitts-creek-zendaya-records-72nd-primetime-emmy-awards-9452715/ |url-status=live }} Regina King's win for her performance in Watchmen marked her fourth career Emmy, tying her with Alfre Woodard for the most wins by a black performer.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-09-20/emmys-2020-regina-king-most-wins-black-actor-alfre-woodard |title=Regina King Ties Emmy Record with Watchmen Win |last=Brown |first=Tracy |date=September 20, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 4, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105042406/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-09-20/emmys-2020-regina-king-most-wins-black-actor-alfre-woodard |url-status=live }} Zendaya and King were also two of the seven black winners for acting in comedy, drama, or limited series, breaking the record of six.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-09-21/emmys-2020-black-winners-regina-king-zendaya |title=Emmys 2020: Black Actors Make History with Most Wins Ever |last=Carras |first=Christi |date=September 21, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 5, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105211037/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-09-21/emmys-2020-black-winners-regina-king-zendaya |url-status=live }}

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface, and indicated with a double dagger (‡).{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/72nd-nominations-list-v3.pdf |title=2020 Primetime Emmy Awards – Nomination Press Release |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101080104/https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/72nd-nominations-list-v3.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/press/emmys-200920-v1.pdf |title=Complete Listing of 72nd Emmy Awards Winners |date=September 20, 2020 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119005019/https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/press/emmys-200920-v1.pdf |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{efn|The outlets listed for each program are the U.S. broadcasters or streaming services identified in the nominations, which for some international productions are different from the broadcaster(s) that originally commissioned the program.}} For simplicity, producers who received nominations for program awards have been omitted.

=Programs=

class="wikitable"

|+{{sronly|Programs}}

style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Comedy Series}}

| style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Drama Series}}

style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Limited Series}}
  • Watchmen (HBO){{double dagger|alt=Winner}}
  • Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)
  • Mrs. America (FX on Hulu)
  • Unbelievable (Netflix)
  • Unorthodox (Netflix)

    • | style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Variety Talk Series}}

    style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" colspan="2" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Competition Program}}
  • RuPaul's Drag Race (VH1){{double dagger|alt=Winner}}
  • The Masked Singer (Fox)
  • Nailed It! (Netflix)
  • Top Chef (Bravo)
  • The Voice (NBC)

    • =Acting=

    ==Lead performances==

    class="wikitable"

    |+{{sronly|Lead performances}}

    style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series}}

    | style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series}}

    style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series}}
  • Jeremy Strong – Succession as Kendall Roy (HBO){{double dagger|alt=Winner}}
  • Jason Bateman – Ozark as Martin "Marty" Byrde (Netflix)
  • Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us as Randall Pearson (NBC)
  • Steve Carell – The Morning Show as Mitch Kessler (Apple TV+)
  • Brian Cox – Succession as Logan Roy (HBO)
  • Billy Porter – Pose as Pray Tell (FX)

    • | style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series}}

    style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie}}
  • Mark Ruffalo – I Know This Much Is True as Dominick and Thomas Birdsey (HBO){{double dagger|alt=Winner}}
  • Jeremy Irons – Watchmen as Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias (HBO)
  • Hugh Jackman – Bad Education as Frank Tassone (HBO)
  • Paul Mescal – Normal People as Connell (Hulu)
  • Jeremy Pope – Hollywood as Archie Coleman (Netflix)

    • | style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie}}

    ==Supporting performances==

    class="wikitable"

    |+{{sronly|Supporting performances}}

    style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series}}

    | style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series}}

    style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series}}
  • Billy Crudup – The Morning Show as Cory Ellison (Apple TV+){{double dagger|alt=Winner}}
  • Nicholas Braun – Succession as Greg Hirsch (HBO)
  • Kieran Culkin – Succession as Roman Roy (HBO)
  • Mark Duplass – The Morning Show as Charles "Chip" Black (Apple TV+)
  • Giancarlo Esposito – Better Call Saul as Gus Fring (AMC)
  • Matthew Macfadyen – Succession as Tom Wambsgans (HBO)
  • Bradley Whitford – The Handmaid's Tale as Commander Joseph Lawrence (Hulu)
  • Jeffrey Wright – Westworld as Bernard (HBO)

    • | style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series}}

    style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie}}
  • Yahya Abdul-Mateen II – Watchmen as Cal Abar / Dr. Manhattan (HBO){{double dagger|alt=Winner}}
  • Jovan Adepo – Watchmen as Officer Will Reeves / Hooded Justice (HBO)
  • Tituss Burgess – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend as Titus Andromedon (Netflix)
  • Louis Gossett Jr. – Watchmen as William Reeves (HBO)
  • Dylan McDermott – Hollywood as Ernie (Netflix)
  • Jim Parsons – Hollywood as Henry Willson (Netflix)

    • | style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie}}

    =Directing=

    class="wikitable"

    |+{{sronly|Directing}}

    style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series}}

    | style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series}}

    style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" colspan="2" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special}}
  • Unorthodox – Maria Schrader (Netflix){{double dagger|alt=Winner}}
  • Little Fires Everywhere: "Find a Way" – Lynn Shelton (Hulu) (posthumous){{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/awards/emmys/lynn-shelton-fred-willard-score-posthumous-emmy-nominations/ |title=Lynn Shelton and Fred Willard Earn Posthumous Emmy Nominations |last=Yang |first=Rachel |date=July 28, 2020 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231045444/https://ew.com/awards/emmys/lynn-shelton-fred-willard-score-posthumous-emmy-nominations/ |url-status=live }}
  • Normal People: "Episode 5" – Lenny Abrahamson (Hulu)
  • Watchmen: "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" – Nicole Kassell (HBO)
  • Watchmen: "Little Fear of Lightning" – Steph Green (HBO)
  • Watchmen: "This Extraordinary Being" – Stephen Williams (HBO)

    • =Writing=

    class="wikitable"

    |+{{sronly|Writing}}

    style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series}}

    | style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series}}

    style="vertical-align:top;" width="50%" colspan="2" | {{Award category|#F9EFAA|Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special}}
  • Watchmen: "This Extraordinary Being" – Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson (HBO){{double dagger|alt=Winner}}
  • Mrs. America: "Shirley" – Tanya Barfield (FX on Hulu)
  • Normal People: "Episode 3" – Sally Rooney and Alice Birch (Hulu)
  • Unbelievable: "Episode 1" – Susannah Grant, Michael Chabon, and Ayelet Waldman (Netflix)
  • Unorthodox: "Part 1" – Anna Winger (Netflix)

