The 72nd Emmy Awards are over and though the show marked a record low in terms of ratings and engaging content, if you love TV, there was still some stuff to get excited about, at least. The big “Pandemmys” show at Staples Center had, of course, no live audience or red carpet due to Covid-19. Instead, there were video chats, in-studio skits and acceptance speeches, some of which were fun and meaningful.

But those who’d hoped to see something fresh or innovative within the digital presentation were mostly disappointed. Kimmel made the show feel like little more than a special edition of his late night talk show, with jokes about the pandemic and the election, and scenes from past Emmys edited in to appear as reactions to the new material. Meh.

It was up to the announcements themselves to generate excitement and we were happy and frankly surprised to see so many of our picks from last week (not intended to be predictions) actually take home gilded statues for acting, writing and show creation. Our entertainment writers praised their favorite nominees for the special Emmys package and ended up getting more than half (everything below in blue text) of the big award winners correct, in fact. With those odds maybe year we’ll be placing bets in Vegas.

See a full list of Emmy winners here.

SCHITT’S CREEK (PopTV)

And the winners are…

Outstanding Drama Series: Succession

Outstanding Comedy Series: Schitt’s Creek

Outstanding Variety Talk Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Outstanding Competition Program: RuPaul’s Drag Race

Outstanding Limited Series: Watchmen

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Zendaya, Euphoria

Zendaya in EUPHORIA (HBO)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Jeremy Strong, Succession

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: Regina King, Watchmen

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Julia Garner, Ozark

Mark Ruffalo in I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Billy Crudup, The Morning Show

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: Andrij Parekh, Succession

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Jesse Armstrong, Succession

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen

Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie: Maria Schrader, Unorthodox

Regina King in WATCHMEN (HBO)

Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie: Damon Lindelof, Cord Jefferson, Watchmen

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: Daniel Levy and Andrew Cividino, Schitt’s Creek

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE (VH1)

Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program: RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race)

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us)

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Cherry Jones (Succession)

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Eddie Murphy (Saturday Night Live)

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live)

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting Irvine Weekly and our advertisers.