How Quibi Could Shake Up the Short Form Emmy Races

Johnny Depp was awarded with a Gold Medal of Merit by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a ceremony honoring Serbian Statehood Day in Belgrade, Serbia on Tuesday.The 58-year-old actor was presented with the honors for his 'outstanding merits in public and cultural activities, especially in the field of film art and the promotion of the Republic of Serbia in the world,' Vucic said, according to the outlet Balkan Insight.Depp responded, 'I truly, sincerely thank you, President Vucic, and this medal of merit, if I am given the honor to walk away with this, I thank you for being kind enough to bestow it upon me.' The latest:Johnny Depp, 58, was awarded with a Gold Medal of Merit by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a ceremony honoring Serbian Statehood Day in Belgrade, Serbia on TuesdayHe said that was was 'right now on the verge of a new life' in moving through tumultuous times, and hoping the event was the launch of good things to come.'I like a re-beginning, and I would love for that beginning to start here,' he said. The Kentucky-born actor - who has been involved with a number of projects out of the country as of late, including the 2020 film Minimata and the animated show Puffins - said receiving the medal marked 'an extremely proud moment' in his life.The actor, who's also known for playing Edward Scissorhands as well as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, said last fall at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain that he's been the victim of 'cancel culture, or this instant rush to judgment' in the entertainment industry since he was accused of domestic violence by ex-wife Amber Heard in 2016.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeLocal public broadcaster KCET was once again the major winner at this year’s Los Angeles Area Emmys, and then, when combined with its sister station KOCE (“PBS SoCal”), the two outlets further dominated the awards. KCET won eight Emmys this year, the most of any station, followed by Univision’s KMEX-TV, which won five.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeNow that the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has mapped out its rescheduled awards ceremonies for the rest of the year, it’s ready to launch its dedicated online viewing platform for all of the Emmy Awards that it produces. As Variety first wrote in February, NATAS has been working on a new over-the-top service as a home for its daytime, sports and tech/engineering, news & documentary and regional awards in most of the country (except Los Angeles).Since then, CBS signed on to broadcast the most high-profile of NATAS’ three Daytime Emmy ceremonies, which aired in June.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Emmy nomination ballots are now closed, but in scouring this year’s entries, I was sad to see that “Succession” composer Nicholas Britell didn’t submit the show’s seminal Season 2 rap, “L to the OG.”Featured in the “Succession” episode “Dundee,” the song was one of the cringiest, most memorable moments of the last TV season: At a black-tie dinner celebrating mega-mogul Logan Roy’s 50th year running Waystar Royco, his son Kendall (Jeremy Strong) — dressed in a baseball jersey, which had been under his tuxedo — stuns the crowd by rapping about his dad’s career.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeJai Rodriguez, one of the original stars of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” has been tapped to host the second of this year’s three Daytime Emmy virtual ceremonies. This one, focusing on digital dramas, is set to live stream on Sunday, July 19, at 9 p.m.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWhen Lynn Shelton died in May, she left behind a legacy that included directing episodes of programs such as “Little Fires Everywhere,” “The Morning Show,” “Dickinson,” “GLOW,” “Shameless,” “Fresh off the Boat,” “The Mindy Project,” “New Girl” and “Mad Men.” She also directed multiple Marc Maron standup specials, including this year’s “Marc Maron: End Times Fun.” However, Shelton has never been nominated for an Emmy — yet.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeIt seems like every few years, the Television Academy reinvents the variety specials Emmy competition — and now, with an explosion in stand-up comedy on streaming platforms, it may have to rethink things once again.This year’s field of contenders in the variety special (pre-recorded) category is a hodgepodge of music showcases like Amazon Prime Video’s “Happiness Continues: A Jonas Brothers Concert Film,” Netflix’s “Ben Platt: Live From Radio City Music Hall” and ABC’s “The Disney Family Singalong”; special editions of talk shows like CBS’ “Homefest: James Corden’s Late Late Show Special” and TBS’ “Conan Without Borders: Ghana”; and celebrations tied to events such as ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeCould this be the year that the Television Academy voters finally shake up the Emmy race? Given that this is a time in our history like no other, perhaps people are in a different mindset right now — and that could very well impact how they’re choosing nominees.What that might mean is a few surprises when the 2020 Emmy noms are finally announced July 28. At least, let’s hope so.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Emmys are still on for Sept. 20, and besides host Jimmy Kimmel, there’s very little we know about how this year’s ceremony — to be broadcast on ABC — will be handled.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeThe Emmy race for variety talk series took a dramatic turn at the end of March, when the late-night shows all found themselves pivoting to a new, at-home format. The COVID-19 pandemic shut down most TV productions, but the talk shows were able to continue — albeit with makeshift setups that grew more professional as the weeks went on.It remains to be seen whether the coronavirus will affect the competition, particularly given how little movement there has been in recent years.

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

By Michael Schneider

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeIt’s not quite the “Gravity Falls” reboot/reunion that fans are hoping for, but it’s close: Creator Alex Hirsch will guest star on a Season 2 episode of Disney Channel’s “Amphibia” that pays homage to the animated cult fave.In the “Amphibia” episode titled “Wax Museum,” the show’s family travels to a mysterious roadside oddities museum that looks and feels quite a bit like the Mystery Shack on “Gravity Falls.” Hirsch, who voiced Grunkle Stan on that show, will guest star as “The Curator,” a Stan-like character who owns the “Curiosity Hut” and features a frog custodian named “Frog Soos” (based, of course, on “Soos” from “Gravity Falls,” whom Hirsch also voiced).“Amphibia” creator and executive