    • = Governors Award =

    The Governors Award was presented to Tyler Perry and The Perry Foundation "in recognition of their unparalleled contributions to shaping the television medium" and for their "inclusion, engagement, employment and other philanthropic initiatives".{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/perry-200818 |title=Tyler Perry and The Perry Foundation to Receive 2020 Governors Award |date=August 18, 2020 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105212437/https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/perry-200818 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/09/tyler-perry-emmys-governors-award-1234587079/ |title=Oprah Winfrey and Chris Rock Honor Governors Award Winner Tyler Perry at 2020 Emmys |last=Obenson |first=Tambay |date=September 20, 2020 |website=IndieWire |access-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105212427/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/09/tyler-perry-emmys-governors-award-1234587079/ |url-status=live }} The award was moved to the main telecast from its usual presentation at the Creative Arts Emmys.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/tyler-perry-2020-governors-award-primetime-emmy-awards-1203016144/ |title=Tyler Perry to Receive 2020 Governors Award at Primetime Emmy Awards |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=August 18, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105212428/https://deadline.com/2020/08/tyler-perry-2020-governors-award-primetime-emmy-awards-1203016144/ |url-status=live }}

    = Nominations and wins by program =

    For the purposes of the lists below, "major" constitutes the categories listed above (program, acting, directing, and writing), while "total" includes the categories presented at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

    {{col-float|width=30em}}

    class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; max-width:29em"

    |+ Shows with multiple major nominations

    scope="col" | Nominations

    ! scope="col" | Show

    ! scope="col" | Network

    scope="row" | 11

    | Watchmen

    | HBO

    scope="row" | 10

    | Succession

    | HBO

    scope="row" | 9

    | Ozark

    | Netflix

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 8

    | data-sort-value="Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

    | Prime Video

    Schitt's Creek

    | Pop TV

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 6

    | data-sort-value="Crown" | The Crown

    | Netflix

    Mrs. America

    | FX on Hulu

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 5

    | data-sort-value="Good Place" | The Good Place

    | NBC

    data-sort-value="Morning Show" | The Morning Show

    | Apple TV+

    scope="row" rowspan="5" | 4

    | Better Call Saul

    | AMC

    Hollywood

    | Netflix

    Killing Eve

    | BBC America

    Unorthodox

    | Netflix

    What We Do in the Shadows

    | FX

    scope="row" rowspan="9" | 3

    | Dead to Me

    | Netflix

    data-sort-value="Handmaid's Tale" | The Handmaid's Tale

    | Hulu

    Insecure

    | HBO

    data-sort-value="Kominsky Method" | The Kominsky Method

    | Netflix

    Little Fires Everywhere

    | Hulu

    Normal People

    | Hulu

    Ramy

    | Hulu

    Saturday Night Live

    | NBC

    Unbelievable

    | Netflix

    scope="row" rowspan="4" | 2

    | Big Little Lies

    | HBO

    Black-ish

    | ABC

    data-sort-value="Great" | The Great

    | Hulu

    Westworld

    | HBO

    {{col-float-break|width=30em}}

    class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; max-width:29em"

    |+ Shows with five or more total nominations{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/72nd-nominations-totals-v1.pdf |title=2020 Primetime Emmy Awards – Nominations Totals Summary |date=July 27, 2020 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231212110/https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/72nd-nominations-totals-v1.pdf |url-status=live }}

    scope="col" | Nominations

    ! scope="col" | Show

    ! scope="col" | Network

    scope="row" | 26

    | Watchmen

    | HBO

    scope="row" | 20

    | data-sort-value="Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

    | Prime Video

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 18

    | Ozark

    | Netflix

    Succession

    | HBO

    scope="row" rowspan="3" | 15

    | data-sort-value="Mandalorian" | The Mandalorian

    | Disney+

    Saturday Night Live

    | NBC

    Schitt's Creek

    | Pop TV

    scope="row" | 13

    | data-sort-value="Crown" | The Crown

    | Netflix

    scope="row" | 12

    | Hollywood

    | Netflix

    scope="row" | 11

    | Westworld

    | HBO

    scope="row" rowspan="3" | 10

    | data-sort-value="Handmaid's Tale" | The Handmaid's Tale

    | Hulu

    Mrs. America

    | FX on Hulu

    RuPaul's Drag Race

    | VH1

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 9

    | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

    | HBO

    data-sort-value="Oscars" | The Oscars

    | ABC

    scope="row" rowspan="6" | 8

    | Insecure

    | HBO

    Killing Eve

    | BBC America

    data-sort-value="Morning Show" | The Morning Show

    | Apple TV+

    Stranger Things

    | Netflix

    Unorthodox

    | Netflix

    What We Do in the Shadows

    | FX

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 7

    | Better Call Saul

    | AMC

    Queer Eye

    | Netflix

    scope="row" rowspan="6" | 6

    | Cheer

    | Netflix

    Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones

    | Netflix

    Euphoria

    | HBO

    data-sort-value="Good Place" | The Good Place

    | NBC

    Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness

    | Netflix

    data-sort-value="Voice" | The Voice

    | NBC

    scope="row" rowspan="11" | 5

    | Apollo 11

    | CNN

    Beastie Boys Story

    | Apple TV+

    Big Little Lies

    | HBO

    data-sort-value="Daily Show with Trevor Noah" | The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

    | Comedy Central

    Little Fires Everywhere

    | Hulu

    McMillion$

    | HBO

    data-sort-value="Politician" | The Politician

    | Netflix

    Pose

    | FX

    Star Trek: Picard

    | CBS All Access

    This Is Us

    | NBC

    Will & Grace

    | NBC

    {{col-float-break|width=30em}}

    class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; max-width:29em"

    |+ Shows with multiple major wins

    scope="col" | Wins

    ! scope="col" | Show

    ! scope="col" | Network

    scope="row" | 7

    | Schitt's Creek

    | Pop TV

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 4

    | Succession

    | HBO

    Watchmen

    | HBO

    {{col-float-break|width=30em}}

    class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; max-width:29em"

    |+ Shows with multiple total wins

    scope="col" | Wins

    ! scope="col" | Show

    ! scope="col" | Network

    scope="row" | 11

    | Watchmen

    | HBO

    scope="row" | 9

    | Schitt's Creek

    | Pop TV

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 7

    | Succession

    | HBO

    data-sort-value="Mandalorian" | The Mandalorian

    | Disney+

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 6

    | RuPaul's Drag Race

    | VH1

    Saturday Night Live

    | NBC

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 4

    | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

    | HBO

    data-sort-value="Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

    | Prime Video

    scope="row" rowspan="5" | 3

    | Apollo 11

    | CNN

    Cheer

    | Netflix

    Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones

    | Netflix

    Euphoria

    | HBO

    Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal

    | Adult Swim

    scope="row" rowspan="6" | 2

    | data-sort-value="Cave" | The Cave

    | National Geographic

    data-sort-value="Crown" | The Crown

    | Netflix

    data-sort-value="FreeRayshawn" | #FreeRayshawn

    | Quibi

    Hollywood

    | Netflix

    Live in Front of a Studio Audience: "All in the Family" and "Good Times"

