2020 Emmys: The Most Awkward, WTF, and Confusing Moments
Two words: hazmat tuxedos.
The 2020 Emmys are proof that we're all just trying our best this year, even Hollywood. Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, the 72nd Emmys took on a unique format that resulted in several head-scratching and what-were-they-thinking moments. With Jimmy Kimmel at the helm, the show featured several creative efforts to maintain social distancing, including 130 livestreams from the homes of nominees instead of a live audience. (Kimmel and select presenters still did bits from the Staples Center in LA.) Some moments still managed to be heartwarming (looking at you, Dan Levy), but several other moments didn't exactly work. Take a look at our list of the most awkward and confusing moments of the award show. Hey, at least it was still entertaining?
1. The Hazmat Tuxedos
In an effort to safely deliver Emmys to winners, the 2020 Emmys deployed trophy presenters clad in hazmat suits. But this is an award show after all, so the hazmat suits were made to resemble tuxes. It's a pandemic vibe.
2. And what happens when you lose the Emmy...
A post shared by ramy youssef (@ramy)
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Ramy Youssef gave fans a peek at how incredibly and equally uncomfortable it is when you lose the Emmy and the hazmat tux guy has to leave.
3. When Jennifer Aniston Had to Put Out a Fire
During a bit, Emmys' host Jimmy Kimmel started a fire that presenter and nominee Jennifer Aniston had to help put out—only the fire didn't want to go out so easily, forcing the duo to battle some unexpectedly large flames.
4. The Most Extra Hand Sanitizer of All Time
Production turned an Emmy award in a very fancy hand sanitizer dispenser. I don't not want one.
5. That Not-OK ICE Joke
After Kimmel lost his Emmy category to John Oliver he joked he's be calling ICE in the morning. Uh, not cool Jimmy...
6. The Fake Audience
The 2020 Emmys kicked off with a truly puzzling bang, with production splicing footage of last year's audience reacting and laughing into Jimmy's monologue. It left viewers confused for a hot minute that show actually had a real audience in attendance. Kimmel revealed after about 10 minutes that it was all a joke, but it was a strange start nonetheless.
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7. The Alpaca Presenter
Randall Park presented the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie alongside an alpaca. For no reason. Confusing, but cute.
8. No Live Audience = No Laughs
Because Kimmel was hosting to an empty room, the majority of his jokes and other bits were followed by deafening silence instead of laughter from the audience.
Neha Prakash is Marie Claire's Entertainment Director, where she edits, writes, and ideates culture and current event features with a focus on elevating diverse voices and stories in film and television. She steers and books the brand's print and digital covers as well as oversees the talent and production on MC's video franchises like "How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?" and flagship events, including the Power Play summit. Since joining the team in early 2020, she's produced entertainment packages about buzzy television shows and films, helped oversee culture SEO content, commissioned op-eds from notable writers, and penned widely-shared celebrity profiles and interviews. She also assists with social coverage around major red carpet events, having conducted celebrity interviews at the Met Gala, Oscars, and Golden Globes. Prior to Marie Claire, she held editor roles at Brides, Glamour, Mashable, and Condé Nast, where she launched the Social News Desk. Her pop culture, breaking news, and fashion coverage has appeared on Vanity Fair, GQ, Allure, Teen Vogue, and Architectural Digest. She earned a masters degree from the Columbia School of Journalism in 2012 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Pennsylvania State University in 2010. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and dog, Ghost; she loves matcha lattes, Bollywood movies, and has many hot takes about TV reboots. Follow her on Instagram @nehapk.
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