How to Watch the 2021 Emmy Awards

This year, we’ve been relying on Netflix, Amazon Prime and HBO Max (and now the Olympics) for entertainment. So, we’re understandably thrilled that the 2021 Emmy Awards will shake up our streaming queue in a few short weeks. While the 73rd annual ceremony is taking place in person, it’s already causing controversy due to the plethora of snubs.

So, who’s nominated? And what are the details on how to watch the Emmys? Here’s everything you need to know.

1. When are the 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards?

The 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards will take place at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The awards show will be broadcast on Sunday, September 19, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Unlike last year’s virtual Emmys, the upcoming ceremony will feature a small in-person audience, consisting of nominees and their guests.

2. How to watch the Emmys?

The 2021 Emmys ceremony will be exclusively broadcast on CBS, so be sure to check your local listings. If you prefer to stream the awards show, don’t forget to sign up for Paramount+. (The streaming service offers a free trial, if you’re feeling super desperate.)

3. Who's hosting the Emmy Awards?

The three-hour event will be hosted by Cedric the Entertainer. This will be The Neighborhood star’s first time hosting the Emmys, but he’s no stranger to emceeing. He has previously hosted the American Music Awards, the Critics’ Choice Television Awards, NAACP Image Awards, the Soul Train Awards and the TV Land Awards. (NBD.)

“Since I was a little boy huddled up next to my grandmother, television has always been my reliable friend, so it is an enormous honor for me to host this year’s Emmy Awards,” he said in a statement. “Throughout the roller-coaster of a year that we have all lived through, television has helped us stay connected as a society like never before. It not only entertained us, but as it always has, it helped to open our eyes, educate us, and hopefully brought about a better understanding of who we are as a people. I can’t wait to take the stage to celebrate all of the great shows and performances that made us laugh, cry, dance and sing over the past year.”

4. Will celebrities walk the red carpet?

To our knowledge, the answer is yes. However, the guest list isn’t going to be very extensive, since it’s limited to nominees and presenters. Still, this is a huge deal in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, which forced many award shows to go virtual.

5. Who's nominated for an Emmy Award?

The 2021 Emmy Award nominations were announced back in July by father-daughter duo Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us) and Jasmine Cephas Jones (Hamilton). The list featured several expected nominees, including Black-ish, The Flight Attendant, Ted Lasso, Bridgerton, The Crown and The Queen's Gambit.

The most noteworthy category was Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, which is stacked with Hollywood stars: Uzo Aduba (In Treatment), Olivia Colman (The Crown), Emma Corrin (The Crown), Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale), Mj Rodriguez (Pose) and Jurnee Smollett (Lovecraft Country). Yep, we weren’t kidding.

The list also included a few surprises, like Lovecraft Country. Although it got 18—yes, 18—nominations, HBO still has no plans to renew the popular series for season two. It received nods for several Primetime categories, including Outstanding Drama Series. Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Jonathan Majors), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Jurnee Smollett), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Michael K. Williams), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Aunjanue Ellis) and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (Courtney B. Vance).

6. Who got snubbed?

Where do we even begin? First, Nicole Kidman didn’t receive a nomination for Best Lead Actress for The Undoing. Although Hugh Grant was included in the Best Lead Actor category, Kidman’s portrayal of Grace Fraser went unrecognized.

Thuso Mbedu was also left off the list. The actress played Cora in The Underground Railroad, which received loads of critical acclaim. Many fans expected her to become a two-time Emmy nominee (she was previously honored for the South African telenova Is’Thunzi), but that wasn’t the case.

Other snubs included Sarah Paulson (Ratched), Teyonah Parris (WandaVision), Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) and Pen15 stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle.

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