    | ABC

    data-sort-value="Oscars" | The Oscars

    | ABC

    {{col-float-end}}

    = Nominations and wins by network =

    {{col-float|width=30em}}

    class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; max-width:20em"

    |+ Networks with multiple major nominations

    scope="col" | Nominations

    ! scope="col" | Network

    scope="row" | 37

    | Netflix

    scope="row" | 33

    | HBO

    scope="row" | 14

    | Hulu

    scope="row" | 12

    | NBC

    scope="row" | 11

    | FX/FX on Hulu

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 8

    | Pop TV

    Prime Video
    scope="row" | 5

    | Apple TV+

    scope="row" rowspan="3" | 4

    | ABC

    AMC
    BBC America
    scope="row" | 2

    | Showtime

    {{col-float-break|width=30em}}

    class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; max-width:20em"

    |+ Networks with five or more total nominations{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/72nd-nominations-totals-network-v2.pdf |title=2020 Primetime Emmy Awards – Nominee Totals Per Network |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231213652/https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/72nd-nominations-totals-network-v2.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/72nd-nominations-program-platform-v2.pdf |title=72nd Emmy Nominations by Program and Platform |date=July 28, 2020 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231213642/https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/72nd-nominations-program-platform-v2.pdf |url-status=live }}

    scope="col" | Nominations

    ! scope="col" | Network

    scope="row" | 160

    | Netflix

    scope="row" | 107

    | HBO

    scope="row" | 47

    | NBC

    scope="row" | 36

    | ABC

    scope="row" | 33

    | FX/FX on Hulu

    scope="row" | 31

    | Prime Video

    scope="row" | 26

    | Hulu

    scope="row" | 23

    | CBS

    scope="row" | 19

    | Disney+

    scope="row" | 18

    | Apple TV+

    scope="row" | 16

    | Pop TV

    scope="row" | 15

    | Fox

    scope="row" | 13

    | VH1

    scope="row" rowspan="3" | 10

    | BBC America

    Comedy Central
    Quibi
    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 8

    | AMC

    National Geographic
    scope="row" rowspan="3" | 5

    | CNN

    Discovery Channel
    PBS

    {{col-float-break|width=30em}}

    class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; max-width:20em"

    |+ Networks with multiple major wins

    scope="col" | Wins

    ! scope="col" | Network

    scope="row" | 11

    | HBO

    scope="row" | 7

    | Pop TV

    scope="row" | 2

    | Netflix

    {{col-float-break|width=30em}}

    class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; max-width:20em"

    |+ Networks with multiple total wins

    scope="col" | Wins

    ! scope="col" | Network

    scope="row" | 30

    | HBO

    scope="row" | 21

    | Netflix

    scope="row" | 10

    | Pop TV

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 8

    | Disney+

    NBC
    scope="row" | 6

    | VH1

    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 5

    | ABC

    National Geographic
    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 4

    | Adult Swim

    Prime Video
    scope="row" rowspan="2" | 3

    | CNN

    Fox
    scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2

    | CBS

    FX/FX on Hulu
    Quibi

    {{col-float-end}}

    Presenters

    The awards were presented by the following people:{{unbulleted list|{{cite press release |url=https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/emmy-special-appearances-200910 |title=ABC Announces Emmy Awards Special Appearances |date=September 10, 2020 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911105213/https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/emmy-special-appearances-200910 |url-status=live }}|{{cite press release |url=https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/emmy-presenters-200916 |title=ABC Announces More Emmys Special Appearances |date=September 16, 2020 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919002037/https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/emmy-presenters-200916 |url-status=live }}|{{cite press release |url=https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/emmy-presenters-200918 |title=ABC Announces Final Group of Emmys Special Appearances |date=September 18, 2020 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024203518/https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/emmy-presenters-200918 |url-status=live }}}}

    class="wikitable sortable"

    |+ {{sronly|Presenters at the ceremony}}

    scope="col" | Name(s)

    ! scope="col" | Role

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Jennifer|Aniston}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/liveblog/2020-emmys-live-blog |title=2020 Emmys: Everything You Need to Know About This Year's Awards |date=September 21, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 8, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108055602/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/liveblog/2020-emmys-live-blog |url-status=live }}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Jimmy|Kimmel}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2cbHRTCgQw|title=72nd Emmy Awards: Eugene Levy wins for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series|publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|date=September 20, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2024|via=YouTube|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308053004/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2cbHRTCgQw|url-status=live}}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Tracee Ellis|Ross}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Anthony|Carrigan|Anthony Carrigan (actor)}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Cindy|Marcelin|nolink=1}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/20/entertainment/relatable-moments-emmys/index.html |title=The Most Relatable Moments of the Emmy Awards |last=Gonzalez |first=Sandra |date=September 21, 2020 |website=CNN |access-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108231129/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/20/entertainment/relatable-moments-emmys/index.html |url-status=live }}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Tim|Loyd|nolink=1}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series{{cite web |url=https://about.ups.com/us/en/our-stories/customer-first/ups-driver-and-essential-worker-serves-as-guest-presenter-for-72nd-Emmy-Awards.html |title=Delivering on Cue |date=September 21, 2020 |publisher=United Parcel Service |access-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108231135/https://about.ups.com/us/en/our-stories/customer-first/ups-driver-and-essential-worker-serves-as-guest-presenter-for-72nd-Emmy-Awards.html |url-status=live }}

    scope="row" | {{unbulleted list

    | {{sortname|Zooey|Deschanel}}

    | Morgan Freeman

    | Ilana Glazer

    | Abbi Jacobson

    | Elton John

    | Lin-Manuel Miranda

    | Shaquille O'Neal

    | Jason Sudeikis

    | Gabrielle Union

    | J. J. Watt

    | Count von Count}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Comedy Series{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-lists/emmy-awards-2020-best-worst-most-wtf-moments-1063776/best-celebrities-favorite-comedy-series-1063856/ |title=Emmys 2020: The 16 Best, Worst, and Most WTF Moments |last1=Fontoura |first1=Maria |last2=Scherer |first2=Jenna |date=September 21, 2020 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122032923/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-lists/emmy-awards-2020-best-worst-most-wtf-moments-1063776/best-celebrities-favorite-comedy-series-1063856/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL8EVXx8Si0 |title=72nd Emmy Awards: Schitt's Creek Wins for Outstanding Comedy Series |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |date=September 20, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |via=YouTube |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108171006/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL8EVXx8Si0 |url-status=live }}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|David|Letterman}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Variety Talk Series

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Jimmy|Kimmel|nolink=1}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETHv9fZhfx8|title=72nd Emmy Awards: Regina King wins for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie|publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|date=September 20, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2024|via=YouTube|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308053005/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETHv9fZhfx8|url-status=live}}

    scope="row" | D-Nice

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyxwfIcDmN4 |title=72nd Emmy Awards: Mark Ruffalo Wins for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |date=September 20, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220075529/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyxwfIcDmN4 |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |url-status=live}}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Randall|Park}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Jimmy|Kimmel|nolink=1}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzkIuJ-bcCo|title=Maria Schrader wins for Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special|publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|date=September 20, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2024|via=YouTube|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308053002/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzkIuJ-bcCo|url-status=live}}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Caroline|Nelson|nolink=1}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsHC0pYgZc4 |title=72nd Emmy Awards: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Wins for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Lim Series/Movie |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |date=September 20, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824160113/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsHC0pYgZc4 |archive-date=August 24, 2021 |url-status=live}}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Jacinda|Duran|nolink=1}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie{{cite web |url=https://people.com/tv/emmys-2020-essential-workers-honored/ |title=Coronavirus Essential Workers Present Awards During the 2020 Emmys: 'I'm Living Through History' |last=Guglielmi |first=Jodi |date=September 20, 2020 |website=People |access-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122032930/https://people.com/tv/emmys-2020-essential-workers-honored/ |url-status=live }}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Anthony|Anderson}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Limited Series

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Jimmy|Kimmel|nolink=1}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Competition Program{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6RHw-GOpz8|title=72nd Emmy Awards: RuPaul's Drag Race Wins for Outstanding Competition Program|publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|date=September 20, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2024|via=YouTube|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308053003/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6RHw-GOpz8|url-status=live}}

    scope="row" | {{unbulleted list

    | {{sortname|Chris|Rock}}

    | Oprah Winfrey}}

    | Presented the Governors Award to Tyler Perry{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/09/20/emmys-live-updates/ |title=Schitt's Creek Sweeps; Succession and Watchmen Win Big at the Audience-Free, Remote Emmys |last1=Yahr |first1=Emily |last2=Butler |first2=Bethonie |last3=Rao |first3=Sonia |last4=Andrews-Dyer |first4=Helena |date=September 20, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 8, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118213801/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/09/20/emmys-live-updates/ |url-status=live }}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Jimmy|Kimmel|nolink=1}}

    | Presented the awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCeZEep1KZ0|title=72nd Emmy Awards: Jeremy Strong wins for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series|publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|date=September 20, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2024|via=YouTube|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308053006/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCeZEep1KZ0|url-status=live}} and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze7rqVSGYV8|title=72nd Emmy Awards: Zendaya wins for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series|publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|date=September 20, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2024|via=YouTube|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308053005/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze7rqVSGYV8|url-status=live}}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Laverne|Cox}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series{{cite web |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/fast-lane/article/2020/09/22/laverne-coxs-emmys-speech-was-censored-us-viewers |title=Laverne Cox's Emmys Speech was Censored for US Viewers |date=September 22, 2020 |website=Special Broadcasting Service |access-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108231132/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/fast-lane/article/2020/09/22/laverne-coxs-emmys-speech-was-censored-us-viewers |url-status=live }}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Jimmy|Kimmel|nolink=1}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inT5zFzvkCo|title=Andrij Parekh Wins for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|date=September 20, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2024|via=YouTube|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308053007/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inT5zFzvkCo|url-status=live}}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Karen and Kevin|Tsai|nolink=1}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series{{cite web |url=https://news.stonybrook.edu/homespotlight/medicine-alums-present-emmy-award-on-national-telecast/ |title=Medicine Alums Present Emmy Award on National Telecast |date=September 21, 2020 |publisher=Stony Brook University |access-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108231131/https://news.stonybrook.edu/homespotlight/medicine-alums-present-emmy-award-on-national-telecast/ |url-status=live }}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Katie|Duke|nolink=1}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series{{cite web |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2020/09/20/emmys-2020-first-responders-get-the-spotlight-as-emmy-presenters-on-sunday/ |title=Emmys 2020: First Responders Get the Spotlight as Emmy Presenters on Sunday |last=Larsen |first=Peter |date=September 20, 2020 |website=Orange County Register |access-date=January 8, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111091705/https://www.ocregister.com/2020/09/20/emmys-2020-first-responders-get-the-spotlight-as-emmy-presenters-on-sunday/ |url-status=live }}

    scope="row" | {{sortname|Sterling K.|Brown}}

    | Presented the award for Outstanding Drama Series

    Ceremony information

    File:Jimmy Kimmel and Cousin Sal (cropped).jpg served as the ceremony's host.]]

    As part of a rotating deal among the "Big Four" networks signed in 2018, ABC held the rights to broadcast the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-renews-big-four-deal-8-years-1132446/ |title=Emmys Renew Big Four Deal for 8 Years |last=O'Connell |first=Mikey |date=August 6, 2018 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207184542/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-renews-big-four-deal-8-years-1132446/ |url-status=live }} On January 8, 2020, during the Television Critics Association's annual winter tour, ABC announced that the ceremony would be broadcast on September 20 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, while the Creative Arts ceremonies would be held on September 12 and 13.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/emmy-awards-2020-date-time-abc-1202824216/ |title=Primetime Emmy Awards Sets 2020 Date on ABC |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=January 8, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-date=January 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108211311/https://deadline.com/2020/01/emmy-awards-2020-date-time-abc-1202824216/ |url-status=live }} However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, also known as the Television Academy, announced on June 15 that the Creative Arts ceremonies would be presented virtually due to the pandemic. Additionally, the annual Governors Ball was cancelled for the first time in its history, with the Television Academy making a $1 million donation to the Actors Fund's COVID-19 efforts in its place.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/emmys-virtual-shows-governors-ball-cancelled-oscar-date-moving-april-1202958941/ |title=Emmys: Creative Arts Goes Virtual, Gov Balls Canceled; TV Academy and ABC Mull Sept 20 Show Format While Network Also Looking to Set Later Oscar Date |last=Hammond |first=Pete |date=June 15, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106232820/https://deadline.com/2020/06/emmys-virtual-shows-governors-ball-cancelled-oscar-date-moving-april-1202958941/ |url-status=live }} The new Creative Arts dates were announced in August, with the ceremonies to be aired across five nights between September 14 and 19. On July 29, the main ceremony was moved to a remote format as well.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/emmys-2020-virtual-jimmy-kimmel-1234720151/ |title=Emmys Will Go Virtual in 2020, Telecast Producers Outline Plans in Letter to the Nominees (Exclusive) |last=Malkin |first=Marc |date=July 29, 2020 |work=Variety |access-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729214829/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/emmys-2020-virtual-jimmy-kimmel-1234720151/ |url-status=live }}

    Jimmy Kimmel was announced as the ceremony's host on June 16. This year marked his third time as host, following 2012 and 2016. Kimmel also served as an executive producer for the event.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-2020-jimmy-kimmel-host-produce-abc-telecast-1298672/ |title=Jimmy Kimmel to Host and Produce Coronavirus-Altered Emmys |last=O'Connell |first=Mikey |date=June 16, 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122032908/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-2020-jimmy-kimmel-host-produce-abc-telecast-1298672/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/06/16/emmy-awards-jimmy-kimmel-host-2020-ceremony-somehow/3199325001/ |title=Jimmy Kimmel to Host 2020 Emmy Awards: 'I Don't Know Where We Will Do This or How' |last=Lawler |first=Kelly |date=June 16, 2020 |website=USA Today |access-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106232819/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/06/16/emmy-awards-jimmy-kimmel-host-2020-ceremony-somehow/3199325001/ |url-status=live }} In July, Guy Carrington, Reginald Hudlin, David Jammy, and Ian Stewart were added as executive producers, with Done and Dusted producing the ceremony.{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/producers-200723 |title=ABC Announces Emmy Awards Producers |date=July 23, 2020 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106232822/https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/producers-200723 |url-status=live }} Hamish Hamilton served as director for the event.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/reginald-hudlin-virtual-emmys-surprises-disaster-jimmy-kimmel-1234578128/ |title=Reginald Hudlin on the Great Unknowns Producing the Virtual Primetime Emmys: 'No One Has Done Anything Like This' |last=Hammond |first=Pete |date=September 16, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105174458/https://deadline.com/2020/09/reginald-hudlin-virtual-emmys-surprises-disaster-jimmy-kimmel-1234578128/ |url-status=live }}

    While Kimmel presented the ceremony from the Staples Center, no in-person festivities (such as a red carpet or audience) at the venue took place.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/emmys-live-ceremony-jimmy-kimmel-1234746268/ |title=Emmys 2020 Plans Revealed: Inside the Daring Idea to Broadcast Live from 140 Locations (Exclusive) |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=August 24, 2020 |work=Variety |access-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913192924/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/emmys-live-ceremony-jimmy-kimmel-1234746268/ |url-status=live }} Celebrity guests still made on-stage appearances, including Jennifer Aniston and Anthony Anderson.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/emmys-7-most-memorable-moments |title=Emmys: 7 Most Memorable Moments |last=White |first=Abbey |date=September 20, 2020 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507053134/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-7-most-memorable-moments-4063621/ |archive-date=May 7, 2021}} The broadcast used live feeds from each nominee, with television series being represented by one of their producers. A notable exception was Schitt's Creek, whose cast and crew appeared together from a viewing party in Toronto.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/awards/emmys/inside-schitts-creek-cast-emmys-viewing-party-in-toronto-exclusive/ |title=Inside Schitt's Creek Cast Emmys Viewing Party in Toronto (Exclusive) |last=Krochmal |first=Shana Naomi |date=September 20, 2020 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130230130/https://ew.com/awards/emmys/inside-schitts-creek-cast-emmys-viewing-party-in-toronto-exclusive/ |url-status=live }} To maintain a high-quality presentation, the use of video-conferencing was avoided, with producers sending "professional" cameras to each nominee's location, as well as an operator, if they so chose. Hudlin stated that they wanted to maintain a live broadcast, while Stewart argued that "we're not trying to make the Zoomies, we're trying to make the Emmys". Staples Center was chosen as the venue to ensure that appropriate social distancing could be practiced among crew members, and because it could support the infrastructure needed for the large number of remote feeds that would be used (estimated to be around 140).

    A number of comedy gags acknowledged the pandemic and the format of the ceremony. Kimmel's opening monologue featured a laugh track and footage of audience reactions from past Emmy ceremonies. After using a clip that depicted Kimmel himself as an audience member, he revealed the empty arena, and seats with cardboard cut-outs of nominees (except for the real Jason Bateman, whom Kimmel told could stay if he promised to laugh at his jokes; Bateman left).{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/jimmy-kimmel-emmys-monologue-1234580483/ |title=Jimmy Kimmel Delivers Emmys Opening Monologue to Faux House: 'This Isn't a MAGA Rally' |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=September 21, 2020 |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003023358/https://deadline.com/2020/09/jimmy-kimmel-emmys-monologue-1234580483/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/arts/television/emmys-kimmel-monologue.html |title=Jimmy Kimmel's 2020 Emmys Monologue: 'You Can't Have a Virus Without a Host' |last=Deb |first=Sopan |date=September 21, 2020 |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 21, 2020 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915233955/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/arts/television/emmys-kimmel-monologue.html |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |url-status=live}} Kimmel was also seen disinfecting the envelope for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series with Lysol spray; after Aniston commented that it was "a little extreme", Kimmel proceeded to throw it in a trash can and set it on fire instead.{{cite web |url=https://people.com/tv/emmys-2020-jennifer-aniston-jimmy-kimmel-set-fire-to-winners-envelope/ |title=Jennifer Aniston and Jimmy Kimmel Set Fire to Winner's Envelope While Presenting at 2020 Emmys |last1=Stone |first1=Natalie |last2=Chung |first2=Gabrielle |date=September 20, 2020 |work=People |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128035653/https://people.com/tv/emmys-2020-jennifer-aniston-jimmy-kimmel-set-fire-to-winners-envelope/ |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |url-status=live}} Some awards were delivered to winners via presenters in themed Hazmat suits designed to look like formalwear.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/stylish-hazmat-clad-presenters-give-emmys-to-a-lucky-few-winners |title=Stylish Hazmat-Clad Presenters Give Emmys to a Lucky Few Winners |last=Drury |first=Sharareh |date=September 20, 2020 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922190559/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/stylish-hazmat-clad-presenters-give-emmys-to-a-lucky-few-winners |url-status=live }}

    = Category and rule changes =

    Several rule changes were announced in December 2019. First, episodes that were scheduled to air after the eligibility period closed, known as hanging episodes, were eligible for awards if they were made available on a member-accessible platform, such as the Television Academy's streaming platform, before May 31, 2020. Otherwise, those episodes would be eligible at the following year's ceremony. For limited series, all episodes had to be made available before May 31, or the series as a whole would have to compete the following year. Other changes included the elimination of DVD screeners to save money and waste, as well as a limit on actors playing the same character across multiple series – only one performance for that character could be submitted in a given year. Programs broadcast during prime time hours as an extension of daytime series were no longer eligible, and self-published programming had to be vetted to determine if it was "suitably competitive".{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/2020-emmy-rules-changes-television-academy-unveils-adjustments-to-hanging-episodes-kids-voting-1202811370/ |title=2020 Emmy Rules Changes: Television Academy Unveils Adjustments to 'Hanging Episodes' & Kids Voting |last=White |first=Peter |date=December 17, 2019 |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 6, 2020 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218161717/https://deadline.com/2019/12/2020-emmy-rules-changes-television-academy-unveils-adjustments-to-hanging-episodes-kids-voting-1202811370/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/awards/emmys-television-academy-screeners-cost-dvds-rules-1203444574/ |title=Emmys: TV Academy Reveals Fees for Digital Screeners, Now That DVDs Are Over |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=December 17, 2019 |website=Variety |access-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231043638/https://variety.com/2019/tv/awards/emmys-television-academy-screeners-cost-dvds-rules-1203444574/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/emmy-rules-changes-191217-v4.pdf |title=2020 Emmy Awards Rules Changes |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231043642/https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/emmy-rules-changes-191217-v4.pdf |url-status=live }}

    In March 2020, the deadline for hanging episodes was extended to June 30 due to production delays stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic; the nomination and voting periods were similarly delayed. All shows were still required to premiere before May 31 to be eligible for the 2020 ceremony.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/03/2020-emmys-changes-rules-calendar-ceremony-dates-1202220874/ |title=TV Academy Compresses Emmy Schedule, Cancels FYCs, but Keeps September Ceremony Dates |last=Hill |first=Libby |date=March 27, 2020 |website=IndieWire |access-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122032909/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/03/2020-emmys-changes-rules-calendar-ceremony-dates-1202220874/ |url-status=live }} "For Your Consideration" events were initially moved from live settings to virtual events due to the pandemic,{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/03/coronavirus-emmy-fyc-no-audience-1202217325/ |title=Coronavirus Emmy Disruption Confirmed as FYCs Go Audience-Free |last=Hill |first=Libby |date=March 12, 2020 |website=IndieWire |access-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122032917/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/03/coronavirus-emmy-fyc-no-audience-1202217325/ |url-status=live }} but were later suspended entirely.

    On June 17, 2020, it was announced that the number of nominees in the Outstanding Comedy and Drama Series categories had been increased from seven to eight, regardless of the number of submissions. The number of nominees had last been increased in 2015, from six to seven. The Television Academy cited a 15% increase in submissions as the reason for the change. In other categories, a sliding scale based on the number of submissions would be used to determine the number of nominees; paired performance categories, such as supporting actor and actress in a comedy, would have the same number of nominees. The changes led to the elimination of the "2% rule", where submissions within two percent of the fifth-place nominee would also receive a nomination.{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/rules-200617 |title=Rules Changes Announced for 2020 Emmys |last=Goodell |first=Stephanie |date=June 17, 2020 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618080304/https://www.emmys.com/news/awards-news/rules-200617 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/emmys-television-academy-nominations-1234641173/ |title=Television Academy Expands Comedy and Drama Emmys to Eight Nominations, Makes Other Changes |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=June 17, 2020 |website=Variety |access-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231045124/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/emmys-television-academy-nominations-1234641173/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-06-18/emmys-expansion-comedy-drama-series-rules-changes |title=2020 Emmys Expand Nominees Due to Increase in Submissions |last=Whipp |first=Glenn |date=June 18, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 30, 2021 |url-access=limited |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231045124/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-06-18/emmys-expansion-comedy-drama-series-rules-changes |url-status=live }}

    On August 6, alongside the announcement of the Creative Arts ceremony dates, four categories were moved from the main ceremony to Creative Arts ceremonies: Directing for a Variety Series, Writing for a Variety Series, Variety Sketch Series, and Television Movie. This left 23 categories to be presented at the main ceremony. Additionally, the Governors Award was moved from its usual presentation at a Creative Arts ceremony to the main ceremony.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/emmys-television-academy-spreads-72nd-awards-presentations-over-six-nights-in-september-1203006269/ |title=Emmys: Television Academy Spreads 72nd Awards Presentations over Six Nights in September, Reduces Number of Primetime Categories |last=Hammond |first=Pete |date=August 6, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 1, 2022 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102202906/https://deadline.com/2020/08/emmys-television-academy-spreads-72nd-awards-presentations-over-six-nights-in-september-1203006269/ |url-status=live }} The move drew criticism from the Writers Guild of America and Directors Guild of America, which were contractually guaranteed four writing and four directing categories during the broadcast.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/emmys-wga-dga-not-agreed-tv-academy-plan-remove-writing-directing-category-main-telecast-abc-1203006885/ |title=Emmys: WGA & DGA Have Not Agreed To TV Academy's Plan To Remove Writing & Directing Categories From Main Telecast On ABC |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=August 6, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=January 3, 2024 |archive-date=January 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104002121/https://deadline.com/2020/08/emmys-wga-dga-not-agreed-tv-academy-plan-remove-writing-directing-category-main-telecast-abc-1203006885/ |url-status=live }}

    = Critical reviews and viewership =

    The broadcast received generally positive reviews from critics.{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/emmys/s72 |title=Emmys: 72nd Emmys |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109214758/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/emmys/s72 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/feature/2020-emmy-awards-winners-and-reviews |title=2020 Emmy Awards: Full Winners List + Critic Reviews |last=Dietz |first=Jason |date=September 20, 2020 |website=Metacritic |access-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109214758/https://www.metacritic.com/feature/2020-emmy-awards-winners-and-reviews |url-status=live }} Time{{'}}s Judy Berman called the ceremony "one of the most enjoyable awards shows in recent memory" thanks not to one major decision but instead due to the many details that succeeded. She felt Kimmel's turn as host provided some energy and consistency, even as his performance was simply okay.{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/5891033/emmys-2020-review/ |title=The 2020 Emmys Were a Comforting Dose of Normalcy at a Scarily Abnormal Time |last=Berman |first=Judy |date=September 21, 2020 |magazine=Time |access-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109214759/https://time.com/5891033/emmys-2020-review/ |url-status=live }} Linda Holmes of NPR also noted that the broadcast "wasn't just watchable; it was ... pretty good", with the remote setup providing a level of intimacy and unpredictability missing from other awards shows.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/21/915132850/the-emmys-pull-off-a-good-show-as-schitt-s-creek-and-watchmen-shine |title=The Emmys Pull Off a Good Show as Schitt's Creek And Watchmen Shine |last=Holmes |first=Linda |date=September 21, 2020 |website=NPR |access-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109214759/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/21/915132850/the-emmys-pull-off-a-good-show-as-schitt-s-creek-and-watchmen-shine |url-status=live }} IndieWire{{'}}s Ben Travers called it "a memorable, entertaining, and technically immaculate awards show", praising the technical team and the decision to favor live speeches over recorded segments.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/09/2020-emmy-show-review-best-worst-1234586283/ |title=2020 Emmys Review: Chaos Reigned in Primetime, and ABC's Show Was Better for It |last=Travers |first=Ben |date=September 21, 2020 |website=IndieWire |access-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111091626/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/09/2020-emmy-show-review-best-worst-1234586283/ |url-status=live }}

    Mike Hale of The New York Times was more critical of the ceremony, remarking that the Emmys "continued [their] trend of feeling out of tune with the way most of us watch TV". He added that the remote appearances and pretaped portions evoked nostalgia for "the hothouse atmosphere and occasional breakdowns" of live ceremonies, with spontaneity replaced by "stage-managed banality".{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/arts/television/review-emmy-awards.html |title=Emmy Show Reinvents Itself, but Keeps the Stale Parts |last=Hale |first=Mike |date=September 20, 2020 |website=The New York Times |access-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109214759/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/arts/television/review-emmy-awards.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Hank Stuever, writing for The Washington Post, found that the ceremony "more than met the challenge that the pandemic handed it" but failed to inspire any permanent ideas for changes to the awards show format.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/emmys-review-jimmy-kimmel-schitts-creek/2020/09/20/2a6a8900-f9d3-11ea-89e3-4b9efa36dc64_story.html |title=At Kimmel's Virtual Emmys Show, a Few Gaffes Might Have Improved Things |last=Stuever |first=Hank |date=September 20, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 9, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122032935/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/emmys-review-jimmy-kimmel-schitts-creek/2020/09/20/2a6a8900-f9d3-11ea-89e3-4b9efa36dc64_story.html |url-status=live }} Robert Lloyd remarked in the Los Angeles Times that the show "felt solid enough to accommodate the occasional technical difficulty", adding that because almost everything was unprecedented, it was "minute for minute more interesting than these long nights of self-celebration usually are". He found that Kimmel was the right host for the event, providing "a walking dose of normality" to the proceedings.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-09-20/emmys-2020-review |title=Emmys 2020 Review: A Strange, Surprising and Delightful Show |last=Lloyd |first=Robert |date=September 20, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 9, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109002714/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-09-20/emmys-2020-review |url-status=live }}

    The ceremony was watched by 6.36 million viewers in the United States, falling below the previous year's ceremony to become the least-watched Emmys telecast in history. It achieved a 1.3 rating among adults ages 18–49, also a record low.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-ratings-sunday-sept-20-2020-emmys-4064399/ |title=TV Ratings: Emmys Hit All-Time Low for Second Straight Year |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=September 21, 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=January 3, 2022 |archive-date=January 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103184612/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-ratings-sunday-sept-20-2020-emmys-4064399/ |url-status=live }} The ceremony faced competition from both an NFL broadcast and, for the first time, a playoff game for the NBA. Additionally, the ceremony lacked a red carpet show leading into the ceremony, which may have affected viewership.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/emmys-ratings-abc-jimmy-kimmel-1234777513/ |title=TV Ratings: Emmy Awards Drop to All-Time Low 6.1 Million Viewers |last=Thorne |first=Will |date=September 21, 2020 |website=Variety |access-date=January 3, 2022 |archive-date=January 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103184613/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/emmys-ratings-abc-jimmy-kimmel-1234777513/ |url-status=live }}

    =Criticism regarding lack of diversity=

    Following the nomination announcement, the Television Academy was criticized for its lack of transgender nominees. Several cast members and affiliates of the FX drama Pose, which is set in New York City's LGBT ballroom scene, criticized the Television Academy for excluding its many transgender stars from the acting categories.{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a33457277/pose-emmys-snub/ |title=Pose Co-Creator and Stars Respond to Emmy Snub of Trans and Non-Binary Cast |last=Anderton |first=Joe |date=July 29, 2020 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731115413/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a33457277/pose-emmys-snub/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/pose-stars-speak-out-against-emmy-snubs-black-trans-actors-n1235188 |title=Pose Stars Speak Out Against Emmy Snubs of Black Trans Actors |last=Aviles |first=Gwen |date=July 28, 2020 |website=NBC News |access-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804230433/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/pose-stars-speak-out-against-emmy-snubs-black-trans-actors-n1235188 |url-status=live }} There was similar criticism from affiliates of the HBO series Euphoria, for which transgender actress Hunter Schafer did not receive a nomination despite critical acclaim.{{cite web |url=https://www.advocate.com/television/2020/7/28/emmys-snub-transgender-stars-pose-euphoria |title=Emmys Snub Transgender Stars of Pose, Euphoria |last=Reynolds |first=Daniel |date=July 28, 2020 |work=The Advocate |access-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809185329/https://www.advocate.com/television/2020/7/28/emmys-snub-transgender-stars-pose-euphoria |url-status=live }} However, despite these snubs, Rain Valdez became the second transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy for acting, receiving a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/trans-pose-emmys-shut-out-rain-valdez-lgbtq-1234577162/ |title=As Trans Pose Stars Are Shut Out of Emmys Once Again, Another Milestone Is Reached |last=Dry |first=Jude |date=July 30, 2020 |website=IndieWire |access-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121203353/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/trans-pose-emmys-shut-out-rain-valdez-lgbtq-1234577162/ |url-status=live }}

    Further criticism resulted from the lack of Latino nominees. While there was a record number of black nominees, there was limited recognition for shows starring Latino casts and only one Latino or Latina nomination in any acting category (Alexis Bledel for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series). The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called the lack of nominations a "demoralizing disappointment for the U.S.'s largest minority group".{{cite web |url=https://people.com/tv/hispanic-caucus-calls-out-emmy-awards-not-a-single-latino-or-latina-was-nominated-this-year/ |title=2020 Emmy Nominations Criticized by Hispanic Caucus for 'Erasure' of Latino Actors |last=VanHoose |first=Benjamin |date=July 29, 2020 |work=People |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004000439/https://people.com/tv/hispanic-caucus-calls-out-emmy-awards-not-a-single-latino-or-latina-was-nominated-this-year/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-07-28/emmys-2020-nominations-diversity-analysis |title=Emmys 2020 Nominees Are More Diverse, but Latino Representation Still Abysmal |last=Ordoña |first=Michael |date=July 28, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920050955/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-07-28/emmys-2020-nominations-diversity-analysis |url-status=live }} When the Los Angeles Times reported the criticism using the terms "Black" and "Latino" separately, it was itself criticized for failing to recognize Afro-Latinos.{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/5889072/afro-latino-actors-roundtable/ |title=These Afro-Latino Actors Are Pushing Back Against Erasure in Hollywood |last=Chow |first=Andrew R. |date=September 17, 2020 |magazine=Time |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921181402/https://time.com/5889072/afro-latino-actors-roundtable/ |url-status=live }} John Leguizamo boycotted the Emmys because of its lack of Latino nominees, remarking, "If you don't have Latin people, there's no reason for me to see it."{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/john-leguizamo-emmys-2020-boycott-latinx-representation-b487903.html |title=John Leguizamo to Boycott 2020 Emmys: 'If You Don't Have Latin People, There's No Reason for Me to See It' |last=Michallon |first=Clémence |date=September 18, 2020 |work=The Independent |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007195238/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/john-leguizamo-emmys-2020-boycott-latinx-representation-b487903.html |url-status=live }} Before the nominations were announced, Porter suggested that his Pose co-star Mj Rodriguez, who is transgender and Afro-Latina, was not receiving recognition because the Television Academy's members "don't know how to adjudicate the performance" and so simply exclude it.{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/pose-billy-porter-interview-mj-rodriguez/ |title=Billy Porter on Why Mj Rodriguez Is the Heart of Pose and Should Be Winning Everything |last=Nemiroff |first=Perri |date=June 5, 2020 |website=Collider |access-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904145519/https://collider.com/pose-billy-porter-interview-mj-rodriguez/ |url-status=live }}

    The Emmys also faced criticism from the Asian American community, leveled because Asian Americans only made up one percent of the nominees. The relative lack of nominations was attributed to both the small number of shows featuring Asian Americans and the perception among some voters that such shows are niche or foreign.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/asian-americans-make-1-emmy-nominations-why-representation-so-low-n1240486 |title=Asian Americans Make Up 1% of Emmy Nominations. Why Is Representation So Low? |last=Gajjar |first=Saloni |date=September 19, 2020 |website=NBC News |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122032916/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/asian-americans-make-1-emmy-nominations-why-representation-so-low-n1240486 |url-status=live }} Mindy Kaling, creator of Never Have I Ever, criticized the Emmys for not nominating the series for any Emmy categories despite its success, suggesting that it was overlooked because "Sometimes a show like ours will always seem ethnic or niche to a certain group of people."{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/mindy-kaling-reacts-emmys-2020-never-have-i-ever-snub-1202997553/ |title=Mindy Kaling Reacts to Never Have I Ever Emmy Snub, Says Comedy May Be 'Ethnic Or Niche' for Some Voters |last=Del Rosario |first=Alexandra |date=July 28, 2020 |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=August 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825070252/https://deadline.com/2020/07/mindy-kaling-reacts-emmys-2020-never-have-i-ever-snub-1202997553/ |url-status=live }}

    In Memoriam

    The annual In Memoriam segment featured H.E.R. performing "Nothing Compares 2 U" on piano and electric guitar.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07HjZKe-0ls |title=72nd Emmy Awards: In Memoriam |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |date=September 20, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |via=YouTube |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108200105/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07HjZKe-0ls |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.etonline.com/2020-emmy-awards-remember-stars-weve-lost-in-heartfelt-in-memoriam-tribute-153360 |title=2020 Emmy Awards Remember Stars We've Lost in Heartfelt 'In Memoriam' Tribute |last=Seemayer |first=Zach |date=September 20, 2020 |work=Entertainment Tonight |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001110404/https://www.etonline.com/2020-emmy-awards-remember-stars-weve-lost-in-heartfelt-in-memoriam-tribute-153360 |url-status=live }}

    {{div col}}

    {{div col end}}

    Before the In Memoriam montage, Kimmel paid tribute to United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died two days before the ceremony.{{cite web |url=https://people.com/tv/emmys-2020-in-memoriam/ |title=Chadwick Boseman, Regis Philbin, Naya Rivera and More Honored During Emotional Emmys In Memoriam |last=Fernández |first=Alexia |date=September 20, 2020 |work=People |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=September 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922000819/https://people.com/tv/emmys-2020-in-memoriam/ |url-status=live }} A speech recorded by Boseman was played at the end of the montage.{{cite web |url=https://www.eonline.com/uk/news/1190015/chadwick-boseman-naya-rivera-and-more-honored-in-h-e-r-s-in-memoriam-performance-at-2020-emmys |title=Chadwick Boseman, Naya Rivera and More Honored in H.E.R.'s In Memoriam Performance at 2020 Emmys |last=Contreras |first=Cydney |date=September 20, 2020 |work=E! Online |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001004558/https://www.eonline.com/uk/news/1190015/chadwick-boseman-naya-rivera-and-more-honored-in-h-e-r-s-in-memoriam-performance-at-2020-emmys |url-status=live }}

    Notes

    {{notelist}}

    References

    {{reflist}}

    External links

    • [http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2020 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards] at Emmys.com
    • {{IMDb event|0000223/2020}}
    • [https://www.goldderby.com/feature/complete-list-2020-emmys-episode-submissions-revealed-updating-1203624872/ 2020 Emmy Awards episode submissions] at Gold Derby
    • [http://www.emmys.com/ Academy of Television Arts & Sciences website]
    • [https://web.archive.org/web/20200801014403/http://www.emmys.com/ballots/2020 2020 Emmy Nominating Ballots]

    {{EmmyAwardsbyYear}}

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    Category:2020 awards in the United States

    Category:2020 in American television

    Category:2020 television awards

    Category:2020 television specials

    Category:Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television

    072

    Category:September 2020 in the United States

    Category:Television shows directed by Hamish Hamilton (director)